Travel tips

These days, visiting Israel almost inevitably requires renting a car. While you can get around the major cities with public transportation, you’ll also want to visit some of the more out of the way places in order to get a better view of the country. Fortunately, to rent a car in Israel all you need is your American driver’s license (or a license from many other countries – you can check with the car rental agency in advance to be sure). There is generally no need to obtain an international drivers license.

Fortunately, renting that car is also super simple since one of the best car rental agencies is available in Israel. Car Rental Israel (www.carrentalisrael.com) is the local Avis representative. They have branches in most of the major cities, including Petach Tikvah, or Netanya, two cities which are close by to Tira (the town I’m going to tell you about in a moment) and from where you can begin your adventure. Car Rental Israel offers the newest fleet in the country, the cheapest car rental rates and you can return your car elsewhere in the country (i.e. if you rent at Avis Tel Aviv, you can then return the car at Avis Petach Tikvah). Car Rental Israel also has no cancellation fees and no credit car requirements.

Tira is a small Arab village east of Netanya and north of Petach Tikvah which hosts a flea market on the weekend (in Israel, Saturday is the weekend by the way – Sunday is an ordinary working day) where you can buy almost anything and haggling is the order of the day. Recent finds at the Tira flea market included a hand woven, 6ft X 4ft rug for just 400 shekels (around $120) and some lovely carved wooden furniture, including a desk with an elephant on the leg (okay, a bit kitcsch sounding, but see it and you won’t feel that way) for just 280 shekels (around $75).

While you’re in Tira, be sure to stop in at one of the many restaurants that serve hummus with ful beans. If you’ve ever tried hummus in the States or anywhere else it’s not native to, you have never tried proper hummus. First of all, here, the hummus is served fresh, with a hint of lemon mixed in. It is also traditionally served with hot ful beans in the middle, along with an egg and a bit of a tahini and fresh olive oil. You’ll also get fresh pita bread and lots of side dishes, such as hot peppers and pickles served with it (stay away from the hot peppers unless you’re into spicy stuff – they are very, very spicy). And of course, as with everything else in Tira, the price is amazing – an entire meal can be had for around 20 shekels (around $5.50). However, even if it cost a fortune, it would be worth it once you have your first taste. Try it and you’ll understand what hummus was meant to be; there simply is no describing it.

One thing to be aware of with your Israeli car rental is that the shuk will get very crowded very fast, so be sure to park somewhere off to the edge as you don’t want to get hit with a fee for damage to the vehicle. However, once you leave the area of the shuk, the town quiets down a lot. Further away from the shuk are several Arab bakeries where you can try some delicacies not found in Jewish parts of Israel. Kunufa nabulsi and Baklava are two of the more popular ones, however dozens of choices exist and it would be a shame not to try them all. However, you should be careful not to overindulge as the pastries are very rich and high in sugar.

The town of Tirah is located on route 554, off the Trans Israel Highway, Route 6. From Tel Aviv, take route 1 east to route 6 north. Look for signs for Tirah and route 554.

Steven Jones is a travel agent and tour guide in Israel. He has been conducting tours of the Holy Land for years and is a big fan of Car Rental Israel, where he tells all his clients to go.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/off-the-beaten-path-in-israel-an-arab-village-not-to-be-missed-1516601.html