Top Reasons to Go

Caesarea: Originally built by Herod the Great, these 2,000-year-old Roman ruins occupy a strategic spot on the sea. They include Byzantine bathhouses and Crusader moats.

Baha'i Gardens: In Haifa, this unforgettable series of gardens tumbles down from Mount Carmel into 19 terraces that enclose a gold-domed shrine.

Underground Akko: At this fascinating archaeological site, you can descend into Crusader knights’ halls, navigate a secret tunnel toward the sea, and rest in a Turkish bathhouse.

Glorious beaches: The coast means beaches, and this is Israel's finest stretch of golden sand. Haifa's beaches are particularly beautiful. Scuba diving and paragliding are options.

Great wine: Taste and toast internationally known wines at the many wineries on the hillsides of the northern coast. Tishbi and Carmel are especially worth visiting.