Israel

MLMT invites you to feel the quiet thunder of Israel. It is not just a country. It is a treat for the senses.

In the haze of dust, lie markets tumbling with spices. Aromas collide creating the impression that could only be Israel. Groves and canyons go deeper than oceans. The sheer majesty of these humongous structures can shake you to your bone. Chicken sizzles with the punch of anger in some forgotten corner. Every bite sits right with your soul. The deep rumble of a darbuk reverberates in every wall. Eyes shut. Prayers converged towards the one true good. The call of the muezzin. The ancient walls and pathways that run to nowhere. This is Israel. It is a tradition at its finest.

Israel is meat cooked to absolute perfection. Israel is mirrored reflecting the past. Israel is the scent of dust muddled with the subtle saffron. Israel is tension. Israel is breath held. But Israel is also breath taken in awe of the beauty. Israel stays right where it is. In a quiet haze. Still. Aloof. Powerful. Beautiful.

MLMT invites you to feel the quiet thunder of this place. It is not just a country. It is a treat for the senses.

 

When to visit?

For all the hikers out there, February is the best time to visit. That is if you do not mind a bit of moisture. One of the most popular times to go here is the Jewish festival of Purim, which is a big weeklong event in March. May also makes for an excellent time to go. Beautiful skies and no crowds. June to August invite hordes of traffic towards Israel. Try not to go during October and Yom Kippur because you will not find anything open. If, you go during December and early January you might get to see the typical celebrations with midnight mass and Bethlehem.

 

Average Cost per person

Israel is ever growing and has been continuously developing for the last few years especially regarding travel. This has caused the prices to go quite high. It is still not the most expensive place on earth but is a lot more exquisite than before. Hostels and other accommodation are quite reasonable though. But to get a place more luxurious, it goes high. Transportation is relatively decent as well. The food here is something else altogether. Maybe that is why it is that expensive. Alcohol here is ridiculously exuberant.

 

Visa Requirements

Anyone who wants to go to Israel for a short stay gets a visa known as the B/2 Visa. This one is only valid for about 90 days from the day of issue. If one wants to stay here longer than the given time they can get the dates and times extended as per their visit. You must provide the proof of financial security. You also have to give the details of your round flight tickets. Israel requires you to have overseas medical insurance of a specified amount.  As always one needs to get checked up to prove that they are physically and mentally fit.

 

Where to stay?

Tel Aviv:

 

Tel Aviv screams of new. There is always something blooming in every corner here. In spring Tel Aviv means, “Hill of Spring” and it very rightly lives up to its name. The glistening beach reflections are generally celebration laden. Watching the sun come up here takes you a little bit closer to experiencing God. Parties are in abundance in Tel Aviv. Go sip wine at a swanky, sophisticated bar or go to a chill beach sing-along.

Tel Aviv is an eye raised in challenge. The creative side of the city is unparalleled. It is a creamy bowl of chocolate. The theatre scene here will have you marveling. The town comprises of areas that consist of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A lot of these buildings are crumbling, but there is a lot of effort being done to restore it.

Best Places to stay in Tel Aviv

• Mendeli Street Hotel
• Hotel Montefiore
• Shenkin Hotel
• Milk and Honey Hostel
• Setai

 

Haifa:

Haifa is the entire world culminated in one place. It is full of smartly planned German colonies, Arab-Christian quarters and other edgy ports. The sights this city gives you is never enough in one visit. Tropical gardens are here by the eyefuls. The atmosphere here changes from one step to the other.

The city was planned to be Levant’s main port for transport. But this idea was demolished in 1948 because of the incidents that progressed. The city’s Arab population were expelled. Now the city is built on the coexistence between the Arab and Jewish community.

Best Places to stay in Haifa

• Port Inn
• Bat Galim Boutique Hotel
• Hotel Theodor
• Beth-Shalom
• Crowne Plaza Haifa

 

Eilat:

Israeli families come here to blow off some steam and Europeans run away from their numbing winters to go here. The serene Red Sea is home to millions of corals and water sports. Grab your gear and experience the most immersive scuba session ever. Eilat is the city of desert hiking and shopping without a VAT.

