Author Archives: Hadassah Levy

Exciting things to do in and around Caesarea

Nature and animals

Just north of Netanya, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is a stream which is home to giant soft-shell turtles. Take a beautiful hike along the Alexander Stream and see how many turtles you can spot on the way. The eucalyptus grove is an excellent location for a picnic or a short break. The stream opens at the Beit Yanai beach, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim.

In nearby Michmoret, take a tour of the Israel Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Sign up in advance for a guided presentation on the important work that the center does, saving turtles who are injured accidentally or abused. You’ll also get to see the current residents of the center who are being treated before being released back into the wild. The rescue and rehabilitation center is a great family activity, fascinating for both children and adults.

Druze culture

The Druze are a fascinating minority group in Israel. Their religion has its roots in all three monotheistic religions and is largely secret. They are loyal to the country they reside in, so Israeli Druze serve in the Israel Defense Forces and support Israel as a Jewish state.

Visit the Carmel Center for Druze Heritage in Daliyat el Carmel for an explanation of what it means to be a member of the Druze community in contemporary Israel. The center is in the middle of the town’s shopping district, where you can purchase everything from handbags and housewares to traditional Druze garb and musical instruments.

Wineries

The Carmel Winery in Zichron Yaakov offers a tour of its facilities with explanations of the wine-making process and wine tastings. ‎Founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, the winery held a pivotal role in the development of one of the first modern towns in Israel. You’ll learn about the history of the winery and watch a film about its past and present.

Close to the Carmel Winery, the Tishbi Winery has recently opened a wine and chocolate visitors’ center. Valrhona chocolate manufacturers from France and the Tishbi Winery provide you with the opportunity to enjoy the highest quality chocolates and wines together in gorgeous Riedel Crystal glasses.

In a small village called Bat Shlomo, you can experience the wine-making process from vineyard to glass. Take a private guided tour of the vineyards, enjoy an exclusive wine tasting and dine on fresh, local and kosher delicacies.

Ancient history

In Caesarea itself, The Caesarea National Park takes you back in time to the Roman period, when Herod the Great transformed a small town into a bustling metropolis, complete with a port, warehouses, markets, wide streets, bathhouses, temples and impressive public buildings. Don’t miss the multimedia presentation, the view of the sea from atop the Roman theater and a stroll along the promenade (especially magnificent at sunset). Guided tours are available and festivals take place in the park during peak travel seasons.

Pre-state Israel

Baron de Rothschild invested seriously in Jewish settlement in Zichron Yaakov, so some of the most interesting sites related to Zionism in pre-state Israel are in this region. At Ramat Hanadiv, you can visit the Baron’s gravesite and the beautiful gardens built around it. There is even a wild section where you can spot animals such as deer. At the entrance to the gardens is a film about the contribution of Baron de Rothschild to the establishment of Zichron Yaakov and the state of Israel as a whole.

Many of the Jews who immigrated to Palestine during the end of the Ottoman period and the British Mandate came to this area. The First Aliyah Museum uses film, sculptures and images to tell the story of the struggles faced by these early immigrants. Housed in a historic building, which once served as Zichron Yaakov’s administration center, this museum brings to life the issues faced by Jews who left Europe for a new life in the Holy Land.

Situated on the main historic thoroughfare of the town is the fascinating Nili House. The original home of the Aaronson family tells the story of the brave Jews who spied against the Ottoman Empire in order to help the British capture Palestine in 1917. This museum is not appropriate for young children, but teenagers will be enthralled by the hidden gun compartment and the room where Sara Aaronson committed suicide.

The detention camp at Atlit takes you to the period of illegal immigration during the British Mandate. Fearful of upsetting the status quo in Palestine, the British limited the number of Jewish immigrants who could enter the county. But during and after the Holocaust, Jews were willing to risk anything to reach Jewish soil. The British set up detention camps in Atlit, and later in Cyprus, to house illegal immigrants who were caught trying to arrive at the port. Take a tour of a boat that immigrants would have traveled on and see the disinfection bunk and the barracks where the immigrants resided before they were freed.

