For More Than Just A Brief Visit
Zichron Ya'akov, Acre, Galilee, Golan, Machtesh Ramon, Negev, Ancient Cities, Archeological Sites
Zichron Ya'akov, Explore Modern Zionism
Zichron Ya'akov and the surrounding area has something for everyone - Wineries, museums, Roman water channels to walk in and the Ramat Hanadiv Gardens where Edmond de Rothschild and his wife Ada are buried. Visit the First Aliyah Museum and learn about the experiences of the first Zionist settlers. Find out how a small group of Jews helped supply the British with intelligence against Palestine's Turkish rulers. Visit the Carmel and Tishbi wineries and see the town's first street with its still active original synagogue built in secret, and much more.
Acre, The Crusader Capital
Explore the city where the Crusaders made their capital, where the British jailed Zionist leaders and where the Turks established a maze of markets and khans. Walk along the ramparts, inside the Crusader dining hall and secret tunnel. See the hamam (bathhouse) and learn about the city's ruthless one-time leader- Al Jazaar, the butcher.
Galilee and Golan, Holy Cities, Fortresses and Nature
The Galilee and the Golan Heights are two of the most interesting regions in Israel. You can explore Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee, one of Judaism’s four holy cities, Safed with its artist colony and medieval synagogues, go to the top of Mount Bental and look into Syria, ski on Mount Hermon in the winter and visit the famous Golan Wineries. There are forts to explore such as the Crusader Belvoir and the Mameluke Nimrod's Castel. See the grottos at Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanese border and much more.
Machtesh Ramon, Don't Call It a Crater
At the Machtesh Ramon Visitor Center near Mitzpe Ramon you can see into the world's largest machtesh. It looks like a crater but it’s not. Learn how a machtesh is formed and then drive into its many sites. There are stunning views, amazing geological formations and even the remains of an ancient caravan resting place.
The Negev, See How the Desert Blooms
Yes, it's a desert but don't tell anyone. David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, made his home there at Sde Boker Kibbutz. You can see where he lived and visit his grave. Be'er Sheva is the capital of the Negev and is well worth a visit. You can visit the Salad Trail and see what grows in the desert or go the Vidor Center in the Arava region and see the amazing research being conducted for desert agriculture and water conservation. And of course at the southern tip of Israel is the city of Eilat where you can rest, swim, wine and dine or see the attractions of Timna Park, Hai Bar (a nature reserve), or see the coral reef at the underwater observatory.
Archeological Sites, Talk About Old
Go back in history and even to prehistory at Israel's many interesting archeological sites such Arad, Hazor, Megiddo, Be'er Sheva, Tel Dan and Tel Gezer, just to name a few. Learn about the ancient peoples who inhabited these places such as the Canaanites, Philistines and of course the Israelites, the ancestors of today’s Jews.
Ancient Cities, Still Making Their Presence Felt
Have you heard of Caesarea, Tzipori or Beit Shean? No one lives in these places today but they were once great cities with rich histories. Caesarea was built by King Herod as a deep water port and is named for Augustus Caesar . You can see the remains of port, the king's palace, Roman baths, Roman Theater, hippodrome and much more. Tzipori has some of the most amazing mosaics in Israel. There are beautiful mosaics in the Roman villa, the Nile House and in the Byzantine era synagogue. Beit Shean, an amazing site, was destroyed by an earthquake after the Muslim invasion.