Page 19 - Discover Israel Magazine - 2017 edition

TAMOAPZI1N0G
PTINOLAISVCRISEAISTEL
Old City
Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, is
regarded as one of the holiest cities
in the world, offering overwhelming
emotions with a religious and
spiritual experience for all. At the
heart of Jerusalem lies the Old
City, where bending cobblestone
alleyways lead to holy sites of the
three monotheistic religions.
Tel Aviv
Constantly in motion, the 24/7
nightlife, world-famous restaurants
and Mediterranean beaches (with
free wifi!) make this young city
the ultimate destination for urban
recreation. Tel Aviv, the country’s
economic hub, is a lively city full of old town, where cobblestone paths
entertainment, culture and art.
Jaffa
Sitting at the crossroads of time,
the ancient port is still under
excavation, yet home to many of
the country’s top restaurants and
some of the country’s best street
food that offer breathtaking views of
Tel Aviv’s modern skyline and crystal
Mediterranean waters.
Zichron Yaakov
The largest producer of wine today
in Israel, this town was founded by
Baron Edmond James de Rothschild
in 1882, who brought rootstock and
specialists from France to pioneer
the development of vineyards. Head
to the quaint town center, where
museums, historic houses and
wineries make for a rustic day of fun.
When it comes to traveling in Israel, the
possibilities are endless. From Roman ruins to
nightclubs or from sea-side lunches to sunrise
hikes, the country is full of diverse options for
every traveler. Here is our list of the top sights and
experiences for visitors.
Nazareth & The Galilee Acre
Throughout history, Nazareth has A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
been a major site for Christian Acre was first mentioned in
pilgrims traveling to visit Jesus’ Egyptian texts dating back to the
hometown with its Basilica of the 19th-century BCE. The site boasts
Annunciation, dedicated in 1964 crusader tunnels, Turkish baths
during the first-ever Papal visit to and sandstone ramparts, all of
the Holy Land. Nearby, the Sea of which have survived a long list of
Galilee (the lowest freshwater lake rulers from the Crusaders to the
on earth) is surrounded by a lush Ottomans, but not even Napoleon
oasis of eucalyptus, oak and olive could breach its defenses.
groves.
Mitzpe Ramon
Safed
Spectacular views of the Ramon
The highest city in Israel and Crater, a 500-meter hollow abyss
birthplace of Kabbalah, Safed sits considered the planet’s largest
perched above the Galilee. Many geological crater, draw tourists
artists have flocked to the spiritual to the small town in the Negev,
famous for camel crossings,
lead to medieval synagogues and artisanal cheese and boutique
art galleries. desert wineries.
Caesarea Masada
Herod the Great transformed this 1,500 feet above the Dead Sea,
Phoenician coastal town into one of historical Masada is a mesa
the greatest port cities of antiquity offering breathtaking views and
with the construction of palaces, opportunities to visit mosaic-lined
temples and a hippodrome. Today, Roman bathhouses, the remains
visitors can explore the spectacular of Herod’s three story palace,
amphitheater, the oldest surviving storerooms, water cisterns and the
Roman theater in the eastern zealots’ synagogue.
Mediterranean.