Traveling in Israel – It’s Nothing Like the Evening News
Traveling in Israel – It’s Nothing Like the Evening News
By Paul Jorgensen
Israel is an exciting and rewarding place to travel. The country is full of ancient historical and religious sites, unbelievable geographic variation for such a small country, great food, generally excellent weather, and a fascinating blend of cultures. Unfortunately it is a country in conflict, and the portrayal of this region on the news scared a lot of travelers away from this fascinating land. But armed with a little bit of knowledge and basic precaution, traveling in Israel is really quite safe.
From a geographic standpoint, Israel is so different from region to region that it feels like several different countries in one. The coastal plain which includes the cities of Tel-Aviv and Haifa features rolling sand dunes and palm trees, beautiful beaches, and mild but very humid subtropical weather. It’s a great area to soak up the sun, enjoy nightlife, and absorb the ambience of modern Israel’s culture. Yafo is a part of Tel Aviv, and is a restored ancient city dating back to biblical times. Further north in Haifa you can visit the world headquarters of the Baha’i religion. Further north in Akko you can visit the Medieval old city and experience its Arabic atmosphere.
To the east of Haifa and Akko lies the Galilee region, the region where Jesus was raised. The town of Nazareth lies in this area lies in this area, and features a number of churches and cathedrals in honor of Jesus. Nazareth is populated mainly with Israeli Arab citizens, so you can experience the contrast with Jewish Israeli culture. To the east of Nazareth lies the town of Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus walked on water, and where John the Baptist was baptised. There is some gorgeous scenery in the area, and some lovely churches dedicated to Jesus and events involving him in the area. A fun activity is to rent a bicycle in Tiberias and ride the bicycle around the Sea of Galilee. This will take a whole day, but if you can withstand the heat, it’s a fantastic day trip.
In the south of Israel lies the Negev desert, the hottest and driest part of Israel. Its main focal point is the resort town of Eilat, which is known for scubadiving, snorkelling, and warm weather year round. The summers in Eilat, however, are freakishly hot, sometimes reaching 50 degrees. Bring a bathing suit!
And of course the jewel in the crown of any trip to Israel is Jerusalem. Lying in the Judaen hills and having a religion heritage rivalled by no other city on Earth, Jerusalem has a cultural atmosphere like nowhere else in Israel. This is the place where King Solomon ruled, where Muhammad ascended to heaven, and where Jesus was crucified. The Old City of Jerusalem lies in East Jerusalem and has a Palestinian majority, so you can experience the Palestinian way of life while also seeing the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian holy sites inside its walls. The city of Bethlehem lies just to the south of Jerusalem, but inside the Palestinian autonomous area. Many tourists visit Bethlehem and it is usually safe. But check the news before traveling there, because occasionally there are problems between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the area. The Church of the Nativity marks the spot where tradition says that Jesus was born.
Israel is a fascinating land with so much to see, and more than things to see there is so much to learn and experience. Talking to Israelis and Palestinians and understanding their country, its conflict, and its cultures is a fascinating and eye-opening experience. I hope you can experience this land too.
Paul Jorgensen is an avid traveler and citizen of the world. He is a geography nerd and can study maps for hours on end. His blog Free Printable Maps features maps and travel destination profiles such as
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jorgensen
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