May 9, 2013

With its gorgeous desert views, incredible beaches and great weather year-round, Israel seems to be headed for romantic destination distinction. Television actress Lana Parrilla – of ‘Once Upon A Time’ fame – will remember the Negev Desert as the place now fiancé Fred Di Blasio proposed.

Lana Parrilla. Image via Shutterstock.
Lana Parrilla. Image via Shutterstock.

Parrilla and Di Blasio came to Israel for a week-long trip with America’s Voices in Israel, a division of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. They joined Guillermo Diaz (Scandal), Katie Lowes (Scandal), Adam Shapiro (Scandal), Bellamy Young (Scandal) and Julie Walker, art director of the hit TV series The Mentalist, on a sensory overload vacation.

The actors hiked up Masada, visited the desert, toured the Old City of Jerusalem, partied in Tel Aviv, visited an air force base, went up to the Sea of Galilee, and met with the who’s who of Israel’s high-tech, media, medical, and culture fields.

Parrilla, who plays Evil Queen / Mayor Regina Mills on the ‘Once Upon A Time’ fantasy series, told The Times of Israel that she felt “so celebrated” by fans who congratulated her on her engagement that she is even thinking of returning to Israel for an annual celebration.

Shortly before Di Blasio popped the question, Hollywood star Zhang Jingchu was in town for the filming of a new Chinese romantic comedy. Jingchu says she wouldn’t be surprised if “amazing” Israel is put on the itinerary of many viewers.

Image via Shutterstock.