Israel a spiritual place, but also a great holiday destination
11/17/2016
2 Wailing Wall and Jewish Quarter
Armenian Patriarchate Road, is the main street of the Old City's tiny Armenian Quarter.
Within the narrow alleys are St. James Cathedral and St. Mark's Chapel.These are very suitable for older or disabled travelers as they are much less busy, and also tranquil. Armenians have been part of Jerusalem's community since the fifth century.
The highlight of a visit to Jerusalem, for Christian visitors, is the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow).
This walk follows the route of Jesus Christ, as he bore his cross towards execution at Calvary.
If you're here only on a Friday, you can join the procession led by the Italian Franciscan monks. The course of the Via Dolorosa marks the fourteen Stations of the Cross.
The walk begins in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City on Via Dolorosa Street (1st station, near the intersection with HaPrakhim Street).
The Citadel, (popularly known as the Tower of David), actually has no connection with David. It was erected by King Herod, to protect the palace he built in approximately 24 BC. The building you now see is 14th century.
Inside is the Tower of David Museum, which tells the story of Jerusalem. The rooftop has fantastic city views (there is also a Sound and Light show after dark).
Israels most beautiful beach and nature reserve; Yannai is pristine and quiet. You can camp overnight here; picnic tables are provided, there are restaurants and showers. Don’t miss the nearby eucalyptus grove and ancient ruins.
Entrance fee. Information: 09-866-6230.
Great for snorkeling and located next to the most Northern Coral Reef in the world
Entrance fee. Information: 08-637-6829.
On the beach in Tel Aviv.The West of Tel Aviv is full of Beaches.Banana Beach is the most Bohemian with a super hippie counter-culture.There are regular beach parties at the weekend.In the evenings the cafe shows films and sports without charge.Surfboards are available for rent or, for the less adventurous; there is sunbathing and paddleball.
There is no entrance fee; sand chairs available for hire.
Here there is a huge mud pit and a jacuzzi made from sulfur pools
When you get tired of floating on the Dead Sea, try the freshwater pool, get a health treatment, or soak up the rays on a tanning bed. If you want a change from the salty Dead Sea, there is a freshwater pool and various treatments on offer.An amphitheater, cafes, a nudist beach and showers, complete the line-up. Mineral Beach is close to Jerusalem, at the North end of the Dead Sea.
Entrance fee. Information: 02-994-4888.
Haifa is a major cultural center for Northern Israel, despite being a working port and industrialized.
Among the numerous events is the annual Haifa International Film Festival. Try visiting the famous Ein Hod artists' colony, here various artists and craftsmen have studios. Exhibitions take in a range of art ,and maybe you can treat yourself to a souvenir, or go outside the city to the Mount Carmel national park.
The New Haifa Symphony Orchestra is a favored destination for the cultured. Haifa also has 29 movie theaters.
One of the most famous visitor spots is the Bahá'í World Centre, with its golden-domed Shrine of the Báb and surrounding gardens.The restored German Colony, founded by the Knight Templars; Stella Maris, and Elijah's Cave, also draw many tourists.For the more leisurely Haifa has three miles of beaches.
Food and Drink
Israeli cuisine is a fusion of local dishes, by people native to Israel and by Jews from the diaspora.
Israeli cuisine has adopted, and adapted. elements of various styles of Jewish cuisine, heavily influenced by the Levant and Mediterranean, food includes falafel, houmus, and many others.
Eilat, Tel Aviv, and Haifa are the international airports. El Al and United fly into Tel Aviv from New York, and El Al and British Airways from London to Tel Aviv. For the best fare deals check out http://www.paylessflights.com
Let's start at the beginning..of everything.
Jerusalem
The most fought-over city on earth, is also one of the most beautiful. The scope of its history is almost beyond understanding.The heart of the Holy Land; where the Jews raised the First Temple to keep the Ark of the Covenant safe, and were taken into captivity, where Jesus lived, died and rose again, and where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven on a white horse to receive God's word.
For believers, a visit to Jerusalem is one of the most sacred sites in the world. The number of sights can be overwhelming. However, most are in the Old City. The best way is to break your sightseeing down into sections of the city. Don't try to do too much. It would surely take a lifetime to see everything that Jerusalem has to offer.
Here are a few of our recomendations:
1 Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount)
The vast square, above the Old City home to the Dome of the Rock, sacred to both Muslims, Christians and Jews.Mohammed ascended to heaven from here, and God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son.
Hours: Open Sat-Thu 7.30am-10am & 12.30pm-1.30pm (Oct-Mar)
Sat-Thu 7.30am-11am & 1.30pm-2.30pm (Apr-Sep).
Admission: Free (non-Muslims must enter from the Western Wall gate)
Hours: Open Sat-Thu 7.30am-10am & 12.30pm-1.30pm (Oct-Mar)
Sat-Thu 7.30am-11am & 1.30pm-2.30pm (Apr-Sep).
Admission: Free (non-Muslims must enter from the Western Wall gate)
2 Wailing Wall and Jewish Quarter
The Wailing Wall is the surviving primary wall of the first Temple demolished in 70A.D, by the Romans (its official name is the Western Wall, the Wailing part is due to cries of lament for the Temples destruction)
The Jewish Quarter runs from the Zion Gate East to the Western Wall Plaza. Check out the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, at the southern end of the Western Wall Plaza, where you can see many articles from antiquity. The Western Wall Tunnels should be taken in too. Jewish Quarter Street (RehovHaYehudim) is the main lane of the district, and in the surrounding side streets, there is a cluster of impressive synagogues.
The Jewish Quarter runs from the Zion Gate East to the Western Wall Plaza. Check out the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, at the southern end of the Western Wall Plaza, where you can see many articles from antiquity. The Western Wall Tunnels should be taken in too. Jewish Quarter Street (RehovHaYehudim) is the main lane of the district, and in the surrounding side streets, there is a cluster of impressive synagogues.
