We spent two weeks in Israel, starting with 4 days based in and around Jerusalem. Then we picked up a hire car to drive a 600 mile circle taking in some of Israel’s top attractions, plus a couple of days side trip to Jordan from Eilat.
Note: We took this trip a few years ago. The British Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Israel. Check the website, or your own government’s travel advice, for up-to-date information before making travel plans.
Israel 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary
| Travel to Jerusalem Accommodation | |
| Day 1 | Old Jerusalem Damascus Gate Church of the Holy Sepulchre The Citadel Room of the Last Supper King David’s Tomb Church of the Dormition Church of St Peter in Gallicantu Via Dolorosa Dinner at Family Restaurant |
| Day 2 | Jerusalem Temple Mount Western Wall Cardo Maximus Yad Vashem Dinner at Moshiko Felafel |
| Day 3 | Jerusalem Israel Museum Mount of Olives: – Mosque of the Ascension – Dominus Flevit – Pater Noster – Garden of Gethsemene – Church of All Nations Shabbat at the Western Wall Dinner at Family Restaurant |
| Day 4 | Palestine |
| Day 5 | Jaffa Rockefeller Archaeological Museum Drive to Jaffa Jaffa Old Town Ha-Pisga Park Bat Yam Accommodation – Elis Boutique Hotel |
| Day 6 | Caesarea and Haifa Drive to Caesarea Casearea National Park Drive to Haifa Accommodation – Templers Boutique Hotel Baha’i Gardens |
| Day 7 | Haifa and Nazareth Haifa Cable Car Stella Maris Monastery Drive to Nazareth Megiddo National Park Accommodation – Villa Nazareth B&B Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Mary’s Well The Basilica of the Annunciation St Joseph’s Church The White Mosque Mezze for Dinner |
| Day 8 | The Sea of Galilee Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish Mount of Beatitudes Capernaum Tiberius Tiberius Open Air Museum Accommodation – Aviv Holiday Flat |
| Day 9 | Beit She’an, Masada and Ein Bokek Beit She’an Drive down Route 90 Masada Accommodation – Neve Zohar Ein Bokek |
| Day 10 | Eilat Drive to Eilat Kisuki Beach Accommodation – Almogim Suites Eilat Hotel |
| Day 11 | Jordan |
| Day 12 | Jordan |
| Day 13 | Mitzpe Ramon Drive to Mitzpe Ramon Makhtesh Ramon Visitors Centre Picnic at Makhtesh Ramon Crater Accommodation – IBEX unique Desert Inn |
| Day 14 | Mitzpe Ramon Sculpture Park Drive to Ben Gurion Airport |
Travel to Jerusalem
The flight to Ben Gurion Airport was uneventful, despite the Cadbury’s special offers in Duty Free, meaning a plane full of people armed with Fruit & Nut. We arrived at the airport and tried to follow signs to the Jerusalem bus without success. We gave up and took a sherut (shared taxi). Our fellow passengers included a family who lived not particularly on the way to Jerusalem, but we made it eventually, but a somewhat circuitous route.
Accommodation
We were dropped at the Metropole Hotel, which was unfortunate, as we were staying at the New Metropole Hotel. Luckily, it was only a few doors away from our hotel, and we traipsed up the hill and checked in.
Our hotel was in the predominantly Arab area of East Jerusalem. It had seen better days. The biggest issue was the leak from the upstairs toilet through our bedroom ceiling. We called the manager. He said if we didn’t like it, we should check into a more expensive hotel. We googled alternative hotels, all very expensive, and decided to lump it. After some experimentation, we came up with a bin/cushion combo. The bin caught the drips and the cushion muffled the dripping sound. It had been a long day, so it didn’t matter too much – we could have slept through pretty much anything.
Israel Day 1 – Jerusalem
Following an excellent breakfast at the hotel (much to our surprise), it was time to explore Old Jerusalem, a place which just oozes history.
Damascus Gate
We entered through Damascus Gate, part police checkpoint, part time warp.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
First stop, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Jesus was crucified.
Fact: pilgrims are mental. I’m not sure if they start off this way or some sort of mass hysteria takes over, but it adds an extra element of entertainment to a trip to the Holy Land. Inside the door is the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus was prepared for burial. The stone dates from 1810, so a leap of faith is required, but there was a scrum of people desperate to kiss it and rub it with an oily rag to extract some stone juice (hence the need to replace the original which was evidently all juiced out).
