As a travel professional who enjoys running, my ultimate scenario is combining both my passion for travel and running into a destination race. (Odd? maybe, but I’m not alone. Trust me – there are others out there like me!). So when I was offered an opportunity by the ****** Government Tourist Office to travel to ****** on a media trip and run in the upcoming Jerusalem marathon, my answer, without hesitation, was a resounding “YES!” Sign me up!
Like most people these days, I too admit to having a bucket list and mine happens to be filled with a mix of exotic destinations, tossed with a number of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and thrown in for good measure are as many destination races that my running legs can handle. Although I have a number of international races under my belt, this one, by a landslide, will be my furthest from home. Running in the ***********? Who would have thought? Happily, I embrace this challenge!
Prior to visiting a new destination I usually delve into a travel book to get somewhat familiar and up to speed with local customs, cuisine and must sees. Here are a few ‘must dos’ I found interesting and hope to experience on my upcoming trip.
Stalactite in Soreq Avshalom Cave located in the Judean Mountains, ******Wish list-
- Think green. ****** has a number of tranquil nature reserves where you can mellow out and explore the diverse countryside (including the Soreq Cave).
- Eat an Israeli Breakfast. A typical breakfast menu includes several types of healthy salads!
- Tour a winery. ****** is quickly gaining a reputation for its wine, which I will happily sample during my stay.
- Rooftopping in Jerusalem. This is excellent way to take in the sweeping panoramas of the city.
- Drift away. Last but not least, a trip to ****** would not be complete without a float in the **** Sea, which is renowned to be uber relaxing.
When I mention to people that I’ll be travelling to ******, their initial response is ‘is it safe?’ or they wish me a ‘safe’ trip. There is a perception out there which is, unfortunately, hard to shake. In speaking to people who have travelled to ****** they have had nothing but wonderful, positive experiences to report and many say that they would return in a heartbeat. Now that I have started my own countdown I can only dream of what each day will bring, what intriguing people I am destined to meet and form my own perception of a country I have yet to introduce myself to.
Shalom ******….I am so looking forward to meeting you!