Restaurants

All of this touring will make you hungry! Luckily, there are many delicious dining options to choose from.

Aresto is a kosher dairy café at the Caesarea Port, serving pizzas, pastas, focaccias and unusual salads. To get to the restaurant, you walk through some of the archaeological excavations of the city, and may even spot brides and grooms posing for wedding photographs. The café includes an outdoor area, from which you can enjoy a view of the sea. Since the area is closed to vehicles, small children can play nearby without disturbing other diners.

At the top of Zichron Yaakov’s main street is the Tishbi Winery’s café, featuring dairy delicacies and gourmet chocolates. Don’t miss the dessert selection, which changes every day but is always worth saving room for.

For a meat meal, check out Koya in Caesarea, which serves hamburgers, steak and specialty sandwiches. The menu features children’s portions and a rich selection of alcoholic drinks.

Sushi lovers will enjoy Agenda Café Bar & Sushi in Caesarea. The menu includes breakfast options such as eggs, sandwiches, salads and toasts and dinner options like pizza, pasta and fish.

After a long hard day (or two, or three) of touring, come back to the Dan Caesarea, put your feet up and enjoy the gorgeous landscaped gardens, take a swim in the hotel pool or the nearby beach.

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Jerusalem restaurants – where to dine in the holy city

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In recent years, Jerusalem’s food scene has exploded, with new restaurants popping up on an almost daily basis. Tourists and locals are no longer limited to falafel and schwarma; Israeli restaurants serve almost every type of cuisine in a variety of atmospheres. During your stay in Jerusalem, dine on gourmet food in elegant surroundings, challenge your taste buds with ethnic cuisine, eat like a local in a shuk restaurant, eat at a family-friendly establishment or grab a quick fast food meal.

Elegant décor and gourmet Jerusalem cuisine

Visit one of Jerusalem’s many gourmet restaurants for a romantic evening out or to impress a business associate. Israeli chefs have generally trained internationally and bring the world’s best techniques and cuisines to local restaurants. Gourmet restaurants which focus on elegant surroundings as well as delicious and beautifully designed dishes are a key feature of Jerusalem’s culinary scene.

The centrally located Gabriela Cuchina restaurant (on Shimon Ben-Shetach Street) serves Italian cuisine in a warm and intimate atmosphere. Chef Jacque Dayan specializes in pasta, focaccia and fish. Breakfasts at the restaurant are legendary and offer a choice of shakshouka, green breakfast, Norwegian breakfast, Mediterranean breakfast and much more.

The Artists’ Quarter outside the Old City walls houses the biblically inspired Eucalyptus restaurant. Each of the dishes has its origins in biblical scenes and in the spices and herbs that grew in ancient times in the hills of Jerusalem and Judea, which are now picked from the restaurant’s very own rooftop herb garden. Choose an entrée or enjoy the tasting menu, with 7-15 courses of surprising dishes created by Chef Moshe Basson.

Don’t miss Dan Hotels’ very own La Regance restaurant located at King David Hotel; the restaurant is managed by young creative Chef David Biton. The freshest ingredients and innovative cooking methods combine to create simple yet tantalizing Israeli cuisine. Sit in the opulent dining room or on the outdoor terrace which overlooks the Old City to enjoy unexpected dishes such as Israeli lamb chops, goose liver, roasted duck and beef shank.

From Morocco to Japan – authentic food

No vacation is complete without enjoying some of the local and ethnic cuisine. As a country of immigrants, Israel is home to many restaurants which feature European, Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine.

To experience true Moroccan hospitality, dine at Darna, located in the city center. The 200 year old building housing the restaurant, authentic interior design and waiters’ costumes take you to another time and another country. Tagine and couscous are the mainstay dishes at this restaurant which caters to parties and private events in an entertaining atmosphere.

An Asian eatery situated in the historic windmill in Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood, Sheyan is the perfect place to go for a tranquil dinner. The furniture and dishes have been imported from China and the chefs are native Chinese as well, emphasizing the authenticity. The menu features dishes from several Asian cuisines, such as Northern China, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan.