The Citadel
Next, The Citadel; King Herod’s palace. Great views across the city and an eclectic array of artefacts. My favourite; a diorama showing Muslims chasing Christians out of Jerusalem and vice versa.
Room of the Last Supper
On to the Room of the Last Supper – one word – bonkers. The Holy Spirit is said to be present here. We followed a group of Kenyan pilgrims. Immediately, the entire group were hit by the Holy Spirit, lots of shouting (in tongues – obviously) and crying. Cue a group of Korean pilgrims. They wanted some Holy Spirit too, so set about touching the Kenyans. Lots more shouting and crying.
King David’s Tomb
Meanwhile, downstairs is King David’s Tomb. The tomb has separate entrances for men and women, which means the iconic king has essentially been cut in half. We split up to visit separate ends, I’m not sure which end I got.
Church of the Dormition
Next stop, the Church of the Dormition, which marks where Jesus’ mother Mary died.
More pilgrim madness, a sing-off between rival pilgrim ‘gangs’. A bit like a surreal remake of Step Up.
Church of St Peter in Gallicantu
Onwards to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, built where Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed, hence the proliferation of cocks.
My guide book said that the grave of Oskar Schindler is also nearby, but despite an extensive search, we failed to find it and finally gave up.
Via Dolorosa
Next to tackle the Via Dolorosa – the route Jesus walked with his cross. Each of the 14 stations is marked with a plaque, so it’s easy to follow (that and the thousands of people following the same route through what is essentially a maze). After 9 stations, we decided we were all cultured out and stopped for a beer.
Dinner at Family Restaurant
We had dinner, a mezze including great hummus at the excellent Family Restaurant. I didn’t know I liked hummus, having only had it in plastic tubs from the supermarket, but freshly prepared it’s a whole different dish.
Then we walked back to the hotel (moved to a dry room – yay!) through the old city which, although bustling during the day, really comes to life at night with the market in full swing. Props to the spice seller who used his produce to build a spicy Dome of the Rock.
Israel Day 2 – Jerusalem
Yesterday, Christianity – today, Islam and Judaism.
Temple Mount
We started with Temple Mount, location of the Al Aqsa Mosque, where Mohammed ascended to heaven, and the Dome of the Rock. The queue was massive and entry was complicated by the fact that the old man was carrying contraband (a tablet) but we made it in eventually.
The Dome of the Rock looked spectacular, shining in the morning sun. And there was a great view across Jerusalem. But there wasn’t much else to do, as non-Muslims aren’t allowed in any of the buildings, so we descended.
Western Wall
Back at the bottom, the Western Wall, remnant of the original temple in Jerusalem. Again, we had to enter separately. The Ladies’ section was quiet and demure. It was a lot more lively the other side of the fence, where there appeared to be a Jewish version of the Conga in progress.
Cardo Maximus
Time to venture further afield. We exited the old city through the Cardo Maximus, the original Roman high street, still in incredible condition for for a two thousand year old structure.
Yad Vashem
We took a tram to Yad Vashem, a huge site containing the Holocaust History Museum and various memorials to the victims of the Holocaust.
Apart from the museum, key points are the Hall of Names (a hall containing names and personal details of millions of Holocaust victims) and the Children’s Memorial (an underground room where images of some of the 1.5 million child victims of the Holocaust are displayed in the darkness).
Dinner at Moshiko Felafel
Before we returned to our hotel, we stopped for dinner – more hummus – at Moshiko Falafel, which was very tasty.
Israel Day 3 – Jerusalem
Israel Museum
First up this morning, Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a large sculpture garden (I have a confession – I have a sculpture fetish). Bus No 66 takes you across town to Israel Museum/Wise. We set off up the hill to the nearest Jewish bus stop. We thought we’d located it; a sign and a bench and some bins (quite a lot of bins with hindsight), but the bus sped past us and stopped 100 metres further up the road. We were sitting at a recycling centre. Second time lucky, we caught the bus to the museum. Upon arrival, we discovered an added bonus; an exhibition by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Each piece was accompanied by a detailed description of the thought process behind it. A fun game – look at the work and try to guess its meaning; a prize for the person who is closest.
