My December trip to Israel proved one thing: the Holy Land is no longer just a place to pray, but also a place to play! It was my first visit, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the wealth of history in Jerusalem and the trendy, hip, fun vibe of Tel Aviv, what captivated me most was the adventures in the Negev Desert and Eilat, the farthest point south in Israel, just a few minutes from the Egypt border.
From swimming with wild dolphins in the Red Sea and rappelling Makhtesh Ramon Crater to desert archery and camel trekking with Bedouins, not to mention some of the most incredible hiking and of course, the magic of the Dead Sea, I found myself in awe of a new form of religion in Israel — adventure!
Here’s a gallery of photos from the trip.
And be sure to check out my story on JohnnyJet.com by clicking here.
For a list of the five best restaurants in Tel Aviv, click here.
-
- Biking Tel Aviv Promenade
-
- Tel Aviv Promenade
-
- Ein Gedi Hike
-
- Hyrax
-
- Ibex
-
- Ein Gedi Oasis Hike
-
- David’s Waterfall at Ein Gedi
-
- Sunset over Ein Gedi
-
- Desert night
-
- Action shot
-
- Sunrise Hike to Masada
-
- Hiking Masada
-
- Sunrise over the Dead Sea
-
- Sunrise at Masada
-
- Commander’s Palace at Masada
-
- Contemplation at Masada
-
- About to float in the Dead Sea
-
- Ran into Tour de France Winner Alberto Contador at the Dead Sea (pre-being stripped of his 2010 title for doping)
-
- Dead Sea Float
-
- Dead Sea Float
-
- Timna Valley
-
- Solomon’s Pillars at Timna
-
- Timna Valley
-
- Dolphin Reef at Eilat
-
- Dolphin Reef at Eilat
-
- Eilat harbor by night
-
- Dolphin Reef at Eilat
-
- Parasailing in Eilat
-
- Desert Ostrich
-
- Biking in Sde Boker
-
- Biking in Sde Boker
-
- Rappelling Makhtesh Ramon
-
- Ibex in Sde Boker
-
- More ibex – love them
-
- Bedouin Tea Time
-
- Desert Archery
-
- Kosher Wine, not my favorite
-
- Bedouin hospitality
-
- Bedouin hospitality
-
- Camel trekking
-
- Camel trekking – Noam Farm
-
- Camel X-ing
-
- Jerusalem
-
- Israeli military on a break
-
- Fresh Pomegranate Juice, Arab Market, Jerusalem
-
- Western “Wailing” Wall, Jerusalem
-
- Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem
-
- Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
-
- Mamilla Center, Jerusalem
-
- Jerusalem Night Out
-
- Falaffel!
-
- Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
-
- Holy Bagel!
-
- Arab section of Jerusalem
-
- In Hezekiah’s Tunnels, Jerusalem
-
- Segways in the New City, Jerusalem
Tags: adventure travel, Bikiing, Dead Sea, Eilat, Ein Gedi, featured, Hiking, Israel, Jerusalem, Negev Desert, Parasailing, swimming, Tel Aviv
Posted in Travel |
Lovely pics. And FYI, I must throw in a brief defense of the kosher wine. There is a TON of great kosher wine here in Israel. Looks like the bottle you had was from a tiny, not very well known, and perhaps newish winery. I know many, and don’t recognize that brand!
Looking forward to seeing you back here soon! And also perhaps on my trip to LA next month!
Great pics especially bedoin tea time. Wish I were back there. quick correction: U’ll have to correct the caption “Ran into FORMER Tour de France Winner Alberto Contador at the Dead Sea” -> victory stripped 2/2 doping.
What?! No! What a shame. Thanks for the head’s up! I’ll add an update!!