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Israel is a land of beaches, mountains and holy sites, but it’s also a land of lush green fields, vineyards and olive groves. And since the turn of the 19th century, when immigrants began arriving from Europe, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge about farming techniques, the agricultural system in Israel has gone from strength to strength.Sweeties growing in Israel. Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinOstensibly, you wouldn’t be surprised - after all, Israel has a typically Mediterranean climate and fertile soil, making it ideal for the establishment of farms. But when you bear in mind that over 50% of the country is desert terrain, and only 20% of the land is naturally arable, you then begin to realize how remarkable Israel’s farming achievements are.World-Class Agriculture and Cutting Edge Farming Techniques in IsraelFrom hydroponic farming (think cherry tomatoes - an Israeli invention!) to koi farming, from avocado, oranges, grapefruit, and apples to date palms, olive groves, antelopes, and alpacas, and even snails, Israeli farming is today, a highly developed industry. Below, we’ll be taking a look at how farms took shape in the land, over the centuries, how farming techniques have evolved, and some of the products they yield today. We’ll also take a look at some of the numerous farms you can visit across Israel - from high up in the Galilee down to the Arava and Negev deserts, and not just learn about the products (and even taste them) but to stay overnight in guest accommodation.Israeli farm.Photo credit: © Oksana MatsFarming in Israel - From Ancient to Modern TimesWhen did agriculture begin in Israel? Well, some archaeologists think as long ago as 23,000 years! Evidence points to the development of rural settlements - hamlets, villages, and farms - some with fields and some with terraces, many having access routes to markets. Archaeologists have also excavated digging tools and stone objects, as well as olive and wine presses. From as long ago as the Bronze Age, it is clear that every aspect of the inhabitants’ lives revolved around the cycles of nature. In fact, the Gezer Calendar, written on a limestone tablet in the 10th century, actually records the annual schedule of agricultural work. In the Bible, of course, Israel is famously referred to as the land of ‘milk and honey’ and compared to Egypt (beyond the Nile) and the Arabian desert, it truly was. The ancient Israelites feasted on wheat, olives, grapes, barley, pomegranates, and figs, not to mention melons, lentils, cucumbers, and chickpeas. Barley was harvested in May, grapes were picked in August, and olives were harvested in the Fall. A relatively dry climate and hilly terrain provided valleys for growing (Jezreel in the north and the Sharon in the South) and springs close to Jericho made it possible to plant around the Jordan.A lychee farm in Israel.Photo credit: © Oksana MatsThe Kibbutz and MoshavIsrael is also known across the world for its kibbutzim and moshavim. The kibbutz is a collective community, where all wealth is jointly owned and was traditionally agrarian. Today, many have privatized and are highly successful - Ein Gev, in the Galilee, has banana plantations, an Israel-type model dairy farm, and an ostrich breeding program. Yotvata, in the Arava desert, has a huge milk products factory, supplying millions of Israeli children with their much-loved ‘choco’ (fabled chocolate milk).The moshav in Israel is also an agricultural settlement, but here all of the members are individual farmers who live together. Historically, the farmers would share equipment and avoid hired labor but today many Israelis who are not farmers buy land there and build their own private homes.Built on land owned by the Jewish National Fund, the moshavim historically represented a middle ground between privately owned settlements and the communal kibbutzim. Today, many are still involved in Israeli farming ventures including grape cultivation, chicken rearing, dairy production, and beekeeping.A ripe harvest in one of the Israeli kibbutzim.Photo credit: © Oksana MatsModern-Day Farming Techniques in IsraelToday, Israel is hailed as a global leader when it comes to advanced farming techniques - think hydroponic, vertical, and robotic farming practices. In its most simple form, hydroponics ‘skips’ the soil, finding different materials to support the plant roots and grow the crop directly, in water-rich with nutrients. This means farmers can grow and produce food anywhere in the world, at any time of the year, as well as netting higher yields using fewer resources. You also don’t have to wait for ‘the season’ or worry that your crop will be lost due to bad weather! Smart Design that Improves Productivity in the Midst of a Pandemic!The Israeli farmer is also becoming adept with the techniques of vertical and robotic farming. Vertical farming in Israel allows farmers to grow crops in vertically stacked layers. One Israeli agri-tech start-up in Raanana (about 40 minutes drive from Tel Aviv) - VerticalField - created these farms in urban areas, using technical expertise and smart design geoponic technology. Equally innovative is Israel’s robotic system that automates greenhouse tasks, at the same time gathering data (to improve quality). In the pandemic, for instance, many Israeli farmers worked with robots, operating the software from their homes. This meant the number of staff at greenhouses could be kept to a minimum and social distance maintained!Equally fascinating are the start-ups that have revolutionized milk production in Israel, using robots that will completely automate the production, at a much lower cost than normal. This kind of technology and scientific know-how is being exported all over the world so that farms in South East Asia and South America can improve their own practices when it comes to feeding and milking cows. Blossoming almond grove, Israel.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinUrban Farming and Revolutionary Restaurants!This is also a growing trend in Israel, particularly in the big cities. ‘Green in the City’ is at the forefront of all kinds of aquaponic and hydroponic solutions, including hothouses on the roof of the Dizengoff Mall shopping center in central Tel Aviv! Cucumbers, mint, lettuce, kale, and green onions are amongst the many things people can pick up from baskets (there are no sellers, it works on an honor system).Tel Aviv Restaurant L28 even took it one step further - the produce they use actually comes from their rooftop kitchen. Urban agronomy involves sunlight, insects, and chemistry but it really can work, as they’ve proved. They also have a ‘wet well’ using hydroponics) to grow greens on the menu! What Kind of Farms Can You Find in Israel?Where do we begin? Fruits and vegetables? Animals? Spices? Delectable cheeses? Here are a few of the farms that have really made a name for themselves in the last few years, and have become popular both with locals and people coming on a trip to Israel. Antelope Ranch, Arava Desert - this farm/ranch is great for kids, as they have a ‘Noah’s Ark’ and a mini-safari. The place is full of antelopes and zebras, different birds, and surrounded by desert hills. You can camp here or take a private ‘zimmer’. A real African experience in Israel!Olive grove in Latrun, Israel.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinHerb and Spice farm, Kibbutz Hulata, Galilee - here you can buy over 200 types of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants, all grown locally in Upper Galilee. With over 50 years of experience, this family knows all about growing, drying, and blending herbs, using traditional methods. Desert Olive Farm, Sde Boker - this is more of a getaway than a farming experience! Here, you can experience the Negev desert, either by staying in an Indian tent, an African ecological cabin, or a luxurious suite, as you enjoy the peace of the desert by day and the bright starry skies at night.Kornmehl Farm, Negev desert - located in the Negev Hills, this is a great place to come if you love goat’s cheese, a new variation of a French classic. Anat and Daniel rear goats who roam freely and are not fed antibiotics and their artisanal cheeses are to die for! Alpaca Farm, Mitzpe Ramon - overlooking the Ramon Crater in Mitzpe Ramon, in the Negev, this farm is guaranteed to be a hit with the kids, who love to pet these South American animals. This is a working farm, with the wool from these furry creatures used to create unique items of clothing, and as you walk around you are even welcome to feed the alpacas and llamas! There are also 20 horses available for riding…!Antelope ranch in the Negev Desert, Israel. Photo by Dennis van Lith on UnsplashEin Camonim - in Israel’s Upper Galilee, this is another goat farm in Israel that’s been going since the late 1970s and boasts an excellent restaurant, where you can try all kinds of classic cheese. They also make their own olive oil using ancient stone presses. Try their all-you-can-eat vegetarian gourmet buffet, which includes freshly baked bread. The kids are also welcome to pet the goats…Shvil Hasalat, Negev - located down south in Israel’s Negev desert at moshav Talmei Yosef, here you can take a 3-hour tour, led by Uri Alon, an international agronomist). You’ll stop at places such as strawberry and tomato greenhouses, orchards of Chinese oranges, and a herb section and after an explanation of how it all works, you’ll get to pop some of the fruits in your mouth!Hava and Adam Farm - equidistant between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, this farm gives young adults the chance to learn more about sustainable living and permaculture, by volunteering on their organic farm. They put an emphasis on personal development too and provide long-term programs for those who are interested in working on the land long-term. Mandankoi, Kibbutz Magan Michael - up on the coast, less than an hour’s drive from Tel Aviv, you can tour this Israeli fish farm, which is a leader in koi breeding. A great place to learn about - and purchase - all kinds of tropical fish.Crocoloco Crocodile Farm, Arava - Located 140 km north of Eilat, in the barren desert, this farm is run by a South African couple who are crazy about a certain kind of reptile. They offer guided tours and lots of fun facts for kids about these amazing creatures and if you’re lucky you’ll even get to hold a baby one in your hand! Educational and fun.Vineyard in Israel.Photo by Amos Bar-Zeev on UnsplashChampignon Farm, Western Galilee - founded in 1982 as a family business, today this farm employs a wide range of workers including agronomists, growers, maintenance workers, and exchange students. They’re growing all kinds of edible mushrooms using unique methods that yield high-quality crops, and the produce tastes amazing!Vered HaGalil, Western Galilee - lovely farm accommodation in charming, rustic cabins, with beautiful views looking down on the Sea of Galilee. Guests can enjoy horseback riding at sunset too. This unique farm stay in Israel has 120 dunams of greenery and orchards, so you’ll really be able to relax in peace and quiet.Kurlander Farm, Moshav Beit Hillel - up in the Golan Heights, this fantastic state-of-the-art dairy farm is run by three generations of the Kurlander family. Take a tour and learn all about newborn calves, learn about the secrets of milk production and enjoy some tasty chocolate milk. Kids can pet and feed the animals and you can take home fruits and olive oil too. If you call ahead, you can arrange a visit to their orchards and olive groves. Tours are held each day at midday. Davida Animal Farm, Yish’i - not too far a drive from Jerusalem, this charming farm is a great place to bring young children, with admission price including a petting corner and horse riding and bouncy houses. Kids can also have a ‘tractor experience’ and watch goats being milked. A good place to bring a picnic - they have tables in the shade!The Camel Ranch, Dimona - not too far from Beer Sheva, this is a chance for kids to learn more about camels...you can actually take a trip out into the desert on them. The owners are kind and serve you mint tea too! Our tip - try the ice cream - it’s made from camel milk! For those that want to make a weekend out of it, they offer simple clean accommodation, with kitchen facilities and you can sit out by a bonfire at night, after dinner.If you are interested in visiting some Israeli farms, consider joining Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley Farm Private Tour.Old-fashioned farming in the Biblical Garden in Yad HaShmona, Israel. Photo by Georg Arthur Pflueger on Unsplash

Israel’s famous for many things, including religious landmarks, archaeological sites, vineyards, nature reserves and deserts. But what about its waters? Many people think instantly of the Mediterranean Sea if they envisage travelling to Israel for a beach holiday but there’s another option too - and a great one -The Red Sea.Kitesurfing in Eilat, Israel. Photo by Mor Shani on UnsplashWhere is the Red Sea located exactly? In the heart of the Middle East, sharing its marine waters with Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti. An inlet of the Indian Ocean, it lies between Africa and Asia and the connection to the ocean is in its south, through the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el Mandeb strait. The etymology of the nameSo why is the Red Sea called the Red Sea? Well, ‘Red Sea’ is a direct translation of the Latin ‘Mare Rubrum’, the Greek ‘Erythra Thalassa’ and Arabic ‘Al Bahr Al-Ahmar’’. Geographers think it was so named because of the bright red-coloured flowers CyanobacteriaTrichodesmium Erythraeum that can be seen near the water's surface. Some geologists suggest that it refers to the mineral-rich red mountains. Historians have pointed out that it borders the Egyptian Desert which the ancient Egyptians called ‘Dashret’ or ‘red land’. It is also possible that the name derives from the Himyarite, a local clan whose own name means ‘red.’Ship in Eilat, the Read Sea, Israel.Photo by Dana R Shavit on UnsplashHistory of the Red Sea.Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and IsraelitesIt was the Ancient Egyptians who began the earliest known explorations of the Red Sea, whilst seeking commercial routes. One we know took place circa 2500 BCE and another 100 years later. In the book of Exodus, in the Hebrew Bible, the story is told of the journey the Jews made from Egypt to the Promised Land, fleeing slavery under a cruel Pharoah. Led by their leader, Moses, the Israelites miraculously crossed through a body of water called the ‘Yam Suph’ (in Hebrew this refers to the Red Sea), which parted before them. According to the narrative, the Egyptians chased them but God wrecked their chariot wheels and the water then returned, drowning the entire army. As for where Moses parted the Red Sea and his people crossed it exactly? Today, most scholars and archaeologists think it was around the ‘Aqaba finger’ area.In the 8th century, the Persians made reconnaissance missions to the area and soon after Greek navigators did the same. The Romans favoured the area as a way of trading with India and the Red Sea also became an important stopover on the mediaeval Spice Route. Sunset over the Red Sea.Photo by Eric Weber on UnsplashIn 1798, France, under the leadership of Napoleon, invaded Egypt and, in doing so, took control of the Red Sea. Napoleon failed in his conquest but one of the people who took part in the invasion - an engineer named Jean-Baptists Lepere - reinvented the plan for a canal. The Pharaohs had built several in ancient times but none had stood the test of time. After the Suez Canal opened, in 1869, the French, Italians and British shared the port. By the end of the Second World War, however, the Americans and Soviets became the dominant powers but after the Six-Day War in 1967, the canal was closed for eight years.Now, after many quiet years, the Red Sea is becoming an important trade port again - the Suez Canal links it to the Mediterranean and the Bab el Mandeb straits. This makes it an economic artery - more than 10% of seaborne cargo sails through its waters every year.Bordering countriesIsrael, Egypt and Jordan border the Red Sea on the northern shore, Saudi Arabia and Yemen border it on the eastern shore and Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea border it on the western shore. This makes the Red Sea of huge strategic importance - it lies between the continents of Africa and Asia, separating the Middle East and the Far East as well as Asia and Europe.The aerial view of the harmless whale shark in the Red Sea, Eilat, Israel.Photo by Et Yan on UnsplashGeology of the Red SeaThe Red Sea is part of an extensive rift system that includes from south to north the oceanic Sheba Ridge, the Gulf of Aden, the Afar region, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Gulf of Suez, and the Cairo basalt province. The Red Sea valley cuts through the Arabian-Nubian Massif. This was a continuous central mass of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks that formed deep within the Earth under heat and pressure more than 540 million years ago.Oceanography of the Red SeaThe climate of the Red Sea is the result of two very different seasons; a northeasterly monsoon and a southwesterly monsoon. The Red Sea is the world's most northern tropical sea and home to over 1200 species of fish and around 10% of these have been found nowhere else. The many shallow shelves are also full of marine corals. There are also extensive shallow shelves, all noted for their marine life and corals, Acropora being the most common kind (it grows fast - up to a metre long - if not disturbed). There are no dangerous sharks (i.e. man-eaters) in the waters, but occasionally divers will see grey reef sharks. The world’s fastest fish also lives here - the sailfish can swim at speeds of up to 109 km (68 miles) per hour! Tropical fish that can be seen in the Red Sea include the clownfish, butterflyfish, Spangled Emperor, parrotfish, lionfish. Watch out for blue-spotted rays, giant Moray eels and barracuda, as well as turtles, the Titan Triggerfish and the long-nosed hawkfish.Fun fact: the pretty red and orange coloured clownfish was the inspiration for Disney’s ‘ Finding Nemo’. They live amongst rare anemones and whilst their jaws are not large, they can be aggressive when trying to protect their young, inflicting a few small bites on the odd diver!Hills in the Eilat area, the Red Sea coast, Israel.Photo by Josh Appel on UnsplashOilfields and mineral resources of the Red SeaThe Red Sea is quickly developing a reputation as one of the world’s largest offshore oil production areas. Historically, there have been many challenges to drilling - it has a rough seafloor, topography, complicated geology under thick salt deposits and also a delicate ecosystem. All this, as well as substantial drilling costs, meant that it was left untouched until recently.The company Saudi Aramco was the first to use a deepwater rig in the Red Sea after a 2009 seismic study indicated the presence of natural gas. In 2010, Sudan started drilling its first offshore exploration well, off their coastline. Canadian Oyster Oil and Gas Co. is now active in Djibouti, where there has been little exploration activity up to now. And after Israel and the United Arab Emirates established ties as part of the Abraham Accords, a ‘pipeline deal’ was signed to bring crude oil from the UAE to Eilat.The ecosystem of the Red SeaThe Red Sea has a delicate ecosystem and thriving biodiversity. This is mainly due to the coral reef ecosystem. It stretches for almost 2000 km (1,240 miles) along its coastline. Some of the reefs are thousands of years old and in Egypt, some are protected by the government (such as Ras Mohammed National Park). Unfortunately, whilst Red Sea coral reefs are known for their incredible heat tolerance and resiliency, they are now becoming increasingly threatened as a result of origin seat temperatures and overfishing.Dolphin Reef Beach, Eilat, Israel.Photo by Silviu Georgescu on UnsplashFacts and figuresThe Red Sea’s maximum width is 306kms (190 miles), its greatest depth is 3,040 metres (9,974 feet) and its area is approximately 450,000 square km (174,000 square miles). High surface temperatures combined with high salinities makes the Red Sea one of the hottest and saltiest bodies of seawater in the world. The average water temperature in the summer is 26 °C (79 °F) and 15 °C (66 °F) in the winter. Around 40% of the Red Sea is very shallow - less than 100 metres (350 ft). And 25% of it is less than 50 metres (164 ft) deep! Another fun fact: the Red Sea is approximately 35% saltier than most other seas, which gives it unique health benefits (the saline concentration is thought to improve blood circulation). The Red Sea TourismTourism is a thriving industry in the Red Sea with resorts like Eilat (Israel), Aqaba (Jordan) and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) all extremely popular, year-round. Sunshine is abundant, even in the winter, and it is quite possible to swim comfortably in the waters in January and February. It’s also easy to visit Petra from Eilat, as part of an organised tour - crossing the border from Eilat to Aqaba is not difficult and from there it is around two hours to the magnificent Nabatean city.Eilat Underwater Observatory, Israel.Photo by Marcin Czerniawski on UnsplashThings to do in EilatEilat is a very popular destination for tourists, with the Red Sea a big draw for swimmers and snorkelers.Things to do in Eilatinclude boats with glass bottoms (you will see all kinds of colourful tropical fish), rent kayaks, as well as extreme water sports activities - jet skiing, water skiing, banana boats, tubing and parasailing. Not to mention Eilat Coral Beach and Dolphin Reef.For divers, the Red Sea is a true paradise. In Eilat, the Red Sea diving resort, the diving territory is quite small and the sea drops off so close to the shore that in just a few minutes the water can be 20-40 metres deep. Divers can explore the Nature Reserve (where the Moses Rock is located), as well as the Neptune Tables. For those who love wrecks, there is a Satil, which is 45 metres long and lies about 25 metres deep. Surrounded by soft corals, it is very well preserved.Egypt is also a popular Red Sea diving spot, with resorts like Dahab (famous for the Blue Lagoon) and Sharm el Sheik (40 km from the Thistlegorm - a British steamship sunk by German bombers in 1940 and today a popular dive wreck). Tourist in Eilat area, Israel.Photo by Josh Appel on UnsplashCoralWorld - the Red Sea AquariumThis really is a window onto the Red Sea where visitors can actually go underwater and see a reef without even getting wet! The Underwater Observatory was built in 1975 so visitors could learn more about the Red Sea in a new and innovative way. There are no nets around the towers, so all of the marine life you see has come to the reef naturally! Visitors can see sharks, manta rays, stingrays, all kinds of colour and amazing schools of the tropical fish way up close. There is also a brand new Aquadome and the opportunity to see animals being fed. The aquarium is open every day of the year, save for the Jewish Day of Atonement. Dolphin ReefAlong with CoralWorld, this is one of Eilat’s top attractions and an amazing and unique chance to get up close and personal with a group of bottlenose dolphins who choose, of their own free will, to make this Reef their home! Set on the shores of the Red Sea, it is an ecological site unique to Israel - it has floating piers and observation points at which you can observe these magnificent creatures.The more adventurous visitor can also choose to snorkel or dive with the dolphins, and there are workshops that families love. The Reef also has a beautiful botanical garden and pond.Eilat beachfront.Photo by Boris Izmaylov on UnsplashRed Sea Jazz FestivalFirst held in 1987, the Red Sea Jazz Festival is an annual event, usually held in the last week of August. Running for four days, it hosts performances by accomplished jazz musicians, from Israel and also around the globe. There are workshops on offer and nightly jam sessions. Some of the artists who have performed in recent years include the Mingus Dynasty, Mory Kante, the Latin Groove Orchestra, Rick Margitza and Franck Ansalem. The festival draws audiences of up to 70,000 and has proved so popular that in 2010 a Winter festival now runs each year, for 3 days.Eilat can be easily reached both from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, either by Egged public buses or car rental (approx. 4 hours driving time from each city to the Red Sea). For more information, feel free to read the article How to get from Tel Aviv to Eilat. You can also spend a day in Eilat on your way to Petra with one of the numerous tours to Petra and Jordan.

