AudiForums.com - Anyone been to Israel?

I have been to Israel, and I find it a perfect blend of western culture and mid-east. You will enjoy the nightclubs the most and local food. However, once you are stamped with Israel's visa, you will never be able to enter most of the other middle east countries (I never cared about it).

Try Gordon Inn for the best cocktails and a place to get drunk. Also your trip will be a waste if you don't try the Bar Gurion sandwich shop! ...the best sandwich I ever had. Barzilay club will be a nice place to check and once inside, you will wonder if you are Europe. The music there is super cool!

Try to fly El-Al, the air crew are allIDF, and they can kill anyone just with their hands as they all are experts in Krav-Maga. All El-Al planes are equipped with counter-missile flares and can spot a missile from two miles. A seperate cage for luggage that won't affect the aircraft's structure if something blows up. In fact, they have a compression chamber for the luggage at all airports where El-Al flies from,to check the compression activated bombs in the luggage. Remember, you have to be there three hours before the flight time, no exceptions. You are late by half an hour and they will not board you. Guaranteed. Also, be prepared for an interview, as anyone who doesn't have Israeli passport have top give a personal interview at the airports. The interviewers (are actuallyMossad's katsa or officers)are nice but they will ask the same thing in three different ways and if your answer doesn't match...you won't be able to board the plane. Of course, they will refund your money there and then.

It is interesting experience, and some people gets upset as they either treat you as Israeli or non-Israeli, however, try to understand their country have gone thru a lot of pain and sufferings. Also, if I were you, I won't cross the Egypt border. Too much questions asked when coming back. I am not a Jewish, and hence faced some more scrutiny....but thats OK. I will do the same if I was in their position. Whatever you do, don't take anything that is illegal there, your bags will be checked by humans at all times...no exceptions. Also, from a personal experience...don't talk or upset the the security guys...they are usually all around Tel Aviv..wearing casual clothes but either wearing or holding the orange neon colored vests. They report directly to Shin-bet (like FBI here), so you might get into serious trouble. Someone of our group was in a hold-up for making a joke at the security guy...and was questioned and followed for the rest of the tour.

I was a bit scared to board the Buses, but they go thru more security checks than the planes in this country. Also, they are the safest, fastest, and cheapest to travel within city. I am sure this will be the best experience you will have and something you will remember forever. Everything is different.Feel free to ask anything.

You will be safe!You will love the Israeli girls...