A kaleidoscope of scenic impressions
This country may be relatively small, but its scenic diversity is enormous – from the breath-taking beauty of its hills and valleys, to the eerie stillness of the Negev desert, the peaceful borders of the Sea of Galilee and the ancient walls and pathways of Nazareth and Jerusalem.
Known as a place of Christian pilgrimage but also the largest freshwater lake in the country, the Sea of Galilee features the spectacular backdrop of the Galilee Mountains and the Golan foothills. It is possible to visit the holy sites in vessels constructed just like their ancient wooden counterparts. Visitors can cross the Sea of Galilee to Tabgha, where the Biblical loaves and fish miracle took place, and to Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have lived and taught. From there, they can also visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount. The lake is also surrounded by attractive beaches, and a variety of water sports are on offer.
Don’t miss visiting the world’s most saline lake: at 431 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is also situated at the lowest natural point on the Earth’s surface. Its waters have a salt concentration of 34 percent, which is why many people who suffer from skin complaints travel to Israel to bathe in the Dead Sea. Yet the word “bathe” does not begin to describe the unreal feeling of weightlessness when floating in the water, which has a constant temperature of around 40 degrees.
Time to relax on the beach and enjoy the nightlife of Tel Aviv
For many visitors, their journey starts and ends at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. There is, of course, plenty to see and do in Israel’s capital! In the city centre of you should not miss to walk along Rothschild Boulevard, taking a look at some of the finest Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv. Not far from here, the Independence Hall “Beit Dizengoff” is a very symbolic place, being the former residence of Tel Aviv’s first mayor and the scene of David Ben-Gurion’s proclamation of the state of Israel in 1948, which is documented with exhibitions inside the building.
A little over a century ago, Tel Aviv consisted mainly of sand and dunes. Its beaches are still worth sunbathing on, but with its excellent nightlife, these days, Tel Aviv is also a magnet for party people. As a general rule, many bars only get busy around midnight, and some clubs only begin to fill up at around 2 am. For this reason, the bars in Tel Aviv frequently stay open until dawn.
But don’t worry if your night lasted too long. Just take a nap during your visit to one of the several great spots on the well-kept, sandy beaches stretching over 14 kilometres along the oceanfront of Tel Aviv. The most popular beaches are Gordon Beach, Frishman Beach and Banana Beach and they all are equipped with showers and sunbeds for rent. You should also take the time for a pleasant walk on the famous Tayelet promenade along the beachfront and its colourful cafés and bars.
Next to Tel Aviv, just a short walk south along the ocean from Tel Aviv downtown, the historic centre of Jaffa is also worth a visit. The ancient Arab port town is around 4,000 years old, and many different ethnicities have left their traces here. It therefore comes as no surprise that Jaffa features almost as many historic references as Jerusalem. The blend of different ages, styles and elements creates its own charm and character. And as most journeys start and end here, why not stay in Jaffa for one more days and explore the well-restored stone architectures like the ancient bazaar and the port area.
A bit further north of Tel Aviv the sea resort Netanya is very popular also for locals spending their weekends on the ten kilometres stretch of golden sand beach with its beautiful shoreline and lots of cosy cafes, restaurants and bars in the downtown area.
