16 Family Activities You Can Only Share in Israel - My Family Travels

These unique Israel family activities prove that the country, turning 75 in 2023, is a very special place. It’s more than just a destination for religious pilgrims. Thoughtful experiences and ancient sites guarantee that all families will enjoy an Israel cultural immersion.

During my fully-escorted weeklong tour in December, I discovered 16 experiences that have had lasting impact. I also corrected several misconceptions, including that the climate was warm and dry. (It’s not necessarily so in winter.)

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
All faiths flock to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, commemorating the rock where Jesus was crucified.

Jerusalem is a Hotbed of Israel Family Activities

Jerusalem rises like a golden haze above rolling hills. Some on the West Bank are capped by domed mosques; others crowned by the many startups that call this city home.

On practical terms, we stayed at the Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem, a convenient base for sightseeing just outside the Old City. Although Jerusalem has a large Ultra-Orthodox population, there are enough tourists to support several non-Kosher restaurants. We ate very well; try Satya for Indian-European dishes, Zuni in the Nahalat Shiva quarter for late night burgers and Bistro Joy in the international luxury Malmilla Mall.

Here are my top seven Israel family experiences to enjoy together in Jerusalem.

Yad Vashem balcony at exit
At Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, visitors exit into the light with hope.

Feel the pain at Yad Vashem.

The multimedia Holocaust memorial is an important first stop for ages 13 and older. Packed with artifacts of religious persecution, the assembled pain helps visitors understand how Israelis view Israel’s place in the world today. Their Holocaust educational materials are full of smart ideas to discuss what you’ve seen.

Explore the Old City of Jerusalem as a Family.

The many historical and religious sites which are venerated by Jews, Muslims and Christians are a must-see. They’re among the top Israel family activities, no matter your faith. Stroll the ticketed Ramparts Walk atop the Old City Walls or, for those with mobility issues, take the Old City Train. You’ll appreciate how the golden ‘Jerusalem Stone’ limestone buildings (a design requirement of the British Mandate of 1923) gives the city its famous glow.

Visitors come to the Western Wall to pray and place notes inside the wall's cracks
Rain or shine, visitors come to the Western Wall to pray or just make their wishes known.

Find passionate families at the Western Wall.

Men and women pray separately at Kotel, also known the Wailing Wall. It dates to 37 BCE and is considered Judaism’s most sacred site. Join the faithful by pressing your prayer notes into the cracked limestone, where rabbis collect and burn up to 1 million annually, sending the prayers up to Heaven. More than just an Israel family activity, it’s a rite of passage. Everyone does it.

Go deeper on a Kotel Tunnel Tour.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation provides knowledgeable guides who go deep under the Western Wall. They explain the religious significance of Mount Moriah and the two temples which stood there. Learn about the historical context of Jerusalem’s Old City. It’s the real deal; for me, the key to understanding Jerusalem’s significance in the world today.

Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s central market is a feast for the senses and welcomes visitors to sample Israel’s varied cuisine.

Feel like a local at Mahane Yehuda.

Eating is one of Israel’s top family activities. That makes this teeming produce, fish and meat market at the heart of the Israeli kitchen a must-see. Plan ahead because it’s closed on the Sabbath (Friday afternoon to Saturday evening). Follow the dense lanes into the Christian, Armenian and Arab Quarters, where buyers and sellers mix. (Abu Shukri has won prizes for serving Jerusalem’s best hummus.) The market is busiest on Thursdays and at night, when many shops open as bars and music clubs.

Ogle at the Shrine of the Book. 

This shrine is part of an extraordinary collection of new and old artifacts at the Israel Museum, kept in its own architecturally distinct wing. They are better known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. (The hundreds of parchments inscribed with segments of the Old Testament were found in jars hidden in caves around the Dead Sea.) Read up or hire a guide (there are occasional family activities in English) to appreciate why they are priceless.

The Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem designed by Frederick Kiesler and Armand Bartos. Photo c. Israel Museum, Jerusalem by Elie Posner

West Bank Family Activities and Tours.

Explore current events, politics, the Wall, Israeli settlements and daily life for Palestinians. Depending on your religious and political leanings, the West Bank may not be among your approved Israel family activities.

That’s why it’s so important to do. Several one to multi-day West Bank tours depart from Jerusalem and many visit the Banksy project, Walled Off Hotel.

The Best of Tel Aviv for Families

Graffiti and street art are seen all over Tel Aviv
Graffiti and street art are seen all over Tel Aviv, a walkable city teens will enjoy.

Tel Aviv is full of young people in skinny black jeans, checking their mobiles, drinking lattes, on scooters, or all of the above. While the mix of old and new, low-rise and high-rise architecture resembles Brooklyn, the mood of this beachfront city is more comparable to laidback Santa Monica. It’s fun. 

We loved the food, starting with our meal at Ha’Achim, a casual hipster joint serving Israeli vegan where herbs growing on the bar counter are clipped as garnish. Vicky Cristina is the stylish tapas bar hotspot at the Old Turkish Railway Station. It’s central to the old Palestinian neighborhood at Manshiya (Tachana), now an entertainment area. Bino bePitta, on Rothschild Avenue, boasts a sleek open kitchen where you can watch the team grill and roast meats to accompany tasty salads and thick pita.

Here are five Isreal family things to do to get to know Tel Aviv, or TLV as it’s fondly known.

Discover Israel Family Activities in Neve Tzedek.

TLV’s oldest neighborhood is full of winding alleyways and charming stucco houses that have been restored into one-off shops, cafes, museums and galleries. We could already appreciate this is a hot neighborhood for young families. Plus, your kids will love seeing “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot’s house.

Pose with former prime minister Ben-Gurion along Tel Aviv's Independence Trail.
Our press group and guide Ziva Cohen pose with former prime minister Ben-Gurion along Tel Aviv’s Independence Trail.

The Independence Trail.

Learn about the country’s independence history around the Meir Dizengoff House. This is thesite of the signing of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The information booth on Rothschild Boulevard rents iPads with clever, interactive history chapters about several Tel Aviv monuments and the Shalom Tower, a shopping mall built on the site of the first Hebrew language ‘gymnasium’ (high school) in the world.

Back lanes of Jaffa
It’s easy to imagine the way all of Tel Aviv once looked when you explore the back lanes of Jaffa, the city’s old port.

Touring Old Jaffa is a Cool Israel Family Activity.

The walled citadel above the southern part of the city once guarded the ancient seaport of Jaffa. Take in the texture of historic stone buildings that have been converted into high-style hotels in a neighborhood rapidly being gentrified. There’s a funky Flea Market (most active Tuesday and Thursday) where elderly merchants trade tools, cheap clothes and auto parts. Nearby, cobblestone lanes feature shops of fashion-forward, handmade goods from local artisans.

Bike the beach.

Cycling is a popular Israel family activity. Explore 16 white-sand Mediterranean beaches using Tel Aviv’s bikeshare system. E-bikes and Bird electric scooters also available (helmets recommended.) Stop for a selfie with the playful statue of former Prime Minister Ben-Gurion doing a yoga headstand. Or, watch surfers and go swimming in summer when lifeguards are on duty.  Tal Hotel by the Beach is a good base near Metzitzim Beach for summer visitors. The many public buses and taxis make sightseeing easy. Here are more beach-focused family activities if you have extra time to explore Israel.

The boardwalk along the Mediterranean coast of Tel Aviv
The boardwalk along the Mediterranean coast of Tel Aviv is the best place to bike in the city.

Free Family Fun at the Carmel Market.

Carmel city’s lively covered market has some street food tucked between the spices, dried fruit and nuts. On Tuesday, combine it with a visit to the upscale Nachlat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair to meet local artisans.

Israel Family Activities & Day Trips Worth the Drive

“Israel is a small country, but we are very noisy,” said our wonderful guide Ziva Cohen, acknowledging how famous her homeland has become. We were happy to see the quieter countryside outside these two very different cities. From several unforgettable excursions, these are the favorites.

Go blind and see the light.

The Israel Children’s Museum, a huge complex in Holon about a half-hour from Tel Aviv, is focused on building empathy through guided, hands-on experiences of disabilities. As if play is not enough, by-reservation Dialogue in the Dark tours for ages 9+ explore sight, hearing and aging. We became “blind” in a pitch-black environment with only a cane and the reassuring voice of our blind guide to lead us. An eye-opening family experience.

Family Activity: Live the Bible and learn its wisdom.

Neot Kedumim Biblical Nature Reserve, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is a hand-crafted landscape contoured to resemble Biblical scenes, with guided activities designed to bring Bible stories to life. We sampled their VIP Family Experience, including shepherding real sheep (much harder than you think), making food and tree planting. Our fascinating guide Yair gave leadership lessons, identified herbs and kept us enthralled. This fascinating journey into some of the world’s great religions is a unique and must-do Irael family activity.