Trendy shuk restaurants

A stroll around Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s open-air market, is an experience not to be missed. Modern Jerusalem is left behind as you enter a typical Middle Eastern shuk, complete with haggling customers and stalls offering everything from spices and vegetable to clothes and housewares. The shuk is accessible by light rail or cab and is walking distance from the King David and Dan Panorama hotels. In the evenings, most of the stalls are closed but the restaurant scene is hopping, filed with young, hip Israelis out for a night on the town. Shuk restaurants tend to be narrow and crowded and décor is usually the last thing on the owners’ minds. But the food is delicious, made from fresh produce and ingredients bought from shuk vendors that very day.

Sima Restaurant serves homemade-style Middle Eastern cuisine. Sima’s specialty is me’urav yerushalmi (Jerusalem mix), which includes chicken hearts, liver and various other mysterious bits and pieces of chicken and is served with a side of French fries.

Jacko’s Street is designed like a warehouse and boasts an open kitchen. If you’re looking for high-quality steak and other meat dishes, this is the place to find it. Jacko’s is tucked away on a side street off Agrippas called Hashikma Street. It’s well worth the extra few minutes it will take you to the find the restaurant.

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Family-friendly establishments

Israel is a pretty family-friendly country, so you can easily take children to all but the most elegant restaurants. There are some eateries, though, where a meal with kids will be especially pleasant. Look for less crowded venues which offer high chairs and kids’ menus. The best way to judge if a restaurant is family-friendly is simply to walk in and get a feel for the crowd. If it’s full of families, chances are your children will enjoy it as well.

Pinati is a chain of restaurants around Israel, serving fresh pita, grilled meat, schnitzel and its famous hummus. The main Jerusalem branch is in a central location on King George Street and there is an additional branch in the industrial area of Talpiot. Service is quick so no one gets hungry waiting for their meals and the food is basic enough even for picky children.

The newly refurbished First Station (at the beginning of Emek Refaim Street) is home to a number of restaurants, including the family-friendly Hamiznon. The fare is dairy and relatively sophisticated but the restaurant is roomy and open to a pedestrian area where children can play safely. The décor is reminiscent of the waiting room at the Ottoman-era train station.

Jerusalem food – On the go

No trip to Israel would be complete without relishing in the delights of Israel’s street food; for these occasions, stop at one of the many fast food establishments Jerusalem has to offer and get some speedy, inexpensive and filling meals. In the city center, on the Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall, is the famous Big Apple Pizza. The slices are large and tasty, the French fries are crispy and the American soft ice cream is refreshing. Also on the pedestrian mall is New Deli (with another branch on nearby Emek Refaim Street) which serves American-style deli sandwiches inside Israeli rolls. Not to be outdone by their American style counterparts, Israeli street food of Schwarma or falafel can be found on almost all city center streets; make sure to grab at least one during your visit!

A hop, skip and a jump

The Dan hotels are centrally located near many of Jerusalem’s best restaurants. The city features a large assortment of eateries, from gourmet to fast food with everything in between. You can walk to most of the restaurants mentioned above or use the light rail or a taxi to reach them quickly. Whether you are on a family tour, a business trip or your honeymoon, Jerusalem has delicious restaurants for your enjoyment.

Hiking in Central Israel

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Central Israel’s landscape is mostly urban but if you know where to look you will discover an abundance of natural beauty. If you enjoy hiking or just being outdoors, you don’t have to venture far from your Dan hotel to find relaxing spots and amazing photo opportunities.

Yarkon and Tel Afek National Park

The Yarkon River, Israel’s largest coastal river, feeds directly into the Mediterranean Sea. The streams which lead into the river begin at the Yarkon National Park and feature aquatic plants such as the yellow water lily. A short hike (up to one hour) takes you past the streams and their springs which are dammed and form small pools. The old British Mandate pumping station is located inside the park and can be toured with advance registrations.

