Feel the spiritual glow radiate within the great stone walls

Visiting the Old City of Jerusalem is like travelling to a mystical, magical new world. Long considered one of the world’s holiest and most visited locations and home to structures and ruins significant to the three significant monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a walk through its hallowed passages is an exciting and life-changing source of historic, cultural and spiritual uplift that one simply must not miss out on.

A spiritually enlightening environment

Join the masses of tourists who visit Jerusalem’s Old City on a daily basis and allow yourself to be transported back in time. Witness how Jews, Muslims, Christians and Armenians live and interact as you visit the many awe inspiring and spiritually uplifting local sites, tucked away in the Old City’s winding alleyways and camouflaged by the uniformity of the cool, Jerusalem stone. Walk down the Way of the Cross and visit the many ornate local churches, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, pay your respects at the Garden Tomb, whisper a prayer at the Western Wall (Kotel), take a tour of the underground Kotel Tunnels or step into the very-busy Arab marketplace. The structures are sensational, forming within you lasting connections to a bygone era.

A modern-day walk through ancient history

Enter the Old City through any of its large, magnificent gates and you will be instantly transported to an ancient era, complete with authentic smells and traditionally dressed locals. Here, narrow donkey carts, bicycles and specially-sized vehicles dominate the narrow streets and alleyways, giving off a rustic, old-world feel. Vibrant personalities, run the bustling local shops, stands and eateries, each hawking their wares with great energy.

While in the Old City, be sure to walk along the ancient stone walls, encountering breathtakingly beautiful and historically rich views of the surrounding sites, local attractions and enthralling everyday occurrences. Taking a walk along the Old City Walls or visiting the adjacent Tower of David Museum, where history comes alive through sound and light, will only magnify the sheer beauty and significance of the cobblestones you tread upon.

Sensational sites of Ancient Times

No other place offers as many attractions and emotionally inspiring sites in a single square kilometer. A tour of the Old City of Jerusalem is an opportunity to get lost among the magical walkways and connect with the city’s resplendent past, history, culture and spirituality.

The Western Wall
Thousands of years old, the Western Wall is the last remaining relic of the Second Jewish Temple and the most important Jewish prayer site in the world, where millions of visitors from around the world place notes with requests and prayers into its cracks.

Western Wall Tunnels
Located beneath the Western Wall, the tunnels provide a glimpse of the various periods in the history of Jerusalem and are as close as you'll probably get to travelling back in time.

City of David
Discover the story of Jerusalem during the reigns of Kings David, Solomon and Hezekiah in this captivating archeological site, where many treasures have been unearthed. A visit to the site will enable you to take a flashlight and wade through the flowing water of the Siloam Tunnel, which was carved during the reign of King Hezekiah.

The Old City Market
A must-see attraction made up of a series of alleyways, with numerous stalls offering a staggering variety of products of every imaginable kind. This lively bustling market (or shuk) is a perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir (haggling is a must) or try one of the many local delicacies.

Landing at the airports of Ovda or Eilat with the onward journey to Mitzpe Ramon or Sde Boker:

Public means of transportation:

Bus 392 from Eilat to Mitzpe Ramon and Be'erSheva, stops at the airport of Ovda on Sunday at 07:13, 08:41, 09:43, 14:12, 15:41, 17:43.

Arrival at the central bus station of Mitzpe Ramon after about an hour and a half.

Mondays - Thursdays at 07:13, 07:41, 09:43, 14:12, 15:41, 17:43.

Car rental in Eilat, Mitzpe Ramon and Be'erSheva:

There a multiple option in renting a car in these cities. There is a choice of international and Israeli companies.

Landing at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and onward journey for Negev to Mashabei Sadeh / Sde Boker / Mitzpe Ramon

Public means of transportation:

Bus routes 370/380 from Tel Aviv to Be'erSheva, routes 446/470 from Jerusalem to Be'erSheva.Train from Ben Gurion or Tel Aviv to Be'erSheva.

From Be'erSheva bus routes 60, 64, 65, 660 Departure every morning 6 o'clock onward (approx. every 20 minutes). Arrival in Mashabei Sadeh in 35 minutes / SdeBoker area in 55 minutes / Mitzpe Ramon in 1 hour 20 minutes.

