8 Reasons Why I Absolutely LOVE Israel

One question that I get on a daily basis is “What’s your favorite country?”. For years, I have struggled with this answer. How can I possibly choose just one place when I am constantly blown away everywhere that I go? Each destination seems to offer something new and different than the one before it. why i love israel

While I love many countries around the world, after my most recent trip, I think it’s safe to say that Israel is in my top 3 favorite places that I’ve ever visited. I have been to Israel twice within the past year and each time it gets better and better. It’s completely unlike anywhere else that I’ve been. I usually don’t go to the same place more than once, but I’m already planning my third trip to the Holy Land (which will be a group trip… stay tuned for more!).

As I continue traveling, some other destination may also be beautiful and breathtaking. However, Israel does and forever will hold a special place in my heart. Here are 8 reasons why I absolutely LOVE Israel –

The delicious food

Hummus and pita!

All of the food that I’ve eaten in Israel is exquisite. It’s fresh and there is always a good variety of choices in restaurants. I’ve had everything from burgers to pizza to falafel and hummus in Israel. As a hummus addict, I am never happier than when I am with a big bowl of hummus and pita bread. Yum!!

Mix of cultures/religions

At Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Israel is considered the Holy Land to some of the world’s biggest religions; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. With the country being such an important place to so many different people, it’s incredible to see the diversity with your own eyes. In Jerusalem, I was able to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus was crucified & placed in the tomb in Christianity), the Western Wall (Judaism’s most sacred site), and Dome of the Rock (a special site for Muslims). At each of these places there were people moved to tears because of how much it meant for them to be there. It was beautiful to witness and to see all these sacred sites was truly like a history book coming to life.

Adventurous activities

Hot air ballooning over the Negev Desert

If you’re looking for a thrill, then this is the perfect destination to visit! Whether you are in a wheelchair or not, there is plenty of adventure to be had. Consider riding a cable car over the Manara Cliffs in northern Israel or hot air ballooning over the Negev Desert. Both of these activities offered spectacular views and made me truly appreciate how beautiful Israel is.

Accessible for everyone

While some parts of the country might be more wheelchair friendly than others, it is totally possible to visit Israel with a disability. Israel4All is a tour company that specializes in accessible trips and the owner, Eli Meiri, knows all of the best spots to go to whether you’re in a wheelchair, blind, or a slow walker. And getting around Israel is a breeze with Israel4All’s accessible van with a lift. If you prefer to visit Israel on your own instead of with a tour company, that is possible as well. There are accessible taxis available in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and you’ll even find accessible routes in the Old City.

The local people

The thing that I love more than anything when visiting a new place is interacting with the locals. I think that it’s the best way to learn about the culture and customs of the country. During my time in Israel, I’ve been warmly embraced by the locals. They have been more friendly to me than many other places I’ve been…and it hasn’t made a difference what their religion is. I’ve been given free gifts in a souvenir shop by a Muslim man and served hot tea in a shop by a Christian man. The people of Israel seem to welcome everyone with open arms.

It is a safe country

Before I visited the Holy Land, family and friends were extremely worried about me going to the Middle East. “Isn’t it dangerous there?”, they said. I was even a bit nervous before I went for the first time to be honest. However, after being in Israel for just a couple days all of my fears went away. I felt safe everywhere that I went, whether I was rolling through the alleyways in Jerusalem or strolling along the boardwalk in Tel Aviv. Here’s a fun fact that I recently learned: for every 100,000 residents in Jerusalem, 0.5 are murdered on average each year. That’s less than one! In New York City, 9 people are murdered per 100,000, so you are 18 times more likely to be hurt in NYC than in Jerusalem.

Each city is vastly different

If you’re wanting to hit the beach, go to Tel Aviv. If you’re a history buff, explore Jerusalem. If you want to see the desert, go to Masada. Each place in Israel offers something different and is unique in its own right. After being in Israel for just a week, I felt like I had been to 3 or 4 different countries, because of each city’s diversity.

Camels!!!!!

Do I need to say anything else?! There are CAMELS all over Israel! You can choose to ride one or just take a selfie with a camel like I did. Getting a photo like the one above might be the biggest reason why I love Israel.
As you can see, Israel is a wonderful and unbelievable place to visit. It really does have something for everyone. And I can assure you that if/when you visit, you’ll fall in love with the country just as much as I did.