Take the three main cities of Israel for instance. Coastal Tel Aviv is located only 60 kilometers from mountainous Jerusalem - but these cities are two different worlds - physically and spiritually... Or take a 100 kilometers ride (45 minutes by train) along the coast from Tel Aviv to Haifa - and meet unique sights which cannot be seen anywhere else. You can easily spend two weeks exploring each one of these cities and still discovering new things every day!

Many Israelis who travel around the world encounter sights that make them think "hey, we have this in Israel..." Well, maybe on a smaller scale but we have it. Sometimes its even on a larger scale, or unique as the lowest place on earth in which the amazing "Salt Sea" (Dead Sea) resides, or the Makhteshim - the awsome erosion craters, which are exclusive to Israel.

At the junction of three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa, Israel is a natural, cultural and spiritual hub. Due to this unique position, Israel is influenced by several climatic zones. Green meadows and flowing streams can be found in the northern Mediterranean areas, while the arid desert areas provide dry meandering canyons and creeks which offer superb hiking opportunities. Four different phytogeographic regions exist in Israel, making it extremely rich with flora. Diverse fauna can also be found around here. Above all: one of the best bird watching experiences in the world, colorful marine life in the Gulf of Eilat, majestic Ibex on desert cliffs, and even wild dolphins swimming opposite the Mediterranean coast.

History has left its mark here plainly for thousands of years. Conquerors from Europe and Asia ruled Israel temporarily - Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Turks, British - leaving numerous magnificent heritage sites. Various religions and sects were created and flourished here, making the Holy Land the most important site in the world for Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Bahai, Druze and more.

And finally the people of Israel, who have gathered from all over the world - from the diaspora in Europe, Asia, North Africa and America - each with its own customs and flavours. You may love them, you may be put off by them, but you cannot remain indifferent to them...

That's why it's a small country but a whole world, or a microcosmos of the world.