Are trips to the Holy Land just too expensive?

Onesimus

I saw one on the internet there for close to 1400 euro per person sharing.

That is just really expensive. I remember years ago before the recession seeing one at 900 euro for 7 days and nights.

anyone here know of a Holy Land trip at at least 900 - 1000 euro going somewhere from Ireland?

Chucken

The cheapest I've seen were 1900 each :eek:
Would you consider booking your own flights and accomodation? It would work out cheaper. Tours can be organised through your hotel I would presume.

philologos

Onesimus wrote: »

I saw one on the internet there for close to 1400 euro per person sharing.

That is just really expensive. I remember years ago before the recession seeing one at 900 euro for 7 days and nights.

anyone here know of a Holy Land trip at at least 900 - 1000 euro going somewhere from Ireland?

The other option is to try and organise it yourself or amongst a few friends. I think you could do it for cheaper. There are flights to Tel Aviv from Luton with easyjet - you can do it at the cheapest for £150 return.

So if you got to Luton from Dublin and then headed on to Tel Aviv. I reckon you could do it cheaper than €1000 if you wanted to. I'm definitely thinking about it at some point.

Onesimus

No flights from Ireland to tel aviv? very good idea though guys. I might just do that. any ideas how much tours cost when you get there? or should I just get myself a very good map and visit the places meself?

Benny_Cake

I haven't been to Israel before, but as Phil said you could probably do it cheaper yourself. Easyjet fly from Luton to Tel Aviv, whereas the only flights from Ireland would be charters organised by tour operators. You'll nearly always get a better deal from London due to the greater level of choice and competition. At least then you can spend as much or as little as you want on accommodation.

jayteecork

Sure off to Knock with yas, that'll do ya grand.

brimal

€1400 per person is a crazy amount of money to pay for a week in Israel

The best way would be from London Luton to Tel Aviv as mentioned. Easyjet are excellent.
There are chartered flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv but they are only during the summer months afaik.

Prices for accommodation in Israel are similar to Ireland. Check out Tripadvisor.

I'm not religious so not sure about Bethlehem or any of the other holy sites, but the Old City in Jerusalem is awesome and I have been to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which was an experience.

My first time in Israel I rented a car for the week, maybe you could get to all the holy sites this way.

Chucken

Just gave a look at hostels in Tel Aviv.*
1 week private single room comes in at 459. I personally would book a cheaper hostel but then again it would depend on your needs.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Chef-Hostel-Tel-Aviv-Montefiore/Tel-Aviv/48283#facilities

I think its a lot easier and cheaper to book your own things. We've done a lot of travelling without ever going near a travel agent.

*Dates Sept/Oct

Onesimus

Thanks I'll have a look into it. In fact it might be worth asking what other pilgrimage sites there are in Ireland? Other than knock as I have been there already. Would be nice to visit somewhere else for a change, preferably on the west coast of Ireland.

Chucken

Croagh Patrick: http://www.croagh-patrick.com/visitorcentre/holy-mountain

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056711960

qrrgprgua

Onesimus wrote: »

I saw one on the internet there for close to 1400 euro per person sharing.

That is just really expensive. I remember years ago before the recession seeing one at 900 euro for 7 days and nights.

anyone here know of a Holy Land trip at at least 900 - 1000 euro going somewhere from Ireland?

Hi, I was in Jerusalem in May. Israel is expensive.

You can go the package route or you can do a DIY job, Book your flights and go around yourself. I was thinking of doing it. There are easyjet flights now from Luton to tel Aviv.

Like everything its a matter of what you want.. I think the packages are good because you get transfers and buses to different sites, but then again I like doing my own thing and would prefer to see around myself. Anyway security wise things are very good over there now. The only thing is to plan to arrive Friday evening/Saturday morning. Everything shuts down for shabbat.

Slav

I found renting a car to be the best way to see Israel. Unless you have a purely pilgrimage trip in mind and have an organised group for that I would not bother with package tours. On the other hand if you are planning to visit places controlled by PNA then organised trips to that locations might be a better option.

Tigerbaby

what Israel go to do with Jerusalem anyway? its an international city. tel Aviv is Israel's putative temporary capital.

Seaneh

Tigerbaby wrote: »

what Israel go to do with Jerusalem anyway? its an international city.

It's the part of the country that people are interested in when it comes to pilgrimages.

It is also the official capital of Israel, Tel Aviv is the defacto capital/Seat of Government (much like Sucre is the Bolivian capital but La Paz is the defacto capital).

Tel Aviv is boring too, and nobody from outside Israel will have much interest in the place.

qrrgprgua

Tigerbaby wrote: »

what Israel go to do with Jerusalem anyway? its an international city. tel Aviv is Israel's putative temporary capital.

Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel.

Benny_Cake

qrrgprgua wrote: »

Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel.

Israel has declared Jerusalem to be it's capital, but this isn't recognised internationally as the final status of Jerusalem hasn't been settled. Countries with embassies in Israel base themselves in Tel Aviv.

georgieporgy

I think President Romney is going to move the US embassy to Jerusalem;)

Benny_Cake

georgieporgy wrote: »

I think President Romney is going to move the US embassy to Jerusalem;)

That's a platitude that every Republican candidate presidential candidate hints at, but it never happens. Hopefully it won't happen, it would make a peace deal even harder to achieve.

qrrgprgua

Benny_Cake wrote: »

Israel has declared Jerusalem to be it's capital, but this isn't recognised internationally as the final status of Jerusalem hasn't been settled. Countries with embassies in Israel base themselves in Tel Aviv.

Look... Jerusalem is absolutely central to Israel. And if you have been their lately you will see its booming economically which has helped all sectors of the city, including Arabs. Even the new tram system which runs along the old east/west divide has given a boost to the city.

Heads of state who visit Israel are received in Jerusalem.. because its the capital.

skooterblue2

Religious extremists, oppressive governments, automatic weapons, aggression, tension, protests. shootings kidnappings. Army black ops. Segreation. Sounds like Northern Ireland to me!

Holiday at home 2012.

brimal

skooterblue2 wrote: »

Religious extremists, oppressive governments, automatic weapons, aggression, tension, protests. shootings kidnappings. Army black ops. Segreation. Sounds like Northern Ireland to me!

Holiday at home 2012.

That is a very ignorant statement.

You obviously have never been to Israel.

skooterblue2

brimal wrote: »

That is a very ignorant statement.

You obviously have never been to Israel.

True never been. As a child I couldnt watch regular television like the A-Team and McGyver but I could watch the nine O clock news. Before I was 8 I knew there was stuff going on in Beriut, Bagdad and Belfast. I didnt know where those places were but I got the live shows.

I have had friends visit and they were checked 7 times at the Airport and said Israelis (not Jews) are the most ignorant racist snobby people you will ever meet. I see enough on the news to know they dont do a decent bacon butty

Benny_Cake

qrrgprgua wrote: »

Benny_Cake wrote: »

Israel has declared Jerusalem to be it's capital, but this isn't recognised internationally as the final status of Jerusalem hasn't been settled. Countries with embassies in Israel base themselves in Tel Aviv.

Look... Jerusalem is absolutely central to Israel. And if you have been their lately you will see its booming economically which has helped all sectors of the city, including Arabs. Even the new tram system which runs along the old east/west divide has given a boost to the city.

Heads of state who visit Israel are received in Jerusalem.. because its the capital.

I know that to Israelis, Jerusalem is their capital. And informally, other countries recognise that (West) Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, but the reason that they don't accord it formal recognition is because it claims the whole of Jerusalem, not just the western part- and until the status of East Jerusalem is resolved, formal recognition should be withheld. Hopefully, a way will be found to share the city between Israelis and Palestinians that allows both to share it as a capital.

LoYL

You could always start a crusade.

brimal

skooterblue2 wrote: »

True never been. As a child I couldnt watch regular television like the A-Team and McGyver but I could watch the nine O clock news. Before I was 8 I knew there was stuff going on in Beriut, Bagdad and Belfast. I didnt know where those places were but I got the live shows.

I have had friends visit and they were checked 7 times at the Airport and said Israelis (not Jews) are the most ignorant racist snobby people you will ever meet. I see enough on the news to know they dont do a decent bacon butty

I take it you will never go to any Arab country, China, Russia, etc. due to their abhorrent human rights abuses? If you look closely enough at any country you could find a reason not to go there.

Checked 7 times in the airport? That is a huge overstatement. Ben Gurion is the safest airport in the world for a reason, their airport security is world class and sets the standard for all other airports. I personally don't mind the extra delay to ensure a safe journey.

As for the Israelis being snobby - another misconception. Israelis are extremely direct people, so direct that it actually comes across as rude or snobby to other nations. I myself used to think the same. They are actually a very friendly people with a sharp sense of humour.

Maybe you should visit Israel some day and actually see for yourself instead of exaggerated second hand stories from other people..

skooterblue2

brimal wrote: »

Maybe you should visit Israel some day and actually see for yourself instead of exaggerated second hand stories from other people..

I am probably going to end up working in Saudi the way I am going. I dont know maybe its just me .... I sort of have this thing about getting shot, blown up and abducted. I think I would rather visit an airport that is not likely to be uses as a scene for a hostage situation rather than a well equipped one that is. I dont doubt for one minute that Shin Beth and Mossad are the best in the world bar none I just would rather avoid that kind of excitement.

