The return of foreign airlines to Tel Aviv is reshaping travel to the East. Ethiopian Airlines, Air India and Air Seychelles have resumed operations, alongside new nonstop flights by Arkia to Thailand and Vietnam. Together, these developments make the current period an attractive opportunity for a vacation in one of the region’s hottest destinations. While Israel is experiencing a cool winter, many countries in the East are enjoying warm, dry weather that is ideal for travel and leisure.
Against the backdrop of expanded options, a wide range of flights and packages and price differences among carriers, we have organized the leading destinations in the East and the available ways to get there and vacation, from scheduled flights and packages to organized tours, to help you choose the winter getaway that suits you best.
Thailand
One of the most popular destinations among Israelis and one of the easiest countries to fall in love with: stunning beaches, excellent food, lively markets, lush nature, massages on every corner and people who always greet you with a smile. Everyone finds something in Thailand, whether it is a relaxed island vacation, hiking in the mountainous north or shopping and nightlife in Bangkok. Thailand is beautiful year-round, but this period is among the best times to visit. The weather is pleasant, dry and not too hot, perfect for touring, boating, sunbathing or simply relaxing with a coconut in hand.
Flights to Bangkok with Etihad, with a connection in Abu Dhabi, depart February 17 and return February 28, starting at $797 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on. A nonstop flight with El Al on February 17–28 is priced from $1,202 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on. A nonstop flight with Arkia to Bangkok starts at $1,848 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on. A nonstop flight to Phuket with El Al, for example on February 1–9, starts at $1,980 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on.
It is also possible to book flights and accommodations separately. For example, an all-inclusive vacation at Club Med Phuket on February 2–9 starts at $4,460 per person in a double room.
An organized tour by Eshet Tours offers 14 days in Thailand for $3,549 per person in a double room, scheduled for February 25 to March 10, 2026.
Sri Lanka
An exotic, captivating and accessible destination, offering a winning combination of wild nature, tropical beaches, rich culture and excellent food. Travelers can enjoy lush green tea plantations in the mountains, safaris with elephants and leopards, ancient Buddhist temples, surfing and relaxed stays along the golden beaches of the south.
Winter is one of the best times to visit Sri Lanka. The south and west enjoy warm, dry and pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures of about 82 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also the ideal season for beaches, surfing and nature trips, with less rainfall and especially green landscapes after the monsoon season.
There are no nonstop flights from Israel to Sri Lanka, so how do you get there? A flight with Etihad via Abu Dhabi departs Feb. 1 and returns February 15, with prices starting at $736 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on. A vacation package from Issta for February 3–10 includes Etihad flights via Dubai and accommodations at the Marino Beach Colombo hotel, seven nights with breakfast and transfers included, starting at $1,358 per person. An organized tour by Eshet Tours offers nine days in Sri Lanka for $1,699 per person in a double room, scheduled for January 15–22, 2026.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with a true paradise feel, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, green mountains and striking tropical scenery. Beyond the landscape, what makes Mauritius such a special destination is the atmosphere: calm, serenity and warm hospitality that feels like a home away from home.
During the Israeli winter, Mauritius enjoys summer weather, warm and humid with occasional rain showers but plenty of sunshine. It is an ideal time for sunbathing, diving, exploring nature reserves or simply relaxing on the beach. For travelers looking for a tropical vacation with a touch of luxury, Mauritius is an excellent choice.
How do you get there? A flight with Etihad via Abu Dhabi departs February 1 and returns February 15, with prices starting at $845 per passenger.
A vacation package from Spirit Productions Olam includes flights, transfers and accommodations at the Trou Aux Biches hotel, six nights with breakfast, starting at $2,200 per package. Another option is a vacation package from Issta, including flights with Lufthansa, returning with Austrian Airlines, and accommodations at the Mon Choisy Beach R hotel, seven nights with breakfast and transfers included, starting at $3,230 per person in a double room.
The Philippines
The Philippines is an ideal destination for escaping the Israeli winter, offering a rare combination of dreamlike beaches, turquoise lagoons, wild nature and a laid-back atmosphere. The country is made up of more than 7,000 islands, each offering a different experience, from some of the world’s best diving to waterfalls deep in the jungle, colorful markets and beaches that look straight out of a postcard.
During the Israeli winter, between December and February, weather conditions in the Philippines are ideal. The dry season is at its peak, with warm, pleasant temperatures and low humidity, making it the best time for touring, vacationing and enjoying tropical sunshine without the intense summer heat.
Getting to Manila: Round-trip flights on February 1–15, combining Flydubai and Philippine Airlines flights with a connection in Dubai, start at $1,021 per passenger.
