Interesting Facts

- The Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, the largest bus terminal in Israel, is also the largest bus terminal in the world.

- From among the places located outside United States and Canada, Israel has the largest number of companies that are listed by NASDAQ.

- Israel enjoys the status of having the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world.

- Israel is the only country that practices liberal democracy in the Middle East.

- Apart from the U.S, Israel has the largest fleet of combat aircrafts in the world. Its aerial arsenal includes over 250 F-16s,

II. Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Acre

One of the most popular destinations, Acre is situated on the northern end of Haifa Bay in northern Israel. It is located130 km north of Jerusalem and is just 20 km from Haifa. The port city's history can be dated back to the thirteenth century when the Crusaders converted the area into a commercial center and settled more than 40,000 people. Since that time the city has been ruled by Italians, Arabs, British, and now Israelis.

The city is often mistaken for another city of similar name mentioned in the bible, but is actually a different place altogether. Acre was the place where Napoleon was defeated in 1799. You can have a look at the remnants of outer walls and the Crusader Castle located inside the walled city. The castle has large pillar supported chambers, vaulted Gothic ceilings, and extended passageways. You can visit the ‘Quarter of the Knight Hospitallers' and the eighteenth century El Jazzar mosque that graces the city's skyline with its green dome and minaret.

You can visit the nearby area, Akko, which is home to many ocean-carved caverns near the Israeli border, the immaculate B'hai gardens and temple, and Caesarea, which has the ruins of an old Roman city.

B. Beit Shean

One of the largest and most distinctive sites in Israel, the park consists of the mould of the city that existed in the area in fifth millennium BC. You can also visit the imposing remains of the Roman-Byzantine and Arab "lower city". The area is historically associated with King Saul's famous battle on Mount Gilboa in which the Philistines, the then rulers of the region, defeated him. The city has been referred to as ‘Scythopolis or Nisa-scythopolis' since the Hellenistic period, as the locals at that time believed that the nursemaid of Dionysus (the wine god) was buried there. The city was a part of the federation of ten cities known as the "Decapolis" and its society and lifestyle were influenced by the city's pagan nature. The city was declared as the capital of 'Palestine Secunda' when it came under Byzantine rule. The Arabs conquered the city in the early seventh century and restored its original name. According to findings based on archeological excavations, an earthquake devastated the city in 749 AD. Excavations have also unearthed a large Roman theater, built in the 2nd century; primeval colonnaded streets paved with basalt stones; a huge bathhouse spread over some 1.5 acres, which is supposed to be the biggest Byzantine bathhouse discovered in Israel; mosaic floors; the striking remains of a Roman temple; a nympheum (water fountain); and many more such structures.

C. Eilat

It is where people come to swim and get themselves a good tan, especially if they have plenty of money to expend. The once pristine beach has however been degraded in recent years due to use and abuse and usurping by some of the leading seafront hotels. Nevertheless, the beach areas other than those controlled by the hotels are unbelievably squalid. Many casual traders operate in the area in shanty-like premises, selling tat at inflated prices. You can take a ride on a camel, but the ride rates are relatively more expensive than those quoted in the southwestern border in Egypt. The beach area is also known for its nightlife as it has many discos and bars where you can meet tourists from all over the world. It is advised that you keep an eye on your belongings, as pilfering is very common in the area.

Eilat is surrounded by a nature reserve and tours to the area are readily available. Hiking tours are preferred over short jeep tours as there is more to explore on foot than on jeep tracks. Apart from the picturesque mountains and valleys, there is plenty to explore in the coastal waters of the area. The most varied forms of sea life can be found in Sinia. The area is also home to migratory birds and the most preferred spot for watching these is from Arava valley in the north to kibbutz Lotan.

D. Golan Heights

A picturesque mountain range located along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, it is home to the towering ‘Mount Hermon', the largest peak in the region. You can enjoy skiing on top of the mountain or opt for hiking tours through creeks and canyons that sometimes lead to waterfalls and springs. The region is also the starting point of the Jordan River.