Dead Sea Scrolls
We made our exit through the excellent Sculpture Garden, and on to the pièce de résistance; the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It turned out, the scrolls on display were in fact replicas. Nevertheless, there was a fierce security guard chasing away would-be photographers. It was a challenge I couldn’t resist – I waited until he had chased someone through 180 degrees and struck.
The return bus trip took forever; it was Friday afternoon, almost Sabbath and everyone was rushing to travel/shop/eat before sundown i.e. not rushing at all and the traffic was gridlocked.
Mount of Olives
Having mastered Jewish buses, it was off to the Arab Bus Station (Sultan Sulliman Terminal) for a bus to the Mount of Olives. This time we had a different problem: We are British, we don’t know how to not queue. Bus No 255 will take you up the Mount of Olives to Chapel of the Ascension. The bus was already there, but full, so we had to wait for the next one. When it arrived, we were at the front of the queue. By the time it was full, we were second from the front. I’m not sure how this happened but it was obviously an epic fail. We waited for a third bus, determined to adapt our boarding technique but without success until an elderly gentleman intervened and said something to his fellow travellers which caused them to take pity on us and let us onto the bus.
The Mount of Olives, besides offering spectacular views across Jerusalem, is where Jesus spent his final days. I’m not particularly religious, but went to Sunday School as a child. So it was interesting to see places which featured in the stories I was told. Basically, any site mentioned in the Bible, now has a church on it.
Mosque of the Ascension
However, we started our visit with a mosque; the Mosque of the Ascension, where there is a stone allegedly containing Jesus’ footprint made as he ascended from heaven. While we stood wondering how on earth it looked anything like a footstep, pilgrims threw themselves at it, showering it with kisses.
Dominus Flevit
We worked our way down the mountain, past a selection of churches; first, Dominus Flevit, where Jesus Wept, as told in the shortest verse in the Bible, in reaction to the death of his friend Lazarus. Here, there now stands a church in the shape of a teardrop.
Pater Noster
Next, Pater Noster, where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer, where a courtyard is lined with the words of the Lord’s Prayer in every language spoken by Christians around the world.
Garden of Gethsemene
Finally, the Garden of Gethsemene. Here, little has changed since Jesus’ time. Some of the olive trees are over a thousand years old, so there is a (admittedly slight) possibility that they were there at the same time as Jesus (cue more pilgrim kissing and the like).
Church of All Nations
Next door is the Church of All Nations. Here, you can see a rock where Jesus is believed to pray the day before he died. This completed our Mount of Olives church extravaganza.
Western Wall
We headed back through the old city, planning to purchase food and beer en route to the hotel. There was a party atmosphere with many thousands of Jews heading to the Western Wall to celebrate the start of Shabbat. We stopped to watch a while. We reached the supermarket just after sundown. Rookie error; it was, of course, shut.
Dinner at Family Restaurant
Consolation – another trip to the excellent Family Restaurant for more of their amazing hummus.
Then back to the hotel for an early night ready for our trip to Palestine in the morning.
Day 4 – Palestine
We spent day 4 on an organised tour of the Palestinian West Bank, visiting the Dead Sea and the city of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem. For more details, check my blog on Palestine in 1 Day.
Israel Day 5 – Jaffa
Time to collect our hire car and explore further afield, as we head for the coast and the ancient port city of Jaffa. Before we leave, we just have time to squeeze a visit to the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum.
Rockefeller Archaeological Museum
The Rockefeller Archaeological Museum is housed in a building complete with bullet holes from the day it ceased to be the Palestine Archaeological Museum. it houses a collection of antiquities unearthed in excavations conducted in the country.
Note: The museum is temporarily closed.
Drive to Jaffa
The clocks have gone back. It seems that although those picking up rental cars are aware of this, it has escaped the notice of those dropping cars off, resulting in a packed waiting room and no cars. Eventually, our car appears and we set off for Tel Aviv.
The journey to Tel Tel Aviv is easy, straight down the motorway. But once there, we encounter a selection of intricate motorway junctions, a rather baffling one way system and astronomical parking charges. We decide to skip Tel Aviv and proceed to the ancient port of Jaffa.
Jaffa Old Town
We take a wander round the Old Town of Jaffa, a picturesque area with lots of interesting old buildings.
Ha-Pisga Park
The large Ha-Pisga Park is a pretty place for a wander and offers great views across to Tel Aviv.
