Israel Travel Blog

With this list of the best markets (Shuk or bazaar) in Israel you will be able to bargain hunt to your heart’s content as well as get a glimpse into the multi-cultural society of Israel. The colorful people who work and shop in the markets, the aromas, sounds, delicious ethnic foods and unique goods will make your trip to Israel complete.Mahane YehudaWhere: Bordered by Agrippas St., Etz Chaim St., Yaffo St. and Beit Yaakov St., JerusalemWhen: Sun-Thurs 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-3pm, Sat closed but some restaurants and cafes openJerusalem’s main market covers several streets and includes a wide range of food stalls, clothing and household goods. You will also find many eateries of a high standard here. The market has become a magnet for foodies wanting to try ethnic cuisine from Georgia, Tunisia, Morocco and of course Israeli. Highlights of the market include Uzi Eli’s healthy juice stall, the Georgian restaurant Hachapuria and the freshly baked pastries.Shuk HaCarmelWhere: HaCarmel Street, Tel Aviv; Magen David Square to CarmalitWhen: Sun-Thurs 8am-5-6pm, Fri 8am-3pm, Sat closedThis is Tel Aviv’s main market in the middle of the city. Here you can walk down the long pedestrian street and enjoy fresh produce, clothing, toys, household goods, bakeries, fish mongers, butchers and more. The single street market is adjacent to the more sophisticated Nahalet Benyamin Arts and Crafts Fair which is open Tuesdays 10am-6pm and Fridays 10am-3/4:30pm. Here the artists sell their creations which are all hand-made.Jaffa Flea MarketWhere: Across the streets of Olei Zion, Yehuda Margoza, Beit Eshel and connecting covered alley ways in Jaffa.When: Sun-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-2pm, Sat closedJaffa Shuk HaPishpushim (flea market) is a truly unique market. It is located in the streets adjacent to Jaffa’s main thoroughfare where the Clock Tower stands. Here you will find piles and piles of antiques, secondhand goods, clothing, musical instruments, jewelry and more. It is truly a flea market, a place for bargain hunters willing to take their time looking for something special. The market has a number of lanes with antique stalls and trendy eateries as well as narrow covered lanes lined on both sides by small stalls piled high with goods and clothing hanging from the shop entrances. Outside you can see carpets spread out on the street along with antique furniture on display alongside a wild mix of everything including the kitchen sink.Acre Old City MarketWhere: Market Street, Acre Old CityWhen: Daily until 6pmThe surrounding buildings of this market make it so special. The market is the main thoroughfare of Acre’s Old Crusader City. During the Crusader Era of the 13th century the Market Street led from the Hospitallers Gate in the north along King’s Way (Via Regis) to the port. Follow the narrow lanes from the entrance to the Old City all the way to the sea port. The sides of this pedestrian-only street are lined with stores selling clothing, fresh fish, hookahs, spices, coffee beans, fresh fruit, cheap toys, linen and household goods. The smells and sound of this market are vibrant. You are walking through the ancient city where people still live and come to the market for their daily shopping. The street splits at several points and you should take a look down the streets less traveled to see into traditional courtyard dwellings, see ornate balconies, flowers handing from the windows, washing out to dry and old men sitting playing backgammon as they smoke their hookahs. Try the baklava sweetmeats and taste some of the unusual herbs and spices on offer. Fresh fish is a great dish to try in the many eateries and when you have walked the length of the market and reached the sea why not take a short boat excursion or ride on a horse-drawn carriage. One of the lanes leading off of the main market street is called the Turkish Bazaar and has been restored into a quaint, gentrified row of eateries, arts and crafts stores.Tel Aviv PortWhere: Hangar 12, Port Tel AvivWhen: Mon-Thurs 8am-8:30pm, Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 8:30am-8pm, food stalls, Kitchen Market and Tapas Bar open daily until 11pm; Farmers’ Market Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.Shuk HaNamal bills itself as the House of Culinary Israel it is a sophisticated version of the other city markets. It has a great location in Tel Aviv’s port and was the country’s first covered market and was also the first green commercial building in Israel. The market is driven by a desire to provide fresh, seasonal, quality produces and to educate shoppers about the products they buy. The fresh produce found here is really in another league from other Israeli markets. You will often find the vendors grew the produce or made the cheese, wine or baked goods themselves. There are local and international products, specialty stores, a large number of organic fruits and vegetables, butchers, fish mongers, wine, American style delis, artisan cheese, baked goods, hand-made pasta, olives and a professional cookware stall. Looking down on the indoor market from a gallery is a restaurant, demonstration kitchen and center for cooking workshops. In and around the market are many trendy eateries. A farmers’ market is set up in the adjacent squares on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings. The Farmers’ Market is part of the slow food trend, defending the biodiversity in the food supply and working with suppliers with high standards in animal treatment and environmental protection. For example there are no plastic bags at this market. On Saturdays from 10am to 6pm there is also an Artists’ and Collectors Fair on the pier of Port Tel Aviv.Jerusalem Old City MarketWhere: From the Damascus Gate Old City Jerusalem down El Wad, Via Dolorosa, Cotton Merchants’ Market and three parallel streets between David St. and Chain St.When: Sun-Thurs 9am-sundown, Fridays early closing, Sat closedAs you walk through the narrow lanes of Jerusalem’s Old City Muslim and Christian Quarters market you can imagine that these were the streets that Jesus walked. 2000 years ago market stall holders probably stood here hawking their goods in the very same way as today’s vendors. What makes the Old City market even more interesting is that a large portion of it runs along the Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus took as he carried his cross on the way to his crucifixion where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands. The narrow lanes of the market have small open store fronts on both sides. You can find a range of goods including Hebron glassware, religious goods, hand-made brushes, household goods, traditional Arabian clothing, tourist souvenirs, pastries, Armenian ceramics, olive wood objects, handcrafts, brassware, spices and the delicious freshly squeezed fruit juices. Most tours of the Old City follow at least a portion of the market streets. In the Christian Quarter the market place is called Muristan, a distortion of the Persian-Turkish word for hospital as a Crusader hospital once stood here. While in the market you can see the site of the former hospital and the restored Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Next to the Muristan is the Aftimos Market, an area of bustling streets lined with stores. The Muristan market area dates back to the 2nd century BC. Today the area has been restored and a beautiful fountain stands at the heart of the market, it was constructed to mark the 25th anniversary of the reign of Sultan Abed al-HamidRamla MarketWhere: Between Herzl Blvd., Detroit Community St. and Jabotinsky Street, Ramle.When: Sun-Fri 7am-5pm, on Tuesdays the market closes at noon, Wednesday market 7am-4pmThis is one of the most authentic markets in the country and one of the oldest. It was founded at the end of the Ottoman era, renovated under the British Mandate and has continue working since then. The market has a reputation as one of the cheapest markets in Israel. Vendors use tape recorded sales pitches to call shoppers to their stalls. The market is always loud with hawking vendors and Middle Eastern music. On offer are many diverse products and the area is full of small hole-in-the-wall type eateries. Try the ice cold lemonade at the Limonero stand, buy unusual spices found only here and the ethnic restaurants in the area. On Wednesdays the traveling Ramle-Lod market sets up alongside the regular market on King Solomon Blvd in front of the Grand Mosque. The goods are displayed from make-shift stalls and you can get almost all clothing items for under 20ILS as well as household goods, toys, food, sweets, natural health products, mobile phones, accessories and more. Being somewhat off the tourist route Ramle is a great market to visit where you won’t be among crowds of other tourists.Rosh Haayin MarketWhen: Fridays 7:30am- about 3 hours before sundown.Where: Yehoshu’a Bin Nun st., Rosh HaayinRosh Haayin is a city off the usual tourist route. It is in