Ein-hod

Ein Hod is a charming, picturesque artists’ village set in the heart of the Carmel Forest.  Established in 1949 by new immigrants, it became an artists’ village in 1953 at the initiative of Marcel Janco, a renowned Dada artist who organized an unusually diverse group of artists and craftspeople to settle among the ancient stone houses. 

There are about 500 residents in the village, engaged in all areas of art from visual arts, painting, pottery and jewelry-making, to literature and theater. They support themselves with their art, their galleries and by running workshops and educational activities. Most of the studios are open to the public, and visitors are welcome to observe the artists, their materials and methods, and to hear from them about their work and their life in the village.

The main attraction in the village is the Janco-Dada Museum with its changing exhibits and collection of works by Janco, one of the founders of the Dada movement. An amphitheater was also built to host various events and performances. 

Walking along Ein Hod’s streets and paths, and among the magnificently restored old homes, one is inspired by the beautiful works of art. The art is also displayed in the local restaurants and enchanting guest houses.  

Ein Hod’s location at the foot of Mount Carmel, in close proximity of various tourist sites and nature reserves, provides many sightseeing opportunities. Among the recommended places to visit are:  the Druze town of Daliyat el-Carmel; historic Zikhron Ya’akov; the Khof Dor - Ha-Bonim Reserve; the ancient Etsba Cave;Nakhal Me'arot Reserve; and Nakhal Kelakh.

trip to Kafr Kana

The Arab village of Kafr Kana in the Lower Galilee is identified in Christian tradition as Cana of the Galilee. Here, according to tradition, Jesus performed the miracle of the wine, when he went to a wedding of a poor couple and turned water into wine. In the 17th century Kafr Kana was officially recognized by the Vatican, and the pope officially confirmed that Kafr Kana is indeed Cana of the Galilee. Following this recognition the village was added to the list of Christian holy places. Some researchers identify Kafr Kana with the Kana mentioned in the ancient Egyptian Amarna letters (from about 4,000 years ago). 

One way or the other, in the Roman-Byzantine period (1,000-2,000 years ago), there was a large Jewish community here, but apparently by the Mamluk period (about 800 years ago) most of the residents of Kafr Kana were Christian, although there was still a Jewish community here, too. Today most of the residents of Kafr Kana are Muslim.

In the center of the village are a few remains of ancient buildings and burial caves. The villagers have built new houses to the southeast and northeast of the ancient village. The most important site in the village is the Catholic Church, built in 1879, on the traditional site of the miracle of the wine. Beside this church is the Greek Orthodox church of St. George, built in 1886, which house two stone jars that Greek Orthodox followers believe are the jars in which Jesus performed the miracle of the wine. 

There is also a church named after St. Bartholomew, built, according to tradition, on the site of the home of Nathaniel of Cana (St. Bartholomew), one of Jesus’ disciples.

Some 200,000 tourists visit Kafr Kana annually. Inspired by the miracle of the wine, a tradition has developed of holding weddings here, as well as renewing wedding vows to strengthen a marriage, and visitors customarily buy wine here. The street of the churches, in the center of the village, has been renovated and a promenade has been built, connecting the religious centers. Small plazas have been built along the promenade, with rest spots, and the facades and courtyards of the buildings have been attractively refinished. Infrastructure has been laid alongside the promenade for commercial and hotel facilities, so that visitors will be able to combine the comforts of modern tourism with their religious experience.

The Negev Desert

The Negev, which extends over Israel’s southern region, accounts for over half of Israel’s land area. Due to its desert character, however, this region is sparsely populated. 

Even so, the Negev has seen its share of history. Abraham built his home in Be'er Sheva, the Nabateans passed through here on caravans of camels laden with precious trade goods. For these and other reasons, the Negev has become one of Israel’s popular tourism sites.

Various peoples have lived in the Negev since the dawn of history: nomads,Canaanites, Philistines, Edomites, Byzantines, Nabateans, Ottomans and of course Israelis. Their economy was based mainly on sheep herding and agriculture, and later also on trade.

The story of the Nabateans is particularly fascinating. The Nabateans were lords of the desert, where they established a trade route known as the “Spice Road.” Caravans of camels traversed this route carrying spices, perfumes and salt from Yemen in the East to the port city of Gaza. Rest stops were built along the route and their remains still beautify the Negev expanses today (Avdat, Mamashit and others).

