I’ve been dreaming about holidays for a while this winter, I re-wrote my wish list and had great fun collaboration with some lovely ladies as to where we wish we were right now… But this years dream destination for us has to be Israel – this week we booked our flights and the hotel research has begun! I am so excited to go here, we’ll be visiting in May when the temperature is going to be perfect for having a good look around as well as relaxing in the sunshine too. I love visiting somewhere that isn’t necessarily on everyone elses hit list but which has an incredible history too. Many may well call it edgy, but then where isn’t in this day and age? It is incredible that it is the only country to bear the same name, speak the same language, uphold the same faith and be on the same land as it was 3000 years ago – in fact it is the only such country in the world (I learnt that on Pinterest not in my Geography degree…)
We’ll be taking local advice and guiding as we’re visiting friends, but here are just a few ideas of things we might enjoy on our trip:
Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa – whether mooching around the old or new, enjoying a coffee on Rothschild Boulevard or enjoying the beach scene, there is going to be plenty to see. I think we may see some late nights or early mornings here! Old Jaffa looks charming, little streets crammed with boutique shops to wander between.
The Dead Sea and Masada – I hate going underwater and there’s no chance of this in the Dead Sea as it has such a high salt content. The salt pans and formations look incredible and I’m looking forward to visiting the lowest place on earth, 423 metres below sea level. The ruins at Masada have an incredible view of the Dead Sea if we get that far.
Jerusalem – there is so much history and culture in Jerusalem that I don’t think anyone could visit the country and not take a trip to this ancient city. There will be no end of atmosphere to soak up here.
Sea of Gaililee and Tiberias – to wash the salt off we can then head to the largest inland fresh water lake. Famous in the Bible it marks a pilgramage for many as well as being a magnicient sight. And hopefully we will get to Golan Heights – it’s location makes me nervous but apparently I needn’t be…
Taking a winery tour – who knew the area was good for wine, well I didn’t until I tried some and saw a friends photos from a visit. One of my favourite holiday hobbies is a spot of wine-tasting in the sunshine and thankfully Israel obliges!
The hotel scene – goodness, there is a plethora of boutique hotels to choose from. We really are spoilt for choice, there are currently 12 on the short list! A real mix of shabby chic, waterfront based, modern, minimalist or arty.
The food – I’ve already had quite a good education into Hebrew food (give me chicken schnitzel, hummus, shakshuka or cholent anyday) and look forward to continuing the education. Kosher rules mean that dairy is separated from other foods much of the time which will make allergy travel a little easier than normal.
This only scratches the surface, research tells me I could spend weeks here and still have more to see be that Nazareth, Haifa, the Negev Desert, nature reserves such as Tel Dan and Gan Hashlosha, Caesarea, King Herods tomb, the Ramon crater, Golan heights and further afield to see Petra in Jordan. And of course enjoying the beach life just like the Zohan! My Pinterest is crammed full of ideas!
Looking forward to seeing it all for real in May – a wonderful mix of modern and ancient, coastal and arid! I’ve linked up with IceLolly.com in writing this post – and their #sendmeaway competition. This year’s dream destination is Israel for us, but I’d love to know where yours is – Follow Your Sunshine, Adventures of a London Kiwi and Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes tell me yours, as I know I’ll be impressed…
I have some great restaurant recommendations for Tel Aviv 🙂
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Awesome Angie, I would love to hear them, Yes please xx
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Yes please…
Make sure you visit Haifa as well, we visited all these beautiful places and loved them (bar the winery tour). Israel was possibly one of the most surprising countries for me…I really loved it and can’t wait to see what you think xx
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Can’t wait to go, we will definitely try to get to see the gardens at Haifa and make the most of the local knowledge from our friends xx
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The gardens there come recommended… We will do our best!
I want to visit Israel so, so much!
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I shall lead the charge and give you my tips!
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I will send you my tips to make sure you do
Swimming in the Red Sea would be amazing, looking forward to reading all about it!
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Swimming and reading a book – I can see it as my kind of lazy swimming!!
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I look forward to prooving I can float!
We haven’t been to Israel but everything that I read about it, makes it very appealing. Bring on the food, which I think would be incredible.
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I have been lucky enough to be cooked a lot already in the UK and I have very high expectations of the food on that basis!!
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I cannot wait for my first breakfast there – in the sun with divine food… we land at 5am, first stop hummus?
What a great destination, how fascinating. So glad to hear you’ve whittled your short list down to 12 🙂 I very much look forward to experiencing Israel via your posts later this year!
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I think that’s a long list really! We will go with the flow, it’ll all be an adventure!
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Thanks Jackie – 12 is a lot for 6 days… we might have some early starts, or wait – have to go back?!
We spent two months in Israel, it’s amazing. I love the food, I lost so much weight. And Nazareth & Haifa are a must. Also Nimrod’s Fortress is really cool.
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Thank you for the tips, I will look up Nimrods fortress!
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I will be looking at your posts soon, Nimrod’s Fortress and the Syrian border has gone on the list – apparently it is beautiful
Israel is really high on our wish list too – we were about to combine it with a visit to Lebanon over the Christmas break but for one reason or another it just didn’t quite come together this time. Next time though…
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I can’t wait to go now – seeing how popular it is with Everyone is great!
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Hopefully this year…?
I’ve heard so many good things about Israel so it looks as though your trip will be fabulous. I like the idea of visiting somewhere that’s not at the top of everyone’s hit list.
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Thanks Suzanne – I hope it does get to the top of them soon, like you say there is so much going for it!
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I know – when I first said we were going to visit friends people looked at my funny, but now everyone seems to be bought in to this adventure
I want to go to Israel too!! I wish I had time to cram it in this year – will do it next year. Thanks for the tips
http://www.flashandfrugal.com
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I will let you know when I have been, plenty more ideas then I am sure!! And local recommendations
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Look out for more tips once we’re there!
Wow, everything looks amazing, I don’t get to do as much pre-planning as I like when going on trips and I love the checking out some of the key things and locations for a photoshoot. Looks gorgeous in Israel with all that amazing food, history and lovely coastline.
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I wish I could go for longer Noel, now I have done the research there’s too much to cherry pick from! Return visit needed…
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I need to spend a day on the beach, the coast is gorgeous – I hope I have time!