Destination: Israel

<p>Overview: The middle of the world surrounded by the Med, the Dead and the Red, Israel is the crossroads of modern civilization. It’s the birthplace of the world’s top three religions as well as the vortex of Mediterranean food, history and culture.</p> <p>Inspiration: I was particularly curious about the Bauhaus architecture movement in Tel Aviv and the histories of the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank.</p> <p>Highlights:</p> <ul> <li>Bauhaus architecture in Tel Aviv</li> <li>Foodie scene in Tel Aviv (particularly desserts and traditional Middle Eastern cuisine)</li> <li>Tel Aviv Museum of Art</li> <li>Explore the Old City of Jerusalem</li> <li>Dead Sea and Masada National Park</li> <li>Relaxing on the beaches of Eilat</li> </ul> <p>Food &amp; Wine: Tel Aviv is the healthy Mediterranean food capital of the world. You will be hard-pressed to find a city that offers so much, with homegrown ingredients.</p> <p>Ideal for: Lovers of food, history, religion, politics art and architecture.</p> <p>Getting There &amp; Away: Direct flights daily from several major U.S. cities to Tel Aviv. From there it’s about 1-1.5 hours to Jerusalem by car.</p> <p>Recommended Length of Stay: A minimum of 7 days.</p> <p>Best Time of Year to Visit: Spring and fall are the best times for touring Israel. The summer months are quite hot and good for beach vacations.</p> <p>Good To Know: The political and cultural differences between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are vast. Tel Aviv is a modern and moderate city, whereas Jerusalem is more culturally and politically conservative.</p> <p>Budgeting Tips: Avoid high holidays and look for group travel or homestay deals.</p> <p>Packing Considerations: Jerusalem is hilly. Good walking shoes are a must for the city.</p> <p>JILL'S TRAVEL TIP OF THE DAY: Try airfare brokers such as Airtreks.com and Momondo.com for the best deals on flights. Airtreks specializes in around-the-world fares and can help make the most of the region you’re visiting.</p> <p>Copyright 2020. Jill Paider Photography, Inc.</p>