Tel Afek is an Ottoman-era fortress built atop a hill overlooking the coast. The site was one of the important passes of the Via Maris (Way of the Sea), so it was occupied continually for centuries. It is first mentioned in the Bible when the Philistines gathered at Afek to organize themselves for battle against the Israelites. After King David’s troops captured the city from the Philistines it was settled by the Israelites. King Herod the Great built a Roman city called Antipatris at the site and the Apostle Paul spent a night there on his way from Jerusalem to Caesarea.

Once you have toured the water sources and the fortress, relax in one of the many shaded areas of the park. Bring a picnic or go local with a portable barbecue and some coals for a tasty meal. Younger children will enjoy the playground equipment and teens can take advantage of the basketball court, volleyball net and ping-pong tables.

Alexander Stream Beit Yannai Beach Nature Reserve

Just north of Netanya is one of the few year-round streams on the northern coastal plain. The stream is home to soft-shelled turtles, some of them as large as 1.20 meters and 50 kilo. You can also spot huge catfish and nutria in the water. Hike the trail along the stream until it reaches the Beit Yannai Beach. In the summer, there are lifeguards at the beach so you can cool off with a rejuvenating swim.

Near the stream is the Israel Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. An educational tour can be reserved in advance. You’ll learn about the threats to sea turtles and the conservation efforts taking place at the center and in the Mediterranean Sea in general.

Palmachim Beach

A bit south of Tel Aviv, Palmachim Beach is just enough out of the way to be much quieter than the more central beaches. It’s a pristine and beautiful beach where families spend the day or a few hours on the way to or from a visit to the famed IKEA branch nearby.

Recently declared a national park, the site also features a short hike to a small archaeological site of the city of Yavne-Yam. The ancient port city served as a shelter for seafarers headed from Jaffa to Sinai. A fortified site, consisting of a square enclosure with freestanding ramparts and fortified gates, can be seen today. Important archaeological finds from the area can be viewed at the adjacent Beit Miriam museum in Kibbutz Palmachim.

Ashkelon National Park

Originally a Philistine city, Ashkelon reached its heyday in the Roman period as a thriving commercial center. You can wander among the ruins of marble and granite columns and capitals, the Roman basilica, 60 wells and statues of goddesses. The most impressive remnant is the Middle Bronze Age gate, featuring the earliest known arch in the world. The park is bordered by an ancient earthen dike built by the Canaanites to ward off raiders and added to by the Fatimid Muslim to keep out the Crusaders. The park includes a beach which is open for swimming during the summer. You can picnic or barbecue at the site as well.

Nature and history lovers will gain much from spending some time at these off-the-beaten-track sites. Enjoy the magnificent views of the Mediterranean and the coastal plain, get some fresh air and sun and grab some exercise hiking and swimming

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Enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Israel

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Israel may be a small country but it is blessed with vastly varying climates from top to bottom, including deserts, forests and tropical zones. Northern Israel is the greenest section of the country, with lush forests, rolling hills and flowing water. If you’re a nature lover, you won’t want to miss the beautiful sites of the Galilee and Golan Heights.

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Bird watching at Hula Valley

Lake Hula was once a large natural lake situated in a valley which served as a major junction on the trade route from Damascus to Cairo. In the 1950s the lake was drained as part of an effort to eliminate the mosquitos which spread malaria around the country. A small section of the lake was later re-flooded to revive the extinct ecosystem, now a main stopover for migrating birds making their way between Africa, Europe and Asia.

The best time to visit Hula Valley is in the autumn or spring when migrating birds stop for a while to enjoy the water and rich vegetation of the lake. However, there are thousands of birds at the site all year round. A well-marked path takes you around the lake and past the birds’ habitats. Follow the path on foot or take advantage of electric golf carts or if you don’t mind some exercise, explore Hula Valley with a bike. Choose from mountain bikes, tandem or multi-passenger bicycles. However you travel, be sure to stop at the bird observatories to hear explanations from experienced tour guides; guided tours of the entire site are available as well. Tractor-drawn safari wagons take you and a guide through both the public and the restricted sections of the nature reserve for up-close and personal encounters with the birds.

