Israel, or the Holy Land is often misconstrued as being “dangerous” but tourists continue to flock the country and prove that it’s the total opposite. Usually skipped out on most people’s bucket list, there are so many reasons why Israel should be on top of your list! Read more to find out why I think you should go there NOW.
1. There is so much to see and experience here
From visiting the churches, to taking a pilgrim walk to the Stations of the Cross, visiting the Western Wall, swimming in the Dead Sea, and food tripping in Jerusalem. These are only a few of the many many many things that you can do in Israel!
2. The Dead Sea may soon be gone
The lowest point on Earth! We visited the Dead Sea on our first day around Israel and it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Butttt research shows that it’s been receding over the years and may soon be gone for good! Which is definitely a good reason to visit!
3. It’s safe
As I said early, Israel is often misconstrued about being “dangerous” and “war-stricken” but it’s generally safe for visitors. Of course, anywhere you are in the world there are certain risks; it’s all about being street smart.
Yes, there are still tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians which has been a long on-going struggle since the mid-20th century. And although the two countries haven’t come to a final peace agreement, it’s definitely a lot safer for tourists now compared to before.
4. The churches are beautiful
We visited a couple of churches when we went to see the Stations of the Cross and they were beautiful! Intricate wall and ceiling details and beautiful structures! I’ll be writing a separate and more detailed post about the places we visited but this is a photo (sorry, it’s blurry) inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the entrance to the Tomb of Jesus. We waited around 30 minutes to go inside and spent probably less than a minute inside. But for me, it was definitely worth the wait.
117 Comments
To be honest, the idea of going to places where water is scarce kind of scares me. Hehe. I heard Dead Sea salt is good for the skin.
It is! Rubbed the mud all over me while I was there 😛 Hehehe.
I’ve always wanted to go here! Always such a mystery to me. Your photos are amazing! Looks like you had so much fun. Will surely go here someday! Great post! ?
Awesome!! Thank youuu 😀
Wow! Your photos look stunning! Now I want to visit Israel ASAP!
Thank you! 🙂
First place I’d visit would definitely be the dead sea, israel looks beautiful
Yay awesome! Hope you get to visit soon 😀
I would love to visit Israel one day. I would definitely want to see the Dead Sea.
It is a must see! 😀 😀 😀
The Dead Sea is the very reason why Israel is in my bucket list!!! Hopefully I can really achieve it one day!
Wowwww, hope so too! 😀
I couldn’t agree more with you. My mom did a Holy Land Tour around 7 years ago and it was really amazing. I heard they also have the most delicious dates. If only my parents would allow me to travel alone, I would have gone there 🙁
Yes!!! Their dates are the best! I’m craving for some right now hehe 😀 😀 Aww hope you get to visit there soooooon!
Oh I wish I can magically travel to Israel NOW! If only travelling is that easy, I would’ve visited so many wonderful places already, lol. BUT – first things first – I need a passport! lol. If there’s anything I wish to visit in Israel, it’s definitely the dead sea! #1!
Haha! Get a passport nowwww! 😛 😛
Awwww. I didn’t know that the Dead Sea will soon be gone. I hope I will be able to visit Israel soon before it happens!
I hope so too!! 😀
Israel is like a sacred place for me especially the Jerusalem. I would really like to visit it someday and know more about the history of its place.
It’s an amazing place! So much history 😀 😀 we learnt so much from our guide.
Whoah! dead Sea! I always wanted to go there, I am just curious on how it looks and how it feels to float there
It’s weirdly relaxing just floating on the water, hehehe 😛
I hope I’ll be able to go there before the Dead Sea bids goodbye. But aside from that,I have always wanted to see Israel for ancient reasons. Hopefully soon 🙂
Hope so too!! 😀
Visiting Israel for a pilgrimage is on my bucket list. It’s one of my childhood dreams. I really wish I could go there soon. As you said, before the Dead Sea dries up completely.
Awesome! Hope you get to visit soon 😀
Oh, Israel. One of the places I want to visit. You make me want it more haha I just hope it is not as hot as it ought to be when I visit. By the way, the lady soldier you had a picture with looks really pretty.
When we went in April, the temperature was just right! Bit chilly in the evening but warm during the day 🙂
Israel is another place where to take picture and collect more memories,. I also want to go there when the time comes. Thank you for some parts of Israel
Thank you! 😀
Brilliant post about a ‘forgotten’ country. I have heard so often how beautiful Israel is , but as we as well get to hear and see about the problems in the Gaza zone , I think people are too scared to visit Israel. Nevertheless , your pics are amazing ! Thanks for sharing this great insight !