E. Haifa

It is the 3rd largest city in Israel and the chief economic center of the country. The local people classify the city as the place for working and praying, when compared to other cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which are for praying and partying respectively. The city also has plenty to offer to tourists, as it is a multicultural melting pot with a blend of Arab and East European culture and lifestyle. It has many beaches, theaters, museums, cinemas, hotels and air-conditioned shopping malls that are frequented by locals as well as tourists.

You can visit the Carmel Mountain range that offers a wide variety of spectacular panoramas and is home to the Baha'i Holy Shrines and the Gan Ha'em Park & zoo. The Baha'i pilgrims visit the area during their 9-day pilgrimage and their itinerary often includes the Shrine of the Bab, seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Terraces, and many other shrines located in the area. Another popular destination is the village of Kababair, which is a part of the city of Haifa and is inhabited by Moslem inhabitants belonging to the Ahmedi sect. The local inhabitants are against all forms of coercion, aggression, or violence and believe that the best way to spread Islam is through information and persuasion. You can visit the great caves of Elijah the Old Testament prophet, which is the best place for meditation. The area is often referred to as the ‘Vineyard of God' and is often frequented by visitors who believe that the area is very beneficial for enriching the soul, mind, and the spirit.

F. Jerusalem

The city is considered sacred by people belonging to three major religions namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam along with a number of other smaller religious groups. Some of the important places of religious significance in the city include the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The old city of Jerusalem is abuzz with priests, nuns, mullahs and rabbis apart from local people and foreign tourists. Apart from being a holy place, it is also a very busy market, especially the Arab part of the town where you can buy anything you want.

G. Tzfat

It is one of the four holy cities in Israel, the other three being Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias. It is located at a high altitude and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. Mystics, artists, yeshiva students, and spiritual seekers who wear red strings on their wrists often frequent it. The city was in news recently when world famous Hollywood stars Madonna and Demi Moore visited the city.

H. Galilee

It is a small region spreading across 80 miles from its northern border, with the peak of Mount Hermon to its southernmost boundary along the Jezreel Plain, which is the site of biblical Armageddon. It is just fifty miles from the Mediterranean Sea in the west and offers some of the most stunning and contrasting scenery of mountains, valleys, fertile plateaus, stark cliffs, and glimmering seacoast. It is home to the famous Hula National Park and the Biriya forest. It just takes one hour to drive from one end of the Galilee to the other and is two hours from Tel Aviv and at a three hours distance from Jerusalem.

The history of the region can be traced back to 4000 BC when it was bustling with human activity. The inhabitants living in the region at that time cleared and replaced the nearby forests with farms and villages. Joshua and the Israelite tribes conquered it, some 3,500 years ago, who settled there along with the pagan indigenous population. The mountains in the region are believed to be the birthplace of Jewish mysticism. Shimon Bar Yohai, who is regarded as the first Jewish mystic, spent a major part of his life in these mountains in the second century AD.

The region's tourist infrastructure has developed rather slowly as compared to other destinations in Israel but with growing worldwide interest in agro-tourism and eco-tourism, the region is expected to develop at a faster rate in the coming years.

I. The Dead Sea

The sea is considered as the natural spa of the world as its waters are rich in minerals that have many health benefits. The area lining the Dead Sea has many beaches, hotels, and restaurants where you can enjoy your stay. The place is blessed with year round sunshine and has an amazing landscape. The northern shores of the sea are home to primeval caves and settlements where excavations have unearthed biblical documents dating back to the times of the mystical Essenes, a Jewish sect that fled Jerusalem 2000 years ago. These caves are open to visitors on all days starting from 8am.

J. Ein Gedi Oasis and Kibbutz

It is a natural oasis situated between two streams and is surrounded with lush green vegetation. The water from the spring is nowadays used for filling mineral water bottles.

K. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

Situated near the Dead Sea, the nature reserve is one of the most popular places in Israel for viewing birds and wildlife of the desert, including the Nubian ibex. Trekking routes follow the trail of two riverbeds that passes through waterfalls, springs, caves, canyons and an early Bronze Age temple.