Israel’s a land of beaches, mountains, seas and nature trails, endless religious and historical landmarks, archaeological sites and museums that deal with so many different themes. But it’s also a nation of culture lovers - which is why the performing arts are so well-supported. Whether you want music, fine art or theatre, both the big and small cities won’t disappoint. Even better, when it comes to theatre, there are so many choices for the visitor, including performances in Hebrew, Russian, English and even Yiddish!Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center. Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinToday we’re going to be looking at the lively and active Israeli theatre scene. Whether it’s contemporary plays, classical productions, performances at the Romantheatre in Caesarea, or under the stars in Jerusalem, there’s an exciting and dynamic ‘scene’ in the country. Israel is also a veritable melting point which means the actors, directors, and playwrights you’ll come across here hail not just from the Levant but all across the globe. From professional repertory and international musicals to regional plays and amateur companies, devoted audiences can expect a treat when they book tickets. Let’s start with a brief history of how it all began...History of the Theatre in IsraelThe first-ever Hebrew theatre in Israel was a group called ‘Lovers of the Hebrew Stage’ who performed actively in the Holy Land between 1904-1914. In the years of the British Mandate, when many Jewish immigrants were arriving in Palestine, many of the plays performed were themed around Jewish history and the trials and tribulations of being involved in ‘building a new country’. Habima,a theatre group founded in Moscow, arrived in Tel Aviv in 1928, delighting audiences with a production of ‘haOtsar’ (‘the Treasure’), a Yiddish to Hebrew translation of Shalom Aleichem’s Der Oytser. Settling in the city in 1931, a theatre was built and opened in 1945.Habima Theatre, Tel Aviv.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinOld and New Themes - from Shakespeare to LevinAfter the creation of the state, theatre in Israel flourished, combining native and international narratives. Playwrights such as Hanoch Levin, Moshe Shamir, and Nissan Aloni began exploring subjects pertinent to the new, fragile state, particularly the impact of the Holocaust and the current state of play between Israel and the Arab world. Over time, international classics also became popular in Israel - Shakespeare, Moliere, Samuel Beckett, and Tom Stoppard to name but a few. Today, Israel’s theatres have a reputation that is well-deserved, drawing on eclectic themes and promoting young actors and actresses. With a growing number of students studying acting in high school and the exciting atmosphere that exists on stages across the country, the future indeed looks bright for Israeli theatre. Let’s now have a look at some of the most well-known theatres in Israel:Theatre curtain.Photo by Rob Laughter on UnsplashTop Theatres in JerusalemJerusalem Theater - This landmark structure opened in 1971 and houses a number of open spaces, which perform all kinds of cultural activities. The complex consists of five halls - the Sherover Theatre can seat 970 and the Henry Crown Concert Hall 760! Located in Talbiyeh, it hosts over 600,000 visitors each year.Khan Theater - This theatre is a leading repertory-creator in Jerusalem, producing 4-5 new critically acclaimed plays each season, as well as its repertoire of 10 ongoing productions. They perform classical, modern European, and American plays, as well as Israeli dramas and, are considered by critics as the theatre that has produced the most groundbreaking works in recent years. Without a doubt, it is a real cultural center in the city. The Train Theater - Formed in 1981, this artistic puppet theater for children promotes creation and innovation. Every summer, it puts on the International Festival of Puppet Theater, bringing together puppeteers, viewers, artists, and festival directors from Israel and around the world.Caesarea Roman Theatre.Photo credit: © ShutterstockTop Theatres in Tel AvivHabima - Habima first opened in 1945 but was rebuilt and reopened in 2009 - today, located at the top of Rothschild Boulevard, it is considered a world-class theatre. Most productions are performed in Hebrew but often translated simultaneously into English, making it accessible for thousands of tourists. It has produced many critically acclaimed plays, both classic and independent, and today visitors can also enjoy a number of musicals on offer there, including Les Miserables and Mamma Mia.Gesher - The Gesher Theatre was founded in 1981 by new immigrants who had arrived in Israel from the USSR. It is one of the few bi-lingual theatres in the world, performing with the same troupe in Russian and Hebrew alternately. Today most of the productions are in Hebrew, but it has a very unique and artistic feel to its productions. Many of its plays have been hailed as remarkable and outstanding and today it is regarded as one of the most innovative theatres in Israel.Jaffa Theatre - The Jaffa Theater promotes intercultural dialogue, bringing together people from Jewish and Arab backgrounds, in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The theatre is a great advocate of reconciliation and peace and puts on many productions that deal with identity and ‘belonging’.Roman Theatre in Caesarea.Photo by Joshua Sukoff on UnsplashThe Cameri Theatre - The Cameri, founded in 1944, is one of Israel’s leading theatres and, to date, has staged over 600 productions, in front of thousands of people. Based in central Tel Aviv, each year, they present around 15 new plays to Israeli audiences, using an accomplished cast and well-known directors (five of whom have been awarded the Israel Prize for contributions to their field). Suzanne Dellal Center -Established in 1989 in the charming Neve Tzedek neighborhood, the Suzanne Dellal Centre offers a diverse number of performances, festivals, and events that relate to the world of contemporary dance and performing art. Suzanne Dellal is also home to the world-famous Batsheva dance troupe, with Martha Graham hired as its first artistic director, back in 1964. The Stage - This is home to a performing arts community in Tel Aviv that operates in English. They run large and small productions, all on a voluntary basis. Their claim to fame is a production of the notorious ‘Vagina Monologues’ and they also offer writing, directing, acting, and improv workshops as well as stand-up comedy and ‘open mic’ nights. If you are looking for an English-language theatre in Israel with English-speaking actors, this one is not to miss.Students dancing near the entrance to Suzanne Dellal Center.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinImprov Theater Israel - Founded in 2007 by Anna Preminger, this is currently the home of Israeli improvisation theatre. Tmu-Na -This small community theater and performance center, features fringe and avant-garde performances in central Tel Aviv. Yiddishspiel - Yiddishpiel was established in 1987, its aim being to restore and revive the rich language of Yiddish, spoken by millions before World War II and part of a rich, Jewish cultural tradition. They have a rich and diverse repertoire, including classic works by Shalom Aleichem, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Shai Agnon.Founded by Shmuel Atzmon-Wircer, to date over 100 new productions have been staged and the theatre has also gained international recognition, performing in festivals around the world. Since their beginning, they have traveled to London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Vienna to perform.Malenky - This company was founded in 1997 by a group of immigrants from the old USSR and its forte is the adaptation of classical literary works. Malenki means ‘small’ in Russian but there’s nothing insignificant about these actors. Currently, they perform both in Russian and Hebrew and their repertoire includes ‘the Bastards Story’ (based on Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’), ‘About the Sin’ (based on Dostoyevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment), and ‘The Stranger’ (based on the novel by Albert Camus). Market Dance, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv.Photo by Liel Anapolsky on UnsplashTop Theatres in HaifaHaifa Theatre - Founded in 1961, with the support of Abba Hushi - the mayor at that time - this was the first creative urban theatre in Israel. Undoubtedly, it expanded the cultural horizons of Haifa - and today acts as a creative home for young directors and original playwrights. (Fun fact; famous Israel playwrights Hanoch Levin, A B Yehoshua, and Danny Horowitz all began their professional lives here).Al-Midan -Founded in 1994, by a group of Arab-Israelis, this Haifa-based theatre serves as the artistic community for Arabis in Israel. With its two halls, its plays are performed only in Arabic and use both young Arab performers who have just graduated from Israeli drama schools, in collaboration with seasoned actors from the community.Theatre at CaesareaCaesarea isn’t just a magnificent national park, at which you can see extraordinary examples of Herodian architecture. It’s also home to a huge theater where, every summer, theatergoers come to enjoy concerts and plays under the stars. What once was a place where thousands watched Sophocles being performed is now a major venue for international performers. Not to be missed! To visit Caesarea join one of numerous Caesarea tours.Ballerina in Tel Aviv.Photo by Liel Anapolsky on UnsplashIsrael Musicals and Musical Theatre in IsraelThe King and I, Rent, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Sound of Music are some of the many musicals that have proved to be huge hits in Israel. Many Broadway shows make it here, both in large and intimate venues and enjoyed both by Israelis and those whose native language is English!Theatre Festivals in IsraelEach year, Israel holds a number of fantastic theatre festivals, to which thousands of people - both locals and tourists - flock. These include:Musrara Mix Festival - Usually held in February, and held in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Musrara (between the east and west of the city), this runs for three days and hosts a number of Israeli and international artists, as well as students from the Naggar School of Art. All events are free to the public, and visitors love walking through the narrow streets of the area, meeting locals, and enjoying all kinds of artistic performances.Puppets.Photo by Ray Harrington on UnsplashFestigal - Performed annually since 1981, Festigal is a wonderful musical show with many well-known actors and singers in Israel performing across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. It begins with a musical, then comes a break, in which the audience vote for their favorite song. The second half consists of a concert. Held at Hanukkah time (December), it’s incredibly popular with children and each year it adopts a different theme. Acre Fringe Theatre Festival -Since 1979, the marvelous Crusader City of Acre has been home to an international fringe festival, which is held in the days that fall between the beginning and end of Sukkot (the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles), in the Autumn. Acre, with its ancient port, narrow alleyways, and eclectic architecture, is the perfect place to stage productions.Held at the Knight’s Hall (the Hospitaller Fortress), the stunning archaeological backdrop intrigues and mesmerizes visitors. It is Israel’s biggest theatre festival and is known to be a hub of creativity - it hosts companies from around the world and also boasts street performances and many activities for children. Enjoying theatre in a city like Acre was never this much fun...Acre Port.Photo by Daniel Newman on UnsplashJaffa Fest - Running since 2018 and held in the beautiful city of Jaffa, this festival hosts a number of music and theatre productions. Initiated by the Gesher Theatre, since 2020 it has been including a variety of content created for digital broadcasting in Hebrew, English, and Russian.Masrahid Festival - Held annually, at the Acre Theatre Centre, this festival performs plays in Arabic with simultaneous translation provided in Hebrew, opening the event up to millions of people who want to watch original works and understand more about Arab and Palestinian culture. International Puppet Festival - Taking place each July in Holon (just outside of Tel Aviv), this festival began in 1995 and is organized by the Israeli Puppet Centre. It hosts workshops for professionals and amateurs and gives performances by locals and international artists alike. Even better, most events are free...Bat Yam Festival - This annual festival takes place every August, close to the beach (on the boardwalk) in Bat Yam (a city just south of Tel Aviv-Jaffa). Running since 2005, it’s all about street theatre - and this street theatre is edgy, risky, and happening. The audience is people who happen to be walking there and performers have the job of making them look up and take notice. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see some acrobatics!To be able to visit any particular show or theatre in Israel, please consider joining aprivate tour.The Wandering Israeli Show, Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv.Photo credit: © Dmitry Mishin

Time is flying. Even though Corona has been with it for what seems like an eternity, and some countries are already returning to lockdown, Israel, for the moment, is not in the grip of a crisis. Whilst the borders are temporarily closed for tourists at present, the chances look good that they will open again soon.New Year decor. Photo byAnnie SprattonUnsplashHanukkah has now passed for Jews but what’s just around the corner is Christmas, followed by New Year, a time when thousands of Christian pilgrims flock to Israel, to visit Bethlehem (the place where Jesus was born) and Jerusalem (where he was crucified, buried and then resurrected). In the modern Gregorian calendar, the New Year falls on 1st January and is preceded by the famous ‘New Year’s Eve’ festival, which in Israel is called Silvester. So, why Silvester and why do Jews celebrate it in Israel?What does Silvester Mean?The word ‘Silvester’ is derived from the Roman Saint, Pope Silvester (also spelled Sylvester) from, back in the 4th century. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar was reformed and the last day of its year was declared to be December 31st, linking it up with the feast day of Silvester. Today, of course, 31st December is one of the most celebrated public holidays across the globe. Fireworks are a traditional way to end the evening, along with parties, cocktails, and a certain degree of merriment. Silvester is a huge tradition in central Europe (particularly Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy).And of course, over time, that tradition - like the traditions of Halloween and St. Valentine’s Day - has arrived in Israel. So when did Silvester make its first appearance and how do Israelis celebrate this festival today?Happy New Year hanging decor. Photo byKelly SikkemaonUnsplashSilvester in Israel Past.From the Ottomans to the BritishBy any standards (well, thousands of years in fact), the Jewish calendar predates the Gregorian calendar. Furthermore, when Palestine was ruled by the Ottomans, the ‘Rumi’ system (which is solar-based) was operational. Of course, all this changed when the Ottoman Empire fell and the British conquered the territory on 1st March 1917.Under the Mandate, Muslims celebrated their new year in the summer, Jews would celebrate Rosh Hashanah in the Fall and Orthodox Christians marked the New Year using the Julian calendar. However, because there were so many British soldiers (and diplomats and their wives) in the Holy Land by that time, the demand for a party on New Year’s Eve grew.In 1927, the first one was held, in the form of a dinner followed by a ball. At the same time, the Jews who lived there were not celebrating 31st December/1st January (instead celebrating Hanukkah in Israel) and so advertisements for these festivities were promoted more to English and Arabic speakers.Wine glasses and champagne for the New Year party. Photo byAndres SiimononUnsplashSilvester Springs UpBy the 1930s, however, many Jews from Germany and Austria (where Silvester was always popular) had arrived in Palestine. These Jews were, in the main, secular and worldly - they dressed beautifully, spoke eloquently, and enjoyed ‘bourgeois’ traditions such as summer tea dances and winter balls. Thus the tradition of the Hanukkah ball was born!These ‘Hanukkah/Silvester’ celebrations actually did gain some popularity, although there was a certain amount of discussion and disagreement from other Jews, who felt they were not in keeping with the ‘Zionist ethos’ (as well as being named after a Pope who was notoriously anti-semitic). Indeed, in 1934, the powers that be in Tel Aviv argued:“This foreign custom of Silvester parties is absolutely undesirable, contrary to the spirit and traditions of the people of Israel...and requests that all coffee houses and large event hall owners in the city not organize Silvester parties.” (Deputy Mayor Rokach)The Chief Rabbis went even further, declaring that Silvester was a tradition alien to Jews and something that should not be allowed to ‘invade’ the Holy Land. Essentially, they regarded these parties as a dangerous precedent - one that could lead to Jews adopting Christian traditions! However, as time passed, it became clear that many Jews in Palestine (and, after 1948, the State of Israel) wanted to celebrate. Attempts to stop parties (or even ban them) never came to much, and by the 1950s, Silvester parties were very fashionable (and attended by artists, journalists, and even Israeli politicians).New Year Fireworks. Photo bymeagan paddockonUnsplashSilvester in Israel TodaySo, how many Israels celebrate ‘New Year?’ today. Well, that’s a great question and essentially it all depends on which one you’re referring to. The Jewish New Year - also known as Rosh Hashanah - marks the beginning of the ‘holiday cycle’ (as we’ve said before, Israel has many holidays!) and is celebrated widely by families and friends, usually with a festive dinner and sometimes a trip to the synagogue. Rosh Hashanah, like every Jewish holiday, is based on the Jewish (lunar) calendar so its exact date differs every year. However, it usually falls sometime between early September and early October. Occasionally Israelis give gifts, but the biggest traditions are eating apples dipped in honey and round challah bread! And just in case you’re invited to someone’s home for such a celebration, it’s good to know how to say ‘Happy New Year’ in Israel. You say “Shanah tovah u’metukah” which, translated, basically means ‘Have a good and sweet New Year.”Rosh Hashanah treats. Photo byIgal NessonUnsplashDoes Israel Celebrate New Year's Eve?Silvester, of course, is a completely different ball game - it’s not a religious holiday whatsoever. As a result, many Israelis will celebrate the evening, although more traditional Jews (who observe Jewish ritual law) may not do anything special, since historically they have regarded it as a more ‘Christian’ holiday.In Tel Aviv, for instance, (Tel Aviv has a reputation for being secular, liberal, and somewhat hedonistic) you will find endless attractions - restaurants holding special New Year’s Eve menus, dance parties, intimate celebrations in peoples’ homes and, in hipster neighborhoods like Florentin and Jaffa, people partying in the street when the clock strikes midnight.In Jerusalem, however, which is a lot more traditional (even conservative) any celebrations will be more low-key, perhaps in peoples’ homes and you definitely won’t see revelry in the capital’s downtown. And, of course, since January 1st is not a public holiday in Israel, you’ll still be expected to attend work the next day!New Year tree balls. Photo byAnastasiya RomanovaonUnsplashSilvester Events in Tel Aviv this Year (2021)The New Year’s Eve countdown in Tel Aviv can be celebrated at many different venues across the city, including: The Breakfast Club - this popular nightclub on Rothschild Boulevard is throwing a Tiki party, with lots of dancing and tropical cocktails!Cheers Bar - hanker for some old music? Well, this bar is throwing a 1990s themed bash with music from that era, including Madonna, the Spice Girls, and Nirvana! Get your dancing shoes on...Brown TLV Hotel - this trendy hostel is converting its lobby into a disco and with its reputation for upmarket design, style, and cocktails, it’s bound to be fun!Shpagat - this popular gay bar on trendy Nahalat Binyamin is throwing their annual ‘Sylvester Prom Party.’ It’s an intimate and cozy venue and, even better, there’s no entry fee.The Dancing Camel - this fun bar is throwing a Roaring Twenties shindig, where you can dance to swing music and drink fabulous cocktails.The Kitchen Market - this upmarket restaurant, above the food market in Tel Aviv’s Namal Port, has a special New Year’s Eve menu, with both early and later sittings.New Year's Eve sparklers.Photo byIan SchneideronUnsplashNovy GodAs well as Silvester, the holiday of Novy God has also become increasingly popular in Israel. ‘Novy God’ is Russian for “New Year’ and symbolizes both the Russian New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.Historically, Russia adopted European customs in 1700 under Tzar Peter I, when he issued a decree, declaring that all citizens should have a fir tree in their home. By the mid 20th century, after the Tzars had been overthrown by the Bolsheviks, Novy God was declared a public holiday Unsurprisingly, it became very popular, perhaps because it was the only holiday in the Soviet Union not associated with communism. Israel has a large Russian population (many of whom arrived in the country after the fall of the Soviet Union) and so Novy God has gained popularity in the last 30 years. Especially in places where there is a large Russian community (Ashdod, for example), many festivities are held, with plenty of revelries to boot.A typical ‘Novy God’ dinner (which can often resemble a veritable feast) will include traditional Russian appetizers such as cabbage, potatoes, mushrooms, beets, and dill. Salads with mayonnaise (Olivier Salad and dressed herring, e.g.) are popular and caviar is often served, not to mention fermented pickles, which are often paired with vodka shots and champagne!New Year Celebration. Photo byJonathan BorbaonUnsplashWhen the clock strikes midnight, that’s when festivities really kick-off. There’s often lots of dancing and, at a certain point, dessert is served - the Napoleon cake is a big favorite, as well as vareniki (dumplings) filled with cherries. Celebrations go on way into the night and many Russian Jews will tell you that they have fond memories of their childhood Novy Gods, when they were not told to go to bed, often staying up until dawn broke. There will often be a decorated tree with presents underneath, which ‘Ded Moroz’ (‘Grandfather Frost’) hands out to the children.Now that more and more Israelis are beginning to understand that Novy God has little in common with Christmas, they’re also dying to learn more. Outreach initiatives mean that, across the country, many Russian-Israelis are inviting friends and neighbors into their homes, so they can share their wonderful traditions with them. Teaching others that Novy God is less about drinking in a bar and more about getting together with family and friends to share food and stories is just one more way of spending 31st December. So whether you’re religious or secular, Christian, Jewish or Muslim, Happy 2022 to you all - and whether you’re celebrating Silvester, Novy God or just staying home with Netflix, enjoy yourselves!Chrismas and New Year decorated tree.Photo byTessa RampersadonUnsplash

The Crusades are an extraordinary and fascinating period for anyone intrigued by history, particularly in the context of Israel (or what was then referred to as ‘the Holy Land’). Some scholars argue they were a pilgrimage whilst others see them as a Holy War. Much has been written, and can still be written, about these military expeditions but for those who want the basics, this article is an attempt to explain some of the major events that occurred over these centuries, and how they impacted Jerusalem.A Crusader in the Army Museum, Paris.Photo byJeremy BezangeronUnsplashWe don’t promise here to give you all the answers (we couldn’t, even if we wanted to!)...rather look at a few of the important questions dealing with the long and arduous journeys undertaken by nobles and knights, all the way from northern Europe to Jerusalem....and what transpired when they finally reached the Levant. Today, we’re going to focus primarily on the First Crusade (scholars are still arguing about exactly how many there were) and the impact it had on Europe and the Levant.So what exactly were the Crusades?Essentially, from the perspective of the Christian history timeline, the Crusades were a series of religious wars/military expeditions that took place between Christians and Muslims. They began in the 11th century and were instigated by Western European Christians who were angered by centuries of Muslim rule. Supported, and often directed, by the Latin Church, the best known of them are the ones directed towards Jerusalem, between the period of 1095 and 1281.Sunset in the Old City of Jerusalem.Photo byDavid HolifieldonUnsplashIn 1009, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre needed to be rebuilt, after being destroyed by the Caliph of Egypt, Al-Hakim. Subsequently, Christian pilgrims were free to visit the church. Around 1077, Muslim Seljuk Turks took control of the Holy Land, and it became harder for Christian pilgrims to visit there and rumors of pilgrims’ mistreatment spread. Soon, the Byzantine Emperor Alexius, who feared that the Seljuks might soon invade his land (and reach the Christian city of Constantinople) reached out to the Pope, appealing for help. The call to arms by Pope Urban II was heard by tens of thousands of men, young and old, across Western Europe, and apparently, his words resonated with them. “May you deem it a beautiful thing to die for Christ in that city in which he died for us” he told them. Thousands cut out red Crusader crosses and sewed them into their white tunics before setting off. For them, the die was cast - they would fight for Jerusalem, at whatever personal cost. Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo byAdam KringonUnsplashWho took part in the Crusades?The popular response across all social classes was enormous - both the People’s Crusade and the Princes’ Crusade attracted no end of participants. The Crusader's journey to Jerusalem was certainly seen as a ‘worthy’ penitential privilege and a willingness to accept Papal commands was common. What we do know is that the ‘call to arms’ was spearheaded by Pope Urban II at the 10-day Council of Clermont. There he gave a rousing and impassioned speech, designed to recruit men.As a result, many noblemen from France and England also signed up for the Crusades. Knights were particularly well represented, particularly a mysterious Order named the Knights Templar. Originally, their purpose was to protect pilgrims from danger but, over time, they ‘expanded’ their duties and became known as defenders of the Crusader states in the Holy Land. These knights were certainly brave, skilled warriors, and even today, tales of their military prowess are told to schoolchildren.Сrusader armor. Photo byNik ShuliahinonUnsplashWhat were the motives behind the Crusades?There were all kinds of reasons behind the Crusades in fact. Some individuals felt the need to obey the Pope, who had decreed that the Holy City of Jerusalem should be freed from Muslim infidels, in order to grant Christian pilgrims free access to worship. In the words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux: “Oh men of war, oh mighty soldier, you now have something to fight for. If you win, it will be glorious. If you die fighting for Jerusalem, you will win a place in heaven.”Others were anxious to be forgiven for their sins since the Pope offered automatic forgiveness for anyone who signed up. Particularly for Knights, who had killed many in battle, this was an opportunity to have their soul cleansed. Serfs signed up because they were promised freedom from indentured labor. And then there were some troublesome young men who were ‘packed off’ abroad by their families. Obviously, there were other more materialistic reasons too - if victorious, the spoils of war would be theirs, particularly in the form of land (which could always tempt knights who were not destined to inherit their father’s lands). Finally, let us not forget the question of ‘honor’. Participating in a Crusade was an opportunity to prove one’s bravery, as well as see the world and have an adventure into the bargain.Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem. Photo byGary ChapmanonUnsplashWhy was Jerusalem important in the Crusades?To medieval Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the Holy Land was not a mere geographical entity in the Middle East. Rather it symbolized purity and spirituality. All three faiths revered Jerusalem - for Christians, it was where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. For Jews, it was where the city of King David was once captured and then made the capital of the ancient Jewish people.For Muslims, the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount was the place where Mohammed the Prophet was said to have flown over, on his fateful journey to Mecca. The enormous significance of Jerusalem to all three faiths in the time of the Crusades could not be underrated.The First CrusadeThe Crusaders marched across Europe, from France, Germany, and Italy, to Constantinople. After crossing into Asia Minor, they split up and began pillaging the countryside. There was an orgy of killing, in which citizens and enemy soldiers alike were massacred and even the arrival of a large Turkish army could not stop them. The Antioch fortress surrendered to the Europeans.The Crusaders rested and reorganized for some months but their eyes were still on the great prize - Jerusalem. Although they had lost many men in previous battles, they still numbered 1,200 cavalries and around 12,000-foot soldiers. On reaching Jerusalem, they found the city to be heavily fortified and so began building three huge siege towers. A week later they were complete. The Gate of St. Stephen was first to be penetrated and, once opened, the Crusaders flooded in.Knight's armor, the Army Museum, Paris. Photo byJeremy BezangeronUnsplashIn this battle, thousands of its Muslim defenders were massacred without mercy. The attack was so brutal that a Christan from that time actually claimed: “the slaughter was so great that our men waded in blood up to their ankles.’ Another eyewitness, Ralph of Caen, watched the battle from the Mount of Olives and reported, “the scurrying people, the fortified towers, the roused garrison, the men rushing to arms, the women in tears, the priests turned to their prayers, the streets ringing with cries, crashing, clanging and neighing.”For sure, having to surrender Jerusalem to the Crusaders was an enormous blow to the Muslims. Christians quickly took control of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Many Jews fared just as badly - thousands hid in their synagogues but were found and killed. Soon after, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was established under the rule of Godfrey of Bouillon. Al-Aqsa Mosque, Temple Mount. Photo byToa HeftibaonUnsplashThe Crusader StatesOnce they had fulfilled their vows of pilgrimage, many of the Crusaders left the Holy Land to return to Europe. This, of course, left the problem of who would govern these now conquered territories. At first, there was some disagreement about what kind of government should be established. Godfrey of Bouillon refused to take on the title of ‘King’ since he wished Jerusalem to be a secular state. Eventually, he took on the title of ‘Defender of the Holy Sepulcher‘.After Godfrey of Bouillon died suddenly of typhus (there was great mourning, and his body lay in state for several days, before being buried at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) the throne passed to his brother Baldwin I, also known as Baldwin of Boulogne. His Latin Kingdom eventually boasted 15 cathedral churches including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Four large western settlements, or Crusader states, were eventually established, in Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch, and Tripoli By 1112, Caesarea, Arsuf (Apollonia), Acre, Beirut, and Sidon had been captured. Crusader castles were built in Galilee.In the meantime, all around the city of Jerusalem, you could see arts and crafts from different traditions - Latin gold workers on one side of the market, and Syrian goldsmiths on the other. Some pieces that you can see today even bear inscriptions, showing that they were made by an Islamic craftsman for a Christian purchaser!Muslim people near Herod's Gate, next to the Old City of Jerusalem.Photo byLevi Meir ClancyonUnsplashThe French Influence of the CrusadesThe vast majority of the Crusaders in the Jerusalem Kingdom were from France, not to mention the soldiers and knights who arrived in the next 200 years to act as reinforcements. Of course, with them they brought the French language, thus making Old French the lingua franca of the Levant. Without a doubt, King Baldwin was able to take advantage of the rivalries that existed between his Muslim enemies and soon extended his control along the Mediterranean coast.The states were ruled very successfully for the next 20 or so years. But by 1131, the rule of the early Crusaders had come to an end. There was no more a policy of expansion, rather a consolidation of what had been captured. Unfortunately, the northern Crusader states were now endangered, since the Byzantines were preparing to go to war. In 1133, Edessa was captured and this would set the scene for the next chapter - the Second Crusade.Analyzing the CrusadesSo what was it all about? Some historians argue today that whilst the overriding initial motive for the Crusades was religious, many pilgrims succumbed to their darker impulses i.e. greed and a lust for power. What we do know is that the dead number is millions. Ultimately, the Crusades never did manage to create a ‘Holy Land’ that they envisaged would be part of Christendom but with their actions, they certainly changed history forever. Montfort, the principal Crusader castle of the Teutonic Order, Israel.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinWhat was the Impact of the Crusades?The Crusades, over time, did not have the impact they had hoped insofar that Islam was not defeated - in fact, the actions of the Crusaders in what is now Israel eventually produced a backlash. When Saladin famously conquered Jerusalem in 1189, his plan was to avenge the slaughter of Muslims in Jerusalem by killing all of the Christians he found in the city. Luckily for them, he eventually agreed to let them ‘purchase’ their freedom, as long as they gave assurances that Jerusalem’s Muslim citizens be left unharmed.Who controlled Jerusalem after the Crusades? Without a doubt, Saladin’s achievements were astonishing - he unified the Muslim Near East, using a clever mixture of diplomacy and warfare. At the height of his power, his sultanate spanned Egypt, Syria, the Jazira (Upper Mesopotamia), the Hejaz (western Arabia), Yemen, parts of western North Africa, and Nubia. After defeating the Crusaders in the Battle of Hattin, he regained control over the city after 90 years of Christian occupation. Muslims across the world still consider this liberation of Jerusalem a great incident, particularly because Saladin restored the city’s religious, political, and social balance. Arsur of Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, Apollonia National Park, Israel.Photo credit: ©Dmitry MishinIn the meantime, Europeans learned a great deal from this period of history too. They became better warriors - more adept at designing castles and using gunpowder. They learned a great deal from Muslim scholars about medicine and science, and eventually adopted their numbers system (1, 2, 3) which they found more straightforward than Roman numerals.The Crusaders also learned that the world was vast, and that beyond Jerusalem were India and China, places where they could buy and sell. Over the years, trade flourished and many goods were brought to Western Europe, including silk, spices, cotton, and lemons. Much was also learned about agriculture, the breeding of animals and flora, and fauna.Today, of course, the argument still reigns about the Crusades and whether they were a legitimate reaction to Muslim aggression or simple colonial aggression. What we do know, however, is that the battle for Jerusalem was far from over - and that centuries of war would lie ahead, as armies wrestled for control of this extraordinary city.If you are interested in Christian day toursfeel free to contact us. If you are willing to visit some Crusader castles in Israel, let us know and we will elaborate a customized private tour for you.Belvoir Crusader Castle,Jordan Star National Park, Israel.Photo credit: ©Dmitry Mishin

