Best Time to Visit

Israel is great to visit pretty much all year round. The timing of your visit, therefore, will depend on a number of crucial factors that you need to work out for yourself. Temperature in Israel is usually higher, often much higher, particularly in the South of the country, around the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee areas. The spring (March, April and May) and the autumn (October and November) are the best two seasons to visit Israel.

Places to Visit

Nothing compares to the variety of Israel’s attractions. From the snowy heights of Mount Hermon, you can experience the Judean Desert and the saltiest sea on earth, the Dead Sea within a few hours. Visiting ancient biblical cities, covered markets and high-rise metropolis on the way are what make Israel truly a destination with something for everyone. The term “old” is of a very special significance in Israel. The age of most of cities here is counted not in decades or in centuries but in millennia. The brilliance and authenticity of some of the historical gems in Israel have won a place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is an incomparable highlight of Israel that has both historical and spiritual significance. The city has various interesting buildings, monuments and shopping places in store for the tourists to discover and enjoy. You can start from the Al – Aqsa Mosque, built from 710 to 715; this is the world’s holiest Muslim site after Mecca and Medina. Other places include Ammunition Hill Memorial where one of the fiercest battles in Jerusalem was fought. Basilica of the Agony of the Lord regarded as the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before his arrest. British Military Cemetery holds the graves of British soldiers who died in World War I, Damascus gate, on the other hand, is the main entrance to the twisting and turning corridors of the Muslim Quarter.

Haifa

The beautiful sea port of Haifa is believed to be one of the best places for a holiday trip in the Middle East. Haifa not just possesses natural beauty; its wonderful outset, rich cultural and historical background along with architectural magnificence helped Haifa to emerge as a tourist-magnet. Your trip to Haifa can’t exclude Sightseeing in Haifa as the place is endowed with a bundle of worth watching places. Bahai Shrine and Persian Garden, Elijah’s Cave, Haifa Museum, Bahai Cable Car, Chaqall House, Carmelite Monastery and Ben-Gurion Street are only some of the tourist attractions in Haifa.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a major tourist destination of the world which has been attracting tourists from all across the globe. The town of Bethlehem is considered to the birthplace for King David and Jesus of Nazareth. It has 27,000 inhabitants half of whom are Moslems and half are Christians. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is considered to be amongst the most important Christian Holy Places throughout the Christian World.

Tel Aviv

There’s no place like Tel Aviv to indulge your urban tastes. Classified by geographers as a “world city,” the city offers opera, museums, theater, dance, finest restaurants with cuisines from around the world. The Azrieli Observatory in Tel Aviv is a wonderful experience that must not be missed. Situated on the 49th floor of the highest building in Israel, it provides the opportunity to look at Tel Aviv from the highest possible perspective. If you want to sworn by the beauty of the sunsets, Gordon Beach is the ideal sightseeing point in Tel Aviv. Old Jaffa, with all its ancient charms, is a wonderful counterpoint to the busting city of Tel Aviv. Besides, there are plenty of other notable tourist attractions in Tel Aviv like Eretz Israel Museum, Bet Bialik Museum, Hagana Museum, Luna Park, Gan Meir Park etc.

Another kind of diving experience stars at Israel’s Red Sea Riviera on the Gulf of Eilat where a wonder-sea of corals and exotic fish awaits. You can also enjoy some other challenging experience in the desert cliffs around Eilat, Negev and the forested ridges of the Upper Galilee which includes cycling, off-road touring and rappelling.

Nestled in the Middle East between Israel and Jordan, the West Bank is a Palestinian Territory with a history mired in political strife and religious turbulence. It is controlled by both Palestinian and Israeli authorities, and both areas claim the region belongs to them. Officially, the West Bank isn’t a part of any country, and though it is currently under the Israeli administration, its future remains murky.

The West Bank is steeped in ancient biblical history with countless sites that sum up the area’s religious and archaeological significance. Nabulus, the site of Jacob’s well, is on the West Bank. Bethlehem and Jericho are both located here as well. It’s little wonder, then, that there would be a strong draw to travel to the West Bank. But should you?

Most governments around the world have posted warnings advising travelers to avoid the West Bank because of the tumultuous political situation and ongoing violence. Inter-factional tension, demonstrations and military operations targeting militants in cities and villages throughout the West Bank are common. Travel in the area requires driving through several Israeli military checkpoints, and violent outbreaks frequently happen in these areas.