Check the Dead Sea off your bucket list.

The Dead Sea is most Instagrammable when seen from the palisades, above salt marshes and the Jordanian shoreline. Wade in! The super-salty water and mud are considered medicinal. The hamlet of Neve Midbar Beach has changing rooms.

Climbing path to Masada site.
Masada is on a desert plateau above the Judea Desert and from the hiking trail, you can see views of the Dead Sea.

Sacrifice time at Masada.

Ascend a plateau within sight of the Dead Sea by cable car or on foot to see excavations of this fortress-palace. Masada, built by King Herod, was last stronghold in the Jewish revolt against the Romans (73 CE.) A good guide will bring this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s story about freedom and self-sacrifice alive for history buffs.

Please let me know in the Comments section your favorite parts of your trip and your list of top Israel family activities.

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1 Reply to “16 Family Activities You Can Only Share in Israel”

  • For summer vacation St John in USVI is an excellent place to visit. St. John is a true gem in the Caribbean with crystal clear waters, lush green mountains and gorgeous white sand beaches. Though it is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John’s unspoiled beauty is perhaps the greatest found anywhere in the Caribbean. Sixty percent of the island is national park land, creating the illusion that you are as far from civilization as possible. However, fine shopping such as upscale jewelry stores and boutiques are just a short distance away. Boating is also a popular activity for visitors of the islands. Rent a boat and island hop to neighboring islands and cays or enjoy a day of snorkeling, swimming, picnicking and relaxing aboard one of many day sail charter boats.

  • I would suggest a car seat cover it helped me and my wife a lot from our last trip to Hawaii with my baby daughter here it is

  • Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and through the termites’ nests of Virgin Islands National Park. These are some beautiful places which are really attracts travelers to visit the islands.

  • Yes! Go to the Dominican Republic at least one time in your life.

  • todobigo

    Hello Clary, we are not attorneys but we do not see a need to have a power of attorney over your cousin for your trip. A permission to travel letter from the guardians, as well as a medical authorization letter — in case your cousin needs medical treatment — should be fine for your trip. This letter should come from the guardians, not you, so they should do it now rather than wait till your arrival to finish the paperwork. When they fill it out does not matter, since the letter will have the travel dates that your cousin will be with you. Have a safe trip and enjoy!

  • Clary

    Hello

    I’m traveling with my cousin who is a minor to South Korea in July 2018 its less than 20 days away along with the travel to consent letter should I get a temporary power of attorney. Also should I set a specific time frame to do these things or can I do it the day before we leave. I ask because I have to travel to where she lives and we are flying out of her city two days after I get there.

  • Its a lovely place. My experience was very excellent. I enjoyed such an amazing camel ride. Staff was well-trained & well-dressed up. Very helpfull staff ,I am very impressed. I suggest to all to go there & have some fun.
    Royal Desert Camp is one of the best tent camps in Sam, Jaisalmer. We had visited on 31st Dec and stayed here for the night. There was an extra charge for the Gala Dinner, but it was worth the money spent. We were 3 girls on a road trip and it was a safe and good place to be at.
    Being in the city of Royal Tents in Jaisalmer of moving sand ridges, you can’t get away from the seat travel. A rough ride on a camel in the Thar Desert is one of the energizing things to do in Jaisalmer Royal Camps. It enables you to investigate the remote and segregated spots tucked amidst the abandon. Absolutely, the additional time you give on your safari, the more remote spots you are probably going to see and the more you may acclimate to and appreciate the abandon serenity.
    Jaisalmer luxury camp in Sam Sand Dunes is an unquestionable requirement visit in the province of Rajasthan in the environs of the city of Jaisalmer. It is likely that you are going for a Desert Safari when wanting to visit Thar Desert or the consequences will be severe, the purpose of going there is pointless, making the Sam Sand Dunes an expanding significant vacation spot of the city.

    Visit Us : http://www.desertdreamroyalcamp.com/rooms.php

  • There is a reason why Iceland is a favourite travel destination. It’s natural beauty of mountains, volcanoes, and bodies of water make this country seem surreal … https://www.merrchant.com/daily/2/travel-blogs/

  • Indeed Caribbean islands are popular with families in the summer because of less rates than in winter, and the beaches and cultural attractions are just as appealing.

