The popular travel website Trip Advisor has recently described Israel’s capital as having ‘profound cultural and historical significance” making it an ideal destination for tourists wishing to learn and gain deep insight into other countries and way-of-lives.
In the ‘Culture and Sightseeing Destinations in the World’ section of the website, Jerusalem has been ranked within the top ten. Whilst Florence in Italy was marked at first place, followed by Rome and Paris, Jerusalem gained an excellent seventh place ranking. This has placed it surprisingly above such popular tourist spots as London and Venice.
Alongside Trip Advisor’s appreciation of Israel as a holiday destination, the prestigious magazine National Geographic ranked Tel Aviv as one of the world’s top ten beach cities. This was placed alongside such areas as Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town. The magazine celebrated the area, calling it “Miami Beach on the Med” due to its restaurants, clubs and white beaches.
The Trip Advisor website advises people to “plan on seeing the major sights” when within Jerusalem as there are some significant monuments and sights around the capital. Alongside this, the website says that a lot of the city’s beauty lies in back streets where you can soak up the traditional culture. One reviewer said you should “leave plenty of time to walk through the streets and simply immerse yourself in the daily life of such an ancient and revered life.”
Despite such raving reviews, one should always be aware that Trip Advisor is a website in which site users can post their own reviews. Whilst the website can offer in depth and important travel information, the opinions may be subject to individual’s views and may not take into consideration everyone’s tastes. Trip Advisor has recently been stung by hoteliers taking their revenge on damning and false reviews of their accommodation. According to Kwikchex, a reputation management firm, they suspect that some reviews may be invented or exaggerated in order to present either a positive or negative light on the destination or accommodation. This could be said for some of the reviewers who comment upon Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Flag & Camel
Whilst Jerusalem has been noted as being culturally spectacular on the Trip Advisor website, the recent scandals regarding exaggerated or false comments on the site’s reviews means that the city’s Top Ten spot may be considered doubtful. It is worth remembering that the website’s remarks are subject to people’s points of views and must be considered with a large pinch of salt before you book your tickets!