What are your travel regrets? I have been to Israel many times. As someone who blogs about Israel, I tell people about places to go and things to do in the Holy Land. But lately I’ve been thinking about some of the the mistakes I’ve made on my trips. Consider this a “do as I say and not as I did” kind of blog.

Mistake #1: Spending too much time in Jerusalem. When I go to Israel, it’s like I have a homing beacon that guides me from the airport to the Old City. And then there is so much to see and do in Jerusalem that sometimes I forget that there is a whole country out there. I know many people who do this. My aunt just came back from a trip to Israel and when I asked her about her trip, her response was: “well, we mostly stayed in Jerusalem.” Leaving Jerusalem is almost like going to a different country. Obviously I love Jerusalem, but each region in Israel has such different energy that is awesome in its own way. So go to Zichron Yaakov and check out a winery. Go up north and stay in a little kibbutz. A lot of them have guest houses and you can not only see the north, but get some local flavor. And don’t forget to check out the northern coast. Haifa is Israel’s forgotten city. Go there.

Mistake #2: Eating safe.  Why, when I go to countries that are not America, do I walk around looking for American food? Do you do this? I think it’s time we all agree that we will not get a steak in Israel that is as good as a steak in New York. Don’t go to Israel looking for a good rib eye. Maybe find some hummus. The cheeses are awesome. The middle eastern pastries - you know those kind with the sticky honey? Holy moses they are good. And what about shakshuka and of course, falafel? If you know of good Israeli eateries, please (!) post below. I am going soon and I am determined to right my wrongs and do better in the future.

Mistake #3: Too much tourism, not enough time with the locals. I recently asked my cousin - who lives in Israel - what some good Israeli phrases are that travelers should know. I thought it might be a good topic for a blog. The response: “Please. Just speak English. Everyone does, and anyway, you’ll just sound like an idiot.” Well, thanks a lot Judy. I guess we naturally tend to look for things that are familiar when we are away from home. Hence mistake #2. But next time I go, I am just going to speak my awful Hebrew, try to hang out with more Israelis and spend more time going where the locals go.

Mistake #4. Not enough tourism. This has nothing to do with mistake #3. I am about to admit something deeply shameful. I’ve never been to Masada. That’s right. The #2 destination in Israel after the Western Wall. When I was there as a student I skipped the trip because our Masada trip was at the end of the year and I was all hiked out. And then in subsequent trips, it became a source of embarrassment and I didn’t want to admit that I hadn’t been there. So here I am, a veteran Israel travel who has never been to Masada. There’s a reason tourist hotspots are hot. They are cool. They are unique. They are special. Brave the crowds and go to the famous places at least once. Don’t limit yourself to them, but don’t avoid them because they are “touristy” either. That would be like not eating potato chips because they’re pedestrian. Potato chips are popular because everyone loves them and they’re good. Best tourist spots in Israel (besides Masada, because obviously, how would I know?) The Western Wall Tunnels, Ein Gedi, Machane Yehuda, The Dead Sea, to name a few.

Do you have any travel mistakes that you have made in Israel? Share below so that we can all learn from your mistakes too.