An organized tour by Eshet Tours to the Philippines offers 12 days for $4,499 per person in a double room, scheduled for March 2–12, 2026.
India
India is an experience unlike any other, a colorful, captivating and immersive world of contrasts. Bustling markets sit alongside quiet temples, snowcapped mountains in the north meet tropical beaches in the south, and rich, flavorful cuisine accompanies a daily life that unfolds in the streets.
During the Israeli winter and spring, weather conditions are pleasant and dry across much of the country. The south and central regions are warm and comfortable, while the north is cooler and well suited for trekking and visits to the Himalayan areas. This is a time when India is at its best, vibrant, warm and full of life.
Getting to Delhi: A nonstop flight with Air India departs February 10 and returns February 19, with prices starting at $690.
Another option is Azerbaijan Airlines via Baku, starting at $501, or Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, starting at $763.
Getting to Goa: A combination of Air India and Emirates flights with a connection in Dubai departs February 11 and returns February 18, starting at $1,279 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on. Another option is Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, starting at $1,809.
An organized tour by Eshet Tours offers eight days in India for $1,929 per person in a double room, scheduled for March 11–24, 2026.
Seychelles
Seychelles is the perfect answer for travelers dreaming of a tropical vacation without the crowds. This stunning island group in the Indian Ocean is known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and lush greenery that looks like it was taken straight from a screensaver. The atmosphere is calm, authentic and romantic, offering a true escape from the outside world.
During the Israeli winter, the weather in Seychelles is tropical, warm and humid, with occasional rain showers but generally very pleasant and sunny. This is an excellent season for vacationing, snorkeling, sailing or simply relaxing by the sea.
Getting to Mahe: A nonstop flight with Air Seychelles departs February 3 and returns February 10, with prices starting at $979, including a checked bag. Another option is Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, starting at $861, including a checked bag.
Flights and accommodations can also be booked separately. For example, a seven-night all-inclusive stay at Club Med Seychelles from February 2–9 starts at $2,761 per person, with a total cost including flights of $3,622.
A vacation package including nonstop flights, transfers and six nights at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort with breakfast starts at $3,032 per person. Another option is a package from Issta that includes flights with Etihad via Abu Dhabi and seven nights at the Savoy Seychelles Resort, with breakfast and transfers included, starting at $4,178 per person.
Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the most intriguing countries in the East, offering a compelling mix of wild nature, rich history, exceptional cuisine and warm, welcoming people. Travelers can wander among lush rice terraces in the north, cruise through Ha Long Bay, fall in love with the colonial cities of the central region or unwind on relaxed beaches in the south.
During the Israeli winter, weather conditions in Vietnam vary by region. The north is cooler and sometimes foggy, the central areas enjoy mild and pleasant weather and the south is warm and dry, making these months ideal for travel. It is a country that offers both adventure and relaxation, with each day feeling a little different from the last.
Flights to Vietnam include flights to Hanoi departing February 11 and returning February 22 with Emirates via Dubai, starting at $1,279 per passenger, including a checked bag and carry-on. A nonstop flight with Arkia between February 9 and February 23 starts at $1,798 per passenger, including a checked bag of up to 23 kilograms and a carry-on.
A vacation package including flights with Etihad via Abu Dhabi and seven nights of accommodations starts at $1,975 per person in a double room at the Phoenix Palace Hotel Hanoi, with breakfast included.
An organized tour by Eshet Tours offers 15 days including Vietnam and Cambodia for $3,899 per person in a double room, scheduled for February 24 to March 9, 2026.
Shirly Cohen Orkaby, deputy CEO of Eshet Tours, told the ynet that “the Far East has seen a meteoric surge in demand in recent months and now, with a significant increase in flights, it is also more accessible for Israelis. Foreign airlines have not yet fully returned to Far East routes, such as Cathay Pacific and Korean Air, and Israeli airlines are stepping into the vacuum. El Al has added flights to Bangkok and Phuket, Arkia to Vietnam and Thailand, Israir is planning new routes to the Far East and Gulf carriers such as Etihad and Emirates are strengthening routes from Tel Aviv, turning Abu Dhabi and Dubai into preferred connection hubs at the expense of Istanbul.”
Yoni Waksman, deputy chairman of Ophir Tours, added that Far East destinations continue to lead winter demand, largely due to the combination of exotic beaches, nature and long, cost-effective vacation experiences. He said flexibility with departure and return dates can significantly reduce prices and deliver greater value. “Those who are willing to play with the dates discover that the Far East in winter is one of the smartest choices,” he said.