REVEALING AN ISRAEL BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Revealing an Israel that Goes Beyond the Headlines - Jane Wooldridge (McClatchy)
The Israel of labels - Holy Land, Cradle of Civilization, powder keg - is a living, bubbling land of pottery makers and glassblowers, savvy chefs and Wine Spectator-worthy vintages.

In this Israel, the Gaza strife that dominates headlines seems a world away. "Everyone who comes here says the same thing, that it feels so safe," said Lin Arison, who splits her time between Miami and Tel Aviv.

"There's normal life here. That's the thing that's so hard to get people to understand."

For seven days, our route included small museums, breezy boardwalks, wineries, herb and cheese farms, boutiques, gardens, spas - a scenario that seems so familiar, but with distinctive twists.