The modern Israeli settlement of the Negev began about 100 years ago, when a few communities were built. These were joined by another 11 settlements whose founding members built the first homes in a single night. After the establishment of Israel, the new country’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, promoted the settlement of the Negev and after he moved to live in Sde Boker a few more settlements were built.

The Negev is defined as a desert due to the small quantities of rain that fall here (less than 200 millimeters annually), and is divided into several regions, starting with the Be'er Sheva-Arad rift in the north, to mountain ridge in the center and the Arava and Eilat in the south. Although the Negev is barren most days of the year, its expanses desolate and its river beds dry, nature here is very surprising. In the winter, despite the small quantities of rain, the Negev is covered with amazing flowers, including luscious red anemones. When there are heavy storms they can cause flash flooding along the riverbeds.

Today the Negev is the gateway to the desert. It offers charming nature corners, historical and archeological sites, springs and the remains of agricultural compounds. Tourism in the desert is a developing industry and many tourists explore its expanses on foot, on bicycle and in all-terrain vehicles.

The Galilee

Ranges of hills with high peaks, one river, many streams, dozens of brooks, primal landscapes, evergreen forests, dense natural groves, valleys, lakes, few residents and many hikers and tourists are what make the Galilee so special. The Galilee is a mountainous region in Israel’s north, and is divided into two main parts - the Upper Galilee to the north and the Lower Galilee to the south. The highest peak in the Upper Galilee is Mt. Meron, which rises 1,208 meters above sea level, while the highest point in the Lower Galilee is the summit of Mt. Kamon, at 602 meters above sea level. Thanks to the abundant water and the fertile soil in the Galilee’s valleys, this region has been relatively densely populated since ancient times and today has the largest variety of ethnic communities in Israel. 

There are Druze villages (Beit Jan, Peki’in) and Circassian (Reikhaniya, Kfar Kama) who preserve their ancient traditions; there are Arab villages with Muslim majorities (Kafr Yasif) or Christian majorities (Fasuta), or some with an equal balance (Ma’alot Tarkhisha). 

The Galilee is one of Israel’s main tourism centers, with dozens of different types of sites. For example, there are national antiquities parks (including Bar’am,Tsipori (Zippori), Beit She’arim, Monfort and Kohav Hayarden); moshava farming communities from the early days of the modern settlement of Israel, which tell the story of Zionism (Metula, Yesud Ha-Ma’ala, Rosh Pina); beautiful nature reserves (Hula Lake, Mt. Meron, Bar’am Forest, Nahal Kziv and many more); Jewish holy sites, such as the graves of the sages and ancient synagogues (in Safed (Tsfat) and Tiberias); and Christian holy sites that are visited by many pilgrims during their tour of the Holy Land (Nazareth, Kfar Nahum (Capernaum), the Jordan River and Lake Kineret).

The large concentration of sites, the natural beauty and the breathtaking landscapes are what make the Galilee so unique. It has even been nicknamed the Israeli Tuscany or Provence. Either way, the Galilee is a fascinating area that offers dozens of touring and entertainment options.

Lohamey-Ha'getaot

An impressive aqueduct greets visitors at the entrance to Kibbutz Lohamei Ha'geta'ot, located in the western Galileebetween Acre (Akko) and Nahariya. The kibbutz was founded in 1949 by Holocaust survivors from Poland and Lithuania. Here the fighters from the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising joined together with partisans and prisoners who had evaded the Nazis, and named their new home in memory of the fighters in the ghettos, the forests and the armies, and put their efforts into living in the here and now.

The ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone of the kibbutz also marked the beginning of the museum for documenting the Holocaust. Today the Ghetto Fighters’ House, built on a hill in the southern part of the kibbutz, encompasses the aqueduct, an amphitheater and to museums. 

The aqueduct was built in the Ottoman period, in 1815, and is the most important engineering project undertaken by the Turks during their rule in this country. The aqueduct brings water from the Kabri springs (to the north) to the regional capital, Acre (to the south). This beautiful aqueduct was built with stone arches and in some places rests on pillars 10 meters high. Near the aqueduct is an amphitheater, where memorial ceremonies are held on Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Beside the amphitheater are a research center and two museums: the Museum of the Holocaust and Resistance, named after Yitzhak Katzenelson, a poet and founder of the museum, which serves as a testimony to the stories of the survivors and an expression of the resurrection of the Jewish people in its land; and the Yad Layeled Children’s Museum, commemorating the one and a half million Jewish children murdered in the Holocaust. This museum houses the stories and testimonies of children and an exhibit on Dr. Yanush Korczak, a doctor, author and educator who devoted his life to children.

