Israel Travel Highlights
Israel is an exciting and rewarding place to go. The country is totally full of traditional historical and spiritual sites, impossible to believe geographic adaptation for such a small country, tasty food, sometimes fantastic weather, and an entrancing blend of cultures. Unfortunately it's a country in conflict, and the portrayal of this region on the news scared a lot of travelers away from this engaging land. But equipped with a bit of knowledge and basic care, traveling in Israel is actually quite safe.
From a geographic standpoint, Israel is so different from area to area that it feels like several different nations in one. The tidal plain which includes the towns of Tel-Aviv and Haifa features rolling sand dunes and palm trees, gorgeous beaches, and mild but very damp subtropical weather. It's a great area to soak up the sun, enjoy nightlife, and soak up the ambience of modern Israel's culture. Yafo is part of Tel Aviv, and is a restored traditional town going back to biblical times. Further north in Haifa you can visit the world HQ of the Baha'i faith. Further north in Akko you may visit the Medieval old town and experience its Arabic atmosphere.
To the east of Haifa and Akko lies the Galilee area, the region where Jesus was raised. The town of Nazareth lies in this area lies in this area, and includes a number of churches and cathedrals to honor Jesus. Nazareth is populated mainly with Israeli Arab voters, so you can experience the contrast with Jewish Israeli culture. To the east of Nazareth lies the town of Tiberias and the ocean of Galilee. This is where Jesus walked on water, and where John the Baptist was baptized. There is some gorgeous views in the area, and some wonderful churches dedicated to Jesus and events involving him in the area. A fun activity is to rent a bike in Tiberias and ride the bicycle round the sea of Galilee. This can take an entire day, but if you can resist the heat, it's a superb short trip.
In the south of Israel lies the Negev desert, the most up to date and driest part of Israel. Its main focal point is the resort town of Eilat, which is known for scubadiving, snorkelling, and good weather year round. The summers in Eilat , however , are freakishly hot, often reaching 50 degrees. Bring a showering suit!
And naturally the precious stone in the crown of any trip to Israel is Jerusalem. Lying in the Judaen hills and having a religion heritage rivalled by no other town on Earth, Jerusalem has a cultural atmosphere like nowhere else in Israel. This is the place where King Solomon ruled, where Muhammad rose to heaven, and where Jesus was crucified. The Old town of Jerusalem lies in East Jerusalem and has a Palestinian majority, so you can experience the Palestinian way of life while also seeing the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian holy sites within its walls. The town of Bethlehem lies solely to the south of Jerusalem, but inside the Palestinian autonomous area. Many visitors visit Bethlehem and it is mostly safe. But check the news before traveling there, because often there are issues between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the area. The Church of the Nativity marks the spot where tradition says that Jesus was born.
Israel is an engaging land with so much to see, and more than things to see there is so much to learn and experience. Talking to Israelis and Palestinians and understanding their country, its conflict, and its cultures is an engaging and eye-opening experience. I hope you can experience this land too. .
Billy Bobb is a zealous traveler and citizen of the world. He's a geography nerd and can study maps for hours on end. His blog Free Printable Maps features maps and travel destination profiles such as