Thank you so much! 😀
One of the places I love to visit in my life is Israel. Not because of its peaceful ambiance but I am curious about the life of Jesus. Well, I certainly agree on the reasons you have here too. 😀
I hope you get to visit here soon! 😀
The holy land. It has been my dream to visit this being raised and born in the Philippines, I always look up to this place as one of the must visit before I die.
These pictures are very compelling and convincing.
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Thank you!! 😀
Nice to know that it is safe to visit Israel. Love the churches as well and I bet the people there are accommodating and amiable. Surely you had a great stay and time touring the place.
We sure did! It was amazing! 🙂
I do want to visit Israel because of their magnificent churches and of course, the Dead Sea! 🙂 hopefully we get to check it off our bucket list too, not so sure about that camel ride though. 😛
Haha. The camel ride does look pretty scary right? But give it a go! 😛 😛
Dead Sea — yes!! Though haha I thought talaga scary pa siya, it’s good to know that it’s safer to visit Israel now. The church windows you took a photo of is gorgeous too!
Thank you so much! 😀
I love the ambient of the place in your photos andI have a thing about lil brownish-vintagee look! I love it !!!
Thank you so much! 😀
Loved this! So brave of you to commend and promote Israel! Amazing poses! Especially the one with the camel looking back, so hilarious! Had fun reading as if I were part of the trip!
Thank you!!! 😀
What an incredible experience. It looks like you had an amazing time! So lively and adventurous!
I did have a good time! Thank you 😀
I’ve always wanted to visit the Dead Sea!! 🙂 Your post just made me plan my visit as soon as possible!! 🙂 Beautiful Photographs 🙂
Thank you! 😀
Thank you for showing us the beauty of Israel, personally I really wanted to visit there someday but there’s part of me which is a bit afraid of that place, as you know what’s happening in there, but you’re post shows assurance that it’s one of the best
Thank you so much! 😀
The first thought the pops up upon hearing Israel is Jesus’ birthplace, the holy land. Having been able to go there is already a sign that you are really blessed. I would want to go there someday to be blessed as well. Keep travelling. 😀
Thank you! 😀 😀 😀
Ohh! How awesome is this. I can think of another 4 reasons why I would LOVE to go! Thanks for sharing.
Yay! Hope you get to visit soon! 😀
Reading your post on Israel filled the picture in my head of what was on the other side of River Jordan where soldiers stood at the barrier. I remember the ridiculous stone throw distance between both countries. Dead Sea mud bath was fun. Visiting Israel sounds really adventurous.
Wow that’s scary. Glad it’s not that intense nowadays 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. Israel is also in my bucket list. Any recommendation on the flight to and fro from Manila?
Aww actually we were in Europe at the time so we flew from Rome! 😀
As a Christian, who doesn’t want to visit and see the holy land. I believe that Israel is still a safe place to visit. I can’t wait to experience the holiness of this place. Ohhh please red sea wait for me 🙂
It’s really an amazing experience! Hope you get to visit one day 🙂
Israel is on our bucket list. We thought about extending our time in Jordan so that we could spend a few days in Israel but we just couldn’t make it work. We also went to the Dead Sea. One of our favorite experiences for sure.
Aww that’s a bummer! Hope you get to come back and visit!
Having studied in Catholic schools for most of my life, I’m so fascinated with religious history as well as the history of civilization. Israel is definitely one of those places I want to visit because of its history. And swimming in the dead sea too is on my bucket list!
You’ll definitely appreciate it more if you’ve studied about it! Hehe. It’s beautiful! 😀
I think Israel is a must visit for all the reasons you have mentioned and much more. For me the churches and the Dead Sea are enough to draw me there. What a pity that the dead sea is receding and may not be there in the future.
Yay that’s awesome!
The dead sea might be gone? Holy f*cks then I really have to be there the soonest! Seeing the Dead Sea is one my lifelong dreams! Well, Israel is on my bucket list but really my main point of concern is the dead sea, been wanting to see it ever since I saw it on an encyclopaedia when I was a kid.
Me too!!! It’s really amazing, esp just floating there effortlessly 😛
I would love to visit Israel one day. I had no idea the dead sea might soon be gone – just means I need to visit sooner.
Yesss. Visit sooooon 😀
Actually Israel is also listed on my list for some travels!! OMG! I need to visit Dead Sea as soon as possible.
That’s great! Visit soooon 🙂
I almost went to Israel while backpacking Jordan, but then I changed my mind and I deeply regret it. I loved the Dead sea!
