Israel Travel Guide

The troubled Holy Land of Israel contains ground sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike and some problems have come with the territory. The past few years of fighting between Muslims and Jews has scared away many travelers, but the mind-blowing history, overwhelming passion of its people and amazing geographical phenomenons such as the Dead Sea still pull in those with intrepid spirits who are unable to stay away from everything the area has to offer.

If you are truly interested in visiting then don't take the sensational stories and hyperbolic travel warnings too seriously. This is a country with a few difficult spots, but it's mostly filled with peaceful citizens of every background and tourists who are glad they came.

What to do

There are nearly uncountable historical and archaeological sites to discover for yourself and tour in Israel. There's Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, the ancient site of Hazor, Belvoir Castle, Caesarea, and the Israel National Trail, a path that can be hiked or biked through Israel for nearly 500 miles.

One of the classic experiences of Israel is to float in the Dead Sea. The water is so concentrated with salt that floating is effortless. Check for paper cuts before you enter, however.

Getting there

A long list of countries will deny you entry if they see that you've been to Israel. Get a passport stamp on a separate piece of paper or a post-it note instead of your passport.

Otherwise, getting to Israel is just a matter of booking a flight to Ben Gurion International Airport and arriving early enough that you have time to negotiate your way through the security checkpoints before your plane takes off.

Where to stay

Lodging is no problem in Israel, many three and four star hotels are available for travelers, as well as places on the couches of local houses, hostels and international resort hotels, depending on your budget.