Anyone been to Israel/Palestine

RIP

My mum and dad went on an organised tour a couple of years ago and loved it.

my sister's been quite a few times and really enjoys it. She always combines a trip to Jerusalem with a stint in Petra.

Never been myself but have relations who have been many times.

Dead Sea & Masada is a must if you go,  plus loads of other places of interest.

Responses appreciated cheers.  I shall add it to the list pumphol.  It is such a small country that one week does allow you time to see an awful lot of it.  I guess April or later would be better for the weather but I want a break earlier than that.  I've ordered the lonely planet guide so looking forward to reading that.  For no particular reason I read a Mark Thomas (remember him?  political comedian from the nineties) book about how he walked the entire length of that big fence that divides the west bank from the rest of israel.  Was an interesting read and made me think it is just a place you have to visit seeing as i like travel, it isn't too far and it will only cost a few hundred quid.  Apparently you can request that they don't stamp your passport on arrival as it can make entry into muslim countries afterwards quite troublesome and I quite fancy Bangladesh in 2016.

I am have been informed that they do not stamp passports anymore. Instead they insert a slip of paper that is your visitors visa which you must retain for the entirety of your visit. I have visited many places including the middle east. I did a one week tour of Israel several years ago. It went from the Golan Heights in the north to Masada and the Dead Sea in the south. It was an unusual time of peace and I enjoyed it thoroughly. To get maximum benefit I think you might need a tour guide. I wouldn't fancy Bangladesh. Save your monet and spend a week in Tower Hamlets, London!

If you go in March the weather will be quite pleasant, though places like Jerusalem could be chilly in the evening

View from Masada, many go while its still dark & get to the top to see the sunrise, breathtaking scene with Saudi Arabia in the distance across the dead sea.

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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Masada_View_from_West.jpg

England play Bangladesh in 2016 at cricket. really fancy it.  I imagine it is like India, but even poorer.  and I loved India.

I've been to Nice and the isle of Greece where I sipped champagne on a yacht. I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo and showed 'em what I've got. I've been undressed by kings and I've seen some things that a Betfair forumite ain't s'posed to see. I've been to paradise, but I've never been to Galilee.

^^^^^chit chatters resident poet

Hey crisp, you know what paradise is?

#half as nice as heaven that you take me to#

Who needs paradise?

Quickest way to Paradise I'd imagine.

Crisp`s been at Celtic Park

True. Invited by Champagne Charlene Nicholas.

I went to Israel earlier this year and really enjoyed it.

Your passport doesnt get stamped they give you a card. AIrport Security assume youre a terrorist so you have to prove otherwise


The old city was a bit of a let down. However, Tel Aviv and the 'new' Jersualum is very nice. (Except for the riots)

The bus routes are restricted due to the current issues and you cant travel to quite a few areas

I did a charity walk there in the eighties. It was one of the best holidays ever. We stayed a few nights in Tiberias and did a walk every day in the searing heat. There is a great Chinese restaurant in Tiberias, from memory I think it is The House. The people on the route were brilliant giving us drinks and oranges, the best oranges I ever had. When we arrived in Jerusalem we were met by the Chief Rabbi who broke bread and gave it out to us. It is the traditional way of greeting visitors.

We visited all the biblical places, Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Western Wall etc. The people were very friendly. Even at that time there was a big military presence. In Jerusalem, a guide took us one night in a taxi to an Irish pub which was run by a Geordie. It was a great night and the Guinness was superb.

It was 27 years ago so a lot may have changed since.

Been to Israel , Tel Aviv - one of the best places Ive ever visited. Did a couple of trips into Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv nightlife superb , people great , prepare yourself for seeing plenty of guns and army round the streets.  Beaches very nice , Gunship outside the US Embassy makes an interesting backdrop to any photos.