The Millennium Experience

Although an ancient country, Israel is only celebrating its 50th anniversary as a nation state. This recent history has been characterised by an often volatile mix of politics, religion and culture out of proportion to Israel’s diminutive size. This tiny Middle Eastern country has been the meeting point for different cultures for over 6,000 years. For the traveller this means a world of extraordinary diversity and richness. Israel’s history is etched on the landscape, in the faces of the people and embedded in buildings that seem to whisper ancient stories.

Israel is bordered by Egypt to the southwest, Jordan and the Palestinian Territory to the east, Lebanon in the north, Syria to the northeast and the Meditteranean sea to the west. From the Golan Heights in the north to Eilat, its southern-most tip, Israel, with its blend of Western and Middle Eastern cultures, offers a world of fascinating experiences for the traveller. You can eat lunch in a small Arab village and within an hour or two be swept up in a pulsating modern city.

The majority of the people in this vibrant land are Jewish, with the next largest number of people being Sunni Muslim. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, which is spoken by about 15% of the population. English is widely spoken by almost all Israelis, ranging from traditional Bedouin Arabs to city executives. In the south, a large part of the country is desert, but the north is green and fertile due to the Jordan River. The coastal area is a flat plain and the centre of the country is hilly. The climate is generally warm with very hot summers, especially in the south. The north is very cold in winter with occasional snow and most of the country’s rain falls between October and April.

Remnants of most of the world’s major civilisations and ancient architecture can be found in many Israeli cities, particularly Jerusalem, the nation’s capital. This makes sightseeing an accessible and rewarding activity. For those interested in sports and recreation, summer is the best time to visit Israel. Choose from kayaking down the Jordan River, snorkelling and scuba diving in the coral-filled waters of Eilat, surfing, water-skiing, and sailing, and all year round there are camel rides in the desert, archaeological digs and plenty of hikes.