Aww. Go back soon! 😛
It looks stunning! I’ve always wanted to go to Tel Aviv but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Great post 🙂 !
Unfortunately we didn’t get to explore Tel Aviv, but will definitely have to go back 😀
I visited Israel in 2012 and also went to Masada (amazing) and the Dead Sea. Didn’t slather on any mud though:) As one who has studied the Bible, it was really interesting to see the sights and imagine what they would have looked like then.
Awesome!!! I loved Masada 😀
Great photos! It’s almost like you got the camel to pose perfectly for you! I think it will be quite a while before I can get to Israel though.
I didn’t know the dead Sea was receding! What a shame!!
Shame indeed! 🙁
I’d always loved to go here and trace Jesus steps in the Bible. It’s too historic and magical. 🙂
It was so magical! 😀
Israel is truly beautiful! I think the general rule is that we need to be aware of our surroundings EVERYWHERE in the world — even the most safest places. We need to use our common sense and our street smarts, as well as our intuition when we know something isn’t right. Thanks for posting!
I definitely agree! 😀 😀
for someone like me who really adore visiting different churches, visitin Israel would be a dream come true… as you know, the place has been mentioned in the bible multiple times and the churches here are really worth visiting.. I just hope I will be given a chance to visit this place
I hope so too! 😀
I dont know much about Israel and for now I’m more of a beaches and pina coladas gal hahahah…I plan to do ‘desert’ someday soon so I’ll remember your tips! 😉
Maybe one day? Haha. Thank you 😀
Ooh really interesting post! I met someone who just came from Israel to do their Masters and he said there was a lot of nice stuff there as well. I didn’t know the Dead Sea may soon be gone. That’s so sad! Definitely a reason for me to go!!
Definitely visit! 😀 😀
I’ve always, always been fascinated with Israel. I wanted to see all of those significant places that have been big in terms of history and religion. I’m not entirely something like a religious person, however I’m tremendously fascinated with history and antiquities. I hope that someday I could take a personal look into Jerusalem. 🙂
That’s awesome! Jerusalem is beautiful 😀 😀
Hi, that is so nice, to go to Israel. I still have friends, Israelis, whom I have kept in touch all these years through Facebook. They were once my students in scuba diving when they visited the Philippines, specifically Boracay.
I hear about the problems there, but just like you said, it is kept in check, the tension. Although one could say that there are probably hundreds of nuclear warheads targeting the small state, I am pretty sure war is not erupting at any moment soon. LOL!
Hehe. Great that you still keep in touch! Maybe if you go there one day they can tour you! 😛
Thank you for these tips! I would love to visit Israel and I am glad to know you didn’t think it was dangerous. Floating on the Dead Sea looks like fun. And I love the photo of you with the camel!
Thank you!! 😀
Loved to read this. I wouldn’t think of Israel that quickly when picking a holiday destination. But this sounds really great. Love the pictures. And now I really hope to visit one day.
Thank you so much! I hope so too 😀
I’ve never been to Israel before. Those were all valid reasons for me to give a try! Also the pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Maybe I’ll add Israel to my never-ending destination list 🙂
Yay that’s awesome 😀 😀
This post is so informative & helpful! but wait, dead sea may soon be gone?! OMG! Visiting the dead sea is in my bucket list! Hope I would visit the place soon T.T btw love all your shots!
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Thank you so much!!! 😀
I totally agree with you but there are so many reasons to visit Israel!
If you’re still there then you should definitely go to see Florentin neighborhood!
It’s a neighborhood of young people, nightlife and graffiti art.
A personal tip: go to the Hudna pub in Abarbanel street, you will love it!
Never heard of those places before! I’ll have to back and visit! 😀
I didn’t knew you could have so much fun in Israel. I just loved the view of Jerusalem. The view is so marvellous. And in one of the pictures above, you look like a happy mermaid floating in water.
Hehe. I felt like a mermaid! 😛 😛 Thank you!!!
Lovely photo! It looks like you totally enjoyed your exploration on Israel.
Thank you so much! 😀
Israel is indeed an interesting place but what I like most here is the Dead Sea! Hope I can visit the place too!
Yessss, hope you can visit one day too! 😀 😀
I had such a great time during my road trip to Israel and agree with all the 4 points you stated here.
Thanks! 🙂
Visiting Israel is in my bucketlist. I want to get water baptized in Jordan river, and I would like to follow the steps of Jesus from the time of his arrest to his crucifixion.
I would like to see the place where Jesus ascend to heaven, and the place where the battle of Armageddon will take place
We also saw the Jordan River! I’ll be writing about it sooon 😀