Getting Back to Travel Planning - April 2021

While we're not traveling much in 2021, things are starting to look up for 2022 - at least for now.

Our first 2022 trip will start with a week of day touring in Israel. From there, we'll move on to a ten day tour of Egypt integrated with a river cruise on the Nile. We'll then transfer to Jordan for a few days at Petra. Of course, this trip presumes COVID-19 is under control in the Middle East and travel is pretty much unrestricted. At this point, it is too early to tell what 2022 will look like. We can only make travel arrangements with the understanding that cancellations are possible.

We'll be traveling in Israel primarily on our own. After reading our Lonely Planet guide, we bounced some travel ideas with an Israeli tour company. We decided to seek out a licensed tour guide that could arrange entry tickets, hotels and provide both guiding and driving.

For our first trip to Israel, where will we visit? We'll have several full travel days to make the most of our time. Our current plan is to fly from California to Tel Aviv. We'll spend just a partial day and one night in Tel Aviv before settling into a car for some regional touring. 

Tel Aviv

We won't have much time in Tel Aviv but enough for a walking tour of Jaffa and a visit to the Jaffa Flea Market.

Haifa

We plan to visit Bahai Gardens and Caesarea National Park. King Herod the Great, in 20 B.C., constructed the Caesarea harbor and visitors can tour the archaeological site. Bahai Gardens has 50 acres of gardens, pools, small sculptures and fountains. Both gardens and park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also plan a stop in Daliyat El-Carmel. 

Golan Heights and Sea of Galilee

Our drive itinerary includes a stop at Mt Bental. It is here that the Valley of Tears battle of the Yom Kipper War of 1973 took place. This area was the site of one of the largest tank battles in the world. After which Syria withdrew from this area after suffering damage from Israeli military forces to about 600 of an estimated 1,250 to1,400 tanks. Over 2,200 Israeli soldiers died during this battle.

We should be able to visit Gamia Nature Reserve during our driving trip. The walk permits a view of the ruins of the ancient town of Gamia.

As we continue driving towards Jerusalem, we anticipate stopping at Capernaum, a fishing village from 2nd century BC to the 11th century AD, as well as to a local market and winery.

Masada and Dead Sea

Masada is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Judaean Desert, Masada is both the fortress and palace complex of King Herod the Great. It was the last stand of Jewish patriots against Roman armies in 73A.D. We'll have the choice of walking up the steep trail or riding a cable car to tour the Masada site. A ride up and walk down might be a good choice, if the temperature isn't too hot.

The drive to Masada will take us near the Dead Sea, a salt lake bordered by Jordan and Israel. Many visitors take a dip in the lake to experience the natural buoyancy characteristics of the water. Notably, the Dead Sea is about 1,400 below sea level. 

Jerusalem and Bethlehem

There are many sites to visit in Jerusalem over our four days. We'll also have morning to enter Bethlehem. We understand the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem draws a large number of visitors, so we're not sure how much we'll have time to see. 

The below map shows a rough idea of our trip plan.

If you have a tour recommendation, be sure to add your suggestion as a comment to this page.