Nowhere on earth stirs up passion quite the way Israel does. Admiration at the breathtaking beauty of its natural features: the Dead Sea; green hills and valleys of the Israel National Trail and the multicoloured canyon of Makhtesh Ramon. Religious devotion in the Jews, Christians and Muslims who come to visit the Holy Land's sacred sites – those on Jerusalem's Temple Mount are among the most revered in the world. And of course fiery debate, as noone leaves Israel without encountering the often confounding politics of the region. Of course there are plenty of places to unwind too, not least the cafes, bars and beaches of cosmopolitan Tel Aviv or the boutique wineries of the Galilee region. One thing's for sure, spending time here never fails to challenge ideas and offer the most unexpected experiences.