Product Description Discover Israsel and the Palestinian Territories
Listen for church bells and the call to prayer as the golden light of late afternoon illuminates Jerusalem. Dig your feet into the sand at a Tel Aviv beachside bar. Tend organic vegetables and fertilize your mind at Kibbutz Lotan. Start a conversation in the West Bank - how do you pickle olives?
In This Guide
Six authors, 234 days of research, 12 army roadblocks, countless falafels. History and Environment chapters by renowned experts. The only guidebook with detailed coverage of the West Bank and Gaza. You asked for it, we researched it: more sustainable travel experiences than ever, from eco-hotels to hiking trips.
Good travel book but biased against Jews October 25, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found this book quite informative and helpful for the traveler who enjoys the outdoors, culture, lodging and restaurants. I was somewhat disappointed on it's double standard on favoring the Arabs over the Jews. For example there is a translation dictionary that provides all the major numbers and saying in Arabic , but excludes the same information from Hebrew (how can it include 10, 20 30, through 100 in Arabic yet leave out half of these numbers in Hebrew). Also it calls much of the land in Israel territories while I have not heard them claim the same definition for occupied places such as Tibet. If the writers of this book knew more about the history, they would know that Jews lived in significant numbers in most of the major cities of the West Bank and the Golan Heights until the Arab massacres, starting from the 1840's.
Lonely Planet Israel does the job October 17, 2008 I've been in Israel for over a year and refer to this guide before I go anywhere, and I've been quite satisfied with the book's recommendations. It is surprising that there's no mention whatsoever of Herzliya -- which makes me wonder what else hasn't been covered -- but overall I think this book does the job.
Disappointing October 6, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Although Lonely Planet guides are generally good, this one was a major disappointment. It has a very, very one sided pro-Arab and anti-Israel spin to it. Many Jewish areas are glossed over and not given enough detail. Jewish sites in the territories are completely ignored. Much time, space, and detail is given over to Palestinian areas and which Palestinian charities to contribute to, etc. and where to buy Palestinian handicrafts that will benefit refugees...etc, etc. ad nausuem, ad infinitum. Israel is a Jewish country and that is what should be emphasized in a guidebook. Sadly this was not the case. Incidentally the previous edition of this book by Andrew Humphries was better. Maybe I should write my own book?
Inaccurate information May 25, 2008 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is the first time that I have used the Lonely Planet series and it may be the last. I found that the restaurants recommended were mediocre, the lodging descriptions were only vaguely accurate and worst of all, the directions for finding the cafes & internet access was both poorly done and at times completely inaccurate. I will admit that the fact that the guide listed internet cafes, etc was quite nice. In addition, I thought that the description of the history and sites was quite helpful. However, if you instead choose the guide by Eyewitness Travel, you will find excellent descriptions and pictures of the sites and, in my experience, better restaurant and lodging recommendations.
If you're interested in hitting the main attractions as well as some off the beaten path suggestions, this is the guide for you! May 7, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the second Lonely Planet guide that I have used and am pleased to report that I was not disappointed. This guide offered a perfect blend of history, culture, and touristy tid-bits. While I only used the Jerusalem and West Bank sections, this book is great for traveling anywhere in the area. Often traveling to interesting places, at least for me, leads to prioritizing the 'must-sees' with a blend of 'I think that would be really cool to sees', and this book helps sorting those out. If you only buy one travel guide, I'd recommend this for serious contention.
All rights reserved. Amazon.com is a trademark of Amazon.com Information about prices, products, services and merchants is provided by third parties and is for informational purposes only. Caribbean Travel Books does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information, and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