3 Church of the Holy Sepulchre
For Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is Jerusalem's holiest site, and is supposedly at the location of the Crucifixion.Often packed with pilgrims, the church interior is a lavish and stunning piece of religious architecture. This point is the termination for the Via Dolorosa pilgrimage, (the last five Stations of the Cross are in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre itself). The Church houses various holy relics and is shared by four very competitive Christian denominations who fiercely guard their sections.
Hours: Open daily 4.30-8.00
Admission Free
Hours: Open daily 4.30-8.00
Admission Free
4 Armenian Quarter
Armenian Patriarchate Road, is the main street of the Old City's tiny Armenian Quarter.
Within the narrow alleys are St. James Cathedral and St. Mark's Chapel.These are very suitable for older or disabled travelers as they are much less busy, and also tranquil. Armenians have been part of Jerusalem's community since the fifth century.
5 Via Dolorosa
The highlight of a visit to Jerusalem, for Christian visitors, is the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow).
This walk follows the route of Jesus Christ, as he bore his cross towards execution at Calvary.
If you're here only on a Friday, you can join the procession led by the Italian Franciscan monks. The course of the Via Dolorosa marks the fourteen Stations of the Cross.
The walk begins in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City on Via Dolorosa Street (1st station, near the intersection with HaPrakhim Street).
Hours: Every Friday throughout the year starting at 3 pm (Oct-Mar) and 4 pm (Apr-Sep) from the 1st station.
6 Citadel (Tower of David)
The Citadel, (popularly known as the Tower of David), actually has no connection with David. It was erected by King Herod, to protect the palace he built in approximately 24 BC. The building you now see is 14th century.
Inside is the Tower of David Museum, which tells the story of Jerusalem. The rooftop has fantastic city views (there is also a Sound and Light show after dark).
Beaches
Israel has not only many beaches but also several seas: the Mediterranean, Red and Dead seas. It even has a giant lake in the shape of the Sea of Galilee. In one of them, the Dead Sea, you do not even need to be able to swim as its high saline content means you just float and cannot sink.
Beit Yannai Beach (Mediterranean)
Israels most beautiful beach and nature reserve; Yannai is pristine and quiet. You can camp overnight here; picnic tables are provided, there are restaurants and showers. Don’t miss the nearby eucalyptus grove and ancient ruins.
Entrance fee. Information: 09-866-6230.
Coral Reef Beach
Great for snorkeling and located next to the most Northern Coral Reef in the world
Entrance fee. Information: 08-637-6829.
Banana Beach (Mediterranean)
On the beach in Tel Aviv.The West of Tel Aviv is full of Beaches.Banana Beach is the most Bohemian with a super hippie counter-culture.There are regular beach parties at the weekend.In the evenings the cafe shows films and sports without charge.Surfboards are available for rent or, for the less adventurous; there is sunbathing and paddleball.
There is no entrance fee; sand chairs available for hire.
Mineral Beach (Dead Sea)
Here there is a huge mud pit and a jacuzzi made from sulfur pools
When you get tired of floating on the Dead Sea, try the freshwater pool, get a health treatment, or soak up the rays on a tanning bed. If you want a change from the salty Dead Sea, there is a freshwater pool and various treatments on offer.An amphitheater, cafes, a nudist beach and showers, complete the line-up. Mineral Beach is close to Jerusalem, at the North end of the Dead Sea.
Entrance fee. Information: 02-994-4888.
Dado Zamir Beach (Mediterranean)
Located centrally this beach has pretty gardens and a long boardwalk promenade.It has everything that you could want, including sports, cafes, kids stuff, restaurants and even Wi-Fi.
Located centrally this beach has pretty gardens and a long boardwalk promenade.It has everything that you could want, including sports, cafes, kids stuff, restaurants and even Wi-Fi.
Bethlehem
Most visitors arrive from Jerusalem.When journeying onward to Bethlehem, you have to pass through an Israeli checkpoint (as you are crossing into Palestinian territory), but it is basically like going through an airport, so bring all necessary documents.The highlight of Bethlehem is the Church of the Nativity on Manger Square. The church sits on the spot where Jesus was born in a cave (not as popularly understood in a shed).Entrance is free, but it does get busy.For the best experience hire an accredited tour guide from outside the church.Remember to negotiate the price first.
Haifa
Haifa is a major cultural center for Northern Israel, despite being a working port and industrialized.
Among the numerous events is the annual Haifa International Film Festival. Try visiting the famous Ein Hod artists' colony, here various artists and craftsmen have studios. Exhibitions take in a range of art ,and maybe you can treat yourself to a souvenir, or go outside the city to the Mount Carmel national park.
The New Haifa Symphony Orchestra is a favored destination for the cultured. Haifa also has 29 movie theaters.
One of the most famous visitor spots is the Bahá'í World Centre, with its golden-domed Shrine of the Báb and surrounding gardens.The restored German Colony, founded by the Knight Templars; Stella Maris, and Elijah's Cave, also draw many tourists.For the more leisurely Haifa has three miles of beaches.
Food and Drink
Israeli cuisine is a fusion of local dishes, by people native to Israel and by Jews from the diaspora.
Israeli cuisine has adopted, and adapted. elements of various styles of Jewish cuisine, heavily influenced by the Levant and Mediterranean, food includes falafel, houmus, and many others.
Getting There
Eilat, Tel Aviv, and Haifa are the international airports. El Al and United fly into Tel Aviv from New York, and El Al and British Airways from London to Tel Aviv. For the best fare deals check out http://www.paylessflights.com
Once in Israel, buses are very popular. English is very widely spoken.