When traveling to Israel, you will discover the impressive Middle Eastern culture under the cultural space of Asia, Europe and Africa meeting. Join Asia News Daily to decode the appeal of this small country with an impressive history through the following article.
1Unique features of Israeli tourism
Visiting Israel, you can experience many interesting things, from walking around world-class museums to climbing ropes in volcanic craters. This small country is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient Nabataen Route in the Negev Desert and the Wadi el-Mughara caves north of Mount Carmel. Many visitors will be surprised at the deliciousness of Israeli cuisine, with Middle Eastern dishes and famous dishes of the Jewish diaspora. Most dishes are made with fresh, locally grown produce and seasoned with olive oil.
Israel owns nine world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO
Yad Vashem in Jerusalem is a memorial to the Jews massacred during the Holocaust
2Some points to note before going to Israel
2.1 Ideal time to travel to Israel
Israel has a Mediterranean climate with short, cold, and rainy winters; while summer is long, hot and dry. January is the coldest month here, the average temperature is from 5 – 12 degrees Celsius, so prepare warm clothes in your suitcase ; August is the hottest month with temperatures ranging from about 18 – 38 degrees Celsius. According to travel experience , you should visit Israel from the end of November – early March or from the end of March – the end of July when the weather is low. The weather is quite pleasant, without much persistent rain.
You should travel to Israel from late November to early March or from late March to late July when the weather is quite pleasant.
2.2 Move to Israel
Before buying a plane ticket to travel to Israel, you will need to prepare a visa application including: family records, proof of work, proof of income and trip documents. From Vietnam, no airline flies directly to Israel but requires us to transit in an intermediary country.
2.3 Currency and language
Israelis use Shekel as currency, 1 Shekel corresponds to about 6,700 VND. In particular, this is also one of 5 countries that print embossed letters on paper money to help blind people recognize them more easily. In addition, the official languages used in Israel are Arabic and Hebrew, but Israeli tourists can feel somewhat reassured when many native speakers also know how to speak English.
2.4 Where to rest?
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are Israel’s largest cities. Each metropolis has a range of international hotel chains, high-end boutique motels and budget guesthouses. You can easily go exploring during the day using public transportation in these cities. In addition, Asia News Daily suggests that readers can also try a different stay experience at a kibbutz hotel in the countryside. Kibbutz offer a different perspective on Israeli life, and many places in the Golan Heights are located near nature reserves.
Beach hotels in Tel Aviv are ideal places to stay
Where to go in Israel?
Dead Sea
Israeli tourists must definitely visit the most mysterious beach in the world – the Dead Sea once. The Bible tells it like this: Sinful cities in history were submerged in the deepest part of this sea. That is also the origin of this impressive name Dead Sea. Although it sounds scary, this is actually the place with the lowest sea level and highest salt concentration in the world. Also because it is the saltiest sea in the world, you can float on the water without fear of sinking.
The Dead Sea where we never sink below the surface. Photo: Hrecheniuk Oleksii/Shutterstock
Ancient city of Acre
This is a World Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO. The ancient citadel of Acre is also known as Akko, an ancient citadel that once belonged to Greece, then fell into the hands of the Byzantine empire, and was ruled by the Arabs, Ottomans and British. This ancient citadel with a long history still retains many impressive architectural and cultural features of many dynasties with surrounding brick walls. Currently, there is still a Crusader built around 1104 – 1291 that is still quite intact.
The ancient citadel of Acre once belonged to Greece and still retains many impressive architectural and cultural features. Photo: Itamar Grinberg
Eilat City
The city is located on the Red Sea coast and is surrounded by the Negev desert, with a hot and dry climate of the desert and cool and humid climate of the sea. In this coastal city you can enjoy shopping and relaxation, Israeli tourists will not have to pay 17% VAT like many other cities. Particularly outstanding in Eilat are the nightlife activities, clubs, blue sea and honey-golden sunbathing beaches. The Red Sea is also the most popular tourist destination here.
An ideal city for Israeli tourists to visit and shop. Photo: 2020 Luciano Santandreu/Shutterstock
Tel Aviv City
Coming to Tel Aviv, Israeli tourists can feel modern, youthful and bustling characteristics. The city on the Mediterranean coast has a free and bustling lifestyle with world-class entertainment and shopping areas. In particular, this place is also considered the second Silicon Valley in the world, only after Santa Clara in the US. When visiting this city that never sleeps, don’t forget to visit beautiful beaches like Gordon-Frishman, Metzitzim or Hof Hatzuk.
Tel Aviv is the most visited tourist destination in Israel with many activities from morning to night
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is known as the Holy Land with an age of more than 6,000 years and is the birthplace of God, the place directly connecting Earth and Heaven, the soul with heaven. Israeli tourists definitely cannot miss the impressive architectural works here such as the sacred wailing wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus was crucified on the cross. Coming to the church, believers will take a handkerchief and press it against the stone slab hoping to retain the scent of God.
Jerusalem is known as the Holy Land and is more than 6,000 years old
Caesarea Town
The small town is located about 85 km north of Jerusalem and often brings many surprises to visitors. Tabor mountain located about 50 km from Caesarea is known as a beautiful natural discovery spot. In addition, in town we can also check-in to two famous destinations such as Caesarea National Park and Caesarea Open Air Theater.
The town of Caesarea has a distinct ancient look. Photo: 2012 Phish Photography/Shutterstock
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is separated by a border wall built by Israel to defend and blockade Palestinian lands. The city of Bethlehem is one of the ancient places with an age of over 3,000 years. The New Testament identifies this as the place where Jesus came to earth. Currently, Bethlehem is located in the West Bank of the Jordan River, under the Palestinian autonomous government since 1995, but Israel retains the right to control who enters and leaves Bethlehem.
Bethlehem is known as the hometown of King David and the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the Bible. Photo: Efesenko/Getty Images
Enjoy unique Israeli cuisine
Shakshuka: A simple tomato egg dish made from eggs and chili tomato sauce. Brings the sweet flavor of tomatoes mixed with the richness of eggs.
The most popular egg dish in Israel is shakshuka, one of the onomatopoeia words in Hebrew and North African, meaning “all mixed together.”
Falafel: Jewish specialty, combining chickpeas and fava beans, with the aroma of coriander, beans and a little fat from yogurt.
In Israel, every neighborhood has a falafel stand
Shawarma: This dish consists of thinly sliced meat arranged in a cone shape and grilled slowly. Initially shawarma was made from sheep, then chicken, turkey, beef, and veal.
Thinly sliced meat is slowly roasted in the oven with delicious flavor
Sabich Sandwich: Sandwich includes fried eggplant, cooked egg, tahini sauce, Israeli style salas, parsley, amba…
Sabich was brought to Israel by Iraqi Jews in the 1940s and 1950s
Hopefully the above Israel travel experiences will help you explore this interesting country in the Mediterranean region. Israel is known for its many ancient and biblical cities, Roman ruins, and archaeological remains of powerful empires of the past.