Question 1

Which Hotels Are Recommended?

Accepted Answer

Booking.com has reliable service and good prices. I recommend paying a little extra for the reservations that can be cancelled without penalty up to a day or so before your visit. Many people also enjoy choosing the breakfast option for the famous Israeli breakfast buffet of cheese, fresh salads, hot entrees and much more. The hotels in Western Jerusalem will have the easiest access to restuarants and shops nearby. Hotels do not charge VAT for anyone visiting from outside the country. They will request your passport and papers given to you when entered Israel. 
Airbnb offers many options. Israel isn't a service oriented society, so your best guarantee of good service is by choosing a property listed as "superhost" on their website. Although in general it's better to rent from a management company than Airbnb. Make sure it's not too far from the Old City because modern Jerusalem is quite large, and it's an advantage to be within walking distance to the Old City and "Center of Town" (Jaffa Rd. area). Also, when renting an apartment, check to make sure it has air-conditioning, parking, an easy place to drop off and pick up luggage, and an elevator. Keep in mind that buildings up to 4 stories are not required to have elevators. If you have any questions about locations, please ask.
 
Here are some nice guest houses/hotels that are in good locations. Note: there are several hotels with similar names which are in very different locations in the city. If you have any questions, please ask.
 
Gloria Hotel – quaint hotel just inside the Old City, at Jaffa Gate (not Kosher)
Lutheran Guest House (amazing location in the Old City), parking is 5-10 minute walk away. (Not Kosher)
YMCA 3 Arches – beautiful, historic building with a nice restaurant, 10 minute walk to the Old City (Not Kosher)
Notre Dame Center - an historic building just outside the Old City. Has several restaurants including their famous Rooftop Wine and Cheese restuarant with a view over the Old City, and offers daily Mass in English (for any visitor who would like to join in). (Not Kosher)
Eldan Hotel - 10 minute walk to the Old City (Kosher)
Dan Boutique Hotel - 25 minute walk from the Old City, near renovated historic train station (Kosher) called the First Station, that has many good restuarants and shops
Herbert Samuel hotel – fun, although noisy, in the "Center of Town" (Kosher)
Villa Brown Jerusalem – quaint, 15 minute walk from the Old City, (Kosher)
Beit Shmuel Youth Hostel/Guest house – close to Jaffa Gate, very basic, make sure to reserve a private room. (Kosher.)
Agron Youth Hostel - 10 minute walk from the Old City, very basic but pretty, make sure to reserve a private room. (Kosher)
Post Hostel - Fun international vibe, very near the Old City, make sure to reserve a private room. Modern new hostel in renovated British Mandate Post Office building. (Not Kosher)
Clean and basic, great location, youth can be noisy. 
Dan Panorama Hotel – 20 minute walk from Old City (Kosher)
King Solomon Hotel – 20 minute walk from Old City (Kosher)
Leonardo Boutique – new hotel, 15 minute walk from the Old City (Kosher)
Shani Hotel - fun, although noisy, in the "Center of Town" (Kosher)
Here are some elegant hotels, most of which are very near to the Old City and the open-air historic Mamilla Mall:
King David – a classic! (Kosher)
David Citadel Hotel - modern but with a classic atmosphere (Kosher)
Mamilla – beautiful boutique hotel near Old City (although some say rooms are too small.) (Kosher)
Waldorf Astoria – perhaps the nicest hotel in Jerusalem today (Kosher)
Orient Hotel (Isrotel) 20 minute walk to the Old City. Hotel is very close to First Station, a fun place for restaurants and shops. (Kosher)
Inbal Hotel - (Kosher)
Leonardo Plaza - (Kosher)
 
Here are some apartments that can be rented through booking.com or directly from their management company online.
Rav Kook Apartments - 10 minute walk to the Old City, in the "Center of Town."
Windows of Jerusalem - 15 minute walk to the Old City, next to Mahane Yehuda Market
King David Residence - right near the Old City

Question 2

Which Restaurants are Recommended?

Accepted Answer

Here are some excellent Jerusalem restaurants. Some of them are kosher and are therefore not open on the Sabbath. Kosher restaurants will serve either dairy/fish or meat/fish, but not both meat and dairy, and no shellfish. Best to reserve dinner ahead, particularly for Friday and Saturday, when many places are not open. Let me know if you would like me to make a few dinner reservations for you and which number the restaurant can reach you on if necessary, once you are in Israel.
Notre Dame Jerusalem Rooftop Wine and Cheese Restaurant (open on the Sabbath)
The American Colony Hotel - An elegant place for dinner. They have special menu's for Thanksgiving and Christmas. (open on the Sabbath)
The First Station, called Tachana Rishona in Hebrew, is a fun open air mall in a restored historic train station. They have many restaurants, some are open on the Sabbath.
On Old City Tours, the best place for fast, fresh and reasonably priced lunches is in the Jewish Quarter. There are many places to eat, offering a good variety: shawarma, falafel, and Israeli-style hummus, all local favorites, as well as bagels, salads, pizza, ice cream shops, and more. Let me know if anyone has a special diet or allergies. 
Sam's Bagels: a great breakfast place on Jaffa Road. There are many other family-friendly restaurants nearby, such as Burger’s Bar, Big Apple Pizza, numerous cafes, New Deli (sandwiches), and more. Most are kosher, closed on the Sabbath.
The King’s Garden: (kosher but open and serve cold dishes on the Sabbath).
Enjoy a beautiful view from the balcony of the King David Hotel, a historic/iconic location. (Dairy/Fish). Best before 6pm because it can become cool at sunset, or bring an extra layer.
Mamilla Rooftop Restaurant 
Incredible view. Fabulous food. Must reserve ahead.
Eucalyptus
Tastes of food and spices of the Bible and the Land of Israel. (Kosher, Meat and Fish.) This restaurant is a short walk from Jaffa Gate and is located in the “Artist Colony” called Chutzot HaYotzer in Hebrew. It is next to Teddy Park (see above), so it’s a beautiful place to eat and enjoy walking around on a warm evening.
Mamilla Mall This upscale open-air mall is historic and fun, and located just next to Jaffa Gate for the perfect place for breakfast or lunch before a tour or to stop into the pharmacy or shops for whatever you need. Cafe Aroma opens at 7am. Most shops are open from 9am until at least 9pm. Closed on the Sabbath. The mall has many cafes as well as fish and meat restuarants including an elegant rooftop restuarant at the Mamilla Hotel. 
Mahane Yehuda Market (in modern Jerusalem on Jaffa Street)
Here are some popular places in or near the Market:
Azura – Wonderful place for lunch (arrive no later than 2pm) Jewish Iraqi Cuisine (Kosher, Meat)
Beer Bazaar – try their roulette wheel to sample different Israel beers and a nice menu of classic bar food. (Kosher, Meat)
Crave – Gourmet Street Food (Kosher, Meat)
Ish Tabach – Kurdish/Syrian Jewish food (Kosher, Meat)
Please see FAQ for information about special diets and allergies.

