Hi Phoebs.

Good chance I'll be in Tel Aviv at the begining of Sept, so lets meet up while you're here.

Re a guide - we used Moti Kaufer as a guide for the Sindy trips to petra and he's amazing!!!  He does trips in Israel and Jordan and speaks English fluently.

His website is www.private-guide.net

Check him out, and if you're interested I'll send you his contact details.

Oded

Hello Wolffie,

Would be nice to meet up if you are around...I'm very excited by this trip!

As for the guide, I emailed Moti Kaufer, I found his email address on the website...wait and see.

Thank you

Wolffie?!?

ah ah ah...

Hey Maria - today, only a few people know why we called him that, back in the days when we were only 100 members here...

So much fun and great memories...

Hey.

I love Tel-Aviv as worked there this year for 4,5 months. Have been in Jordan, visited Petra, together with my friends (without group).

Recommendations for you - go to Eilat, book a bus (with a group of people) to visit Petra as to take a taxi just for single lady it's very expensive!! When you will arrive there, I would recommend you to discover Petra without group, with a private guide, from the top of Petra by hourse! Sounds weird, but it's amazing!!! 

Let me know if you are interesed, I will give you his contacts of local tour guide (for "funny" price) or happy to share more information about these places I really love!!! :-)

Regards,

Elena

Israel...

Feels like home.

Thank you Elena, I would definitely love to get the contact detail of the local guide in Petra. I've wanted to see this place for so long!

Hey Phoebe,

Congrats on making the leap! You will love both Israel and Jordan.

I might also be in Israel on Sep, so we might do a Phoebe-Wolfie-Nir outing...I have to warn yoo tho: Tel-Aviv nights are far wilder than GVA ones...(-:

I have an amazing guide to recommend to you, for both Israel and Jordan. Am sending you a private email about it now.

Nir

Thank you Justdoit! I want to visit as much of Israel as I can is so little time (only 8 days there), but I also want to have some fun and party...that's why I picked Tel Aviv in the first place LOL

What's the name of the Jordanian luxury city by the Dead sea?

I think you're talking about Aqaba.

Nir: that would be really amazing if I had the chance to get the 2 brothers while I'm in TL! I'll be there on Sept 5-13... I even realised that I'll be celebrating the Jewish New Year there... how lucky!!

@Casuistik: it really looks like the Flower clock in Jardins Anglais! amazing

Hey Nir, when are you organizing the "Glocals goes to Israel and Jordan" then.  I would love to visit that region and have planned to take a week hols around September/October do do a trip somewhere.  To go there with a group of crazy Glocals people who know how to get around would be even more amazing. 

Soooooo my dear?

Hi I would recommend you, that you stay in Aquaba, and from there you visit Amman (3-4 hours by car) and Petra. I guess you will findy some taxi drive who bring you from Aquaba to Amman and back for USD 100 (or even less as pretrol is very cheap there). The Wadi Rum is also a place to visit...

Cheers

Thank you Christoph! My travel itinerary isn't finalised yet, I'm still pondering whether I should spend 1 or 2 nights in Jordan (Dead Sea or Aqaba)..so many beatiful places to see ans so little time.

I would really like to rent a car and drive in Jordan, the road trip experience, stop whenever I feel like it, not time pressure or group to follow...

is it safe?

Phoebes:

Ask Moti, he's in Jordan regulary and could advise best both on safety and on how many nights to spend in Jordan. 

Speaking of Jordan, here's a Video from a Sindy Jeep-trip we did to Jordan in 2004. It was an amazing week. 

Phoebe, how much does your flight to TLV costs?

As for car rental in Jordan, please be informed that there is no rental places from Israel border to the way to Petra (it's around 60 km), so you'll pay twice (transfer or taxi)...

I miss TLV and Petra - one of the best places I ever been in my life!! 

ENJOY!

HI!

I've been for a week in Israel + Petra two years ago.... just great!

For the dates I would suggest to go at the last week- of September or beginning october.... i've been at the end of October and ... personally it was just great!!!!  Warm enough (still too hot for me), not too many tourists (so contact with locals are easier).

Cities: Jerusalem (not too much that 2.5 days.... old cities, the three part of it to visit and Yad Yashem which is a must. Also interesting going for a walk along the ortodoxe jews district (but wearing convenably, pls).

You can have a pause going to Bethlehem, either if you are christian or not, the scene is very suggestive and speaking with a local guide it could be interesting.

You can take a car from Jerusalem or at the airoport. To Betlehem I advice u to use a palestinian taxi. totally new experience.