Funds are running low and we can’t find a cashpoint so we opt for chips in a restaurant called Chipsterdam. All it sells is beer and chips. Perfect. Although obviously others don’t share my opinion, as the restaurant has subsequently closed down.
Bat Yam
Tonight, we are staying in Bat Yam, a picturesque Mediterranean resort town just south of Jaffa with a prom, similar to our home town of Bournemouth, only significantly warmer.
Accommodation – Elis Boutique Hotel
We are booked into Elis Boutique Hotel, which is a pleasant hotel on the seafront. It feels positively decadent to be in a ‘proper’ hotel after the somewhat squalid conditions of the past 5 nights.
We take a stroll along the prom, buy some beers and sit and watch the sun go down.
Israel Day 6 – Caesarea and Haifa
Drive to Caesarea
On this morning’s itinerary is Caesarea, Herod’s port. Less than a 40 mile drive up the coast via Highway 20/ Highway 2.
Caesarea National Park
The whole ancient town now forms Caesarea National Park. In some places, such as the amphitheatre, the architecture is incredibly well preserved.
In others, bits of statue and remnants of marble columns are sprawled around like a huge Roman jigsaw puzzle.
The park is open daily except Saturday from 8 am. Adult entry costs 46 shekel.
Drive to Haifa
Today’s ultimate destination is Haifa, a port city at the foot of Mount Carmel. Haifa is just 25 miles to the north of Caesarea along Highway 2/Route 23.
Accommodation – Templers Boutique Hotel
Our original hotel has overbooked and passed our reservation to the Templers House Boutique Hotel. Their error is our gain, as the hotel is immaculate and beautifully renovated. It also has some very quirky toilets.
Baha’i Gardens
The main attraction in Haifa is the Baha’i Gardens; nineteen immaculate terraced gardens cascading down the mountain side. Our hotel is just metres from the bottom of the gardens. We try to enter, but are told the entrance is one level further up, via a public staircase.
364 stairs later, we arrive to be told this entrance is now shut and we need to ascend another level. We’re rather tired. We consider a further ascent but my Fitbit has run out of battery – these steps won’t even ‘count’. We settle for enjoying the view and looking at the gardens from the edge.
Back down 364 stairs and off in search of provisions. We google the nearest supermarket, it turns out to be Ukrainian. Everything is in such huge packs, so the only sensible option appears to be the deli. It’s a bit tricky; we don’t have a language in common and I have to be careful not to buy anything containing nuts. Luckily, the sales assistant is extremely obliging. I point at various items and she draws pictures of the ingredients. We end up with a tasty selection of mystery produce.
Note: The gardens are temporarily closed.
Israel Day 7 – Haifa and Nazareth
Haifa Cable Car
Before departing Haifa, we take the Haifa Cable Car up Mount Carmel for the view and to visit the Stella Maris Monastery.
The cable cars run daily from 9 am until 8 pm (10 am until 6 pm in winter). An adult return trip costs 28 shekel.
Stella Maris Monastery
The grand 19th Century Stella Maris Monastery is built over the Cave of Elijah, believed to be connected to the prophet Elijah. The cave can be seen below the altar.
We walk back along the beach, no humans – it’s off season but it’s heaving with cats, they appear to live among the rocks.
Drive to Nazareth
Then onwards to today’s destination, Nazareth. By the shortest route, it’s only 25 miles south west of Haifa. However, we opt for a slight detour, stopping for lunch at Megiddo National Park (aka Armageddon), to check out the venue where the world is prophesied to end.
Megiddo National Park
A strange irony; the entrance to Armageddon is not where Google Maps says it is. A conspiracy theory; this is a deliberate and cunning ploy by Google to prevent the end of civilisation? Once we have located the park entrance, we enjoy wandering around the archaological site, famed for its ancient battles and biblical prophecies.
The park is open daily except Saturday from 8 am. Adult entry costs 31 shekel.
Accommodation – Villa Nazareth B&B
We arrive at today’s destination, Nazareth – Jesus’ manor. Tonight’s accommodation, Villa Nazareth B&B, is immaculate. It is in a converted school adjoining the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, so very convenient too. Once checked in, we set off on foot to explore the sights of Nazareth.
Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation is built over a spring where the Greeks believe Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel. In fact, there are a number of springs in Nazareth, each has a church on top, just in case this is where Gabriel put in an appearance.