NEGEV DESERT - DON'T MISS

Ramon Crater

At the heart of Israel’s vast Negev Desert, lies the Ramon Crater, the world’s largest erosion crater,also known as Machtesh Ramon. Encompassing a vast diversity of rocks of fantastic colors and forms, this mesmerizing natural phenomenon measures 40km in length and between 2 and 10km in width, shaped like an longated heart, and forms Israel’s largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve. Far from the city lights and crowds, featuring multicolored sandstone, volcanic rock and fossils, the Ramon Crater is often described as Israel’s very own Grand Canyon. The truly stunning views from the 300m edge lookout point of Machtesh Ramon, reminiscent of a Hollywood backdrop offer a powerful experience for tourists from all over the world, all year round.

Timna Park

15,000 acres in a horseshoeshaped valley surrounded by steep cliffs, Timna Park is an extraordinarily stunning experience and an absolute treat for hiking enthusiasts. Here you'll witness the marvelous works of nature, as well as the amazing wildlife, plants and trees which make the desert their home, surviving in the harsh arid conditions. With its multitude of attractions, colorful sands and craggy mountains, Timna Park is an incomparable visitor magnet.

Timna Park - An Exhilarating Desert Adventure

Sandboarding in the desert

An iconic desert experience. The plush sweeping sand dunes of the Negev desert allow you to glide down sitting down or standing up at an exhilarating pace. This is a fantastic and very special skill, which once you master (it’s really very easy) you can call yourself a genuine sand surfer – how cool is that?

Negev at night

The sky of the Negev at night is a mesmerizing sight. Simply look up once darkness sets and you will immediately be struck by the splendor of millions of twinkling stars, lighting up the blue-black darkness in a radiance that can only be seen in the dessert.

Sunrise at Masada

Available only to those brave enough to climb atop by foot - watching the Sunrise at Masada is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable experiences to be had in Israel. The slow rise of the sun as it emerges over the Jordanian Moab Mountains and the Dead Sea, shedding its light on the surrounding desert landscapes, is a truly spectacular sight, one which you will not soon forget.

The Israeli desert with its breathtaking landscape and various attractions is offering the perfect place for a holiday. The Negev invites the visitors to an exciting journey that is rich in variety of opportunities.

Israel is a small country with 62% of the total area occupied by the Negev desert. The reddish gleaming desert terrain is characterized by many impressive geological rock formations. The visitors enjoy here a unique view of an untouched vastness - silent and majestic.

There are traces of past civilizations and their agriculture as well as archaeological sites. The Negev offers an unmistakable backdrop for encountering the Bedouin tribes - people of the desert.

The Israeli desert is special for the following reasons:

• The desert is very near: just 4 hours of flying from Europe. Israel has two international airports - Ben Gurion and Ovda, which guarantee a short trip to the desert to all travellers (half an hour to an hour and a half). Starting from November, there will be direct flights from Europe and Russia to Ovda airport including Ryanair, Wizzair, and SAS.
• Easy to Hike and Bike: There are a lot of marked paths. Israel offers the most imposing hiking trails of the world and hundreds of safe paths lead through the Israeli desert.
• Cordial local population: The desert dwellers are friendly and hospitable and make the desert experience both pleasant and exciting for visitors.
• Tourists Activities: Along with the development of accommodation, the huge offer of tourist activities has converted the Negev in a popular, interesting, versatile and creative destination in recent years.
• Magnificent landscapes: Lots of tourists today, enjoy the charm of the Negev with its landscapes rich in variety
  • There are spectacular sand dunes in the north.
  • The Ramon Crater is present in the middle with its bold cliffs and seasonal water sources.
  • In the east, one experiences the African desert with wide savannas and acacia trees.
  • To the south, one finds red and black granite, contrasted by sandstone foothills having a powerfully pleasant colour.

  During a desert trip of approx. 3 hours, you can get to know the entire spectrum of the desert landscape and enjoy its variety, which one experiences in other deserts often only with a long trip of several kilometers. Many tourists decide for to stay for 2 or 3 days in each region of the Negev.

