6 Life-Changing Experiences You Can Have In Israel

Israel is a unique country full of unforgettable and potentially life-changing experiences – for better or for worse. Whether you want to deepen your spirituality, connect with nature while replenishing your mind and soul or simply make lifelong friends, here are some of the best experiences that are sure to have a long-lasting impact on you.

Visiting the Western Wall

The Western Wall (the Kotel in Hebrew) is the holiest site in Judaism. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is a place that evokes deep reflection and emotion for Jews from all over the world. Religious Jews are regularly seen swaying back and forth with fervour, and even crying, as they recite prayers by the wall. A visit here can leave a permanent mark on someone, whether they are from a secular, traditional or religious Jewish background, and awaken or deepen their spirituality and connection with God.

A Jewish man wrapped in a white talit with tefillin on his arm prays at the Western Wall, Jerusalem

Catching Jerusalem syndrome

Studying on an exchange program

This is one of the funnest experiences that hundreds of students enjoy every year, predominantly at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, two of the most prestigious in the country. Whether it’s for a semester or a full year, studying on an exchange program in Israel will likely lead you to fall in love with the country and make lifelong friends. While particularly popular among American Jews, these programs attract people of all faiths and backgrounds, from Indian and Chinese students to Europeans, both Jewish and non-Jewish.

Eating Israeli hummus

Tasting Israeli hummus will undoubtedly open up a world of chickpea flavoured wonder in your life. If you were a casual eater before your first taste of it in the Holy Land, you are sure to evolve into a hummus connoisseur afterwards. From hummus gargirim (hummus with chickpeas on top) to hummus tehina (hummus mixed with tehini, a creamy delight), no variety will be foreign to you. Hummus back in your home country (unless you live in the Middle East) will never be the same.

Experiencing a wellness retreat

Israel is a country obsessed with yoga, which makes it no surprise that it is also a hotbed of wellness retreats. Whether you’re looking for a luxury spa hotel in the lush greenery of the north or a hippy commune with spectacular desert surroundings, there is something for everyone. Experiencing one of these retreats will connect you with nature, channel your spirituality and rejuvenate your body and soul.

Moa Oasis, an ecological resort in Israel’s Arava desert and a hub for yoga, meditation, nutrition workshops and gatherings

Volunteering in a kibbutz

This has been a popular ‘Israel experience’ for decades. The kibbutz culture was a huge part of the fabric of Israeli society, which operated heavily under socialist ideals for the first 30 years of its existence. While less prevalent in today’s Israel, there are still numerous kibbutzim dotted all over the country, from the northern border with Lebanon (Kfar Blum kibbutz) to the southern desert (such as Ein Gedi kibbutz, near the Dead Sea). Volunteering for a few weeks or more can teach you some important values, connect you with nature and set you up with long-term friendships.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.