Nonetheless, the West Bank beckons. There is certainly a sense of safety and security to consider when debating whether to make the trip to the West Bank. Those who have been there guarantee you’ll never watch the nightly news coming out of the Middle East in quite the same way again. That said, no one can make the decision for you about whether you should travel to the West Bank or not, but should you decide to venture into this area that truly is well off the beaten path, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Though there are certainly safety issues to consider, the West Bank is not off limits for travelers. In fact, some would argue that due to the rigid security measures, the area is surprisingly safe for travelers.

• Stay up-to-date on the travel advisories as posted by your country of residence. Government websites are routinely updated with advisories to reflect the latest security concerns. Make sure you understand what you’re getting into before arriving in the West Bank.

• Keep your paperwork with you. You will need to show your passport, verify your citizenship and complete a security check when arriving, and you may be asked to do the same at other checkpoints once in the area.

• A perceived Jewish person traveling by Palestinian transportation and an Arab person on Jewish transportation in the West Bank may attract suspicion. Dress and behave like a foreigner and you may be in the safest neutral position.

• Violence tends to be localized, so watch the news and check the situation before you travel within the West Bank.

• Travel during the day and avoid traveling at night if at all possible. Travel with another person if you are able.

• Register with the closest embassy, and let people know about your travel plans.

By JoAnna Haugen

Israel Travel Company offers itinerary planning with and without personal tour guiding services.

This can involve suggestions regarding accommodations, activities, sites to visit, special events, places to eat, listing cultural events happening in Israel whilst you are here, etc. We aim to make your time in Israel not just a tour but a memorable travel experience.

Our personal tour guiding service involves a very small and select group of guides, with whom I work very closely and can fully recommend as part of the Israel Travel Company team approach.

We try to match the guide to the nature,style and interests of each travel client or group and in this process we often send a detailed CV of the  available guide or guides we are recommending.

We also specialize in an Israel – Off the Beaten Trackapproach offering walking, bike, horse riding, camel and jeep tours to less known parts of the country as well as integrating such activities into your customized itinerary.

Below are some suggested itinerary options to assist you in your itinerary planning.

Jerusalem Touring Options for 1 to 2 Days

Panoramic view of Jerusalem from Sherover Promenade or from Mt. of Olives, views of city from Jerusalem YMCA tower or from historic neighborhoods of Mishkenot Shanaanim, Yemin Moshe and Moses Montefiore’s Windmill.

Rampart Walk on Old City walls from Jaffa Gate to Western Wall or in direction of Damascus Gate, Lion’s Gate and Kidron Valley.

Visit the City of David – recent excavations, Hezekiah’s water tunnel

Western Wall/Kotel Tunnel tour

Four Quarters of Old City including: highlights of each quarter : Armenian Quarter with its’ Armenian pottery, Armenian Church  and museums,

Jewish Quarter, Synagogues, Museums, Roman/Byzantine main street or  Cardo; the Temple Mount

Churches and institutions of the Christian Quarter including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Bethesda pools ,the Via Dolorosa ,Gethsemane and Mt of Olive churches

Muslim quarter with its busy bazaars and markets, the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, El Aqsa Mosque.

Sites in New City:

Yad Vashem, Har Herzl, Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Knesset,High Court Building, Chagall Windows, Hadassah Hospital, Italian Synagogue and Museum, Mea Shearim, Russian Compund and Mahane Yehuda Markets.

Jerusalem Region

Other activities in the Jerusalem region include: Archaeological Dig for a Day with Archaeological Seminars, Latrun Tank Museum, Stalactite Caves.

Dead Sea At Dawn or Later…
Client pick up from Jerusalem hotels at 4am. Climb Masada at dawn, with guide explanations, then walk or cable car down. Breakfast at Ein Gedi Kibbutz Guesthouse and tour of the internationally recognized Botanical Garden.
Swimming in the sweet waters of David’s Falls, hike the Ein Gedi National Park or float in the Dead Sea and cover yourselves in mud. Rest and relaxation. This tour can of course start at a more standard hour after you have completed your hotel breakfast in a relaxed and unhurried manner!!

Desert Tours, including:

Judean Desert:Ein Gedi ,Masada,Mt.Sodom

Negev: Sde Boker,Small & Large Machteshim,Mitzpe Ramon

Arava ; Hatzeva,Paran,Timna.Eilat Mountains

We are also able to arrange a wide range of desert  tours for individuals ,couples, small groups and families. The select group of desert guides we work with are unique people, who love nature & adventure trips and are highly skilled outdoor professionals specializing in walking,bicycle, 4×4 , camel and horse tours .

Living in the desert, as they all do ,these licensed  guides  all have a deep  knowledge  and understanding of the desert region’s  history, natural environment, culture, & folklore and make an art of combining  the must- see sites with less well known  locations and trails .

