Incredible Israel holidays

A journey to this part of the world isn’t complete without a visit to the old town where you can take in Mount Zion, the setting for the Last Supper, and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed afterwards. Other religious sites include the Wailing Wall, the Lithostrotos and the Mount of Olives.

The Dead Sea is a salt-lake situated at 400m below sea level – the lowest altitude on earth. Its high salt content gives a buoyancy that keeps swimmers from sinking. Floating on the calm surface of the Dead Sea is on many a visitor’s agenda - especially as it’s a disappearing wonder (it's currently drying up by over a metre a year). Or, for those who prefer to stay dry, perhaps take a cable car up to Masada National Park.

Famous for being the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem is a top spot on the tourist map. Here you can visit the Church of the Nativity at the top of the town, with its nave containing old Crusader paintings. Pay a visit to the Milk Grotto, where the holy family hid from King Herod, and perhaps make your way to the Greek Orthodox Mar Saba Monastery. If after all this you want to learn even more, you can head to the Old Bethlehem Museum.

Aside relaxing on one of Tel Aviv’s white sandy beaches and cooling off in the Mediterranean, visitors can explore the city’s art galleries and trendy restaurants in the old town. Perhaps take a stroll through Carmel Market or Neve Tzedek to browse the craft and antique shops and enjoy the local jazz cafes.

Galilee in northern Israel is a luscious green mountainous region and is home to the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake on which Jesus was said to have walked on water. Here you can visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered his sermon on the mount, or take a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee. There’s also the Golan Heights Winery to explore.