Israel

This is one of the craziest places you’ll ever see. Regardless of whether you’re Christian, Jewish, or Muslim (or anything else, for that matter), you are sure to be impressed by the incredible amount of history in this ancient city.

Jerusalem has been at the center of religious conflict since the Middle Ages. What makes the city so incredible is the incredibly compact area in which these three major religions developed. Take a day tour of the Old City, and make sure you bring your camera in your backpack. Literally from room to room, you’ll jump from one religion to another in seconds.

Backpacking through Jerusalem does require some care, however. Although the terrorism problem seems to have quieted down in the past year, it’s still wise to always exercise caution.

Another great part of backpacking through this part of the world is the food. The hodgepodge of different cultures makes for some really interesting dishes. You can also save a ton of money by eating from little stands on the street rather than restaurants.

Jerusalem is a mind-blowing backpacking experience. There’s really no other place on earth that can give you such a sense of history, and the people who made it.