Israel: General

Advantages: History, beauty, climate
Disadvantages: Fear, political situation, prices

I spent two weeks in Israel over Christmas and New Year 2004/05. I lost count of the times people thanked me for going there at a time when so many are afraid. There really isn't any need to be afraid. The last suicide bomb attack in Israeli territory was in September, and nearly all cases of violence break out in isolated areas which are easy to avoid as a traveller. A trip to Israel can take in Egypt and Jordan as day trips, although with an Israeli ...
...most other Arabic countries. Apparently you can ask immigration officials to not stamp your passport, but I arrived bleary eyed and hungover at 5am and the stamp was dry before I registered that anything had happened. You will more than likely be flying El Al from the UK to Israel. Get to the airport early, be prepared to be questioned, and don't take it personally. El Al are known for being the most security conscious airline in the world, understandably ... Read review

Advantages: history and art
Disadvantages: unstable political situation

This city is called with different names according to the language used. In the Bible it was called "Joppa", in Hebrew is "Yafo", in Arab is "Jaffa" (and in my review I will use the name "Jaffa"). Jaffa is the oldest city located along the Mediterranean shore, and its port was on duty since the Egyptian and Phoenician ages. Archaeological excavations discovered findings 4.000 years old and according to such recovers it quite sure that Jaffa has ...
..."beautiful" and it is true because from any side to watch this city you find it always beautiful. As in any place with more than one religion also for Jaffa the origin of the name and of the city has different interpretations. According to the archaeological findings the city has been founded by the Canaanites but according to the Old Testament was Jafet, one of Noah sons, the founder of Jaffa that began the establishment of the city just after ... Read review

Advantages: Beatiful
Disadvantages: Dangerous

Israel is a country at war with its self at the moment, as you all know lots of internal politics involved. Behind this there is such a wonderful country with really nice passionate people. Israelis are genuinely friendly people what ever religion they are, they will help you if they can. On a recent visit an Israeli soldier was most helpful in recommending somewhere to eat and gave concise instructions in near perfect English. Jerusalem is at ...
...by an ancient wall. There are 4 ways in to old Jerusalem through four gates, which are all worth a visit particularly the Damascus gate overlooking the Church of Gethsemane just outside the city. I have to mention the Wailing Wall where every one comes to pray from tourists to the locals, you are provided with a carpel to cover your head while praying a local custom. The Dead Sea is about 1 hour drive from Jerusalem just next to the Syrian border, ... Read review

Advantages: Wow, I never knew that
Disadvantages: But is it safe?

After last week’s questionable assassination of admitted murderer Sheik Yassin, it’s nice to remember some of the positive contributions Israel is making to the world – some of them quite remarkable for a country that was established only 55 years ago. Israel has a total population of around six million with Israeli Arabs making up over 25% of that amount. The total area of Israel excluding the occupied territories is just under 21,000 square kilometers. ...
...is over a million square kilometers. Israel has the highest number of university degrees per capita in the world. In 1969, Golda Meir became the world’s second elected female leader. Apart from the US and Canada, Israel has more companies listed on the NASDAQ than any other country. After the bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, Israeli rescue teams were at the scene within 24 hours and helped rescue several victims from the rubble. ... Read review

Advantages: many sights to visit, great scenery
Disadvantages: aparthied society without the international condemnation, Israelis are very rude, prices becoming similar to UK ones

Going to israel is not like going on a package holiday to Malaga. For a start there is the intensive security grilling you get from the automaton like El-Al stewards where you are warned not to associate with 'local people'. This takes a while. When you finally approach Ben Gurion airport many of the passengers will start singing Ha-Tikvah believing they are returning to their roots. If you want to forget about any ongoing Israeli-palestinian conflict ...
...between New York and Barcelona with some unfortunately rotting German Bauhaus architecture thrown in. the nightlife and the attitudes are western, it is a good place to hang out. As you go and visit the rest of the country on the efficient good value Egged buses, you see how efficiently the Israelis have tamed this land and how neatly their towns, cities, kibbutzim, Moshavim and villages have been arranged in contrast to the more naturalistic israeli ... Read review

Advantages: Very hip, very happening, very diverse. Amazing beach.
Disadvantages: Concrete!

...setting, and high quality, if overpriced, art and craft shops. Please now see my reviews of Jerusalem (‘The Incredible Melting Pot’), Israel in general (‘A Little Something for Everyone’) and Bethlehem, Haifa, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Gaza, Masada, Nazareth and the Galilee.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Incredible diversity & high quality
Disadvantages: Can be expensive

...! Clubbers should grab a taxi to the industrial estate in the South of town, where the biggest & best club is ‘Haoman Shvaresrey’. It has several rooms with chart music, house & garage, salsa, rock and R&B. The theatre holds nightly classical concerts, but the cultural centre is really Tel Aviv, whose opera and ballet are well worth a look. Please now see my reviews of Jerusalem in general (‘The Incredible Melting Pot’), Israel in general (‘A Little Something for Everyone’) and Bethlehem, Haifa, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Gaza, Masada, Nazareth, Tel Aviv and the Galilee.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very clean, nice decor, efficient and small
Disadvantages: Not totally finished, no shops, small

...and armed soldiers stationed around every flight that goes to or from Israel. The airport has police around it in general as well, and I’d say that as far as that goes, its doing a pretty good job. That they don’t check the cars and trunks of vehicles that enter the airport is something that apparently is only done in Israel, so one really can’t complain. Bottom Line: Otopeni Airport in Bucharest, Romania has come a very long way over the past eight years. Its gone from being cramped, crowded, dingy and dark, to being light, airy, welcoming and efficient. When the final construction at the exit from the arrival area is finished, this will be a truly lovely little airport, if shy on in-house shopping. I'm giving it four stars for the effort. Once renovations here are totally completed, the only thing left for Romania... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful