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.

Jezreel Valley

The Bible, geography and ancient and modern history in the Jezreel Valley are perhaps more closely entwined and visible than anywhere else in the country.

The central Jezreel Valley, roughly 380 square kilometers in size, is bounded on the north by the Nazareth mountains and Mount Tabor, on the east and south by Mount Gilboa and the mountains of Samaria respectively, and on the west by Mount Carmel – all of which are Scriptural stars. The passes through these mountains have been significant in world history for thousands of years, emphasizing Israel’s role as a bridge linking Africa, Asia and Europe.  Ancient caravans bearing merchandise and the innovations of far-off cultures, and the armies of antiquity passed this way, as attested by the famed ruins of some 25 cities at Tel Megiddo, Tel Jezreel and other antiquities sites. 

Jezreel means “God will sow” – a hint at its fertility, although by modern times neglect had turned most of it into swamps. But beginning in 1911, pioneers drained the swamps, making the valley bloom again. Today it is Israel’s breadbasket, sprouting wheat, cotton, sunflowers and even fish ponds. Among its many attractions are historical and biblical treasures such as Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) national park, the mosaics at Beit Alfa and Tzippori national parks, the cultural mosaic represented by the Circassian village and museum in Kafr Kama and the pioneering and historical museums at Kfar Taborand Kibbutz Ein Dor, family fun and hands-on learning at places like  the silk and honey farm at Moshav Shadmot Dvora, countryside cuisine at the region’s many fine restaurants, hiking portions of the Israel Trail and the Bible Trail on Mount Gilboa, a wide selection of bed-and-breakfast accommodations run by  rural families,  as well as the numerous religious and heritage sites in Nazareth, and more, all make the Jezreel  one of Israel’s most inviting visitor destinations.