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Birds aren’t the only creatures who make their home in the Hula Valley. Join a night tour to observe nocturnal life in the valley, including bats, barn owls, jungle cats and raptors. The tour includes a short hike, stargazing, a campfire and refreshments. Or take a sunrise tour to watch the Hula Valley wake up. You’ll take a short hike, hear explanations about the animals and birds and watch the sun come up over the lake. Tours to the research and ringing center are also available where you’ll be able to touch the birds and even help release them into the wild. All tours require advance registration.

Geological wonders at Rosh Hanikra

One of the most beautiful nature reserves in Israel is located at the border between Israel and Lebanon. Once the site of railroad tracks which ran from Cairo to Istanbul, Rosh Hanikra is a breathtaking spot where the Mediterranean Sea splashes into sea caves called grottoes and colors them varying shades of purples.

Visitors to the grottoes travel down to the caves via a cable car which soars above the sea for a panoramic view of the coast and shimmering water. Your first stop should be at the sound and light show which tells the story of an ancient legend, the geological process that formed the grottoes, the animals which inhabit the area and the history of the British railroad. You’ll learn about Rosh Hanikra’s pivotal role in Israel’s independence. Jewish underground fighters blew up the railroad tracks in 1948 in order to prevent Arab forces from transporting weapons and manpower. The armistice agreement between Israel and Lebanon was signed at Rosh Hanikra in 1949.

After the sound and light show, you will descend into the grottoes themselves. The rush and spray of water makes a crashing sound against the cave walls, coloring the water and casting shadows interplaying light and dark. On a stormy winter’s day, the grottoes are particularly dramatic and you may even get a little bit wet.

As you leave the site, take a left and walk up to the army base at the border crossing. A large sign directs visitors toward Jerusalem in one direction and toward Beirut the other way. You can finish off your tour with a bike or electric cart ride along the coastal promenade.

Take a day trip from Dan Hotels in Haifa

Both Hula Valley and Rosh Hanikra are excellent day trips from any of the three Dan Hotels located in Haifa; Dan Panorama, Dan Carmel or Dan Gardens. You can combine them both into one day if you start out early in the morning. A mix of history, geology, bird and animal watching makes for a perfect day enjoying the magnificence of northern Israel.

Day trip to the Dead Sea

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The Dead Sea

When we think of the Dead Sea, we usually think of the amazing experience of floating in a body of water that won’t let you sink. This is a pretty amazing experience which should not be missed on your trip to Israel. But there are also many other attractions in the Dead Sea region which are worth a visit.

The Dead Sea is conveniently located in the center of the country, so it’s an easy day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. If you’re going to Eilat, you can also swing by the Dead Sea, stay overnight and continue traveling south the next morning. A finalist in a recent “New 7 Wonders of the World” contest, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and has the highest mineral content of any body of water. The arid desert surrounding the area is both beautiful and archaeologically significant, so there is much to do in the vicinity. If you want to see and do it all, you may need more than a day, but it’s possible to see two or three sites if you set out from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem early in the morning and head home after dark.

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When you drive south from Jerusalem, the first Dead Sea attraction you reach is Qumran. This site is perfect for history and archaeology buffs. During the Second Temple period, around the time of that Jesus lived, a mysterious sect built a small communal village at the foot of impressive caves in the Judean Desert. They lived according to strict rules, immersed in ritual baths often and invested a lot of time in composing and copying religious documents. These documents were hidden in the caves above Qumran for 2,000 years until seven scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin shepherd in 1947. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide precious evidence of the religious debates and daily life of the various sects which existed at the time of the advent of rabbinic Judaism and the birth of Christianity. A visit to Qumran includes a film, a walk through the extensive archaeological remains and a large gift shop offering various Dead Sea products.

Einot Zukim

Ein Feshkha (also known as Einot Zukim) is an oasis in the middle of the desert on the shore of the Dead Sea. Because the site provided water, it was inhabited during the Second Temple period by manufacturers of balsalm oil. The springs also provide water to animals such as jackals, wolves, foxes, hyenas and even leopards. The nature reserve is divided into two sections; One section is always open to the public and includes a pool formed from the springs. It is warm enough to swim in almost year round and pretty shallow. The hidden reserve is open on Jewish holidays and includes a deeper pool, a shallow pool and water channel which kids enjoy walking through. When this section is open, guided tours are held through the section where animals and plants thrive.

Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi is another oasis in the desert, with a selection of waterfalls cascading down the rocks to form pools in between the boulders. Ein Gedi is both a nature reserve and a historically significant site. Hikers visiting the national park can choose a short route to Nachal David or a long one to Nachal Arugot; Keep your eyes out for hyrax and ibex who inhabit the area. If you don’t hike but don’t want to miss out on seeing a desert waterfall, take a short walk to the nearest waterfall of Nachal David. After your visit to the nature reserve, you can stop at the ancient synagogue with its impressive mosaic floor and intriguing inscription about a mysterious secret. You’ll also want to visit the modern Kibbutz Ein Gedi, which features a cactus garden made up of about 1,000 varieties of cactus.

Massada

Masada is one of Israel’s most iconic sites. King Herod built an elaborate palace at the top of this cliff and wintered in it. The large complex later served as the last Jewish stronghold in the Great Revolt against Rome. Even after the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, the residents of Masada held out for another three years. When they saw that defeat was imminent, they committed mass suicide instead of surrendering. A recently renovated visitor’s center at the foot of the mountain tells the stories of Herod, the revolt and the archaeological discoveries made in the modern era. To reach the top of Masada, either take a cable car or hike up a difficult “snake path.” The path is best hiked in the winter or very early in the morning. It’s an incredible experience to walk up the hill right before dawn and watch the sun rise over Masada’s peak. At the top, see the decorative walls of the palace, storehouses, a synagogue, bathhouses and the royal apartments. At dusk, an impressive sound and light show at the foot of Masada is shown highlighting everything you have seen during your tour.

The Dead Sea is famous for its healthy and skin-enhancing properties. There are many spas at the Dead Sea shore, offering jacuzzis, mud treatments, mineral baths, massages and various other treatments Spend up to a full day alternating between floating in the sea, swimming in a pool, enjoying rejuvenating skin treatments and slathering black Dead Sea mud all over your body.

A visit to the Dead Sea region is a truly fascinating experience. Delve into ancient history at Qumran and Masada, enjoy beautiful nature at Ein Feshkha and Ein Gedi and wonder at the uniqueness of the Dead Sea. You’ll be glad you made the trip!

Beit Hatfutsot – The Museum of the Jewish People

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The new Jewish Museum

The newly renovated Beit Hatfutsot (Diaspora Museum) has been renamed The Museum of the Jewish People to reflect its new mission as the place to learn about Jewish history from ancient to contemporary. The museum aims to strengthen Jewish identity and perpetuate Jewish heritage around the world. To accomplish this, the museum has been modernized to be more inclusive of Jewish diversity and more interactive and fun for adults and children.

The Core Exhibition is divided into six sections which explore the story of Jewish continuity throughout the ages. The family section is devoted to the Jewish lifecycle and the diversity of contemporary Jewry. A slideshow of families from all over the world shows how different Jewish communities are but also how much they all have in common. The communal section depicts the structure of communities during different periods, including a model of a thirteenth century community.

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Persecution is unfortunately a big part of Jewish history, and the memorial section is devoted to this aspect of the experience. The faith section contains some of the museum’s famous synagogue models. These models are being gradually moved over to a new Synagogue Hall, to be opened during 2015. Jewish thought, languages and art are all given a place of honor in the culture section, which emphasizes the contributions of Jews to civilization in general.

A section named “Among the Nations” leads visitors through the story of interactions between Jews in the Diaspora and their host countries. The struggle for civil rights and yearning to return to Israel are focuses of this section. The Core Exhibition ends with the story of Zionism and the return to Zion which led to the establishment of the State of Israel.

