Advantages: relaxing, friendly, clean, lots to do
Disadvantages: long flight, guns in view, airport politics

..., and the hotel staff so eager to please. Anything you needed people seemed very accomodating for Shopping There are lovely outdoor markets during the day and night to look at and buy local items or presents. There is a large shopping centre (a bit like Meadowhall in Sheffield) which was good value for money.. The only tobacconist was in this centre and they are very helpful. Airport When you arrive in Israel you are processed through a strict check in procedure, PLEASE BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE A STAMP FROM EGYPT OR TURKEY IN YOUR PASSPORT THEY WILL ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS. I had been to egypt the previous year and they interrogated me as to why I was now in Israel. It is important to remember they are only protecting their own country, but they do not really have a sense of humour.. so keep your conversation with Airport staff very short... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Please read my review
Disadvantages: Please read my review

...because there were so many Cargo Ships that we had to pass between. The Russians had left Egypt a few years before and Egypt had announced to the World "that they had cut all ties with the USSR". Therefore I was surprised to see that about half of these Ships were from Russia. After an hour our Ship final moored at Alexandria. When we disembarked there was a Man holding up a cardboard sign with Nini's name on it. He arranged to move us through Customs quickly and the Israeli Visa in my passport was not a problem because Israel & Egypt had established "Diplomatic Relations". Unfortunately this did not stop the Egyptian Press and some of the Citizens from hating Israel. We had arrived on Friday and I wanted to see the Synagogue before sunset. At one time Alexandria had a lot of Synagogues but now there was only one. Nini had been... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Nice to visit
Disadvantages: Problems at the airport

...Well this happened so long ago that you will just get the highlights. I flew into Egypt and was held up at airport for 45 minutes while customs looked at my passport. No reason for the delay was given and all other passengers from my flight went right through. Maybe they thought I was CIA, since the whole problem with Israel and Palestine had just broken out. Someone, presumably official since nothing was taken, also picked the lock on the wire mesh securing my checked bag and also broke a zipper off that was secured by a separate combination lock. The flight had started in Nairobi with Egypt Air claiming they had no record in their computer of my ticket. Luckily there must have been a seat free since they let me on the flight. When I went to confirm my onward flight in 2 weeks, this was also missing from their computer... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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 stamp in your passport you will be barred entry from 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wow, I never knew that