• The Negev is very safe to travel. In case of emergency, the rescue units working in the area are some of the best trained in the world and are always close by. Should anyone require medical assistance, Israel offers high quality, first class advanced western medical services.

Suggestions for an awesome day in the sun

Whether you’re staying in one of the city’s 5 star hotels, a hostel or have opted for the cool camping alternative, we recommend to start your day with a delicious breakfast and make your way to the Dolphin Reef. This is one of the most popular attractions in Eilat, where you can touch, swim and dive with these beautiful creatures. Watch the dolphins in their natural habitat, visit the underwater photo center, or take part in either scuba diving or snorkeling. Check out also Coral Beach, the natural underwater reserve that extends for 1,200 meters along the coast and gives you the opportunity to go snorkeling with an extraordinary variety of tropical fish in a beautiful coral reef.

Once you’ve dried off, head to the stunning Botanical Gardens within Eilat. You’ll find there more than 1,000 types of trees and plants from all around the world, streams, waterfalls, a rainforest and bird sanctuaries.

To end of your day with something slightly different, head just outside of Eilat to the Red Canyon, where you can track through the riverbed and between the red Nubian sandstone walls that have been sculpted over the centuries by wind and water.

When evening comes, make your way to the buzzing Eilat promenade ,stroll by the shops and market stands which are open until late. You can treat yourself to a meal in any of the dozens of the excellent restaurants and cafés or a drink in any of the lively seaside pubs and bars.

Downtown Jerusalem is the heart of the modern metropolis, bursting with nightlife, dining and cultural options to rival any major city in the world.

The area is made up of several neighborhoods and appealing locations such as charming Nachlat Shiva, the bustling Yafo Street and Ben Yehuda Street, with its own unique personality and atmosphere not to be missed.

The center of Jerusalem includes some of the city’s most charming neighborhoods and fascinating attractions. For an unbeatable cultural experience, check out Jerusalem’s variety of fascinating museums, including the world class Israel Museum, the Bible Lands Museum and Jerusalem’s Science Museum.

MACHANE YEHUDA MARKET
Discover this market's unrivaled atmosphere and variety which draw thousands of tourists every day. Once the shopping is done and the food vendors close up, join the young trendy crowds, foreign and locals alike, who descend on the market to drink and party until the small hours, in the bars, restaurants and alleyways.

NAHALAT SHIV’A
This charming cobblestone neighborhood at the heart of the city offers an excellent selection of shops, restaurants, bars and outdoor cafés. Nahalat Shiva is home to Kikar Hamusica (Music Square) – a lively and trendy outdoor space that offers live music every day throughout the week.

YEMIN MOSHE
This lovely neighborhood facing the Old City walls was originally built to escape overcrowding in the 19th Century. Home to artists, writers and academics, Yemin Moshe is known for its beautiful windmill and oriental style houses, green parks, lively music center and stunning views.

EIN KEREM
Nestled in a peaceful valley between the mountains and the terraced hills southwest of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem is one of Jerusalem’s most picturesque neighborhoods. With its winding paved lanes, their charming stone houses adorned with arches, churches whose bells chime in the clear air, Ein Kerem radiates charm and beauty like an island in a sea of green forest.

SEGWAY TOURS
This adrenaline-packed way of seeing the city will allow you to take in the beauty of Jerusalem from an entirely unique perspective. The Segway tours leave from various central spots, including the Armon HaNatziv Promenade (East Talpiot), Yemin Moshe and the Old City, as well as near the Knesset and the museum area.

THE FIRST STATION (HATACHANA)
The First Station is right at the heart of Jerusalem, between the Old City and the City Center, between the historic neighborhoods of the German Colony and Yemin Moshe. It is the site of the first train station in Jerusalem, which was built in 1892. After undergoing renovation and preservation, the First Station was reopened as a lively entertainment spot, open seven days a week.

THE TIME ELEVATOR
If you are a fan of joy rides, you will love having your senses scintillated by the Time Elevator. It’s an interactive experience that takes visitors on fabulous voyages to fascinating places, with motion-based seating in a unique hall, filled with special effects.

