7 Surprises for First-Time Travelers to Israel

We love hearing from passengers at the end of an Israel tour. They appreciate the depth of their spiritual experiences the most; along with things like carefree transportation. But one phrase we almost always hear from them usually starts like this: “I had absolutely no idea that Israel was so _________.”

It never fails that something about Israel always surprises them!

Many of our passengers book a Holy Land tour having learned about Israel from the Bible and television news. As it turns out, there’s a lot to discover about this fascinating country that can’t be found in the 2,000 year-old Scriptures or the not-always-accurate coverage of cable TV. Here are a few of our favorite ways Israel exceeds expectations… Do any of them surprise you?

1. It’s a technological world capital. As a secure democracy surrounded by a region in turmoil, Israel invests heavily in security, intelligence and other high-tech innovations. That emphasis, combined with a business-friendly environment, has helped Israel develop into the Silicon Valley of the Middle East. Forbes Magazine has called Israel a “high-tech superpower,” home to dozens of billion-dollar tech companies and more than 6,000 startups from Tel Aviv to Beersheba. When people think of Israel today, they picture the old stone walls of Jerusalem. But it’s as modern a country as it is an ancient one, and nothing proves this more than its tech-giant status.

Did you know?

• Israel has only 8 million residents, but the world’s second-highest concentration of high-tech companies.
• Israelis developed the technology used in AOL Instant Messenger, worldwide voice-mail systems and designed Intel’s Pentium MMX chip technology.
• Israel has the third-highest rate of female entrepreneurship in the world.

2. It’s a medical hotspot too. Just like Israel has become a world leader in tech innovation, it has also become a powerhouse in medical technology. The small nation boasts more than 1,000 companies specializing in healthcare products, including 700 that produce medical devices. These innovations include the life-saving First Care Emergency Bandage, the Babysense breathing monitor that protects babies from crib death and BiondVax, a universal flu vaccine currently in development. The ReWalk Robotics bionic walking system, which helps paraplegics walk, climb stairs, even run marathons, was developed by an Israeli engineer.

Thank God for Israel:  

• Hospitals worldwide use CT scanners, MRI systems, ultrasound scanners and surgical lasers designed and manufactured in Israel.
• The Israeli company Nano Retina’s minute device, inserted into the eye during a half-hour surgery, may allow blind people to see by transforming natural light into electrical impulses.
• A team from Israel’s Weizmann Institute has developed sensors that allow paralyzed persons to operate wheelchairs using only their sense of smell.

3. It’s not just a desert. Yes, Israel is home to the Dead Sea and its fair share of desolate vistas (like the unforgettable clifftop fortress of Masada), but that’s just a portion of the landscape. The port city of Haifa offers beaches as beautiful as any you’d find on the Mediterranean coast.Israel’s interior is home to waterfalls, vineyards and verdant farmlands. Mount Hermon, Israel’s tallest mountain, has a ski resort at the top. Visit the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus conducted much of His earthly ministry, and you’ll discover why God described this literal Promised Land as “flowing with milk and honey.” It’s a wealth of blessings, robust with the Creator’s glory everywhere you look.

Israel the Beautiful  

• Surface drip irrigation technology was invented in Israel.
• 20% of Israel is farmable land, allowing the nation not only to grow its own food but also to export $1.3 billion of agricultural produce annually.
• The northern Hula Valley is one of the world’s most impressive destinations for  bird-watching.

4. It’s coffee country. Coffee beans are kosher, which means the dark, rich drink is taken very seriously in Israel. In fact, Israelis consume almost twice as much coffee as Americans. Whether you want an artisan espresso from the much-loved Aroma Coffee, or you’d like to taste the deliciously layered café afuch from a sidewalk café; if you’re a coffee-lover visiting Israel, you’re in for a delightful treat.

Can you believe...

• Israel-based Aroma Espresso Bar has opened more than 100 branches around the world.
• As many as 500 coffee bars opened in Israel in just a four year timespan (1995-1998).
• Israel is one country where Starbucks didn’t flourish. Its stores closed due to overwhelming competition from local chains.

5. The archeology is ongoing. Ancient archeological discoveries link places like Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth with their biblical past. But these digs aren’t just in the past; new discoveries are being made every day. There are literally dozens of active archeological sites operating today in Israel—from Akko to Zippori. In fact, several discoveries were made in 2015 that gave historians new insight into events and people from the Bible, including an excavation near Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem that may have revealed the location of Herod’s palace and the site of Christ’s trial before Pilate.

Are you aware?  

• Israel has more museums per capita than any other nation.
• There are nearly 20,000 recognized historical sites within Israel’s borders.
• Archeological activity in Jerusalem has revealed artifacts up to 5,000 years old.

6. Soldiers are everywhere. The presence of armed military personnel in public places is often a new experience for our tour passengers, but one they quickly become accustomed to—and for which they’re always grateful. It’s one reason, among many, that travel in Israel is so safe. An additionally surprising element is the number of women in Israel’s armed forces. Service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is mandatory not just for Israeli men but for women, too. In fact, roughly one-third of IDF officers are female. An equality amendment in 2000 stated that “the right of women to serve in any role in the IDF is equal to the right of men,” including combat roles.

Fascinating facts…  

• In addition to providing constant humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and nearby nations, the IDF supplies tons of aid worldwide in the wake of natural disasters.
• Women have served in Israel’s infantry units and as pilots.
• Israel’s 176,000 military troops do not deploy but are tasked with protecting its people and borders.

7. The food is spectacular. Some travelers enter Israel concerned about how kosher regulations might impact their dining. These worries never last long! They discover Israel to be as cosmopolitan a food scene as New York, San Francisco or Rome. There are more than 100 sushi restaurants in Tel Aviv—more per capita than anywhere but New York City and Tokyo. Love pita bread, hummus and falafel? It’s available everywhere, along with fresh fruits, vegetables and the best salads in the world. The return of Jews from all over the world to Israel beginning in 1948 has made it a true international melting pot of cuisine. “The food was absolutely amazing,” is something we hear from passengers again and again.

Have you heard?

• The glue on Israel’s postage stamps is considered kosher.
• Israelis are the biggest consumers of fruits and vegetables, per capita, in the world.
• Lunch tends to be the main meal of the day. Most Israelis eat only a light dinner in the evening.

What do you know about Israel that we didn’t cover? Look over these opportunities to join us and discover what surprises Israel has in store for you!