TEL AVIV – British holidaymakers should “swap ordinary for underrated” and head to Israel for their next Mediterranean vacation, an article in a top newspaper in the country declared this week.

“A holiday on the Med usually means Spain, France, Italy, Greece, or – if you’ve grown tired of the above – Croatia, Morocco or Montenegro. But head east – all the way east – and there’s an option that doesn’t often come to mind: Israel,” travel writer Soo Kim wrote in the Telegraph on Friday before going on to highlight ten reasons to visit the Jewish state.

According to Kim, Israel boasts a plethora of “undiscovered” beaches, “year-round sun” and “young, hip and laid back locals.” He also noted the country’s “thriving nightlife” which includes “some of the world’s most sophisticated and unique bars,” as well as its “vibrant food scene” and “fascinating architecture.”

“With more than 230 museums spread across a relatively small plot of land, Israel is an option for sunseekers who also want culture,” Kim wrote, adding that Israel has more museums per capita than any other country in the world.

He noted Jerusalem’s 5,000-year history, saying “few cities resonate in the same way.”

Kim also offered off-the-beaten track alternatives to vacationers willing to explore places outside of Israel’s tourist-trodden hotspots. For those seeking a more rural vibe, Kim touted the Western Galilee as the “Tuscany of the Middle East.” Not far from there is Nahariya, a beach town Kim compares with the Hamptons.