The Guide to Israel

Walking through the streets of any Israeli city is a treat for the senses. You’ll notice the smells of foods and spices from around the world. You’ll hear the bustle of markets, as well as songs, prayers, and likely honking car horns. You’ll see incredible historic and archeological sites around every corner. But next time you’re walking through the streets, make sure you look up at the walls of the buildings around you. Israel is home to a thriving street art scene, and the graffiti you’ll find on the walls and storefronts in this country rivals work that hangs inside museums.

Visiting Palestine and Israel seem like two very different trips. However, after exploring both areas, you will see that they are not much different from one another. Open your eyes to two worlds full of culture, art, religion, food, and fun!

When tourism around the globe came to an abrupt halt with the onset of the Coronavirus, travel to Israel stopped. Israel’s holiest sites–which attract millions of tourists every year–were almost empty. The beaches along the coastline were sparse, and the various shuks were only kept in business by locals. After nearly a year and a half, travel to the country will soon resume! Israel’s mask mandate is only required indoors and vaccination rates are some of the highest in the world. Large events like the Pride Parade and concerts are happening throughout the country, and life is surely getting back to normal. I, personally, was able to come to Israel through an organized travel program, and did not have a hard time. I understand that traveling to Israel can be tricky when it comes to the pandemic, so I have all of the information you need!

While the dazzling lights of Tel Aviv and history of Jerusalem might be what first bring you to Israel, it won’t take you long to notice the stunning and unique natural wonders that this country has to offer. From the mountains of the north to the deserts of the south, Israel is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, and one world-class trekking route is unlike anything else on the planet.

Israel is certainly a puzzling place.  Firstly, relax and don’t worry! It’s also confusing for those of us who live here.  Many visitors to Israel come with a clear idea of who the people are that live on this sliver of land, but leave quite confused.  On the surface, it looks relatively simple. The population breaks down to around 75% Jewish, around 20% Arab and 5% other minorities.  However, the key to understanding who the Israeli people are is to understand the communities of Israel, and this is where things get a little tricky.
Let’s explore together the communities that comprise the Israeli people and understand in a little more depth who the modern Israelis are; 
(N.B. some communities overlap, and some people may self-identify as belonging to more than one of the following groups – this blog piece just serves to highlight some of the prominent groups.).

Israel’s landscape is magical and diverse, there are so many different places to explore. Israel’s coastline runs along the Mediterranean Sea. There are sandy beaches followed by farmland as you move Eastward. As you move North along the coast, jagged cliffs cut through the shores. Up and down the coast you can also find cities, tourist attractions, and a large agricultural industry. The country is also home to several mountain ranges. In the North is the Golan Heights and the Hills of Galilee. The West Bank toward the center is characterized by a mix of hills and valleys. In the South, the Negev is a dry, spacious desert area with few who actually live there. Come hiking in Israel to interact with the landscape and see the best the country has to offer! 

Jerusalem is a beautiful city with a rich, ancient history. When you enter, you feel as though you have gone back in time. It is a magical place, home to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Armenians, as well as thousands of tourists every year. When you go, make sure to visit the Western Wall or the Shuk Mahane Yehuda. Make your trip to Jerusalem easy and simple with Abraham Hostel’s transportation tips!

After a ten hour long El Al plane ride from Newark, New Jersey to Ben Gurion International Airport, my friends and I find ourselves in a foreign city–a foreign country. Not only do we not speak the local language of Hebrew, but we do not know where we are. What we do know is this: each of us will have an internship that requires travel within and around Tel Aviv. Each of us will want to go to make the most out of our trip to Israel–to see the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Red Sea in Eilat, the Dead Sea in the Negev. To see these unfamiliar places requires travel, and travel requires money. However, it does not have to be expensive. My friends and I hope to maintain a budget on our trip to Israel, and here is how