The interior of this 17th Century church is ornately decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from Jesus’ life.
Mary’s Well
Outside is a well which is also believed to be the spot where Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel to tell her of the impending birth of Jesus. Hence the name, Mary’s Well.
The Basilica of the Annunciation
We work our way down the hill, until we reach the star attraction; the Basilica of the Annunciation, which is built on the spot where it is believed Jesus’ mother, Mary used to live. The church is modern, built in the 1960s, but it is one of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen.
The stained glass windows are striking and the church is adorned, inside and out with paintings and mosaics of the Virgin Mary from Christian communities around the world. The USA’s contribution particularly draws the eye.
St Joseph’s Church
Across the courtyard from the Basilica is St Joseph’s Church, which stands where it is believed Jesus’ father, Joseph’s carpentry workshop once stood.
The church is built on top of an ancient Crusader church and you can descend into the crypt to see remnants of past buildings.
The White Mosque
Back up the hill via the White Mosque, which dates from the 1700s.
Mezze for Dinner
We round the evening off with dinner. We are hungry, which results in the old man over ordering – it’s a mega mezze. There are several restaurants around St Mary’s Well from which to choose.
Israel Day 8 – The Sea of Galilee
Today is our last Jesus-themed day with a drive along the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, which is in fact a lake. The place names are familiar from stories told at Sunday School, but I don’t recall anybody mentioning how utterly beautiful the scenery was. No wonder Jesus wandered around preaching love, harmony and sharing your picnic.
Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish
Our first stop, is indeed the site of the Feeding of the 5000; Tabgha and the German Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish. Here, as if the labour the point, the church is fronted with a pond full of fish.
Mount of Beatitudes
Next, the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. Here, there is an octagonal church, each side containing a stained glass panel indicating whom Jesus said should be Blessed.
The old man talks a lot about cheesemakers. He thinks he’s funny. We wander along the shore, enjoying the view and considering the conflicting signage.
Capernaum
Final stop, Capernaum, which contains the remains of a house which may (or may not) have been the home of St Peter.
Tiberias
We head towards tonight’s hotel in the resort town of Tiberias, which has seen better days. We take a walk along the prom, it’s strewn with litter and smells of sewage.
Tiberias Open Air Museum
We head for the Tiberias Open Air Museum. It doesn’t really live up to its name; it’s actually a small sculpture garden. There’s also a twin domed mosque, which makes us laugh; from the side it looks like a giant set of boobs.
Accommodation – Aviv Holiday Flat
The accommodation at Aviv Holiday Flat, like the town itself is a little tired, but the self contained apartment is conveniently located and has a balcony. Breakfast is included, although you have to walk a few doors down to another hotel.
Israel Day 9 – Beit She’an, Masada and Ein Bokek
For today’s journey, we are heading towards Eilat down Route 90, an Israeli controlled road which runs through the West Bank.
Beit She’an
But first, the Roman town of Beit She’an.
You can climb the hill behind the town for a great view looking back across the ruins.
Drive down Route 90
We head out of Israel, and yet weirdly still in it, along Route 90.
Security is tight; both on the ground and overhead, with MIGs speeding up and down the road corridor.
Masada
We reach the ancient town of Masada, which lies on a plateau above the Dead Sea. Here 1000 Jews attempted to defend themselves against the might of the Roman Empire’s Tenth Legion. I’m impressed, I’ve seen the Tenth Legion in action on Dr Who and they looked scary. Ultimately, the people of Masada failed and took their own lives rather than be captured by the Roman soldiers (where’s Dr Who when you need him?) The town is reached either by following a footpath up the side of the mountain or by cable car from the Visitors’ Centre. It’s sweltering hot, so we opt for the cable car, but there is a steady stream of nutters making their way up by foot.
Accommodation – Neve Zohar
Our room for the night is the Desert Inn in Neve Zohar. Instead of staying in the expensive resort town of Ein Bokek, we have booked accommodation 4 miles down the road in the small settler community of Ein Bokek. The place appears to have no redeeming features. The hotel isn’t a hotel; the village consists of prefabs initially put up for workers mining the Dead Sea for minerals for cosmetics. We are staying in one of these – many of them are available to rent. The owner, who is lovely, appears to have attempted to make up for the drabness of the accommodation and its environs through her choice of bed linen.
