The Baha'i Temple and surrounding gardens in Haifa

The port city of Haifa lies at the base of Mount Carmel and is packed with sites that are sacred to Jews, Muslims, Baha'i and Catholics.

As the modern capital of secular Israel, Jerusalem is both a bustling multicultural hub and a spiritual basketcase, its very existence a point of widespread contention.

The distinctive blue doors of Safed's old Jewish quarter

Along with Jerusalem, Tiberias and Hebron, Safed (pronounced "Sfut") is one of the four holy cities of Judaism.

Safed is also Israel's highest town, perched atop Mount Kenaan and overlooking the Galilean hills.

Soak up the sunshine in the Red Sea resort town of Eilat

Israelis and Europeans alike flock to this Red Sea resort town to soak up the sunshine and dive the coral reefs.

The ancient fortress of Masada has become a symbol of Jewish resilience

The desert sky is still speckled with stars as you embark on the breath-taking 45-minute ascent to this mountaintop citadel. Not long after you reach the top, the sun rises over the distant Dead Sea and morning light illuminates the excavated ruins of Masada.

The view back to Tel Aviv from the Arab city of Jaffa

If Jerusalem is a city of the spirit, then Tel Aviv is a city of flesh.

With over a million people crammed along 15km of coastline, Tel Aviv is a secular metropolis with its tits out and its boom box turned up full blare.