[chaturz]

Hey Amigos

couple if quick questions all advice appreciated

1- in London from 5-8th July inclusive. Anything going on in London??? Feel out of touch these days.

2- also heading to walled off hotel 9th - 12th July and wondering what’s the best way to get to the hotel from the airport in tel aviv? + any recommendations of what to do, anything we shouldn’t miss? Going with wife + 7yr old daughter. Want to get a tour in (not sure which one) and art class at wall mart. Anything else / recommendations or itinerary’s?

TIA

Chaturz

[Gunny]

I would pay the $120 for the hotel transfer, really easy. I don't think they will charge you for your little one, give them an email. Get Alaa taxi driver for one day to take you to Jericho, Jordan River and Dead Sea, and other bits (about $100 for the day for the car) - very well worth it. Also, do the local refugee camp tour, $30 from hotel, well worth it. You can walk to where the church of the nativity is etc, you can spend half a day there. You can also make you own way to the old town of Jerusalem on the bus, takes about half hour to Damascus gate. need a day for this really........... have fun

[Sundowner]

Gunny is spot-on with his advice!

[Carl Cashman]

With a 7 year old, id just get Ala to take you around... it'll be getting real warm and a mare walking places. He's $150 for a full day and it'd just be your crew in air conditioned car. I agree with the airport transfer... is much easier to just jump in a car after travelling for so long and be dropped off at the door.

It's $5 for a taxi from the hotel to manger square, I doubt you'll spend more than half hour at the church due to the speed they move you through... the milk grotto which is just around the corner was a much 'better' experience but I'd definitely do them both

[Carl Cashman]

Jul 3, 2018 9:40:07 GMT 1 bluebell said:

Is Alaa 500 shekels for the day now?

All I know is I paid him $150 for the day and that included mount of temptation, dead sea, Jericho and hishrams palace... considering half of that is for car rental and then fuel is removed, if happily give him more.

Apples and oranges innit.... different prices for different trips

[bjoern]

Jul 3, 2018 10:06:50 GMT 1 Carl Cashman said:

Jul 3, 2018 9:40:07 GMT 1 bluebell said:

Is Alaa 500 shekels for the day now?

All I know is I paid him $150 for the day and that included mount of temptation, dead sea, Jericho and hishrams palace... considering half of that is for car rental and then fuel is removed, if happily give him more.

Apples and oranges innit.... different prices for different trips

But he is worth every penny. Can highly recommend him & he always takes really good care about his customers. Especially at the dead sea, he has always his eyes on your stuff when youre exploring the water / place.

[Carl Cashman]

Jul 3, 2018 10:15:23 GMT 1 bjoern said:

Jul 3, 2018 10:06:50 GMT 1 Carl Cashman said:

All I know is I paid him $150 for the day and that included mount of temptation, dead sea, Jericho and hishrams palace... considering half of that is for car rental and then fuel is removed, if happily give him more.

Apples and oranges innit.... different prices for different trips

But he is worth every penny. Can highly recommend him & he always takes really good care about his customers. Especially at the dead sea, he has always his eyes on your stuff when youre exploring the water / place.

100% this, imo it's a false economy using busses as you're waiting around and it's pretty toasty this time of year.

[noirrion]

Can also recommend Alaa. Top guy.

By the way. Anybody got experience with travelling to Bethlehem from Jerusalem by public transportation? Is there a comfortable option?

[bjoern]

Jul 3, 2018 10:35:37 GMT 1 noirrion said:

Can also recommend Alaa. Top guy.

By the way. Anybody got experience with travelling to Bethlehem from Jerusalem by public transportation? Is there a comfortable option?

Took the bus from the Damaskus Gate once. It's ok, but during late afternoon we had lot's of traffic and it took us about 1 hour to get to Bethlehem. But it is a really interesting experience

[shinkaiser]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but can Banksy prints be bought at the Walled off Hotel?

[Carl Cashman]

Jul 3, 2018 10:44:17 GMT 1 shinkaiser said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question but can Banksy prints be bought at the Walled off Hotel?

Box set or wall sections....pictures still on the website.

[chaturz]

Thanks for the great advice guys!

Just wondering how I get in touch with Alaa? Is it through the hotel or different company? Thanks again

[alinoe]

I was there in May, so here's my advice

If you fly into Tel Aviv, as we did, I completely agree with getting the pick-up from the Hotel. Worth every penny, the driver is knowledgable and interesting, and you get right to the door.

I agree with booking Alaa. depending on how many days you are there, i feel like the obvious things to do are:

1. The Wall/Refugee-camp tour that the hotel offers
2. Dead Sea - Jericho (We skipped Jericho, kinda regret that)
3. The Manger square/church of the nativity/field/whatever of Bethlehem.

Also, make sure to fully explore the hotel. It has a small museum about the occupation which is excellent, and there's just so much detail everywhere.

