Israel is my home now for more than 35 years. When I first settled here, Israelis and non-Israelis used to ask what I missed most. I would usually answer baseball, Autumn and Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Now that I’ve lived here most of my life, people ask me how Israel differs with the US.

One difference is how we treat Memorial Day here.

Every Israeli has a member of their family and/or good friend in a military cemetery. I served in a war here (1st Lebanese War) and left friends there. I also was a teacher and have former pupils who were KIA (I hope you know what that means).

So, I would say that here, Memorial Day hits us in the gut. Hard. It is part of us.

I have three sons. Two are reservists; one is serving his 3-year active duty in the Medical Corps of the IDF. For them I pray for peace and hope they never have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

On memorial day I see faces forever young that are no more.

That’s the difference.

I sometimes hear, mainly from business travelers, “I only have one day in Israel. What do you suggest I see?”
Actually, that’s an easy one. One day in Israel? Don’t miss the Old City of Jerusalem.
Start with an overview on the Mount of Olives and read Luke 19:41. Then go to the bottom of the valley in front of you (Kidron Valley in Hebrew; Jehosephat Valley in English – that’s right – as in “Jumping Jehosephat.”

Continue on to Jaffa Gate and walk through the Arab Marker or “shuk” until you get to the Jewish Quarter. Walk down to the Western (Wailing) Wall and then exit to the Muslim Quarter and walk to St. Stephan’s Gate and walk back into the Old City to St. Anne’s Church (Bethesda), possibly the most beautiful church in Israel. Now you can begin the Via Dolorosa which ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
If you have time, and you should, arrange a trip to nearby Bethlehem.

In the Upper Galilee lies the small farming village of Rosh Pinna.

Rosh Pinna carries the title as the oldest “new Jewish town” in modern Israel. Founded in 1879 by seventeen families from the Kabbalistic city of Tsfat (Safed), it sits nestled in the hills of northern Israel, but it hosts a number of lovely “Bed and Breakfast” inns, restaurants and even has two shopping malls.

However, my favorite place is the old city center built with Rothschild money in the 1880′s. There, under one of the first elementary schools in modern Israel sits the Chocolatte Cafe.

The Cafe boasts a modest, but varied menu. One can order salads, toasted-cheese sandwiches, soups and even (my favorite) stuffed eggpland with cheese.

The big draw and the specialty of the house is their “chocolate drink.”
Served hot or cold and in dark, white or milk chocolate flavors and created on a cream and milk base, it defies description.

Two thumbs up for all of us chocolate lovers!

Hi everyone,

One of the greatest “sleeper” sites in the north of Israel is Zippori National Park.

Also known as Sephoris, Zippori is an incredibly preserved Jewish city from Byzantine times (about 1,700 years ago). The Mishnah, a compilation of Jewish oral law was edited there by the great Rabbi Judah HaNasi in 200 CE. It also boasts the most beautiful collection of mosaics in the Middle East.

Recently, a part of the underground aqueduct was opened to the public. 90 meters long and dark (you must come equipped with flashlights (or torches for you Brits), it’s a very tight fit. Not for those who don’t like small spaces, but a lot of fun for the kids!

Yet another reason to visit this incredible site.

For the past six years, I have been showing hundreds of tourists this great country.

Events here and in the United States have stressed the incoming tourist industry here.

Today, people have less money to spend, but expect to get more for their tourist dollar than in the past.
Israel is an expensive country to live in, and a really expensive on to tour in.

I believe that I give great value for the service I give. I think it’s about time that I market myself to a more discerning clientele that is not willing to compromise on great service.

From June 1st, I am partnering with “Touring Israel.” A company that, I believe, gives the best tourist experience period.

There is an old adage: “You get what you pay for and when you pay peanuts, monkeys do the job.”

I think that a personally guided tour is expensive. Why not pay a little more and get the best?

It is with great pleasure that I am partnering with my friend and colleague, Joe Yudin. Joe believes his company, Touring Israel, is the best one in the country. I think it is, too. That’s why I’m so pleased to be aboard.

You can find me and the best guides in Israel at: www.touringisrael.com

Hello dear readers,

After a very enjoyable 10-day tour with a very pleasant pair of sisters, their husbands and their uncle and wife, I have a few moments to write down some impressions on the hotels they used.

In Tel Aviv, the group stayed at the Melody Hotel on Yarkon Street. Clean, well situated near the old port and with friendly service and not expensive, the Melody is a winner!