The geography of the Holy Land is incredibly diverse - you can actually dive with tropical fish in the Red Sea, cycle through the Arava and Negev deserts, swim and sunbathe by the Mediterranean Sea all in the space of a day, if you get up early. Something else that’s amazing about Israel is just how many mountains it has. Many tourists aren’t aware of this - they imagine sun, sea and sand, without knowing that within an hour or two’s drive of both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv it’s possible to find amazing places to climb and hike.Masada Cable Car, Israel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockMountains in Israel are also imbued with religious significance, important to Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. From Mount Sinai, where God gave Jews the Ten Commandments, to the Mount of Temptation(where Jesus battled with Satan), great drama takes place. No less so either in the Quran - in Islamic history, the small hills of Al-Marwah and Al-Safa are the locations between which Muslims travel back and forth during their famous pilgrimage known as the ‘Hajj.’And for those less interested in history and more in sport, Israel’s a great place to visit if you’re athletic. Whether you want to hike,indulge in some rock climbing, take off on a mountain bike action in Israel, ski and snowboard on Mount Hermon, or rappel down the sides of the Mitzpe Ramon crater in the Negev desert, there’s a tour guide waiting to arrange your excursion in Israel.Below we’re looking at some of these mountain ranges, what makes them important to the pilgrims who visit there and why you should think about visiting a few of them on your trip to Israel.Mount Arbel near Tiberias. Photo credit: © Dan PorgesMountains and the Hebrew BibleMount Carmel -This coastal mountain range in Haifa is, at its highest point, 5454 m above sea level. The name dates back to biblical times and comes from the Hebrew word ‘kerem’ (‘vineyard’), referring to the mountain’s fertility. Its most important reference in the Old Testament is in Kings 1, where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal.Mount Gerizim - Located in the West Bank, just south of Nablus (Shechem) Mount Gerizim rises to 880 m and is the twin of Mount Ebel, which sits to its north. The mountain is mentioned in Deuteronomy 11, as the site where God was to give his blessing to the Jewish people - and this ceremony was subsequently performed in the time of Joshua. Gerizim is also mentioned in the writings of the Roman historian Flavius Josephus and in the rabbinical Talmud. Mount Gilboa - The Gilboa Ridge runs to around 80 km and rises to a height of 650 meters above sea level. Close to the Great Rift Valley, its slopes are steep and ideal for hiking when in Israel. It is also home to several springs, including Ein Harod and Ein HaShlosha and these are very popular both with tourists and locals.Overlooking the Jordan Valley to the North and the Jezreel Valley to the south, Mount Gilboa is where Saul (Israel’s first King) died (by falling on his own sword) in a battle against the Philistines. When David heard this news, he wept and cursed the mountain.Hai-Bar Carmel National Park. Photo credit: © Manu Grinspan. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityMount Hazor - Located in the West Bank, with Samaria to its north and Judea to its south, Mount Hazor reaches over 1,000 meters at its peak. In Hebrew, ‘Hazor’ means ‘courtyard’ and refers to the wall enclosures that people constructed here in ancient times. In Joshua’s day, it was regarded as the ‘head of all the kingdoms’, and accounts from the Dead Sea Scrolls suggest that this is the place where Abraham built an altar and prepared to obey God’s word and sacrifice his son Isaac.Judaean Mountains - Also known as the Hebron hills, the Judean Mountain range stretches from the foothills of Judea to parts of the Jordan Rift Valley, including important cities such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Ramallah. Reaching a height of just over 1,000 meters, they formed the heart of the Kingdom of Judah, where the first Jewish settlements emerged.After the death of David’s son, King Solomon, the ten northern tribes separated from Judah, and Jerusalem remained the capital of the kingdom of Judah, which continued until 587/586 when the Babylonians conquered it. This majestic mountainscape is also where David hurled a stone at Goliath and Bar Kochba led a revolt against the Romans. Today, it is a wonderful place to hike, enjoy a wine tour/picnic and visit numerous archaeological sites.Judaean Desert Mountains. Photo by Amit Lahav on UnsplashMount Betarim -This mountain is sacred to two faiths - according to Jewish tradition, it is the spot at which God made his covenant with Abraham and according to Muslim tradition, it is where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice four species of birds, before bringing them back to life.Сity of David - More than 3,000 years ago, King David left Hebron for a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem; he would later establish it as the capital of the tribes of Israel. Years later, his son Solomon built the First Temple there and, as a result, this hilltop became one of the Holy Land’s most important sites.Mount Sinai (in Arabic, Jabal Musa) lies on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, rising 2,280 m high, and surrounded by even higher peaks. It is, of course, famous as the spot on which God gave the Israelites (via Moses) the Ten Commandments. Mount Nebo rises 710 m high and is situated in Jordan. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the place at which God gave Moses a view of the Promised Land.Breathtaking Sunrise at the top of Mount Sinai in Egypt. Photo by Vlad Kiselov on UnsplashMountains and the Christian BibleMount of Beatitudes - Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this is the place where Jesus was supposed to have given his famous Sermon on the Mount. The exact site is not known but pilgrims commemorate the event at the Church of the Beatitudes, built on the slope of the mount and close to the Tiberias-Rosh Pina road. Mount Precipice - Located just outside of Nazareth, and almost 400 m high, this mountain offers wonderful views of the surrounding area, as well as beautiful walking paths known by pilgrims as the ‘Gospel Trails’. According to the Gospel of Luke, an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus off this mountain, after his bold sermons in the area.Mount of Temptation -Rising to 360 m above sea level, and offering wonderful panoramic views of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, this is the spot - near Jericho - at which tradition holds Christ was tempted by the Devil. You can reach the summit only on a steep path, passing by a monastery that literally ‘clings’ to the face of the cliff.Mount of Transfiguration - According to the Gospel of Matthew, this is the spot at which Jesus underwent his transfiguration - his face shone like the sun and his clothes turned white. Its actual location is unknown - it could be Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon.Mount Tabor - Located in Galilee, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, although it is not mentioned specifically in the New Testament, Mount Tabor is assumed to be the location of Jesus’s transfiguration (see above).Mount of Beatitudes Church, Sea of Galilee, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockMountains of Jerusalem‎Mount of Olives - The Mount of Olives (in Hebrew’ Har HaZeitim’ and in Arabic ‘Jabal Al Tur’) sits east of and next to Jerusalem and is named after the olive terraces that cover the slopes. Referred to frequently both in the Old and New Testaments, it is a sacred spot for Christians, Jews, and also Muslims, and also home to a prominent cemetery.First mentioned in the Bible as the “ascent of the Mount of Olives”, it is also mentioned in the Book of Zechariah at the end of days prophecy. For Christians, it is the spot where Jesus spent time in the last week of his life, particularly at the Garden of Gethsemane (where he prayed before his arrest) and also as the spot from which he ascended to heaven. For Muslims, the Mount of Olives is where the Kaaba - the black stone from Mecca - will one day return. Temple Mount (Moriah) - Also known as Haram al-Sharif and Al Aqsa, this hill in Jerusalem is venerated both by Jews and Muslims. For Jews, it is the place where the divine presence manifests itself and where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac. For Muslims, it is the site of Mohammed’s ascent to heaven, in 7 CE. Located just above the Western Wall, in recent years its sovereignty has become hotly contested.Mout of Olives with the Church of Dominus Flevit, Jerusalem.Photo credit: © ShutterstockMount Zion - Situated just outside the Old City Walls, Mount Zion is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (in conjunction with the City of David and also Temple Mount) but today its name refers to the Western Hill of ancient Jerusalem. The word ‘Zion’ certainly has emotional connotations for Jews...it is where God dwells, is King, and has installed his King. Mount Scopus - At 825 meters high and situated in north-east Jerusalem, Mount Scopus has historically been a strategic point (‘scopus’ in Latin means ‘lookout’) and used by the Romans and Crusaders, as well as the scene for modern-day battles. Between 1948-1967, Mount Scopus was protected by the UN as an Israeli enclave within Jordanian territory. Today it offers panoramic views of the city and is home to the world-famous Hebrew University.Mount Herzl - Named after Theodor Herzl (the founder of modern Zionism) and also known as Har haZikharon (the Mount of Remembrance) this hill is home to Israel’s national cemetery and also other education and memorial facilities. It is a site of great importance in Israel, being where the state ceremony for the conclusion of Memorial Day and the beginning of Independence Day takes place each year. To its west, sits the Yad Vashem Memorial to the six million murdered in the Holocaust.Dormition Abbey, Mount Zion. Photo credit: © Sofia EmeliyanovaFamous Mountains in Northern IsraelMount Hermon - Mount Hermon (or Jabul al-Sheikh, "Mountain of the Sheikh" in Arabic) is a cluster of hills in the Lebanon area, with peaks that sit between the border of Syria and Lebanon. The United Nations is in control of the buffer zone at the top, separating Israel and Syria and its southern slopes are home to a ski resort that is popular with Israelis, though Mount Hermon's weather is characteristic of fog.Mount Heman soars to 2814 above the sea and is the highest mountain in Israel, surrounded at its base by a number of small Druze villages. Historically, Mount Hermon has been known as a holy place, a snow-capped hill, and also a mountain of great military (strategic) importance. Its springs at the base of the mountain form into streams that eventually make up the Jordan River.Mount Bental - Located in the Golan Heights, Mount Bental rises 1,170 meters above sea level and provides amazing views of Mount Hermon and the Golan. The overlook is managed by Kibbutz Merom haGolan, the first of its kind established after the Six-Day War in 1967.In 1973, in the Yom Kippur war, this mountain was home to an enormous tank battle and as a result of the huge casualties (100 Israeli tanks were reduced to 7, under extreme enemy fire) was subsequently known as the ‘Valley of Tears.’Valley of Tears, Golan Heights.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinMount Arbel - Situated near Tiberias, in the Lower Galilee, this mountain boasts beautiful hiking trails that lead to a fortress-like building, the remains of an ancient synagogue, and stunning views of the Golan Heights. The caves dug into Mount Arbel’s cliffs were historically used as a hiding place for Jews fighting their enemies - the historian Josephus writes of the last Hasmonean rebels who lived in the cliffs and were eventually defeated by the Romans. Mount Meron - Located close to Safed in the Upper Galilee, Mount Meron has great significance for Jews, being particularly famous for the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and a huge annual celebration of the festival of Lag B’Omer. It is mentioned in the bible as the spot at which Joshua defeated the Canaanite kings and some Jews also believe a cave nearby holds the remains of the famous rabbis Hillel and Shammai.The Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Israel’s a popular tourist destination for many reasons - ancient historical landmarks, wonderful archaeological sites, mountains, deserts and bountiful orchards. It might be a small country, but Israel packs a big punch in terms of what there is to see and do, making it an ideal place to take a break. And for those who love water, one of the biggest draws has got to be its long, sandy coastline with gorgeous beaches, bordered by the beautiful, clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.A boat in Caesarea Harbor.Photo credit: © ShutterstockToday we’ll be taking a look at what makes the Mediterranean sea so special - its location (and ports that served it historically), its geography and weather patterns, the tremendous biodiversity it offers marine biologists, and its beautiful beaches. We’ll give you a little insight into the astounding maritime archaeology that can be found off the Israeli Mediterranean coast, as well as a few tips and pointers for holidaying at cities up and down its shores.Etymology of Mediterranean SeaThe actual word ‘Mediterranean’ comes from the Latin ‘mediterraneus’. Medius and terra, combined, spell out ‘middle of the land’. However, the Mediterranean has been known by a number of names throughout history - to the ancient Romans it was ‘mare nostrum’ (‘our sea’) and to the Turks ‘Akdeniz’ (‘the white sea’).The Old English name of theMediterranean Sea was Wendel-sæ, named so after the Vandals, living on the southwest coast after the fall of Rome. In Hebrew, it is ‘HaYam HaTikhon’ (‘the middle sea’), in Arabic ‘Al-Baħr Al-Abyad Al-Muttawasit’ (‘the middle white sea’) and in the Bible, it is referred to as ‘the Sea of the Philistines’, ‘the Great Sea’ or simply ‘the Sea.’Aerial view of Caesarea coast, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockGeographyof Mediterranean SeaIn general, the Mediterranean climate is one of mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, which is why it's ideal for growing crops such as olives, lemons, oranges, and grapes. Because it is almost landlocked (having only the narrowest connection with the Atlantic ocean) its tides are quite limited. Another thing that is noticeable about this sea is its color - because nitrates and ammonia in its waters are in short supply, the result is the crystal clear blue waters that swimmers and divers know and love. Additionally, although most nutrients are found in the bottom layers of the sea, algae thrive at the top (where the sun shines).What many people don’t know is that, long ago, the Mediterranean sea almost dried up - and it was only ‘revived’ by a sensational flood, about 5 million years ago. Some scientists even believe that - for a time - the entire sea evaporated - and was desiccated, just like the Sahara. Today, the only real evidence of this ‘flood’ is a layer of salt up to two miles thick, hidden deep below the sea basin. The Mediterranean Sea in Acre, Israel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockMediterranean WeatherThe weather in Israel’s Mediterranean area, as mentioned before, is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Rains begin in late October and are usually gone by early May, with rainfall peaking in January and February. From late spring to October, temperatures can be scorching and high humidity levels can make walking outside quite uncomfortable. The evenings bring a breeze, but it is quite common, in July and August, for the thermometer to register 25 degrees celsius (77F) at midnight and soar to 36C (96.8F) in the day.History of the Mediterranean SeaFrom ancient years (dating back to the Bronze Age) to contemporary times, the Mediterranean Sea has played an important part in Israel’s history - in the form of a number of ancient seaports such as Jaffa, Caesarea, and Acre.Jaffa (from where Jonah supposedly fled God and, for his trouble, was swallowed by a whale) is arguably the oldest seaport in the world - ancient documents show it was in use as long as 4,000 years ago.The Cable Car to Rosh Hanikra Sea Caves on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockCaesarea and Acre (further up the coast) also give visitors an idea of how important the Mediterranean was to Israel. Caesarea (established by King Herod in 20 CE) was the main gateway port for Roman soldiers and even though much of it was destroyed, you can still see incredibly well-preserved ruins there today.The same is true for Acre - during Crusaders' times, it was a leading port for Europeans arriving and departing and several rabbis arrived there, including Maimonides. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its citadel walls, Arab gates, and Ottoman towers. Today, Israel has two large, active cargo ports - Ashdod and Haifa. Haifa has emotional significance to Israelis too because it was the point of entry for many refugees arriving in Israel, first fleeing Europe after the Holocaust and later seeking refuge from Arab persecution.View of Jaffa port and Tel Aviv beachfront.Photo credit: © ShutterstockBiodiversityThe Mediterranean is a veritable hotspot for biodiversity - it has between 15,000 to 25.000 species, and 60% of these are unique to the region. Even though it covers less than 1% of the world’s ocean area, this tiny semi-closed sea is rich in underwater beds and islands, as well as serving as an important place for wintering, reproduction, and migration of species.Climate Change and Environmental ChallengesClimate change is also causing problems for the Mediterranean - its million cubic miles of water keep vaporizing as the years pass, with insufficient rain to rectify the loss. The only water source keeping the sea stable is flowing through the Strait of Gibraltar (a narrow channel between Spain and Morocco). In the meantime, over 1,900 species of birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles have recently been assessed by scientists and it is estimated that almost 20% of them are threatened with extinction. Certain irreplaceable species are already extinct, including the Hula Painted Frog and the Sardinian pike. Reasons for this include habitat loss (caused by developing coastal infrastructure and dam building) as well as over-fishing, pollution, and invasions by alien species. Increasing urbanization and the arrival of millions of tourists to the area each year are also taking their toll. It’s safe to say that urgent conservation action needs to be taken, as well as caring for endangered species, to ensure the damage does not continue.Tel Aviv Promenade.Photo credit: © ShutterstockThe Mediterranean Sea in IsraelWhy is the Mediterranean sea important to Israel? For millions of Israelis (as well as those visiting the country) the Mediterranean sea is a source of pleasure, leisure, income, and food. Alcoholism, obesity, and heart disease rates are some of the lowest in the world here, even though wine, olive oil, fruit, and bread are widespread. Abundant sunshine means it's easy to get a constant supply of Vitamin D.The sea absorbs around a quarter of all the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere through human activity. Many scientists believe that living near the Mediterranean reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, not to mention improving longevity and quality of life. Mediterranean sea air is a natural cleanser, has antiseptic properties, and can help improve circulation. It all helps - in 2021, Israel was ranked 12th in the UN’s World Happiness Index and Tel Aviv, in particular, is said to be the world’s 8th most happy city! Surely this has got something to do with living next to the Mediterranean sea and its glorious beaches?Tel Aviv beachfront. Sunset on a rainy day. Photo by Shai Pal on UnsplashIsraeli Cities on the MediterraneanMany important cities in Israel are situated on the Mediterranean coast, including Ashkelon, Ashdod, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Haifa, Acre, and Nahariya. So if you’re looking to travel in this area, either independently, as a part of a group tour, or by booking a private tour, then you have an astonishing number of beach options. From Surfing and Drumming to Churches and FishermenTel Aviv is a magnet for travelers of course - its foodie scene, small coffee shops, bustling boardwalk, small boutiques, and 24/7 nightlife make it incredibly popular with all age groups. Tel Aviv’s beaches all have their own style and flair - whether you want to beat drums, surf, enjoy some folk dancing or simply lounge on a chair - there’s something for you. Moreover, Jaffa is less than an hour’s walk south along the shore from North Tel Aviv’s Namal Market, and a marvelous place to spend time. Whether you want to rummage in the Jaffa flea market, stroll the narrow, cobbled streets of the Artists' Quarter, or wander down by the harbor, watching fishermen sit patiently at Jaffa Port, hoping for a catch, you’ll have a fine time.Ships at Jaffa Port. Photo credit: © ShutterstockFortresses, Sand Dunes, and BathingSouth of Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Ashkelon have wonderful sandy beaches, complete with sand dunes. Ashdod has an ancient fortress and Ashkelon boasts a National Park, where you can bathe and then explore nature on the same day. North of Tel Aviv, upmarket, ritzy Herzliya Pituach and French-dominated Netanya (where boulangeries serving authentic croissants and quiches) are fantastic for travelers. The sea temperature of the Mediterranean is cool in the winter but between May and October, it is pleasantly comfortable (almost like a warm bath) for swimming. The jellyfish season in Israel is usually between June and August, so watch out! (Luckily, although a sting can be painful, it will not be fatal). And as for the question “Are there sharks in Israel?” the answer is, “Yes, but none that will hurt you!”. In recent years, groups of ‘sandbar sharks’ (an endangered species) have been sighted both in Ashdod and Hadera, although they are still pretty rare. So spending a day at the beach is really not a bad idea!Ashkelon Beach.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinShore Excursions and Day Trips to JerusalemFor those who would like to explore the north of the country, we’d highly recommend booking Caesarea, Acre, Rosh haNikra tour.It’s also possible to take a private Israel Shore excursion from Ashdod of Haifa. If you’re on a cruise that docks in the country, this is the ideal way to spend a few hours and because most of these tours are private, they can be customized according to your exact needs.Many of our customers also ask us “How far from the Mediterranean Sea is Jerusalem?” and the answer is “not far at all!” From Tel Aviv, it's a 45-minute drive (without traffic) and even faster with the new high-speed train which for a few dollars will transport you to Jerusalem’s central train station (connected with the light rail, and just a 15-minute journey thereafter from the Old City Walls). So you can enjoy time at the coast and also visit this unique city - taking a day trip to Jerusalem has never been this easy.Maritime ArchaeologyIsrael is also home to all kinds of maritime archaeology, not to mention shipwrecks that have been found off the Mediterranean coast. Historically, Israel’s coastline lacked deep and natural harbors so boats in ancient times had to look for shelter from the storm in river mouths. Many, unfortunately, did not survive the perilous waters!Since the 1960s, maritime archaeologists have been carrying out underwater excavations all along the coast, trying to find the remains of shipwrecks, cargos, and ancient harbors. For those who are curious, there are a number of national parks that can still be visited, giving a sense of how these coastal towns operated thousands of years ago. Here are a few we’d recommend:Aqueduct Beach, Caesarea, Israel.Photo credit: © Shutterstock- Ashkelon Archaeological park is just 40 minutes drive from Tel Aviv and boasts an ancient fortress and the remains of two churches. - Crusader City in Acre - The maritime capital of the Crusaders, Acre has astonishingly well-preserved ancient walls. Don’t miss the citadel, Templars' Tunnel, Knights Hall, Al-Jazzar mosque, and a stroll along the harbor.- Caesarea National Park - this magnificent Herodian city boats an amphitheater. Roman theatre, Caesarea Port, hippodrome, and bathhouse. There’s also an Underwater Museum (fantastic for diving enthusiasts) and the often-empty Aqueduct Beach.- Apollonia-Arsuf National Park - close to Herzliya, here you can walk along the coastal path and explore this Crusader castle and Roman villa. -The Carmel Caves - these dwellings of prehistoric man provide valuable insight into life back then, with excavations throwing up flint tools, animal bones, and a human burial site. - Tel Dor National Park - this ancient Phoenician port city can be found on the Carmel coast and was once a great city in the Mediterranean.- Atlit Yam - located near Haifa, a number of submerged prehistoric sites have been found here, dating back to 7 BCE. Findings include a mysterious stone circle and dozens of human skeletons, all still in their graves. One of the oldest and largest sunken settlements ever found.Apollonia coastline, Israel.Photo credit: © Dmitry Mishin

Jordan’s one of the less talked about countries in the Middle East but actually, it’s the kind of place that, once people visit, they realise just what they’ve been missing. With its beautiful natural landscapes, stunning desert scenery, ancient religious sites and - of course - the wondrous ancient city of Petra - it really should be on any tourist’s bucket list, particularly if you’re combining it with a vacation in Israel or Egypt (with which it shares borders).A jeep tour in Wadi Rum, Jordan.Photo credit: © ShutterstockWhy Should I Visit Jordan?In terms of traveling in the country, Jordan is relatively stable, politically speaking, quite developed in terms of its infrastructure, and its people - from the capital city of Amman to the Bedouins in the desert - are warm and welcoming. It has fine Levantine cuisine, diverse landscapes, and a climate that’s amenable to travel almost the entire year round. Moreover, whether you’re a backpacker or looking to splash some cash, there are accommodation options to suit all budgets.Moreover, because Jordan is only 90,000 square kilometers (about 35,000 square miles) you can travel from place to place quickly - whether by private car and driver, public transport or as part of an organized Jordan tour. Traveling from the capital Amman to the desert in Wadi Rum, the ancient ruins of Jerash, the extraordinary nature around the Dead Sea, the wonders of Petra, and the chilled-out atmosphere of Aqaba, on the Red Sea, you can pack in a lot, not just in a week or two but even a long weekend. Below, let’s look at some of the practicalities involved in obtaining a visa for Jordan so that you can begin planning your trip and anticipating what fine things await you...Madaba Mosaic Map of the Holy Land, Madaba, Jordan.Photo credit: © ShutterstockDo I Need a Visa to Visit Jordan?“Do I need a visa to visit Jordan?” is a question we are asked regularly, by people wanting to book trips with us. Well, the answer is - for the most part - yes. The good news is that it’s not a difficult or time-consuming procedure and, for the most part, it’s just a matter of paying your fee and having your passport stamped.Broadly speaking, citizens arriving from most countries in the West do not need a visa in advance - it’s something that can be purchased on the border. The main conditions for entry are a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the time you wish to stay there, and two blank pages within the passport that will be used for stamps. The only citizens who do not have to present a passport are those from Lebanon - in this case, a valid national ID card is all that is required.A sandstone formation carved by the elements in Wadi Rum,Jordan. Photo credit: © ShutterstockReturn Ticket Proof and Police Registration at the Jordan BorderIf you are arriving by air, at Queen Alia International Airport, you may be asked for proof of your return ticket. This is less likely if you are traveling overland but please note that all tourists, however they have arrived, are obliged to register with the Jordanian police after 28 days of being in the country.At present, citizens of certain countries are granted visa-free entry to Jordan for varying periods (ranging from one to three months, depending on their nationality). Some of these countries include Egypt, South Africa, Barbados, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Ecuador. Nationals of all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are also allowed to enter without a visa.The Temple of Artemis in Jerash, Jordan. Photo credit: © ShutterstockJordanian e-Visas and Visas on Arrival in JordanAll other foreign citizens (i.e. those not on the list above) entering Jordan from Israel are required to obtain an approved visa for Jordan. This can be either in the form of an e-visa, which is a simple process that can be carried out online or by purchasing one in person, after waiting in line at immigration, at one of Israel and Jordan borders (either the Sheikh Hussein orYitzhak Rabin). (Embassy visas for diplomats can be ordered in advance from the government office of Amman) At the time of writing this article, there are no bans currently in place for any citizens wishing to travel to Jordan.How Much is a Visa to Jordan?If you are not arriving by air, you will cross into Jordan probably from one of the three borders that are shared with Israel. The two at which you can simply arrive at the border and buy a visa are in the north (Sheikh Hussein at Beit Shean) or in the south, on the Red Sea, where Eilat meets Aqaba (Rabin/Arava crossing). You can either pay for your visa in cash (Jordanian dinars or US dollars) or with a credit card. The cost of a one-month single-entry visa to Jordan is, at present, 40 Jordanian dinars (approx $50). Double-entry visas, which are valid for 3 months, cost 60 JOD (approx. $84). If you are looking to travel back and forth on several occasions, consider investing in a multiple-entry visa which costs 120 JD (approx USD 170).South Gate Of The Ancient Roman City Of Gerasa (Jerash), Jordan.Photo credit: © ShutterstockCareful Where You Cross!It’s always good to know this before you set off but, at the Allenby Bridge crossing (between Jerusalemand Amman), you cannot just arrive and purchase a visa. However, if you have a visa that has been pre-arranged, you will be able to enter. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend crossing overland either in the north or south of Israel to Jordan, because the lines are shorter and there is less bureaucracy. Also, because the Allenby Bridge crossing is used by many Palestinians, who wish to fly abroad via Amman, there are far more security checks. So, if you want shorter waiting times and generally an experience with little hassle, we’d advise against using the Allenby Bridge. Indeed, all of Bein Harim’s Petra Tourscross through the southern borders.Vista of Promised Land from Mount Nebo, Jordan.Photo credit: © ShutterstockWhat is the Jordan Pass? Will It Save Me from Having to Buy a Visa and Is It Worth the Money?The Jordan Pass is a venture set up by the Jordanian government to encourage tourism within their country and essentially, offers the entrance to a range of tourist attractions, including the Petra Archeological Park, The city ofJerash with its surrounding ruins, and the fabulousWadi Rum.So you could say it’s a good investment - not only will it help save you money seeing some amazing sites, but it also means you skip the issue of having to obtain a visa. You won’t have to submit online applications, fill out paperwork or even wait in line at immigration. You’ll just walk right through.Ruins of Roman Theater in Jerash, Jordan.Photo credit: © ShutterstockWhat’s Included in the Jordan Pass?For your money, you’ll benefit from digital brochures which you can download to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, waiving the visa, provided (as mentioned before) you spend at least 3 nights in the country. Entrance to Jordan’s top locations, including Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Amman Citadel, Karak and Shobak Castles, Qasr Al-Azraq, the Madaba Archaeological Museum, St. Elijah’s Hill, and Al-Hamimah, to name but a few.The Jordan Pass is valid for a whole year and you can buy it in advance of your trip. It will expire automatically, two weeks after the first attraction you visit. It has been designed with the curious tourist in mind and - since Petra is the highlight of any tourist’s trip - the cost of it depends on how many days you wish to spend there.The Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum, Jordan.Photo credit: © ShutterstockAll passes include free downloads of digital brochures, the waiving of the visa fee (if you spend more than 3 nights in the country), and entrance to over 40 attractions, Depending on how long you wish to spend in Petra, you can choose from:Jordan Wanderer - this costs 70 JOD (approx. $99) and offers you a full day in Petra.Jordan Explorer - this costs 75 JOD (approx $106) and you can spend 2 days in Petra (a good choice for those who want to see the main sites and perhaps also visit the Monastery).Jordan Expert - at 80 JOD (approx $113), this allows you a full three days in Petra (ideal for those who want to hike and explore off-the-beaten-track parts of the area).If you choose to join one of the numerousIsrael and Jordan Toursplease keep in mind that: tours usually do not include visa-issuing and border fees ($140).Travelers of certain nationalities require advance issue of visas. For more information please contact us,or check if you're eligible for a visa upon arrival here.Border crossing includes border control and customs, this process may take up to an hour.

