Ashdod

If trudging up miniature mountains of hot sand under the Mediterranean sun sounds suspiciously like voluntary torture, think again-Ashdod Sand Dune Park is your ticket to feeling like Peter O'Toole straddling the dunes in "Lawrence of Arabia," minus the risk of dehydration (as long as you pack water). These golden dunes, like the last stubborn survivors of a sandy empire that once stretched freely across the Israeli coast, represent a rare coastal ecosystem found almost nowhere else along the Mediterranean basin. Plan to visit in the early morning-trust me, midday heat makes walking feel like climbing through pancake syrup-or brave sunset when buttery gold sand meets Mel Brooks-worthy orange skies, turning your Instagram followers green with envy. Budget-wise, rejoice, because it's gloriously free; your biggest expense will be sunscreen, refreshments, and maybe a sand-proof blanket to avoid finding grains hiding suspiciously in your socks for the next year. Though Ashdod's dunes command spontaneous awe, it's worth planning a day or two ahead, especially if you're scouting out prime picnic real estate or hoping to spot one of the park's elusive desert foxes, scampering gracefully across the dunes like furry little ghosts. Sure, you'll end up with sand in mysterious places, but emerging dusty, windswept, and sun-kissed is a worthy badge of honor-with a story that'll spark envy at every dinner party for years to come.

If hauling yourself up hills named after reluctant biblical prophets is your idea of a good time, welcome to Givat Yonah-otherwise known as Jonah's Hill. Located in the unassuming surrounds of Ashdod, you're scaling history here: legend has it Jonah himself, fresh from an unwanted whale-blubber spa treatment offshore, gazed ruefully from this very vantage point onto the shimmering Mediterranean, wondering how the hell he got himself into all this. Best tackled in the cool clarity at sunrise or the softer glow of sunset, the climb rewards you with panoramic views that feel positively biblical-be sure to bring some water, a snack, and maybe even a copy of Moby Dick to nod knowingly at Jonah's famous marine misadventure. No need to book weeks in advance; this humble hill isn't exactly Machu Picchu-but budgeting about two hours, sturdy shoes, and a hat against the relentless Israeli sun would be wise. Is it life-changing? Maybe not. Instagram-famous? Not quite yet. But standing atop a hill once occupied by a cranky prophet in full existential crisis is a thoroughly satisfying way to spend an afternoon-if only for the cocktail conversation fodder later: "So there I was, pondering life's purpose on Jonah's Hill..."

If you've ever thought wine tasting was strictly the domain of effete European sipping and murmuring "notes of blackberry," let the Milk Honey & Wine journey prove you spectacularly wrong. Tucked away in the rustic hillsides of the countryside, where dusty vineyards stubbornly defy biblical deserts and modern cynicism alike, regional wineries serve up bottles inspired by scripture-think Cana miracles meets hipster authenticity. Go in the late afternoon, when the setting sun turns vine leaves golden, and the tasting pours get perilously generous. Book a couple weeks ahead to dodge busloads of pilgrims and avid connoisseurs, and budget around $40-$60 per person, or a bit more if your palate demands you bring home a bottle named after angels or apostles. Pack a notebook or sketchpad-trust me, after your third Old Testament-inspired Syrah, you'll swear you're channeling sacred wisdom yourself. Yes, biblical booze tasting may sound kitschy, but sinking your teeth into history (with a side of irreverence and tannins) while gazing over vineyards nurtured since King Solomon's PR-team worked the region-well, that's a vintage story you'll savor long after the hangover fades.

Forget stuffy museums and roped-off exhibits-Ashkelon's Overnight Historical Tour is ancient history at its gritty, tantalizing best, a place to trace footsteps of Philistine warriors by day and swap questionable archaeological theories over falafel and cold beer by night. Once a bustling stronghold battled over by everyone from biblical tyrants to sword-swinging Crusaders, Ashkelon's ruins practically hum with scandal, intrigue, and enough historical melodrama to rival your favorite soap opera (minus the commercials). Start your adventure in the soft gold light of late afternoon-when the crumbling ramparts turn photogenic and the breeze off the Mediterranean reminds you why everyone's been fighting over this spot for millennia. Plan at least a couple weeks ahead in peak seasons, allocate roughly $150 for your overnight stay and guided exploration, and pack sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a sense of humor for those unexpected moments when a stray goat photobombs your Instagram story or a friendly local passionately disputes your tour guide's historical accuracy. Do it not only to say you've stood triumphantly atop a 4,000-year-old wall, but also because it proves history isn't just tombstones and trivia-sometimes it's the wildly entertaining reminder that we're all part of a long-running show that's still making itself up as it goes along.