May 2 2011
Visit Israel
Israel is a county that may not immediately pop into your head for a holiday getaway yet it is really worth a visit.
Israel’s visitors attractions are varied, ranging from the vast sands of the Judean Desert to the saltiest sea on earth – the Dead Sea. See ancient biblical places, covered markets and high-rise metropolises. Israel has a great deal to offer.
Some of the top rated things to do and see there are:
Swim in the dead sea – an intensely salty, mineral-rich body of water, lying at the lowest point on the globe. It is not possible to sink. Don’t be surprised to see people reading their newspapers whilst lying in the sea! The mineral deposits in the dead sea are reputed to possess health giving properties. Even if you don’t believe that it’s nonetheless enjoyable to cover yourself in it…
Jerusalem’s Mea She’arim district is home to the country’s largest community of strictly observant Orthodox Jews where you will find the East European dress and traditions alive.
Visit some markets. Experience Tel Aviv’s fascinating Shuk HaCarmel, or Carmel Market, which features superb selections of spices, flowers, fresh foods and trinkets. In Jerusalem, haggle for anything from real gold jewellery to souvenirs.
See the desert and stay with a nomadic tribe under canvas – a memorable night!
Jump in the world class waters of Eilat – rich in coral reefs and perfect underwater exploring. If scuba is not for you, you can opt for snorkelling or perhaps a sub tour. Eilat’s amazing Marine Observatory provides you with the opportunity to check out the spectacular wildlife without even getting your toes damp!
Dome of the Rock. The spectacular dome stands high on Temple Mount and has spiritual significance for both Jews and Muslims.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is traditionally thought to be the site where Jesus died. It is the heart of the Christian Quarter and is comprised of a complex of elaborate shrines.
Yad Vashem is a moving memorial to the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
Masada is the ruins of the Palace of King Herod built on the ridge of Masada. It was the site of a ferocious battle where Jews made their final stand fighting the Romans.
The famous stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem are worn smooth by many years of touching. Prayers are written on paper and pushed between the stones.
The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City is the path Jesus is reputed to have travelled from judgment to crucifixion.
Stay on a Kibbutz. These are located all over Israel and are based on people doing work and living collectively.
Israel offers over 50 national parks and nature reserves – all of which are very well worth a visit.
In the largest city, Tel Aviv you can indulge your urban tastes. It offers museums, opera, theatre, dance and high quality restaurants with fine dishes from around the globe.
Beaches are in abundance. You can sail, go swimming, sunbathe or waterski, sometimes in locations only minutes from the city centre.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin shepherd boy in ancient pottery containers in the 1940′s. They are hailed as the greatest manuscript discovery of recent times. They consists of around nine hundred documents and include texts from the Hebrew Bible.
Israel is a country that is absolutely worth a visit!
If you can’t visit Israel this year, why not try a staycation. Check out some Cornwall cottages and Dorset cottages and try a holiday in the south of England.
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