Herzliya is a city in the centre of Israel, just north of Tel Aviv, and is easily reached from there by car, train or bus. Home to around 100,000 people, it is prosperous - owing to its thriving start-up culture - and also close to a number of beaches. It covers around 21 square kilometres and its western suburbs are home to very wealthy neighbourhoods, where the tree-lined roads are filled with ‘villas’ (spacious homes that are a rarity in Israel).Yachts in Herzliya Marina.Photo credit: © Evgeny BrizeliHerzliya and its most wealthy suburb - Herzliya Pituach - is a city in which many diplomats live (it is home to a number of prominent embassies) as well as successful Israeli and international entrepreneurs. It is affluent and pleasant and according to the Israeli Bureau of Statistics, one of the wealthiest cities in Israel. With its pristine beaches, endless amenities and close proximity to Tel Aviv (with no traffic, Tel Aviv can be reached in 20 minutes by car and 15 minutes by train) it is considered to be a desirable location, both for living and holidaying.Herzliya was founded in 1924, initially as a kind of farming co-operative ‘moshav’ in Hebrew), and named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism. By 1948, when the state of Israel was founded, its population had reached around 5,000 and in 1960, when it reached 25,000 it was declared to be a city. Today, it is home to football and rugby teams, all kinds of amenities - including excellent restaurants, shopping malls and beaches - and each year hosts the ‘Herzliya Conference’, which brings together business leaders, academics and politicians from across Israel and the globe.The Mediterranean seashore north of Herzliya, Apollonia National Park.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinTop Herzliya AttractionsHerzliya Marina - Israel’s largest and most prestigious marina, here you’ll see hundreds of vessels moored and - in warm weather - hundreds more out on the Mediterranean. The Marina is a great place to stroll, stop for ice cream or a light bite, do a little shopping or grab dinner as the sun goes down. There are sports bars, live music venues and great views of the water.Apollonia National Park - Apollonia, also known as Tel Arsuf, is a hidden gem in the area. A national park, looking out over the Mediterranean Sea, it dates back to Crusader times. Visitors can explore the fortress inside, along with a moat, furnace and Roman villa, and walk along a coastal trail. Look out for gazelles, porcupines, red foxes and star lizards and enjoy the lavender bushes and eucalyptus trees.Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art - Opened in 1975, this building was constructed partly as a memorial building and partly as a museum/cultural centre. Its focus is on contemporary art produced by young artists, both from Israel and abroad, and it also has a sculpture garden.Apollonia National Park.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinKfar Shmaryahu Caves - Samaritans lived in Apollonia/Arsuf as far back as the 5th century and here, in these caves, they buried their dead. A number of these graves can still be seen today (although there are no skeletons!) and are still preserved in a rather good condition, thanks to the limestone. A fun hour or two can be had with kids here - there’s also free admission and plenty of parking.Museum Beit Rishonim - meaning ‘Founder’s House’ in Hebrew, this museum documents the history of Herzliya, from the time it was settled in 1924, onto when it was declared a city in 1960. An interesting exhibition about the ideology of Zionism and Herzl’s vision of what a Jewish state might look like.Sidna Ali - the Sidna Ali mosque is located in the old village of Al-Haram, in the northern part of the city. Inside are vaulted arcades dating back to the 13th-15th century and the tomb of a local saint, Ali Alim. The mosque is popular as a pilgrimage site with Israeli Arabs from Galilee. A playground in Herzliya. Photo credit: © Natalia BrizeliWhere to Stay? Best Herzliya HotelsPopular with tourists year-round, there’s a variety of accommodation in the city and along with no-frills apartments there are also a number of high-end hotels in Herzliya, should you be willing to splash the cash. Here are a few we’d recommend, for a pampering stay:Ritz Carlton - this luxury hotel has beautiful spacious rooms and elegant bathrooms and is only a 3-4 minute walk from the beach. The waiters at the poolside area serve free bottled water and the weekend breakfast runs to 12 midday. Great lobby bar, as well as a spa and their signature restaurant, the ‘Herbert Samuel’.Dan Accadia - close to the beach, with a large pool, the Dan is elegant yet not ostentatious. Vegan visitors rave about their food, especially the breakfasts. The Dan lounge, for members, offers light snacks and drinks. There’s also a lovely beach patio to eat out on, in the later afternoon.Publica Isrotel - the rooms are of small size, but thoughtfully designed and elegant. The infinity pool is beautiful, and the hotel offers colourful and functional workspaces for those arriving with laptops! Visitors rave about the comfortable beds and gym facilities.Herods - Comfortable rooms, excellent buffet breakfast and helpful staff make this hotel on the beach a tried and tested favourite. They offer a free shuttle to the mall and visitors report they are very child-friendly.Dan Accadia Hotel, Herzliya.Photo credit: ©Dan Accadia HerzliyaOkeanos - overlooking the beach, this ‘aparthotel’ is ideal for the business traveller or anyone who likes to keep to their own schedule. All spaces have fully-equipped kitchens and separate spaces for working, sleeping and living, as well as all the amenities of a modern hotel. Visitors rave about the pool and Okeanos also offers a 24/7 fitness centre. NYX - Attractively designed, with an excellent kosher dairy-fish restaurant and cocktail bar area. As well as a pool and spa, the NYX offers free bikes to its guests. The hotel has a business lounge and their stylish rooms all come with a Nespresso machine. Expensive but worth it!Daniel - this is an old favourite for many visitors to Israel. Close to the beach and the marina, they offer spacious rooms (many with fridges) and an excellent buffet breakfast. Visitors often comment on the friendly staff and the well-maintained sauna and jacuzzi facilities.Sharon - with its large outdoor pool, giving direct access to the beach, free bicycle hire and beautiful views of the Mediterranean, the Sharon comes highly recommended. Many of the bedrooms have been recently renovated and the breakfast buffer services an astonishing array of food. The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya.Photo credit: ©The Ritz-Carlton, HerzliyaA Day at the Beach - Herzilya’s Finest StretchesThere is a number of spectacular Herzliya beaches, all with powdery white sand and clear water. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, a sporty time or some seclusion, there’s something for everyone - and they’re all public, with quite a lot of free parking close to hand, so you don’t have to break the bank. Hasharon Beach, Herzliya - probably the city’s favourite beach, with lots of facilities, including beach chairs for rent and lots of places to eat nearby. Popular with those learning to surf, the waters can occasionally be rough here so watch out! Acadia Beach, Herzliya - Clean sand, clear waters, good working showers and a lookout make this a great place to spend a day. Pick shells, borrow a book from the public library van or just sun yourself. For those looking for an adrenaline rush, there’s also a surf school.Zvulun Beach, Herzliya - not too noisy and not too crowded, you can take shade here in the mornings from the hotel nearby. In the winter, it's a popular spot for kitesurfing. The grassy areas are also ideal for picnics.Marina and Boats Beach, Herzliya - very close to the marina, and with the shopping area and many restaurants nearby, these two interconnecting beaches are always popular and this is the place to go if you want to sail or jet ski.Apollonia Beach, Herzliya - with its empty stretches of sand and green-coloured water, Apollonia is an incredibly beautiful - and very quiet beach. Access to it is by clambering over rocks Great for a long, philosophical stroll or a romantic sunset walk, gaze up at the ancient ruins and lose yourself for a moment.A girl in Herzliya. Photo by Or Hakim on UnsplashFree Time - Things to Do in Herzliya:Shopping - Herzliya has plenty for the shopper, including the Arena and Seven Stars malls. Branded stores include Tommy Hilfiger, Nine West, Timberland and Nautica. Inside are plenty of eateries as well as activities for kids and some free workshops and shows in the summer. Water sports -Whether you want to sail, surf or take out a kite, you can do it here. Yachts can be chartered here, there’s a surf school that offers classes year-round and there are plenty of attractions for kids, including surfing in Herzliya.Israel Day tours from Herzliya -Israel is a compact country, and you can go on day tours around Israel from Herzliya to the most popular destinations like the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Galilee. Day tours from Herzliya to various places depart daily and are offered in several languages.Bars and restaurants in Herzliya:Sebastian - with its Mediterranean vibe, and delicious dishes that include arancini, chicken liver terrine and salmon with capers, Sebastian isn’t cheap but it’s definitely popular.Meat Bar - the perfect place for carnivores, specializing in steaks (T-Bone, New York, Porterhouse steaks) and the lamb chops and chicken are popular too.A girl at Herzliya Beach.Photo by Pauline on UnsplashZozobra - serving all kinds of Asian fare, particularly Ramen and curries, you sit at long tables and dishes arrive as soon as they are cooked. Reasonable prices and tasty food.Giraffe - if you like sushi, noodles or gyoza, this reasonably priced Asian fusion restaurant is perfect. Try the Orange Thai curry or the ‘Afghan’ with goose breast.Meat and Wine - this smart kosher restaurant has lots of South African inspired meat dishes, including steak, duck and goose liver. The upscale atmosphere with a good selection of wines and tasty non-dairy desserts.Getting to HerzliyaThe number 90 bus runs directly from Tel Aviv to Herzliya, beginning at the Carmel Market, through Dizengoff Street and the Namir Road and costs 10 NIS (3 USD) one way. Allow 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Trains also leave regularly from Tel Aviv Savidor, Hashalom and Hahaganah stations and a one-way ticket costs 14 NIS (4,5 USD) and takes approx. 13-18 mins. By car, the journey will take between 20-30 minutes on Route 2 (Namir Road).If you are interested in visiting Herzliya as part of an organised private tour, we offer a number of day tours. Also, feel free to call us on (972) 3 542-2000 for more detailed information.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient Hebrew/Jewish manuscripts, discovered in the Judean desert, inside the Qumran Caves, in 1947. Historians are confident they date back to the last three centuries BCE and the first century. Written also in Aramaic (a Semitic language that was commonly spoken in this period and often used in the writing of holy scriptures) their contents include the second-oldest known surviving manuscripts that were later put into the Hebrew Bible. The majority of the scrolls were written on parchment, with some on papyrus and one on copper.The Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Jerusalem.Photo credit: © ShutterstockHistory of the Dead Sea ScrollsThe Dead Sea Scrolls are, of course, of enormous significance - historically, theologically, and archaeologically - since they give us enormous insight into the daily religious practices at the time of the Second Temple. Because of the poor condition of some, less than half of them have actually had their texts identified to date.Of those that have been studied, scholars agree that about 40% relate to the Hebrew scriptures, roughly 200 books from the Hebrew Bible. Another 30% are related to the Hebrew Bible but not canonized. These include commentary on the Bible and apocalyptic proclamations. Finally, the remaining 30% relate to apocryphal manuscripts, containing books not included in the Jewish canon - either previously undiscovered or known only through translations. So how were the Dead Sea Scrolls actually found? In fact, it is an astonishing story.Qumran and the Discovery of the ScrollsThe story of the discovery dates back to 1947 when a shepherd boy and his cousin were out tending their flock. On realizing that one of them was missing, they wandered into the nearby Qumran Caves (close to the Dead Sea) to search for the animal. There, they stumbled upon seven scrolls, all of which were buried in earthenware jars. Burying worn-out Hebrew manuscripts was a common Jewish practice at that time, since - in Judaism - it has always been forbidden to discard them casually. Not knowing the importance of this discovery, they took the scrolls back to their Bedouin camp. There they remained for some time, whilst their family began looking for a dealer to whom they could sell them. How they later came to be recognized for the extraordinary items they actually were is, again, a fascinating story.The Dead Sea Shore.Photo credit: © ShutterstockDetective Story Behind the Discovery of the Dead Sea ScrollsEventually, not knowing their true value, the Bedouins sold all seven scrolls to two antique dealers - three to a man named Salahi and four to a man called Kando (who then resold his to Archbishop Samuel, head of the Syrian Orthodox Monastery of St. Mark, in Jerusalem). Professor Chaim Sukenik, an archaeologist working in conjunction with the Hebrew University, tracked down Salahi and, after seeing the scrolls and, in his own words, trembling with excitement, acquired them.In the meantime, because of the 1948 War of Independence, Archbishop Samuel smuggled his four scrolls out of Israel (to keep them safe) and shipped them to New York. In 1954, having decided to sell them, he placed an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal. This very advertisement was seen by Yigael Yadin, the son of Professor Sukenik, back in Israel. After having raised $250,000, he purchased them, through a middleman, on behalf of the State of Israel, and - once they were back in Jerusalem - reunited them with the other three. A true detective story!What Can We Learn from the Dead Sea Scrolls?The scrolls give us enormous insight both into history and biblical texts. Many of the words in the fragments found are quite different from the words of the same passages in the Greek Old Testament. This shows that the ‘sacred words’ of the Bible have changed over time, even after the Romans conquered the region.Obviously, there is an enormous debate between academics as to their origins and how they came to be placed in this cave. Many scholars believe they were put there by the Essenes. The Essenes were a sect in ancient times who were regarded as being extremely pious and who - it is believed - had deliberately left Jerusalem for the wilderness of the Judean desert. The Judean Desert.Photo credit: © ShutterstockWho Were the Essenes?The Essenes, essentially, were priests, many of whom practiced a monastic existence. They regarded Jerusalem as a city of corruption and, in comparison, regarded themselves as the ‘sons of light’. In the desert, they worked communally, eschewing private property. They were alone (they had left their families behind) though still kept Jewish law, although they ate no meat and carried out no sacrifices. They worked hard in their fields and not for profit, rather for basic survival. Their lives were disciplined, admission to their group was not easy, and, once a member, an Essene divulged nothing to the outside world. One of the professions in which they excelled was scribe, which is perhaps why the scrolls at Qumran were so well looked after. As well as having been placed in earthenware jars (which were water-resistant and practically airtight) most had been written on the hide (skin) of animals, which is known to be a long-lasting material. The cool, dark atmosphere of the caves acted as a deterrent against humidity.Not all academics, however, believe it was the Essenes who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some believe the scrolls were abandoned by refugees fleeing the Romans, after the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Others believe that it could also be possible that they were placed there by a number of individuals, over a longer period of time. After all, these caves were used for shelter by all kinds of people, for hundreds of years.The truth is, we will never be entirely sure who wrote them. Without a doubt, however, the Dead Sea Scrolls have provided scholars with a unique window into a time in Jewish history that was extraordinarily complex.The Qumran Caves, Israel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockWhere are the Dead Sea Scrolls Today?The Scrolls today are held in a building erected especially for them, at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Named “The Shrine of the Book” it is by far and away one of the most popular attractions there and visited by tens of thousands of visitors each year. This Shrine holds all seven scrolls - Isaiah A, Isaiah B, the Thanksgiving Scroll, the Habakkuk Commentary, the Community Rule, the War Rule, and the Genesis Apocryphon. Save for the last (written in Aramaic), all are written in Hebrew. The Isaiah and Copper ScrollsThe most impressive of the Dead Sea Scrolls is, perhaps, the Isaiah Scroll - the only one from Qumran that is completely preserved. At almost 735 centimeters long, it is the oldest of its kind - academics estimate that it was written around 100 BCE. This stands in the center of the hall, beneath the Dome itself.The Copper Scroll also has a fascinating backstory - it is, in many respects, a ‘treasure map’ because it lists 54 different underground places where caches of silver and gold were hidden. Unfortunately, none of these hoards have ever been recovered (historians believe they may have been pillaged by the Romans (or, if you are more cynical, never existed at all). Since it was not made of parchment, the Hebrew and Greek letters of this scroll were actually chiseled onto it.The galleries of the building are also worth exploring - the upper section tells the story of the people who lived at Qumran and the lower gallery center of the 10th-century Aleppo Codex, which is the oldest-known complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible.Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls.Photo credit: © ShutterstockDesign of the Shrine of the BookThe Shrine of the Book was designed by two architects - Frederick Kiesler and Armand Baros. Built in 1965, with funds detonated by the David Gottesman family (a Hungarian philanthropist) its magnificent design is structured to represent one of the earthenware jars in which the scrolls were found.The building itself is contemporary, and striking because of its use of black and white. Some have referred to it as an abstract modernist’s dream. The white dome of the building is shaped like the lid of the jar, with a black basalt war standing nearby. This contrast is deliberate and mimics the theme of the struggle between the forces of light and dark (i.e. good and evil) mentioned in the texts.A Modernist Design for a Building Symbolising SpiritualityTwo-thirds of the building is actually housed underground - the entrance is beneath the basalt wall - and walks through a passage that has been designed to imitate the actual caves in which the scrolls were discovered. Inside are many glass cases that contain pages of scrolls. However, it is the central display, which resembles a giant spindle, along with a handle, that really catches the eye. More pages of the scrolls are displayed here, and spun around (rotated) regularly so that no one section is ever at risk of deterioration from being ‘over-displayed.’ The building took seven years to complete and its location, is a reflection of the national importance that is placed on these ancient texts and the extraordinary building which is now housing and preserving them. Today, the building is regarded as an icon of modernist design. The symbolism of the building has also been taken, by many, to show the Shrine of the Book as a kind of sanctuary, in which deep spiritual meaning can be found. Not accidentally, a corridor links it with the Second Temple of Jerusalem model, emphasizing that these two buildings, together, are an invaluable source of learning for anyone seeking to understand that period in history.View of the Dead Sea from Masada fortress.Photo credit: © ShutterstockVisiting Qumran and the Israel MuseumQumran, which is set in the Judean Desert, not far from the Dead Sea can be seen from afar during any day trip to the Dead Sea and Masada. Alternatively, individuals with a particular interest in history and archaeology can choose to travel to the archaeological park alone, or take a trained guide, as part of a private tour of the Dead Sea area. Approximately 20 miles from Jerusalem, it takes around 50 minutes to reach there by car.The Israel Museum is one of the country’s most prominent museums and world-renown, not just for the Dead Sea Scrolls but also for its fine art collection, Model of the Second Temple, sculpture garden, reconstructions of synagogues that once existed in Venice, Curaçao, and Cochin and engaging exhibits (both permanent and temporary) relating to Jewish culture, art and life.The Israel Museum is situated 2 km from the Central Bus Station and is close to the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament). It can be visited alone, as part of a guided tour, with aJerusalem Private Tour, or with a Jerusalem New City Jewish Private Tour. Parking is available and buses numbers 14 and 15 run there from the city center.The Israeli Museum is open seven days a week and offers discounts for students, senior citizens, and the disabled. A number of guided tours take place each day, in different languages, most of which are free. Audio guides are available and can also be downloaded onto your smartphone. Tickets can be booked online at a price of 59 NIS/18 USD (regular) ad 39 NIS/12 USD (discount).The museum also boasts an excellent shop, which sells beautiful jewelry, sculptures, small statues (including the replica of the famous ‘Ahava’ statue there), art books, and Judaica (menorot, hannukiot, and wine cups) made by established Israeli and international artists. Visitors can also purchase refreshments and meals in its two eateries, both being kosher, with one serving dairy products and the other a meat menu.The Judean Desert vegetation.Photo credit: © Shutterstock

