Inspiring Israel: A Photo Tour

As a country steeped in ancient history, Israel is filled to the brim with authentically delicious cuisine, beautiful landscape and bucket list to-dos like the Dead Sea and the Western Wall. It's easy to see why Israel would be a worthy destination for travelers looking to get off the beaten path and fulfill cravings for cultural experiences. These 32 photos just happen to all the proof you need. Welcome to Israel.

For a fiery sunset head north to the seaside village of Akko, where they'll throw in a lighthouse for good measure too. Israeli postcard? Check.

The artsy streets in the old city section of Akko will provide a solid dose of color and tip the creativity scale at the same time. These vibrant pots can be found near the port, lining a cobblestone street that is host to many inventive displays.

Cats are abundant in Israel...fact. This shy guy played in the harborside boulders lining the edge of Akko before turning for a camera worthy pose.

Strolling the ocean walk that skirts the old city of Akko will gift picturesque village scenery. Get a glimpse into seaside village life while breathing in the Mediterranean Sea.

Walking the HaMish-ol HaAharon path in Jerusalem will have you wandering past ancient ruins as well as gifting this viewpoint looking over stacks on stacks of city housing.

This rug shop tucked away on a city side street in Jaffa is one of many shops with lively textiles. With beautiful patterns, it'll be hard to walk past without choosing one...or five to purchase!

Israel is known for its dates, and the best place to try them is at all the fresh local markets. Whether at the Carmel Open Air market in Tel Aviv or the Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, they're readily available. Grab a bag to walk around with or get a few to try on the spot. Can't go wrong either way.

Sunlight pouring into the grounds at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is a dose of magical inspiration for sure. Catching these rays may be about timing, but definitely worth chasing.

You don't have to be a religious buff to appreciate the significance of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The holiest Jewish site in the world sees numerous visitors daily, who show up to pray and leave notes of prayer in the cracks of the walls.

Wandering the seaside village lanes of Akko is like wandering a coloring book from ancient times. Pops of color, old stone walls and cute little shops make for an interesting and appealing aesthetic.

The street art in Tel Aviv is strong, and it's easy to stumble across beautiful works like this one throughout the city. Street-art-spotting is a fun activity if you're already taking a walking tour out and about, and often times there's a positive message behind the art, like with this one.

The town of Jaffa, just south of Tel Aviv, is the perfect place to walk archaic alleyways and get lost on the stone streets, discovering what's around every nook and cranny. Filled with unique shops and restaurants, there's always something to uncover.

Watching the hustle and bustle of Jaffa from the comfort of a pocket balcony at the Market House Hotel is a fine way to spend the morning; coffee in hand, obviously.

The Baha'i Gardens, located in Haifa, are impossibly gorgeous. The symmetry game is on point and it's flower overload (in the best way possible). The gardens are worth even just a quick stop to appreciate their beauty.

Inspiration in coffee form? Yes, please. The Arabic market in Jerusalem offers an authentic coffee experience complete with little treats and colorful seats to observe the day to day activity.

Northern Israel shows off a stunning coastline from the top of the Rosh HaNakira Grottoes. Looking good, Mediterranean...looking good.

Take a quick cable car ride down to the ancient sea grottoes that can be explored on foot at Rosh HaNakira. Walk through cave passageways as the water crashes into the natural grottoes. Disclaimer, you may get splashed!

We'll take our inspiration in the form of food, thank you very much. Israel does the culinary scene right. These handmade crepes at the Nachlat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall can be tried during the bi-weekly Arts and Crafts fair on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If you don't try hummus in Israel, did you even go to Israel? Everyone has different opinions about where to get the best hummus. This one, served at a small streetside restaurant called Hummus Said in Be'er Sheva, fit the bill perfectly.

Food again, yes. Try the local specialty, halva in the flavor of your liking. It's available almost anywhere, but these sweet bricks were found at the Carmel Open Air Market in Tel Aviv.

The view of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives is incredible, with Temple Mount's golden dome as the shining star. For a sprawling view without the crowds and extra heat of the day, try visiting early in the morning.

The selection of spices available in Israel is unparalleled. Every market has multiple stalls offering fresh spices, making for a journey for the senses as you browse which gazillion you'd like to bring home.

Sundowner hour in Jaffa proved to be quite epic. Sunball straight into the ocean; cue jaw drop.

Hiking in Ein Avdat National Park is a fantastic way to explore the diverse desert landscape. As a natural reserve, there are various trails in and around the canyon just waiting to be traversed.

If you can never get enough sunsets, this beachside viewpoint is for you. For this perspective, hang out along the boardwalk in the southern part of Tel Aviv. There, Mother Nature will give you a beautiful show behind the city of Jaffa with the soundtrack of local musicians jamming.

The Arab Quarter of Jerusalem is host to this "Cotton Market" where you can peruse local goods, treats and Arabic coffee, of course.

Israel is riddled with vintage doors, each with its own worn character and historical beauty. You'll see many of these doors throughout the country, especially sprinkled amongst the city's buildings.

Driving through the Negev Desert winds you through Makhtesh Ramon, where you can stop and overlook the giant crater. And who knows, maybe you'll even witness a rare foggy day in the desert like this capture!

It's no surprise that there are camels in the desert. These temperamental but highly entertaining buddies can be found at a traditional Bedouin style lodge, Kfar HaNokdim in the Judean Desert.

To fully explore all the Judean desert has to offer, you have to go deep. The best way to do that is with a Jeep tour, where you can safely adventure around, with an exciting (and bumpy!) ride into the otherworldly desert landscape. You'll feel like you've landed on another planet. Camel Lot Tours, run by Barak Horowitz is a certified local guide for this desert exploit.

Looking out over the rich Zin Desert landscape from the Ben Gurion Memorial, it's hard not to appreciate the utter, ridiculous beauty. The view seems to span forever, with copious desert ripples.

Seafood lovers will be in heaven at Uri Buri, a local eatery in Akko. Fresh seafood is always on the menu, with simple yet high-quality ingredients to create dishes that just taste really, really good.