Because you'll probably want to purchase a souvenir or two: MAKE SURE TO DO THIS BEFORE CHECKOUT. We had to argue quite a bit to buy our wall-piece because we had already checked out.

For food, the meze platter at the hotel is an amazing value and really does you good when you've been out and about. Afteem falafel near Manger square is a nice lunch, and apperantly Abu Eli, which is walking distance from the hotel is good, but it was closed for some renovation when I was there.

If you have some time for dinner one night, ask Alaa to take you out to Hosh Jasmine, a lovely outdoor restaurant out on an organic farm. Try the rabbit, and make sure to bring bug spray!

When returning to Ben Gurion, I highly recommend the hotel's driver. He's quite knowledgable about the security checkpoints, and really helped us have a smooth trip.


Edit: I got in touch with Alaa just by sending a message to his WhatsApp

[irl1]

Anyone going in groups up to 8 book the taxi on the hotel website and ask for Sultan. He drives a Mercedes 8 seater and a sound bloke. Its the same price, 120 dollars per trip. **Note that it is 120 dollars per trip **
Its great value if there are a few of you. 

[skAcid]

Jul 3, 2018 11:03:42 GMT 1 chaturz said:

Thanks for the great advice guys!

Just wondering how I get in touch with Alaa? Is it through the hotel or different company? Thanks again

He's on instagram -  alaa_taxi_driver_bethlehem 
Whatsapp [phone]
[e-mail]

[shiney]

Any news on how long the hotel is running for? Is there a proposed end date at all?

[irl1]

Jul 3, 2018 12:27:38 GMT 1 shiney said:

Any news on how long the hotel is running for? Is there a proposed end date at all?

bookings taken until the 30th November 2018, but that could change

[King Ryan Sturtz]

i 100% agree to go with Alaa he really made our trip 100.

I still stay in touch with him. Great guy.



ryan

[chablis]

Honestly, he'll find you.

If you are staying at the hotel he tends to wait near the entrance of the hotel, he will tailor a trip for you, but I spent a day in his company doing Jericho, Dead Sea and Jordan River, though there are extra stops you can add. Priced accordingly. Later that evening we did a great fish restaurant he has some connections with,

The stencil sesh was good fun and if you do plan to do that enquire early on to ensure you have time to do the cut and paint. I've got the card test spray which I brought home.

Have a walk around, there are some great people and places, and there is a biblical name check around every corner.

I stayed a night in Tel Aviv first,  but also got collected by the hotel as well doing the transfer back to airport. Not cheap, but it is a fairly long drive and actually worth it.

Enjoyed my 3 nights in the Presidential suite, and had a good time generally, even if my luggage did get the full security treatment on the way back. Ransacked about describes my case, but in a fashion I think it was otherwise all there.

[Dungle]

Am here with Alaa at the moment.

The guy is an essential.

[Carl Cashman]

Jul 4, 2018 6:37:57 GMT 1 Dungle said:

Am here with Alaa at the moment.

The guy is an essential.

Tell him cashman says hello 👌

[Dungle]

Jul 4, 2018 7:19:44 GMT 1 Carl Cashman said:

Jul 4, 2018 6:37:57 GMT 1 Dungle said:

Am here with Alaa at the moment.

The guy is an essential.

Tell him cashman says hello 👌

He doesn’t stop banging on about you!

In a nice way i mean!

[Carl Cashman]

Jul 4, 2018 10:05:32 GMT 1 Dungle said:

Jul 4, 2018 7:19:44 GMT 1 Carl Cashman said:

Tell him cashman says hello 👌

He doesn’t stop banging on about you!

In a nice way i mean!

Hahaha 🤣 il hopefully be back in the autumn

[chaturz]

Hi guys thanks for the great advice, we’ve had an amazing time and you were right Alaa was great in taking us all around for a tour.

Final question to everyone is how did people transport walked off sections / any items back with them? Did people place them in the hold luggage or in hand luggage. I’m initially travelling to the uk then back to Australia. I’m worried as my section is pro Palestine and concerned if my bags get checked at Tel Aviv. Largely as I always get “randomly checked”. Let’s say I’ve got a very healthy tan and fair amount of facial hair and was stopped at a check point which has me uneasy.

Again thanks in advance

[Carl Cashman]

Hand luggage on my last 2 trips with no issues. first trip a box set got trashed in my suitcase.

[Deleted]

Boxset in hold luggage and arrived no probs, wrapped it in clothes etc but can easy go wrong as Carl says above.

[bjoern]

Jul 11, 2018 6:45:10 GMT 1 Carl Cashman said:

Hand luggage on my last 2 trips with no issues. first trip a box set got trashed in my suitcase.

Problem is the Tel Aviv Security opens lots of suitcases after they are checked in. And they don’t care about the personal belongings.

But you will not have any problem with box sets & walls in your carry on.

[Dungle]

I got Alaa to ship all of mine back. Got to LONDON in 5 days, perfectly packed and cost next to nothing.