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Taking a trip to Israel can be one of the most spiritually validating experiences a Christian can have. While many international travelers decide to visit Israel in the summer to line up with traditional vacation plans, or during the winter to take advantage of low rates, you shouldn't dismiss the idea of visiting Israel in the fall – it can be one of the most gorgeous and exciting times to visit the Holy Land.

While it may be late in the season to start planning a trip now, keep these points in mind for the future. Any time is a good time to visit the Holy Land, but going in the fall has its own special virtues!

Temperatures in Israel cool down significantly during the fall months. While a summer pilgramage might sound great, it's no fun if you have to spend half your time hiding inside so you won't bake in the sun! Being exhausted and overheated is no way to enjoy your time visiting the Holy Land, vacationing during the Autumn is a more relaxing and temperate affair.

As a bonus, visiting in the late end of September to the end of October will let you catch the first rainfall of the season, or as the Israeli's call it, "yoreh.” As Canadians, we typically don't think too much of rain, regarding it as an annoyance most of the time. In Israel though, the rain is something to be celebrated as the start of a fresh agricultural season and those first drops are met with gratitude to God and elation. It's a chance to see the world and its natural splendor through a different set of eyes.

A combination of the cooler temperatures and High Holiday season of Rosh Hashana make the fall months the number one time for Israeli festivals and activities. Starting near the end of September and carrying on till the end of November, the autumn months are chock full of events, gatherings, concerts, and performances. You'll never be bored or in want for things to do during these bustling months!

While Israel is a tourist destination year round with many fascinating places to visit, coming during the fall months is the perfect chance to see a little more of the "real” Israeli experience. A chance to participate in more local and specific celebrations and events, such as the annual apple harvest and honey festivals. Obviously the temples, churches, and Holy sites of the land are the most important destinations to visit, but it is also good to see the local culture, to get a sense of who God's choosen people are and how they live their lives. You won't get as intimate a view coming during the typical tourist season.

Israel is a beautiful nation, but it looks just a little better during the fall. Long, glorious sunsets mark the end of every day. Cool misty evenings add a natural shine to the city streets. The fall is also migration season for millions of birds of all kinds of different exotic species. You don't have to be a birdwatcher to enjoy the natural spectacle of hundreds of beautiful creatures flying in formation over these ancient sites and cities. It's a spiritually uplifting experience. 

There are advantages and high points to visiting the Holy Land during any season, but if you're planning a trip, take a second to consider visiting during the fall. It would be an experience you'd never forget.