I wish I could say the same for the next two hotels: Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz Guest House sits on the Sea of Galilee and, though the staff is friendly, the hotel (more of a motel than hotel), just does not seem to fit in to sophisticated travelers. Saturday’s dinner was not eatable. Rooms are in need of a serious renovation.

Kibbutz Ein Gedi Guest House has a curious trait: no bellboys. You have to lug (or schlepp) your luggage to your rooms yourselves. Yes, that’s right, you have to take your bags! When I questioned the receptionist, she said that the hotel doesn’t employ bellboys.

Ein Gedi is a case of bad service in the extreme. I used to live on Ein Gedi, and it is with a heavy heart that I can no longer go there. Very expensive with long waits at check in and check out, all I can say is beware!

Albert Einstein once said that “coincidences are God’s way of staying anonymous.”

In my book, “Go to Galilee,” I wrote about “too many coincidences” when talking about the ancient boat found on the shores of the Sea of Galilee sixteen years ago.

Another happy coincidence took place two weeks ago when I happened upon Professor Jerome Hall who is currently finishing up the main scientific work on the boat. Dr. Hall teaches at the University of San Diego and will publish a popular book about the boat with his conclusions in the next year or two.

I (and the two tourists I had in tow from Dallas, Texas) was fortunate enough to listen to Dr. Hall lecture to a group of university students from the US about the boat. The experience was incredible.

This week’s Blog “Must Do’s”

Hello Dear readers,

I’d like to talk about the “must do’s.”

If you only have one free day in Israel, spend it in Jerusalem.  Begin with a panoramic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives lookout.

Rightly “Gold Starred” in the Fodor’s Guide (gold-starred sites are the ones most worth a visit), the view is truly spectacular.

After that, drive to Jaffa Gate and directly to your right is the Tower of David Museum.  Be sure to see the film and the view from the top of the built by King Herod more than two millenia ago.  It is a very good introduction to one of the most interesting and contested cities on the planet.

From there, if you have no guide, free tours are available (be sure  to tip the guide, though) every day except Saturday.  Take a good part of the day exploring the 4 different quarters.  Then, if you have a bit of the day left over, either go to the Israel Museum or Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

If you have two days, spend the next one on the Dead Sea.  Begin with a tour of Masada.  If you are not accompanied with a guide, the Nature and Parks Authority does have self-guiding devices to rent for a small fee.  Afterwards, spend the day at one of the local spas.  Be sure to bring a beach shoe or crocs!  These can be purchased there.

I’ll be adding to this list in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

Whether you decide to use my guiding services or not, but sure to use a licensed tour guide!

Israeli tour guides go through a 2-year long course with stringent entrance requirements and tough qualifying examinations.  We must take a yearly in-service to keep our license.

The specially licensed vehicles, the “eshkol” cars (eshkol) is Hebrew for “cluster.”  The two little guys carrying the cluster of grapes (Joshua and Caleb) is the symbol of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.  Our cars are inspected monthly for safety; brakes are tested twice a year and we also must pass a “Winter safety inspection.”

To qualify for such a vehicle, we must work only as guides for at least 5 years full-time, speak at least two languages and have the recommendation of tour companies to qualify to own one.  Amongst us guides, having your own touring vehicle means you’ve made it as a guide.

Don’t be fooled by wannabe guides who don’t wear the distinctive tag; or those who will take you in a rented car.  Beware!  You may save some money, but you won’t be insured should, G-d forbid, you are involved in an accident.

So have a great tour!  There really are some good guides here!

What to take with you on your trip to Israel

People always ask what they should bring with them when they visit Israel.

Half the clothes and twice the money doesn’t cut it here.  Due to the high cost of living in Israel, you probably won’t do that much shopping and, besides, almost all merchants take credit cards.

Here are a few musts:

A good hat that will protect you from the sun.  A baseball cap won’t cut it here.  A good hat that has  a brim that will shield your eyes and neck is a must.  Tilly hats are famous and come in all shapes and sizes.  North Face and Columbia also make several models that will nicely fit the bill.

A good pair of walking shoes, not sneakers or gym shoes.  A strong pair of leather shoes with a thick sole that supports your foot is best.  A good pair of hiking shoes will also do.  Sneakers tend to be slippery on the Jerusalem limestone and don’t really support your ankles all that well.

Sunscreen, a bathing suit (or costume for your Brits), and a comfortable pair of cotton slacks for men and a dress that covers the knees and shoulders women are a must for visiting  the many religious sites here.  Less t-shirts and more button-down shirts are recommended.

Lastly, I suggest carrying a color photo-copy of your passport with you and leave the original in the hotel safe.

That’s it.  Enjoy your trip!