Something Fishy's First Trip to Israel - Planning Thread

[AsherO]

Givat Hatachmoshet (ammunition hill) is very cool - not big, but lots of history and its right off rechov Shmuel hanavi. When we went there, 10 years ago, there was a cool video with a model that showed all the details of the war there. And they offered us a free tour in english by some student there.

I remember going as a kid and feeling like I could "smell" the Jordanians in the bunkers there...

[Something Fishy]

Yes. need to hike up before sunrise to beat the heat

Masada, ein gedi, and yam hamelach can be all done in 1 day for sure. The hike up masada starts about an hour before neitz, so better to be local for the night before

I never hiked Masada but I also never walked up the stairs of the empire state building. As far as hikes go, they don't look too far off from each other.

It's just a path winding back and forth.

CMIIW

Hmmm, conflicting info lol.

Is the hike really that boring? And if it is, is it actually worth the time and effort to see the sunrise? I know that Masada (in general) is typically considered a must-do, but following the tourist path just for the sake of it is not my style.

[Dan]

Sounds like something up my alley then.

Sorry, a hotel breakfast just doesn't excite me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. What should I say.

Re. the Ritz, is it really worth spending an entire day in TLV on this trip? I'm thinking maybe we can do the Blind museum the last day before heading to the airport.

I'd say last night at the Ritz, eat at Papagaio or Lechem Basar in the marina downstairs, go for a morning swim in the rooftop pool and enjoy the breakfast, and then do the Palmach and Blind museums in TLV. If you're into miniatures, can also do Mini Israel, or you can go to the Shuk in Yafo.

[Something Fishy]

I remember going as a kid and feeling like I could "smell" the Jordanians in the bunkers there...

On that note: any point in crossing over to neighboring countries just for the sake of it? I know that Petra is interesting but definitely not a good use of time on this trip.

Is it even possible to cross into Syria or Lebanon?

My initial thought is that these will all be a colossal waste of time - am I right?

[Dan]

On that note: any point in crossing over to neighboring countries just for the sake of it? I know that Petra is interesting but definitely not a good use of time on this trip.

Is it even possible to cross into Syria or Lebanon?

My initial thought is that these will all be a colossal waste of time - am I right?

Not possible/worthwhile.

But if you go up Har Charmon or Bental in the Golan you can take pictures of Lebanon/Syria.

Nimrod's fortress in the Golan is very cool to explore. Banias waterfall is beautiful. Lots of great hikes up there too, better than at the dead sea IMHO. But you do need a dead sea picture reading a newspaper.

[Something Fishy]

I'd say last night at the Ritz, eat at Papagaio or Lechem Basar in the marina downstairs, go for a morning swim in the rooftop pool and enjoy the breakfast, and then do the Palmach and Blind museums in TLV. If you're into miniatures, can also do Mini Israel, or you can go to the Shuk in Yafo.

That makes sense.

[Something Fishy]

Not possible/worthwhile.

Got it. Figured.

[Dan]

Not possible/worthwhile.

But if you go up Har Charmon or Bental in the Golan you can take pictures of Lebanon/Syria.

Nimrod's fortress in the Golan is very cool to explore. Banias waterfall is beautiful. Lots of great hikes up there too, better than at the dead sea IMHO. But you do need a dead sea picture reading a newspaper.

Find a nice Tzimmer in the Golan and explore around it for a day.

[Something Fishy]

https://www.instagram.com/noam_bedein_dead_sea/

I've been following this guy for a while... Does this make any sense (I haven't even looked at a map yet...)

Sunrise hike up to Masada. Spend a bit of time up there, then cable car down.
Explore the general area, and take a nap in the car.
Afternoon Dead Sea, sunset tour with the guy above.

I guess I'll have to overnight at least once in the area, maybe twice.

[Something Fishy]

Find a nice Tzimmer in the Golan and explore around it for a day.

Gotta plot everything on a map, but here's a rough start (assuming one Shabbos for now).

Mon arrive
Tue J'lem
Wed-Thu Masada, Dead Sea, etc (two days allows us to travel to and from the area and overnight once. Is this a waste of time?)
Fri-Sha J'lem
Sun-Wed everything else - Meron/Tzefas/Teveria, Golan, KR/MH, Rosh Hanikra, etc. etc.
Thu TLV sights and return

Thoughts?

[drosenberg88429]

That makes sense.

Be aware of Papagaio hechsher

[Dan]

Be aware of Papagaio hechsher

In Herzliya? Everyone gave me the green light for it.

[aygart]

Combine with the Arizal's mikva and the episode is pretty much writing itself!

"How to Herring"

[mme]

Gotta plot everything on a map, but here's a rough start (assuming one Shabbos for now).


Wed-Thu Masada, Dead Sea, etc (two days allows us to travel to and from the area and overnight once. Is this a waste of time?)

Thoughts?

If you want to take it easy then sounds good but you can really do it in one day.(leaving early arriving back to Jerusalem Late)

[Dan]

you can really do it in one day.(leaving early arriving back to Jerusalem Late)

+1

[jj1000]

I don't like the idea of finally arriving in Eretz Yisroel and just going to Rosh Hanikra. I feel like I should head straight to J'lem first.

I think it's safe to say your true colors are showing here.

Don't worry no one will tell on you, enjoy the kossel!

(You zionist scum)

[Something Fishy]

I think it's safe to say your true colors are showing here.

Don't worry no one will tell on you, enjoy the kossel!

(You zionist scum)

*Koisel

[Something Fishy]

If you want to take it easy then sounds good but you can really do it in one day.(leaving early arriving back to Jerusalem Late)

Got it.

If that's the case, how about this:

Mon arrive
Tue J'lem
Wed Masada, Dead Sea, etc (two days allows us to travel to and from the area and overnight once. Is this a waste of time?)
Thu ?
Fri-Sha J'lem
Sun-Wed everything else - Meron/Tzefas/Teveria, Golan, KR/MH, Rosh Hanikra, etc. etc.
Thu TLV sights and return

Main difference is that this allows us to stay in J'lem for 5 consecutive nights and do day trips.
Wed and Thu can be interchangeable for now
I'm guessing that some of the other things I'd like to do are also doable as day trips, correct?

[Something Fishy]

How far is the J'lem - Dead Sea/Masada drive? Is Google generally reliable for this?

[jj1000]

Hmmm, conflicting info lol.

Is the hike really that boring? And if it is, is it actually worth the time and effort to see the sunrise? I know that Masada (in general) is typically considered a must-do, but following the tourist path just for the sake of it is not my style.

I've never been up there for sunrise, it's a regular desert sunrise from a mountain, nothing special afaik, even googling the pics I don't see anything too special.

And the hike, well just see the pics below, that what it is all the way up, to me that's not even a hike, it's a walk uphill: