And travel to the Promised Land Israel close before the end of the year.
Israel, as we all know, has been the real leading light in vaccine roll-outs.
With half its population now having had their second jags.
And boy have they been celebrating with this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day a real cause for celebration.
It has brought people out on the streets to sing, dance and watch the fireworks display.
Dublin is El Al City
Israel, of course, was the shiny new El Al route from Dublin for 2020, only for it to be interrupted by Covid.
The good news is that Sharon Bershadsky, Director at the Israel Tourism Office in London made real connections on her visit to Dublin last year.
And she is keen to get the Irish out to Israel as soon as we can.
A land of our childhood
From May 23 vaccinated groups of international travellers will be allowed out to Israel initially in a pilot scheme and then through a phased approach.
And don’t we all want to get out there but again our political leaders continue to drag their feet.
I’ve said it before that I’ve got real close to stepping on holy land.
I have seen Israel from Mt Nebo, Moses’s last resting place, and by the Jordan where John the Baptist baptised Jesus with G Adventures.
And I’m determined to step across into Israel. And yes, you can do countries with G Adventures.
This ancient land of Israel, and all its previous incarnations, is the one country we all know from childhood.
Even if we have never been there, through our religious classes.
So it’s a real challenge to present it anew but one which Sharon succeeded in consumately.
Best of both worlds
The appeal of the Promised Land is obvious, it’s not called that for nothing.
And its historical and religious sites will always draw us there.
But Israel is a diverse country of peoples, cultures, geography… and of course culinary.
There is more than milk and honey although both are to be recommended and used in many of their best dishes.
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is a combined trip which will give the traveller the best of both worlds.
Modern hip beach Mediterannean Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where three religions meet.
Hotting up
Jews, Muslims and Christians all come together too in Haifa on the northern coast in a model of co-existence.
Israel really is a country of contrasts with the traveller able to lie back and think of…
Well, nothing on the Dead Sea, or take a boat out on the Dead Sea and snorkel or tuck into the barbecue and Israeli wine.
In fact the water may just be a blessed relief.
From the heat of an Israeli summer with temperatures hitting the high 40s… great for me, I must admit.
Because of the year that’s in it, it may be the Autumn or Winter when we all get out there which is real good by me.