Israel, the Holy Land on the eastern Mediterranean, is an unforgettable travel destination for beach lovers, culture and nature enthusiasts due to its diversity. The selection of hotels in Israel is just as wide. From cosy boutique hotels in Haifa to modern wellness and Design Hotels in Tel Aviv, the country offers accommodation for every taste. These are a good starting points for trips to the attractions of this very special place – be it the Dead Sea or the huge Negev Desert, Jerusalem with the Wailing Wall or the many picturesque sandy beaches on the Mediterranean or the Red Sea. After a visit to the numerous cultural and historical sites, the high-quality accommodation on site promises a pleasant end to the day.
The number of cultural and historical sights and natural beauty spots in Israel seems almost inexhaustible. Thus, the highly diverse regions of the country offer a variety of exciting destinations for short detours: The shores of the Sea of Galilee, which lies more than 200m below sea level, were popular settlement areas during the Bronze Age. Their remains can still be visited today. For nature lovers a visit to Timna National Park 25km north of the town of Eilat on the Red Sea is recommended. The rugged, desert-like landscapes at the southern tip of Israel invite to impressive hikes. Eilat itself is a hot spot for extensive underwater adventures. The special diversity of marine life makes a diving or snorkeling excursion worthwhile. In order to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean coast, it is worth booking one of the many excellent hotels close to the coast in Israel, e.g. in the northern port city of Haifa. Its landmarks include the hanging gardens of the Bahai: 19 lush garden terraces that overlook the entire city. Between Tel Aviv and Haifa, also directly by the sea, are the ruins of the former ancient metropolis Caesaera Maritima. Among the monumental relics are the remains of a theatre, which was built by order of the Roman Emperor Herod in 20 BC.
Israel's capital Jerusalem is a true paradise for those interested in culture. The metropolis was and is a symbolic place of longing for Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The Old City, surrounded by a 16th century city wall, is home to historic buildings of world-class cultural importance. Be it the Wailing Wall, the Dome of the Rock or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre dating from the 4th century – these highlights alone are worth a visit to Israel. The glittering coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv, on the other hand, attracts visitors with its lifestyle, international flair, lively beaches, exquisite bars and pulsating street life – but of course also with a large number of top modern hotels in a wide variety of styles. The exotic breath of the Middle East is over the city, and at the same time the hi-tech metropolis is characterised by western, European street life. The combination of Orient and Occident creates an atmospheric atmosphere, especially in the southern district of Jaffa. However, Israel's trendy metropolis also boasts a multitude of cultural highlights: Lovers of architecture and art are in good hands at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and the Bauhaus Center in Tel Aviv. But even without a visit to the museum, it is clear that Tel Aviv is the Bauhaus metropolis par excellence: the so-called White City has over 4,000 buildings that were built around 1930 in the style of this design school.
A popular breakfast dish is the Shakshuka. This hearty dish, usually consisting of tomatoes, eggs and onions, is available in many different variations. Israel's culinary classic, known far beyond the region, is hummus, a spicy chickpea porridge. It is often served with falafels, fried balls of herbs and chickpeas, and flat bread. To get a good insight into the variety of the regional cuisine, it is recommended to order Meze. This Middle Eastern version of tapas offers a variety of different salads and spreads. But Israel's cuisine has much more to offer: Of course, the location by the sea requires a wide range of fish dishes, e.g. a typical fish casserole with vegetables. Due to the proximity of the Orient, sweet baklava is a particularly popular snack in Israel. Especially the Knafeh, a curd pastry wrapped in sweet threads, should not be missed by lovers of sweet dishes. Sweet pancakes filled with curd cheese called blintzes are particularly popular with the locals. An equally sweet temptation is the Hamantash, a pastry filled with poppy seeds or jam.
In Israel there is much celebration. A large number of religious festivals determine the course of the year. For example, Hanukkah, which is also known as the Festival of Lights. Holidaymakers learn more about Jewish tradition during the Feast of Tabernacles or at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The Purim festival is a joyful celebration – on the occasion of the rescue of the Jews in the former Diaspora over 2,000 years ago, joy and good humour is a must! One of the most important cultural events is the annual Israel Festival Jerusalem. Internationally known and popular is also the annual Tel Aviv Pride. Hundreds of thousands of members of the LGBTQ community from home and abroad demonstrate for the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in a jolly mood.
Due to the year-round mild climate, it is generally worth visiting Israel at any time of the year. For a beach holiday, the summer months between June and September are of course especially recommended. This period has average temperatures between 28°C and 31°C and water temperatures of up to 26°C. For active vacationers the months April and May as well as September and October are ideal. During this period the average temperatures are usually between 25°C and 28°C. These values are also advantageous for city tours. Visitors can expect particularly mild weather in the winter months. The lower number of holidaymakers during this time of year naturally also ensures a quieter atmosphere along the major attractions. In general, however, the solar radiation is much more intense at all times of the year than in Central Europe. Sufficient sun protection is therefore a must.