With the world going into a post-pandemic era, most countries are relaxing restrictions and opening borders due to the falling number of COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines.

People are starting to make their summer vacation plans considering the government travel advisory. Israel has been fighting against the deadly pandemic and managed to control its spread in the country.

Israel is one of the most visited countries globally as it attracts thousands of tourists each year. The country is a multicultural hub in the Middle East and is also considered the party capital of the region. Furthermore, it is also home to religious shrines and holy sites for several religions. So, if you are considering a religious pilgrimage or a relaxing vacation along the Mediterranean coast, Israel is the place to be.

If you’re planning for a summer vacation to Israel, here are some travel tips that will enhance your experience.

Visit the Famous Cities

Your trip to Israel won’t be complete without visiting some of the country’s famous cities. Let’s start with Jerusalem. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and holds utmost importance for some of the world’s major religions. If you love architecture, historical sites, and culture, visiting the city is essential for you!

The Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, and the Church of Holy Sepulchre are some of the  historical sites to visit. If you want to learn more about Jewish history, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center and the Citadel of the Tower of David. If you want to experience modern Israel, the Ben Yehuda Street area is the place to be.

When talking about famous cities in Israel, you can’t ignore Tel-Aviv. Better known as the “Party Capital” of the Middle East, it’s the multicultural and economic backbone of the country. All beach lovers are in for a treat as Tel-Aviv is the home to many of Israel’s famous beaches. Gordon Beach, Frishman Beach, and Banana Beach are a main attraction for beach lovers.

Do check out the Carmel market at the center of the city if you’re looking for a quick and cheap bite to eat. Furthermore, if you’re into the art scene, check out the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art. It has works from Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso, as well as internationally recognized Israeli artists.

If you do visit Tel-Aviv, then take a short walk along the coast from downtown that will take you to the old port town of Jaffa. The flea market is a major attraction for people looking to buy locally manufactured products. Jaffa is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of a major metropolis.

If you have some days free on your trip to Israel, visit Haifa, the third-largest city in the country. It is known for its scenic Bahai Gardens and the Golden Dome temple. If you love your parks and greenery, then this is the place to be. It’s a vibrant and multicultural city with lots of museums.

Recommended Reading: Abandoned Places In Israel And How To Navigate Them

Check Out the Local Events

Being a vibrant and multicultural country, Israel is known for its cultural events and festivals. No matter where you are, there will be something going on that you don’t want to miss.

The Tel-Aviv White Night is a popular cultural event that attracts thousands of people from across the country. People stay up all night singing and dancing as restaurants and bars are open till dawn. You’ll find festivals and concerts happening on the beach and other events scheduled throughout the city.

If you’re into arts, then visit the International Arts and Crafts festival that takes place in the Khutsot Hayotser Arts and Crafts center in Jerusalem. Craftspeople from across the globe and country come together to showcase their talents. Furthermore, you will also find musical performances from Israel’s biggest stars. Another art festival to visit is the Fresh Paint Contemporary Art Fair held in Tel-Aviv.

For beer enthusiasts, you would want to experience the Jerusalem Beer Festival. Every year, thousands of breweries and companies worldwide set up shop in the city to showcase their products.

Recommended Reading: Best Israeli Museums To Visit On Your Trip

Experience the Cuisine

You can’t leave the country without experiencing the food it has to offer. When you think of Israeli cuisine, you imagine pita with meat and falafel, rich hummus, fresh salad drizzled with olive oil. However, the local cuisine is more than just your usual pitas and falafels.

First, you can expect meals to be vegetable-heavy. Israelis pride themselves on their locally grown produce, and that is evident in the local cuisine. Foods are rich in herbs and spices, which give them their distinctive aromatic flavor. Tahini is a mainstay of Israeli dishes. You will find it being used in kosher meat dishes or as a dairy alternative. Za’atar is one of the local main herbs found in many dishes.

Israeli shakshuka is something to try if you want a hearty breakfast. People also prefer Sabih as a go-to breakfast. It is an vegetarian sandwich consisting of tomato, beetroot, cucumber, eggplant and a hardboiled egg.

Hummus is something everyone should try once in their lives. Forget the one you might find in your local supermarket; you need to visit a restaurant in Israel serving fresh hummus that will get you salivating. A Middle Eastern staple, hummus is made from chickpeas, tahini, and a combination of salt, lemon, garlic and water.

The restaurant you visit will serve it to you fresh and warm with a variety of toppings. It is drizzled with olive oil to give it an extra zest and flavor, and you can scoop it up with some freshly baked pita.

If you want to experience high-class hospitality with some amazing food, then visit some of the famous restaurants in Tel-Aviv. Due to the amazing topography of the country, Israel is the home to various seafood dishes. If you love your fish, then visit Taizu, which is a contemporary seafood restaurant in Tel-Aviv. Another seafood restaurant to visit is Yaffo-Tel Aviv which Chef Haim Cohen operates.

On the other hand, if you want a taste of local pitas and meat, then visit Miznon. It is operated by renowned chef Eyal Shani. You get free pitot, labneh, and tahini while you wait for your food.

Recommended Reading: The Flavors of Israel: Israeli Snacks You Must Try

Embrace the Culture

Embracing the local culture will only enhance your experience of visiting Israel. If you find a local smiling at you or randomly engaging in a conversation, then do respond politely. Israelis are very welcoming, and they are happy to see foreign tourists visiting their country. While visiting a new country, it is highly likely for you to get lost in unfamiliar places. Always ask for directions from the locals, and they will be more than happy to help you out.

Israelis are straightforward people. They don’t hesitate in speaking their mind, so don’t get offended. Their local language, Hebrew, is a tough-sounding language, so don’t be afraid if you encounter a person speaking louder than usual.

Learn Hebrew

After learning all about the exotic beaches, historical places, rich culture, and amazing food, you’re probably dying to visit the country. The area is a beautiful blend of mountains, deserts, and clear blue oceans. You can visit all the places you like, embrace the culture and enjoy the amazing food. However, to take your experience to the next level, you need to learn Hebrew.

The language is the country’s identity and the hallmark of the Jewish culture. You can imagine the significance of the language as it is spoken by nearly 9 million people in the world. The language is not necessarily just for locals; anyone that has an interest in Israeli culture can learn the language.

English is also widely spoken in Israel, but you’ll be better off knowing a bit of Hebrew in places where you can’t find people conversing in English. Taking Hebrew language courses will help you communicate with locals better and better understand the culture. Eat all the local food you like, read all the travel books and visit as many places as possible. The best way to understand how Israelis think and act is to learn their language.

So, if you’re interested in learning Hebrew as a foreign language, then contact Ulpan-Or. We are a modern Hebrew institution providing quality linguistic services for everyone. 

We don’t compromise on the quality of our services as you will learn Hebrew online with Israeli teachers.  Moreover, we have employed various techniques such as the Rapid Language Acquisition Method, which helps our students in learning Hebrew fast. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner or someone with limited knowledge of the language; our Hebrew digital courses are designed uniquely to help everyone. 

Our Hebrew learning courses culminate in video dialogues, vocabulary-building exercises, and audio lessons that make learning Hebrew fun and enjoyable. Furthermore, if you’re a prospective immigrant looking to migrate to Israel then you can learn Hebrew for seamless immersion into the country. Contact us today for more information.