In May 2019, 60 British ex-servicemen and women flew to Israel for the first Veterans Games. Many had suffered injuries during campaigns in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland. Getting all their travel arrangements just right was a huge challenge. 

“Watching these brave people, and knowing we had catered for each of their unique needs for their entire trip, was probably the proudest moment of my career in travel,” said Michal Alperson, who oversaw the logistics for their visit. 

That experience, of hosting the veterans in Israel, made Alperson determined to expand high-quality accessible travel for BEIsrael. “It was a challenge like no other, and I’m determined that others will benefit from the massive experience we acquired,” she said.

Accessible tours to Israel include visits to many of the classic Israeli sites - and so much more. Picture this, for example: You’re on a beautiful trail along the Nahal Hashofet river, in northern Israel. As you hear the water flowing, you admire the willows and elms growing along the banks. The scenery constantly changes, you pass a couple of small caves and a beautiful grove where you see the remains of an old flour mill.

This entire trail is fully-accessible by wheelchair, as are many other routes through Israel’s top nature reserves. New laws in the last decade have prompted a major increase in accessibility. They've directly led to improvements at 70 national parks, archeological and heritage sites run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and at more than 300 forests.