Ein Bokek
We decide to go and see what the more up-market Ein Bokek has to offer. We are told to be back by dark, as Neve Zohar is locked at night (yes, the whole village locks itself in at dusk). We wander along the sea front and watch the sun set over the Dead Sea. Then rush back to Neve Zohar before our curfew.
Israel Day 10 – Eilat
Today’s schedule is simple:
- Blat down the last 130 miles of Route 90 to Eilat.
- Relax on the beach.
Drive to Eilat
There are no shops or restaurants in Neve Zohar, so we get up and head for Eilat straight away. Once through the security cordon that surrounds the city, we find a bakery and eat brunch on a bench overlooking the Dead Sea, before continuing to Eilat.
Kisuki Beach
Once in Eilat, we purchase picnic supplies and find a spot on nearby Kisuki Beach. Eilat isn’t as nice as I had hoped. The beach is super crowded and the sand is littered with bottle tops, cigarette ends and broken glass. It’s not like the pristine sand I’m used to in Bournemouth, so we give up and head for our accommodation.
Accommodation – Almogim Suites Eilat Hotel
Tonight, we are staying in Almogim Suites Eilat Hotel, an apartment complex next to the university. We are the oldest there by several decades, but the room is nice. We sit down on the balcony, time to relax after a hectic few days. For approximately one minute…
Then, we remember it’s Friday afternoon and the shops are about to close for the Sabbath. Cue emergency dash to the supermarket. Now we can finally relax, sit on the balcony and drink beer as the sun sets. We are on the 12th floor of a building on a hill. From here, we have a wonderful view across Eilat and the Red Sea to Jordan, where we are going in the morning.
Day 11/12 – Jordan
We spent two days in Jordan, visiting Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. You can read more about our trip here.
Israel Day 13 – Mitzpe Ramon
Time to start heading back towards the airport, which will be achieved over two days.
Drive to Mitzpe Ramon
Today, a 100 mile drive through the Negev Desert to Mitzpe Ramon, a town on the edge of the Makhtesh Ramon Crater. The drive though the desert is more scenic than I expected. There are warning signs for camels and tanks. I’m not sure which I would least like to hit!
Makhtesh Ramon Visitors Centre
We arrive at the crater and head for the Makhtesh Ramon Visitors Centre. We buy tickets and head inside. We are expecting a museum detailing the geology/flora/fauna of the region. We are not expecting to enter a fake rocket launch site to watch a series of films about Ilan Ramon, an Israeli astronaut who died on board the space shuttle Columbia.
The Visitor Centre is open daily except Saturday from 8 am. Adult entry costs 31 shekel.
Picnic at Makhtesh Ramon Crater
The area around the Makhtesh Ramon Crater is very busy with both tourists and soldiers on manoeuvres.
We find a quiet spot on the edge of the crater for a picnic, gazing over the stunning scenery. We are soon joined by a family of ibexes, keen to share our sandwiches.
Accommodation – IBEX unique Desert Inn
We head for tonight’s hotel; IBEX unique Desert Inn. We need our passports, but they’re in my handbag, last seen during lunch on the the crater edge. We hurry back and luckily it is where I left it. It hasn’t been stolen/eaten by ibexes/blown up by the military, which is a huge relief. We return and check into our hotel. It is certainly unique; a converted army warehouse. Our room is on a mezzanine level with no outside windows. It’s a bit claustrophobic.
But the hotel has a lovely garden, where we have a beer and watch our last Israeli sunset.
Israel Day 14 – Mitzpe Ramon to London
The final day of our trip and we have just over 100 miles to cover to reach the airport.
Mitzpe Ramon Sculpture Park
But first time to explore Mitzpe Ramon. We head for the Mizpe Ramon Sculpture Park overlooking the crater.
It is still early, there are more ibexes than people and they take a keen interest in us.
Drive to Ben Gurion Airport
The journey to Ben Gurion Airport is more complicated than expected; the old and new private motorways run in parallel and Google maps keeps trying to divert us from one to the other. Plus we need petrol; it’s pay at pump and the instructions are only in Hebrew. A fellow motorist takes pity on the old man and helps with the transaction. We arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check out the quirky Ben Gurion statues and convert our spare shekels into duty free chocolate.
- Trip Taken: October 2017
- Updated: June 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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