Tashah

Source: Jerusalem Post

There's no end of interesting things to see and do in Israel. An intoxicating blend of the very ancient with the ultra-modern. The weather is perfect and the hospitality is endless. Come and visit us!

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UtahBill

Tell us more about those interesting things....
(Is there a Disney theme park there yet?)
Are there any statistics showing the ethnic and/or religious makeup of the tourists? Seems to me that the majority will be Jews and Christians visiting for religious reasons. Certainly every Christian I have ever known that visited did so to "walk where Jesus walked".
I have to confess, I can't think of any other reason to visit Israel that won't apply to other parts of the ME.

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The Age of Reason doesn't have to be a thing of the past.
Being judgemental is the prime directive of some evangelicals.
Love people and use things, not love things and use people.

Tashah

Hiking, backpacking, spelunking, climbing, sailboating, ballooning, rafting, biblical sites, archaeological digs, malling, clubbing, forests, deserts, beaches, mountains, etc. Tel Aviv may have more outdoor cafe's than any other city in the world.

I don't know if ethnic or religious stats are kept. Take a look at the official tourism website...

Go Israel

With the lone exception of KSA, I've been to every country in the ME. If you are a tourist, there is really no in-toto comparison. As an added bonus, almost all Israelis can also converse in basic English.

Shayah

I have to agree with Tash. Israel is warm, sunny, beautiful, and never dull.

Joby

I really, really hope that I can go visit Israel one day.

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“U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.”

shuamort

My partner is Jewish and we took the kids to Egypt over spring break this year and we were originally going to stop in Jordan to see Petra. (But the logistics ended up being too hairy). So, now we're thinking of taking the kids to Israel in a couple years. Hopefully the relationship with Jordan will still allows us to cross the border and back.

Jenin

Take it from someone who lived and has been to all three countries youve mentioned: Spend most of your time in Palestine/Israel.. There isnt much to see in Jordan..And petra is over rated. Check out Bethlehem in Palestine, or The old city in occupied east jerusalem. You want a modern/european experience? Go to Telaviv.. Visit the arab villages of the Gallilee, or maybe some Kibbutzim... Go To ramlallah, See Haifa and Jafa... Stay maybe one or two nights in amman, the dead sea experience from Jordan is probably cheaper for you. I dont know, but the only place that always lives up to my expectations is Palestine. They pyramids and petra were less than I expected, but they are still worth seeing.

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"A child becomes a man when he knows what came before him" -- Anonymous
"Conquerors, my son, consider as true history only what they themselves have fabricated"
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~ssfc0005/The%...ut%201948.html

new coup for you

admitting my limited experience in the country and dismissing my political bias, my difficulty with Israel is the lack of mass transportation.

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And why does your tone suggest that you do not care about children?

Tashah

Beyond Beirut and Dubai, there is not too much in the ME that is worth the hassle (for me) of the visit.

Shuamort... While you were Egypt I hope you visited Luxor (Thebes/Waset) which is still the largest religious complex in the world and also the mortuary tomb of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahri) which is perhaps the most beautiful temple ever constructed. Tunisia is also very nice.

NCFY... mass transportation is not actually that bad anymore. Bus and/or rail service can get you wherever you want to go.

bub

Isn't it extremely hot in the summer (like in Italy or Croatia)?

What is the best moment to go there? Spring?

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