The Ultimate Winter Getaway? Find Out Here
Getting through winter can be tough. The best thing to keep you motivated is a trip – somewhere warm, both in terms of the climate, and the people. So if you ever needed a reason to travel, visualize yourself in the middle of winter this year, and start dreaming about your upcoming trip.
The biggest question is where to go. And we’d like to suggest something crazy: think about the middle east.
For many of us, when we hear of the middle east we think about camels, hikes, and our reaction is usually, “eh, this winter I’d rather be in Mexico.” Right?
Sure, if you want a quick vacation, Mexico is great. But if you want more: if you want a winter that changes your life, one filled with meaning, but that also has the warm sun and incredible beaches, then you should seriously consider visiting Israel – a small place in the middle east .
Israel has become the destination for personal growth, self discovery, leadership training, and, of course, having the time of your life.
Sounds interesting? Here are 9 compelling reasons why you should visit Israel this winter.
- Discover Israel, discover yourself
- Creator Dave Cooper said something fascinating: “I feel I need a lot of contrast, so I have all these things happening, but they’re all necessary to make me feel satisfied. It’s got to be this big pot happening, with everything boiling at once.”
- Contrast is a key element of self-discovery, of growth, of asking tough questions and learning more about ourselves.
- Israel is a land of contrast: the ancient and the modern, the desert and the beaches. It’s also a big pot: bustling with a vibrant buzz, with people from all corners of the world in one crazy place.
- A journey to Israel, with the right mindset and the right framework, is a journey of self-discovery. Through the contrasts, through this giant boiling pot, a clarity emerges where we can all find our own uniqueness.
- What makes this even more powerful is that there’s the most romantic story here ever written: a people that are at their lowest point, return to their land and endeavor to rebuild it. And not just a people – our people.
- If you’re passionate about Israel and the Jewish people, if you want to stand up and be counted, if you want to make a difference, if you want to be empowered, if you want to learn, to grow, to share, and to be inspired – then Israel is the ideal destination for you.
- The energy is incredible!
- Don’t take our word for it: Maroon 5 recently toured Israel, and after playing two sold-out concerts in Tel Aviv, Adam Levine exuded: “This is a crazy, incredible, amazing vibe here in this city you guys have — amazing! I wanna tell you guys, now that we’ve been here, I’m gonna tell you, please, will you have us back 1,000 or more times?”
- From giant concerts to intimate performances, up-and-coming hip hop acts to cutting edge comedy, every street, every bar, every interaction is charged with positive energy. You certainly aren’t getting that in Mexico.
- Swap snow for sand and sea
- Be the envy of your friends as you return to the cold with an incredible beach tan. Being a Mediterranean climate – and let’s be honest, pretty much a desert – Israel has great weather all year round. Think stunning sunsets, buzzing boardwalks, and an atmosphere that’s constantly pumping with energy. Pack shorts and t-shirts, grab the sunscreen, and leave those heavy down jackets behind!
- Out with the hot chocolate, in with new tastes and flavors
- Israel offers a tantalizing mix of tastes that will please any palate. Have you tried Malabi? Jachnun? Sachlav? Even just super authentic shawarma or falafel? No one does it like they do on the streets of Israel, and you have to be there to experience it.
- What’s more, Israel’s fine dining has taken a giant leap forward, and there are tons of world-famous chefs running restaurants that have critics raving. For something in between, try Malka run by celebrity chef Eyal Shani, situated in the heart of Tel Aviv. A unique menu is generated every night, and you’re always in for great food, a vibing atmosphere, and a culinary surprise.
- Meet people outside your comfort zone
- Israel brings together people from all over the world, including vastly different backgrounds, political opinions, and cultures. Expand your own horizons by hearing from all of them, debating them, opening up to their views, and being able to comfortably share your own. From Christian Arabs to Ethiopian Jews, the range of cultures is mind-boggling. Look forward to being able to engage in honest conversations with no censorship or political correctness.
- From laid-back surfers on the coast to ultra-orthodox in the Mea Shearim neighborhood, we guarantee you’ll meet people you would otherwise have never had the opportunity to speak with.
- History? More like Our Story
- Few places in the world have as rich of a history as Israel does. Geographically, it has always been situated at a critical crossroads where mighty empires clashed, and you’ll find records from the ancient Israelites, Babylonians, Romans, Mamluks, Ottomans, and many others. From ancient times to modern, Israel is a fantastic story that captures the imagination, and there’s no better place to feel this history than with front-row seats.
- In Israel this winter, you’ll not only come face to face with this history, you’ll actually experience it firsthand.
- Putting the “life” in nightlife
- Meet the coolest of the cool in the Jerusalem shuk’s new bars that come alive at night after the fruit sellers have put away their wares. The Tel Aviv shuk isn’t one to be beaten easily, and it also boasts its fair share of bars, each with its own unique atmosphere. In the north, you’ll find the coolest bars ever on moshavim and kibbutzim, and in the south you’ll relax to the desert vibes as you sip a cold one looking up at the stars. Tempted yet? Cheers!
- It’s not just about the past…
- Today, Israel is just as much about the future as it is about the past. With Startup Nation in full swing, you’ll be able to speak to the people that are creating a world where Artificial Intelligence and other advanced technologies are used to tackle the world’s most burning problems – from cancer to hunger, climate change to cyber security.
- It’s no wonder Israel is responsible for so many “unicorns,” companies valued at over a billion dollars. The spirit of innovation infuses the land, and you have to actually be there to understand its power.
- Leadership lessons from the best
- This “new” Israel has created incredible leaders – and the country has literally become an incubator for global leadership.
- In Israel you can access leadership workshops that are the envy of the world, and come back equipped to take on personal challenges.
- There are also phenomenal workshops, courses on Israel advocacy and defending the Jewish People, seminars on public speaking, and lots, lots more.
It’s time to experience it
This winter, book your trip to Israel, and invest in yourself. Get ready for a journey of discovery – including self-discovery, and the experience of a lifetime.
If you’re looking for an organized trip that promises to give you all of these experiences and more, get in touch with Hasbara Fellowships.
After launching over 3,000 Israel Trip participants, and with 200 yearly active fellows, we’re confident in providing you with a meaningful, life-altering experience.
To find out more, visit https://hasbarafellowships.org/israelprograms
