Masada alone makes Israel worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to Israel primarily to see Masada, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Eilat has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. falafel sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. world-class food culture added another layer to the experience. Spent 5 days and honestly could have used a week more.