The West Bank is a term that refers to landlocked territory of Judea and Samaria in the Middle East, lying between Israel and Jordan. Also referred to as ‘Cis Jordan’ (the Latin for ‘on this side of the River Jordan’) and Transjordan (literally ‘on the other side of the Jordan River’) it is a densely populated territory which, historically, has been ruled by the Ottomans, the British, Jordan and Israel in the last century or so. Its legal status continues to be hotly debated.The hills near Jericho in the West Bank. Photo by David McLenachan on UnsplashOrigin of the Term "West Bank"The actual name "West Bank" is an Arabic translation of the term “ad-Diffah I-Garbiyyah”. This refers to land west of the Jordan River that, after the 1948 war between Israel and the Arab nations, was captured by the Jordanians. In 1950, it was annexed by them and, in 1967, lost to Israel in the Six-Day War. Geography and Climate of the West BankThe West Bank has a mostly Mediterranean climate (particularly on the coastal plains) although, at night and in the winter, it is much cooler in the hills. It has limestone hills that are 700 to 900 metres high. Summers are invariably warm but there is much terrain that is relatively well-watered and used for sheep grazing. The Judean Desertand the Dead Sea areas are hot and dry.Olive groves are everywhere and their cultivation is widespread. The Jordan River valley is also intensely cultivated for all kinds of vegetables and fruits. Save for this arable land, the West Bank has few natural resources - forests and woodlands account for just 1% of the terrain, which is 5,600 square km in total.Demographics of the West BankThe total number of people living in the West Bank, as of 2021, exceeded over 3.2 million. Around 2,750,000 of these are Palestinians. About 390,000 Israeli settlers also live here, as well as around 210,000 settlers in East Jerusalem. The major population centres of the West Bank are Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem and Jericho.Christmas in Bethlehem.Photo by Leon Wu on UnsplashHebron, West BankNestled in the Judean hills and just 30 km from Jerusalem, Hebron is of great significance both to Muslims and Jews and has numerous holy sites including the Tomb of the Patriarchs (also known as the Ibrahimi Mosque) and the Avraham Avinu synagogue. Public transport, however, is quite limited and due to the constantly changing political situation, we would definitely recommend visiting this city with a private tour. Nablus, West BankFamed for its bustling market (which sells local olive oil, soap and the delicious dessert ‘knafeh’), Nablus and its surrounding areas (including Jacob’s Well, Joseph’s Tomb and Mount Gerizim) are easily accessible on a day trip, since it is just 60 km from Jerusalem.Bethlehem, West BankFamous as the birthplace of Jesus, thousands of tourists flock here, particularly at Easter and Christmas, to visit the Church of Nativity and Shepherds' Field. Since it is so close to Jerusalem, it is easy to take an organised half-day tour here. Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem is a one-of-a-kind experience for every Christian.Jericho, West BankVisit the town famous for Joshua’s battle, and stare at the Mount of Temptation (where Jesus battled the devil) on a day tour of Bethlehem and Jericho.Church of Shepherd's Field, Bethlehem. Photo credit: © ShutterstockHistory of the West BankAfter World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the territory of Palestine was governed by the British Mandate. In the years that followed, there was substantial immigration by Jews (predominantly from Eastern Europe). The future of the land was hotly debated and tensions often led to violence including riots in Jaffa and a massacre in Hebron.By 1947, the UN put forward a proposal that the land governed by the Mandate should be split into two territories - one for the Jews, the other for the Arabs. This Partition Plan was accepted by the Jews and rejected by the Arabs - a day before the Mandate was due to expire, Israel declared its independence.There then followed the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, with the aftermath being that Transjordan was left in control of the West Bank. Five years later, they annexed this territory and held onto it until 1967, when it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War. From 1967 until the 1990s, and the advent of the Oslo Accords, the West Bank was under exclusive Israel control. Despite many negotiations, there has never been a final status agreement of the area.Consequently, today, the West Bank is divided into different areas - A, B and C. The Palestinian Authority (PA) currently controls 39% of the territory, with Israel in control of the other 61%. Most of the international community and the International Court of Justice regards this control as an occupation.View of Jericho from the Mount Temptation. Photo by Snowscat on UnsplashReligion in the West BankThe majority of Palestinians living in the West Bank are Muslim and, of these, 98% identify as Sunni on their identification cards. There are about 52,000 Palestinians who identify as Christian. Most Palestinians, it seems, do not identify as atheists or agnostics.Of the Jewish settlers living in the West Bank, a large number identify as religious - either ‘national religious’ or ‘haredi’ (ultra-orthodox) although there are built-up areas where secular Jews live. In general, the Jews who live in the West Bank tend to be more religious than those living in Israel.Legal and Political Status of the West BankThis is a much-contested subject. The future status of the West Bank has been hotly debated, since the beginning of the Oslo Accords and the 2002 ‘Road Map for Peace’ proposed by a Quartet of the USA, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.The Palestinians hope, and believe, that the West Bank should be part of a future Palestinian state, with an independent legislature. They see any control of this territory by Israel as an impediment to their rightful statehood.President Obama’s view was that a final legal and political agreement would have to reflect current demographic realities i.e. that there would have to be a ‘land swap’ between Israelis and Palestinians, in order to pave the way for a Two-State Solution. The United Nations has passed resolutions, criticising and condemning Israel’s policy of establishing settlements in the West Bank.Palms in the West Bank.Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on UnsplashIsraeli society is split on how to deal with the situation. The ‘left’ broadly supports a two-state solution, as part of a ‘land for peace’ agreement, implying an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel, west of the Jordan River. The centre-ground would support some kind of Palestinian statehood but with a continued Israeli presence, to prevent terrorist attacks. The more ‘right-wing’ elements advocate Israeli annexing the West Bank and giving Palestinians citizenship. The most radical elements of Israeli society believe in the idea of ‘transfer’ i.e. handing Palestinians over to Jordan.Public Opinion and the BDS MovementPublic opinion is heavily divided both in Israel and the West Bank, as to how viable a two-state solution is. More moderate elements of both groups advocate for peaceful co-existence and independent statehood for the Palestinians, as part of a land swap (which is agreeable to both sides, of course).Radical on both sides argue against this - Israelis say that Palestinians cannot be trusted to keep the peace if given a state of their own. Palestinians, in return, say Israel has no interest whatsoever in space moreover, they argue, many of the Palestinian refugees today (now many generations on) do not want to live in the West Bank - rather they want to return to their old homes in Jaffa andGalilee.Jews in the diaspora (i.e. Jews around the world) seem to be equally divided in their political opinions. Palestinians outside of the Middle East are equally divided. Some tend to have regarded the Oslo Accords as an act of surrender, a ‘Palestinian Versailles’. Others take the view that negotiations and compromise with Israel are inevitable if they are ever to realise their hopes of independence.Wadi Qelt, West Bank. Photo by nour tayeh on UnsplashTheBoycott, Divestment and Sanctions MovementThe Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) was established by activists in 2005 in order to push what they call the end of international support for Israel’s occupation. They support a range of tactics, all intended to put pressure on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. These include boycotting academic institutions, disinvesting in Israeli companies and applying sanctions to the state of Israel. Many BDS activists argue that Israel is a colonialist project and, to all intents and purposes, an apartheid state. BDS argues that Israel must do the following three things: end the occupation of the West Bank and take down the Separation Barrier (‘the Wall); give full equality not just to Palestinians in the West Bank but Arab Israelis within the State of Israel; giving Palestinians the right to return to their ancestral homes, from which they left/fled as refugees.Opposition to BDSThose who oppose BDS say it is an organisation that is, in fact, anti-semitic, implies that Israel has no right to statehood and promotes discrimination against Jews. They argue that the Separation Barrier is, unfortunately, a very real and necessary barrier since it stops Palestinians from infiltrating Israel and carrying out terror attacks, which killed many Israelis in the Second Intifada.Moreover, they argue, support of the right of return for all Palestinian refugees is just a thinly-disguised attempt to dismantle the state of Israel. If all Palestinian refugees were allowed to return to their villages, before 1948, Jews would quickly become a minority in their own land. This would mean they would no longer have any right to self-determination.The BDS movement is widely (and often vociferously) opposed by the majority of Jews outside of Israel and campaigns against it have been made a top priority of the pro-Israel lobby in the USA. It has been described as a ‘dishonest cult’ since its members refuse to state, openly, that they do not recognise Israel’s right to exist.Cable car to Mount Temptation, Jericho.Photo credit: © ShutterstockCrossing PointAllenby Bridge - also known as the King Hussein Bridge, is the most important port for the Palestinians in the West Bank to the Jordanian borders. It is situated 55 km (about a 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Jerusalem). Close to Jericho, it can be used by Palestinians, foreign travellers and diplomats. Israel citizens can not cross it.The Allenby Bridge crossing was established during World War I, and was nothing more than a simple wooden bridge by which soldiers could cross over the Jordan River simply. Today, it is under the administration of the Israeli Airports Authority (IAA).TourismMaking a trip is becoming increasingly popular with visitors and, for sure, taking a tour to the West Bank is an experience that few forget. The area has beautiful scenery, holy sites (mosques, synagogues, monasteries in Wadi Qelt, etc), bustling markets in the major centres and some fine cuisine. For Christian pilgrims, tours to Bethlehem (the birthplace of Jesus) and excursions to Jericho (where Jesus healed a blind man) are moving experiences. Making a visit to the West Bankis not without a few practicalities - so it’s definitely advisable to plan ahead. On major Jewish and Muslim holidays, the borders may sometimes be closed. In times of political tension or outright military conflict, it may also be difficult (and inadvisable) to cross. The best thing to do is to keep updated with the news and, of course, take the advice of your tour guide.It is possible to travel to the area yourself but, in general, much better to take guidedday tours of Bethlehem and Jericho, for example. Your guide will be someone who knows locals and this is always of great help. The locals are friendly and often very hospitable, but it is good to be aware of their customs and traditions and a guide can answer your questions as to what kind of behavior is expected. For more about this subject, take a look at our article Making a visit to the West Bank - a Few Dos and Don’ts.Ancient Jericho, a UNESCO-nominated archaeological site, the West Bank. Photo credit: © Shutterstock

The Galilee (‘ha Galil’ in Hebrew and ‘al Jalil’ in Arabic) is an area of Israel located in the north of the country (as well as a part of southern Lebanon). It encompasses all of the land north of the ridge that stretches from Mount Carmel to Mount Gilboa and south of the east-west part of the Litani river.The Sea of Galilee.Photo credit: © ShutterstockThe Galilee stretches from Acre on the Mediterranean shores (the coastal plain of Israel area) all the way to the Jordan Valley and from the Litani (in the north, partly in Lebanon and also bordering on the Golan Heights) Locals often refer to specific parts of it as being in the ‘Upper Galilee’ and ‘Lower Galilee’.‘Galilee of Nations’‘Galil’ in Hebrew is a unique word meaning ‘district’ and in some biblical texts it is referred to as ‘ha Galil ha goyim’ which means ‘the Galilee of nations’. ‘Goyim’ can also mean ‘gentile’ in Hebrew so this is clearly a reference to ancient times when many non-Jews lived in this region.Today, the area’s population is quite diverse. The majority of the population is Muslim, and most of these are Arab, although there are sizeable Christian Arab and Druze communities. Bedouins and Maronites also live in Galilee and, of course, there are Jewish communities too (often found on kibbutzim and ‘moshavim’).A Boat at the Sea of Galilee, Israel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockGeography of GalileeThe Galilee is set in beautiful hills and much of it is lush and green. Its climate is very warm for much of the year and because its soil is so fertile it is the perfect place to grow fruits and vegetables. Historically, the area was prosperous - in Jesus’ times - barley, figs, grapes, wheat and olive oil were produced in large amounts. All of these are still produced today but advanced agricultural techniques mean you are likely to see many greenhouses filled with subtropical fruit, as well as orchards filled with citrus fruit, as you drive around the area.Nevertheless, The Upper Galilee can have cool nights and even the occasional snowfall in winter, and both parts receive ample amounts of rainfall in the winter so, as mentioned before, the area is rich in agricultural land. Still, summers can be very hot, sometimes even sweltering and humid too. In general, the best months of the year to visit are March to May and October to December, although for much of the year temperatures can be pleasant. The Sea of Galilee itself is 21 km long and almost 13 km wide. At almost 43 km deep, it is 209 metres below sea level which means it is the lowest freshwater lake on earth and the second-lowest lake in the world after the Dead Sea.The view of the Sea of Galilee. Photo credit: © ShutterstockHistory of the Galilee -Israelites, Crusaders and Muslim RuleHistorically, the region was ruled by the Israelites, under the auspices of the tribe of Naphtali. Throughout the times of Jesus, the Galilee was actually run by one of King Herod’s sons, as more of a ‘client state’. Jesus spent most of his adult life in this area so, unsurprisingly, many Galilee Christian sites eventually sprang up. The Hasmoneans conquered the area at the beginning of 2 BCE. Muslims conquered the area in 630 CE.By the 10th century, the Shia Fatimids had taken control, which is how the Druze came to live in the north of the region. During the Crusades, it was an important region, one of the four major ‘seigneuries’ of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.Ottoman Rule, the British Mandate and the War of IndependenceDuring the Ottoman period, Galilee was ruled by the Safad Sanjak - during their rule, many Jews, having been expelled from Spain, moved to this region, mainly to Safed, making it a centre for learning (in particular the esoteric school of Kabbalah).Under the British Mandate, there was a rise in nationalist politics in both the Arab and Jewish camps. After the War of Independence in 1948, the area was divided between Israel and what was then Transjordan. Today, its most prominent cities are Nazareth, Safed, Karmiel, and Afula and Haifa serves as its main hub (as a port city). The city of Safed in the Upper Galilee.Photo credit: © ShutterstockNational Parks in GalileeTel Hazor - this ancient site contains some very impressive ruins including Solomon’s gate, a Canaanite palace and a water system that dates back to the time of King Ahab and supplied local residents with water, even in times of drought.Hula Nature Reserve - a major wet habitat in the Middle East and a fantastic site to see water birds, many of whom spend winter in this region. This national park contains an observation tower, a floating bridge, water buffalo and fallow deer. Walk around the marshes and spy animals hiding and look out for the large grove of eucalyptus trees. Tsipori National Park - this large complex has the remains of sn Roman theatre, a Crusader castle, a Jewish residential quarter, a synagogue and even a Roman villa. Look out for the impressive ancient reservoir which runs for 260 metres underground.Hamat Tiberias - here you can see beautifully preserved mosaics in an ancient synagogue, as well as the remains of a Turkish hammam (bathhouse) dating back to the 18th century. There are also mineral pools you can take a dip in!Korazim - this town, mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud, contains remains that date back from the 3rd and 4th centuries. The beautiful synagogue here was built at the end of the 4th century and was made of basalt, a common stone in Galilee. The beautiful synagogue at Korazim, built at the end of the fourth century or the beginning of the fifth century CE, is made of basalt, the region’s most common stone. The building has an elaborate facade, with geometric patterns carved in the stone.Hamat Tiberias National Park.Photo credit: © ShutterstockArchaeological Sites in GalileeMegiddo - this ancient city (known, famously, in Greek as Armageddon) was one of the most important cities in Canaan and today it is possible to explore its remains, including underground tunnels and a water system.Capernaum - this is the remains of a fishing village of Kfar Nahum from the time of the Second Temple and today houses the remains of an ancient synagogue including stone friezes.Tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes- this ancient sage whose name is translated from Hebrew as the Miracle Maker, lived at the time of the Mishna ( Oral Torah, 139-163 CE). His tomb is located in Tiberias.Kursi National Park - encompasses the impressive remains of a Byzantine monastery and church. Christians believe it is the site of the Miracle of the Swine mentioned in the Bible.Tsipori Archaeological site.Photo credit: © ShutterstockMuseums in GalileeYigal Allon Museum - located at Kibbutz Ginosarhere you can find exhibits relating to the history, nature, and culture of the Galilee, as well as artworks made by local Arabs and Jews.Janco Dada Museum - established in 1983 in the lovely village of Ein Hod, this small museum is dedicated to Marcel Janco, who brought the Dada movement to Israel.Wilfred Israel Museum - located on Kibbutz Hazorea, near Megiddo, this tiny museum is dedicated to the art of the Far East - here you can see sculptures, paintings and artwork.Upper Galilee Museum of Prehistory - a small site, filled with prehistoric artefacts collected from the Hula Valley, situated in Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch.The Artists Village of Ein Hod.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinJewish Holy Sites in GalileeThere are several sites that have a long Jewish history in Galilee. Perhaps the most important is Safed, a town that has been a centre for Jewish mysticism for hundreds of years. Its tiny winding streets are picturesque and it also boasts a beautiful Artists' Colony.Here we can see synagogues that operated until the 6th century AD throughout Galilee.There are a plethora of Jewish holy sites likeBeit Shearim, the Tomb of theProphet Habakkuk, tombs of the most influentialRabbis, like Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Rabbi Akiva, or the Tomb ofMaimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) and Tomb of the Matriarchs in Tiberias.Beit Shearim National Park. Photo credit: © ShutterstockChristian Holy Sites in GalileeThe Galilee is full of fascinating religious sites, mentioned both in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, which are really worth a visit. Jesus ministered primarily in Galilee and many of his miracles were carried out in this region. This is where he changed water into wine, transformed two fishes and five loaves into food to feed 5,000 and walked on water. Today, the Galilee is a popular pilgrimage site for tens of thousands of Christians who, each year, arrive at the famous baptismal siteYardenitwith Chrisitan tour packages.There are many churches to visit around the area too including the Church of the Beatitudes, designed by renowned Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi (where Jesus gave his famous Sermon on the Mount), Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha (where Jesus created food to feed thousands), the Wedding Churchof Cana (where Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding of a poor local couple) and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter in Capernaum (where Peter once lived).Furthermore, In 2011, the ‘Jesus Trail’ was established, giving pilgrims the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, along with a 60 km (40 miles) network of footpaths, bicycle lanes and roads. Pilgrims begin in Nazareth and hike the journey all the way to the Sea of Galilee, where the trail ends at Capernaum. It is possible to camp along the way, as well as spend the night in local kibbutz accommodation or private ‘zimmers’ (bed & breakfasts).Ruins of the Synagogue of Jesus in Capernaum, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockAround GalileeNazareth - home to Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus, the ancient city of Nazareth is where Jesus spent some of his earliest years. It is well worth a visit, not just to see theChurch of the Annunciation (where the Angel Gabriel visited Mary) and the Church of St. Joseph, but also for its shuk (market). Join one of numerous Nazareth tours to discover this biblical city.The Sea of Galilee - a beautiful place to drive around, and dotted with sites along the route, there are all kinds of places to tour here including visits to Magdala, Kibbutz Ein Gev, and a number of historic churches.Camping - there are a number of camping sites in the area, which are ideal for overnight stays - they are relatively inexpensive, with excellent facilities, and afford beautiful morning and evening views over the lake. Camping tents. Photo by I Do Nothing But Love on UnsplashGalilee Attractions and CuisineThe area is full of attractions, including Mount Tabor, Mount Meron, and the beautiful Rosh Hanikra (on the Lebanon border). It is a wonderful place for outdoor lovers, since it is full of hiking trails, and sports lovers can enjoy horse riding and kayaking in the Jordan River.For wine lovers, there are a number of excellent wineries in the region, where you can attend tastings and buy wine, as well as other local produce, such as cheese, olive oil, and chocolate. Cuisine in the region is light and fresh. In the spring, almonds flourish, as do mulberries. Local cheeses are always very popular with tourists, as is the organic produce - try the avocados, sweet peppers, nectarines and dates. In recent years, the concept of ‘foraging’ (searching for wild produce that is then incorporated into dishes) has become popular.Harvest moments in the vineyard. Photo by Árpád Czapp on UnsplashGetting to GalileeThere are three ways to travel to, and around, Galilee - public transport, car rental, and group excursions as well asGalilee private tours.Getting to Galilee by bus - you can travel directly to Tiberias from Tel Aviv, Haifa, or Jerusalem but then things become more difficult - buses in the area do not run regularly and you waste precious time waiting for connections. Some young people do hitch rides in the area.Getting to Galilee by car - renting a car in Israel is not difficult and this will give you flexibility in your itinerary. However, bear in mind a couple of things - firstly, you may find driving in Israel challenging (it is fast-paced and not for the faint-hearted) and secondly, you will have to deal with parking problems (which can really give you a headache in certain areas).Getting to Galilee by tour - the third, and definitely, the easiest option is to book a tour of the Galilee - either in a group or privately. Whether you have one day or several, there are all kinds of options - those that focus on archaeological sites in Northern Israel and historical landmarks in Galilee, those that concentrate on religious/pilgrim aspects, and those that give you a ‘mix’ - a little history, a little nature, and a little theology. Of course, if you decide to take a private Galilee tour, it can be tailored to your specific needs - you set the agenda.However you travel, though, enjoy Galilee!Tel Hazor National Park. Photo credit: © Doron Nissim. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority

One of the top reasons to take a vacation in Israel has to be its fabulous beaches - whether you’re in the north, south or centre, there’s always a spot where you can don a bathing suit or bikini and spend a day sunning yourself or splashing around in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, or the Sea of Galilee.Caesarea Aqueduct Beach.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinIsrael’s beaches are glorious - with their white sand and clear water, they’re the ideal place to kick back for some relaxation or bring the kids for a fun day (or longer!) out. And many of them are close to other attractions too - snorkeling and dive spots, national parks, and even archaeological sites - which means you can mix up a day’s activities if you’re so inclined. Let’s take a look at some of the top beaches in various parts of the country - we’re confident there are going to be a few you’ll long to visit...Top Tel Aviv BeachesWhatever you’re looking for in a beach in Tel Aviv, we’re pretty sure this city can offer it. With beautiful white sand and clear blue water, whether you’re keen on calm or looking for a sporty adrenaline rush, want live music, or a deserted stretch of coast, you’ll find a Tel Aviv beach you will fall in love with. Here are some of our favorites:Tel Baruch Beach, Tel AvivWide and clean, this beach has some great cafes and restaurants and a wide, sandy area to sunbathe. You can hold barbecues on the lawn nearby and there’s also plenty of parking!Hilton Beach, Tel AvivOne of Tel Aviv’s most popular beaches, this is a great place to kayak, surf, or paddleboard. Traditionally, it has been a popular spot for gay travelers, but it’s also beloved because its waters are calm and clear. The Hilton beach also contains a section where dogs can run freely.Banana Beach, Tel Aviv. Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinMetzizim Beach, Tel AvivThis is the most northern beach in the city and close to Tel Aviv Port (Namal) full of eateries and boutique stores. It has a playground, a cafe, showers and, with its shallow waters, is ideal for families. This is a good place to visit at night if you want privacy since it is situated off the main promenade area.Gordon Beach / Frishman Beach, Tel AvivOpposite the Sheraton hotel, this beach is a great choice for those who love volleyball, ‘matkot’ (an Israeli tradition), and a wonderful outdoor (saltwater) pool. If you go on Saturday mornings, you’ll also see locals folk dancing on the promenade! Chairs, loungers, and parasols for rent (as with every Tel Aviv beach).Banana Beach, Tel AvivThis beach is great for flying kites, surfing, body-surfing, and looking for seashells. The southernmost of all these beaches, you can easily walk to Jaffa from here.To see the complete list of Tel Aviv beaches feel free to check out this article.Metzitzim Beach, Tel Aviv. Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinRecommended Mediterranean Beaches1. Ashkelon BeachesWith its long beachfront, you’re free to choose from a number of beaches here - Bar Kochba, Delilah, the Rock, and Surfer’s beach amongst them. It’s also great for kids - not just the boardwalk but also a lovely children’s playground and a skating area. Well maintained, with clean sand and pristine restrooms. Beach Chairs and umbrellas can be rented all the way along and there are shallow waters, for the most part. Ashkelon Archeological Park is minutes away.2. Palmachim Beach near Rishon LeZionWhat this beach lacks in facilities, it makes up for in sheer beauty. With amazing cliff views to the south and Tel Aviv views to the north, this secluded sandy area views of cliffs to the south, this white sand, crystal clear water beach is perfect for a day out. The nearby national park is great for exploring sand dunes, unusual flora and fauna, and limestone ridges.3. Ajami Beach in JaffaJust south of Old Jaffa lies the Ajami beach, which is popular with locals - a mixture of Jews and Arabs. The water is clear and if you get bored of sunning yourself, head off and explore the Jaffa port, Jaffa flea market,and Artists' Quarter. Not far away is the famous seafood restaurant ‘the Old Man and the Sea’ - they don’t take reservations but it’s worth waiting in line!Ashkelon Archaeological Park.Photo credit: © Dmitry Mishin4. Apollonia Beach near HerzliyaLocated under a cliff, overlooking the sea, this pretty beach, with green-colored water, can only be accessed by walking across rocks, and so it’s ideal for those who want some ‘alone’ time. Nearby is the national park Tel Arsuf (Apollonia National Park), dating back to Crusader times.5.Beit Yanai Beach, near NetanyaThis perfect sandy beach is not far from the moshav Beit Yanai named after the Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus (known in Hebrew as Alexander Yanai). There is an old dock and decent facilities: bathrooms, showers and a fish restaurant. Keep in mind that sometimes waves can be particularly high, as the beach is not protected from the open sea.6. Mikhmoret Beach, near NetanyaThis quiet stretch of beach, close to Netanya, has natural rocky barriers which block large waves (making it safe for kids) and there are acres of sand dunes to explore. It’s great for kite flyers but can be a little rocky (so bring flip flops). Mikhmoret has a Sea Turtle Rescue program and if you’re lucky you might spot one.7. The Aqueduct Beach, CaesareaIt doesn’t have many facilities but it does have a long row of beautifully preserved stone arches that served as an aqueduct and date back to Roman times. Undeveloped and pretty, you can swim here but there’s no lifeguard.Apollonia Beach. Photo credit: © Dmitry Mishin8. HaBonim Beach near Zichron YaakovWith more bays and inlets than any other in Israel, the coastal strip of Dor HaBonim, not far away from Zichron Yaakov, is picturesque and magical, with a nice campground that makes it perfect for overnight stays. There’s also a walking trail on the kirkar (calcareous sandstone) path and Tel Dor - an ancient city and harbor - close by.9. Dado Beach, HaifaWith a long promenade, full of restaurants, clear water, and helpful lifeguards, this clean and spacious beach in Haifa is not usually too crowded. Great for relaxing and walking on the boardwalk.10. Akhziv beach near Nahariya Arguably one of Israel’s finest beaches, Akhziv beach with the Akhziv National Park, is about 15 km north of Acre and near to Rosh Hanikra. It has cliffs, lagoons, and coves, all full of marine life - the kids will love the rock pigeons and swifts and in the summer, you might even spy a sea turtle on their way to lay their eggs. Akhziv has a campground, showers, lifeguards, and a cafe.Akhziv National Park. Photo credit: © Yaniv Cohen. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityTop Dead Sea BeachesDead Sea beaches are quite unique since they’re filled with water that is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean, meaning you can’t swim in them but you most definitely can float! Whilst you will need some decent beach shoes (because there are rocks around), you can also take advantage of the black mud on the shores - it’s perfect for slathering yourselves in if you want a free body treatment! Another wonderful activity tourists can enjoy is exploring the amazing salt deposits all along the sea’s edge - they form all kinds of strange shapes - white ‘icebergs’, strange sculptures, and flat platforms. There’s no doubt about it, with its extraordinary natural features and situated at the lowest point on earth, a trip to a Dead Sea beach is something you can’t miss out on, whilst on vacation in Israel.1. Ein Gedi Spa BeachThis very popular spa resort is a great place to enjoy the Dead Seanear Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Ein Gedi Spa offers many treatments and activities including thermo-mineral sulfur pools, as well as dramatic east-facing views over the waters, towards Jordan. In our opinion, one of the best beaches of the Dead Sea.2. Ein Bokek BeachFree of charge, this beach has plenty of shade and is well-equipped. The whole Ein Bokek area is very clean and if you bring your own padlock, you can use one of the free lockers. The water here is somewhat saltier than at the northern end of the Dead sea but it's also crystal clear. Whilst you won’t find too much black mud here, you can always buy it elsewhere and smear it on yourself for an authentic experience! Ein Bokek Beach. Photo by Tristan MIMET on Unsplash3. Biankini BeachThis private beach is part of an upscale resort with luxury suites, terraces, and gardens with panoramic views and a good place to consider if you want to stay overnight. The entire atmosphere is Moroccan - the decor, the food, and the music and there are plenty of family-friendly activities, including a swimming pool and a kid’s club.4. Neve Midbar BeachThis beach has showers, bathrooms, a boutique, and a beach bar that serves drinks and snacks. It also has plenty of natural black mud on its shores. Be aware that there are a few slippery steps to clamber down, and wear sturdy shoes because there are rocks all around.5. Kalia BeachWith a good selection of places to eat and quite a few shops, Kalia beach is less crowded than the other Dead Sea stretches and even the opportunity to go camel riding nearby! It is easily accessible with a Masada and Dead Sea Day Tour.Kaila Beach, the Dead Sea.Photo credit: © ShutterstockTop Eilat BeachesEilat is a great getaway spot and its beaches offer restaurants on the sand, water sports, and excellent diving in the Red Sea:1. Migdalore Beach, EilatAway from the tourists, therefore a little less crowded, this is a lovely beach for relaxing and also snorkeling. You can rent chairs and loungers and food is served at reasonable prices. Fun fact: ‘migdalore’ in Hebrew means ‘lighthouse’. Look up the hill and you’ll see it...2. Dolphin Reef Beach, EilatThis beautiful area is worth the cost of the admission, because you get to see dolphins up close and personal, even being able to pet them. There’s plenty of shade and a bar that serves food and drink. If you want, you can pay to take a 20-minute snorkel or dive with these beautiful and friendly creatures. The perfect place to visit in Eilat - whether as a family, a couple, a group of friends, or a solo traveler.The Lighthouse in Eilat.Photo by Shalev Cohen on Unsplash3.Coral Beach, EilatIf you like the idea of snorkeling amongst coral reefs, you found the right spot. Eilat Coral Beachis a private beach that has warm water showers, clean bathrooms, a snack bar, and plastic chairs (included in the price). There are lots of covered seating and family areas roped off. Access the water via a long jetty over the reef and enjoy the endless colorful fish.4. Princess Beach, Eilat Possibly the best free beach to snorkel in Eilat, there isn’t much shade but there’s plenty of coral and fish in the water. The fact that it is the last beach in Eilat before the border with Egypt means it’s less crowded than other places, and a little more ‘wild.’ Not too many facilities but a great place to visit.5. Mosh Beach, EilatThis pretty pebbled private beach offers visitors good food and music, as well as a relaxing atmosphere. If you like coconut cocktails and a chilled-out atmosphere, this is where you should come.Paddleboarding in Eilat.Photo by Josh Appel on UnsplashTop Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) Beaches1. Gofra Beach, KinneretWith calm and scenic views over the lake, this rocky beach on the east of Galilee is full of eucalyptus trees, making it popular with campers (who always like their shade!) Just be aware that Gofra Beach is not a recognized beach and therefore does not provide lifeguard services.2. Ein Gev Beach, KinneretThis private beach is on the eastern shore of the lake and is next to a kibbutz with a fine fish restaurant, surrounded by lush green lawns and a short drive from a number of Galilee Christian sites. Enjoy the mini harbor and lovely boardwalk.3. Bora Bora Beach, KinneretThis beautiful private beach lies on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee and is surrounded by natural spring waters. Facilities include lounge chairs, hammocks, sofas, a Polynesian-style bar (serving all manner of drinks), a cigar bar, and a restaurant. There are water sports available (including kayaking, boat sailing skiing, banana skiing, tubing, water skiing, jet skiing, and windsurfing) and even a dance bar.Sea of Galilee.Photo credit: © Shutterstock4. Tsemach Beach, KinneretOn the south of the Kinneret, this family-friendly beach is perfect if you’re looking for activities to keep everyone occupied, particularly on hot spring and summer days. There’s a water park with slides and an indoor swimming pool, sun umbrellas, lockers rooms, and a range of water sports too - tubing, kayaking, and floating on mattresses. There’s plenty of parking and places to stay overnight, whether you’re a camper or looking for lodging. 5. Rotem-Shizaf Beach, KinneretSituated on the eastern shore, between Kibbutzes Haon and Ein Gev, its white sands, picnic tables, and parasols make it the ideal spot for a quiet day. There are toilets, a grocery store, and a kiosk too but no lifeguard!This list of beaches in Israel is incomplete - there are 137 beaches in Israel in total and most of them are famous for clear blue water and great beach facilities.To visit Kinneret beaches book a Private Sea of Galilee TourView on the Sea of Galilee at sunset. Photo by Dave Herring on Unsplash