central Israel, about 20min north of Tel Aviv. Rosh Haayin has many residents of Jewish Yemenite decent and the market captures that Middle Eastern feel. In fact this is a good place to buy Yemenite spices and taste Yemenite food like jachnun, Kubana and malauach. You can even find bunches of gat, a leaf traditionally chewed by many Yemenite men. It is a sprawling covered market on an open plot, so no meandering lanes like other Israeli markets. There is always a sense of urgency in the air as the Shabbat approaches and locals are in a hurry to get home with their purchases. The market sells a wide variety of goods including fresh fruit and vegetables and nuts, spices. There are many clothing stalls, underwear, household items, Israeli-style ready-to-eat-foods, toys, linen, shoes and cheap art work. The market has a reputation for its cheap prices although it is not a market for bargaining as the prices are already rock bottom. Try a cup of the lemonade at the market entrance, take a walk down the aisle with fresh herbs to smell the parsley, cilantro and fennel but you’ll really love the clothing sections. Bring cash as the market stalls don’t accept credit cards. This market is a great choice if you want a market frequented by locals rather than tourists.Bezalel Arts Fair JerusalemWhere: Bezalel HaKatan St. Near Ben Yehuda St., between Bezalel St. and Shmuel HaNagid, JerusalemWhen: Fridays 10am-4pmThe artIsts of the city sell their creations at this arts and crafts fair. The market has a neighborhood feel and is frequented by trendy hipsters, young families and local residents. The market hasn’t been around for long, it was established in 2009 but is extremely popular. It is similar to the Nahalat Binyamin market in Tel Aviv. On offer are hand-made goods including ceramics, jewelry, hand-painted items, paintings, Judaica, hand-made leather goods, wooden toys, books and chimes among other creations. If you want you can get your hands painted by a henna artist. On one side of the market is the historic former building of Israel’s finest school of arts and design and on the other side are boutiques and sidewalk cafes.Be’er Sheva Bedouin MarketWhere: Derech Habron, Be’er ShevaWhen: ThursdaysThis is a raw, no-frills market in the southern city of Be’er Sheva. It is held in a vacant plot covered only by awnings. The market is a sprawling mix of make-shift stalls and Bedouin who come to the market to sell their wares. Ten years ago you may have seen camels here and Bedouin women selling piles of herbs spread out on blankets on the ground. It is sometimes referred to as the Camel Market. Today the market has become a little more sophisticated but retains its rural feel. This is a market where you won’t see many tourists. You can find the usual market items as well as rows of fabric, electronic goods, pickles, large bags of spices, toys and make-up. The market will give you a glimpse into the colorful blend of cultures in southern Israel.

Don’t leave Israel without seeing these top tourist destinations1. Jerusalem Old City, JerusalemWithin the ancient walls of Jerusalem’s Old City you can see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Wailing Wall, Via Dolorosa, the Armenian Quarter, Dome of the Rock and many more of Israel’s top sights.2. Bahai Gardens, HaifaHaifa’s top must-see sight is the garden which cascades down 18 terraces on Mount Carmel, at the top of the garden is the white Bahia Temple. The gardens are maintained impeccably with bright seasonal flowers and landscaped patterns.3. Jaffa Port, Tel-AvivJaffa today has been renovated and preserved, the high stone walls and narrow lanes which balance on the cliff are used for specialty art galleries, restaurants, a small museum and an observation point where you can look back across the water to Tel-Aviv. Visit the flea market and antique stores here and be sure to bargain.4. Sea of GalileeThis inland sea is where Jesus performed many of his miracles like walking on the water and the feeding of the multitude. The fresh water sea is perfect for boat trips and for swimming and is surrounded by stunning countryside. Along the edges of the sea of Galilee are various Biblical sites and small quaint chapels.5. Dead SeaThe Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth a visit here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The sea’s unique salinity (8.6 saltier than the sea) makes the water thick and almost oily so that you can’t sink. You can float in the Dead Sea and benefit from the rejuvenating qualities of the highly concentrated minerals.6. Red Sea, EilatHire a snorkel or take a dive in the crystal clear Red Sea. The coral reefs, tropical fish and even dolphins make this a site not to miss.7. Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, JerusalemThe world’s best Holocaust museum housed in an innovative modern building, the museum holds thousands of documents, photos, video testimonials and artifacts from the darkest time in the history of the Jewish people.8. Church of the Annunciation, NazarethSee the place where Mary and Joseph lived and where the archangel revealed to Mary that she would soon carry the son of God. One of the most moving features is the display of images of Madonna and baby Jesus from around the world. The mosaics and paintings show the holy family as black, white and Asian according to how the Christians in those countries envision them.9. Acre Old City, AcreEnter the narrow cobbled lanes of this walled port city which is alive with people bustling through the market, this is real living history. The labyrinth of lanes leads you from the entrance down to the water’s edge.10. Ramon CraterWhen driving down from the center of Israel to Eilat the road passes this Crater which is 40km long, 500 meters deep and 10km wide. From Mitzpe Ramon on the northern wall of the crater you can look down on the magnificent desert landscape.It must be said that Bethlehem would have been on this list but officially it is in Palestine and not Israel. Caesarea, Tel-Aviv and Masada also narrowly missed the list!

Israel has some exclusive luxury spa resorts situated in unique locations including the Dead Sea area and on the shores of the Red Sea. Take a look at these top luxury spas in Israel which have all been nominated or won the World Travel Awards title of leading spa resort.Carmel Forest Spa Resort, HaifaThis is a 126 room luxury spa resort nestled in the Carmel Forest Nature Reserve on a mountain top surrounded by trees. The natural surroundings add to the exclusive and unique feel of this resort. All the luxuriously furnished rooms have breathtaking mountain views and guests can use the resort facilities for free. The facilities include a Turkish steam bath (Hamam) imported from Turkey, a gym, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools. Among the added extras available at the resort are spa treatments, massages, tai-chi, meditation, palates and the services of a dietitian. There are three meals a day prepared by a gourmet chef with a focus on healthy eating. The two outstanding features which make this one of Israel’s best luxury spas are the stunning location and that the resort is a child-free-zone!Herods, EilatIn Israel’s leading vacation city you’ll find three luxury Herods hotels – Herods Palace, Herods Vitalis and Herods Boutique but it is the Vitalis which offers spa treatments on another level. The exclusive 53 suit hotel provides a tranquil retreat to those seeking peace and quiet. For this reason under 18s and cell phones are not allowed at the Vitalis. The hotel’s location overlooking the Red Sea and within walking distance from Eilat’s dynamic attractions makes this a perfect vacation option. The design of Herods Vitalis exudes opulence, the architecture resembles a palace with all the trimmings and together with the pampering service and professional spa treatments guests are made to feel like royalty.Mizpe Hayamim Resort, Rosh Pina This resort on a 15 hectare property of pristine countryside enjoys views of the Golan Heights, Sea of Galilee and Mount Hermon. The resort property has gardens, paths, pools and brooks as well as being an organic farm. The farm grows Biblical fruit and vegetables and breeds farm animals organically providing the spa with fresh organic produce. In these ecologically harmonious surroundings the guest rooms are individually designed and the spa offers a range of unique treatments. On the grounds are craft workshops, soap and candle making workshops and an organic bakery. The facilities include a fitness room, dry and wet sauna, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi and swimming pool.Le Meridian, Dead SeaThis resort has won the award for best spa in Israel for 6 consecutive years. Its location on the shore of the Dead Sea gives it a unique twist and the spa treatments make use of the concentrated minerals provided by the Dead Sea water and mud. The treatments include Dead Sea mud body masques and sea weed wraps.When you’re not getting one of the spa treatments you can visit the private beach, enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, fitness center, Dead Sea water pools, Jacuzzi and sauna. The large resort has five restaurants, an exclusive 16th floor business level and all rooms have a view of the Dead Sea.Vered HagalilThis exclusive get-away location is named as one of the “1,000 places to see before you die” in the Workman Publications book of the same name. The style of this resort is different to the others mentioned above, it is more rural, down to earth and suited to nature lovers. What makes this a stand-out luxury resort is the horse riding facilities and the individual wooden chalet-style accommodation set in untamed country surroundings. Guests can stay in 2 room cottages, cabins, studio rooms or suites. All the units have a Jacuzzi, luxury facilities and rustic style furnishing. The spa offers treatments in a quiet shady part of the farm with an emphasis on reconnecting with nature.Check out our Dead Sea Spa & Relaxation tour >>The tour include a visit to Mineral or Kalya beach in the Dead Sea with optional SPA treatments

