Things to do in Israel
Although small in size, there is a big variety of sites, attractions, cultures, religions and other highlights in Israel. For tourists coming to Israel, wether on an organized trip, on business, a family tour or a religious pilgrimage to the Holy Land, there is always what to do in Israel.
You don't need to be religious to enjoy Israel, as besides the religious sites for which it is famous you have in Israel all types of tourism: From business tourism, to health tourism (Israel has one of the best health-care systems in the world, both in knowledge and in equipment, and I haven't mentioned the Dead Sea yet!). From agricultural tourism (again, knowledge and inventions, and I haven't mentioned the blooming desert and the rapidly growing wine culture in Israel!) and up to gay & lesbian tourism (Tel Aviv is famous among the gay community, and besides, is listed 3rd in the "Lonely Planet" magazine!). Israel has a very free, open, and hospitable society combined of a kaleidoscope of different cultures and religions that offer the visitor much more than he/she can imagine... Just try a culinary tour to Israel and you will see that it is a never-ending source of ideas for any chef (and there are quite a few famous ones in Israel!). You have to mention, of course, the very well-developed eco, nature & adventure tourism in Israel, where quality and safety go together!
Hundreds of flights from all destinations arrive daily at the modern Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Still, some of the incoming tourism to Israel arrives by land from Jordan (The Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein, Allenby or Arava/Yitzhak Rabin Border-crossings) or from Egypt through the Taba Border Crossing. A third way to enter Israel is by cruise-ship on shore-excursions through the ports of Ashdod, Haifa and Eilat.
How to get to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv
Those who do not enter Israel on an organized trip can get from the Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem by Service (“SHERUT”) Taxis located right by the exit of the Arrival Hall of Terminal 3 (1st Floor). This service taxis take the tourist for a reasonable public-transportation price right to the hotel entrance but you have to wait till the car is full. If you want to get from the Ben Gurion (Tel Aviv) Airport to Tel Aviv City, you can use the train-station at Terminal 3, the main international terminal. The Israel Railway System does not operate in the late night hours, on friday afternoon, Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Taxis are available on the 2nd floor at Terminal 3. There are fixed prices which you can obtain from the dispatcher.
There is also a Bus-service which is located on 2nd Floor at Terminal 3. Regretfully it is not too efficient in most cases.
For those traveling alone there is, of course, the luxurious but more costly option of a private transfer which can pick you up right after passport-control and escort you all the way to your hotel!
