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Trip Report

Israel Vacation (10 day itinerary)

For our Israel vacation, we spent 10 days traveling through the country. We ate great food, immersed ourselves in history, and spent time in the outdoors. This Israel itinerary had a great mix of all.

  • Breakfast.+ 17
  • Jerusalem
  • The best breakfast from our hotel.
  • Israel Vacation (10 day itinerary)
KBennett
About Me:"The world is big and I want to have a look at it before it gets dark" -John Muir read more

AsiaIsrael9 days / October 2017

Highs & Lows

The history and learning all the different cultures.

The struggles of the region.

Itinerary Overview

As a lover of history, I have always wanted to take a vacation to Israel and specifically Jeruselum to experience in person one of the oldest cities in the world. We rented a car and drove throughout the country to visit as much as we could.  I'm also a lover of sun, and good food and Israel did not disappoint. Also, there are so many amazing food options in this country.  I highly recommend an Israel vacation.

  • 4 Nights: Jerusalem
    History of Jerusalem
  • Day trip: Dead Sea Region
    Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea
  • 3 Nights: Acre
    History and sightseeing
  • Day trip: Golan Heights View
    Road trip
  • 2 Nights: Tel Aviv-Yafo
    Beach, sightseeing, visiting friends
Jerusalem - History of Jerusalem
1

Jerusalem History of Jerusalem

Jerusalem - History of Jerusalem - null
Jerusalem - History of Jerusalem - The best breakfast from our hotel.
The best breakfast from our hotel.
Jerusalem - History of Jerusalem - Breakfast.2+
Breakfast.

We hired a local guide for 2 days to give us a tour of the old city and 4 quarters of Jerusalem. The old city which is surrounded by ancient walls is a mix of multiple religions that all seem to coexist together in the old city. We toured the very busy market, Mahane Yeuda, and then also spent 1/2 a day at the Israel Museum which houses the dead sea scrolls which were discovered in 1947. The scrolls are religious manuscripts that are believed to be dated 125 B.C. Jerusalem is truly a history lovers' dream. So much to learn and see. 

Dead Sea Region - Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea
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Dead Sea Region Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea

Dead Sea Region - Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea - Masada, the ancient fortification
Masada, the ancient fortification
Dead Sea Region - Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea - View of the dead sea from Masada.
View of the dead sea from Masada.
Dead Sea Region - Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea - null

With our guide and rental car, we drove about 90 minutes to see the Dead Sea. We didn't swim or get in the water but we did buy some fancy mud from a gift shop. We then headed to Masada National Park which is an ancient fortress in the desert. It's on a huge plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. A cable car and a long, path climb up to the fortifications, built around 30 B.C. We then went on a hike nearby which had views of Jordon and the dead sea. I highly recommend this day trip to get out to the desert from Jerusalem. 

Acre - History and sightseeing
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Acre History and sightseeing

Acre - History and sightseeing - Our hotel
Our hotel
Acre - History and sightseeing - null
Acre - History and sightseeing - null4+

We based ourselves in Acre as it's a good base for exploring the area, and the well-preserved old city is a Unesco heritage site. Acre has a history of conquerors including the Romans, Persians, the Crusaders, and the Ottoman Empire for a short time.  Acre is also on the meddeterian so definitely check out the local seafood restaurants. We went to Uri Buri which was fun and had great food. 

Golan Heights View - Road trip
4

Golan Heights View Road trip

We drove through Israeli wineries over to Golan Heights which was seized Israel from Syria in 1967 during the six day war.

Tel Aviv-Yafo - Beach, sightseeing, visiting friends
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Tel Aviv-Yafo Beach, sightseeing, visiting friends

Tel Aviv-Yafo - Beach, sightseeing, visiting friends - The city at night is bustling.
The city at night is bustling.
Tel Aviv-Yafo - Beach, sightseeing, visiting friends - A wedding was taking place near our restaurant.
A wedding was taking place near our restaurant.
Tel Aviv-Yafo - Beach, sightseeing, visiting friends - null2+

We only had a few days in the busy city of Tel Aviv and I wish had spent more time. The city has a great mix of old history (Jafa), city cosmopolitan, and beautiful sunsets and beaches. There are lots of great restaurants and nightlife.  The weather is far warmer than in Jerusalem and was hot in October. I highly recommend a day at the beach followed by a late dinner. 

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    Our vacation in Isreal was limited on time so I would have reduced our time in Acre to 2 nights and added 1 more night to Tel Aviv. Acre is very small and there is so much to see in Tel Aviv.
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Mona in Jerusalem was beautiful and the food was excellent. Uri Buri in Acre had good seafood and was located on the waterfront. The food in Israel is amazing and is a vegetarian dream-hummus, pita, lots of roasted and pickled vegetables.
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Shops and neighborhoods shut down from Friday at sunset to Saturday sunset for Sabbath. Plan your restaurants and tours accordingly.
  • Packing tips?

    Tel Aviv was very warm, but Jerusalem was far cooler. In the mosque in Acre I had to cover my head with a scarf to enter.
  • Transportation Tips?

    Rented a car was very inexpensive and it was easy to get around the country. I'm glad we had it. All the cities were walkable.
  • Any surprises?

    How diverse the country is. We saw the desert, shopped high fashion in Tel Aviv, toured ancient ruins, visited the most significant religious sites, drove through wineries, walked the beach etc. There is so much to see and you can really tailor to your interests.
  • Booking details?

    We booked all hotels direct.

Lodging

  • Villa Brown - This is a charming boutique hotel in a walkable location. The breakfasts are amazing!

  • Efendi Hotel - This is a beautiful small hotel in the center of town. Very romantic. They also have a 400 year old Turkish Hamman which I highly recommend!

  • White Villa-very pretty, modern boutique hotel in a charming neighborhood. Built in 1948 and inspired by the famed architect, Le Corbusier. Nice-sized rooms.