November–December is usually the time for hunting down a warm coat, Hanukkah deals, and household errands. But this year, something has changed: While the first rain arrived fashionably late, travel sites report unusually high activity for summer destinations. Not skiing, not holiday markets. Summer. Sea. All-inclusive. Israelis, it seems, prefer to feel the warmth through the screen – and secure a deal now.
After two challenging years and amid the shadow of war, it seems the Israeli public is seeking hope, normalcy, and forward planning. Perhaps this is a reaction to uncertainty – but something in the mentality is shifting: Instead of waiting until the last minute, many are booking in advance. “We’re seeing a real awakening,” says Assaf Daniel, CEO of Last Minute, “Israelis recognize a window of opportunity and don’t want to miss the low prices.”
On Last Minute, as well as on airline websites Blue Bird Airways and TUS, the trend is clearly visible. 35% of recent bookings are for summer vacations, an unusual figure for the cold season. The top destinations are familiar and beloved: Crete, Rhodes, and Kos, and with a very short flight – Cyprus, with Larnaca and Paphos. But alongside these “classic” beach destinations, there are two surprises making a comeback next summer: Budapest and Prague, cities that were until recently considered classic autumn-winter destinations, and in recent months have started to soar as options for July–August vacations.
Why now?
According to Assaf Daniel, CEO of Last Minute, the answer lies in the wallet. Daniel explains that pre-booking prices are almost a third lower than the prices expected closer to summer – a difference of thousands of shekels for families. This is coupled with particularly favorable exchange rates, a window of opportunity that could close at any moment due to global fluctuations, and an element familiar to parents: High demand for large family rooms. This is not a competition over a deal, but a race for availability.
Examining real-world examples sharpens the advantage. A family vacation in Crete, at the Creta Maris hotel, including a water park and full board, now costs around NIS 7,500 per family. A similar booking in June could reach NIS 11,000 – a significant gap, especially when summer comes with additional expenses. In Kos, at the Kipriotis Village hotel, the picture is almost identical: About NIS 6,500 for a booking now versus roughly NIS 9,000 in summer. A million considerations, one gap that speaks for itself.
Beyond price and availability, there is also a small cultural shift: Israelis, often considered professional “last-minute” bookers, understand that when demand is high – last-minute booking is no longer advantageous. The search for a family summer vacation has become a simple equation – whoever books first pays less and gets more. No stress, no endless July searches, no settling for a leftover hotel.
Does this mean everyone should rush to book now? Not necessarily. Those seeking flexibility, preferring to wait for last-minute deals, or not reliant on large family rooms, might still find a deal later. But for families aiming for an organized vacation, with fixed dates and a pool as an integral part of the schedule – December has become the official opening of the summer season.