This article originally appeared in the July issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
It may take some time before the lion’s share of travelers are ready to visit Israel, but when that time comes, the destination is more than ready to receive them – which is something I can attest to, having spent a week in the country on an April press trip.
Hotels, restaurants and attractions are up and running and eagerly awaiting the return of U.S. travelers. Everywhere we went, our group was greeted with enthusiasm.
As a first-time traveler to Israel – and visiting during an unquestionably turbulent time in the country’s history – I wasn’t sure what to expect. But any trepidation I may have felt evaporated as soon as I stepped off the plane.
Suffice it say I felt safe, even more so than I do in many other destinations. The trip, which was sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, was a transformative one, thanks in large part to the comfort level I felt with Israelis coupled with the exotic nature of the destination.
Once your clients are ready to visit Israel, here are itinerary suggestions based on the April itinerary, which used Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as bases to explore Caesarea, Haifa and the Dead Sea.
The Tel Aviv skyline. (Source: Claudette Covey)
What to do in Tel Aviv
Much like Manhattan, Tel Aviv is a great walking city, and walking is an ideal way in which to take in the city’s Bauhaus architecture (think industrial design meets Art Deco).
Suggest clients take an excursion to Jaffa, the ancient port city from which Tel Aviv evolved. Recommend a tour of the Jaffa Flea Market, which houses all sorts of items, including jewelry, rugs, pottery, artwork, pillows, ceramics, copper items and a generous number of food options.
Also recommended is a graffiti art tour in Tel Aviv’s up-and coming Florentin neighborhood. Its streets are filled with art and graffiti reflecting the country’s angst surrounding the hostages who were taken on Oct. 7.
The ANU Museum of the Jewish People, which opened during the pandemic, is also well worth a visit.
Caesarea, Haifa
Caesarea is located about one hour north of Tel Aviv and is the site of Caesarea National Park, which includes the ruins of an amphitheater, a Roman aqueduct, bathhouses and Herod the Great’s palace.
Thirty minutes from Caesarea is the progressive and ethnically diverse city of Haifa, which is Israel’s third-largest city after Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A visit to the Bahá’í Gardens, a sacred holy site for the Bahá’í faith, features 19 terraced gardens and sculptures on Mount Carmel, is a must.
A trip to Haifa wouldn’t compete without a visit to the German Colony, which is set at the bottom of the Bahá’í Gardens and serves as the cultural heartbeat of the city.
What to do in Jerusalem
Similarly, no trip to Jerusalem would be complete without excursions to the walled Old City and its Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian Quarters. Two iconic attractions are the Western Wall, the world’s most important Jewish prayer site, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where it is believed Jesus was crucified and buried.
The stalls in the Old City Market feature a decidedly wide-ranging selection of goods, including spices, ceramics, textiles, hookahs, artwork, copper and brass goods and local foods.
The Machane Yehuda Market, the largest market in Jerusalem, also houses an eclectic assortment of goods, including a generous number of food venues. To capitalize on the market’s culinary offerings, suggest an evening food tour.
Two must-see museums are the Tower of David Museum, which is set in the Old City’s Citadel, and was overhauled to include interactive displays that bring Israel’s history to life; and the Israel Museum, which was massively renovated to include interactive displays that bring Israel’s history life.
The Dead Sea
From Jerusalem, it’s a 60- to 90-minute drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest elevation on Earth – and the saltiest! Here, travelers can float on its waters, indulge in a mud bath or simply relax on its beaches.
The 162-room Milos Dead Sea Hotel has day passes that enable travelers to avail themselves of the property’s myriad services and includes breakfast or lunch and the use of the spa facilities.
For advisors looking for a knowledgeable, licensed guide, consider Mika Marit Rabinovich, whom I highly recommended. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or phone at 00 972 54-541-1434. She can also be reached on Facebook at www.facebook.com/miritmika.
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