Hello,
I have not posted in a while, but here is a trip report of our Pesach trip/vacation.
We were supposed to fly to Israel in the summer of 2021, but Covid restrictions would not allow us to travel.
We flew United nonstop from Newark on a 1030pm flight Monday evening, scheduled to arrive on Tuesday at 430pm. We booked it primarily on CSR Points, but had a chip in a few bucks for the increased cost when we rescheduled it.
When we flew a covid test was required for all of us before we took off, and again upon landing. We also needed to fill out a 48 hour form with Israel to enter the country in advance. We purchased covid tests prior to taking off from Israel landing so we could test in Israel upon arrival. We also took with us the Abbot tests that you can test via an app so we could reenter America without having to test in israel in person. It is my understanding that the Israel requirements are changing again on June 1.
Checkin at Newark was not that bad since we have Global Entry and Clear for free from our credit cards. We ordered Chickies to our home, and brought it with us, and we ate in the terminal before secondary security at the gate.
The flight was packed. Dozens of lap babies on the flight. The flight did run out of kosher meals, so some of us only got 1 out of two. The ones that missed it weren't missing anything. The meals are Fresko which is a giant upgrade from the other stuff. The black and white cookie was the best part and fresh.
We had not been to Israel in some time, so when we landed we had trouble getting to the baggage area and scanning our passports. We had to go to an individual who set it up for us. Supposedly, now that its been set up, we can now activate the new system.
We then waited for our baggage, and then had to get covid tested. Once again, if covid tests are required, make sure to purchase the tests on the 48 hour form, or you will be stuck for an additional 1-2 hours at the airport getting tested.
We finally got out of the airport. Now we needed a rental car. We are a larger family, and needed at least a minivan, if not larger. The prices are insane. We used Noachcar to get us a car from Europecar, they were at least 50% cheaper than everyone else, and the car was there. The annoying part was that we needed to take a shuttle with all our luggage to the rental car place, and then wait for the car. It took about another 45 minutes to get the car. Our car was a 9 seater Toyota ACEPRO, which is a diesel van like a Ford Transit. Filling up the car was about $150 and we filled up twice on our trip. We got good milage, and it handled the hills without any difficulty. At the same time, its huge, and the front seat/bench was very very uncomfortable. It was problematic parking and getting in and out of parking spaces/lots. It had plenty of room for our family and luggage.
We rented an airbnb across the street from the David Citadel Hotel, and the location was perfect. It had a parking garage with spaces for 2 cars for us as well.
We were across the street to mamila and a 5 minute walk to Jaffa Gate.
That evening we ate at Berlin which is a Burger place in Mamila and everyone enjoyed.
The next day, we ate breakfast at Holy bagel in the old city (Mixed reviews), and went to the kotel, davened, and had a 10am tour of the kotel tunnel tours (which were booked weeks in advance). They were very good, and informative. We walked back through the Muslim Quarter, and then walked back through the Jewish Quarter to our apartment. We had lunch at Falafel Harova. In the afternoon we walked to Ben Yehuda and Machanech Yehuda (a 20 minute walk) from our place. We ate at Fish N' Chips (good reviews), and just hung out. We then went our for dinner in the Shalva Cafe, which has excellent food and great service. We then went shopping for Chag at Osher Ad. Its bingo in Israel, but basically the Bingo of Boro Park, not the Bingo of Monsey or Lakewood.
Thursday, we drove to Masada (made reservations weeks in advance), and spent a few hours there. We took the cable car both ways. It was before chag, so the restaurant was closed, and we then drove to Yam Hamelech. We went to Kalia Beach. We paid for chairs and umbrellas, but getting it was difficult, as the people on the beach didn't want to get them for us. Also the dead sea has dissipated so much that its a hike to the beach now. We spent no more than an hour there, many of us got cut up on the salt, and then it was time to go.
That evening we had dinner at Tacos Luis, and it was delicious. Everyone enjoyed. That night was bedikas chometz, and we were exhausted. We visited friends, drove through the streets of Meah Shearim, and Bet Yisroel that were waiting for the garbage trucks to come. We also had falafel at Miro at about 11pm. Everyone enjoyed.
Friday was erev chag. Some of us slept late (after a siyum). Others found biyur chometz on a street. Some walked to Machneh Yehuda to purchase food and other items for chag. We then got ready, and drove to family for Chag.
Motzoi Shabbat we drove back to Jerusalem, and went to a late dinner to Cafe Rimon in Mamilla, it was delicious, and quick service.
Sunday we drove to Park Hamayaanot up in the Galil near Bet She'an. It was packed as it was Chol Hamoed. We then drove toe Bet She'an, where they have an amazing playground park with a ropes course. We then went to Kibbutz Meirav where we visited and got a tour of the farm/dairy. We then drove back to Jerusalem.
Monday we went out for breakfast/lunch at Kafit. It was good. Comparable to Rimon. We then went on a hike/tiyul near the Jerusalem highway in the Yaar Hakodeshim. We then went back to the old city for dinner at some random shwarma place and to the kotel for maariv.
Tuesday we went to Herodium, which is a preserved version of Masada"ish" about 15 minutes south of Jerusalem. We then went to a mall in Talpiot, another Osher Ad run, and then visited friends in the evening.
Wednesday we went up north to Chof Habonim, close to Haifa, we then went to Nahariya, to visit family. We took route 6 at 1130pm from Nahariya to Jerusalem and it took less than 2 hours. Not bad.
Thursday we went to Mini Israel, and it was run down and not taken care of. We would not recommend going back. We then went out to eat in Rimon in Ben Yehuda, the food was good, but service spotty. We went to the shuk as well, and shopped for chag.
Sunday we went to Geulah and Meah Shearim and Bet Yisrael in the morning. Its hard to find parking there so we parked in Bet Yisrael and ate at Miro's again. Everyone enjoyed the good food.
We then drove to Chof Namel in Tel aviv. Everyone had a great time. It literally was like being on a beach in California with scooter and bike rentals, playgrounds, outdoor gym, beach, shopping and many many kosher eateries and many of them mehadrin. I would go back again for a full day. I would not go on a weekend day or chol hamoed, but during the week, should be perfect. There is also a shuk there that closes at 4.
We then went to Petach Tiqva to Entrocote for dinner and it was fantastic.
Monday we had a tour of the old city. Its worth it to pay the few bucks to go on the observation deck of the Churva Shul. We ate at burgers bar, and then went to the water tunnels in Ir David. Its a once in a lifetime experience, make sure to bring flashlights, or buy them before you enter. Make sure to remove EVERYTHING from your pockets and place it in a backpack or it will be destroyed in wastehigh water, and make sure to wear water shoes.
We then walked in the tunnel from Ir David to the Kotel, which is pretty amazing. A really nice day.
We then took a cab to the shuk, ate at Crave (really good), and walked back slowly and shopped down Jaffa, and wrapped up for the evening.
The next day we went back to the airport. Typical nonsense returning the car (took forever), and the checkin line (took forever with no lines and pushing and shoving). We arrived more than 3 hours before checkin and got to our gate at final boarding.
The trip back was uneventful, but took more than 2 hours to get out of the airport as luggage was delayed in Newark.
Hope this was helpful.
