Despite no scheduled commercial service or even diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, an Etihad A330-200 landed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to deliver coronavirus aid to Palestinians. The aircraft, painted all white, bore the registration...
Review: The Jaffa Tel Aviv, A Luxury Collection Hotel By Marriott
One night was not enough at The Jaffa, a wonderful Marriott property in the Old Jaffa neighborhood of Tel Aviv. I have nothing but praise for this pricey but luxurious hotel. The Jaffa Premises + Location The hotel does...
Great Coffee In Israel
My trip to Israel was filled with great cups of coffee. Here’s a look at some of my favorites across the country. Great Coffee In Jerusalem Enoteca Espresso & Wine Bar Hanotsrim 18, Jerusalem / +972 2-585-7726 We stumbled...
Traveling In Israel With A Young Child
Is it even worthwhile to travel with a young child to Israel? My answer is YES. For years I wanted to take my wife to Israel, the top destination on her travel bucket list. Our three-year-old son was inconvenient...
Driving In Israel
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
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…
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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...
