Limitless outdoor travel opportunities and stylish self-catered accommodation sees Israel climb up the bucket list for travel in 2021
Whilst travel is off the table for now, there are plenty of reasons to put Israel at the top of your travel list for when borders open up again, ticking all the boxes for the travel trends of 2021.
With the world changing on a daily basis, travel in 2021 is going to be different to what we are used to. Those yearning for an adventure abroad will be optimistic and spontaneous, hoping to make the holiday they’ve been dreaming of during lockdown a reality but of course, will need to factor in the all-important requirements for the post-covid traveller.
From endless outdoor adventure opportunities such as the beautiful coast of Tel Aviv, the rich history of Jerusalem and the wonder of The Dead Sea, to the stylish self-catered accommodation and sustainable travel opportunities, these are just some of the many reasons why Israel is ticking all the boxes when it comes to what travellers want from their holiday in 2021.
Outdoor Attractions
The pandemic has changed the way people would like to travel, with many travellers’ keen to explore nature, the great outdoors and take advantage of the open space. With sunny weather almost all year around, Israel is the perfect destination to enjoy the great outdoors. The Negev Desert, just a 90-minute drive south of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is an adventurer’s playground with countless natural wonders, outdoor activities, history and culture to explore, while Eilat, Israel’s window onto the Red Sea, is a tourism hub and a great base for outdoor excursions.
No trip to Israel is complete without a visit to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. The Dead Sea is a hyper-saline lake that is 9.6 times saltier than any ocean; naturally, this makes bodies more buoyant and floating comes at ease. Visitors to the Dead Sea usually begin their floating experience by lathering themselves in the rich, black mud found on the seabed, which is high in minerals including magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium and is known to be great for your skin. After covering yourself with mud, it’s time to wade in and float your stress away. Having been around for over 3 million years, The Dead Sea is also rich with history – legend has it that Cleopatra discovered its black mud and was a promoter of its benefits.
The two remarkable and beautifully different cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, merely an hour apart, are must visit locations in Israel, with each offering a host of outdoor activities.
Jerusalem is overflowing with outdoor excursion opportunities including visits to historical sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the site of Jesus’ crucifixion) and the Tower of David. On the other hand, Tel Aviv, dubbed ‘the City that never sleeps’, is a cosmopolitan hub at the heart of Israel’s cultural and culinary scene, perfect for those who want to explore the golden sandy beaches and exciting promenade. There are also a plethora of outdoor eateries to choose from in Tel Aviv, from market stalls to vegan bistros such as Sultana, an exciting vegan BBQ bonanza in Tel Aviv.
It would be impossible to experience Israel without venturing to one of its many open markets (or shuks, as they are called). The main market in Jerusalem, the Machane Yehuda Market, is a maze of hundreds of stalls selling everything and anything. Meanwhile in Tel Aviv, venture to Carmel Market, a vibrant outdoor marketplace where traders sell everything from clothing to spices, and fruit to electronics.
Any trip to Israel is incomplete without a trip to each city, both of which have countless fantastic outdoor travel attractions to offer, whether that involves soaking up the sun in Tel Aviv or the history in Jerusalem.
Outdoor Adventure
With outdoor exercise being one of the only constants during the pandemic, many travellers will be keen to explore destinations that cater to their new love for outdoor adventure. Hiking in Israel is one of the most popular activities. The country has one of the best networks of trails in the world, with more than 9000 km (5500 miles) of well-marked trails for hiking, biking or even horse and camel rides that cover most of the country. The Jewish National Fund has a number of cycling routes that stretch over 1,300 km, suitable for all levels and ages.
Head to The Red Canyon in the Eilat Mountains, which is one of country’s most beautiful yet accessible hikes. Just a twenty-minute drive from Eilat, it offers a real desert experience which is also perfect for beginners. The Ein-Gedi Reserve, located in the Judean Desert next to the Dead Sea, is a hiker’s paradise and one of the most visited reserves in Israel. The park offers a variety of trails that can be ‘mixed and matched’ to accommodate all kinds of hikers and visitors, and is great for family strolls too. Or, for a truly unforgettable experience, hike to the summit of Masada and watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea.
Stylish Self-Catered Accommodation
For those keen to maintain social distancing wherever possible, tourists can book to stay in a Zimmer during their trip. Zimmers are unique to Israel and are self-stay chalet style accommodation located in beautiful rural areas of the country. Zimmers are usually self-contained accommodation units, and whilst the exact offering varies from place to place, are often self-catering, quiet, romantic, and luxurious. Zimmers can be found across Israel, however there are large numbers of Zimmers in north and some in Negev regions (the more rural corners of the country) and is the perfect accommodation for the post-covid traveller.
Alternatively, travellers can make the great outdoors their accommodation of choice. If you choose to camp and sleep under the stars, two very popular destinations are the Negev Desert in the south of Israel and the Sea of Galilee in the north, which are full of camping grounds equipped with toilets, showers and BBQ stands, and make for a very affordable and socially distanced accommodation option.
Sustainable Travel
The desire to travel more responsibly and celebrate the environment has been gradually gathering pace for years, but lockdown has acted as a catalyst to push that change further, with travel operators reporting that sustainability is becoming a bigger factor in consumers’ decision making.
Israel protects natural environments, wildlife and natural resources when developing and managing tourism activities, such as bird watching at the Hula Valley and planting trees for the Jewish festival of Tu Bishvat, leading in afforestation instead of deforestation.
Israel as a country has roots in sustainable living, with the kibbutz, a phenomenon found only in Israel which is central to the fabric of society. The word “Kibbutz” means group/collective in Hebrew, which is the basic ideology of these communities. Joining one is voluntary and they run on a democratic system, where people work together collectively and pool their resources, sharing them equally with everyone living on the kibbutz.
Kibbutzim are responsible for 30% of Israel’s agricultural output and many of them now offer tourism options, be it a small guest house to a full-service hotel. Just as there has been a recent revival for people wanting to live in a kibbutz, there is also the revival of people wanting to visit and have a taste of kibbutz life and sustainable living.
When the borders are back open, tourists can visit Kibbutz Lotan to gain valuable skills in water management and eco-building. Visitors can take part in ‘The Green Apprenticeship’, a practical training course designed to build up skills in sustainable development, ecological design and community living.
