Wizzair has some great flight deals around Europe and recently to the Middle East. When we found a deal for 60 euro to Tel Aviv, we jumped on the opportunity to trade snowy Europe for sunny Israel. We could only spend four days in Israel despite everyone telling us that it isn’t enough time. But, we had a budget and chose to spend our time in Jerusalem.

 

Transportation to/from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

There is a bus departing every hour, on the hour, from Tel Aviv airport to Jerusalem city center.

• Transit time is one hour and 45 minutes
• Departs from level two
• One way fee is about 4 euros (bring cash)

Tip: Be aware of your arrival day. This shuttle’s last journey is at 2pm on Friday night to prepare for Shabbat. If you miss this, you’ll need to take a private taxi or a tourist bus for a much higher price.

On our return, we did book a shared taxi because it took us straight into downtown Tel Aviv’s central train station. From there, we took a second bus closer to our hotel; but more on that later…

Jerusalem

We arrived in Jerusalem just as everything was closing for Shabbat. We did not do any preparation for this trip…first mistake. Our goal was to be spontaneous so we could relax and spend time where we wanted; the problem is there is just so much to see. You have to have a plan! Thanks to our hotel concierge, we quickly realized that not only would everything be closed on our first full day,  but we wouldn’t even be able to rent a car to visit anything outside of the city. Luckily, we found a last minute tourist website that would bring us to the Dead Sea.

We super lucked out with this service because it stopped in a couple of places before dropping us at the Dead Sea. We went to the border of Jordan and Israel as well as the point of sea level. The bus dropped us at the Dead Sea around 10AM and picked us up at 3pm.

It was such a cool sensation. You sit down and you just instantly float! I realize we were in a very touristy location but we still had a great time swimming / floating and covering ourselves with mud from the sea bottom.

Back to the city

Day two was our Old City, religious experience day. People travel to Jerusalem for its significant religious impact and we wanted ours. We started the day on the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus walked to the place where he was crucified. There are fourteen stations on the route, each with a powerful story and marked by these round icons. If you are traveling alone, be sure to purchase a station map in any of the market shops or pay a nice local man to take you on a tour. We were approached by a shop owner for this service and thought it was well worth the money as some of the stations are a bit off the beaten track.

Our favorite stop of the tour was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. According to the Catholic faith, Jesus was crucified and buried on sacred ground that the Church was built around. It is considered the holiest Church in the world. The first day we went it was so busy that it was hard for me to let go and feel the Holy Spirit move me. So I went back the next morning, before the crowds came pouring in, to have some quiet time inside. It is such a different experience to be before the place where Jesus was crucified when it is quiet and you can take your time. I know not everyone can have that opportunity so I’m thankful that I could.

Close to the Church is the Western or Wailing Wall. Men enter one side, women the other, to pray and offer your worship to God. All religions are invited to share this experience and to place your prayers into the cracks of the wall.

 

 

From the Wall, we walked around the outskirts of the city to Mount Olives for gorgeous views of the city and the Garden of Gethsemane to walk where Jesus spent his last hours before being arrested.

 

Before we left Jerusalem, we went to the Garden Tomb at Golgotha. This is where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried. I recommend to visit both and decide for yourself which places gives you the greatest impact.

 

New Jerusalem

We actually booked our hotel in New Jerusalem and loved our hotel so much. Every morning, we had a nice buffet breakfast with typical Israeli foods and a bonus happy hour every evening with cocktails and snacks. Besides that, there was this super cool market that went from daytime fruits, veg stands to a nighttime spot for drinks and hipster hangouts.

 

 

Tel Aviv

We were surprised by Tel Aviv. So many of our friends told us it wasn’t worth visiting, it’s just a city, blah blah; but it was super fun and pretty! Immediately, we said this is a place we want to come back to because there was just so much to do! We only had one night in the city so we took a walk on the beach to Old Jaffa for dinner and drinks.

 

All in all, we had a great long weekend in Israel but was definitely not enough time. Beware that it is an expensive place to visit but if you plan well, you can plan a wonderful trip on your budget.