Children laugh with glee as they come here. This is their biggest adventure. Even though they are always grinning, the place does not guarantee peace at all times. Eilat tends to get overcrowded, loud and brash. Recognition has diminished the value of the tranquillity. But still, people keep going back for more.

Best Places to stay in Eilat

• Soleil Boutique Hotel
• Orchid Reef Hotel
• Motel Aviv
• Sunset Inn
• Sea Princess Motel

 

Tsfat:

This city lies on the top of the mountains. The ethereal beauty will grab you and set up home in your heart. The center of mysticism and a home for hippies and artists alike. Tsfat is otherworldly. Tsfat is beauty redefined. It is the place that leads you down the path to spirituality and learning.

The city is a maze of cobbled streets all running in between each other. It is the kind of place you can get lost in. Ancient synagogues, stone houses, young boys speaking Yiddish. Black kaftans and turquoise doors. Tsfat is the perfect mixture of the Jerusalem stone and bohemian air.

Best Places to stay in Tsfat

• Old City Holiday
• Apalmach35
• Mol Hahr
• Rosenthalis Hotel
• Heart Mansion Rashbi compound

 

Akko:

A small piece of land jutting out into the Mediterranean, Akko is a gentle sea breeze blowing your hair onto your face. Minarets as tall as anything, churches painted intricately perched high on the ramparts. The moats and the streets, the same ones that were there eons ago. Akko is ancient serenity.

Akko got awarded with the status of UNESCO world heritage site in 2001. Akko is not the smoothest city. But it is as rustic as one can get. The scent of coffee and frying fish mingled in spices wafts and takes you toward the hidden alleys. A day in Akko will be utter bliss. There are tonnes of sights and some great dining. Step back from the commotion and stay here for a moment.

Best Places to stay in Akko

• Sea Haven
• Akko1090 Old City Suite
• Akotika Boutique
• Zipi Orhan
• Akko Beach Hotel

 

 

Top Experiences

Midburn Festival

Once in the year, for five days in the Negev desert, Israel eradicated all the social norms and constructs of life. This is the time where only creativity and self-expression are fed. People from all over come here and splash their creative juices all over the place. It really is quite a sight.

Jerusalem under the ground

The sweltering heat of the old city of Jerusalem will not let you enjoy the views to the fullest. But away from all the mush and rush, like a series of tunnels, remnants of the 2,000 years old city. Weave through the Western Wall and Zedekiah’s cave and be mesmerized by the hidden treasures. Feel a part of the movies as you tour through.

Rosh HaNikra grottoes

The north of Israel, just a hair’s breadth away from Lebanon lie these mysterious and marvelous formations. These odd, geographical formations form one of the quirkiest places to visit in Israel. Take the steep cable ride down and view the caves and the pools around. This experience is a real treat for the eyes.

Dead Sea Float

A trip to Israel is not complete without experiencing the Dead Sea. It is the lowest point on earth. That in itself is a sight to behold. But not only that, but it is also the saltiest water body in the world. Slather yourself in natural mud and replenish and rejuvenate yourself. Let the holy place heal you. It is an unreal experience.

 

The dialogue in the Dark

Those who want to experience for a while the hardships of being blind and how life is for them can go to this exhibition. It is unreal and will give you chills. A visually impaired guide will take you through various real-life simulations and situations like walking through a park or so. It is significant, and you will walk out being thankful for your vision.

 

Travel Smart

• Kosher

A lot of right Israelis follow this rule. It is like halal food for the Muslims. You will generally see this in their menu. They do not mix dairy and meat in this one. Even though a lot of young people do not adhere to it anymore, it is essential to know.

• Safety

Israel is widely talked about place in this sense. There is a lot said about the things that go on here. But that does not mean it is unsafe to live in. In fact, people have noted that the security is extremely tight. The airports tend to have really long lines.

• Price

It is entirely unexpected for most people that go here, but Israel is quite expensive as a place. The food and the alcohol are very highly priced, and one must be careful about what they want to spend in. Even the groceries here are quite expensive.

• Smoking

A lot of countries in the world do not allow smoking inside the bars and other places. But here in Israel, that is not the general construct. People smoke cigarettes everywhere. This is great for die-hard smokers but a horrible fate for the ordinary masses.

Countries that can be clubbed together

Syria

Lebanon

Kuwait

 

 

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