Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting the Dead Sea, recreating the ancient Huqoq mosaics, or exploring Israeli street art and graffiti.
Need more inspiration? Check out these virtual tours across Israel, from the northern port of Haifa to the resort town of Eilat!
Pick a film
Watch a movie or TV show that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Israel include:
- The Band’s Visit (2007)
- Sallah Shabati (1964)
- A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Uncover the ancient site of Beth She’an, read about the Dead Sea Scrolls, and learn more about the incredible past of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Then, consider studying the Bedouin people, the siege at Masada, and the modern metropolis that is Tel Aviv.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel by Francine Klagsbrun
- A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz
- The Seven Good Years: A Memoir by Etgar Keret
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual cooking class with your travel group, or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Israeli food is a mixture of Lebanese, Mediterranean, and a variety of other cuisines, so try some hummus, shakshuka, halva, or malabi!
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice the language by making flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals). Hebrew and Arabic are the national languages of Israel, so brush up on your skills and learn some common Israeli slang.
Did you know?
The Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest point on Earth, clocking in at nearly 1,300 feet below sea level.