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Rick Steves’ Travel Blog

Here you can browse through my blog posts prior to February 2022. Currently I'm sharing my travel experiences, candid opinions, and what's on my mind solely on my Facebook page. — Rick

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A Taste of Israel’s Bounty

Sitting down to our first lunch in Israel, in the Crusader town of Akko, we were treated to a typical and colorful array of mezze-style plates: delightful dips, soups, and salads that are a daily edible reminder of how fertile Israel is.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

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An Appreciation for Israel’s Determined Pioneers

During my visit, Israel was celebrating 65 years as a nation. There were flags everywhere. For me, a highlight of my Israel visit was gaining an appreciation for the Zionist pioneers who built the country–slowly early in the 20th century, then very quickly after its modern founding in 1948–and seeing how far the nation has come.

In 1908 Tel Aviv was just a big sand dune. Born in 1909, the city today feels like San Diego. Of the almost eight million people in the country, more than three million live in the greater Tel Aviv area. The relative prosperity among Israel and its neighbors is striking. Waking up on my first morning here, I looked out my hotel window at the wonderful sandy beach (which is made of sediment from the Nile River). Pondering the joggers and kayakers getting in their morning exercise, I kept thinking it’s as if someone put California in the middle of Mexico.
In 1908 Tel Aviv was just a big sand dune. Born in 1909, the city today feels like San Diego. Of the almost eight million people in the country, more than three million live in the greater Tel Aviv area. The relative prosperity among Israel and its neighbors is striking. Waking up on my first morning here, I looked out my hotel window at the wonderful sandy beach (which is made of sediment from the Nile River). Pondering the joggers and kayakers getting in their morning exercise, I kept thinking it’s as if someone put California in the middle of Mexico.
When you look at a photo of the early Zionist pioneers who came here and mixed sand, sweat, brain power, and a determined vision into a powerful nation, you can understand the passion Israelis have for their homeland.
When you look at a photo of the early Zionist pioneers who came here and mixed sand, sweat, brain power, and a determined vision into a powerful nation, you can understand the passion Israelis have for their homeland.
After WWII, a generation of Holocaust orphans--many still wearing the striped uniforms issued to them in concentration camps like Dachau--helped end a 1,900-year-long Jewish diaspora.
After WWII, a generation of Holocaust orphans–many still wearing the striped uniforms issued to them in concentration camps like Dachau–helped end a 1,900-year-long Jewish diaspora.
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Welcome to the Holy Land

This April I’m dividing my time between Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Turkey. To many, Israel represents a beacon of democracy, stability, and prosperity in the middle of a bunch of very troubled states. (Having just come from Egypt, I can certainly understand that.) Of course it’s the Holy Land–three great religions share some of Israel’s most sacred spots. And that means it’s the center of a complex political puzzle, and full of great travel experiences. I’m spending about a week here to scout for an upcoming TV episode and I’m in the hands of fine local guides provided by the very supportive Israel Ministry of Tourism. For the next week I’ll be sharing a couple of posts a day. Please share this with your friends who may be interested. I hope you enjoy my reporting.

The Israeli coast from Tel Aviv to the border of Lebanon is dotted with interesting sights. The thriving city of Haifa is home to the main temple of the Baha’i Faith. Its founder, Baha’u’llah, is buried in Israel. Sightseers must come away from a visit to any Baha’i sight thinking: These people are the ultimate in let’s all just get along, live together in peace, and tend gorgeous gardens.
The Israeli coast from Tel Aviv to the border of Lebanon is dotted with interesting sights. The thriving city of Haifa is home to the main temple of the Baha’i Faith. Its founder, Baha’u’llah, is buried in Israel. Sightseers must come away from a visit to any Baha’i sight thinking: These people are the ultimate in let’s all just get along, live together in peace, and tend gorgeous gardens.

Signs in four languages are commonplace in Israel: Hebrew (for its Jewish population), Arabic (for the Israeli Arabs--about a quarter of the country), Russian (as many locals are recent Jewish arrivals from the former Soviet Union, and Russian tourism is booming), and English (for everyone else).
Signs in four languages are commonplace in Israel: Hebrew (for its Jewish population), Arabic (for the Israeli Arabs–about a quarter of the country), Russian (as many locals are recent Jewish arrivals from the former Soviet Union, and Russian tourism is booming), and English (for everyone else).

Signs that are only in Hebrew present me with more than a language barrier: I literally can’t tell which end is up.
Signs that are only in Hebrew present me with more than a language barrier: I literally can’t tell which end is up.

Visitors to Israel come away impressed by the country’s many layers of history. That includes lots of Roman ruins. The ancient city of Beit She’an--the best Roman ruins in Israel--marked the eastern end of the empire at its peak. In A.D. 749, the impressive city was leveled by what must have been a mighty earthquake.
Visitors to Israel come away impressed by the country’s many layers of history. That includes lots of Roman ruins. The ancient city of Beit She’an–the best Roman ruins in Israel–marked the eastern end of the empire at its peak. In A.D. 749, the impressive city was leveled by what must have been a mighty earthquake.
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Face to Face with Rick Steves

Thanks for traveling with me through Egypt. I’ll be reporting from Israel starting tomorrow. For a little break from the Middle East–and for something far more serious–here’s a fascinating interview produced by Seattle public television station KCTS. Just before flying to Cairo a couple of weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege of sitting down for a candid, one-on-one interview with the famous travel writer, Rick Steves. Check this out.