H o neyino on
in the
Homeland
For many couples embarking on a Jewish life together,
Israel with its tradition, hi story, and sights
is the ultimate honeymoon destination.
BY MICHELE CHABIN AND MELINDA GREENBERG
ong considered an ideal place to have a Bar or Bat Mitz-
vah or a family vacation, Israel is becoming increasing-
ly popular as a honeymoon destination. Each year,
thousands of young couples, many of them newlyweds,
4 come to Israel to explore its history and culture and to
41111 lounge on its beaches. For a small country (you can dri-
ve from the northernmost border to the southernmost tip in eight or
nine hours), it has a tremendous amount to offer.
For Jewish couples, it is often the perfect way to embark on a mar-
riage grounded in Jewish traditions and values. "I've spent a lot of
time in Israel and I was starting a new life with my wife," says Neil
Rubin, managing editor of the Atlanta Jewish Times, who honey-
mooned in Israel last June with his wife, Ronit. "It was important to
me to make Israel part of that new life."
Most Israel-bound honeymooners opt for a relaxing, beach vacation,
says Isaac Neger, owner of Sabra Tours International, wholesaler of
trips to Israel. (800-2314111) "Eilat is the big attraction," says Neger,
who started his Maryland-based business 15 years ago. "Now that the
border of Jordan has opened up, couples go to Eilat and Aqaba [on the
Jordanian border] and will spend a day or two touring Jerusalem."
But not everyone is sold on Eilat as a beach resort. After a two-week
honeymoon covering Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Eilat,
Sharon Siegel would opt to pass up Eilat if she had it to do over. "Eilat
was such a waste," says the 28-year-old New Yorker now living in Mil-
ford, Ct., with her husband, Stephen. 'The beaches are not as great as
the Caribbean and we ended up spending a lot of time in the pool be-
cause it was just too hot on the beach. There's so much more to see in
Israel."
History buffs will favor Jerusalem and the numerous archaeological
sites scattered around the country. "I love Jewish history and culture,
and Jerusalem is like a story a minute," says Rubin, who combined his
Israeli honeymoon trip with a week in Greece. "Just walking around
and seeing the people is an experience."
If you're into hiking, climbing or Jeep adventures, there are hun-
dreds of pristine, tranquil spots to choose from. The nice thing about
Israel is that you can combine leisure, history and nature, often in a sin-
gle afternoon or day trip.
You can even combine your wedding and honeymoon into one trip.
Sabra offers a wedding package, complete with an ancient Israeli cer-
emony featuring footmen dressed in ancient robes who carry the cou-
ple on their shoulders from the Jaffa Gate to the Western Wall. The
wedding package costs about $2,000, including a reception for about
30 people. The expenses of the rabbi and photographer are incuded.
Air fare to Israel is separate and runs about $899 round-trip from De-
troit per person. The couple then honeymoons for four days, three
nights in Eilat and Tiberias for $299 per person.
Unlike honeymoon havens such as the Caribbean or Hawaii, Is-
rael does not have a full-fledged honeymoon industry. Israeli hotels