Without a doubt, Jerusalem is the most fascinating place in Israel, so if you have very limited time, plan to spend much of it there. Distances are not great in Israel, and it is possible to get a quick taste of the desert, the Mediterranean coast, and even the Sea of Galilee on organized day trips from Jerusalem. But if you want to visit Eilat or get a real feel for the Galilee, then you're going to have to get on the road and move around the country. And to do that without needing a vacation after your vacation, you're going to need at least a week to check out the country's highlights. To help you make the best of your time, you'll find three itineraries in this chapter. The first two are for the time-dependent traveler who can spend only a week or two in Israel. The last one is specifically designed for families.
Note: Renting a car in the big cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is self-defeating -- traffic and parking are a nightmare. But getting to amazing places in the countryside can be difficult without a rental car -- especially if you have limited time. Although public transportation is an option in Israel, all of these itineraries are designed for those who'll have access to a car while in the country.
