Self-tour vs organised tours in Israel & Jordan

[Pushka]

The good news so far is that the world cruise did stop in Haifa over the weekend. But one blogger has left me in limbo by saying that Viking cancelled all excursions into Bethlehem and Nazareth. I expect she got something sorted but have to wait until she updates. I do know of other world cruisers who did manage to get there, and thought I saw a Viking paddle in one photo so not sure what's up.

 

[Flashback]

Wouldn’t it get changed into Dinar in between? Cheap rates, but might that not be so cheap?

No, they would convert straight from GBP to JOD.

So, what I was saying was that I needn't have changed some GBP to USD ..... to change the USD to JOD, could have just gone straight to JOD from GBP

 

[Flashback]

Just to keep it all in one thread (as was mentioned in TVFMO); I very much agree that the setup on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea was far better than the Israeli. The cluster of hotels near Ein Bokek (Israel) and the shores of the Dead Sea you can use....... were not so good.

 

[Flashback]

Just to round it all up ... we're flying out shortly, which means leaving on Shabbat. We thought the safest option given the OMG o'clock flight would be to arrange the taxi via concierge yesterday, as you can't always rely on using an app especially on a day when you're not sure how many taxis will be on the road. I was expecting 150-180 NIS based on research, but quoted 200. Fine, all good and booked. 15 minutes past the departure time....... still no sign of the car at the hotel, so the chap on the front desk just booked one using the Yango app (could have used the Gett app also - that showed about 10 cars around and a <4 minute wait too) and rocked up a few minutes later, only 150 NIS. I would just go for that option, seems pretty reliable.

@Pushka if you're heading via LON prior to going on your cruise then I have some cold hard NIS if you want a little slush fund prior to arrival

The trip all went off without any issues, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend DIY for these 3 countries (Israel, Palestine, Jordan).

If anyone wants to know anything else or has any questions, just shout.

 

[Pushka]

Just to round it all up ... we're flying out shortly, which means leaving on Shabbat. We thought the safest option given the OMG o'clock flight would be to arrange the taxi via concierge yesterday, as you can't always rely on using an app especially on a day when you're not sure how many taxis will be on the road. I was expecting 150-180 NIS based on research, but quoted 200. Fine, all good and booked. 15 minutes past the departure time....... still no sign of the car at the hotel, so the chap on the front desk just booked one using the Yango app (could have used the Gett app also - that showed about 10 cars around and a <4 minute wait too) and rocked up a few minutes later, only 150 NIS. I would just go for that option, seems pretty reliable.

@Pushka if you're heading via LON prior to going on your cruise then I have some cold hard NIS if you want a little slush fund prior to arrival

The trip all went off without any issues, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend DIY for these 3 countries (Israel, Palestine, Jordan).

If anyone wants to know anything else or has any questions, just shout.

Bummer. UK at the end. And just for a couple of days because KLM moved our flight 24 hours earlier than booked.

Viking World cruise did end up going to Haifa last weekend. It looks fabulous and weather was brilliant. I reckon we will make it unless Jerusalem Day goes bad.

 

[Flashback]

Bummer. UK at the end. And just for a couple of days because KLM moved our flight 24 hours earlier than booked.

Viking World cruise did end up going to Haifa last weekend. It looks fabulous and weather was brilliant. I reckon we will make it unless Jerusalem Day goes bad.

Yes, apart from the storms that resulted in flash flooding and major roads being closed when we were here in the first week of our trip the weather has been grand. Yesterday was a pleasant 22 degrees and sunshine, perfect day for wandering up and down the beach and through the markets.

Pro tip: check out Bezalel Market. It's near the more famous Carmel Market. Quite interesting, lots of bargains to be had with clothing etc. and seems they get stock the chains don't sell and then flog off for nearly nothing.