I want to briefly address what it was like to drive in Israel, just in case you are visiting and considering it. In short, it was generally easy. My Driving Experience In Israel After taking a train from Tel...
Fascinating: How Mary, Mother Of Jesus, Is Perceived Around The World
![How Nations Picture Mary](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/How-Nations-Picture-Mary-45-e1581796123498-738x355.jpeg)
One of the fascinating things about traveling around the world is how much religious perceptions vary by nation. While the people of many nations are connected by common faith and even common theology of that faith, their pictures of...
Very Friendly Waiters In Tel Aviv…
![Friendly Tel Aviv](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Friendly-Tel-Aviv-4-738x355.jpeg)
My wife and son had gone to bed, but I was still hungry, so I headed to Don Camillo, one of the restaurants at The Jaffa hotel in Tel Aviv. I brought my laptop along and had planned to work...
A Non-Sabbath Sabbath In Israel
![Sabbath Nazareth](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Nazareth-Sabbath-39-738x355.jpeg)
I was under the false impression that all of Israel shut down from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Not so in Nazareth. We spent Friday at the Sea of Galilee, taking in three historic Christian sites during the day....
The Best Kanafeh In Israel
![Best Kanafeh Israel](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Best-Kanafeh-Israel-2-738x355.jpeg)
I’ve written about kanafeh before…my favorite dessert in the world. I had the great pleasure of introducing my wife and son to kanafeh during our recent trip to Israel. Here are two places I strongly recommend for really tasty kanafeh....
Why I Wasn’t Moved By Holy Sites In The Holy Land
![Religious Experience Israel](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Garden-Tomb-Jerusalem-738x355.jpg)
For better or for worse, I was simply not moved by the holy sites in the Holy Land. And yet something happened that I will never forget. This post gets a little personal, but it was a central part...
Negotiating For Lunch In Bethlehem
![Bethlehem Lunch](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bethlehem-Lunch-4-738x355.jpeg)
The most stressful part of my entire week in the Holy Land was negotiating for lunch in Bethlehem. Oh how I hate it when restaurants don’t have posted prices! We were right in tourist central, near the Church of...
Coffee And Politics At The Walled Off Hotel In Bethlehem
![Walled Off Hotel Bethlehem](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Walled-Off-Hotel-Bethlehem-51-738x355.jpeg)
If you’re ever in Bethlehem, don’t miss the Walled Off Hotel, even if just for a cup of coffee. It was the most memorable visit of the entire week. Bankrolled by the artist Banksy, this is not only one of...
Is Bethlehem Safe?
![Is Bethlehem Safe](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bethlehem-Safe-2-738x355.jpeg)
I’ve been talking to people about my trip to Israel and have heard the same question, over and over: Isn’t Bethlehem In the West Bank? Wasn’t that risky? You went into the West Bank? Is that safe? The very...
How To Get From Jerusalem To Bethlehem Cheaply And Easily By Bus
![Jerusalem Bethlehem Bus](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Jerusalem-Bethlehem-Bus-6-738x355.jpeg)
Taking Bus 231 between Jerusalem and Bethlehem is a cheap and easy option that I highly recommend over a taxi or private guide. If you’ve been reading my Israel trip report, you know that we tried to keep expenses...
A Regrettable Airbnb Experience In Israel
![Airbnb Israel](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Airbnb-Jerusalem-Israel-1-738x355.jpeg)
As I alluded to in my reflections on Jerusalem yesterday, our trip started at an apartment booked via Airbnb. Sadly, we wound up vacating after the first night. Our Airbnb Jerusalem Expectations I say sadly, because look at the...
How I Spent Three Days In Jerusalem
![Three Days in Jerusalem](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Three-Days-in-Jerusalem-67-738x355.jpeg)
We began our trip to Israel in Jerusalem, an ancient city with deep links to the Abrahamic faiths. Our three days focused on religious sites, but we also enjoyed the joy of bartering in the Old City and found...
Review: Ben Gurion Airport – Jerusalem High Speed Train
![Jerusalem High Speed Train Review](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Jerusalem-High-Speed-Train-Review-18-738x355.jpeg)
A new rail line connecting Tel Aviv with Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Jerusalem makes traveling from the airport to Jerusalem easier than ever. I had originally reserved a rental car for the entire week in Israel, but decided...
Introduction: A Week In Israel
![Israel Trip Report](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Israel-Trip-Report-738x355.jpg)
Despite a lot of rain, my family and I had a good week in Israel. A great week actually. But I’m not sure how to write about it… My Israel trip report will not be about flights, though I...
The Jaffa Tel Aviv: Stunning New Marriott (The Luxury Collection) Hotel
![The Jaffa Tel Aviv Review](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The-Jaffa-Tel-Aviv-8-738x355.jpeg)
I ended my trip to Israel with a splurge in Tel Aviv at The Jaffa, a recent addition to Marriott’s The Luxury Collection portfolio. My stay was flawless. I will publish a full review as part of my Israel...
Who Can Enter The Dome Of The Rock?
![Dome of the Rock Access](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dome-of-the-Rock-Access-02-738x355.jpg)
Are non-Muslims allowed inside the Dome of the Rock? Greetings from Jerusalem. This morning I took my family to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. The Western Wall was an emotional experience for my wife, as she felt...
Geopolitics Complicates My Trip To Israel
![Safe To Visit Israel 2020](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Safe-To-Visit-Israel-2020-738x355.jpg)
A U.S. airstrike in Iraq has complicated my plans to take my family to Israel tomorrow. Still, I don’t plan on suspending my trip. Yesterday, Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was blown up via a U.S. airstrike while leaving Baghdad International...
Help Me Plan My Trip To Israel!
![Israel Trip 2020](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Israel-2020-Trip-738x355.jpg)
I’ve decided to take my family to Israel next week. That doesn’t give me much time to plan. For years, I’ve wanted to take my family to the Holy Land. With so much uncertainly in the air for 2020,...
Help Me Get Home From Israel!
![a city with a gold dome and trees](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Jerusalem-738x355.jpg)
It is not often that the Award Expert needs award help, but I find myself in a unique position. I’ll spend Christmas in Germany this year and have a bit of time after for a trip with my family. I...
Award Space On United’s New Tel Aviv Flight From Washington Dulles
![a city skyline with a beach and water](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/United-Dulles-Tel-Aviv-738x355.jpg)
Earlier today, United Airlines announced new non-stop service between Washington Dulles and Tel Aviv. The flight is now available for booking revenue and mileage space. The new service starts on May 22, 2019 and will operate three-times weekly per...