Eliat Beach, Israel
Photo: Brigitte Lacombe, Conde Nast Traveler

By Wendy Perrin

A reader posted this question in response to Lebanon Update: "I am planning on going to Israel in late November. Do you think, with the political instability in the Middle East, it would be safe?"

Tough question.  So I gave it to someone else to answer: Jim Berkeley, president of Destinations & Adventures International and the Israel specialist on my annual list of the best travel planners.  Writes Jim,

"At this time I certainly would not recommend traveling into northern Israel or anywhere near the Lebanese or Syrian borders.  If you want to go in November, to be totally safe I suggest you confine your visit to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Masada and the Dead Sea area, the Negev, and Eilat. This way you are totally out of range of anything falling on you from the sky. One thing I can say in general about security in Israel:  It is probably the best in the world and if you are traveling in the country with a local tour operator, it will be linked into Israeli security. Should there be a disturbance of any kind, it will automatically be informed of the situation. One final point:  Though there have been no suicide bombers in Israel for quite some time, one must be always aware of this possibility.  Avoid large crowds, bus stops and stations, markets, etc. Be wise and be aware and safe traveling!"

Thanks, Jim, for your input.