Israel is located in the Middle East and borders Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. In contrast to the neighboring countries, Israel is considered a very safe travel destination. A diverse cuisine, exciting culture, varied landscapes and friendly people usually surprise first-time travelers in a very positive way. Israel is a very exciting and worthwhile travel destination. See andyeducation for education in Israel.

Fast facts to know

• A passport valid for six months after the trip is required for entry.
• Security checks at the airport are very extensive, plan enough time.
• Israel is considered a safe travel destination, but you should avoid proximity to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
• Israel is the largest importer of cut flowers to Europe.
• The Dead Sea is 420 meters below sea level and due to the high salt content it swims itself.
• Jerusalem’s status as the capital is internationally disputed.
• The city of Be’er Sheva is considered a chess stronghold. Measured against the number of inhabitants, most chess grandmasters in the world live here.
• Albert Einstein is one of the co-founders of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
• Israel is an immigrant society.
• In Israel there are more than 150 nature reserves and 65 national parks.
• In an international comparison, Israel’s start-up scene is far ahead, only in Silicon Valley there are more start-ups in relation to the number of inhabitants.
• The most important biblical places of the Christian faith can be found in Israel.

Exciting cities in Israel

• Jerusalem
• Bethlehem
• Haifa
• Tel Aviv
• Nazareth
• Eilat
• acco

history of Israel

• As early as 18,000 B.C. there were permanent settlers in what is now Israel.
• 11-12 Century first archaeologically proven traces of an early or proto-Israelite settlement in the region of Palestine.
• 1,000 BC According to biblical tradition, Jerusalem is conquered by the Jebusites and chosen as their capital.
• 165 BC The rebellion of the Maccabees brings Israel another 100 years of national independence.
• 63 BC the period of Roman supremacy begins.
• From 636 under Arab rule. Since that time, Palestine has been predominantly inhabited by Arabs.
• 1099 to 1291 Crusaders rule what they call the “Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem”.
• Mamluk rule from 1291 to 1517.
• 1517 to 1918 Ottoman rule.
• From 1800 beginning of the Zionist movement.
• 1882 First mass immigration (Alija) of Jews to Palestine.
• 1901 Establishment of the Jewish National Fund to promote Jewish settlements in Palestine for the first time.
• 1905 failed Russian Revolution triggers second Aliyah.
• World War I – important chapter in the founding of Israel: Britain is the first European state to recognize the Zionist goal of a Jewish state in Palestine.
• In 1933, when the NSDAP came to power, the nationwide persecution of Jews began in Germany.
• Incredibly cruel and extensive genocide of the Jews during World War II.
• 1947 Israeli-Arab Civil War (Palestine War).
• 1948 Foundation of the State of Israel with the following War of Independence.
• In 1950 Israel declared Jerusalem its capital (Jerusalem is still not recognized as the capital of Israel by the United Nations and the majority of member states).
• 1956 Suez Crisis.
• 1967 Six Day War.
• 1973 Yom Kippur War.
• 1977 Beginning of the peace process.
• 1982 Lebanon War.
• 1987 First Intifada.
• 2000 Second Intifada.
• Israel is still at the center of the Middle East conflict.

Climate & travel weather in Israel

• Transition from the Mediterranean climate to the desert climate.
• North: Mediterranean (hot, dry summers, mild, wet winters).
• More rain inland.
• The further south, the less precipitation.
• South: extremely high temperatures in summer, high humidity on the coast.
• Winter uncomfortably cool, with heavy rain on the coast and frost in the highlands.
• Recommended travel time:
  • March, April, May, September, October.
  • Beach holiday: June-August.

Ideas for trips in Israel

• Masada Fortress, Judean Desert
• Jerusalem:
  • Yad Vashem Memorial
  • Western Wall
  • Temple Mount
  • Church of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Bahai Gardens
• Cruise on the Sea of ​​Galilee
• Swimming in the Dead Sea
• Underwater Observatory Marine Park

Food & Drink in Israel

• Cuisine is an eclectic mix of immigrant cuisines from more than 80 countries.
• There is no independent Israeli cuisine.
• Holiday dishes are sumptuous and very delicious.
• Breakfast is usually lavish. Fresh fruit, eggs, many types of cheese, olives, vegetable salads, humus, yoghurt, but also fish and rolls with jam are part of it.
• For larger meals, mezze (varied and varied starters and appetizers) and bread are served.
• Israelis select the dishes one after the other in order to be able to properly enjoy the individual taste of each delicacy.
• Important types of bread contain only wheat, barley, millet and rye.
• Typical breads: Mallawah (crispy fried, delicious calorie bombs), Lahuh (light pancakes) and Jahnoon (strudel-like batter with a high fat content).
• Israeli dinners are usually light.
• Fish is very popular, fish dishes are an integral part of every feast.
• Fish is often grilled on charcoal and seasoned with garlic, lemon juice and paprika.
• Israel’s fruits and vegetables are legendary, very popular: kiwis, mangoes, persimmons, loquats, passion fruit, cheromoya, papayas, dates, figs, pomegranates, strawberries.
• Milk is an important part of many dishes.
• No pork – not offered anywhere for religious reasons.
• Typical spices: cumin, coriander, mint, garlic, onion, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, chillies.
• There are delicious desserts.
• Turkish mocha or tea flavored with fresh mint complete the meal.
• Freshly squeezed citrus or carrot juice is also often used as a drink.
• There are excellent local wines.
• Typical dishes:
  • Felafel (hummus balls fried in floating fat, with salad in a bread bag).
  • Gefilte Fisch (Fish farce with many ingredients that is stuffed into a fish skin or formed into a fish shape)
  • Kebab (seasoned ground beef or mutton in the form of balls).
  • Mazzenknejdl (dumplings made of bread, milk and salt, breaded or unbreaded).
  • Mashi (stuffed eggplant).
  • Shakshuka (dish made from eggs with fresh tomatoes and spices).
  • Sharwarma (Roasted Mutton or Chicken, Salad, Pittah Bread).
  • Shulent (Eastern European bean stew with potatoes, fatty meat).
  • Knisches (dumplings filled with onions, potatoes, seasoned meat).
  • Humus (creamy mashed chickpeas, seasoned with lemon juice, garlic, cumin, tahini).
  • Konafa (pastries with honey syrup, almonds, nuts, pistachios).
  • Krupnik (soup stew made from pearl barley, beans, vegetables, meat).
  • Shishlik (roasted lamb or beef on a skewer).
  • Seniya (lamb or beef in tahini sauce).
  • Tabbouleh (salad made from crushed wheat, with parsley, mint and lemon juice).
  • Blintzes (sweet pancakes filled with cottage cheese).
  • Hamentashen (triangular cookies filled with jam, syrup or icing).

Particularly scenic

• Caves and chalk cliffs of Rosh Hanikra
• Red Canyon in Timna Park
• Negev desert
• Sorek Cave
• Bell Caves in Maresha National Park
• Banias Waterfall, Hermon River
• The Red Sea, Eilat
• Arava Depression
• Avshalom Cave
• Golan Heights