IgoUgo

Jerusalem Journals

Israel in Five Days

Best of IgoUgo

An April 2000 trip to Jerusalem by daisy

Dome of the Rock Photo - Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel More Photos
Quote: To experience Israel is to take a step back in time—a visit to the era of Herod and the Bible—and to witness the wonder of nature in all its variations, from desert to tropical lands.
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Four Points Hotel Red Sea Best of IgoUgo

Hotel

Quote:
We stayed at this hotel during our one evening in Eilat. For the most part, the hotels near the beach are giant resorts. The Four Points Hotel was a garden-variety, mid-range hotel. Nothing fancy. It's exactly what you'd expect at a Sheraton anywhere. There was about three different pools to swim in, which was nice. This hotel is cheaper than others because it is a 5 minute walk to the beach.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Four Points Hotel Red Sea

Jerusalem, Israel
(972) 7-636-3636

Mama Mia Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
Tucked behind a parking lot on one side of a busy road, this restaurant has a small courtyard and a rustic Italian feel. The tomato and mozzarella appetizer are delicious, as are the pastas. The restaurant provides an excellent alternative to traditional Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. If you've got a pasta craving, drop by.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Mama Mia

Jerusalem, Israel
02-624-8080

Shemesh Restaurant Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
A bright, very casual café offering tasty kebabs. You’ll get freshly made bread with your meal. The perfect stop for a quick sit-down bite. What else can I say? The quintessential Middle Eastern cafe, if there is such a thing. If there isn't, I recommend that such a thing be created, simply so that this restaurant may be it.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Shemesh Restaurant

Jerusalem, Israel
(02) 625-2418

The Israel Museum Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Israel Museum"

Quote:
This museum has exhibits that range from pre-historic archeology to contemporary art. Here, you’ll also find the Dead Sea Scrolls and many other artifacts from ancient times. There’s also a sculpture garden, from which you get a great view of the city. Regularly scheduled, free guided tours (in both Hebrew and English) leave from the Information Desk.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

The Israel Museum
Ruppin Boulevard, Near The Knesset
Jerusalem, Israel 91710
+972 (2) 6708811

Eilat Beach Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Eilat beaches"

Eliat Photo - Eilat Beach, Jerusalem, Israel
Quote:
Very commercialized, but you can see Aquaba from the beach, and recall when Peter O’Toole was on its shores in Lawrence of Arabia. Also, there is a big coral reef you can go out to and explore either by boat or scuba diving. On the whole, though, the beaches are not very wide, and most of the natural habitat has been taken over by resorts and hotels.

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Eilat Beach
On The Red Sea
Jerusalem, Israel

Muslim Market-Shuk Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "markets in the Old City"

Quote:
Walking through narrow, winding corridors, shopping. The market can seem to close over you, and you can get claustrophobic here, but even if you resist at first, you’ll end up buying every piece of junk there is after a while. Half the fun is in haggling with the vendors; they expect to bargain with you over prices.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Muslim Market-Shuk
Old City
Jerusalem, Israel

Ahava Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
One of several outlet shops for the main producer of bath and beauty products made from Dead Sea materials, this store is the mother lode. We just about bought them out. Lotions, creams, gels, scrubs, rinses...all that stuff from one little inland sea. After you buy all the skin care products you'll ever need, you can check out the hot springs, though I did not.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Ahava
17 Jaffa Road at King Solomon Street
West Jerusalem, Israel

Old City of Jerusalem Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Old City"

From the Edge of the Old City Photo - Old City of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Quote:
A lot of history and a lot of shopping. The city is split into four quarters: Armenian, Christian, Muslim and Jewish. You can still see some columns and the old foundations of buildings. If some areas where they’re preserved. Where else can you see the three holiest places of three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) in one day?

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Old City of Jerusalem
Inside The Walls
Jerusalem, Israel

Masada Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Masada Photo - Masada, Jerusalem, Israel
Quote:
Utterly fascinating. You can still see the frescos and plaster on the walls and floors of this ancient city where the people committed suicide rather than be taken captive by the Romans. The mesa also offers stunning views, both of the Dead Sea and Jordan River just to the east and of the Roman military positions surrounding the mountain's base.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Masada
South District overlooking Dead Sea
Jerusalem, Israel

Dome of the Rock Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Dome of the Rock Photo - Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel
Quote:
One of the holiest sites in the entire Muslim world. The building, with all its intricate mosaics and golden domed roof, is really what’s spectacular. The rock itself is just a rock, except there’s a room that’s been cut into it where people can pray. Interesting that the site sits right next to the Wailing Wall, one of the holiest sites in the Jewish faith.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Dome of the Rock
Temple Mount (haram Al-sharif)
Jerusalem, Israel
+972 2628 3393

Dead Sea Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
Okay, you really can sit down and float in the water. Just be careful not to cut your feet on the salt deposits on the bottom of the sea. And do slather mud all over yourself in the designated area near the sea. Besides, you just bought all those cosmetics made from Dead Sea mud at Ahava, didn't you?

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Dead Sea
35Km Southeast of Jerusalem
Judean Desert, Israel
+972 8668 8808

Malha Mall Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "the mall"

Quote:
This isn’t a shopping mall. It’s a promenade-—the center of Jerusalem’s nightlife and a major tourist trap. But you can’t not go. I can't decide whether all the off-duty soldiers carrying automatic weapons around makes me feel safer or less safe. In any case, it's a good place to get some trinkets, dessert, or just to people watch.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Malha Mall
Malha
Jerusalem, Israel 96950
+972 2679 1333

Jerusalem Marketplace Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "the Sukot"

Quote:
This large marketplace boasts Israel’s fine homegrown fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and other groceries. There are some great bakeries here, too. Pretty much, it's your one-stop local food shopping place. Pick something up to prepare if you don't feel like going out to eat (assuming you've got some place to prepare it).

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Jerusalem Marketplace

Jerusalem, Israel
+972 2629 8070

Egged Bus Company Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Egged #130"

Quote:
Our 'tour guide' was very well informed about the history of Masada, which made an otherwise interesting trip truly rewarding. The bus was clean and comfortable, and we had plenty of time to dip into the Dead Sea and take advantage of the therapeutic mud. Definitely a good way to see all the major sites.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Egged Bus Company
Various Locations
Jerusalem, Israel

Tower of David Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
The tower itself is impressively preserved. You can walk around the
Tower and look out at Jerusalem through the tiny slit windows. When we
Went, the Chihully exhibit was still up, and the glass was truly amazing, especially at night. The Tower really helps provide a sense of just how full of history Jerusalem is.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 6, 2000

Tower of David
Near Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City
Jerusalem, Israel
(02) 626 5310

stuff we did, stuff we didn't Best of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:
Since we stayed with friends in Jerusalem, we didn't really get to see what the hotels are like there. Our friends did point out, however, that the Hilton is the best hotel in the city. We got a real taste of what it's like to actually live in Jersusalem by staying with our friends, a Rabbi-to-be and his wife, though. We had to learn which sponge was for meat and which was for dairy when we offered to do the dishes. We also had to remember to leave the bathroom light on all Friday evening. It really felt like we were being taken into the culture, and that was great. Israel would have seemed much more like just another country we were visiting if we didn't stay with our friends. They really taught us...Read More

About the Writer

daisy

daisy
new york, New York

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