As soon as I pack my kevlar helmet, vest with ceramic plate, and Uzi I'll be there. And remember kids dont sit next to the guy sweating profusely on the bus .....

skooterblue2

LoYL wrote: »

You could always start a crusade.

Well now that I have you LoYL all I need are 7 more poor knights and a dispensation from the Pope and then we can start our own debt collection agency. We will be licensed to inflict bodily harm on those who havent paid up. And the best part ...... its all part of Gods plan!!

brimal

skooterblue2 wrote: »

I am probably going to end up working in Saudi the way I am going. I dont know maybe its just me .... I sort of have this thing about getting shot, blown up and abducted. I think I would rather visit an airport that is not likely to be uses as a scene for a hostage situation rather than a well equipped one that is. I dont doubt for one minute that Shin Beth and Mossad are the best in the world bar none I just would rather avoid that kind of excitement.

As soon as I pack my kevlar helmet, vest with ceramic plate, and Uzi I'll be there. And remember kids dont sit next to the guy sweating profusely on the bus .....

More ignorance and smartarse comments.

Can you tell me the last time a tourist in Israel was 'shot, blown up or abducted'?

You strike me as a person who hasn't seen much of the world, and definitely doesn't know much about the world.

PDN

brimal wrote: »

More ignorance and smartarse comments.

Can you tell me the last time a tourist in Israel was 'shot, blown up or abducted'?

You strike me as a person who hasn't seen much of the world, and definitely doesn't know much about the world.

skooterblue2 should steer well clear of County Louth. After all, Drogheda has a worse record than Israel when it comes to tourists being murdered.

skooterblue2

brimal wrote: »

More ignorance and smartarse comments.

Can you tell me the last time a tourist in Israel was 'shot, blown up or abducted'?

You strike me as a person who hasn't seen much of the world, and definitely doesn't know much about the world.

Its not about the Israeli or Palestinian who was blown up. I just dont want to be standing next to them when they do kick off. You might be surprised how muchI have travelled. I have seen the United States, England, Wales, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. As well as the Isle of Man. I have also been to Northern Ireland.

I have met and lived with people from Russia, all of Europe, United states, South America, South Africa (whites only) and China. I am studying engineering and also have a degree in Computers and not from DBS or a college where I got my degree after my cheque cleared.

I am not cocky enough to think I know it all but I do think the DFA issue warning from time to time.

skooterblue2

PDN wrote: »

skooterblue2 should steer well clear of County Louth. After all, Drogheda has a worse record than Israel when it comes to tourists being murdered.

Kindly leave Bobby Nirac out of it. you would be surprised how touchy people get when you forget your passport. Anyways I am heading up to the Cooley Peninsula for a bit of sheep spotting this weekend.

PDN

skooterblue2 wrote: »

Kindly leave Bobby Nirac out of it. you would be surprised how touchy people get when you forget your passport. Anyways I am heading up to the Cooley Peninsula for a bit of sheep spotting this weekend.

I was referring to the murder of German tourist Bettina Poeschel in September 2001.

skooterblue2

I wasnt aware you were refering to it as I dont recall anything about the case I wont comment about it.

qrrgprgua

skooterblue2 wrote: »

Religious extremists, oppressive governments, automatic weapons, aggression, tension, protests. shootings kidnappings. Army black ops. Segreation. Sounds like Northern Ireland to me!

Holiday at home 2012.

If the Jews were let live as they were in Germany/Poland/Russia instead of trying to oppress them/murder them then maybe today Israel would be a different thing or not at all.

Its not just Religious, but many secular people of Jewish origin who find it easier to be a Jew among Jews in a Country run by Jews.

The extremism that has resulted in Israel was born of other extremist movements.

Or lets ask another question,, Where is the middle east does an Arab have the best standard of living? Probably Israel. over 20% of population is Arab (that does not include west bank/Gaza)

I think you really have to have lived in Israel to understand its meaning for those who consider themselves Jewish.

Dally

I've read somewhere that Dan Israel Hotels do some sort of pilgrim rate, though it might be only for groups. If you wanted to make your own itinerary, instead of getting a package, then it might be worth checking.

They have hotels in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, on the Red Sea coast (the city of Eilat) and the Mediterranean coast.

PDN

Dally wrote: »

I've read somewhere that Dan Israel Hotels do some sort of pilgrim rate, though it might be only for groups. If you wanted to make your own itinerary, instead of getting a package, then it might be worth checking.

They have hotels in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, on the Red Sea coast (the city of Eilat) and the Mediterranean coast.

I stayed in the Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem a few years back. It was fairly nice.