Nablus (‘Shekhem’ in Hebrew) is a city in the West Bank. The city, and the surrounding area, has an overwhelmingly Arab population. Nablus was occupied by Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967 but, since 1995, as a result of the Oslo Accords, it has been controlled by the Palestinian Authority. With a population of 135,000, it is one of the largest urban areas in the West Bank. It is a major commercial centre, well-known for its production of wood, pottery, soap and olive oil, famed for its delicious ‘knafeh’ dessert and home to a respected university, Al Najah.Nablus street, West Bank.Photo by nour tayeh on UnsplashThe Geography and History of NablusGeographically, it is around 60 km (45 miles) north of Jerusalem, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It sits in the middle of a fertile valley and is at the centre of a natural oasis, which is fed by a number of springs. Historically, the city of Nablus occupied a strategic position since it lay at a junction between two ancient commercial roads, the first linking the Sharon coastal plain to the Jordan Valley and the second linking it to Judea in the south and the Galilee in the north. It was founded by the Roman Emperor Vespasian in 72 CE and named ‘Flavia Neapolis’. Today, it is a bustling commercial centre with plenty to offer the visitor. Yes, it is in the West Bank, which means visitors should exercise a certain degree of vigilance. However, it is definitely safe to visit, although we would recommend travelling there with a private tour, since being accompanied by someone who speaks Arabic and knows the area is invaluable.Since it is only about an hour’s drive from Jerusalem, it makes for an ideal day trip so let’s take a closer look at this ancient city’s attractions and what you should do there, to get the most out of your time.Nablus Governorate. Photo by nour tayeh on Unsplash1. The Old CityThe Old City lies in the heart of Nablus and is densely populated, with many prominent local families living there. It is made up of six quarters: Habala, Qaysariyya, Aqaba, Yasmina, Gharb and Qaryun. There is plenty for the visitor to see including:Mosques - there are many mosques in the Old City, including the Great Mosque, the Al-Khadra, the Al-Abnia and Ajaj. The Great Mosque is the oldest and largest of these buildings and was originally built as a Byzantine church by the Crusaders. After the conquest of Saladin, it was converted into a mosque in the Islamic period. It has a long, rectangular floor and a silver dome.The Abd al-Haid Palace - built in the 19th century as a residence for the Abd al-Haid family, this white limestone building has many hidden treasures including winding staircases, unobtrusive courtyards, balconies and gardens.Al Nimr Palace - this huge 17th-century palace is situated in the Habala neighbourhood and was built by Abdullah Pasha, a leader of the Ottomans. Tuqan Palace - considered to be one of the most important historical buildings in the city, this palace has more than 100 rooms and was built by Pasha Tuqan in the 18th century.Hammams - these Turkish baths were built between the 16th and 19th centuries. One that is still used today is Al-Shifa - estimated to have been built around 400 years ago, look out for the engraved plaque above the door. Manara Clock Tower - built in 1906 on the orders of Sultan Abdul Hamid, to celebrate his 30-year reign, its style is similar to those found today in Tripoli and Jaffa. Visitors with a keen eye will notice the Arabic calligraphy, praising the Sultan. One of the palaces in Nablus. Photo by nour tayeh on Unsplash2. Mount GerizimOne of two mountains ringing Nablus, Mount Gerizim sits on the southern side of the city’s valley. The Samaritan population (the majority of whom live nearby) regard it as the oldest, highest and most central mountain in the world. For them, it is the centre of their civilization. They consider it to be more sacred than the Temple Mount - for them, God intended it to be a holy temple.In the Bible, it is said that when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses instructed them to celebrate by making blessings on Mount Gerizim. Specifically, In the book of Joshua, it is also said that an altar of stones was built there. Today, it is still possible to see ruins at the top of Gerizim, including the remains of a fortified church and an old Samaritan temple. A large stone structure, named ‘Structure B’ is thought by archaeologists to have once been an altar built by the Samaritans in the 5th or 6th century.3. Beit FalasteenInfluenced by the great Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Palladio's "La Rotonda", Beit Falasteen is an extraordinary replica of a 16th-century Villa, transplanted to a Nablus hilltop built by the Palestinian millionaire and philanthropist Munib Al-Masri. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy when you see the stone steps, porticos, grand salons, huge library and even a greenhouse! This classical villa is full of priceless objects, including statues, rare manuscripts, tapestries and even a gold-plated throne. Sitting on Mount Gerizim, in south Nablus, the house is steeped in biblical history. Mount Gerizim is the place where, supposedly, Adam and Eve met, Noah built his boat to avoid the Flood and Abraham almost sacrificed his son, Isaac, on the orders of God.Look out for the mosaic floor (unearthed during excavations, when the foundations were being built) and the educational displays - rooms put aside for geology, archaeology and the history of the Palestinians, with interesting information about Masri’s life and how he came to build the villa.Villa Rotunda in Vicenza, Italy built by Andrea Palladio.Photo by Gunnar Ridderström on Unsplash4. Nablus Market -Olive Oil and KnafehThis traditional bustling market (or ‘shuk’ in Arabic) is a great place to wander, with its narrow alleyways and exotic smells and sights. Called the ‘Khan al Tujjar’ (‘the Sultan’s Market') it’s said to have been constructed in 1569. With its narrow street (no more than three metres wide at any point), the walls are designed in traditional Islamic style - with high arches - and if you look carefully you’ll see Ottoman inscriptions on them.Here you’ll find endless stores selling everything from clothes and shoes to houseware and hardware. Fishmongers, restaurants and trinket stores line the streets and it’s also a wonderful place to pick up sweet treats (including baklava) and spices. Look out for the traditional olive oil soap that’s sold everywhere - it’s wonderful for the complexion. Moreover, prices are competitive and it’s quite acceptable to haggle!Furthermore, Nablus is a green and lush part of the West Bank, which means that there’s a varied choice of fruits and vegetables and many good places to eat. One thing that must be tried is the local olives (either as a snack or buying locally-produced olive oil). There’s also sheep’s cheese, preserved in brine, that tastes a little like halloumi and goes well with bread and other ‘mezze.’ And then, as we mentioned before, there’s knafeh, probably the most well-known food item in Nablus. Basically, this is the aforementioned cheese, stuck between layers of crispy pastry, and then cooked in butter, before the final ingredient - sugar syrup - is poured over it. Neither your dentist nor your waist will thank you for indulging but it’s quite delicious and very ‘more-ish!’ The best place to sample it, we think, is the Al-Aqsa bakery - an institution renowned across the West Bank - where it’s made in huge trays in their open-air factory. Yum!Knafeh dessert.Photo by Mehrshad Rajabi on Unsplash5. Jacob's Well, BalataSituated in the complex of a church, within the grounds of an old Eastern Orthodox monastery, this is a deep well, constructed out of rock, which has been associated with Jacob, in the Bible, for around two thousand years. It is possible to access the well by entering the church and going down the stairs into a crypt. With a narrow opening and made partly of limestone, this is where it can be found, along with a bucket, a tiny winch and some icons and candles. Manuscripts written by Pilgrims show that Jacob’s Well has been within the site of different churches on the same site, at different times. It is alleged to be the place where baptisms took place and also where Jesus had a conversation with a Samaritan woman.6. Tel BalataThe site of Tel Balata is where you will find the remains of an ancient Israelite/Canaanite city. About 2.5 km from the centre of Nablus, it was an important cultural and historical centre in ancient times. The location has many water sources in addition to fertile land and lots of rainfall in the winter.There are several ruins that can still be seen, including the ‘fortress’ (once a temple) on the hill, two large gates, huge city walls and a governor’s palace (which boasted guardrooms, living quarters, a kitchen and even a small private shrine). Olives. Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash7. Joseph's Tomb, BalataJoseph's Tomb is located close to Tel Balata and just north of Jacob's Well, this is believed by some to be the burial place of Joseph, although there is no concrete archaeological evidence to substantiate this. Thousands of years ago it may have been a Samaritan site but after Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, Jews began praying there again. It is housed within an Ottoman-era building marked by a white dome.8. Remains of Sebastiya (Ancient Samaria)Located about 12 kilometres northwest of Nablus, this Palestinian village is home to around 4,500 inhabitants. According to the Hebrew Bible, it was once home to a number of Israelite tribes and today boasts some archaeological sites. Visitors will see a sarcophagus next to the road and there is also a large cemetery of rock-cut tombs in the north of the area. The neighbourhood has small springs and a tiny ruined mill. Most of the villagers are Muslims, with a minority being Greek Christians.A courtyard in Nablus.Photo by nour tayeh on Unsplash9. Mount SartabaThis ancient hilltop fortress was built by the Hasmoneans and from its top, there are stunning views of the Jordan Valley. It is not the easiest site to reach since there is no paved road so it is recommended only for the more experienced hiker. Alternatively, it can be accessed with a four-wheel-drive jeep.10. ShilohAccording to the Hebrew Bible, it was to Shiloh that worshippers flocked before the First Temple was constructed. However, it has a history that predates that - long before the Israelites arrived, dating back to the Middle or Late Bronze Age, it was a walled city complete with a religious shrine. Excavations from the 1920s onwards have unearthed impressive remains, showing that there were inhabitants in Shiloh until at least the 8th century. In the 21st century, the remains of Byzantine churches with lovely mosaic floors were unearthed. The designs are geometric, as well as portraying flora, a cross and three inscriptions.To see the list of Dos and Don’ts when making a visit to the West Bank feel free to read this article.Mount Sabih, Nablus Governorate.Photo by nour tayeh on Unsplash

Shlomo Ibn Gabirol Street or Ibn Gvirol (pronounced Even Gvirol) is one of Tel Aviv’s main thruways, running for 4km, from Shai Agnon Street in the north to Carlebach Street in the south. This long commercial and residential street virtually crosses all of Tel Aviv and its character changes as it progresses through the different neighborhoods. Several of Tel Aviv’s most famous streets cross Ibn Gvirol including Dizengoff, Frishman, and Arlozorov. A row of palm trees lines the center of Ibn Gvirol and the sidewalks are generously wide. Every few meters there is a sidewalk café, street food outlet, bar, or restaurant. And by the way, in case you’re wondering, Solomon ben Yehuda Ibn Gabirol was an 11th-century Jewish philosopher and poet from Andalusia. One of the best ways to explore Ibn Gvirol Street is on a Tel Aviv bike tour. Points of Interest on Ibn Gvirol StreetAt the northern end of the street, Ibn Gvirol passes over Yarkon Park. This is Tel Aviv’s “green lung” and a beautiful oasis in the busy city. Yarkon Park offers several attractions including a botanical garden, a climbing wall, and rowboat rental on the Yarkon River that flows through the park. Ibn Gvirol’s best-known landmark is Rabin Square which stands in front of the Tel Aviv municipal building. In 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated here, and the square renamed in his honor. Rabin Square is a popular venue for protests, festivals, and annual events. The space has a memorial wall for Rabin, some unique public artwork, and a pleasant fountain. Ibn Gvirol is home to several cultural venues like the Enav Cultural Center and Tzavta Theater where you can see live performances and art exhibitions. There are several art galleries along this famous street including Yair Art Gallery.Where to Eat and Drink on Ibn Gvirol Street, Tel AvivYou’ll be spoiled for the choice of eateries along the length of this famous Tel Aviv street. Top eateries include Vitrina at #36 famed for gourmet hamburgers; at #70 Brasserie serves excellent seafood; get Olivery’s great Italian food at #137, and at #30, River has excellent Asian food. One of Tel Aviv’s most famous chef restaurants, Miznon, is at #23. The restaurant takes Middle Eastern street food to a new level. PokeShop, at #62 serves kosher poke bowls. At #49 Giraffe is one of Israel’s finest pan-Asian restaurants. Chocolate-lovers should check out the street’s specialty chocolate stores. For a taste of Tel Aviv coffee culture head for The Streets (#114 Ibn Gvirol) which is open 24/7. And visit the much-loved Mae Café at #98. Otto (#76) is the place for celebs to see and be seen, and the Greek-themed HaMezeg at #151 Ibn Gvirol is another great choice.

The Montefiore Windmill is a well-known and much-loved landmark, situated just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Built in 1857, it sits opposite the City walls in a neighbourhood that was established in 1860, named Mishkenot Shaananim (which means ‘Peaceful Dwelling’ in Hebrew). It was established by Moses Montefiore, a notable British philanthropist.Montefiore himself was born in Tuscany but emigrated with his family to London as a child. In order to help his parents, he left school prematurely and began working in finance. Over the years, he became extremely successful and in 1827 he made a visit to the Holy Land. This trip changed his life and from then on until his death, he became involved in charitable endeavours, particularly when it came to Jews abroad who were in crisis.The history of Mishkenot ShaananimMishkenot Sha'ananim was the first neighbourhood to be built outside of the Old City of Jerusalem, being directly across from Mount Zion and above the Sultan’s Pool. The area consisted of two buildings - one designed as a community centre (with a hospital, to treat the poor after a cholera epidemic), as well as a synagogue, bakery and commercial workshops. The second building (below) boasted 28 small apartments (each of one and a half rooms).Initially, the neighbourhood wasn’t particularly popular, because it had a reputation for lawlessness, with bandits operating in the streets at night. Montefiore, therefore, offered financial incentives for poor families to move there and his generosity was so well-known that many of his recipients referred to him as a “prince’. To be fair, Mishkenot Shaananim did not become incredibly popular overnight. However, the fact that it set the tone for the building of other neighbourhoods and this, in turn, led to Jerusalem being established as Israel’s capital is, in great part, a result of the building of Mishkenot Shaananim. The adjoining neighbourhood, Yemin Moshe (named after its benefactor) followed and by 1920, over 900 people were living here. Self-Sufficiency for the CommunityThe windmill that was erected was named after its benefactor, Montefiore, who was intent on helping the local population of the Yishuv (the Jewish community who lived in Ottoman-controlled Palestine before the 20th century), not just in Jerusalem but also in Jaffa and other parts of the country. Montefiore’s idea was that designing the windmill as a flour mill would allow the population a measure of self-sufficiency. (As well as this flour mill, Montefiore promoted other businesses that he felt would build up industry in the Holy Land, including a textile factory and a printing press).Design of the Original BuildingThe mill was designed by the Holman Brothers, from Kent in southern England. The stone used to construct it came from a local quarry and the tower walls were almost a metre thick at the base and 15 metres high. The parts needed to construct it were shipped from England to the port of Jaffa and then transported by camel to Jerusalem. Because it was designed by the English, the mill had a Kent-style cap and four patent sails, driving two pairs of millstones, flour dressers and other machinery. Unfortunately, the windmill never really functioned well, because it was located relatively low on the landscape. The wind in the area simply wasn’t strong enough to power the mill which, actually, had not been designed to deal with the hardest aspects of this crop. (The mill was designed to produce soft European wheat, which actually required less wind power than the wheat of the Levant). As a result, its use as a flour mill was phased out by 1891, when the local community began using steam-powered machines to grind their wheat. Nevertheless, it became a well-known and popular landmark in the neighbourhood and it did inspire people to move to the neighbourhood - which was one of Montefiore’s great hopes.From the British Mandate to the State of IsraelUntil the 1930s, the building stood abandoned but under the British Mandate (along with the Pro-Jerusalem Society) it underwent some cosmetic restorations (with non-functional sails erected at its top). In the War of Independence, in 1948, Jewish fighters used the now obsolete building as a watch postin their struggle against the British. The British responded by bombing the windmill in ‘Operation Quixote’ and blowing the top off the disused tower. After Israel recaptured Jerusalem in the Six-Day War in June 1967, much of the neighbourhood was restored - artists and individuals committed to preserving the neighbourhood’s quaint character bought properties. Today it is an exclusive and expensive neighbourhood, with great demand for the charming homes that exist there.Renovation of the WindmillIn 1968, the city municipality first offered funds to repair the windmill, as well as supporting different educational activities in the neighbourhood in the later years. However, the building still sat neglected. With a great deal of support from a Dutch organisation named ‘Christians for Israel’ funds were raised for the renovation of the windmill. A model of another Kent-designed windmill, named Stelling Mininis, built by Holman Brothers, was taken to the Netherlands, to raise awareness.The project also received the backing of the Jerusalem Foundation and Tourist Board) and, after a couple of years, work began. In 2012, with great fanfare, this very first Jerusalem landmark was reopened in a dedication ceremony where local politicians recalled playing in this area as children, never dreaming that one day that this historic building would function once more.The Windmill TodayToday, the Montefiore Windmill is a popular attraction in the city and fits in well with the charming and beautiful surroundings of the neighbourhood. It looks just like it did 150 years ago, with rotating blades and as of 2013, flour has been ground there once more! With its beautiful stone exterior, it stands at 14 metres high, and for anyone curious about the history of the city, and the way Jerusalem grew between the 19th and 21st centuries, it is a must-visit site. Inside is a permanent exhibit devoted to the life and work of Montefiore, and history buffs should look out for the replica of the glass carriage in which he travelled. (Fun fact: the original carriage arrived in Palestine, courtesy of Boris Schatz, who founded the Bezalel Academy of Art).Wineries Centre and Stunning ViewsInside the windmill is the Jerusalem Vineyard Wineries Centre, where visitors can learn about wine, enjoy tastings and purchase fine bottles. The centre is an excellent place to have a drink (there are also soft drinks and coffee available) and enjoy a stroll along the terrace, from which there are stunning views of the walls of the Old City and this lovely neighbourhood. Views of the city are also excellent from ‘Guy’s Hope Observation Point’ which is next door. All in all, the Montefiore Windmill is an attraction that should be high on your list, when on a Jerusalem tour. To get toMontefiore Windmill you can also join Jerusalem New City Jewish Private Tour.Directions and Practical InformationHours: Sunday to Thursday 09:00-16:00, Friday - 9:00-13:00. Tel: 02 566-1441Bus: from Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station, on Jaffa Street, take buses 18, 32, 74, 75 or 78 and ask to be let off at the Keren HaYesod/Shalom Aleichem stop. From there it is a 6-minute walk to the Windmill.Light rail: Alight at the Jaffa Gate stop then walk via Omar Ben el-Hatab St and Heinrich Heine St, for approx 1 km (about 13 minutes walk).Car: Drive via Ussishkin St for approx, 4.2 km (18 minutes without traffic).

The Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem is located in the Katamon neighborhood of the city and is committed to the collection, preservation and exhibition of art and archaeological fragments/historical objects that pertain to Islamic art through the ages, dating from conquests and governments spanning the 7th to the 19th century.Opened in 1974, in its 47 years the museum has gained a worldwide reputation for its extraordinary collection of Islamic art - pieces that are both unique in Israel and prized by collectors across the globe. The museum boasts both a permanent collection and temporary exhibits, and aims to give the visitor an insight in to the extraodainry treasures of Muslim society, which at one point extended from Spain, all through Eygpt, Syria, Turkey, Afhanistan, Iraq, Iran and up to India.Some of the exquisite pieces on display include metalwork, pottery, glass, pages of ancient Qur’an manuscripts, not to mention a range of luxury items: rugs, ornaments and jewelry. The marvellous collection is spread over six galleries on two floors. The art is not considered a national treasure, as most of its objects housed there come from across the globe i.e. were not found in Israel or Palestine. Nevertheless, it is considered to be one of the best collections of its kind in the world today.History of the MuseumThe Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem was founded in the 1960s by Vera Bryce Salomons, who was born into an aristocratic British-Jewish family. Her great-uncle, Sir David Salomons was a great supporter of equal rights for minorities, including the Jews. He had the honour of becoming the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London as well as a Member of Parliament. Vera Salomons herself was a woman ahead of her time, with great vision and a passion for art and culture. She also believed deeply in religious tolerance and was a strong advocate of tolerance and coexistence between Jews and Palestinians in Jerusalem. Not surprisingly, not only did she wish to build a museum that showcased the beauty of Islamic art, but also as a means to educate the wider public on the rich history of Islam and wider Arab culture.In order to make her dream a reality, Vera turned to her teacher and friend, Professor Leo Arie Mayer, who was a well-known academic, teaching at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in the fields of archaeology and art of the Middle East. He believed in her vision and together they began planning the establishment of the institution. It also helped that Professor Mayer had a significant personal collection of Islamic archaeology and art and this became the nucleus around which the museum’s permanent collection came to be designed.Vera remained a passionate art-lover for her entire life, publishing three books on 18th-century French illustrations. She spent the last years of her life in Switzerland and died in 1969, aged 81.Permanent CollectionThe museum was opened in 1974 and documents the rise and fall of Muslim rule in much of the Levant (spreading west to Spain and east to India). This rule began in the 7th century and lasted for 1,200 years, until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The conquerors did not celebrate victory by destroying their enemies and, with them, their homes and possessions. Instead, they drew on existing techniques and local traditions and let them become their muse. This is well reflected in the museum’s Permanent Collection.In total, the museum has six galleries that cover centuries of art, beginning with the Umayyad period, through the regimes of the Abbasids, the Samanids, the Fatimids, the Seljuqs, the Mamluks, the Mongols, the Timurids, the Safavids, the Moghuls, and the Ottomans. Each era has its individual material culture, but there is a common narrative linking them all.Local techniques and a unique styleToday, only a small percentage of the thousands of objects the museum owns are actually on display in the permanent collection, including prayer shawls, metal and glass objects, jewelry and pottery. One can see ancient pages of Quran books, with astonishing calligraphy as well as Mogul Art from India, including a wooden palace window, hailing from Gujarat.The permanent collection also houses instruments(including an oud which dates back to 1738. The oud is a short-neck, pear-shaped stringed instrument with 11 or 13 strings. It is Arab music’s most important instrument and the forefather of the modern guitar. Also look out for a wooden painted compass, which points in the direction of Mecca.Local traditions were never ignored, but a new Muslim art developed, and with it a unique style. This is reflected in chess pieces, dominos, playing cards, carpets, helmets and even daggers on exhibit. Early Islamic art is also well showcased - beautiful ceramic pieces in dazzling blues and greens. The potters of their time, who lived in a region named Kasahm, developed a special technique which accounts for the colours - before they fired and glazed the vessels, they covered them in a mix of clay, earth and pigments. Look out for some of the pottery that is decorated with calligraphy (usually with the name of Allah or a Muslim blessing).The David Salomons Clock CollectionArguably the jewel in the crown of the Islamic Museum of Art is the rare clock and watch collection that once belonged to David Salomons. The 200 clocks on display, many owned by princes and dukes, centuries ago, are quite extraordinary and sophisticated. Some are mechanical - simple, chiming clocks, and others have automatic winding mechanisms (which back then were considered quite ‘futuristic’). You can see grandfather clocks, pendulum clocks, measuring instruments and music boxes there. Additionally, on display are compasses, barometers and other scientific instruments, as well as sundials and telescopes from the 17th-19th centuries. Salomons’ favourite designer was the famed Parisian watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet and in the collection are 55 of his pieces. His claim to fame was the development of the self-winding watch, giving new meaning to the concept “exactly on time.” His watches and clocks were a design of beautiful design, extreme practicality and immense reliability, which gave him a reputation as Europe’s leading clockmaker in Europe. One of his customers was Marie Antoinette, and in the collection is a clock bearing her name. (Our tip: look out for the toy music boxes, made of gold and diamonds, operated by a small mechanism that automatically opens doors - in one, a songbird actually pops up and begins singing!)The Great Clock RobberyIn 1983, 106 rare clocks, worth tens of millions of dollars, including the Marie Antoinette clock, were stolen in a daring robbery. The police had no leads and in the 20 years that followed, the trail went cold. Only in the summer of 2006 was the mystery uncovered - a skilled burglar by the name of Naaman Diller carried out the heist. Before he died, he confessed his crime to his wife and bequeathed them to her. When she tried to sell one, secretly, the appraiser spotted its value and quickly called the police. Eventually, 39 of them were returned to the museum!Past ExhibitsOver the years, the museum has hosted a number of popular exhibits, including ‘Contemporary Arabesque’ (examining how local Palestinian and Israeli artists adopt various motifs associated with the Muslim decorative element known as arabesque). ‘Modern Times’ (charting pieces constructed by the artist Itay Noy as a reflection of the classical watches collection), ‘The Landscapes of Israel’ (showcasing colorful paintings and depictions of landscapes of the Land of Israel (Palestine), painted by David Roberts in the 19th century) and ‘Hamsa’ (exhibiting 555 different examples of this traditional Muslim/Jewish which is now an iconic symbol).A Vision of Cultural CollaborationBesides the extraordinary treasures housed there, the Museum for Islamic Art aspires to become a dynamic cultural center for a variety of communities, and a landmark in the local cultural arena. In collaboration with partners in Israel and abroad, the museum hosts innovative educational initiatives, develops cultural programs, and produces popular cultural events. Tens of thousands of visitors pass through its doors every year, Arabs and Jews, students, schoolchildren, and families enjoying a wealth of cultural and educational activities.The Museum for Islamic Art strives to realize the dream of Vera Salomons and honor her family legacy by being a bridge between Arab and Jewish cultures. It sees cultivation of cultural dialogue as its primary goal and this is reflected in many of the past exhibits (where all sections of the population of the land - Israelis, Palestinians, Druze, Bedouin) collaborate in artistic endeavours.Design and IndependenceVera Bryce Salomons never wavered in her decision that the museum should keep its financial independence and not be a beneficiary of public funding. She personally endowed the building fund and took a personal role in the day-to-day decision making, including discussions as to acquisitions and expenses. The building was designed by the prominent architect, Dr. Alexander Friedman, and construction of what would eventually be a modernist stone structure began in the late 1960’s.Educational Activities for ChildrenThe museum is happy to be able to offer early childhood education for children, from preschool and first grade right up until high school. These include experiential sessions of activities, drama, active tours and/or theatrical tours of Islamic culture and art. Children can also attend creative art workshops inspired by the theme of the guided tour and the activities.Family Friendly ActivitiesThe Islamic Museum of Art prides itself on being a family-friendly institution and offers a wide range of activities both for adults and children, either in groups or private tours. Children can dabble in art workshops, try their hand at calligraphy, tile painting, paper folding and pottery painting. There’s even an activity that involves decorating musical instruments such as drums, tambourines and bamboo flutes. These activities are not just fun and creative but extremely educational and an excellent way for children to learn more about history, culture and design.Additionally, the museum offers children the opportunity to have their birthday party at the space. For those aged 5-8, two themes are on offer: ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ and ‘Sinbad the Sailor’. For those aged 8 to 14, the museum offers an ‘Escape Room’ based around a true-life mystery - the Great Clock Heist. As recounted above, in the 1980s, a robber broke into the museum and stole some priceless clocks and watches. It’s up to the children to find out how it happened and to catch the culprit!Lectures and MusicalsThe museum regularly hosts lectures and musical events, including ‘Armenian Ceramic’, ‘Collective Trauma and Personal Memory’, the very popular “Songs of Ofra Haza’ (a much-loved Israeli singer) and evenings of Sufi-inspired dancing.Moreover, in 2017, the museum held its first ‘Open House’ where visitors could go behind the scenes and explore the collection storage area, as well as attend the ‘In the Footsteps of Time’ tour, going inside the enormous safe in which the prized clock collection is stored. The event was such a great success that additional ‘Open Houses’ are envisaged.Practical InformationTel: 02-566-1291. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday:10 am to 3 pm. Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 2 pm. Sunday and Monday: Closed. Directions and Parking: Bus: Lines 13 and 15 from the Central Bus Station. Alight at the intersection of Hazaz Boulevard/Herzog and walk for approximately 11 minutes. By car: street parking where the curb is either gray (free) or painted blue and white (paid), on Hapalmach St., Hagedud Ha’ivri St. and Chopin St. On Shabbat (Saturday), the museum’s parking lot is open to visitors free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Beit Jamal Catholic Monastery is located south of Bet Shemesh on a hill down a beautiful country road surrounded by greenery. The complex holds two monasteries, one for nuns and one for monks plus two churches, the Sisters of Bethlehem Church and the Saint Stephen’s Church. Within the monastery complex is St. Stephen’s Church, named after a Christian martyr stoned to death in Jerusalem in 35AD. The monastery has a crenulated square tower which can be seen above the treetops as you make your way up the hill to the monastery complex. Although the monks belong to the Salesian Society founded by St. John Bosco the nuns are from the Sisters of Bethlehem and have taken a vow of silence. This unique and picturesque site welcomes visitors to explore the historic church, buy local products, learn about monastery life and just enjoy the countryside.History of Beit JamalDuring the Roman era, the site of Beit Jamal was a village called Kefar Gamala, named after Rabbi Gamaliel who was a resident of the village. The Rabbi was very wise, well respected, and favored by early Christians. In Acts of Apostles, we read of how Rabbi Gamaliel taught Paul the Apostle. In the Byzantine era, in 415AD a Greek priest called Lucian had a dream directing him to the site in Kefar Gamala where the tombs of St. Stephen and Rabbi Gamaliel were uncovered. Soon after a church was built on the site where the tombs were discovered and the church was named St. Stephens. The Byzantine church was destroyed in 614AD during the Arab invasion.In 1881 a new monastery was built in the village near the remains of the destroyed Byzantine church and the monastery ran an orphanage and agricultural school. In 1892 the Salesian Society bought the property and began running the monastery as one of its many branches established worldwide to help underprivileged children. The Salesian Society also runs a similar establishment in Nazareth at the Young Jesus Church of Nazareth. In 1916 the mosaic floor and tombs of the Byzantine church were uncovered and preserved. The complex no longer functions as an orphanage or agricultural school but continues to function as a monastery as well as a meteorological station run by the monks. It was the first meteorological station established in Israel and the monks continue to monitor measure and record all ups and downs of the temperature, precipitation, and wind. In 1930 under the British Mandate, a church was built over the ruins of the Byzantine church.The Monastery TodayThe monastery welcomes pilgrims seeking solitude and spiritual reflection; they have several guest rooms for pilgrims. The monastery also welcomes day visitors to come and see the beautiful churches, surrounding gardens and to enjoy bi-weekly Saturday concerts. The monastery holds a picturesque location perfect for a casual day out in the country and a family picnic. This quiet corner of the country has recently become a magnet for tourists and locals who flock here to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, olive groves, wildflowers, and green fields. Within the walled gardens of the monastery, visitors can explore the gardens, courtyard, and churches as well as several antiquities. On the ground, you can see ancient olive presses used at this site more than 100 years ago. Some of the olive trees here are thought to be 2000 years old. St. Stephen’s is one of the highlights of a visit to the complex. Sections of the surviving Byzantine mosaic floor have been preserved and attached to the exterior wall of the church. Inside the church is painted with bright colors on every surface including the high ceiling and most of the murals are designed to look like mosaics. The stunning paintings depict stories from St. Stephen’s life and martyrdom. The Church of the Sisters of Bethlehem was built by the nuns themselves.Other attractions drawing tourists to Beit Jamel include the locally made wine, honey, and olive oil sold in the monastery store by the Salesian monks. Visitors can see a short film about monastery life. The nuns produce beautiful hand-painted pottery which is sold in the monastery store. The nuns on duty in the store rotate every four years and are given permission to break their vow of silence when working in the store. How to get thereYou can find Beit Jamal off route #38 about 3km south of Bet Shemesh. For more information about concerts contact the “Pearl Music” at 02 535 6954. The monastery welcomes visitors Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-1:30 am and 3:30 pm-4:30 pm. It is closed to the public on Sundays.

The Bloomfield Stadium is located in the southern part of Tel Aviv-Jaffa and is regarded by many as a ‘temple’ of Israeli football. Home to three clubs - Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Bnei-Yehuda Tel Aviv), Bloomfield has a long history when it comes to football and is much loved by the Israeli public. Owned by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality and operated by the Sports Palace Group, it has a grass surface and a capacity of 29,400 spectators.History of the StadiumThe construction of the Bloomfield Stadium was the result of a project supported and financed by a Canadian charity - the Canadian Association of Labour Israel - and named after the brothers Louis and Bernard Bloomfield, who were dedicated to the ideals of sport. The charity was aligned with the Histadrut Labour Movement in Israel.The ground was first broken on 4th September 1960, in East Jaffa, on the land where Basa Stadium, home to the football team Hapoel Tel Aviv originally played their matches. Bloomfield opened in late 1962 and the first official match played was a friendly match between Hapoel and the Dutch Club Sportclub Enschede. The following year, Maccabi Tel Aviv moved into the Bloomfield Stadium (leaving behind their previous home, the Maccabiah Stadium) and in 2004 were joined by Bnei Yehuda, Tel Aviv, giving Bloomfield the honour of being the only stadium in the top divisions to be home to three different teams. By September 2010, Bloomfield Stadium was awarded a Category 4 Status by UEFA, allowing it to host Champions League Group Stage matches. Between 2016-2019, the stadium was closed for extensive renovations, in order to enlarge, improve and upgrade the existing facilities. Now finished, it has the capacity and facilities that let it comply with international standards and therefore host teams from across the globe in leading competitions.Musical and Cultural EventsAs well as acting as a football arena, the stadium is one of Israel’s most top-rated venues for performance artists. Artists not just from Israel but across the globe have performed there, including Art Garfunkel, Phil Collins, Barbra Streisand, the Scorpions and the Black Eyed Peas. Celine Dion’s sellout concert, which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 lockdown, is set for June 2021. It will be her first-ever performance in Israel.Bloomfield Stadium was the venue for the first concerts held in Tel Aviv after Israel emerged from the 2020 pandemic, with ‘intimate’ gatherings of 500 people for four concerts, featuring Israeli singers such as Ivry Lider, Shalom Hanoch, Yardena Arazi and Dikla.Practical InformationAddress:Bloomfield Stadium is located on She’erit Yisra’el St, in the south part of central Tel Aviv, not far from the old port of Jaffa. Tel: 03 637-6000Directions:On foot: It’s a short (5 minute) walk to Jaffaand a 10-minute walk to Neve Tzedek. If you’re coming from the ‘proper’ city centre i.e. around the Dizengoff Centre, it will take about 45 minutes.By bus: You can take bus number 25 from Rabin Square or King George Street - alight at Shlabim/Kibbutz Galuyot Road and walk for 4 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the number 172 (which begins near the Namal (Tel Aviv Port) and travels down Dizengoff Street, past the shopping centre). Alight at Florentin/HaAliya and walk for 12 minutes.By taxi: A taxi from the Dizengoff Centre will take approx.15-20 minutes (via the Herbert Samuel Promenade, giving you beautiful views of the Mediterranean sea and promenade) and will cost around 40-50 NIS.

The Abuhav Synagogue is located in Safed, a sacred Jewish city situated in the hills of Galilee. The synagogue was built in the 15th century by Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzhak Abuhav. There were two well-known rabbis with this name. One Yitzhak Abuhav is attributed with writing the Meorat Hama’or, an important book of ethics. However, it is more likely that the synagogue was named after Rabbi Yitzhak Abuhav a 15th-century great sage of Castile and member of the Toledo rabbinate. This rabbi ran a yeshiva for the study of Kabbalah and Jewish philosophy. One of his students was Rabbi Ya’acov Beirav who went on to become one of the great sages of Safed.The Synagogue Torah ScrollsIt was Rabbi Ya’acov Beirav who is thought to have brought the synagogue’s famous scroll to Safed. The Abuhav Synagogue scroll is the oldest in Safed and is associate with many legends and traditions. This precious scroll is kept locked in the synagogue Torah Ark and is only used three times a year at Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Shavuot. The synagogue has a second precious Torah scroll brought to the synagogue by 16th century Moroccan Kabbalist Rabbi Solomon Ohana.Design of the Abuhav SynagogueThe synagogue is thought to have been designed by Abuhav while still in Spain before traveling to Safed. The design was created according to Kabbalah principles. Kabbalah is an esoteric school of Judaism that includes the study of numerology where there is a mystical relationship between numbers, our lives, and events. For this reason, each element of the synagogue design has numerical significance – there is 1 bima, 2 steps, and 3 Torah Arks. Using Kabbalah symbolism the bima has six steps representing the 6 days of creation before reaching the top level symbolizing the Shabbat, Torah, and spiritual enlightenment. As you approach the synagogue there is an outer entrance, then a courtyard, and then an inner entrance. The prolonged entrance and courtyard are designed to give the visitor time to compose himself and prepare to enter the place of worship. The synagogue has three Arks (special cupboards that hold the Torah scrolls) against the southern wall which is the only part of the original building still standing. Other parts of the synagogue were destroyed over the years by earthquakes and wars and subsequently rebuilt. Facing the southern wall and the arks is Elijah’s Chair, an elaborately decorated chair used during the circumcision ceremony. An adult sits in the chair and the baby is placed in a small chair attached to the larger Chair of Elijah.A raised platform or bima where the leader of the congregation stands to read from the Torah is positioned in the center of the synagogue. The benches for worshipers are arranged around the edges of the room rather than being lined up as in a modern synagogue or church. The inner surface of the synagogue’s domed ceiling is adorned with images of musical instruments that would have been played by the Levite choir in the ancient Temple; symbols of the 12 tribes of Israel and four crowns – the Torah Crown, Crown of Kingship, Priestly Crown and Crown of Impending Redemption.To see the Abuhav Synagogue join Golan Heights and Safed Tour, 2 Days

Hamat Gader (Hebrew for “hot springs of Gadara”) is a hot spring site on the Golan Heights about 10km from the tripoint of the Israeli, Syrian and Jordanian borders. Archaeological evidence shows that the hot mineral springs of Hamat Gader were known to man at least 1800 years ago. Today, just like the ancient Romans, people come to Hamat Gader to enjoy the therapeutic waters of the hot mineral springs and other attractions of the area.History of Hamat GaderReferences to Hamat Gader were found in the writings of Strabo, a Greek geographer, historian, and philosopher (c.64BC-c.24AD); Greek writer Origen (c.184AD-c.253AD) and in 1st century Rabbinical texts. The remains of an ancient Roman bath complex were uncovered at Hamat Gader dating back to the 2nd century. The baths would have served Roman soldiers from the nearby army garrison at Gadara. Later during the Muslim period changes were made to the baths and the original Roman structures were extended.Archaeological excavations have uncovered a Roman theatre from the 3rd century and a 5th-century synagogue. An earthquake destroyed the baths in the 7th century and they were rebuilt by Umayyad Caliph of Damascus only to be damaged again by an earthquake in 749. By the 9th century, the Roman baths of Hamat Gader were abandoned and the ruins eventually became covered in a layer of silt that rose up from the springs. More recently Hamat Gader was the location of a Palestinian village called Al-Hamma. In 1923 borders were created between French Mandate Syria; British Mandate Palestine and Lebanon placing Al-Hamma within Palestine. Following the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, a demilitarized zone was demarcated along the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel. From 1949 to 1967 Hamat Gader stood abandoned within the demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria. During the 1967 Six-Day War Syria attacked Israel at the Golan Heights but instead of gaining land they were pushed back beyond the demilitarized zone and Israel captured the Golan Heights including Hamat Gader. Since 1967 the Golan Heights, including Hamat Gader, has been in Israeli territory.Hamat Gader TodayToday the Golan Heights and Hamat Gader are safe, prosperous areas with thriving farms, tourist attractions, cities, and villages. Hamat Gader is a major tourist attraction offering fun and recreation as well as a chance to see the ruins of the original Roman baths. Just as the Romans enjoyed the hot springs of Hamat Gader today tourists can indulge in the mineral pools of the Hamat Gader Spa Complex. The spa’s natural thermal pools contain a concentration of 4.7% sulfur and a constant temperature of 42°C. The thermo-mineral waters are known for their therapeutic qualities especially for skin conditions and respiratory ailments. At the Hamat Gader Hot Springs, there are several spring water pools of various sizes and temperatures; Jacuzzis and spa treatments are available. The site also has a boutique hotel where you can stay while receiving spa treatments. Hamat Gader is home to organic fishing ponds where you can go fishing and to excellent restaurants. Hamat Gader Splash Site is a mini-water park where there is a 10m high splash water slide; a large pool; water cannons and a waterfall. Animal World is a natural reserve for 200 crocodiles and a mini-safari where you can see kangaroos, deer, iguanas, raccoons, antelope, and other creatures. Animal World has a petting zoo where you can get up close to domestic and farm animals. During peak seasons there are also parrot shows.

The Second Temple was a sacred Jewish place of worship on Temple Mount in Jerusalem from 520 BC to 70 AD. Temple Mount was the site of the First Temple until 586 BC; the Second Temple and today is the site of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Temple represented a divine presence on Earth and the place where heaven and Earth meet. Only in the Holy Temple could sacrificial worship be performed in accordance with the codes of the Torah. Construction of the Second Temple is referred to in the Book of Ezekiel; Ezra 1:1-4 and Chronicles 36:22-23.History of the Second TempleFifty years after Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in c.587 BC they were vanquished by Persians. King Cyrus II of Persia gave permission for the Temple to be rebuilt. Under Governor Sheshbazzar attempts were made to start the project. Only in 522 BC when Zerubbabel became governor was work on the Temple continued by exiled Jews returning to the Levant from Babylon. Construction of the Temple continued in 521 BC under Persian King Darius I.Two Jews from Judea, Ezra and Nehemiah were a major force in the reconstruction. This early modest version of the Second Temple was completed in 516 BC. In the following years, the Jews and Palestine were ruled by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans yet they continued to keep their faith and worship at the Temple. In 163 BC the Greek ruler Antiochus erected a statue of Jupiter on the altar of the Temple. For three years the Temple was profaned in this way until the Jews revolted. It was at the end of the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BC) that the story of Hanukah unfolded. Storming and retaking the Temple the Maccabees found only a small jug of blessed oil to lite the Menorah. A miracle occurred and the oil lasted seven days until new oil could be obtained to light the Temple’s Menorah. During a brief period of Jewish rule by the Hasmonean Kingdom (140 BC-116 BC) the Temple was refurbished. Starting in 20 BC Herod took it upon himself to extend and refurbish the Temple complex although maintaining the character of Zerubbabel’s Temple.He undertook several mammoth building projects in Palestine wanting to cement his place in history. The Second Temple was his masterpiece. This final version of the Temple is the one we remember today as a grand, elaborate complex. The biblical story of Jesus clearing the Temple of money changers took place at the Second Temple on Temple Mount. Destruction of the Second TempleThe Temple stood for 420 years from 349 BC to 70 AD. Jews across Palestine began to revolt against the Roman authorities in 66 AD. Jews were drawn together to fight their common enemy. The Romans led by Titus decided to aim at the heart of the Jews – the Temple. The Jews were outnumbered and defeated. Later the Romans built a pagan temple on the site of the former Second Temple.Features of the Second TempleAt its height, the Temple covered 450 acres and was 100 cubits (about 45 meters) tall. The Roman historian Josephus described the Second Temple as have in 10 entrances; several courtyards; ritual baths; a place for sacrificial animals and the Holy of Holies. Among the features of the Temple there was the golden Menorah; a golden altar for incense; and the heart of the Temple – the Holy of Holies (Kodesh HaKodashim) or the Inner Sanctum.The Second Temple TodayToday Temple Mount is no longer the site of a Jewish temple. Those who want to learn more about the Second Temple can visit the Davidson Archaeological Park where remains of the destroyed Temple have been excavated alongside the retaining wall of Temple Mount. If you visit the Israel Museum you can see a scale model of the Second Temple and Second Temple Era Jerusalem. Since the destruction of the Second Temple on Tisha b’Av according to the Jewish calendar Jews have mourned the loss of their Temple which is mentioned in several prayers and numerous biblical references. Tisha b’Av is a day of fast and Jews pray for the reconstruction of the Third Temple on Temple Mount.

The Bloomfield Science Museum is situated opposite the Givat Ram Campus of the Hebrew University, and the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) in central Jerusalem. It is and was the first interactive science museum of its kind built in the country. Envisaged originally as a center, over time - and with the input of leading scientists - it evolved into what today is a prized museum facility.As well as a wide number of ongoing exhibits, the museum boasts a Science Garden, Activity Rooms, Workshops, a Discovery Centre, a Professional resources center, and Research Labs. The museum receives around 200,000 visitors per year and supports a number of educational projects. Considered to be a place for ‘learning with a twist’ it encourages both children and adults to touch, activate, get involved, and - most importantly - have fun whilst learning.History of the MuseumThe museum was first opened to the public in its present location in 1992. Its creation is the result of its founding director, Professor Peter Hillman. Born in South Africa, after studying nuclear physics at Harvard, in 1960 he moved to Israel and joined the prestigious Weizmann Institute. By 1967, he had begun working in a second field, neurology and brain studies, subsequently becoming a Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. As early as 1980, Professor Hillman dreamed of building a science museum and the initial idea he put into practice was “The Seeing Eye – Science Workshop '' which ran for close to ten years at the Hebrew University. Thanks to his dedication and insight, it was a great success, and, along with support from fellow academics and the Jerusalem Foundation (as well as a generous donation from the Bloomfield family in Canada) the Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem was inaugurated in 1992.Design of the MuseumThe museum is set out across several wings, and also contains a Science Garden and a spacious IMAX theatre. Its first two wings were built by the Jerusalem Foundation and today are used, in the main, as display halls for exhibits. A part of the first wing is reserved for preschool visitors.Two floors of the museum’s second wing opened to the public in 2001 and this has made possible the addition of exhibit workshop areas, an auditorium (used to display films and hold demonstrations and conferences), and a fully-equipped resource center. Popular ExhibitionsDiscovering Levers - exhibiting handles kids can rotate, balls to move, and demonstrating how you can move things (including humans!) with a pulley lift - using ropes or cords. Electricity Exhibits - using rotatable mirrors, children can reflect light to solar panels and begin moving objects. Illusions - using unusual exhibits and famous optical illusions, this kind of exhibit plays with kids’ minds, especially the ‘overlapping objects’ and ‘expanding universe.’Why Don’t Buildings Fall? - Visitors here are given challenges and are invited to build models and work out the strength of different materials. In this way, they can understand more about basic scientific principles and how they are applied to real life.Bicycles - which ran from 2017 to 2018, marked 200 years since the invention of the bicycle and showcased some very old models, dating back to the 1850s. Also, an entire corner was devoted to the concept of ‘folding bikes’ which is clearly a trend on the up and up. Another highlighted the bamboo bicycles of Ghana, Africa. Here, bamboo - which is light but sturdy - is used as a frame material. This kind of project is ideal for teaching children, not just about environmental sustainability but the way innovation can develop a local economy. Here’s a short video to give you more of an idea of what goes on inside the building. Footprints of Light - focusing on new technology – light writing – using colored beams of light, visitors could cover a wall with graffiti, launch a pendulum, pedal bicycles through the streets using a light brush, and leave fish-shaped footprints that gradually fade away, ready for the next participant!Innovations - cherry tomatoes, the Disk on Key, and the electric car were 3 of Israel’s most important inventions and this exhibition looked at the country’s technological innovation. It featured a solar power station, drip irrigation techniques, and even a robot used in surgery!Waterworks - set in shallow pools, this exhibit traced Israel's water sources and looked at how water was treated all the way until it came out of faucets in private homes.Da Vinci - to commemorate the 500 year anniversary of his death, in 2019 the museum held an exhibition highlighting the drawings and designs of Leonardo da Vinci, who was not just a talented painter but also an exceptional mathematician, engineer, and inventor. Going Green - here, children had the chance to attend ecological workshops, grow a sapling using basic principles of physics, taste and smell herbs, and build a ‘flower model’ from which they can work out how water travels from its roots to its leaves. They also watched a 3D film about sea turtles, learning how these amazing creatures (over 100 million years old) migrate back to the beaches they were born in after decades, to lay eggs to preserve the next generation.Outreach and CoexistenceThe Bloomfield Science Museum believes deeply in the philosophy that every child should be exposed to science and therefore encourages visits from children from underprivileged families, as well as those with special needs. The museum is also used as a place to promote coexistence projects and supports Jewish-Arab summer camps, a science enrichment program for pre-school children from east Jerusalem, and other tolerance-building activities that are offered to around 20,000 children annually. The Peace Labyrinth Project, in particular, has used photographic images, mirrors, games, and sounds to raise questions about childrens’ observation, communication, and decision-making. Children wind their way through a labyrinth, making observations, perceiving situations, and reaching conclusions. As they travel through, they understand that every situation in which they find themselves has multiple ‘solutions’ and the way they choose to react has consequences later down the line. Encouraging Women in ScienceBloomfield is committed to reaching out to young girls, in order to encourage them to learn more about science, with a view to choosing careers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. To this end, they support the Hypatia Project (Hypatia being a philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, and overcame great prejudice against her sex to contribute tremendously to her fields). The Hypatia project encourages girls, both through formal and informal education, to attend science centers and promotes gender-inclusive STEM education and communication. Family-Friendly ActivitiesThe Bloomfield Science Museum prides itself in being a family-friendly venue and adults and their children can sign up for guided tours on a daily basis, as well as take part in arts and crafts workshops (with a gift for everyone who participates), attend screenings of nature films in 3D and participate in interactive science demonstrations. Children can even build small structures that give them an appreciation of scientific concepts. For toddlers, there is also a sand play area available. Practical Information:Tel: 02-6544888. Entrance fee:50 NIS (children under the age of 5 enter for free). Opening hours: Sunday:Closed. Monday: 9 am to 2 pm. Tuesday:9 am to 6 pm. Wednesday: 9 am to 2 pm. Thursday:9 am to 2 pm. Friday:10 am to 2 pm. Saturday:10 am to 4 pm. Directions:On foot: From the Jerusalem Central Bus Station it is a 2 km (approx 22 minutes) walk via Weizmann Boulevard. From the Damascus Gate, in the Old City, it is a 3.6 km walk (approx 49 minutes) through the Rehavia neighborhood, via Keren ha Kayemet St and Ruppin Street. Bus: Take line 68 from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station and alight at HaJoint/Balfour Street. From there, it is a 4-minute walk. Car: Depending on traffic, it should take between 10 to 20 minutes to drive to the museum from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, via Sderot HaNassi Hashishi. Free parking is available from Thursdays at 3 pm until Saturdays at 7 pm, otherwise, a fee is payable.