  • If you are interested in visiting Cusco, getting in touch with its people, volunteering in our Nutrition and education projects, then visit http://www.takemeinyourheart.org

  • kuyamo2004

    My wife and I (US citizens) want to to take my 16 year old niece (who is a FIlipino citizen) to Korea for a graduation gift.  We plan to pick her up in Philippines and fly together to Korea.  We have all parental permissions and have proof of ability to support her trip.  Is it possible for my niece to obtain the visa?  A travel agent in the Philippines is telling us no.

    • todobigo

      What a wonderful graduation present! We cannot speak on behalf of the government of Korea, as they determine their visa policy for citizens of all countries who want to visit. What we suggest is that you contact the Korea Embassy in the US – 202-939-5600 – as you are U.S.citizens, and ask them for their advice.

      Regardless of the visas, it is important that when you travel with your minor niece you have the Permission Letters, so that is a great first step.

      Have a safe trip, please let us know if we can be of  help.

  • anjalik097

    I want to know how much cost the whole trip can be required to visit this destination. I would like to specific answer on thanks in advance. 

  • Lauriewilliams

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  • ggomez2224

    This is such a piece of paradise.  

  • Sarah Marri

    Love the pictures, outstanding post! You absolutely re-fueled my wish to visit Morocco. It’s been on my bucket incline for fairly some time. Sounds like you had a blast!

  • ggomez2224

    Indeed! Agra is one of the most beautiful places in India to visit. Taj Mahal is one of my favourites. Seeing Agra Fort in Person is quite mesmerizing too. Thank for the trip planning details. I will bookmark this for my future India travels. 

  • shubh199308

    A very nice information about Agra and its related places. People usually think a lot about making their trip well-organised. This will gonna help them.

  • MarthaC

    Hurricanes strike without intimation, we need to take some preventive measures to reduce the impact of hurricanes. The information given here is really useful. I would like to add some of the tips that help to survive a hurricane like, create a plan for the family, secure your home with hurricane resistant products, always have a survival kit with you. Take some helpful hints from the professionals and secure your home and make sure you have an escape route ready with you.

  • Lauriewilliams

    Of course! Christmas is a magical time for children – and equally unusual for moms and dads who love nothing more than to see their little ones’ faces smiley with festive joy.
    There are so many countries and their cities where people can enjoy these festivals, but  I think London is the most popular place to enjoy the lightning of the festivals like Christmas.

    • travelboots-pat

      Christmas is magical especially for kids. We were lucky enough to take our kids to Lapland when they were younger. Meeting the real Santa and his elves was wonderful. 

  • hankoutb

    Great article with good information 

     

    thanks for it

  • HaydenBeck

    If anyone is looking for anything else to do in London, there is a Christmas market in Hyde Park that lasts through New Years. There are several other seasonal events that you can enjoy. 

    https://londonconnection.com/upcoming-events-london/

  • Luther

    Great products!

  • ToddHogan

    Volunteer vacations, or voluntourism, is one of the fastest growing trends in the travel industry. By taking a volunteer vacation, you’ll be able to do good as well as have fun and make a difference in the world. Whereas volunteer is always appreciated by all people. One of my friends is a working as a volunteer for voyage humanitaire, these trips offer a great charity experience, Where you can offer your support to the needful people.

  • Dealsdunia

    Nothing is more beautiful than Europe. Would definitely travel to Europe one day. 

  • shubhamsahu001

    Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is known for its vibrant street life and ornate shrines. It is a city which is exquisitely decorated with Buddhist temples all around along with various natural beauties. The city of Bangkok welcomes more visitors than any other city in the world and is known as a hot and chaotic city.

  • Ron

    How did Halloween get to be so big? The most fun we ever had was at the Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, but I see now that in the US, it’s gone to a whole new level of madness.

  • moderator

    A road trip through New England is beautiful at any time of year, but when the leaves begin to turn (anywhere from early September to late October) it can be spectacular.

    The common wisdom is that the leaves get their signal to change color when night time temperatures drop below 40 F degrees. The farther north you go towards Canada, and the higher the elevation, the sooner this occurs.  By mid-September you may see a whole range of colors in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

    In New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, those colors could reach their peak around early October.  In Manhattan, New York City where my family lives, we always count on Columbus Day as being the height of leaf color around us, but a big storm or early frost can change all that.

