jrs

If you are looking for inexpensive, do things the Israeli way. Look for posters by the bus stops and posted on the walls of Yerushalayim. You can easily ask a passer-by what they think and if they have more info. You’d be surprised at how helpful people by the bus stop can be – it is E”Y, after all.

Also, Egged should be your #1 contact. Figure out where you want to go and call Egged to find out the bus schedule. For example, Yam HaMelach, Matzada and Ein Gedi are all part of one bus route and you do not need a special tour in order to go to all three. You just have to be on top of the timing because there aren’t that many cars with which you can hitch back to Yerushalayim.

Heimishe Tours will take you where you want to go for 1/3 of the price of Hoffman’s/Artzeinu, but – and you have to weigh this, they will not give you a tour of the place or any extra guidance as to the history and importance of the place. For example, I went up north with them because I didn’t feel the need to know all the background of Amuka, R’ Meir Baal Hanes, Meiron, etc. Anyway, Heimishe Tours leaves from 11 Yechezkel (Geula area – by B’zaar Strauss/ Discount Bank) and they have the regular days of what is when.

Another amazing experience, is the 5-9 Kever Rochel and Ma’aras HaMachpeila tour on Friday morning. This, again, is not a tour in the sense of providing extra background knowledge, but it takes you where you want to go. It leaves from Har Nof – Shaulzon, by the bus stop across from Yesh – the shopping center.

Other than those, I highly suggest the tunnel tours and a good Old City tour including Kever David.

For Gedolim and other places to see and be, just open a phone book once you are there. Believe it or not, there are sections for everything in those phone books and they are quite helpful. Make sure to call before trying any Gedolim, many have very specific schedules and all of Klal Yisrael needs Yeshuos.

Just make sure throughout the trip that your phone is charged and that you keep it far from water.

Have a great trip and enjoy every minute of Avira D’Yisrael!