Take a Vacation

[myboynoah]

There is plenty going on in Tel Aviv on the sabbath as it is obviously the most secularized place in Israel. Even in Jerusalem we had no problem finding cabs on Saturday to go to church at the BYU Jerusalem Center and get anywhere else we wanted to go. What I gathered from those I talked to was it's really only the ultra orthodox neighborhoods that are locked down. But you are correct that public transit doesn't run (except some busses). I would just take a cab from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem if that is the first place you want to go. I remember it being reasonably priced (this was over 10 years ago) and faster than the train. The Tel Aviv to Jerusalem train is best for taking in the scenery...we took it after dark and I ended up wishing we had just taken a taxi both ways.

Depending on how much time you have, consider renting a car. You can get from Ben Gurion to Haifa or the Sea of Galilee in 90 minutes or Jersusalem in 45 which will save you a ton of time. You can also go places that trains/busses won't take you like the Golan heights; careful not to wander into Syria with the shepherds.

Yes, this is good advice. No public transportation on Shabbat, but taxis are available. But everything will open back up at sundown, so you will be good there.

If you can, I would rent a car. Or sign up for any one of the several tours that are offered. How long will you be there? If only a couple of days, go to Jerusalem for sure, join a tour to Bethlehem, and drive up to Galilee to Capurnum and all that. Stop at Mt. Tabor on the way back.

Lived there for three years, so BM me if you have any questions.

[BigPiney]

Took the kids to Magic Mountain today. Those are really good rollercoasters. Also no lines.

[clackamascoug]

Went to Reb Lobster for dinner - had the salmon - lobster - prawns comb0 - presented on a rice pilaf - with the baked potato and Brussel Sprouts deep cooked and crunchy. Ate three biscuits to start and chased it all down with 1 refill of a diet coke.

I ate it all - and did not complain about anything - trying to be a good dinner companion.

[BigFatMeanie]

Went to Reb Lobster for dinner - had the salmon - lobster - prawns comb0 - presented on a rice pilaf - with the baked potato and Brussel Sprouts deep cooked and crunchy. Ate three biscuits to start and chased it all down with 1 refill of a diet coke.

I ate it all - and did not complain about anything - trying to be a good dinner companion.

Dude, lobsters are on the red list:

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/retail...g-148013637873

especially the Reb variety. Are you some kind of anarcho-capitalist that hates the environment?

[LiveCoug]

Yes, this is good advice. No public transportation on Shabbat, but taxis are available. But everything will open back up at sundown, so you will be good there.

If you can, I would rent a car. Or sign up for any one of the several tours that are offered. How long will you be there? If only a couple of days, go to Jerusalem for sure, join a tour to Bethlehem, and drive up to Galilee to Capurnum and all that. Stop at Mt. Tabor on the way back.

Lived there for three years, so BM me if you have any questions.

Decided against Israel this weekend. It would have only been saturday and sunday and with shabbat and this weekend also being Rosh Hashana, I decided it wouldn't be worth it. Probable go in November...

I was all set to go to Bogota, but ended up not making the flight from Houston (it left with empty seats, but weight restricted), So had to change my mind on the fly and ended up in Frankfurt. LOL. Currently in the hotel watching Wake Forest v Clemson in German. Awesome.

Any recommendations here? Only have tomorrow, so I was considering old town and museums (and lots of food) in Frankfurt, or possibly taking the train down to Heidelberg...

[myboynoah]

Decided against Israel this weekend. It would have only been saturday and sunday and with shabbat and this weekend also being Rosh Hashana, I decided it wouldn't be worth it. Probable go in November...

I was all set to go to Bogota, but ended up not making the flight from Houston (it left with empty seats, but weight restricted), So had to change my mind on the fly and ended up in Frankfurt. LOL. Currently in the hotel watching Wake Forest v Clemson in German. Awesome.

Any recommendations here? Only have tomorrow, so I was considering old town and museums (and lots of food) in Frankfurt, or possibly taking the train down to Heidelberg...

