Herzliya and Netanya: Alternative Israel Vacation Ideas
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There is no question that Israel is one of the best travel destinations in the world. Fondly dubbed as the Holy Land, Israel puts theme parks with mascots in the back seat. It offers thousands of years of history and culture that everyone who visits leaves the country having learned something new. Despite the seemingly endless tumultuous political situation, Israel remains to be the most sacred place the world over. It is home to three of the world’s major religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism. All of which unambiguously greatly contributes to the sights, sounds and aromas of Israel.
Israel’s travel scene mainly consists of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Haifa, Massada, Eilat, Jordan, Galilee and so on. No doubt, these places are jam-packed with globe trotters year after year. Their itineraries often include the very popular and highly recommended Dead Sea, the Carmel Market, the Wailing Wall, the Red Sea and the various religious infrastructures like the Church of Holy Sepulchure, the Church of the Annunciation, the al-Aqsa Mosque and so on. These are Israel’s gems that hundreds of thousands of tourists go through the hustle-and-bustle to see and experience. However, this article shifts its focus from the usual destinations to the country’s hidden treasures.
Although not so popular among the vacation-goers, Herzliya and Netanya each offer every visitor remarkable travel experiences that will forever be etched in their memories. Quieter and less popular do not equate to less fun and adventure. Let us take a closer look at these two cities that perhaps can only be found in the Israel hotels travel brochures which usually remain undiscovered in your hotel room.
Located on the central coast of Israel is Herzliya. Herzliya (which is named after Theodor Herzl the founder of modern Zionism) actually consists of two parts – the city itself and the upscale suburb called Herzliya Pituach. Going to the city is very easy. In fact, given traffic conditions are good, Herzliya is just thirty minutes away from Tel Aviv via bus or commuter vans. There are so many things to do in both the main city and the suburbs that you can easily and conveniently spend most of your vacation time in the area. Herzliya has several cultural attractions that the culture hungry can go to. Some of them include the Sidna-Ali Mosque, Apollonia-Arsuf and the Herzliya Art Museum. On the other hand, there are plenty of things to do to release the adrenaline rush. Herzliya beach allows you to engage in various water sports such as Israeli paddle ball called “matkot”, sailing, diving, snorkeling, surfing and so on. The non-athletic ones can go ahead and release their energies by shaking their bodies in Dabush Beach with some salsa and samba. Being the ‘Silicon Valey’ of Israel, Herzliya is crowded with luxury bars and restaurants of all kinds, with rich nightlife. No need to worry about accomodation as there are plenty of beachfront hotels in Herzliya to choose from, offering a spectacular view of the Mediterenian sea .
Netanya is called Mediterranean’s diamond. Netanya, like Herzliya, is easily accessible. As a matter of fact, it is just a ten-minute drive from Tel Aviv. The city lies on the Mediterranean Sea, which means that it has several beaches to accommodate large number of tourists. There is no need to squabble over the perfect spot in the beach for sunbathing. There is always room in the powdery sand for you. Netanya’s galleries, museums and events centers make sure that cultural offerings are as amazing as that of Herzliya’s. Retail and dining are also phenomenal. Looking for a great place to eat is so easy as some of the best restaurants are located just inside the hotels. This could be one of the reasons why hotels in Netanya are always booked! As a bonus to your convenience, several marketplaces are stretched throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Grab this opportunity to get yourself one-of-a-kind items that will serve as a remembrance of your amazing trip to Israel. This is also the perfect opportunity to shop for your family and friends.
As in every country, Israel has unsung locations that promises nothing but relaxing, fun and adventurous vacation experiences. Herzliya and Netanya are just two of them. In fact, these two less popular cities are a great starting point for a relaxing trip in Israel. Herzliya and Netanya are, indeed, Israel’s precious secret jewels. Go see for yourself!