THE BIBLICAL ZOO
Spreading over 62 acres, this beautiful two-tiered zoo centers on a vast man-made lake complete with waterfalls and side pools, surrounded by spacious lawns and shaded resting spots. To the delight of children and adults alike, there are over 200 species on view, most of them mentioned in the Bible and some almost made extinct in the interim. This does not mean that regular animals are not present they even have penguins here. Near the Zoo there is a beautiful, huge and impressive Aquarium, open for visitors during the day and evening, displaying marine habitat from the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and more.

TEDDY PARK
Named after Teddy Kollek who was Mayor of Jerusalem between 1965- 1995; Teddy park is fun, beautiful and historically significant. The park constitutes a significant meeting point between the Old and New Jerusalem and includes a wishing pond, an impressive sun clock original sculpture, restorations of historical properties and a fantastic water fountain attraction, featuring a spectacular light and sound evening show.

Over the past decade, Israeli wine-making has become a vital and thriving industry.

The fertile land of the area has been recognized worldwide as an excellent setting for burgeoning vineyards, and the local scene is trendy and opulent.

In the north, the general atmosphere reminiscent of French or Italian wine regions while the south has become renowned for its burgeoning wine scene, thanks to pioneering farmers and their use of computerized drip irrigation.

The Israeli wine scene allows visitors a fantastic experience combining delectable wine tastings with the stunning vistas and energy this has to offer.

So come get a taste of Israel’s wine country through its many fantastic tours of the vineyards and boutique wineries, the fantastic wine and music festivals and year-round wine-themed events.

FYI, a visit to Israel goes great with white or red.

A visit to the Galilee brings tastes and flavors unlike any you’ve ever experienced before. From regional cheeses handmade in artisanal dairies to world-class wines from boutique vineyards, from gourmet family-run restaurants to freshly-picked fruits and vegetables bursting with flavor, the Galilee is a foodie’s paradise.

A Region Flowing with Milk and Wine

Visit an artisanal dairy to discover the richness of Galilee cheeses and take part in the rhythm of cheese-making. Let an expert cheese-maker guide you as you taste some of the area’s many unique soft, hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as lebane, a creamy yoghurt-like soft cheese made from sheep or goat’s milk that is often served mixed with local herbs like za’atar, or zefatit, a salted sheep’s curd cheese that is molded into a basket and named for the area of Zefat, or Safed, where it was first made.

If you’d like some wine to accompany your cheese, you’ll be in for a treat. Each wine is better than the last. A recent revolution in wine-making caused boutique wineries to spring up across the Galilee’s highly varied terroir, every vineyard raising grapes with a flavor that is specific to the soil in which they grow. Gaze out over hills covered in vines while you savor deep, fruity reds and fresh white wines with the guidance of Israel’s top wine-makers. Explore the grape blends that produced wines earning top honors at the world’s wine fairs, many of which are not available for sale outside of Israel.

Taste the Harvest

Visit pick-your-own orchards to revel in berries, apples, cherries, peaches, plums and even sabra-fruit that are plump, juicy and bursting with flavor. Tour spice farms to smell and taste an ever-changing range of herbs and spices, both those that are familiar to you and those that you’ve never encountered before. Discover the Galilee’s native flavors and create your own herbal teas and spice blends.

Another of the Galilee’s important harvests, olive oil, also awaits you. If you thought that all olive oil tastes the same, a visit to a family-run olive oil farm in the Galilee will change your mind. Sample olive oils to learn what makes each oil taste different and join the fun of picking olives and pressing them the old-fashioned way to make your own extra-virgin olive oil.

Markets and Restaurants

The Galilee’s ancient towns boast a plethora of markets where you can buy the best local produce and artisanal products, often sold by the experts who made them. Amble the markets tasting and testing to discover delights around every corner, or join a knowledgeable foodie guide who will lead you to the best stalls and finest treats.