During its early years, the kibbutz’s economy was based on various branches of agriculture. Today the Tivol factory, which manufactures vegetarian meat substitute products, is the mainstay of the kibbutz’ economy. Near the factory is the Bayit ve-Kayit guesthouse compound that has beautiful guest rooms and a rustic restaurant that serves a special, rich breakfast to visitors from near and far. 

In addition to these attractions, there is also the exhibition gallery displaying the artworks of Moshe Kupferman, winner of the Israel Prize for outstanding visual art. Other nearby sites include the water site at Moshav Regba, which demonstrates how water was drawn in ancient times, the Baha’i Gardens in Acre (Akko), and the beach, where flocks of migrating birds can be seen in spring and fall.

welcome to Acre

The waves from the Mediterranean Sea crash against the walls of Acre’s old city, washing the steep, thick sandstone walls that have survived the centuries. The walls, fortresses and strongholds of the city bear the marks of many nations that left impressive buildings behind them, beautifying Acre to this day. Thanks to these buildings, UNESCO declared Acre a World H​eritage Site in 2001.

A visit to Acre is part of the Israeli experience. The city is a meeting place for East and West, new and old, beauty and ruins, all adding to its uniqueness. The variety of tourism sites make Acre a bustling city full of cultural events, and there is another interesting adventure or attraction around every corner.

Acre was one of this region’s important cities in ancient times. Various cultures made their home here, the Crusaders captured it and the Ottomans lived here for many centuries. Even Napoleon Bonaparte tried to lay his hands on Acre and conquer it, but after two months of siege and failed attempts to storm the city’s walls, he retreated in humiliation.

The fascinating history that has passed through the streets of Acre, the legacy left behind by its conquerors, the buildings that adorn the city and the places of worship built there are just part of the experience this city offers. Among the high-walled alleys and underground passages there is a huge mosque and a Christian monastery, an inn and Turkish baths, halls built by the Knights Templar, with an extraordinary Templar tunnel and fascinating archeological findings. These are joined by intriguing museums and many churches, a row of hotels near the inviting beaches, a marina, restaurants and a picaresque fishing port.

Every year Acre hosts colorful festivals that attract thousands of visitors and tourists from around the world. Between the ancient alleyways a lively open market hums with activity, especially on weekends. The market is also the home of one of Israel’s most famous hummus restaurants, where one sometimes has to wait in line for a table for two. Nearby, in the fishing port, there are excellent fish restaurants that serve the best of the previous night’s catches. Not far away from the city is a beautifully manicured Bahai Garden, build by members of the Bahai religion in Israel. It is a real pleasure to wander the garden’s paths and enjoy the meticulously designed flower beds.

Caesarea (Keysarya)

Caesarea is a city of the past and the future, the new opposite the ancient. While new Caesarea is graced with magnificent modern homes, ancient Caesarea offers tourists the ruins of unique, impressive buildings. While golfers enjoy lush fairways, horse races are reenacted in the huge hippodrome in the national park. While modern Caesarea’s neighborhoods are quiet and serene in the glory of contemporary architecture, ancient Caesarea is bustling with tourists who come to see the wonders of the past that were built by one of the greatest builders of the ancient world - King Herod.

Caesarea’s antiquities park is one of Israel’s most impressive parks, housing unique buildings from various periods, bearing silent witness to the upheavals that have visited Caesarea over the past 2,300 years. Standing side by side over an area of 500 dunams (125 acres), there are architectural remains from the Hellenistic period (the 3rd century BCE) to the Crusader period (the 12th century), when Caesarea was a port city and spent many years as Israel’s capital. Caesarea was given to King Herod as a present by Augustus Caesar and is named after him. Herod built a massive port there alongside entertainment facilities, bathhouses and temples. In the Byzantine period, Caesarea was an important Christian center. The early fathers of Christianity (Origen and Eusebius) lived there and according to Christian tradition it was here that the first idol worshiper was converted - the Roman centurion Cornelius. In the Crusader period the city was fortified with walls and gates, which were eventually destroyed by the Mamluk Conquest in the 13th century.