This year Shavuot will be celebrated from sundown on Tuesday 3rd to sundown on Thursday 5th of June. Shavuot is also called the Festival of Weeks, First Fruits, Harvest Holiday or Pentecost. This religious and traditional Jewish holiday is a celebration of the first harvest. When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem this would have been the time when the first fruits were brought as an offering to the Temple. This agricultural holiday is one of three major Jewish holidays which requires religious Jews to make a journey to Jerusalem. In ancient times the Jewish people would make the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem on Passover, Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), and Shavuot. Shavuot also marks the end of the Counting of the Omer, a 50 day period starting on the first day of Passover. An Omer was the Biblical measure of a quantity of grain and at the end of the counting of the Omer, an offering would be made from the first wheat harvest of the year. Because of the holiday’s association with agriculture, the symbols of Shavuot are the seven species of Israel – wheat, grapes, barley, pomegranates, dates, olives, and figs. The holiday also marks the day when the Torah was given to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.What to Expect When Visiting Israel during ShavuotYour trip to Israel will only be slightly affected if you are here during Shavuot. On the one hand, there are many fun events, parties, and a holiday atmosphere and on the other hand, Shavuot is a national religious holiday and you may find some sites closed for two days. During Shavuot Israelis traditionally wear white clothes, young children often are asked to wear flower wreaths in their hair to school and the stores are overflowing with an abundance of fruit.It is traditional to study Torah throughout the night during Shavuot so the Western Wall will be alive with visitors and worshipers night and day. Religious Jews attend synagogue on Shavuot and hear the reading of the Book of Ruth which is associated with the holiday. It is traditional to eat dairy products on Shavuot so you’ll find restaurants offering delicious meals made with Israel’s wonderful dairy products. Religious and non-religious alike tend to keep the tradition of dressing in white and enjoying delicious dairy meals. If you have the opportunity to visit a moshav or kibbutz on Shavuot you could attend the Shavuot ceremony of Bikkurim (first fruits) when the harvest fruits and grains are displayed in festive parades. In Jerusalem, you will find special happenings at many museums, malls and lots of activity, and a festive atmosphere in the Old City.

Being such a small country Israeli cities are never too far away from the open countryside, farms and rural communities. The country has more than 300 wineries, 25 commercial wineries and 150 boutique wineries. The main wine producing areas in Israel include the Judean Hills where Tzuba Boutique Winery, Agur Boutique Winery and the Tzora Winery are located; Carmel region where there is the Vortman Winery, Maor Winery and the wineries of Zichron Yaakov including Somek Winery. Even in the south you can find wineries like the Yatir Winery, Midbar Winery and the Yatir Winery. There are five official wine regions in Israel – Galilee-Golan, Shomron, Samson, Judean Hills and the Negev. Thanks to the length of Israel it has several micro-climates which can support the growth of different types of grapes. More than 90% of Israel’s vineyards are in the Shomron, Samson and Galilee region while younger vineyards can be found in the Upper Galilee and Judean foothills.Grapes and a glass of white wine. Photo credit: © ShutterstockWine production in Israel dates back to Biblical times; archaeological excavations have uncovered ancient wine presses, storage cisterns, and decorative motifs depicting winemaking, grape clusters, and vines. In the 1990s Israeli wine production really took off, modern techniques and equipment were introduced and about 85% of Israel’s wineries were established in the 90s.More recently there have been many boutique winery start-ups that have sprung up across the country. Some of the stand-out wineries in Israel include Bashan which produces organic wine, Carmel which is the largest Israeli winery, Barkan the second largest, Margalit Winery credited as being Israel’s first boutique winery and Binyamina the third largest winery.Kosher Wine and Kosher-Mevushal Wine in IsraelThere are about 80 kosher wineries in Israel, so what makes wine kosher? Kosher wine needs to be overseen and produced only by Shabbat-keeping observant Jews from the time the grapes are picked to the time it is bottled – from crushing to bottling. This ancient law was created because at one time pagans used wine in their worship of idols and so the Jewish leaders wanted to ensure that no Jew was ever mistakenly given wine that had been used in idol worship.However this wasn’t enough, the Jewish authorities still worried that after opening the bottle might be tampered with (used for idol worship). And so Mevushal wine was introduced. Mevushal wine (literally cooked wine) has been heated to the point where idol worshipers wouldn’t use it in their ceremonies. So the rule is that wine that is not mevushal cannot be served to a Jew by a non-Jew. These laws were established a long time ago and the process of boiling wine would take out all the flavor. Thankfully today a process called flash pasteurization is used to make the wine “mevushal.” The process involves rapidly heating the wine to about 180°F/82.2°C for a minute and then rapidly cooling it. This helps retain the flavor that would be lost if it was really boiled. So wine you buy in Israel could be non-kosher, kosher because it has been produced by Shabbat observant Jews, or kosher Mevushal because it has been flash pasteurized.Grapevinefor harvest.Photo credit: © ShutterstockGolan Heights WineryThe Golan Heights has the ideal soil, climate, and topography for many crops and especially for vineyards. If you want a genuine wine country experience then the Golan Heights can make a great day trip. In the heart of Israel’s wine country, you’ll be surrounded by magnificent vineyards, breathtaking views, and small communities. Start your visit at the Visitors Center of Golan Heights Winery near Katzrin. Here you can get information about the tours and wine tastings available and about the history and production of Israeli wine. In the Wine Shop, you can buy souvenirs and locally produced wines. Open hours are 08:30-18:30 Monday to Thursday, 08:30-17:30 on Sundays, and 08:30-13:30 on Fridays and holiday eves.There are several tour options that are led by knowledgeable guides in Hebrew, Russian, English, French, German, Spanish or Swedish. Tours must be booked in advance on the Golan Heights Winery website. The Classic Visit includes a guided tour that covers the wine-making process, a visit to the oak barrel cellar, and a chance to taste several of the Golan Heights Winery wines. The Classic Visit lasts about an hour. For real aficionados, there is a Professional Wine-Tasting Visit which lasts 2 hours and includes a wider selection of wines in the tasting. You also have the option of a Premium Visit which includes a gourmet meal together with your wine tasting in the VIP room or the wine cellar and lasts 2 hours. The 4 hour Vineyard Tour takes you on a drive through the vineyards in an all-terrain vehicle. Your guide will introduce you to the various types of grapes and the incredible geography of the Golan Heights. This tour also includes wine tasting.Grapevine close-up. Photo by Bill Williams on UnsplashCarmel WineryThe Carmel Winery is located in Zichron Yaakov and they have a new Carmel Wine & Culture Center. The center has a wine store, restaurant, tasting rooms, a screening room, and a barrel room in one of Rothschild’s historic underground cellars. Visitors can