    The safest bet is to ask the source — tourism offices in the states you are interested in — as they monitor the climate and moisture in the leaves very closely.  Here is a round up of resources for leaf peepers:
    Leaf Peekers Guide Americas Fall Foliage

     

  • What a great list this is — I just got back from Norway and have to say that the Raumer railway, from Alesund up to Bergen, is another gorgeous ride. The Norway fjords are very beautiful.

  • alli65

    I never knew South Dakota was an ice-cream hotspot, sounds like a great place for foodie familes. The local dishes–I need to try chislic–are making my mouth-water. Thanks for such an informative peice on a part of the country I know so little about. 

  • admin

    We’ve just heard the good news that Finnair is increasing airlift to five airports in Lapland for the winter 2017-2018 season. Between Jan 1- March 24, 2018, Finnair will add four weekly frequencies to Rovaniemi, three to Kuusamo,  and extra flights between Helsinki and Ivalo and Helsinki and Kittilä.

    During the winter 2017-2018 season, Finnair will also operate new non-stop flights to Lapland airports from London Gatwick, Paris and Zurich.

  • FTFstaff

    we love this idea, to add actual storybooks to the amazing storytelling that goes on at Disneyland. Imagine you can follow up on the excitement of a thrill ride with the moral tale that influenced it, how much more meaningful that would become for our kids. thanks for sharing it!

  • admin

    My 16 yr old is planning to go to Costa Rica with an 18yr old and a 19 yr old.  What papers do I need to fill out and have him bring?

    Submitted by D.A. to moderator

  • admin

    My family has been in the wholesale end of the souvenir supply business dating back to 1952 when my Grandfather came out of retirement at age 51 and bought a local wholesale jobber distributor that sold some small wooden novelties made in the Ozarks.  

    Along with my father’s youth, energy and drive they built a small regional business into a national Importer/Distributor with regional warehouses serving the souvenir needs of Tourist attractions throughout the US. It’s an interesting story and one that started with cheap trinkets Made in Japan that transformed Asia into the powerful Manufacturing Revolution that feeds thousands of Big box Retailers today.

    One of our oldest and most popular local attractions here in the midwest that is still operating under the original Family is Meramec Caverns.  The attraction has been largely shut down early this spring due to some troubling environmental problems which I believe developed after a regional Flood of the Meramec washed out the visitor center.  I believe its set to reopen soon.  This is the type of “Attraction” that has kept families on the road and vintage souvenirs making a comeback. 

     

    Fairway Mfg. Company

    Mark Sobelman, President

    2424 Schuetz Rd.

    Maryland Heights, MO 63043

  • todobigo

    Thanks for the feedback, that travel stroller you got looks like a great solution with 2 kids, but it’s pricey! Let us know how you like using it on your trip.

  • DomHawkinsLAX


    Congratulations!

  • admin

    Traveler Carla K asks:

    My eleven year old son will be traveling with his grandmother to Vietnam and Cambodia. They will have a plane change in Korea (which will be a port of entry, so I assume they will go through immigration and customs here as well). 

    This is my question: Do I need to sign and notarize three separate forms (one per country)?

    Our answer:

    We are not attorneys but we recommend that you have several copies of the same form, and that the form include the travel information about the whole itinerary. In terms of changing planes, there may not be a need to go through Immigration in Korea. However, if you have an original form that mentions all the flights/countries within a broad range of travel dates, and have photocopies that grandparents can leave behind if requested by an Immigration official, they should be fine.

    We wish your son and his grandmother a safe and fun trip — it certainly sounds like a fascinating journey to us.Thank you and please get in touch with other questions.

     
  • admin

    The CPB has some useful advice on this topic on their web page: http://ow.ly/Q2WEY

  • admin

    Well the 1st of June started out soggy. I, along with most all the captains had to cancel due to the fact that it rained and lightened most of the day.  The rest of the week was beautiful. None of my clients this week wanted to Tarpon fish, so I stayed inshore most of the week, but the reports I’m getting are still saying that the tarpon bite is remaining strong at Bean Point and along the beach. All my clients this week  wanted to stay inshore to take home some fish for the dinner table. The bite this week was slow in the morning but picked up at the tale end of the high tide and was good through the outgoing tide.  Most days we were able to catch 20 or so trout with about half being in the keeper range. The big trout of the week was 23″ with most of the trout being caught in 3′-4′ of water on small grass patches. The Redfish bite has been slow but we are managing to catch a couple each trip during the higher water along the mangroves. The Snook bite has been good as long as the tide is moving. Most trips we were able to catch around 15-20 with most being in the 25″ range. If you are looking to book at fishing charter or fishing trip and are near Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete, or Tampa areas book with Anna Maria Inshore Fishing, LCC call Fishing Guide Capt. Kyle (941) 345-7182  http://www.annamariainshorefishing.com or check out my brother Fishing Guide Capt. Ryan (941) 812-7435 http://www.bradentoninshorefishing.com  