Enjoy with them  ,a variety of campfire cooked meals , and depending on your choice of tour accommodations  enjoy the desert  nights under the  stars in a campout, in a  Bedouin tent ,a restored traditional village or desert lodge with all facilities or a 5*star hotel .

These desert tours can be incorporated into any Israel Travel Company itinerary and involve single day, overnight or extended desert  journeys  in both  Israel & Jordan  as well as adventure 4×4 trips in Turkey.

Coastal Tours Travel north along the Mediterranean  coast  to Caesarea, King Herod’s port city of 2000 years ago ; enjoy the multimedia, computerized  presentation of life in Caesarea through the ages  and meet the historical figures who once lived there;
snorkel or participate in a professional, accompanied , scuba dive based at  the Caesarea Diving Center and explore  underwater the ruins of Herod’s wharves  there; climb the  ancient aqueduct ,walk or  bicycle the beach paths.
View the maritime archeology wonders of the Phoenician coastal city of Dor, marvel at its royal indigo dye industry, participate in a Tchelet dye making workshop ; hike the Carmel mountains; lunch at a Druze village; discover the majestic Bahai Gardens of Haifa; walk the tunnels of Crusader Acre.
	Take a refreshing tour of the limestone grottoes of Rosh Hanikra. Explore the modern city of Tel Aviv, visit the old port in Jaffa; the Palmach Museum; the museums, boutique shops and restaurants.

Galilee Tours

Tour Tsipori of the Mishnah and Talmud; sit in the Talmudic period synagogue and town villas with their exquisite mosaics, and play the Roman games carved in the street; stroll through the ancient Kabbalist synagogues of Safed; cycle and watch birds in their natural habitat in the Hula valley.

Sail, swim and relax at the Sea of Galilee, visit the 2000 year old fishing boat discovered there; tour Christian sites; discover the sacred traditions of Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes and Korazin; further north climb Nimrod castle and enjoy the waters of the Dan and traveling south tour Roman ruins in Beit Shean.

Golan Tours

Climb into the Golan Plateau from the south where Israel’s border meets Jordan and Syria; wade in the Hammat Gader spa; view the strategic military positions over the Kinneret and recall the history of Syrian bombardments on the Jewish settlements below; discover Gamla (of the Great Revolt against Rome); birdwatch or take exciting hikes in the Yehudiya and Zavitan reserves; walk the Talmudic town of Katzrin and the nearby Golan museum; look out from Mount Bental over Syrian Quneitra; understand better the battles of the Yom Kippur War, visit the Valley of Tears.

Winter visitors can also enjoy an exhilarating ski; experience the Hermon’s unique vegetation; lunch in a nearby Druze village; roll your sleeves up and participate in summer fruit picking; commune with nature and camp in this beautiful area, sample wine at wineries and tour the wine growing areas; wonder at cutting-edge modern agriculture; tour the water resources.

Specialty Tour Options

· Gourmet Walking Tours

· Sea to Sea bike ride from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee

· Wine Tour as one walks the Israel National Walking Trail

· An Overnight Horse Riding Trail

· Ride a Jeep Trip following the Ancient Nabatean Spice Route through the Machtesh or Craters of the Southern Israeli Desert

· A theatrical half day tour of the ancient port of Jaffa

· A half day bike ride tour of Tel Aviv

· A day in Jerusalem with Mark Twain’s writings as a guide

· An accompanied scuba dive to explore the ancient port city of King Herod in Caesarea

· Spa Retreats

· History and Cultural Themed Tours

· Travel Experiences to Petra

· Bird watching tour in Northern or Southern Israel

· Wildflower tours in Spring

We can develop a day by day itinerary for your consideration but I wanted to outline some of the suggested  adventure  activities we can  include in a more detailed program for you.

-4×4 travel,with water activities emphasis.

Coast:

-Mediterranean coast,maritime archaeology sites,

-Park Alona ,underground Roman period aqueducts to walk in

-Ancient Crusader city of Akko,

-Kayaking in Rosh Hanikra sea caves

North ;

-Ramat Naftali Ridge with ATV tractorons in Nahal  Dishon

-Golan and Upper Galilee walking routes through water.

-Kayaking,rafting on Jordan River

-Water Parks at Sea of Galilee

-Thermal pools on Golan

-Rubber tyre trip in water areas in North

Desert;

-Masada and Ein Gedi,Dead Sea

-4×4 trip to Mt Karkom – amazing Negev desert site,site,prehistoric rock paintings

Jerusalem  tour including Hezekiah´s water tunnel, Kotel tunnel tour.

Contact: www.zeltours.com
www.israeltravelcompany.com