choose from several touring and tasting options. On a Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting, you can visit the historic wine cellars, taste wine, and see a film presentation (1 hour, 30 ILS). A Winery Tour and Wine Workshop includes a more professional look at the site and a longer wine tasting session (1.5 hours, 50ILS). An Advances Tour and Wine Workshop includes a customized tour, tutoring about the art of wine tasting, and delicious cheese, vegetable, and bread platter (2 hours, 100ILS). The tours must be booked in advance and are slightly more expensive if you want to visit after 17:00. The winery center is open 09:30-17:00 Sunday to Thursday, 09:00-14:00 on Friday and holiday eves, and is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.People in the Field Picking Grapes for the Last Harvest. Photo by Tina Witherspoon on UnsplashDalton WineryThe Dalton Winery is nestled in the hills of the Upper Galilee not far from the Lebanese border and overlooking Mount Hermon. The winery was established in 1995 by the Haruni family that emigrated from England. The winery makes about 800,000 bottles a year. Their vineyards grow at an altitude of 800-900 meters above sea level in the rich soil of the volcanic plateau and in the ideal climatic conditions. The winery recently moved to new premises in the Dalton Industrial Park where they can handle up to 1000 tones. The winery is adjacent to the vineyards making it a picturesque and ideal winery to visit. There is also a factory outlet store selling wine and products from Galilee. On the tour of the winery, you get to see the barrel room, bottling line, and taste the wines.Dalton Winery Visitors Center welcomes visitors for tours that can be booked by calling 04-698 7683 Ext. 2. However if you are in the area you can pop in for wine tasting without a prior booking. The Visitors Center is open daily except for Saturdays and Jewish holidays between 10 am and 4 pm. The last tour is at 3 pm. Green Grapes.Photo credit: © ShutterstockOn Fridays, you can visit from 10 am to 2 pm and the last tour is at 1 pm. The tour and tasting take about 45 minutes. A guided tour followed by tasting costs 20ILS. It is possible to arrange a group tour (30-80 people) together with a light dairy meal. Religious guests can arrange a tour and tasting led by the winery’s Rabbi. Note that not all the wines produced and sold at Dalton Winery are kosher-mevushal.All the above-mentioned Israeli wineries can be contacted on their websites, tours should be booked in advance and you should always phone ahead. In addition, you can visit other Israeli wineries including Katlav in the Judaean Hills; Tzora in the Judaean Hills open to visitors Sunday to Thursday 10 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-2 pm.Avidan Winery in the Sharon region is open to visitors Friday to Saturday 11 am-4 pm; Bazelet HaGolan in the Golan Heights is open to the public Sunday to Friday 9 am to 3 pm; Assaf Winery in the Golan Heights is open daily 11 am to 4 pm and the Margalit Winery near Caesarea is open to the public in Spring.Vineyard at sunset.Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Dance teachers, performers and enthusiasts gather each year on the edge of the Dead Sea to take part in one of the most uniquely Middle Eastern festivals in Israel – the Ya-Salam Belly Dance Festival. Belly DanceThe festival has been held annually since 2005 and attracts participants and spectators from around the world. During the festival there are dance shows, workshops and belly dance parties with live performers. As part of the festival an amateur stage will provide space for dancers of all levels to show their talent, interested dancers should register beforehand.When: Nov 29, 2012 – Dec 1, 2012–08–29Where: Leonardo Hotel, The Dead Sea (at the former Nova Hotel)

Tabgha is a small area right on the edge of the Sea of Galilee, on the western shore between Capernaum and Ginosar and just below the Mount of Beatitudes. The name Tabgha comes from the Greek – Heptapegon, meaning place of the seven springs. Tabgha has been identified as the site of the miracle of the loaves and fish (Mark 6:30-46) and the place where resurrected Christ came to meet his disciples (John 21:1-24). The seven springs of Tabgha bring warm water into the Sea of Galilee attracting fish which has made it a popular fishing area for centuries. The area has lush green vegetation, trees offering shade and the cool water just a few steps away.Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, Tabgha. Photo credit: © ShutterstockBiblical TabghaThe Gospel of Matthew tells us that after Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded by the Romans he withdrew in a boat to a secluded area. Crowds of followers went after Jesus and by nightfall, there were 5,000 people gathered on the hillside. Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fish and gave them the traditional blessing. Then he divided the food among the gathered crowd. The loaves and fish miraculously fed all of the 5,000 people and there were even leftovers.After Jesus was resurrected he appeared several times to the disciples; one of these appearances took place in Tabgha. Peter, Andrew, Simon, and four other disciples were at Tabgha where they had been fishing through the night but had failed to catch anything. They came ashore and as the sun rose they saw Jesus standing in front of them on the beach of Tabgha. The disciples did not recognize Jesus but he called out to them. He told them to throw their fishing nets back into the water. When the disciples brought their nets in they found them full of fish. Jesus prepared food for the disciples over a fire and lay out the food on a rock. This rock became known as the Mensa Christi and can be seen today in the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter at Tabgha.Jesus challenged Peter’s faith three times symbolically canceling out the three times that Peter denied Christ on the night before the crucifixion. Then Jesus commissioned Peter to lead the church. He asked Peter to feed his lambs, tend his sheep and feed his sheep. Jesus also told Peter that he would die a martyr. From this point onwards Peter was recognized as the head of the church and the apostles.History of TabghaFloor mosaics in theChurch of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, Tabgha.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinIn the Byzantine era, the spring water of Tabgha was channeled into three water towers and taken via aqueducts to nearby Ginosar to be used for irrigation. During the 4th century, a small chapel was built by Joseph of Tiberias. It was replaced with a chapel in 480 by Martyrius of Jerusalem, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Martyrius was originally from Egypt and he had the floor mosaics of the chapel created in the Egyptian style. The mosaic we see today of the fish and loaves has survived from this original chapel.The chapel was destroyed in 614 and remained in ruins until excavation in the 20th century. Under the Crusaders the Church of St Peter’s Primacy was constructed in Tabgha and the city was known as Mensa Christi (table of Christ) or Mensa Domini (work of the table). During the Ottoman era in 1595, a village existed on the site of Tabgha with a few houses and mills. Under the British Mandate, a community of Muslim and Christian Arabs lived here and farmed the land. During the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, Tabgha was cleared of residents and structures destroyed. Since then Tabgha’s lands and historic structures have been restored.Tabgha AttractionsChurch of the Primacy of St. PeterAfter Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to his disciples at Tabgha where they sat down together to eat. It was at this time that Jesus chose Peter to lead the Christian church. This site is commemorated on the beach of Tabgha by the Church of the Primacy of St Peter. It is a small structure built in 1934 of black basalt rock. In the surrounding gardens, you can see a bronze sculpture depicting Jesus giving Peter his blessing. The church is literally on the water’s edge and you can take just a few steps down to the shore and even touch the water. This is a quaint and peaceful church with idyllic gardens and ample shade all around.Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and FishThe 20th centuryChurch of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish that we see today stands on the site of the original 4th-century church and the Byzantine floor mosaic has survived. The mosaic features images of birds, snakes, vines, fish, and flowers. There are peacocks, a flamingo, swan, ducks, herons, geese, cranes, geese, and cormorants. The most significant mosaic is the one closest to the altar that depicts a basket of bread flanked by two fish. Rock in its natural state lies beneath the altar and is believed to be where Jesus placed the bread and fish as he made the blessing.To visit Tabgha, join ourNazareth and Galilee Tour.

