Israel has this way of surprising you — not with the big, obvious landmarks, but with the everyday magic woven into its food, culture, workshops, and landscapes. It’s where innovation sits right next to history, where a rainforest grows inside a kibbutz, and where a snack factory becomes a national icon. The more you explore, the more you realize that some experiences simply don’t exist anywhere else. 

ALL IN A DAY

What did you do today? I climbed through a cave that dates back centuries, went to someone’s house for a glassblowing workshop, wandered an art festival, and ended the night at a concert. Israel stacks the most dynamic, unexpected experiences into a single day.

Hurvat Madras: The Climb and the Columbarium

Deep in the Judean Lowlands, Hurvat Madras holds an underground system carved during the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–136 CE). These tunnels were used as hiding and defense routes, and today you can crawl through the narrow entrances and move through the dark passages with a flashlight.

The short hike to the Columbarium Cave is easy and scenic. Inside, thousands of carved niches line the walls — part of an ancient pigeon‑raising operation. These pigeons weren’t just for food or fertilizer; they were also used as messenger birds, carrying notes between communities long before any formal communication system existed. Standing in the cave, it’s clear and practical: this was an early version of mail, built into the landscape and used every day.

HANDS-ON FOR THE WIN

Workshops in Israel feel different. Maybe it’s the connection to the land, maybe it’s the people who teach them, or maybe it’s just that they’re genuinely fun — but adding a hands‑on experience to any trip always feels right. I’ve done workshops in private homes and full factory settings, and the best part is always the same: getting your hands dirty, putting in real effort, and walking away with something you made yourself.

Matkoosh

When it comes to Israeli games, the sound of Matkot smacking on the beach and the clatter of Sheshbesh dice are what come to mind first — they’re woven into everyday Israeli life. At the Matkoosh workshop, we got to decorate our own paddles, choosing colors and designs that felt personal, and suddenly this classic beach game became something connected to us. It’s a small, hands‑on way to tap into a piece of Israeli culture that’s loud, joyful, and everywhere.

Olya Glassblowing Workshop

When I've sent clients to Venice, they visit a glassblowing studio. Finding this in Israel feels unique — and more hands‑on than anything I’ve recommended abroad. You participate from start to finish, learning the technique and shaping molten glass into something beautiful. The pieces take 2–3 days to cool, a reminder that some things are worth slowing down for.

Sarina Chocolate Workshop

Set in the beautiful kibbutz of Ein Vered, Sarina Chocolate is one of the most fascinating workshops we’ve done. They even built a greenhouse that mimics tropical humidity so cacao trees can grow — because only in Israel would someone decide to recreate a rainforest and actually make it work.

We shaped truffles, rolled them in our favorite toppings, traced chocolate drawings that became edible frames, and made lollipops almost too cute to eat. Sweet, creative, a little chaotic — the whole experience is a perfect example of how Israel turns bold ideas into something magical.

Kelim Shonim: Creativity You Can Hold

Kelim Shonim has studios in Herzliya and Jerusalem, and it’s one of those places where you walk in unsure and walk out proud of what you created. The instructors guide you just enough while letting you lean into your own creativity as you shape a tray, mug, or platter and choose your colors. Ceramics are deeply tied to Israel’s story — found in every archaeological dig, carrying the designs and textures of the people who lived here long before us. Making your own piece feels like a small, hands‑on connection to that history and to the way Israel expresses itself today.

THERE’S ONLY ONE PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR THIS

Bamba

Bamba started in 1964, originally as a cheese‑flavored snack. It didn’t take off until the recipe switched to peanut butter, and the rest is Israeli food history. Today the factory produces around 180 million bags a year, and the slogan “Ein k’mo Bamba” still rings true—there’s nothing quite like it.

It’s now sold in more than 15 countries, but seeing how it’s made adds a whole new layer of appreciation. After visiting the factory, you’ll never taste Bamba the same way again.

Arugot Farms — The Diamond of Judea

Arugot Farms feels like an oasis on the edge of the Judean Desert. Founded about a decade ago in the biblical Wilderness of Zif — where King David once hid and wrote many of the Psalms — it’s a place where barren hills have been transformed into a living, organic farm and retreat center. Fresh water filtered through plants and fish, quiet pools lined with reeds, and vineyards growing where rock once dominated, makes Isaiah’s line about the desert blooming feel real.

With workshops, tours, prayer gatherings, and overnight retreats overlooking the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, it’s part landscape, part spiritual space, part agricultural innovation — a “diamond of Judea” you have to experience to understand.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO NOW

Israel doesn’t just give you great sights — it gives you days you couldn’t have anywhere else. One moment you’re crawling through ancient tunnels, the next you’re decorating Matkot paddles, blowing glass, tasting Bamba straight off the line, or watching a desert farm bloom in the Judean hills. It’s that mix — history, creativity, and a culture that turns everyday ideas into something magical — that makes Israel unforgettable.

If you’ve been thinking about visiting, this is the time. Israel is small, but every corner offers something surprising, meaningful, and genuinely fun. Start planning — the experiences are too good to miss. I have so much more to share, so keep an eye out for the part 3 installment of my must‑do Israel!

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