Everyone wants a piece of Ashkelon. For the last 3000 years, between Israelites trying to steal it from the Philistines and Alexander the Great taking a piece out of Persia, Ashkelon has been at the top of many a civilization’s territorial wish list. Even just a few years ago, the city was the target of a series of rocket attacks from nearby Gaza. The area is generally safe now, but it still leaves you wondering what all the fuss is about. You may be in for a small surprise—while strategic military location was a great attraction for the Ottoman Empire, that’s less of a concern nowadays for all but the most megalomaniacal tourists. Unless you’re here to spearhead the next Crusade, you’ll find Ashkelon more desirable for its extensive archaeological sites, azure beaches, and serene national park, all of which provide a great respite from the hubbub of Tel Aviv. Now, if only those expensive accommodations didn’t prohibit more than a couple days’ stay...