The Christian gospels tell us that Jesus spent 3-6 years (27/29 AD – 30/36 AD) preaching in the Galilee, during his ministry in the Galilee he met and recruited his disciples and traveled around the countryside preaching as well as performing several miracles. His Galilee ministry began with his baptism at the site now known as Yardenit. Today several churches mark the significant sites where biblical events occurred in the Galilee.The Greek Orthodox Church of the Marriage Feast, Cana, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockThe Church of the House of St Peter, CapernaumJesus based himself in the village of Capernaum (Kfar Nahum) during his Galilee ministry; extensive excavations have uncovered a Roman-era synagogue constructed of black basalt rock which could have been where Jesus preached. In addition, Capernaum was the hometown of Saint Peter (and several other future disciples). St. Peter’s house was used for gatherings of the followers of Jesus during his lifetime and later the site was revered by Christians so that over the years churches have been built above the house to commemorate St. Peter.Today the Church of St. Peter is a modern structure located within the Kfar Nahum National Park. The modern church has been built on the site of St. Peter’s house but raised above archaeological findings. Visitors can peer down through a glass-covered opening in the center of the church and see the excavated house of St. Peter as well as a later 5th-century octagonal Byzantine church. In the tradition of earlier churches, the modern Church of St Peter is also octagonal. Within the structure are motifs of the Sea of Galilee and biblical scenes from Saint Peter’s life.Aerial view of Capernaum, Town of Jesus, Galilee, Israel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockChurch of the Apostles, CapernaumThe Greek Orthodox Church of the Apostles is located on the southeastern edge of what would have been the Roman village of Capernaum; the church is dedicated to the seven apostles named in the Gospel of John. The church was completed in 1931 on the site where the village of Capernaum was relocated following an earthquake in 746 AD. The picturesque church has a white exterior with bright red onion domes. Within the church, almost every surface is covered with intricate and colorful murals.Church of the BeatitudesLocated on the Mount of Beatitudes above Capernaum overlooking the Sea of Galilee is the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave his sermon on the mount which contains some of the pivotal teachings in Christianity. The sermon contained the 10 blessings that begin “Blessed are…” as well as the Lord’s Prayer. To mark the site where Jesus gave his longest teaching of Christian principles is the Franciscan Church of the Beatitudes. The church was designed by renowned Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi and constructed in 1938. The church is set in a tranquil garden and the exterior has a covered arcade supported by columns separated by arched openings. The roof of the church has a single central dome. Within the church are stained glass windows featuring the beatitudes and gold mosaics in the dome. The church has an octagonal shape to symbolize the 8 beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11). The church has been visited by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.Church of the Beatitudes.Photo credit: © ShutterstockChurch of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, TabghaTabgha is believed to have been the site of the first feeding when Jesus performed the miracle of sharing 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish with 5,000 people who had come to hear him. The Roman Catholic Church is a modern structure constructed on the site of two earlier churches. Elements of the earlier churches have been preserved including a 5th-century floor mosaic in the two transepts featuring plants, animals, and a lotus flower. Near the altar is a mosaic of two fish and a basket of bread. During excavations a limestone slab of rock was found, this now lies under the altar and is thought to have been the table where Jesus shared out the miraculous meal.Church of the Primacy of Peter, TabghaThis modern Franciscan chapel built in 1933 marks the site where Jesus ate with his disciples following his resurrection and also where Jesus reinstated St. Peter who had denied knowing Jesus three times at Jesus’ crucifixion. It is the signature event of Jesus appointing Peter to look over his church that led to the Pope (a successor of Peter) being the leader of the Christian world (John 21:15-19). The church is located on the water’s edge of the Sea of Galilee, there are even stone steps going down to the water. The steps were carved out of the rock c.2nd century. On the water’s edge at the base of the steps are 12 heart-shaped blocks called the Twelve Thrones dedicated to the 12 Apostles. At high tide, the block columns are submerged beneath the water. The church holds the Mensa Christi or the table where Jesus and his disciples ate. Earlier churches that stood on this site have been incorporated into the more recent structure. Remains of the walls of a 4th-century church are visible in the grey stone structure.Inside the Church of the Multiplication, near the sea of Galilee, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockCana FranciscanWedding Church, Kfar CanaUnlike the churches mentioned above which all lie on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, this church is in the Lower Galilee between the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth. It was here that Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine at a wedding celebration (John 2:1-11).The site of this miracle is marked with a church. It is a Franciscan Catholic church constructed from 1879 to 1883 over the ruins of a 6th-century church and also has a 4th-century mosaic floor with Aramaic inscriptions. The baroque-style church has twin bell towers, and a façade topped with angel statues. There is an arcaded narthex and a pleasant front courtyard. The interior has two levels with a dome above the upper church and a nave on the lower level where you can see part of a Byzantine mosaic. On the lower level is a chapel and museum with artifacts found during the construction.Church of St. George, Kfar CanaNext to the Marriage Church is a Greek Orthodox Church built in 1886, the church holds two of the six jars believed to have been used in the miracle of the wine. Outside the church is a courtyard with palm trees, bells, gazebos, and fountains but the interior is usually closed to tourists.Franciscan Wedding Church, Cana. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

The ancient incense route ran from Yemen, Oman, Somalia and Arabia through Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea port of Gaza, Palestine, covering 1,800 km and passing through 56 stops along the way. The stretch of this route which goes through southern Israel is 100 km long from Moa on the Jordanian border to Halutz. This ancient route through four towns in the Negev – Avdat, Halutz, Mamshit and Shivta; four fortresses – Kazra, Nekarot, Makhmal and Grafor and two caravanserais – Moa and Saharonim was deemed of outstanding universal importance by UNESCO in 2005. The remains offer evidence of the sophisticated engineering, knowledge of agriculture and irrigation used to settle this challenging environment to facilitate trade.Starting in the 3rd century BC and continuing for 700 years the Nabataean people traveled in large caravans from Petrain Jordan, across the burning desert to bring the precious incense and spices to the west. They managed to conquer the harsh desert and bring luxury goods from the Arabian Peninsula to the Hellenistic-Roman world. Their cargo included Myrrh, salt, spices, perfumes, and their most valuable item – Frankincense, which was used in large quantities by the Romans as incense, medicine, and in cosmetics. However along with trade goods came an exchanging of ideas and interaction between different nations, this is another reason the route was so valuable.Renovated Market in MamshitTowns, forts, and caravanserai were established as rest points along the route; as support for the Nabataean population who settled the rough land, and as a way to monitor, secure and defend the route. The innovative town planning involved in creating towns like Avdat is apparent in the surrounding pastoral landscape, field system, and water system with cisterns, dams, and reservoirs. This is another testimony to the power of the Nabataean culture and economy. Due to the challenging desert environment, there has been little damaging modern development on these ancient sites and fossilized landscapes. The settlements have, to a large extent, managed to retain their authenticity and integrity since being abandoned after the Arab conquest in 636AD.Thankfully all of the sites are state-owned and protected within national parks or nature reserves.In Moa on the Jordanian border, there are the ruins of an inn, storerooms, a guard post, and an aqueduct. In Mamshit are the remains of an inn, churches, a bathhouse, and parts of the ancient town’s sophisticated water system. Avdat was perhaps the largest Nabataean settlement along the incense route. Here you can see the remains of a sophisticated bathhouse and steam rooms, a fortress, burial caves, a deep well, a Nabataean shrine, and a furnace. Shivta was a much smaller settlement and here you can still see evidence of the water system, oil presses, and several churches. Halutz was the last town before the caravans headed towards their final stop in Gaza port and here you can see the ruins of a theatre and a church.For more detailed information feel free to read this article Ancient Routes of Israel.