Not that familiar with Frankfurt, but Heidelberg would be fun and interesting.

[Clark Addison]

I had a layover in the Frankfurt airport once. It seemed a little sterile, even for an airport.

Other than that, I have nothing.

[Copelius]

Decided against Israel this weekend. It would have only been saturday and sunday and with shabbat and this weekend also being Rosh Hashana, I decided it wouldn't be worth it. Probable go in November...

I was all set to go to Bogota, but ended up not making the flight from Houston (it left with empty seats, but weight restricted), So had to change my mind on the fly and ended up in Frankfurt. LOL. Currently in the hotel watching Wake Forest v Clemson in German. Awesome.

Any recommendations here? Only have tomorrow, so I was considering old town and museums (and lots of food) in Frankfurt, or possibly taking the train down to Heidelberg...

The castle in Heidelberg is worth the visit. It is one of the few castles I returned to more than once when I lived over there. I also liked the shops along the main street. They did a great job of mixing the old Europe with new Europe. Granted this was over 20 years ago now, but I vote Heidelberg if you can.

EDIT: I just noticed that this was posted yesterday. Missed it then. Hope your stay was good.

[LiveCoug]

The castle in Heidelberg is worth the visit. It is one of the few castles I returned to more than once when I lived over there. I also liked the shops along the main street. They did a great job of mixing the old Europe with new Europe. Granted this was over 20 years ago now, but I vote Heidelberg if you can.

EDIT: I just noticed that this was posted yesterday. Missed it then. Hope your stay was good.

I wasn't able to make it down to Heidelberg, but I did explore Mainz and Frankfurt yesterday. Mainz is very charming and old town Frankfurt had it's moments as well. All I really wanted to do was eat a lot of döner kebab and I succeeded.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Geez, PAC's current trip is unreal. Jealous.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Geez, PAC's current trip is unreal. Jealous.

It's been one our best ever. We've probably had more "Wow" moments, primarily because of stunning vistas, than any trip we've ever taken. Our itinerary has included Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Sarajevo, Split (Diocletian's palace was fascinating), Hvar, Opatija and the Istrian Peninsula, Bled (a must), and now the Dolomites (a picture of me yesterday follows). After each trip, Mrs. PAC does a coffee table book that's very professional and is always great to review in later years. The book for this trip may be her biggest yet.

Flyin' in the Dolomites.jpeg

[beefytee]

I like to say that I never want to retire, but PAC is definitely showing us how it is done!

Sounds/looks awesome!

[Bo Diddley]

I like to say that I never want to retire, but PAC is definitely showing us how it is done!

Sounds/looks awesome!

Agreed--well, except for the part about never wanting to retire. Yeah, I'm jealous as well. Very cool!

Also, I like the idea of the coffee table book. PAC, is this something Mrs PAC gets printed somewhere? Seems like a picture/journal combo would work well.

[BigPiney]

It's been one our best ever. We've probably had more "Wow" moments, primarily because of stunning vistas, than any trip we've ever taken. Our itinerary has included Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Sarajevo, Split (Diocletian's palace was fascinating), Hvar, Opatija and the Istrian Peninsula, Bled (a must), and now the Dolomites (a picture of me yesterday follows). After each trip, Mrs. PAC does a coffee table book that's very professional and is always great to review in later years. The book for this trip may be her biggest yet.

Flyin' in the Dolomites.jpeg

Paragliding?

My neighbor took us up a few months ago. That is really fun.

[wuapinmon]

Dubrovnik was amazing. We stayed in a house is Pridvorje, south of the city, in a little sheltered valley. We drove to Montenegro one day, but the traffic and Cyrillic road signs were tough. I'd totally go back to Montenegro, but I'd prefer to not drive there. Croatia was easy to drive in and I'd go back in a second; the food was probably the best we had in Europe that trip, everything was fresh and local. The rest of your trip, I haven't been to, but I will someday!