Asia
Ancient stone cities, a salt-heavy sea and a beach-lined coast.
Israel is small but densely layered with history. Jerusalem's Old City holds sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam within a short walk of each other, while Tel Aviv offers Bauhaus buildings, long beaches and a busy café culture. Beyond the cities are the clifftop fortress of Masada, the Dead Sea, the Ramon Crater in the Negev and the Sea of Galilee in the north.
Food is a big part of any trip: hummus, falafel, shakshuka and markets such as Mahane Yehuda and Carmel. Trains and buses link the main cities, though most public transport stops for Shabbat from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. The regional security situation can change quickly, so check your government's current travel advice before planning. Spring and autumn are best; summer is very hot in the desert.
March, April, May, October, November.