Tours from Jerusalem usually concentrate on Old Jerusalem within the Old City walls. However the Holy Land’s top destination also has a “New” City. If you look at a Jerusalem map you will see that the new, more recently built part of Jerusalem takes up a much larger area than the Old City. It follows that there is a lot to see in the New City of Jerusalem. Here are a few highlights of attractions in new Jerusalem, outside of the Old City walls.Snow in Jerusalem.Photo byShalev CohenonUnsplashYad Vashem Holocaust MuseumThis world-class museum is spread over a large complex on Mount Herzl. The museum holds thousands of authentic Holocaust artifacts, historic documents, photographs, and filmed testimonials by Holocaust survivors. On the grounds are memorials honoring the children who lost their lives in the Holocaust. There is also a part of the complex dedicated to gentiles who helped save Jewish lives during the Holocaust.Hall of Names at Yad Vashem. Photo bySnowscatonUnsplashChagall Windows In a small chapel (Abbell Synagogue) in the Hadassah University Medical Center, there are twelve stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. Chagall gifted the windows to the Jewish people in the 1960s. The twelve stained glass windows were inspired by the Bible and particularly Jacob’s blessings to his 12 sons. The images in the stained glass depict scenes from Jewish history, Chagall’s love for the Jewish people, and the artist’s own personal experiences living in a Russian shtetl.Givat Ram, Jerusalem.Photo byFedaa MassarweonUnsplashKnessetThe Israeli parliament or Knesset is situated in the Givat Ram neighborhood of western Jerusalem. The present building was completed in 1966 and it is possible to arrange tours of the building or view it from the outside. Highlights of the Knesset tour include seeing the original copy of the Declaration of Independence. You will see the Knesset Committee Rooms, the Chagall Hall featuring art by Marc Chagall, and the Plenary Chamber. There are 12 stunning floor mosaics and three tapestries by Chagall. The one-hour tours are held daily with a focus on photography and art; architecture and the parliamentary function of the Knesset.The Knesset, Jerusalem, Israel. Photo byRafael NironUnsplashMahane Yehuda MarketAt the bustling Jerusalem Mahane Yehuda Market, you can get everything plus the kitchen sink! The market offers stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables, household items, freshly baked goods, spices, nuts, pickles, arts and crafts. In addition, the market is home to several renowned eateries. There are cooking and tasting tours of the market or you can explore independently.On the way to Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem.Photo byLaura SiegalonUnsplashIsrael MuseumIsrael’s national museum houses extensive collections covering a wide range of fields. Specifically, the museum archaeology and art collections as well as the collection of Jewish cultural items and art are outstanding. The Israel Museum complex includes a children’s wing, sculpture garden a scale model of Second Temple era Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book. The white dome-shaped Shrine of the Book houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Israel during Purim you will enjoy the festive atmosphere, parties, fancy dress and parades. Purim is perhaps the most joyous Jewish holiday. Purim in Israel occurs in March or April – the date changes each year as it is determined by the Hebrew lunar calendar and not the Gregorian calendar. Although Purim is a Jewish holiday it is not observed like a Shabbat in Israel and businesses and attractions have regular open hours. Purim is a normal working day in Israel although it is a school holiday. Purim in Israel is celebrated by secular and religious Jews alike.What is Purim?Purim Purim celebrates an event in Jewish history which is told in the Biblical Book of Esther. In about 357 BC the king of Persia, Ahasuerus scoured the land for the most beautiful women to make his wife. The woman chosen was Esther, cousin and ward of Mordechai. Esther was forced to marry the king but she hid the fact that she was Jewish. Shortly afterwards Mordechai heard of a plot to assassinate the king and he had it reported and stopped.Meanwhile the villain of this story, Haman was appointed Prime Minister and he undertook to get rid of all the Jews. He had them draw “lots” (Pur in Hebrew, hence the name of the holiday) to decide the day of their annihilation. Hearing of Haman’s plansMordechai sent a message to Esther asking her to appeal to the king for mercy for the Jewish people.That night the king could not sleep and so he sat up reading from the Royal Chronicles. Here he read of the time Mordechai saved him from an assassination attempt. In the meantime Haman had decided to haveMordechai hung for not bowing before him. So Haman had gallows erected and went to the king to ask permission to hang Mordechai. The king asked Haman how such a loyal man should be honored. Haman, thinking the king was referring to him said the man should be dressed in fine clothes and led on horseback through the streets. The king ordered Haman to give Mordachai this honor. Although furious Haman had no choice but to follow the king’s orders.How is Purim Celebrated in Israel?Next Ester appealed to the king, told him of Haman’s plan and asked for mercy on her nation. The king ordered Haman hung from the gallows that had been built for Mordechai and Mordechai was made Prime Minister. Although the king’s decree could not be rescinded he gave the Jews permission to defend themselves. The Jews killed their enemies on the 14th of Adar and on the 15th they rested and celebrated. A holiday was established in memory of this historic victory.The religious community fasts on the day before Purim. At the end of the fast, after nightfall Jews gather in synagogues to hear the reading of the Book of Ester. After synagogue and the following day there are celebrations, parties and parades. The parades take place in almost all Israeli cities and are often before the actual day of Purim or a few days later, depending on the weather and day of the week.Purim Traditions in Israel Purim Foods- Hamantaschen (also called oznei Haman or the ears of Haman in Hebrew) are triangular cookies filled with poppy seeds, jam or chocolate. In Israel you will see these delicious cookies on sale at every bakery and supermarket.Gift Giving- It is traditional to give food hampers (mishloach manot) to friends, family and those less privileged than ourselves. These hampers usually hold wine, cookies, chocolate, nuts and other goodies.Fancy Dress- Kids and adults in Israel dress up in fancy dress during Purim. There are Purim fancy dress parties in bars, pubs, night clubs and private venues. The symbolism of the costumes is to show that God was behind the Purim miracle but his involvement was masked.Getting Drunk- Believe it or not it is even a Purim tradition to get drunk! This originates from a passage in the Talmud which states:” A person is obligated to drink on Purim until he does not know the difference between “cursed by Haman” and “blessed by Mordechai.” So it is a “mitzvah” or good deed when you drink too much during Purim!Things to See and Do in Israel during PurimThere are many special events in Israel during Purim. Purim is one of the most exciting holidays for nightclub. There are many fancy dress parties held in top nightclubs across the country. The main attraction during Purim is the Adloyada or Purim Parade. Parades are held in most cities but the most famous Purim parade takes place in Holon, a short drive from Tel Aviv. The parades include parade floats, costumed performers, dancing and music. Be’er Sheva also holds a great Purim event in the streets of the Old City.Purim in Tel AvivThe main Purim event in Tel Aviv is a street party held in Kikar HaMedina. It is a huge event with live musical performances, market stalls, dancing , singing and great food. Tel Aviv is also the site of the Purim Zombie Walk. Locals (and visitor) dress up as zombies and walk through the streets starting on the corner of Ben-Zion Blvd and King George Street.Purim in JerusalemPurim is celebrated a day early in Jerusalem and other “walled” cities but the celebrations continue throughout the Purim week. To enjoy Purim in Jerusalem head for Safra Square for family-friendly events like circus acts, a costume competition and arts and crafts workshops. There will be performances by top Israeli musicians and TV stars. In Jerusalem’s Sacher Park there will be a fun event with food stalls, music and live shows from 10am. Special Purim events are held at a number of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv museums including the Israel Museum, Bloomfield Science Museum and the Tower of David Museum. Although most of the Purim parties have yet to be announced you will probably find Purim fun at Jerusalem’s Nachalot Street Party. This street party is on Nisim Bachar Street, Jerusalem and entrance is free.