You can’t find a museum in Israel more diverse than the Eretz Israel Museum (Israel Land Museum). The overall theme is anything to do with the land and people of Israel, past and present, and this covers a lot of ground from indigenous plants and the postal system to archaeological finds and artwork.Eretz Israel Museum (MUZA) has a permanent collection categorized under ethnography, folklore, local history, photography, and contemporary Israeli art.The museum’s location, close to the Yarkon River, Tel AvivUniversity, and Ramat Aviv (a northern suburb of Tel Aviv) has allowed MUZA to spread over expansive grounds without the encroachment of city buildings.Plan Your VisitOpen Times - Sunday closed. Monday, Wednesday 10:00-16:00; Tuesday, Thursday 10:00-20:00; Friday 10:00-14:00, and Saturday 10:00-18:00. Pro Tip: The closest railway station is Tel Aviv University Station.Prices - Regular price: 52 ILS. Adult Tel Aviv residents 42 ILS. Students 35 ILS. Soldiers, police, and senior citizens 26 ILS. Entrance is free for visitors under 18 years old, people with disabilities, and escorts of people with disabilities. You need to show your relevant valid certificate or ID for the discount or free entry. Pro Tip: The planetarium is not included in the entrance fee and requires an additional 15 ILS.Average Visit Duration - 3 hours Pro Tip: There is paid parking near the museum at 25 ILS, and parking is free for people with disabilities.Popular Times - Mid-day.Special Events - The museum hosts regular temporary exhibitions, lectures, festivals, and special events. In particular, there are special family-friendly festivals during the Jewish holidays. See the museum website for a calendar of upcoming events.Tours - Take a private tour of Tel Aviv’s cultural highlights including a visit to the Eretz Israel Museum.MUZA Museum LayoutSome museums like this one require some careful navigation to find your way around all of the exhibitions. The museum consists of pavilions set in gardens where there are a number of other points of interest. Each of the pavilions has a unique layout and structure which is intended to reflect the theme of the collection it holds. For example, there is the Glass Pavilion, the Ceramics Pavilion, and the Man and His Work Center. The pavilions house the permanent exhibitions, as well as “white cube” spaces where temporary exhibits are on display.The most impressive thing about MUZA is the grounds. Visitors can walk among gardens, rockeries, and archaeological excavations including the remains of an ancient settlement dating back 3,000 years. See ancient mosaic floors brought here from around the country and set among the gardens. There is also a display of olive presses, wine presses, and a reconstructed flour mill.Pro Tip: Combine your visit to MUZA with a visit to the nearby ANU Museum for a glimpse into the Jewish communities around the world past and present.Permanent Exhibitions at the Eretz Israel MuseumThe Ceramics Pavilion - See ceramics from several periods in Israel’s ancient history, the products, tools, and materials. Learn about the discovery of clay, pottery methods, decoration methods, plus art and ritual in ceramics.The Glass Pavilion - See Dr. Walter Moses’ original glass collection that takes you on a journey through thousands of years in the region. See glassware from as early as the 15th-1st centuries BC and learn about glass blowing through the ages.The Kadman Numismatic Pavilion - See coins from every era in the region’s history. The coins tell the story of monetary exchange through the ages, until the present day.The Nehushtan Pavilion - Thousands of years ago copper was discovered in Israel, and this pavilion focuses on the ancient smelting furnaces and copper history in Southern Israel, specifically Timna. There are displays of tools, discoveries of copper, and information about the daily life of copper workers in the area.The Man and His Work Center - Learn about local materials and how they were used for arts and crafts in the region. See tools, weaving, installations, and video presentations.The Ethnography and Folklore Pavilion - A collection of Judaica, contemporary art, and socially significant items.The Alexander Pavilion of Postal History and Philately - A fun exhibit for children with a mail truck from 1949, a collection of telephones, mailboxes, and printing presses.Israel Photography House - Historic photos giving a glimpse into everyday life and culture in Israel over the years.Eretz Israel Museum GroundsCrafts ArcadeAlongside the Man and His Work Pavilion is a recreated ancient artisans’ market. There are eleven stone domes covering recreated traditional workshops together with artisan tools and materials. Included are a blacksmith, carpenter, cobbler, potter, weaver, baker, and several other traditional craft workshops.The Bread CourtAlongside the Crafts Arcade is a recreated ancient threshing floor where grain would be separated from the husk. The tools involved in this particular historic agricultural process are on display.Reconstructed Copper MineAt the entrance to the Nehushtan Pavilion is a reconstructed ancient copper mine from the 5th-2nd millennium BC.PlanetariumAfter a stroll through the museum grounds, you’ll reach the planetarium. Visitors aged 5 and above can enjoy a half-hour show. The shows occur during Israeli school holidays and on Saturdays throughout the day at regular intervals. Entrance to the planetarium requires a museum entrance ticket, plus an additional 15 ILS. Pro Tip: The shows are visually entertaining but they are in Hebrew.Pro Tip: The MUZA Park is the latest addition to the museum. The park (which will eventually be about 9,000 sq. meters) is open to the public free of charge. The first phase of the park was opened in September 2023, and it will gradually expand to include a larger area. Visitors can enjoy a pond, reconstructed Olive Press, Flour Mill, the Planetarium, Sundial Square, and archaeological remains. Some of the park’s attractions require an admission fee. MUZA Park is open from 08:00-18:00.What Facilities Are There at the Museum?Food and drinks: Café Arts is located at the entrance to the museum and offers a sophisticated menu of light meals and snacks.Left Luggage: There are lockers at the entrance to the museum that are free of charge.Pro Tip: Download the MUZA app (or scan the code) and listen to an audio guide as you walk through the museum.Performance and lecture spaces, as well as educational programs.Scooters and wheelchairs are available for visitors with mobility issues. There are several elevators both indoors and outdoors as well as tactile warning surfaces, handrails, and orientation stations with enlarged maps of the museum. Most of the museum is wheelchair-accessible and ushers are on hand to help where needed. The Bettear app makes the museum content accessible to the hard of hearing and there are audio devices at the entrance to the museum.

Florentin is a neighbourhood located in the south of Tel Aviv, close to both the Central Bus Station and the Jaffa borders. Regarded by many locals as the ‘Soho’ of the city, historically it was a very poor, working-class area. Slowly, however, it is gentrifying and whilst still quite mixed in terms of its population make-up, it is particularly popular with students and 20-30 somethings. Whilst it still looks a little shabby and run-down, there’s no doubt that the atmosphere in this neighbourhood is very special.Florentin stands in sharp contrast to much of the city’s business and financial centre but without a doubt, is one of the areas in Tel Aviv undergoing the most rapid of changes and it seems this trend is set to continue as the neighbourhood's population grows and more and more new builds and high-rises spring up. This, in turn, has led to an economic upturn, more cafes, stores and bars and, of course, an increase in the number of tourists who visit the area each year.History of FlorentinThe neighbourhood is named after a Greek immigrant by the name of David Florentin, both a Jew and fervent Zionist. He came to the area in the 1920s and soon developed a reputation as a community leader. Slowly, he began purchasing land there in the 1920s, confident both that he would be able to welcome an influx of immigrants there and his investment would pay off since its streets were close to the Jerusalem-Jaffa railway line.However, for whatever reason, the area did not ‘boom’ in the way Dizengoff Street did in thenorth of the city and Rothschild Boulevard did in the centre. The neighbourhood did begin housing immigrants but poorer people, primarily Sephardic Jews (i.e. Jews who were not from middle Europe). Many of them had been born in Turkey, Greece, Bukhara and North Africa and were disadvantaged, socio-economically.From then, until the creation of the state in 1948 and following on, the area remained poor and by the 1960s it was on a downward spiral, turning from a working-class area into a slum. Many who were able to leave and the area only began ‘reinventing’ itself in the last few years (e.g. from 2010 onwards). Whilst the area is still poor compared to many others in Tel Aviv, it is fair to say that it is a lot more vibrant and youthful, with an increasing number of cafes, bars, restaurants, boutique stores, tattoo parlours and nightclubs.The Development of Florentin - A Symbol of South Tel Aviv TodayWithout a doubt, life in Florentin is incredibly different to many of Tel Aviv’s other neighbourhoods. It is still far less gentrified than adjacent areas in Neve Tzedek and Noga, and many of its streets are still quite industrial (peppered with garages and wholesale garment stores on Salome Street, where people come from all over Israel to buy stock). However, as well as the increasing number of cafes, eateries and exotic watering holes (both by day and night) that have appeared in the last few years, another giveaway sign that the area is on the up and up is the increasing number of independent furniture stores on Herzl Street. Many of these offer great bargains for anyone looking to fill an empty apartment, and for those who want to splash the cash, there are also bespoke stores such as Gottlieb, Hadar and Beytill Concept. Florentin is also home to many vintage stores and is a popular location for ‘pop-up’ clothing events, where locals and tourists can grab a bargain on Fridays (the beginning of the Israeli weekend). Look out for the store ‘Buy Kilo; on Herzl too - based on the trend which hails from Europe, you can buy clothes by weight, with prices ranging from 100-400 NIS per kilo, depending on the item).Levinsky MarketFrom the 1930s onwards, as immigrants settled, many spice stalls and small food stores began opening up, each with their own influences and flavours. Greek, Persian, Bukharan and Turkish vendors sold their wares and today the trend continues, in the form of the very popular Levinsky Market.Visitors can pick up everything imaginable, ranging from nuts and dried fruits to delicious baked goods, household wares and fabrics. Running from the corner of HaAliya Street along to HaMashbir, it is a wonderful place to stroll, sit and drink coffee or stop off for a cheap lunch (where holes in the wall serve humble plates of food for terrific prices). Look out for:Baklava Mahrum - originally from Nazareth and founded in 1890, try the almond cake, pistachio baklava and knafeh (just don’t tell your dentist!). Also, look out for their speciality coffee - Naklah - which is made in Shfaram, an Arab village, and is a beautiful red colour. Shuk California - all kinds of dried fruits and some of the freshest nuts await you at this wonderful store. They also sell local herbs and amazing homemade fruit sodas, made from carbonated water and their own fruit syrups. Not to be missed.Chaim Raphael - pick up some cured meats, plump olives or a couple of gourmet cheeses here - the store has been run by the same family for generations and doesn’t disappoint.Cafe Atlas - one of the most well-known cafes in the area, it was founded by a group of immigrants in 1923, who had arrived from Saloniki, Greece. Not only is it a great place to grab a coffee, but they sell all kinds of spices and plants. Fun fact: they even offer the exact coffee that the late Prime Minister Golda Meir used to buy there, back in the 1960s. Yom Tov Deli - if you’re in the mood for smoked salmon, homemade dried pasta and excellent sandwiches, this is the place for you - it’s run by brothers Eitan and Yomi that took the place over from their grandfather, who opened the deli back in 2000.Bohemian and HipsterIn general, it is fair to say that whilst Florentin is in no uncertain terms bourgeois, it certainly has a Bohemian vibe to it. Some might argue with that and say it’s more ‘hipster’ since it’s definitely outside the cultural mainstream. For sure, the kind of people you’ll meet there are particularly interested in and fascinated by new and unconventional trends and this can be seen in the cafes, cocktail bars and tattoo bars throughout the area. Not to be missed are:Mezcal - authentic enchiladas, yummy tacos and frozen margaritas from a machine churning the liquid in front of you, this is the place to come when you’re craving a slice of Mexico.Casbah - it might look ramshackle, but inside this restaurant is actually quite stylish and will serve you both great rice dishes and excellent vegan burgers. A firm breakfast/brunch favourite amongst the locals.Choco Lulu - this place serves a lunch and dinner menu (including the popular pasta bowls) but really it's their sinful and extravagant dessert menu that should pull you in - including homemade ice cream, waffles and their fantastic sundaes (which few can finish alone).Hoodna - it’s not just a bar, it’s a state of mind, so they say. This alternative, underground joint offers free live music by Israeli performers and a laid-back atmosphere with comfy sofas to chill out on.Satchmo - one of the longest-running bars in Florentin, this place has an extensive menu of fine whiskies, which is reason enough to pay it a visit. They also have a nice backyard, which is great to sit out in on long, warm, summer evenings. Ink Donkey Tattoos - this place has friendly and knowledgeable staff and they also take on youngsters looking to learn their trade, so if you’re in the market for something colourful, bold or even just small and sexy, then head off to Frankel Street. Kiosko - just up the street from Ink Donkey is Kiosko, which serves stunning coffee, excellent sandwiches, delicious cakes and healthy juices. It has a spacious inside, which makes it great for meeting friends, but they’ll like you just as much if you bring a book and curl up!Street Art in FlorentinStreet art is incredibly popular in Tel Aviv and nowhere more so than in Florentin, where arguably it all began. There’s more street art here than any other area of the city and much of it is edgy and distinctly political. According to those in the know, street art here can take on all different styles, including freehand, stencilling and even knitted pieces. Much of the art is high up on the buildings - not that artists use scaffolding to get up there, rather they gain access to the roof then climb down and begin painting.Many people take graffiti and street art tours in Tel Aviv but it's also very easy just to wander the area alone and see what you stumble upon. Look out for some amazing murals on Abarbanel, Hanagarim and HaMasor Streets. And don’t miss the 27 Club Graffiti - on the corner of Florentin and Ben Atar you’ll see depictions of a few great rock legends including Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain. RIP, you guys.Nightlife in FlorentinThe White City (as Tel Aviv is known) is a non-stop metropolis with 24/7 action, and that goes for the south of the city especially. As night falls on here, the place livens up and so does the club scene, which often doesn’t get going until 1 am (!) and often runs until the wee small hours. Indeed, one of the latest trends in Tel Aviv is to go to a morning rave, with non-alcoholic beverages served, before going off to work! But if you’re looking for a tasty tipple of the old-fashioned kind and music to dance to until your feet ache and the sun rises, don’t worry, there’s plenty on offer:Alphabet - just north of Florentin, on Ahad Ha'am Street, this is a magnificent place for late-night partying. The dark dance club floor hosts many local DJs and throws the occasional laser show and there’s also a cosy lounge that serves well-mixed cocktails. Their ‘no phones on the dance floor’ is a popular policy too.The Block - one of the city’s most serious nightclubs and with a custom-made sound system, this club on Shalma Street has three different areas, each with its own vibe and distinct music. From the main dance hall to the smaller one, and the cosy lounge, if techno is your thing you are in the right place. Just don’t choke on the plumes of smoke rising up - everyone’s lighting up here!Breakfast - a stone's throw from Florentin, on Rothschild Boulevard, Breakfast is one of Tel Aviv’s most well-known and well-liked nightclubs. Famous for its electronic music scene, it has fabulous decor and even though the drinks are pricey, the atmosphere is buzzing. Start your evening at Milk Bar, next door, before walking through the passage to the Breakfast Club. And don’t dare leave before the sun comes up either.Kuli Alma - we'd be remiss if we left this one off the list. This buzzy nightspot has live entertainment, plenty of food (even for vegetarians) and art exhibitions. Located on Mikve Yisrael Street, it’s full of hipsters drinking cocktails and is a true must-visit spot on the nightclub scene. There’s more than one dance floor too, and several rooms all playing different kinds of music, which means there’s something for everyone. Super funky hangout and ideal for anyone with ‘alternative’ leanings.Directions: By bus: From the Levinsky Bus Station, take lines 54 or 83 and alight at Florentin Street. From the Dizengoff Centre, take lines 25 or 172 and alight at HaAliya/Florentin.On foot: From Dizengoff Centre, it’s a 30-minute walk via Melchet and Nahalat Binyamin Streets. From Rothschild Boulevard, walk along Allenby Street (crossing Jaffa Street) turning into HaAliya, then turn right into Florentin.

The Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem’s Old City is one of the hidden gems of the Armenian Quarter. The 12th-century cathedral compound stands near the Zion Gate and is the seat of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Two of the cathedral’s chapels date back to 420 AD but most of the structure is from the 12th-century. The ornate cathedral is unique in being one of the few intact Crusader churches in the Holy Land. The church is dedicated to two Chrisitan martyrs. Saint James, one of the Twelve Apostles, whose head is believed to be buried in the church, and James the Just, (James the Less) the brother of Jesus and perhaps the first Bishop of Jerusalem.Who Are the Armenians of Jerusalem?The land-locked nation of Armenia lies between Turkey and Azerbaijan in Asia. The country adopted Christianity as its official state religion in 301 AD and Armenian Christians began making pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter grew in the 11th-century to accommodate and provide for the pilgrims, many of whom eventually settled in Jerusalem where the Armenian Quarter stands today. Survivors of the 1915 Armenian genocide by Ottoman Turkish took refuge in Jerusalem and remained. Jerusalem is home to a small but active community of Armenian Christians. The Armenian Patriarch shares jurisdiction over the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, and the Chapel of St. Helena in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.About the Cathedral of Saint JamesThe site’s unassuming entrance is through an arched doorway and leads into the walled compound that contains the cathedral, accommodation for nuns and priests, a hospice, school, printing press, and social clubs. The doorway leads into a courtyard and the cathedral entrance which is adorned with elegant metalwork archways, and frescoes. The church’s magnificent interior features a high vaulted dome ceiling. Hanging from the ceiling are massive candle chandeliers, brass prayer lamps, and ceramic eggs made in Kutahya. The Kutahya tiles also cover the Chapel of Etchmiadzin and blue, green, and white tiles line the bottom section of the cathedral walls. The only sources of light in the cathedral come from the windows, candles, and oil lamps. The cathedral has typical Eastern Orthodox decor with detailed gold decorations around the shrines, gilded altars, intricate metalwork, wood carvings with mother-of-pearl inlaid, bronze engravings, and paintings of religious icons in thick gold frames. Armenians are known for their brilliant stonework which can be seen in the cathedral complex. Look out for numerous examples of stone-carved khachkar or the Armenian cross-stone. The marble floor is covered with richly colored carpets.Visiting the Armenian Cathedral in Jerusalem’s Old CityThe Armenian cathedral compound holds many fascinating features like the two ornate thrones dedicated to St. James the Less and the Armenian Patriarch. The Cathedral of Saint James is an active place of worship. Together with many parts of the Armenian Quarter, the cathedral is not usually open to the public except for religious services. A wood and brass symandron (sounding board) hanging in the church courtyard, is beaten to call worshipers to prayer. The symandron has been used here since the 14th-century when Muslim rulers forbade the use of church bells. The complex can be visited on request, or with an organized tour, and includes entrance to the Mardigian Museum exhibiting Armenian art, and the Gulbenkian Library, which holds written works including Armenian newspapers, and periodicals.If you would like to visit Cathedral of Saint James, consider booking one of the Jerusalem Private Tours.

Although the many ancient sites, Greek and Roman sites and medieval sites of Israel are quiet well known there are also approximately 30 pre-historic sites in Israel. The Yarmukian culture was perhaps the earliest prehistoric culture in the Southern Levant to use pottery; they existed in the 6th millennium BC (5600-500BC). They used pottery as household containers, tools, everyday items and produced them in a variety of shapes and sizes. The pottery was decorated making them distinct from other cultural units. The Yarmukians also used limestone flint to make their household items and in addition excavation uncovered a rich collection of art objects.The known sites of the Yarmukian culture in Israel include Wadi Muraba’at in the Judean Desert; in the region of Tel-Aviv’s Habashan Street where three layers of archaeological evidence was uncovered; Nahal Qanah Cave; Tel Farah North; at the base of Megiddo; Hazorea in the Jezreel Valley; Tel Qishon in the Lower Galilee; Hamadiya and Munhata in the Jordan Valley and the most significant discovery of the Yarmukian civilization was made in Shaar HaGolan in the Jordan Valley.Shaar HaGolanShaar HaGolan is the Yarmukian culture’s “type site”, the site considered the model for this particular archaeological culture. Although Yarmukian findings had previously been made at Megiddo, it was not until 1949 when Prof. Stekelis classified Yarmukian culture as a Pottery Neolithic Culture following his excavation at Shaar HaGolan. His excavations continued from 1948 to 1952. The site is located in the Central Jordan Valley not far from Shaar HaGolan Kibbutz at the foot of the Golan Heights, and close to the Yarmouk River which gave its name to the culture. Most of the Yarmukian remains lay 1-1.5 meters below the remains of a later Middle Bronze I village. Stekelis found the remains of two round huts, a grave, flint tools, art objects and pottery. The findings spread over several 100,000m² this revealed that the original settlement was extensive.Today visitors can see the findings from the Shaar HaGolan excavations in the Museum of Yarmukian Culture on Kibbutz Shaar HaGolan. Among the objects on display is part of a collection of 130 anthropomorphic figurines made of clay, these stand out as an impressive demonstration of Yarmukian artistic achievement. Other exhibits are of ritual objects, basalt stone tools, flint tools, pottery and an informative film presentation of the archeological findings and the history of the Yarmukian culture.

Just 5 minutes from the congested downtown area of Tel Aviv is a restored historic train station that has been turned into a trendy entertainment and retail hot spot. HaTachana (The Station) was the terminal for the Jaffa-Jerusalem railway but over the course of five years, it has been transformed. The old railway station and adjacent factory building were restored and converted into stores and restaurants while the surrounding area and “platforms” became an open plaza. To remind visitors of the station’s past there is an old railway carriage standing at the entrance to the complex. The ultra-modern complex has a bohemian feel and is very chic and upmarket.The railway station operated from 1892 to 1948 and was the brainchild of Moshe Montefiore. The railway line was the first means of transportation to replace the camel in moving heavy loads across long distances in the Holy Land. In 1900 Hugo Wieland, a German Templar settled near the station and built a tile and brick factory. The railway station was essential to his business as the tiles and bricks could be loaded directly onto trains and taken to Jaffa Port to be exported.Visiting HaTachanaToday the complex includes the former factory, the Wieland family home, the railway station building, the Red House (1902), the factory store, and the goods terminal. All of these structures are now restored and have become highlights of the complex. Cafes with outdoor seating as well as restaurants and boutiques occupy the historic buildings.The Railway Carriage Experience is the latest attraction at HaTachana, a multimedia experience taking you through the history of the station all created within a railway carriage. The attraction uses special effects, holograms, and 3D videos to bring history to life.Wooden pathways have been created between the former railway lines which can still be seen. Street performers are a permanent feature of HaTachana and it is a venue for many events throughout the year including concerts, live performances, exhibitions, pop-up markets, and festivals. Friday is particularly buzzing at HaTachana as there is an organic market and activities for families and kids.Among the special stores which have set up shop at HaTachana there is AHAVA which sells Dead Sea products; SOHO, a 100% design shop; Made in Israel, a store selling Israeli pottery and Gaya which sells games and puzzles. The list of boutiques and fashion stores includes designer stores like Ronen Chen as well as more familiar brand names like SKETCH. Take a look at the unique jewelry of Michal Negrin. Other stores include Podium, Nudie Jeans, Dorit Sade, ALF-ALEF, and American Vintage.Practical Information:When: HaTachana stores stay open 10 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and Saturdays. On Fridays, they open from 10 am to 5 pm but restaurants and cafes stay open until midnight.Where: 1 Koifmann Street, Tel Aviv at the southern end of Neve Tzedek.Admission: Entrance to HaTachana is free. Railway Carriage Experience 14 ILS for children under 14 years old and 20 ILS for adults over 14 years old.