Fodor's Israel, 7th Edition (Full-color Travel Guide) [Paperback]

Fodor's (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 4, 2009 | Series: Full-color Travel Guide

The completely revamped, full-color Fodor’s Israel is perfect for first-time and return visitors who want to experience Israel’s awe-inspiring historical and religious sites as well as its outdoor activities, beautiful landscapes, good food and wine, and vibrant modern culture.
• More than 200 color photos illustrate the beauty of Israel and help readers choose what to see
• An all-new “Experience Israel” chapter provides an overview of the country and what to do, covering topics ranging from Israeli food and markets to the best beaches and spas
• All-new magazine-style illustrated features highlight quintessential Israel both ancient and modern: Masada, the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Jesus in the Galilee, trekking in the Negev desert, nightlife in Tel Aviv, and Israeli wine
• All-new orientation and planning features in each chapter have color maps and photos that make it easy to prepare for a trip and navigate the destination
• Detailed itineraries are tailored to specific kinds of visitors, such as first-timers and Christian travelers, to help them maximize their time and money
• Safety and security expectations are thoroughly detailed

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In terms of comprehensiveness of coverage, the very accessible format, and the enthusiastic tone, this series remains one of the best on the market." –Booklist
 
"Fodor's super-informative guidebooks are known for accuracy and attention to detail…" –The Sacramento Bee
 
"The Fodor's guides are notable for their ratings of sights, restaurants, shops, accommodations and attractions." –Chicago Tribune
 
"The great detail, infectious spirit, and attractive format are distinguishing traits of these guides, which are entries in one of the top series in the business." –Booklist
 
"Fodor's can help you plan the perfect adventure" –The Arizona Republic
 
"Always thoughtfully written and easily readable, Fodor's travel guides have become a must-have when traveling to unfamiliar destinations" –Mid South Magazine
 
"Widely recognized as the gold standard of mainstream travel" –Honolulu Advertiser

Product Details

• Paperback: 548 pages
• Publisher: Fodor's; 7 edition (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400008980
• ISBN-13: 978-1400008988
• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 5.2 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Israel > General

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Glossy presentation but lacks practical information January 31, 2010

By Aidan Forth

My wife and I just got back from a fantastic trip to Israel but are sorry to say that our Fodors guide was not a very helpful resource. It is definitely a good book to have when planning a trip, and its colourful pictures and maps would no doubt be nice to look at for someone on a guided bus tour who already had their accommodation and restaurant meals planned. For two independent travellers we found the guidebook utterly frustrating. One major complaint is the maps, which, while glossy and colourful, are absolutely useless because they do not label all of the streets, making it very difficult to find restaurants and other listed attractions (we gave up more than once!). It seems like the writers do not actually expect anyone to follow up on the recommendations they make. Another case in point is the guidebook's information concerning the Dome of the Rock. While it provides a fairly good general overview to the site it does not give a list of opening times to an attraction that is only open to non-Muslims on select hours of select days and only from a specific entrance; we spent a lot of time trying to find our way in. The guidebook provides a beautifully illustrated introduction to the Dead Sea and Masada but was entirely unhelpful in informing travellers how to get there (no times, bus routes, etc. were listed). In general it would be useful to have some bus and train maps and route numbers and other practical information (like what parts of the West Bank Israeli drivers are allowed to enter, and vice versa) that would help people who actually want to travel through Israel and Palestine rather than look at pictures of it.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars See you in Jerusalem! December 20, 2009

By John S. Van Kirk

Israel has long been considered one of the most fascinating and dynamic destinations in the world. Most travelers would think the task too great an undertaking for a travel guide. Not Fodor's! They took the challenge and surpassed all my expectations.

I was fortunate to find such a well researched review. My clients are demanding and continually ask challenging questions that require the most dependable resources at my finger tips. Fortunately, this is it!

This guide has been sectioned into the country's seven major regions and a general area titled "Experience Israel". I particularly appreciated how it covered topics that the typical visitor would want insight into such as: Israel's markets, local cuisine, religion, family travel, nightlife & the arts and of course, where to stay and what to do.

The 7th Edition In Full Color guide includes 64 detailed maps, illustrated features and 265 color photos. It should be noted the photography is a significant improvement over similar books in the past. You'll agree once you have compared!

It's always appreciated when you get "insider tips" regarding dining. What you eat during a vacation can frequently turn out to make or break everything. Funny thing how food has such power over one's thinking. Fodor's writers have made it easy by selecting their favorite restaurants by price, cuisine and experience in the two major cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Their research will remove a lot of stress and guessing by trial and error. It's also a wonderful benefit so as to avoid "disappointment heartburn". Believe me, I have been down that ugly food road!

A final comment on "Fodor's Features". Every country has a number of historical facts and features & Israel is no different. So Fodor's took it upon their broad shoulders to highlight them. Their well documented articles, timelines and notations seem to jump off the page and come to life! Not an easy task for even the most experienced and gifted writers.

Expect to have gained a new friend with this gem. Enjoy your walk through history...past and present & prepare yourself for an Israel that's beyond what you imagined! See you in Jerusalem!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Well done August 21, 2009

By Fenton Hardy

Amazon Verified Purchase

I spent some serious time flipping through the typical tourist books in regards to my month long business trip to Israel. I have read this book from cover to cover and I feel that the book is very well done and I would suggest others to consider it as well. The only reason that I did not give it 5 stars was due to a oversite regarding Jerusalem. Also, I think there could of been more info added. However, good book and I feel comfortable recomending this to others. Enjoy Israel, it is beautiful