If you have a layover in Ben Gurion Airport and your connecting flight leaves in less than 4 hours then it is probably best to stay in the airport and make the most of the facilities that Ben Gurion offers. If you have more than 4 hours then you could possibly venture out of the airport and visit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and even the Dead Sea.Ben Gurion has two terminals – Terminal 3 for international flights and Terminal 1 for domestic and low-cost international flights. When calculating how much time you have remembered that Israel has stricter security than other countries and you may need to get to the airport 2-3 hours before your connecting flight takes off.Staying in the Airport during Your LayoverIf you have no choice but to stay in the airport between flights then you will find that Ben Gurion has all the expected airport facilities like a first aid station, ATMs, a police service, synagogue, pharmacy, baby changing facilities, smoking areas and currency exchange. You will also find shops and restaurants.InternetThere is free WiFi in all of Ben Gurion’s passenger halls so it shouldn’t be a problem for you to connect up and spend your waiting time online. If you have any problems connecting try calling Netvision, the service provider at Ben Gurion on 1-800-013-013. There are free recharging stations throughout the airport including domestic and international departure halls.SleepingUnfortunately, there is no sleeping area or hotel within the terminals; it is also a busy airport so you may have trouble finding a quiet place to have a nap. Try going to the departure hall near the food court where there are benches and you may be able to get some shut eye. If you don’t mind the noise the food court is also a good place to sleep.PlayingIf traveling with kids you’ll find play areas in each of the long passages leading off from the Departure Hall.VIP LoungesThe Dan Hotel chain operates the Arbel (T3) and Masada (T1) VIP Lounges in the airport. Use of their services must be pre-arranged and requires a fee. The lounges are used by both arriving and departing passengers. As part of their service, you would be picked up on arrival at Ben Gurion and taken in a special VIP shuttle to the lounge.Massada LoungeAt this luxurious lounge, travelers can get VIP treatment including all their passport, customs, security and VAT refund services. In addition, you can go here on a layover and simply relax. Available (and included in the fee) are light meals beverages and resting areas. You will even get special transportation to your connecting flight when it is time to leave. This service needs to be pre-booked and requires a fee. For more information contact your airline or ground handling company or the Dan Lounges at Ben Gurion. You can call the lounge at 03-9712266. Note that even economy class passengers can buy a special pass to use the Dan VIP lounges; just go to one of the lounges and ask or book 24 hours ahead online for about 150 ILS.Passengers traveling in business or first class on El Al can make use of the EL AL passenger lounge in the departure hall duty-free area. For more information call 03-977111.Feedback StationsIf you have had a particularly bad (or good) experience at Ben Gurion then you might want to leave some feedback at one of the computerized feedback stations which are in all the terminal halls.Leaving Ben Gurion during Your LayoverIf you are from a country like America, Canada or the UK where you don’t need a visa to visit Israel then you will have no problem leaving the airport for a short layover tour. Check with your embassy whether you would need to make any special visa arrangements in order to leave Ben Gurion airport during your layover. And don’t worry about having an Israeli stamp in your passport as records are now kept electronically and you will instead get a piece of paper with the entrance stamp. Keep the piece of paper in your passport until you leave, after which you can throw it away.In the Greeters Hall on Level G next to the employee passage you will find a desk responsible for issuance of special entry permits. They are open Sunday to Thursday 8:30 am-1:30pm and Friday and holiday eves 9 am-1 pm. To contact them by phone you can call 03-9752265.If you have questions about how to spend your time in Israel you could go to the Ministry of Tourism Information Desk in the Arrival Hall. The staff here will provide you with maps and information. You can also contact them on 03-9754260.If you have luggage which is not checked-in to go directly to your final destination then you can leave it at the Baggage Storage Facility which is open Sunday to Thursday 8 am-7:45 pm; Friday 8 am 2:45 pm and Saturday from 8pm until midnight. The Storage Room is located in the west (kerem) short-term car park called “Orchard Parking” on the ground floor (Level G). The storage facilities may change so call for more information to 03-9754436. The service is free of charge.Getting Out of Ben GurionBen Gurion is located in the middle of the country about 40 km (35-50min) from Jerusalem and 15km (20-40min) from Tel Aviv. If arriving on Friday evening or Saturday your transport options will be limited as public buses and trains have limited or no service on Sabbath. However, you still have rental cars and taxis.Taking a Taxi from Ben GurionThe official taxi dispatcher post is located in front of Terminal 3 on Level G near the Gate 1 exit. There is also a desk in the Meeters and Greeters Hall near Gate 3 next to the Information Desk where you can verify the correct taxi fare to a particular location. At the desk staff will write down for you the correct fare and with this, you can approach the taxi dispatcher post. However generally you have nothing to worry about when taking a taxi from the official taxi dispatcher post as all the taxis and taxi drivers are authorized.Buses from Ben Gurion AirportTake Egged line 5 or Veolia line 239 from Level 2 of Terminal 3 and from Terminal 1 to the El Al Junction where you can catch a bus to many cities in the country including Jerusalem. Unless you have a long layover it is not recommended to try seeing the country by public bus with limited time. Rather take a train, taxi or organized tour.Trains from Ben GurionThe airport train station is on the lower level of Terminal 3 but there is a free airport shuttle connecting Terminal 1 and 3. Trains operate to Tel Aviv throughout the day and night but with more regular departures during peak travel hours (there are trains every 30-60 minutes depending on the time of day) and reduced service on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Trains to Jerusalem take about 2 hours and operate between about 6 am and 7 pm. This is not recommended if you have limited time.Organized Private Layover ToursPerhaps the most convenient and time efficient use of your layover in Ben Gurion is to take an organized daily tours. Tours can be arranged which pick you up at the airport; take you to the landmarks which most interest you and then return you in time to check-in to your connecting flight. There are private one day tours to Jerusalem; Bethlehem; Dead Sea; Masada; Nazareth; Haifa; Acre; Sea of Galilee and Caesarea as well as more off-the-beaten-path destinations like the caves of Beit Gurvrin and dessert safaris. As it is a private tour you can tailor make the tour to suit how much time you have on your layover, your personal interests and the people traveling with you.

