Very much more modern town than we had expected, but a disgrace that the ship charges US$20 per person per day for the shuttle, especially as you have no option to walk out of the port. ...
Just loved this place again we took a private tour for 2 days and staying overnight in Jerusalem itself. We stayed at the ARTHUR HOTEL, it was a fabulous little hotel. We felt very safe and we all hope to visit it again in the future ...
Port of Ashdod is very higly secured so not easy to come and go freely. Of course the sights once you get out either by private excursion or via the ship are amazing! Our highlight was Jerusalem and the City of David, right by Wall and Hezekiah's Tunnel. Do not miss the tunnel...... but do not go if you are have claustrophobia. ...
It seems ridiculous that we visited Israel for three days and yet could only "do our own thing" for half of that time. The ship arrived on Thursday and from Friday mid day everything closed down including public transport, Therefore, only means of transportation was private taxi. Very bad planning on the part of the cruise company. ...
If you have already done the Holy Land bit spend time in Tel Aviv - a fantastic vibrant city with outstanding local beaches of fine golden sand. Buses run every 15 mins from Ashdod bus station to Tel Aviv bus station at a cost of 9 Sheikles - less than $ USD 3 each way taking about 50 minutes. Tel Aviv bus stain is pretty chaotic but persist to find the information booths to get the correct bus ...
Ashdod 2 days: We had 2 days in the Ashdod port on this trip. Given that we had been to Israel before and did the Masada/Dead Sea day already, we opted for a day of the Jewish sites rather that the Christian sites and we didnt leave the ship the other Ashdod Israel day. Not leaving the ship was my husbands call and what a good call it was....we needed to relax and that is just what we did. On ...