Temporary changing exhbitions

As well as the permanent displays, The Museum of the Jewish People is also home to temporary exhibits which open a window into specific subjects. Currently, visitors can learn about the life of Amy Winehouse, the Jews of London in the nineteenth century, Jewish fashion designers, Jewish art based on superstition and volunteer soldiers from abroad in the War of Independence. Check the listings on the museum’s website to stay informed about which exhibits will be available during your visit.

If you’re wondering about certain aspects of your family’s history, take advantage of the extensive databases at the museum. For the past thirty years, the museum has collected information about photography, genealogy, films, Jewish music, communities, the meaning of Jewish family names, personalities, and terms in Jewish peoplehood. Look up your family’s last name to find out what it means and whether you had any famous relatives or ancestors. You can also send in a search request ahead of time for a small fee to be contacted directly by a representative of the museum.

Museum details and how to get?

If you’re coming to Israel without children, you can also enjoy the lectures and concerts which the museum holds in conjunction with some of its exhibits.

The museum is located on the campus of Tel Aviv University and is open daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Closing time on Fridays is at 1 pm. For an additional price you can order a guided tour geared toward your family or group. The tours are available in English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Yiddish and Spanish.

The Museum of the Jewish People is an excellent overview of the story of the Jews. If you can, make it one of the first stops on your itinerary as it will provide you with a framework for everything else you see in Israel.

The Underwater Observatory in Eilat

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Eilat by the Red Sea

The Red Sea is home to more than 1200 species of fish which are not found elsewhere. This diversity is partially due to the ancient coral reefs which extend for most of its coastline, and since Eilat is located on the Israeli shore of the Red Sea at the Underwater Observatory you can get a glimpse of these unique and colorful fish.

To view the fish, you enter a cavernous room surrounded on all sides by glass windows. Children and adults can spend hours here going from window to window to watch the fish swim through and around the coral reefs. Because you are viewing the actual sea, by the time you get back to the first window it will have a totally different view. The bright colorful coral reefs are as beautiful as the fish themselves and you will also notice snakes, sea turtles and other marine life.

fish in the coral reef in the red sea eilat

Coral Reefs: Underwater Observatory in Eilat

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There are other rooms devoted to specific rare fish and a newly built shark tank. 18 sharks, along with walruses, sea bats and thousands of fish inhabit the shark tank, letting you get uniquely up close and personal with these creatures. The sharks are viewed from an underground window and from the top of the pool. One of the purposes of the tank is to dispel some of the myths that surround sharks, particularly that they are likely to eat people (as they did in the movie Jaws). Video clips, interactive games and model sharks provide information about their lifestyle and habitats and there are even two feeding sessions a day where you can watch the sharks grabbing their meals.

A pier leads you away from the beach to an observation tower which gives a glimpse of sea life away from the shore, further into the Sea. From the tower, a glass-bottomed boat tour takes you out to see the fish swimming beneath your feet. The boat ride is about 20 minutes long and a special thrill for children. Refreshments and coffee are available at the top of the tower.

Observation Tower & Eilat Ocean Diving

The observatory’s 3D movie with moving seats takes you right into the ocean to see marine life on video. The movie is for children aged 5 and over and not suitable for pregnant women.

Admission to the Underwater Observatory includes the pools, aquarium and observation tower. The glass-bottom boat and the 3D movie are at an additional price.

Being only a short distance to the hotel strip of Eilat Beach, some tourists and families spend an entire day here and others just a few hours. If you enjoy zoos and other animal-related attractions, you are likely to turn this into a full-day activity. Don’t forget to bring your camera as there are some incredible photo ops, including the opportunity to pose inside a “shark’s” mouth.
For opening times and more information see the Underwater Observatory website.

Dolphin Reef Eilat : Swimming with dolphins

Top 10 Jerusalem Sites

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There’s so much to do and see in Jerusalem that it can be hard to decide what attractions to take in if you have limited time in the city. You can’t possibly see the entire city in one day. Instead, map out a route which gets you to two or three sites a day. Take into account how close the sites are, so you don’t waste time and money on extra traveling. In today’s digital age, this is easily done by using websites and apps to direct you in getting around by car, walking, biking or taking public transportation.

