That’s the question vexing those debating how to market the nation to tourists. Interestingly, an Israeli consular official recently invited a camera crew from Maxim magazine to photograph a bikini-clad model in Tel Aviv, arguing that the best way to improve the country’s image among young men was with “good-looking women,” the official told Newsweek. Others insist that Biblical sites set Israel apart and should be emphasized. Which raises the question: Can you sell Holy sites to would-be religious tourists and secular good times to Maxim readers at the same time? 

No kidding. The restaurant chain is bound for Israel. Declares the man behind the project: “I strongly believe that the Hooters concept is something that Israelis are looking for.”
Related on World Hum:
* Hooters Casino Hotel Opens Today in Las Vegas
* Lesson No. 1 of Hooters Air: It Is Awfully Difficult to Make Buffalo Wings at 30,000 Feet

Alternative Israel
- “Had Your Fill of the Ancient Charms of Jerusalem? Relax in the German Colony.” (Washington Post)
- “An Arty Oasis in Old Tel Aviv” (NYT)

Malaysian Cooking
- “In Malaysia, Take Many Peoples and Ingredients, Mix, Enjoy” (NYT)

The Ajanta Caves
- “In the Holy Caves of India” (NYT)

Cologne/Köln, Germany
- “Fun amid the splendor of spires” (Houston Chronicle)

Pre-Ski Season Special
- “Canada: The Best of Everywhere” (Chicago Tribune)
- “From resorts to ski reviews, it’s online” (Chicago Tribune)
- “North America: It’s a big continent, with lots of snow” (Chicago Tribune)

We often say that we travel and read travel writing to discover more about the world. So this week, we turn our attention to Israel and Lebanon, where a violent conflict shows no sign of letting up. To get a different perspective, we thought we’d link to some of the best travel stories we’ve seen from Israel and Lebanon in recent years. Slate, for instance, had a great Talking Tour of Beirut Well-Traveled feature last year, a five-part series by Lee Smith. Slate also published a story by Negar Akhavi a few years ago about “Hezbollahland,” a place “where Islamic fundamentalism meets Dollywood.” Here at World Hum, we posted Lynn Cohen’s reflective story, Blooming in Jerusalem, and Jenni Kolsky’s excellent photo essay taken on a beach outside of Tel Aviv. She writes: “Here it felt safe, in the moments when life is about the pursuit of pleasure, in the moments when you can forget that you are in the midst of war.”