As you wander the Galilee following your taste buds you’ll encounter gourmet restaurants tucked away in the unlikeliest corners. Some of the country’s best cooking is served in unassuming Galilee eateries perched on the edge of magnificent views. Many are family-run, serving dishes made with love from ingredients that were grown or raised within just a few miles. But to really plumb the depths of the Galilee’s produce, take part in a cooking workshop. They are led by local chefs who know the land inside and out and are eager to share the best way to choose, prepare and enjoy the tastiest local produce. Often you’ll pick your ingredients before you prepare them, making dishes that taste better than anything you’ve ever cooked before.

The Unique Experience of the Galilee

The Galilee is much more than a series of delicious flavors. Visit ruined fortresses and biblical sites where Jesus preached and battles were fought. Climb up mountains, thrill with white-water rafting and hike alongside bubbling streams as part of your dream vacation in the Galilee.

photo credit:

Itamar Grinberg

Jerusalem is a mesmerizing and magical city. Many people who visit Jerusalem rave about the amazing atmosphere, the unforgettable sites, the breathtaking views and more. However, to truly understand what Jerusalem is all about, there are some things that you simply have to experience through your stomach. Here are just a few of the things you really should try while visiting Jerusalem:

Malabi: A unique a combination of beverage and dessert, made of a mixture of rosewater, milk, cornstarch and sugar. Malabi is a very popular Jerusalem dish, sold in many middle eastern restaurants and kiosks throughout the city. Guaranteed to be nothing like anything you have ever tasted.

Knafe: A very interesting and sensationally tasty dish when served and eaten fresh. Knafe is essentially an Arabic desert made of melted goats cheese and topped with hairs of orange pastry hairs, dipped in sweet rosewater syrup. Finding the perfect Knafe is a mission, once you find it, eating it becomes an addiction.

Jerusalem Pretzel: An absolute must when touring the fascinating sites of the old city is stopping by one of the small green carts and purchasing an authentic Jerusalem pretzel. Along with it, you will get a fragrant local green herb called Zaatar which goes great with the delicious warm doe.

“Meorav Yerushalmi”: Directly translates to “Mixed Jerusalem” this delicious mix of different meats in a special local blend of spices is an absolute carnivores’ heaven.

“Ashtanur”: Short in Hebrew for “fire in the oven” Ashtanur is an authentic local pitta bread which you can find in midtown or the markets during lunchtime. If you’re especially hungry, try it wrapped around a portion of shawarma or falafel.

Sabich: an absolute original, the Sabich is a truly unique local dish comprised of a Pitta bread packed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, and pickles, usually topped by Amba, a local, flavorful condiment. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked for life.

Thursday Night Madness in Mahane Yehuda Vibrant Middle Eastern market by day and party central by night

Throngs of locals and tourists are drawn during the day to witness the authentic atmosphere and workings of the market, and of course do some shopping, and once the food vendors close up, revelers — foreign and local alike — descend on the market to drink and make marry in the bars, restaurants and alleyways.

The shuk never really takes a day off during the week, but if you’re looking for a truly electrifying night out, then Thursday is your target. For locals, it’s the only night can go out without having to worry about getting up for work the next day, and it shows, as the bars and restaurants stay open late, throw parties that spill out into the streets and host special events.

My “date” and I arrived at 7:20 pm, when many of the vendors were still open, and the aisles were crowded with shoppers looking for weekend bargains.

However, as the vendors closed, the shoppers quickly dissipated making room for the party people.

Although, it seems like yesterday that the shuk was just a place where you shopped and maybe grabbed a bite to eat from a local, working class eatery, over the past 5 years or so, the number of hip bars and restaurants has skyrocketed to the point that you can hardly keep track of everything between new ones popping every day and secret spots hidden away in corners only the locals know about.

“When you see the throngs of partiers at the shuk on a Thursday night, it is easy to forget that just a few short years ago you wouldn’t find a soul here at night,” said local tour guide Joel Haber. “But the truth is, this is not just the next logical step in Machane Yehuda’s constant historical development, but also the most vibrant new contribution to the city’s nightlife scene. The shuk has always been the crossroads where all Jerusalemites mix. Now the young and the less so, secular and religious, all sit side by side drinking beers and drinking in the shuk’s special character.”