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In three or four days, you can see these ten important sites in Jerusalem:

1. The Western Wall – This is the first place many tourists visit almost as soon as they arrive in Jerusalem. The outer wall of the Temple Mount, built by Herod the Great, has been a site of prayer and pilgrimage for Jews for centuries. It was the closest Jews could get to the Temple Mount so it became a symbol of holiness and the Divine presence. You can visit the Western Wall at any time of the day. The site is open to everyone, although modest dress is required. Many visitors write a prayer or request on a piece of paper and place it in between the stones of the ancient wall.

2. Tower of David – The citadel is not as ancient as its name would lead you to believe, but it does date back to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. Today the citadel houses a museum of the history of Jerusalem from biblical until contemporary times. In the evenings, a spectacular sound and light show is shown on the external walls of the Tower of David, detailing Jerusalem’s history and culture.

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3. Via Dolorosa – This is the walk that Jesus took toward his crucifixion and burial. Christian pilgrims have been walking this route since ancient times. Start the route near Lion’s Gate in the Muslim Quarter and pass by the 14 Stations of the Cross, each marked by a sign, until you reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At 3 PM on Fridays (the approximate time of the original walk), group processions led by Franciscans enhance the spiritual experience of the Via Dolorosa.

4. City of David – Excavations of Jerusalem demonstrate that the biblical city was a powerful force in the ancient world. Watch a film about King David and walk through the excavations to see the impressive ruins. The highlight of a visit to the City of David is Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a water shaft which you can walk right through (warning: you will get wet).

5. Ramparts Walk – The walls of the Old City were built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman in the 1500s. The flat tops of the walls, with ramparts for looking through, make for an ideal stroll above the Old City. You can get a birds-eye view of the four quarters of the Old City, including all the important landmarks. The route is not circular because the walls behind the Temple Mount are not open to the public. You can choose to do the Armenian and Jewish Quarters walk or the Muslim and Christian Quarters walk. Both walks start from Jaffa Gate, so you can come back later (or another day) to do the second half.

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6. Mahane Yehuda market – Israel’s best-known open-air market (called the shuk by locals) is the hub of central Jerusalem. Tourists and locals come to the market to purchase anything and everything. There is a big focus on food – meat, fish, spices, nuts, fruits and vegetables and baked goods are popular items in the shuk. But you can also buy clothing, electronics, housewares and more. Avoid the shops aimed at tourists and shop in the stores which cater to locals. Haggling is expected in the shuk and if you are a good negotiator you can find some really good deals.

7. The Biblical Zoo – Yes, you can go to the zoo in any city, but the Biblical Zoo is special because of its focus on animals which are mentioned in the Bible. Read the signs for more information on the biblical context in which each of the animals is mentioned. As the zoo has expanded over the years, it has grown to include animals not mentioned in the Bible as well, so you will also get to see penguins and baboons.

8. The German Colony and First Station – In 1878, German Templers (a Christian sect) settled in Jerusalem and built a neighborhood of spacious stone houses around a main thoroughfare they named Emek Refaim – the Valley of Ghosts. Emek Refaim Street is home to small boutiques, open air cafes and artists’ shops. More of a local hangout than Jerusalem’s town center (Ben Yehuda Street), this is a great place to get a feel for the “real Israel.” In walking distance from Emek Refaim, is the newly refurbished train station. The train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem no longer arrives at this station, but the railway lines are still embedded in the wooden floor. Modern specialty shops and cafes are hidden behind the old-fashioned facade of the railway stations. A biking/walking/jogging path behind the First Station leads you through various neighborhoods and changing urban landscapes.

9. Israel Museum – Israel’s foremost museum features ancient artifacts, traditional Jewish costumes, contemporary Israeli art and many more exhibits. Highlights are the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Youth Wing with its child-friendly exhibits and the model of Second Temple Jerusalem which overlooks the landscape of the new city.

10. Bible Lands Museum – This interactive museum is dedicated to showcasing ancient cultures and their interrelationships in the context of the Bible. The main exhibition takes you through the Ancient Near East, from the dawn of civilization to the advent of monotheism and early Christianity.

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