Travel to Israel

Frommer's Israel

Format: Paperback
Author: Robert Ullian
ReleaseDate: 06 November, 2006
Publisher: Frommers
Rating:

Up a creek in a foreign country
It was published in 2006, but has obviously not been updated in years, many of the places they recomend are no longer there. This is probably the worst tour book I have ever had the misfortune of traveling with. On page 268 they recomend Hamashbir Lazarchan on Allenby Street, went out of our way to go there to get a better pillow for my sister, and it wasn't there and when we asked our concierge he told us it hadn't been on Allenby for ten years it was in Dizengoff Square (which was a couple blocks from our Hotel the Cinema Hotel-a great place). The Book recomends a shop off of Dizengoff called Dervish (p 268)supposedly they carried museum quality items, but now it is overrun with cats and poor quality imports. It was a huge waste of time to read and take Frommer's recomendations. They also recomend the Notre Dame Guest house in Jerusalem, they have obviously not been there to feel safe sleeping we had to pull the dresser in front of the door. I have stayed at safer feeling $20 a night hotels. I wouldn't waste my money on this book, we got a locally published guide once we got to Israel, do some internet research and buy a locally written guide when you get there, it's better than being stuck in a foreign country without current information or maps to get around.

If you're not on a budget, this MIGHT be the book for you.
I went with Frommer's, and soon after my arrival in Israel, traded it for the three-year-old Let's Go. Unfortunately, the only guidebooks that have been published for Israel in the past three years are Frommer's and Fodor's. The first problem is the lack of quality maps -- outside of the most major sights, this book's maps are amazingly not at all useful. Next is the priorities chosen by the author: with so many pages devoted to where to dine, it is no wonder that there are no maps. Get a falafel on the street and really experience Israel. If you want a nice restaurant, one or two per town will suffice.
Finally, although Frommer's advertises this as a guide for all budgets, the book contains almost no real budget accommodations.
The Let's Go, on the other hand, despite being three years old, has broad coverage, very useful and relevant maps, good suggestions for dining where Israelis go, and (of course) budget accomodations. I have been here two weeks and have yet to find information that is out of date.
It's a tough call because obviously Frommer's is more current, and if you are not a budget traveler, has more useful accomodation information for you. But I would check out Fodor's and if that doesn't look good, go with Let's Go and write them an email encouraging them to update their edition.
By the way, it is totally safe and comfortable to travel in Israel right now. Everyone should experience this amazing country.

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