Another big stop: Massada and Engedi at the dead sea... greeeat experience, historical and refreshing at the same time.

go down to the red sea....just gorgeous.... nice place, we eat well and nice and the price at that time, weren't expensive. Nevertheless you can participate in a guided tour to Petra.... you learn much, you are safe ... and people still leave you alone if you do not want to talk to anybody.

then, finally a couple of days to Tel Aviv..... it's so niiiiiiiiice!!!! are you sure you wann go alone? ,-)))

sorry just kidding .... of course!!!

Hello Sakto and thank you for all your great advice!

Regarding the dates...I've already booked my flights and beginning of September it will be. I didn't know it will be during Rosh Hashanah..but I see it as a great opportunity to discover the country on more levels.

I am used to travel alone because it's always difficult to find the right dates for everyone or you are not aspiring to the same things at the same time, so I don't even bother asking my friends if they'd be interested. I wouldn't mind company, it's just not easy

Hey hey

Im in Israel for jeune geneve, so 9 to 13 sept i think, plan to scoot around and travel a bit altho only booked for a short time.  Spoke to the place im staying at about this, hiring cars guides etc, he told me your'll be fine to sort it out when you arrive, public transport etc is not to bad and cheap, guided tours tend to be a bit too structured and expensive and car hire dont always allow you to drive in certain areas  Been speaking to these guys and hope to organise a dive or two, if this interests you

http://www.scubadiveisrael.com/BeachDivesTelAviv.html

Hello Peaky!

Looks like we have a chance to organise a Glocals activity in Tel Aviv in September...Wolfie, Nir, you and myself...Who else wants to join the fun??

Scubadiving is something I've never tried (I knew I should have done it when I was in Bermudas!) but if the schedule works, it could be fun!

MUST SEE... Wadi rum & Petra

Go to Jaffa and especially go to Abu El Afia bakery at 7 Jefet Street for the boiled eggs in pita with zata - yum!

Thanks Uktheturtle...I wished I had more time to explore all the wonderful places Jordan and Israel have to offer, but I have a list and I will squeeze as much as possible in it 

Thanks for the tip Lisa!

David R:

I removed your "protest" post, cos it doesn't belong on this thread (which is a question for advice).

Pls feel free to start a new thread about protests anytime. We will not intervene in that thread (unless it goes crazy).

Nir

Petra!! Is the place to see - go there ))

Well... after a week of research and thanks to all the good advice I've been given here, I'm happy to report that my itinerary is getting together nicely.

I'me so excited!! 

Phoebs, 2 places on my list that I haven't managed to see. Too bad I have my travel plans already on those dates or I would have join you, whether you like it or not :-).

Good luck with the trip! I can personally recommend you this israel car rental company which has very good prices and their service is excellent.

Hello Lucia,

Thank you for your message! Countdown has started... Day - 2! But my program changed a lot since I first posted this thread. Now I'm going to spend the 3 first days in Beirut, 3 days in Jordan and finish with 3 days in Israel :))

I am very excited!! woohoooo

let us know how it was!

Hello Lucia,

Sorry I just saw your post! My was fantastic..amazing...and more!

The itinerary changed again during my trip...I didn't go to Israel (long story) but I spent 3 crazy days in Beirut and Lebanon.

If you've never been to Lebanon, you really need to go...it's a great country, beautiful people, I've met the nicest people there, amazing places, and I don't even need to talk about the food.

The party scene in Beirut is incredible, some of the best rooftop clubs in the world, it's so lively and modern. The city is a real paradox, you will be walking in the streets where modern constructions just sit next to ruins of buildings destroyed by the previous war, you can feel and see the changes but also the history and the past still present.

I only booked 3 days at first, and my friend organised a complete tailor-made program, allowing me to see all the places I wanted to visit in Lebanon, here's my program to give you an idea (I had a driver all the time):

Sunday:

Start rather early and go up to the beautiful Chouf mountains via Deir El Qamar, a charming village on the way, and take a short coffee break if you wish at Mir Amine palace Hotel (Only an option, not necessary.  It is the one whose picture you’ve seen having a carpet floor swimming pool overlooking Beiteddine palace).  Then move to Beiteddine palace for a short visit.  After that, drive straight up the mountains to the Cedar reserves and take a walk inside the forest among the breathtaking trees.  From there, proceed towards the Bekaa on a picturesque route that overlooks the Bekaa Valley and the Qaroun Lake, and have lunch at Kefraya, the famous Lebanese wine producers.  Proceed from there directly to Baalbeck to visit the most impressive Roman site!  Back to Beirut.

