For this quick guide, we are excited to feature Maureen from Mommy Mo Adventures! Like Mo and her family, we have a mutual love of adventure, especially when it involves National Parks. So let’s travel around the world in this post as she shares the best things to see and do in her current home of Israel.
MEET MOMMY MO ADVENTURES
Maureen has known travel for her entire adult life, living overseas in multiple countries throughout the years. She first spent 5 years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to teach at an international school and volunteer in the local community. This is where she learned to love the life of being an expat and sparked a desire to travel and live in new places.
From South America, she journeyed across the Atlantic to Botswana. There, she worked 2 transformative years in the non-profit sector where the simplicity of Africa left a lifelong impact on her life. From Botswana, she then moved to Israel where she still currently lives with her husband and daughter. In Israel, she started a non-profit working with African refugees in Tel Aviv.
While we’ve never been to the Holy Lands, this area of the world has always fascinated us, so following Mo’s family on Instagram has been an eye-opening experience. Later in this post, she shares some additional travel memories and tips. But without further ado, let’s now get to learning about the top attractions in Israel!
TOP THINGS TO DO IN ISRAEL
Why should someone visit Israel?
“Israel is one of the most underrated countries to visit, especially for families. It has a bad reputation for being dangerous, but it’s one of the safest countries I’ve lived in. It’s such a family-friendly place with tons to do and see. Furthermore, we have pretty much every type of landscape within a 3-hour drive: deserts, forests, beaches and the sea, mountains, the lowest point on Earth, you name it!”
What is a touristy attraction you recommend and why?
“Jerusalem is the most touristy attraction in the country for religious and historical reasons. Although I’m not the biggest fans of the overly tourist attractions, it’s still a must-visit during a trip to Israel. This includes the Western Wall in the old city, Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, Dome of the Rock, Shuk Machane (the market), Tower of David, the Garden Tomb and Ben Yehuda Street. I also recommend visiting the Dead Sea while you’re here. It’s an experience like no other!”
What is a touristy attraction you don’t recommend and why?
“There aren’t really any attractions that I don’t recommend because everyone has their own preferences of what to see. Basically, attractions are like movies. Just because I don’t like a certain one, it doesn’t mean that others won’t like it. That being said, it’s always best to first research what type of attractions you are interested in seeing and go from there.”
What is an attraction that is not as well-known that you would recommend and why?
“Eilat is a city that is often overlooked as an Israeli destination, but it’s one of the best! Located on the Red Sea at the southern-most tip of the country, it borders on Egypt and Jordan. For Israelis, it’s a top vacation spot. There are so many activities available, such as snorkeling in the coral reef, camel rides in the desert, boating activities, hiking and camping. Additionally, you can also take a day trip to Petra, Jordan from Eilat, which is another bucket-list attraction to see.”
What is a must-visit restaurant and why?
“When in Israel, it’s a must to eat hummus. We have hummus restaurants everywhere you look and here, hummus is an entire meal. In fact, we go out for hummus every Friday for lunch as a family tradition. There are many types of hummus to choose from, along with pita, falafel, chips, and salad. It’s the ultimate Israel food experience!”
MORE TRAVEL TALK WITH MO
A huge thanks to Mommy Mo for sharing all this great information about Israel! Since she’s a seasoned traveler, we of course had to ask a few more travel-related questions. To begin:
Where is your favorite destination you’ve ever traveled to?
“I lived in Botswana, Africa, for 2 years, so traveling all around the country, as well as South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, were definitely in my top favorites.”
What is at the top of your travel bucket list at the moment?
“Australia. I’ve always wanted to go. Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, along with visiting some of their national parks, is a dream of mine.”
If you could only share one travel tip, what would it be?
“Flexibility! If you are flexible with dates and locations, you can fly almost anywhere for a great price. I use the Skyscanner filter search for the cheapest destinations during the cheapest month and I’m always pleasantly surprised with our options.”
CONNECT WITH MOMMY MO ADVENTURES
We want to thank Maureen again for sharing her knowledge on the best things to see and do in Israel. If you want to follow her family’s travel adventures and life overseas, be sure to connect with them at @mommymoadventures on Instagram and at MommyMoAdventures.com.
Have you been to Israel? What have been your favorite memories? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check out our other Trips and Tips!