     
  • FTFstaff

    I just wanted to inquire how much a cruise is how long it is what the fees and baggage charges etc   are there  accommodation for children that are autistic  _ is there a discount for people that are Disneyland  annual  pass holders

     

    By Deb L, moved by Forums moderator

    • todobigo

      Disney cruises are really fun, and their staff is so well trained to work with all kids, that I think you will find them able to include a child with autism in the regular children’s programming.  (Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line I know — see story — that has specific accommodations and loaner toy kits, for example, for guests on the spectrum.) 

      DCL Cruises run 4 to 7 days typically, pricing varies because some have theme park tickets bundled in, some leave from Florida, others from California and a ship will be in Europe this summer.

      You can find out more about Disney Cruise Lines at their site: vhttp://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ – that would be the place to inquire if pass holders get any type of discount.  One good cruise travel specialist we know is Magic For Less — http://www.themagicforless.com/ – and they can help you sort through the many choices.

      Have a great trip, we don’t think you’ll go wrong!

  • admin

    From a quirky retail store, to a nature park with over 380 live animals, the Shell Factory is “must see” for families visiting The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in Southwest Florida. Located in Fort Myers, this iconic, offbeat roadside attraction offers a variety of activities, souvenirs and experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

    You can shop for Christmas decorations in the Christmas store (which is open year-round!), try out a hurricane simulator, watch hermit crab races, stroll through aisles filled with taxidermy, indulge in homemade fudge, channel your inner pirate in the Pirate room and more.

    Thanks to Julianna Bryan for her fun suggestion.

  • admin

    Hello, my name is Joshua.  You have a great site. I have a few questions that has branched off from reading your article by Kyle McCarthy about the road trip from Jacksonville Florida to Key West using A1A and also Route 1.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I am  in the navy and live in Jacksonville.  I recently decided that I am going to take a long (month or longer) backpacking trip from Jacksonville to Miami (or Key west if I can make it).   I am having trouble decideing which route to take A1A or Route 1.   It seems as if you took both on your road trip.  Maybe you can suggest which I take.  If you can make any suggestions maybe you could consider I will be backpacking and looking for a decent sized shoulder on the side to walk on.  I would like easier access to motels and food.  I also wonder if I could plop a tent down anywhere in my travels?  Also, I picture myself stopping for a cold beer here and there along my travels somewhere that a dirty backpacker would be welcomed.  The problem is I am currently on deployment overseas so my research is limited and I am not very familiar with Florida at all yet.  Any help for my backpacking trip would be greatly appreciated so I can start to plan it as much as I can at sea for now.  The descriptions of your trip are very well detailed, I am just not sure which route to concentrate on or would be easier, more scenic and fun for a backpacker.  I will continue to read your site as I love to travel and you have very detailed and relevant information.  Thanks so much.

  • admin

    ubud would be super for a mother-daughter getaway. The Yoga Barn is terrific: it cascades down a hillside, first with welcome bungalow, then a really good restaurant, then a yoga building (photo  below), then gardens and what I think are either cottages for accom or treatment rooms. And meanwhile you’re in ubud!

    Some people stay at the yoga barn but it’s pretty expensive by ubud standards. I had a beautiful guest house– traditional compound with statuary and pool and ornate platforms — for $25 cDN and I left it for a better one.  Plus today I went to beautiful spa, garden setting, 5 mins from yoga barn, and had massage , papaya scrub, and soak in a flower-filled tub — $27 cDN , so that’s maybe $20?

    Ubud Bali Guesthouse

    < The patio of my guesthouse.

     

    Ubud is so very beautiful, my room is like a private bungalow by a ravine,  beautiful greenery, sounds of cicadas and rushing water, and this little temple where the lady of the house does a ceremony every morning.
     

    Ubud also has Balinese dance performances every night ($6), exquisite meals ($5)… 

    Contributed by user Teresa Plowright.