Israel boasts more than a dozen botanical gardens.Here is a selection of just a few of the amazing botanical and regular gardens in Israel which welcome visitors year-round to enjoy the rich flora of the country.Bright flowers in a botanical garden. Photo byPaul StreltsovonUnsplashUniversity of Tel Aviv Botanical Gardens, Tel AvivThe Yehuda Naftali Botanic Garden is perhaps the most “casual” of the botanical gardens listed here. It is situated in the heart of the university campus in Tel Aviv. An almost missable sign sends you down a path to the garden entrance where you are free to wander in and explore the gardens. The gardens cover almost 8.5 acres and include 3,800 species most of which are native plants as well as plants from neighboring nations and an international collection.Although there are a few signs indicating various routes it is a rather overgrown garden that seems to be left to its own devices. When you look closely you will discover many plant species, unpaved paths through the vegetation, over small bridges, and past picturesque ponds. There is an impressive cactus collection and two indoor areas holding more climate-sensitive plants and trees. You’ll see tropical plants, woodland plants, plants used by humans, medicinal plants, herbs, palms, and succulents.Mount Scopus Botanical Garden, JerusalemThe Mount Scopus Botanical Garden covers 6 acres just behind the Jerusalem Hebrew University campus. The gardens hold sections representing each of the Israeli plant communities like the Mediterranean and desert grasslands to the arid Arava desert plants and plants of the coastal dunes. In all, there are more than 40% of all Israel’s wild plant species.These authentic plant species are preserved in their natural habitats. The gardens are also home to many animals. The gardens hold ancient Second Temple era burial tombs and more recently the tombs of Menachem Ussishkin and Yehuda Leib Pinsker, two prominent Zionist leaders.Jerusalem overview from Mt. Scopus. Photo credit: © ShutterstockJerusalem Botanical Gardens, JerusalemOn the other side of Jerusalem is the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens on the Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus this botanical garden holds plants from across the world including sections dedicated to the north and South American flora, the Mediterranean, Southern Africa, Europe, and Australia. There is a lake at the heart of the gardens and a café and Visitor Center. There is a bonsai section that holds 150 bonsai trees.The garden holds a living gene bank of endangered plant species. There is a biblical path that visitors can follow with an audio guide and see up to 70 species of plants mentioned in the Bible. Kids will love the African Savannah grass maze created out of perennial grass which is used for thatched roofs in Africa. Kids can follow a trail to discover a series of plants used by humans for different functions.Kibbutz Ein Gedi Botanical Garden, Kibbutz Ein GediThis prize-winning botanical garden in Ein Gedi is the only one in the world which integrates residential homes in the gardens. The landscaped grounds of the botanical gardens are in amongst the homes of the kibbutz residents.The gardens hold more than 900 species of plants from around the world with a focus on indigenous plants of the area like the date palms, desert plants, Sodom apple, Moringa, Tamarisk, and species referred to in the Bible including myrrh and frankincense. The cactus garden includes more than 1,000 species.Ein Gedi National Park, Israel.Photo byRobert ByeonUnsplashUtopia Orchid Park, Kibbutz BahanThis is a unique botanical garden with a large indoor (and air-conditioned) section as well as an outdoor area. Among the attractions here there are farm animals and peacocks, a musical water fountain, carnivorous plants, orchids; parrots; a plant maze, rose garden, cactus garden, and herb garden.However, the star attraction is the indoor tropical garden which includes a massive waterfall and dripping vines, and tropical trees and plants. The park covers 10 acres and also has a cafe and garden center where you can buy plants and garden accessories. This is a stunning attraction that is well maintained and has plenty to keep you occupied.Eilat Botanical Garden and Organic Farm, EilatThis garden has developed around the local landscape of the Arava and was originally built out of ancient stone terraces on the hills surrounding Eilat. The gardens are a wonder of nature considering the area’s very low annual rainfall. Today there are signposted trails that cross streams, past waterfalls, stone, and wooden buildings.There are three lookout points across the Red Sea and the Edom Mountains. You can climb the rocky pathways among 1,000 species of trees and plants, herbs, shrubs, and flowers. There is an organic garden where you can buy plants grown without chemicals.Orchids in a botanical garden.Photo byFabien BELLANGERonUnsplashNeot Kedumim Biblical Landscape ReserveCovering 625 acres and home to more than 630 plant species mentioned in the Bible and Talmud this is one of the most fascinating and unique botanical gardens in the country. The gardens of Neot Kedumim are also home to small animals, many birds, and several archaeological remains including an excavated Byzantine village. In the gardens, the natural surroundings and agricultural areas have been recreated to mirror those which would have existed 3,000 years ago during the biblical era.You can see the seven species of Israel (figs, dates, barley olives, wheat, pomegranates, and grapes) as well as following the 4 self-guided hike paths, seeing ancient olive presses, ritual baths, a water wheel, flour mill, ancient cisterns, and thrashing floors. You can even arrange to have a biblical meal in the gardens and there are regular events, workshops, and activities to teach visitors about biblical life. The hike trails are about 2-2.5 km long and have points of interest and interactive stations along the way.Botanical Garden at Oranim CollegeThis is the only botanical garden in the northern region of the country; it was established on the campus of Oranim College in 1958 and covers 10 acres with 900 different species of plant. Most of the plants here are non-cultivated and indigenous to Israel. The garden has become a model for urban sustainability and is used for teaching, conservation and research.Each section of the garden represents a unique habitat or geographical region. There are two fascinating paths through the gardens – the Poetry Path where quotes from famous poems are displayed on signs along the route and the Biomimetic Path which has nine stations where visitors can stop and learn about the plants, animals, and sustainable solutions to everyday problems.Mount Carmel, Israel. Photo bySte Ben8onUnsplashOther Amazing Gardens in IsraelIsrael has several other stunning gardens which are not officially botanical gardens but they do offer gorgeous greenery and horticultural diversity. Among the most beautiful and most famous is the Bahai Gardens in Haifa. These cascading 19 terraces of carefully landscaped plants and flowers are the setting for the Shrine of the Bab; the Bahai faith prophet.There is also a beautiful memorial garden dedicated to Baron Edmond de Rothschild in Ramat Hanadiv at the southern end of Mount Carmel. Here there are paths and hike trails as well as a kosher dairy café and area where birds of prey are rehabilitated for release back into the wild. If you’re in Jerusalem visit the Wohl Rose Garden, a 19 acre public garden with 15,000 rose bushes.If you are in Tel Aviv you don’t have to go far to enjoy amazing gardens and parks like Yarkon Park where there are six special gardens. Some are dedicated memorial gardens and others are devoted to a particular kind of plant. There is a Rock Garden, Cactus Garden, Tropical Garden, and Ornamental Garden all within the Yarkon Park.Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel.Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Tu B’Av is the Jewish alternative to St. Valentine’s Day. As orthodox Jews don’t commemorate Christian holidays like Valentine’s Day and as it is too good a holiday to miss the Jews have their own day for celebrating love. In Hebrew numbers are marked by letters so “15” is the Hebrew letters?’‘? or Tu and this holiday is celebrated on the 15th of the Jewish month of Av, hence Tu B’Av. In 2016 Tu b’Av starts at sundown on 18th August and continues through the 19th August until sundown (7th August 2017; 26th July 2018; 15th August 2019).Religious Significance of Tu B’AvAccording to the Mishna the Jewish holiday of love has been celebrated by Jews since the 1st century days of the ancient Temple. Tu B’Av marks the first day of the grape harvest season. Traditionally young girls would borrow white clothes and go out dancing in the vineyards to attract a man. The Holy Jewish text, the Talmud, sites several reasons why Tu b’Av should be celebrated but today the main reason observant Jews celebrate Tu B’Av is to mark the end of The Three Week (Bein ha-Metzarim) morning period commemorating the destruction of the ancient Jewish Temple. Tu Tu B’Av should not be confused with Tisha b’Av (9th of Av) which starts The Three Week morning period and is one of the saddest days in the Jewish calendar when orthodox Jews fast to commemorate the destruction of the ancient Jewish Temple. There are no specific religious rituals or ceremonies associated with Tu B’Av except that the day should be one of joy. It is also a very popular day to get married.How is Tu B’Av Celebrated in Israel Today?Today Tu B’Av is mainly a secular celebration when romantics pull out all the stops and propose, wed, go on romantic dates or simply party.Starting off the Tu B’Av celebrations on the 18th August with a bang is the TuTu-Temple Party presented by Temple of Reflection, a spiritual temple project which is part of the Burn global community. A temple structure is built in the desert each year and stands for three weeks before being burnt. The party is a fundraising event and proceeds will go towards Temple of Reflection expenses. The party kicks off at 9am and will continue until 4am at Bascula, HaRakevet 72, Tel Aviv. Admission 40ILS-60ILS.Thursdays @Tel Aviv Art Museum hosts events every Thursday but on the 18th of August this year the events will be even more exciting to celebrate Tu B’Av. Entrance is free and there will be live music performances, guided tours, pop-up stores and garments inspired by works of art.At the Zappa Club Herzlia there will be a special performance by the Sixties Band who will perform the best hits of the 1960s and 70s. The doors open at 8:15pm and the show starts at 10pm; tickets cost 105ILS.Many restaurants in Israel offer special deals on Tu B’Av and the restaurants are usually decorated with hearts, cupids and lots of red and white balloons. Mel and Michelle at 155 Ben Yehuda Street, Tel Aviv; Frame at 2 Raoul Wallenburg, Tel Aviv and the Brown Hotel pop-up restaurant Salva Vida at 25 Kalisher, Tel Aviv will all be offering special deals for couples on Tu B’Av. Chocolate lovers should have the special Tu B’Av menu at any of the Max Brener restaurants.If you want to go out and dance you’ll find dance bars and clubs all decked out in red hearts and ready to party. At HaOmen 17, Tel Aviv Moldavian DJ Andrew Rayel will be making the music; At the Cat and Dog you can hear Infected Mushroom playing live and the Toy Bar in Jerusalem will be having a special party event.