Something Fishy's First Trip to Israel - Planning Thread

[Something Fishy]

Stalactite Cave Nature Reserve
+972 2-991-1117
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gYKEPxRWYUgB8U9z7

Hmmm. Looks pretty, but technically something I can see in Pennsylvania as well...

[Dan]

What does not going to the Kotel entail?
For me, nothing else in Israel compares. Can you do the Kotel tunnel tour?

[yelped]

Hmmm. Looks pretty, but technically something I can see in Pennsylvania as well...

Kind of, but I found it nicer than Howe Caverns.

There's cheese factories and wax and glass blowing in Tzfas. Winery and Oil press in Ramat HaGolan. Manara Cliffs, Banias in the north. And, as mentioned, bird watching.

[Dan]

Not 100% yet, but that's the most likely scenario so I'm working off that.

Judging from this thread, there's no way you can come close to doing all this in 10 days.
Also, a Shabbos in J'lem and a shabbos in Tzfat are both simply incredible and both cities are good bases for surrounding activities and kevarim.

[yungermanchik]

When you pass by Ashekelon when you go up north, stop in the shul with all the murals. The name escaped me just this second.

ETA: It's the Tunisian Shul. Go Mincha Maariv time. It's for sure open then.

Don't you mean Akko https://www.akko.org.il/en/Old-Acree-Or-Torah-Synagogue

[yelped]

Don't you mean Akko https://www.akko.org.il/en/Old-Acree-Or-Torah-Synagogue

Yes, indeed. Sorry.

Obviously, kevarim is a big deal in Israel. There are many resources for that, and depends on what personal connections you have to them.

[Yaalili]

Hard to give eating suggestions in Israel without opening a can of worms, with all the different Hashgacha's they have.

That being said, these were my favorite places in Israel for unique and delicious food.

1) Blackout (Jaffa) - https://nalagaat.org.il/en/blackout/ - Dairy/Fish. You eat in the dark. Pitch dark. Blind people are the waiters and teach you how to eat in the dark, finding the different dishes and utensils, using more of sense of smell and they have option where you can order the "Surprise Dish" if you want more of an adventure. This place is incredible and well worth it! It is very close to the old Jaffa city, so it can make for a small side trip. (Hashgacha is Rabbanut Tel Aviv per site).

2) Ishtabach (Shuk) - https://www.tabitorder.com/?siteName=ishtabach#/start - Meat. Iraqi style meat knishes/pastries? Great food!

3) Hachapuria (Shuk) - https://www.tabitorder.com/?siteName=hachapuria#/start - Dairy. Georgian style restaurant, really good. When I was there last, they were going through a Hashgacha change, so I am not sure what current situation is there now.

4) Jachnun Bar (Shuk) - https://www.jbar.co.il/ - Dairy. Yemenite style restaurant with excellent Malawachs, small hole in the wall shop in the Shuk.

[Something Fishy]

What does not going to the Kotel entail?
For me, nothing else in Israel compares. Can you do the Kotel tunnel tour?

Let's see...... post count checks out. Good.

Do I actually fit in the tunnels or is it more of a misnomer?

Judging from this thread, there's no way you can come close to doing all this in 10 days.
Also, a Shabbos in J'lem and a shabbos in Tzfat are both simply incredible and both cities are good bases for surrounding activities and kevarim.

Well obviously everything needs to be pared down to a reasonable itinerary. I agree re. the two Shabbosim, but in practice I may not be able to get away for so long. I'll also either need to be in Israel over 17 Tammuz or return during the 9 days, neither of which sounds fun.

I'm not looking at this as a once in a lifetime trip, there will be others iy"h....

[Something Fishy]

Kind of, but I found it nicer than Howe Caverns.

There's cheese factories and wax and glass blowing in Tzfas. Winery and Oil press in Ramat HaGolan. Manara Cliffs, Banias in the north. And, as mentioned, bird watching.

Lots of homework here! Keep em coming .

[Yaalili]

A couple of Pizza places I would recommend.

1) Craft (Shuk) - pricey but great Sourdough Pizza.

