Many readers have such a strong connection to Israel that they hold all their simchas there or regularly nip over to visit friends and family. Yet this tiny land has lots more to offer your inner tourist, so why not mix it up and try something different? Here are our suggestions:
Adventures in the Golan
● The Golan Heights, home to Israel's answer to the Grand Canyon - the must-see Black Canyon - is Israel's remote northern region, yet is only three hours' drive from Tel Aviv. Get there in the summer when temperatures are warm and the landscape lush. You could be ATV-ing through the Odem Forest, with its mountainous peaks, breathtaking views and an abundance of streams and natural pools to cool off the summer heat. Rafting in the cooling waters of the River Jordan, north of the Sea of Galilee, is very popular with young families, as children as young as five years old can take part. Get there on weekdays as the weekends are chocca with holidaying Israelis.
Machane Yehuda Market
● Yotam Ottolenghi might have become a household name thanks to his cookbook Jerusalem, named after his hometown, but many don't realise just how easy it is to find and savour those flavours. The Machane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem's bustling marketplace, has changed drastically in recent years, and traditional traders now sit alongside boutique coffee shops, specialist halva and tehina shops and fashion stores. The aromas, colours and trading sounds are invigorating. Take a walk through the "shuk" at night, and watch it transform into Jerusalem's most edgy nightlife spot.
An eclectic collection of bars - such as the Shuka, with its huge selection of local craft beers, the hipster hangout 5th of May, and Casino de Paris, known for its tapas menus - all add a pulsating vibe to the city's alleyways.
Wine lovers should head there between August 17-20 for the Wine Festival. Hosted by the Israel Museum, it offers wines to taste from 60 wineries.
Tel Aviv's Boutique Scene
● The Tel Aviv skyline is defined by its huddle of high-rise hotels. In recent times, though, these giants have been hit by competition from dozens of boutique hotels that have opened mostly in renovated buildings. Many have slipped right into Tel Aviv's hot culinary and night scene, with bars such as those at the Brown TLV Hotel, and Market House Hotel. The latter is located in the heart of the Jaffa Flea Market, surrounded by traders by day and bars and cafés by night.
Watch out for the 1920s themed Norman Hotel, due to open its doors on Boulevard Rothschild this summer. Complete with a 24-hour techno-gym and a rooftop infinity pool, it may be the city's most luxurious hotel. www.telavivboutiquehotels.com
The Negev Desert up close
● Why travel to Nevada for a desert experience when you have the Negev and all its attractions on the doorstep? In Kibbutz Sde Boker there's a new Ben Gurion museum, which highlights the first Prime Minister's vision for the development of the Negev. Then there's Ramon Crater, in Mitzpe Ramon, a unique geological phenomenon only found in this part of the world. The visitors centre is set high on its cliffs, offering an exquisite stage from where you can enjoy the colour scheme change with the movement of the sun. Or go abseiling on the cliffs of the Ramon Crater, ATV-ing through the flat plains, sandboarding on the dunes, or hiking or jeeping through the amazing natural springs at Ein Akev.
Visiting Petra & Wadi Rum
● It's a hop and a skip (almost) across the desert to Jordan's Petra, dubbed one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. It was carved out of pink-hued rock by the Nabateans and is ideal for a one- or two-day jaunt from Israel. Tours depart daily from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Eilat. One of the highlights is the Pink City, which was lost for centuries until being rediscovered some 200 years ago. Include a visit to Wadi Rum, most famous as the setting for the movie Lawrence of Arabia, where the red sands and striking landscapes set a magical scene.
www.PetraFromIsrael.com
INCIDENTALLY...
Dan Hotels and Dan Gourmet have launched tours around Israel that connect food, wine and herbs with the land. Tours to the Galilee, Golan and the Northern valleys include how the flavours of the Med and olive oil have become an instrinsic part of Israel's diverse culture, wine tours and desert agriculture.
http://en.dangourmet.co.il
More info www.touristisrael.com