A tour of the national park is like walking through a story, and wandering between the ancient buildings one can both sense how people lived here thousands of years ago and enjoy modern, contemporary experiences, such as the enthralling musical performances held in the beautiful Roman Theater. One can walk along the city walls and around the towers, wander through the ruins of the castle and the various temples, watch the horse races in the hippodrome, visit the ancient port and the tiny artists’ square and view the interactive 3-dimensional computer simulations of the city’s past. The port hosts cultural festivals year round and offers a wide range of activities: historic riddles, jeep tours, target practice with a variety of weapons, paintball, Tai Chi on the beach, toga workshops and treasure hunts. Caesarea’s beach offers the beauty of nature and diving enthusiast can explore the underwater ruins in the archeological park beside the port. 

Alongside all the ruins are modern cafes, quaint restaurants, romantic corners and a sandy beach, and not far away is the ancient aqueduct that brought water to the ancient city of Caesarea, 9 kilometers away. Next to the national park is the rural town of Caesarea, which took its name from the ancient city. The town is full of activities, including golf courses, a pampering spa, fancy hotels, the Ralli Art Museum and a historic site that houses the remains of a magnificent palace with a mosaic floor of amazing birds and a rare and unique table top inlaid with glass and gold.

trip to Jerusalem

What has not already been said about the holiest city in the world, the city that has been united, the eternal city first built thousands of years ago, whose history can be heard in the whispering of the wind along the walls, where every stone tells a wondrous story of a city that has drawn millions of faithful pilgrims for thousands of years. Such is Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, the only city in the world that has 70 names of love and yearning, the city that in old maps appears at the center of the world and is still adored like a young bride.

Jerusalem is a city of overwhelming emotions, a city that promises a religious and spiritual experience, excitement and pleasure, interesting tours and entertaining adventures. Here, alongside Jerusalem’s fascinating historic and archeological sites, there are amazingly modern tourist attractions for all lovers of culture, the arts, theater and music, architecture and gastronomic delights.

The Lowlands

The Lowlands, or the Shfela as they are called in Hebrew, are the transitional foothills between the country’s central mountains and the coastal plain. It is a mostly rural area of low rounded hills, broad valleys and villages, which now includes many tourist attractions. The region is crossed by several rivers and wadis such as the Ayalon, Sorek and the Elah. Parts of the hills are covered with Mediterranean bush and forest; others have the vegetation of more arid zones. Large parts are now covered by pine forests planted by the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet) with many camping grounds, archeological sites and other tourist attractions.

It is a fertile region with a fascinating history that revolves around its economic importance and strategic position throughout the ages. This is the region where Bar Kokhva, the Jewish military leader, dug into the ground his with his troops during the great rebellion against the Romans between the years 132 and 135 CE. It was one of the most important olive growing regions in the country and the countryside has many ancient oil presses. Today it is the site of the wine route that goes through the dozens of boutique wineries in the region.

Parts of the region are green all year around with many springs and a brilliant display of wildflowers in the spring. The region’s moshavim have dozens of restaurants and home cooking business that specialize in many ethnic cuisines. It also is a region known for good hiking and bicycle trails, art galleries and other attractions.


The most ancient site in the region is the Beit Govrin-Maresha National Park, with its spectacular bell caves, columbarium and the remains of two ancient cities. Many ancient tels are scattered through the lowlands including Tel Azeka, Tel Tsafit, Tel Goded, all of which have remains of ancient civilizations.

One striking new tourist attraction is the Mini Israel, a scale model of many important sites in the country from the Hermon to Eilat, with the Old City of Jerusalem, the Bahai Garden of Haifa, the Caesarea National Park and even the national football stadium in Ramat Gan.

There are several interesting monasteries in the region including Beit Jamal, Deir Rafat and Latrun. Near Latrun one can find the ruins of Emmaus, so important in the Christian tradition, where Jesus reputedly met Simon and Cleopas after his resurrection. Emmaus was an important place from the time of the Macabeans around 2,000 years ago till the crusader era (less than 1,000 years ago.)

Some of he most important parks in the area include the Ben Shemen park with its special money park, The Ayalon Park, also known as the Canada Park, the Britain Park and Lahav Park – all sites of special wild beauty.