Israel location advice

[gnirtS]

Im doing a trip to Israel shortly, got a rough itinerary but looking for tips on the best viewpoints and things to photograph in those area (viewpoints and so on). Main interest is going to be the buildings and landscape so not really people.

The plan is getting a taxi to the border, walking across the border than a bus from Eilat to Jerusalem. From there a few days in Jerusalem then to Acre, Haifa, Tel Aviv and finally Ein Gedi & Masada before getting the bus back and walk out of the country via Eilat. Total time 8-10 days roughly.
I'll be carrying 1 backpack with everything in (clothes, laptop, camera) and will have a 550D with 10-22mm, 17-70 f/2.8, 55-250IS some CPLs and a 430EXII Speedlite. Im leaving my 60mm f/2.8 macro at home.

I want to take my tripod - do you have an issue carrying a tripod around the place or using it in public (ie security services laws about it, being mistaken for carrying a gun etc etc) ? Likewise what is the general feeling about wandering around with an SLR in the common areas ? Given the high police and army presence are they restrictive about what you can and can't photo etc?

Other than that, general tips for subjects and viewpoints of the usual suspects would be appreciated within the places listed above. Or if anyone can suggest anywhere else worth going that isn't on the list it'd be great.

 

[groovyf]

Can't beat the top of Masada for a sunrise. Such a glorious view with The Dead Sea below. The viewpoint from Herod's Northern Palace offers a stunning vista.
If you're down in Eilat then you must get some shots of the mountains (in Jordan) in late afternoon when the sun is setting as they can be such a vibrant red/orange colour. Might be worth a trip up into the Red Mountains outside of Eilat if you can too.
Just up the road from Eilat is Timna National Park and that's a "must visit". Some great rock formations with a highlight being one shaped like a giant mushroom, (google for images of mushroom rock Timna).
Ein Gedi has a great waterfall at one end, so out with the ND filter for you!
Mitzpe Ramon (still in the desert region and accessible by bus is one half of an enormous crater that offers a stunning view from the top (and also looks like a vertical cliff face when approaching from the valley floor).

In the Tel Aviv area Jaffa is worth a visit, some great shots to be had there, and have a wander round the Neve Tzedek district of Tel Aviv (a few blocks back from the sea front.)
This was a shot from Jaffa looking back towards TA.
http://photoblog.groovyf.co.uk/index.php?showimage=243

Up in Haifa you have the Baha'i Temple.

I've never had problems wandering round with my camera, just don't point it towards the American Embassy in Tel Aviv... the guards don't like that...
You may get people looking at you, but that'll be because tourism dropped off markedly so you don't get too many these days, you'll be a novelty!

Look forward to seeing your photos.

 

[gnirtS]

Cheers.

The only reason im going to Eilat is that's where the border is. I only live 40 mins south of it. As a place its horrible. Im looking at the mountains of Saudi/Jordan for sunset from my house balcony so that and standard desert scenery im skipping as ive already got that on a daily basis.

Due to Yom Kippur meaning everything is closed we've condensed the timetable so now its Jerusalem, Ein Gedi, Masada and maybe maybe Tel Aviv. Wont get any further north as we want to be back across the border before it closes for their festival meaning we've lost several days.