The bustling city of Tel Aviv is a haven of cosmopolitan living in a region not known for progressive views. Located on the Mediterranean, the city is Israel's financial, commercial and cultural hub with fabulous beaches, vibrant nightlife scene and all-around welcoming vibe. Tel Aviv is also extremely popular with gay tourists, with plenty of rainbow-friendly bars and clubs.
Jaffa Old City – Tel Aviv's ancient quarter – traces its roots back to biblical times and features charming, narrow streets packed with markets and home-style restaurants. Highlights include the Pishpeshim flea market, Clock Tower and Jaffa Hill, with its stunning panoramic views. The nearby Neve Tzedek neighbourhood exudes old world charm and offers an eclectic mix of art galleries, restaurants and bars.
Jerusalem Old City is home to several key sites held sacred by the world's three main monotheistic religions. The Dome of the Rock is revered by Muslims as the place from which the prophet ascended into heaven, Christians believe the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is Christ's birthplace, while Jews pray at the sacred Western (“Wailing”) Wall and Temple Mount.
To experience Israel's contemporary face, head for the Red Sea resort town of Eilat. A well-known holiday destination, tourists flock here to soak up the sun and frolic in the surf. Scuba, snorkelling and even swimming with dolphins are also popular activities, while local nightclubs host dance parties that routinely run well into the wee hours.
At the western end of the Judean Desert, the ancient fortress of Masada stands in timeless repose atop an isolated promontory overlooking the Dead Sea. This is where, in the year 34 CE, some 1,000 Jews who were holed up within its walls chose suicide rather than surrender to Roman invaders. Today, a modern cable car takes visitors to the plateau where ruins of the fort as well as those of Roman siege batteries may be found.
Another archaeological gem, the Caesarea Maritim dates back some 2,000 years to the Roman and Crusader periods. Built by King Herod the Great as a tribute to its namesake, Augustus Caesar, the ruins include remnants of a sophisticated harbour complex, an amazingly preserved aqueduct and an ancient Roman amphitheatre – now restored and used to host concerts and other live performances.
You can't get much lower than a visit to the Dead Sea – literally.
At around 415 metres below sea level, it's the absolute lowest surface point on earth. The super-salty water affords unusually high buoyancy, allowing swimmers to effortlessly float as if lying on a bed. The sea's mineral-rich extreme brackishness is said to help alleviate skin conditions, but no marine life can survive in its saline depths.
Israel's Negev Desert is the site of the Ramon Crater, which at 40 kilometres long and two-to-10 kilometres wide, is the world's largest impact-formed basin. With a vaguely heart-shaped appearance formed over the centuries by natural erosion, this massive hole drops to 500 metres at its lowest point. Visitors can book a hotel room with a private pool overlooking the crater, or take an abseiling tour and drop down by rope line onto the rocky floor for a look at the surprisingly abundant native wildlife.
