Today I would like to give you some advice for your journey to Israel, especially to Jerusalem during the Easter Season. People often think that a journey to Israel is unsafe and overpriced. Neither of these ideas are true. Of course, if you are coming from outside of Europe, flights can vary and become an expensive addition to your travel budget, but if you are from Europe, a return flight with ElAl for example from Berlin, Germany to Tel Aviv can be found for 250 Euros or less.
Rental for a VW Polo starts at 12 Euros per day with no cost for extra mileage and one liter of petrol costing around 1,30 Euros.
Food from local supermarkets are not too expensive and restaurants have similar price levels to that which you would find in Germany. (1 Pizza is around 7-8 Euros.)
Unsafe: Yes, it is true that the life in Israel is not as safe as in many other countries, but it is not as risky as you may think. Israel is very well prepared; the security system is the best in the world and if you are informed upon your arrival about what is permitted and what you should avoid in order to stay safe, you will have a wonderful time in Israel.
During my experience of traveling to Israel, I have discovered two great and affordable accommodation options. One is the Jerusalem Hostel and the other is The Little Hotel. I have found these to be the best hostels in the New Jewish Quarter, only 10 minutes away from The Tower of David with a tram at the front of the hotel and a pedestrian zone. This is a great option for families as you can book family rooms for an inexpensive fee of around 45 Euros per night (during peak season).
The Little Hotel has a higher standard which is also available for a great price, in the same quarter. If you are looking for something in the center of The Old City, then you should make a reservation at the Christus Treff in the old Johanniter Hospiz. They have 5 rooms and offer an intimate setting with a beautiful court garden at the former Johanniter Hospiz. Each morning there is a Bible devotion and every Thursday evening you can enjoy an informative lecture. The price per person is around 38 Euros.
Israel21c.org offers great tips on what you can do for free in Jerusalem. Among other great options, you can do the Easter Prayer Walk or visit the Garden of Gethsemane.
Most people know that during the Easter season you can watch the Easter procession in the old town, but did you know on Maundy Thursday, the Christ Church Jerusalem offers an evening prayer march to the Garden of Gethsemane. They are the only group who is permitted to do that; no other people will be with you at the Garden. It is a sacred and special time!
Enjoy your time in Jerusalem!
Shalom!
Johanniter Hospiz, Christus Treff:
http://www.christus-treff- marburg.de/projekte/ct-jerusalem/
http://www.israel21c.org/top-18- things-to- do-in- jerusalem-for- free/
Christ Church Jerusalem
Address: The Armenian Patriarchate St 55, Jerusalem, 91140
Phone:+972 2-627- 7727
Some extra information:
A car is not necessary
If it is your fist time in Israel and your budget is limited, then you can do without hiring a car.
Jerusalem offers so much that you would not be able to cover it all. In order to visit some great places around Jerusalem, you can book a car for day trips rather than for your entire stay. For less than 35 Euros you can hire a family car during the peak season. Here are some distances from Israel:
Dead Sea (40km), Bethlehem (10 km), Ben Gurion, Jerusalem (55km)