2) Pizza Hut (Ben Yehuda) - Nothing too special, but if you want that experience of eating at Pizza Hut

[Something Fishy]

Hard to give eating suggestions in Israel without opening a can of worms, with all the different Hashgacha's they have.

That being said, these were my favorite places in Israel for unique and delicious food.

1) Blackout (Jaffa) - https://nalagaat.org.il/en/blackout/ - Dairy/Fish. You eat in the dark. Pitch dark. Blind people are the waiters and teach you how to eat in the dark, finding the different dishes and utensils, using more of sense of smell and they have option where you can order the "Surprise Dish" if you want more of an adventure. This place is incredible and well worth it! It is very close to the old Jaffa city, so it can make for a small side trip.

2) Ishtabach (Shuk) - https://www.tabitorder.com/?siteName=ishtabach#/start - Meat. Iraqi style meat knishes/pastries? Great food!

3) Hachapuria (Shuk) - https://www.tabitorder.com/?siteName=hachapuria#/start - Dairy. Georgian style restaurant, really good. When I was there last, they were going through a Hashgacha change, so I am not sure what current situation is there now.

4) Jachnun Bar (Shuk) - https://www.jbar.co.il/ - Dairy. Yemenite style restaurant with excellent Malawachs, small hole in the wall shop in the Shuk.

Gotta do some research on the hachsheirim, but blind, Iraqi, Georgian, and Yemenite sounds like a perfect lineup. I'm not going to israel for their pizza .

[Something Fishy]

A couple of Pizza places I would recommend.

1) Craft (Shuk) - pricey but great Sourdough Pizza.

2) Pizza Hut (Ben Yehuda) - Nothing too special, but if you want that experience of eating at Pizza Hut

LOL, should have read this before posting the above. Is Craft anything I haven't had in NY? And more to the point, in Rome?

[Yaalili]

LOL, should have read this before posting the above. Is Craft anything I haven't had in NY? And more to the point, in Rome?

Better than most in NY, but does not come close to Flour or Alice in Rome.

[yelped]

What does not going to the Kotel entail?
For me, nothing else in Israel compares. Can you do the Kotel tunnel tour?

Is this serious? I thought it was a joke.

[Dan]

Let's see...... post count checks out. Good.

Do I actually fit in the tunnels or is it more of a misnomer?


Well obviously everything needs to be pared down to a reasonable itinerary. I agree re. the two Shabbosim, but in practice I may not be able to get away for so long. I'll also either need to be in Israel over 17 Tammuz or return during the 9 days, neither of which sounds fun.

I'm not looking at this as a once in a lifetime trip, there will be others iy"h....

Lol.
You'll fit in the tunnel like you fit in the Resolute shul. Should be fun to see. Buy tickets way in advance if you get a heter

What's bad about being in Israel for 17 tammuz?

[Something Fishy]

Is this serious? I thought it was a joke.

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=123666.msg2413057#msg2413057

[Dan]

Gotta do some research on the hachsheirim

Good luck 
Legit, worst part of Israel for me, and that's saying something with the CS you'll run into there.

Also, perhaps don't ask whoever told you that you can't visit the Kotel 

[Dan]

Is this serious? I thought it was a joke.

Erm. Not a joke AFAIK. But Fishy can CMIIW.

[Something Fishy]

Lol.
You'll fit in the tunnel like you fit in the Resolute shul. Should be fun to see. Buy tickets way in advance if you get a heter

What's bad about being in Israel for 17 tammuz?

Oh my poor poor forehead. It still hasn't healed properly.

Re. 17 Tammuz, fasting on a trip is no fun. Also, if I move up the trip, instead of leaving Sunday I'd need to leave on Wednesday unless I want to end up in Gander for Shabbos (or do I have it all wrong ).

[Yaalili]

Re your question on if to rent a car, I would say very worth to have for driving anywhere outside of JLM.

Technically you can take buses (and rail) to most places. But having a car with give you freedom and easier access to visit further out places like Rosh Hanikra, Akko, Maarat Keshet, Tzfas, Meron etc.