Visiting the Holy Land? You’re going to have the time of your life! But, with so much to see in Israel, it’s going to take a lot of planning. The good news is, there are a lot of tours that will take you through the country, without having to worry about a thing. And, if you’d like some independence on your trip, you can opt to take short tours to various destinations. Before you head over to the Middle East, here are some tips on where to make your stops.

Jerusalem-The Old City

If you go to Israel, you must go to Jerusalem and see the Old City. Depending on your religion (or even if you have no religion), you’ll have a different connection to certain parts of the city. But, regardless of what you believe, there are some places you need to check out anyway.  Don’t miss the Western Wall, the City of David Water Tunnels, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock. When you’re done with that, stroll through the Armenian quarter, grab some bargains in the shuk, and design your own Hebrew inscribed jewelry at Hadaya.

Tel Aviv

If you’re looking for all-around, secular fun, then Tel Aviv is where you want to go. A world apart from Jerusalem, here is where you’ll find tons of nightlife, high-end shopping, and stunning beaches. Take a walk on the Namal (the boardwalk), which runs along the Mediterranean. Venture a little south, and you can hang out at Frishman Beach and explore the old city of Jaffa. If you’re looking for something more laid back, Hayarkon Park has tons of activities. At night, visit Dizengoff Center, Sarona, or a club along the beach.

A Weekend up North

If you need a break from the city life, then all you need to do travel is a little north. Exactly one hour north of Tel Aviv is the port city of Haifa, which is home to the beautiful Baha’i Gardens. Head east, and you can stay by the Sea of Galilee. Once you’re ready to move further north, head to Rosh Hanikra, and finally, the Golan Heights, which is a gorgeous region which lies between Syria and Lebanon.

The Desert Down South

The north is great, but if you prefer a desert experience, then Israel is the perfect place for it. A tour of the south will let you easily get to the places that are typically a bit hard to get to. First stop, the Dead Sea. Float in the salty waters and enjoy the spas. A short ride from the Dead Sea is Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a beautiful desert hike, and Arad, where you can enjoy hospitality from the Bedouins.

After you’re done there, there’s still plenty more to see. Stop in Be’er Sheva for lunch at the shuk before heading to the amazing desert city of Mitzpe Ramon. You can do tours that will take you into the crater, where you can get up close and person with the ibex and the stars.

After a few days in Mitzpe Ramon, you have a few options. If you like wine, there is the Negev Wine Trail. Doing a tour of just the wineries would be awesome, but if you only have time for one or two, that’ll be fun, too.. Also, tour some of the Kibbutzim, especially Yotvata, which is Israel’s famous dairy Kibbutz.

Last stop, is none other than Eilat. Here, you can do many water activities, like visit the Underwater Observatory, or go snorkeling or scuba diving in the Red Sea. The nightlife along the Promenade is a good time, but if the heat becomes too much for you, there is an ice bar to cool you down.

Out of Israel

Unfortunately, there are not too many countries you can visit straight from Israel. Jordan is one of the only exceptions. Going on an organized tour, you can visit the ancient city of Petra, or extend your trip throughout the rest of the country. It’s also cool to see the Dead Sea from the Jordanian side! Make sure you organize your visa before you go, or contact a tour company to help you with the process.

Israel is a great country for tours. Start exploring your options on Tour Amigo now!