Monday

Visit of Jeita Grotto (natural caves) north of Beirut, then go to Jounieh and take the teleferique up to Hareesa, and enjoy the beautiful bay view from up there, visit the church, etc…Then go back down and proceed to Jbiel (Byblos).  Jbeil is a charming port city with a beautiful castle and a great old town.  Have a yummy fish treat in one of its nice restaurants, then walk to the old port for some drinks in its great outdoor pubs in the narrow alleys. And ended up in one of the private beach "Eddie Sand" http://www.eddesandsresort.com/resort_overview.html

If you want to go to Lebanon I highly recommend you contact my friends at http://www.mymiddleeast.me/ and whatever you wish to do, they will help you organise it.

A great photograph (and friend, yes I am a little biased) after 2 years of work, just released his book "The Lebanon". Beautiful!

To give you an idea http://www.maxmilligan.com/current_projects/lebanon

A cool Christmas gift http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lebanon-Max-Milligan/dp/0954587642/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288645603&sr=8-1

Jordan was also a fantastic experience. Very nice people, beautiful sites. My first stop was at the Dead Sea at 11:30am (I landed at 9:40am in Amman - Royal Jordanian is very good by the way!) ...it was 38°C outside and not a lot of shade in sight, really hot, even the water was. Floating in the sea was really fun. I even quickly tried a mud mask (just the face) as I've been told that the minerals it contains are very good for the skin.

After that, we drove down to Aqaba (3,5 hours drive) where I stayed for 3 nights, at the Kempinski. Perfect location, the hotel is gorgeous: modern and design, not too big, with a private beach, very very good service (really what you are expecting from a 5*) all the rooms have a view on the sea and a huge balcony, good food.... My kind of paradise, I can't wait to go back.

From there I went to see Petra, by night. An enchanting experience (even if it was very busy...maybe 400 people), you walk the 1.2km down the Siq following the path lighted only by the small candles. You can clearly see the stars and if you're lucky, even shooting stars...and then, you arrive at the Treasury. There is no word to describe what I felt, and there again, the only light you get is from the hundreds of small candles they lighted. The guide made us sit on the ground (on rugs), offered us some tea...and the bedouins put on a small show. Magical.

The following morning I went to see Wadi Rum, I had a really great guide/driver (I was alone with my guide, which was perfect for me, I don't really like group visits). I was really impressed with the sceneries and the beauty of the desert.

After 4 days in Jordan, I still had 3 days left, so I've decided to go back to Beirut and spend more time exploring the city itself (and partying of course)

I think it was one of the best vacation I've ever had so far....

Sorry for the poorness of my post, I am not a good writer nor a good story teller...but I still hope it will make you curious enough to make you consider these 2 countries for your next holiday...feel free to ask me if you have any questions :)

Best

Phoebs

PS: I went back to Beirut on Oct. 8-13 ...yes, just for a long week-end, it's a 3h50 flight...and I'm really afraid to fly, so it gives you an idea on how great this place is lol

Tel-Aviv is a great party town. Check this funny video:

Hello Phoebs,

I travelled all around Jordan, West Bank and Israel a couple of times and I had no problems at all. I do speak Arabic, tho, which may help sometimes.

Please note, Jordan is almost as expensive as Israel. I dont know about car renting, but there shouldnt be problems for women driving alone.  I traveled all around by public trasportation. Minibus from Petra to Amman,  shared taxy Amma- East Jerusalem, bus to Jerico, I also hitchhiked to East Jerusalem (I wasnt alone, tho).

People are friendly, but better watch out. Of course Jordan and West Bank are a bit conservative, I would be a bit careful not to wear "revealing" clothes. It's usually safe, but men  may be herassing, and  it's  so annoying.

As for places to see, Petra is amazing, but Aqaba is also a nice and warm place to spend some time. I found Amman very boring. Jerico is a cute town, very warm and friendly. You should also go to the Dead Sea, and have a bath there..(Do not say you wanna visit West Bank when you cross the border in Amman). East Jerusalem is a must see. Israele is beautiful wherever you go, but Tel Aviv is amazing (I almost moved there for how much I liked it).

Hope this was useful. Write me if you have further questions.

Enjoy!

Ooops, that already happened..

:)

Hello Roberta, indeed..it happened already, but your participation to the thread is still well appreciated, and it might still be useful to other travelers.

Thank you

Phoebs