Question 3

With all the holy days, which days are best to visit Jerusalem?"

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of holidays and Sabbaths in the holy city! It's ideal to plan your visit to avoid the holy days of all the three religions, in other words, it's best to visit Jerusalem on Mondays through Thursdays and avoid Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and the other minor and major holidays. However, it's not always possible to avoid all of these dates.
Feel free to check with me, before planning a trip to make sure there won't be a holiday that will signficantly disturb your trip. Holidays can result in road closures around the Old City and some sites/restaurants and shops being closed for a day or two, or Jerusalem being extremely crowded.   
The Jewish Sabbath and holidays start the evening before the date listed as the holiday. On the date and afternoon/evening before the date, many Jewish sites, shops, and restaurants in Jerusalem are likely to be closed.
It’s helpful to make reservations for dinner if you will be in Jerusalem Friday night/Saturday and to make a plan for places that will be open to visit.
I observe Jewish tradition and therefore, I do not do tours on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays or use my cellphone (ie, I am not available by phone or email from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.)
I have noted in the suggested restaurants and sites listed on my website, which places are open on the Jewish Sabbath. In general, on Saturday, museums, Muslim shops in the Old City Market, Christian sites and shops, and non-Kosher restaurants are open. Taxis run every day of the week. On Fridays, some Muslim shops are closed in the morning in the Old City but they often open later in the day. On Sundays, some of the smaller church chapels are closed as well as some Christian shops.

Question 4

Which Places are Fun for Families to Visit in Jerusalem?

Accepted Answer

Please see my FAQ page ideas of fun and interesting places for kids and teens.

Question 5

What Should We Wear/Bring for Tours?

Accepted Answer

Every tour day, you'll want to be ready to go with the following:
casual clothes for being active outside, comfortable walking shoes with good treads, a backpack, water, snacks just-in-case, sunhat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Tissues and hand sanitizer can always be useful for under-stocked bathrooms. There's so much to learn in Israel! Some like to carry a journal or notepad. You'll want to make sure your phone is fully charged to take pictures of all the amazing sites. An extra battery pack to charge devices can help ensure you won't miss out on any moments you would like to capture. There is no dress code in general in Jerusalem. If you will be visiting holy sites, you will want modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees or a scarf put on over whatever you are wearing. Many churches do not allow adults to enter in shorts. 
 
Please see important information about what you will need for tours in various types of weather on my FAQ page.

Question 6

Do You Arrange Transportation or Tours to Other Areas?

Accepted Answer

I work with excellent professional drivers who are licensed to drive tourists. They have air-conditioned vehicles of different sizes. The drivers I work with are based in Jerusalem and charge standard rates. For trips that start and/or finish in Jerusalem, their prices are competative. If you would like a driver between two destinations that are outside Jerusalem (such as Haifa to Tel Aviv), you will likely find better rates with drivers based closer to one of the destinations. 
 
Often drivers speak English well, but prefer to read and write in Hebrew or Arabic. I am happy to make the connection for you for drives to Bethlehem, Tel Aviv, the Allenby Bridge Crossing to Jordan, the Dead Sea, Jericho, etc. from Jerusalem. I will arrange it and confirm the price with you. Once you arrive in Jerusalem, it's best for you to communicate directly with the driver by phone or WhatsApp calls if needed. Drivers generally charge 250 shekels per hour. I can check exact rates based on your itinerary.
 
Keep in mind that most drivers are not licensed guides. While some of the drivers I work with are knowledgeable and fascinating people (and of course provide excellent service), they aren't legally allowed to enter sites and give explanations there, so conversations can take place in the car, but they won't show you around the actual sites. 
 
Tours with private guides that involve transportation can get pricey because anything to do with driving and maintaining vehicles in Israel is very expensive. There are companies who offer regular tours at very reasonable rates. Some complain that they spent a lot of time driving from one hotel to the next to pick people up. However, the prices do include transportation, entrance fees and guiding which make them very reasonable if you are travelling on your own or with another one or two people. 
Here's one company: Bein Harim

Jerusalem Walks
with Tour Guide Leah

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