Holy Land Staycations

  •  Living far from home during a global pandemic, we've not been able to return, but we have the privilege of time, energy and funds to take vacations.
  • The Israeli side of the Holy Land has a well-developed tourism industry and a vibrant national park system. But with no tourists and no lineups, there's plenty of socially-distant staycations to be had.

  • The first place we went after the end of the first lockdown was the Alpaca Farm in Mitzpe Ramon. A visit to the crater on horseback was just what the doctor ordered.
 
 
  • While the land is dry, springs are abundant: a visit to Ein Gedi or the West Bank's Ein Prat (Wadi Qelt) will provide relief on a hot day, but the naturally hot springs of Gan HaShlosha (Ein Sakhne) are worth visiting almost year-round.
 
 
  • The walled Crusader city of Akko was a trip through time and its castle was completely empty.
  • Akko's tranquility was punctuated only by the music and shouting from speed boats filled with Arab-Israelis that cruised the harbour.
 
 

  • Eilat's coral reefs on the Red Sea have brought us already several times and the Red Sea is always inviting, even on 40C days.

 

  • Even Jerusalem’s Old City is astounding to see without the usual crowds. A recent visit to the Dome of the Rock and al Aqsa Mosque was unforgettable.
  • One day, we will be excited to hop a plane to visit a new country, but for now, 2020 is the year of the staycation.
Location: Jerusalem

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