All the sights and experiences that make Israel a must-see destination
During the dreariness of another Wisconsin winter, I decided that I wanted to do a summer study abroad program. While my friends went back and forth between different programs, I scrolled through the website once, clicked through a few different programs, and submitted my application for Tel Aviv University.
Tel Aviv hit my only box, which was to have no prior knowledge. My sole expectation for my study abroad experience was that I wanted to be somewhere that I knew absolutely nothing about. Arriving with no preconceived notions of what to expect allowed me to be continuously amazed and surprised by everything that I experienced and saw. When anyone asks me to describe my study abroad experience in Israel, it’s been easiest for me to resort to the easy response: “It was amazing!”. Which, in every way, it was. I made incredible friends from around the world, connected with locales, and experienced festivals and traditions. I explored Tel Aviv and beyond and left with a more nuanced understanding of the conflict that has engulfed the region.
Today, this conflict has been at the forefront of the news cycle. As the war intensifies, it has led me to reflect more on my experience. With the likelihood of traveling to the region dwindling (at least in the near future), it saddens me to think about all the incredible places and people that are going to be out of reach for the general public. My hope is that this list inspires you to put Israel on your list of must-see destinations so that when the time comes, you’ll be ready to experience this magical region of the world.
1. The Dead Sea
Too often, I feel like the hype surrounding bucket list destinations leads them to fall short of our expectations. The pristine landscape and quiet ambiance of the Dead Sea easily defeat this narrative. Floating in the clear blue water, it truly felt as though I landed in a different universe. I am confident that the Dead Sea will always have a place in my top 10 favorite places that I’ve experienced.
2. Jerusalem
There are few cities that inspired me as much as Jerusalm. While ancient religious sites draw millions of tourists to this city, it wasn’t so much the landmarks but the atmosphere that captivated me. It’s like you can feel the stories and multitudes of cultures that pay homage to this city. A particular highlight is the Mahane Yehuda market. On Thursday nights, owners transform their outdoor stalls into bars and restaurants where dancing crowds spill out onto the streets. People break out into dance as music thumps throughout the stalls. It’s a magical experience and truly encapsulates the life that thrives in Jerusalem.
3. Promenade, Tel Aviv
Forget New York City: Tel Aviv is the city that never sleeps, and nowhere is this more evident than the promenade. At all hours of the day and night, the boardwalk is packed with people – and with the skyline on one side and palm trees and the ocean on the other, it’s easy to understand why. The lively atmosphere is made even more captivating by all the (free) entertainment available. Cheer on street performers and sand volleyball players, get in on the action in a street workout class, or grab an ice cream cone and people watch. There is entertainment to last a lifetime at the promenade, and it provides just a slice into what it’s like to call Tel Aviv home.
4. Cafe Culture, Tel Aviv
After classes, my friends and I would almost always do homework at cafes. Choosing a favorite is close to impossible, although the couches at Nabi Yuna were perfect for people watching. Come with a book, your laptop, or a journal. Like the promenade, cafes are bustling hubs of social activity at all times of day – a nod to the family-orientated lifestyle that Israelis embody.
5. Masada National Park
To be perfectly honest: in the moment, hiking (read: crawling) the one-and-a-half-hour uphill climb to the top of Masada National Park is not something that I would’ve envisioned myself recommending. This is especially true as I was going on this hike on approximately 2 hours of sleep, having left at 1 A.M. that night in order to reach the top at sunset. But, I am very happy to say that the lack of sleep and physical endurance was more than worth it. The sight of the sun rising over the Dead Sea atop one of the most historical sites in Israel was incredible. Pair this with a (well-deserved) relaxing afternoon at the Dead Sea, and you have the recipe for a top-tier travel day.
6. Yitzhak Navon Railway Station
Yes, I’m including a train station. It’s for good reason, though: as one of the deepest train stations in the world, the multi-level escalators that bring you (finally) up to ground level give the illusion of [unfinished sentence]. The music and the ambiance of this train station encapsulate the magic that awaits you in Jerusalem.
7. The Beaches, Tel Aviv
It’s amazing to me that the beaches in Tel Aviv do not receive the hype of other beaches in the Mediterranean. The beachfront stretches the entirety of the city, so it’s a guarantee that you’ll have more than enough space to yourself regardless of when you go. The sand stretches far enough that you seemingly escape the hustle and bustle of the city, but walk ten minutes and you’re back in one of the largest metropolises in the Middle East. Additionally, the beachfront is lined with restaurants and cafes – many of which are right in the sand, so you don’t even have to leave! Is there a better definition of paradise?
8. The Food!
I couldn’t end this article without including the delicacies of Israel. Fair warning: a trip to Israel will spoil store-bought hummus for life. No trip to Israel is complete without trying one of the many fresh fruit juice stands scattered around the city. Some of my favorite afternoons abroad were spent with fruit juice and a book, relaxing at the beach for hours.
It saddens me to think that the bustling, lively places that I was fortunate to see and experience have come to a standstill. Even more so, the lives that have been lost demand our attention. The Middle East as a whole is so much more than the conflict that has encapsulated the region, and I hope this list inspires more people to put Israel on their bucket list. I can guarantee that if you do, you too will be eagerly awaiting the day that you can return.