Other Destinations in Israel > Israel Experience

Advantages: An unusual experience, good for the skin
Disadvantages: A long walk, the salty water may sting after a while

~Summary~ The Dead Sea, this was the main reason for my trip to Israel. The healing properties of the waters may be overstated, but you can't go to Israel and not experience mudpacks and swimming in the salty water. The resorts are well equipped with showers, lockers, toilets, restaurant and products to take back home. The actual Dead Sea waters are receding so it is a long walk to the water edge, but there is a land train if you have trouble walking ...
...skin. ~Introduction~ The Dead Sea is in Israel and is shared with Jordan. The Dead Sea is renowned for its revitalising properties and products from the Dead Sea area include mud masks, bath salts and other bathing items. The Dead Sea is also below sea level in a valley and has very high salt levels, as such there are no living creatures in the water. The salt levels are so high that you cannot immerse yourself face down in the sea and can only ... Read review

Advantages: history and art
Disadvantages: unstable political situation

This city is called with different names according to the language used. In the Bible it was called "Joppa", in Hebrew is "Yafo", in Arab is "Jaffa" (and in my review I will use the name "Jaffa"). Jaffa is the oldest city located along the Mediterranean shore, and its port was on duty since the Egyptian and Phoenician ages. Archaeological excavations discovered findings 4.000 years old and according to such recovers it quite sure that Jaffa has ...
..."beautiful" and it is true because from any side to watch this city you find it always beautiful. As in any place with more than one religion also for Jaffa the origin of the name and of the city has different interpretations. According to the archaeological findings the city has been founded by the Canaanites but according to the Old Testament was Jafet, one of Noah sons, the founder of Jaffa that began the establishment of the city just after ... Read review

Advantages: Hours of exploration if you like archaeology and Jewish history, good views over the Dead Sea
Disadvantages: A cynic will view it as a pile of rubble on a hill

...other minor amendments. ~Summary~ Massada was a half-day tour during my week stay in Israel. It is on a hill and gives good views of the Dead Sea and surrounding area. It is not really a good place for children or adults with walking difficulties, as the terrain in the city is very rough. If you like archaeology and looking at ruins then this is the place for you. ~Introduction~ Massada is an old ruined fortress city, on a hill near the Dead ...
...in front of the Romans. Massada is now a symbol for Israeli and the phrase 'Massada will never fall again' is part of an oath taken by certain Israeli Defence Force units. ~Arriving in Massada~ I arrived from Eilat on a tour bus, we assembled at the bottom and took a cable car up to the top of hill and into Massada. There is a path to the top of the hill called the 'Snake Path', but even in January I didn't fancy going up that hill as it looked ... Read review

Advantages: Some nice beaches.
Disadvantages: Not very interesting.

I didn’t really find a lot of things of interest in Haifa, apart from the Bahai temple which was a pretty interesting architectural achievement. If you are looking for Christian related sites, there is nothing of real interest in Haifa. There are a few very nice beaches though, where you can sit on the sand under umbrellas, or on the grass under the shade of trees and sip carrot juice (10 shekels or GBP 1.60 a go). I also went to the Bat Galim beach. ... Read review

Advantages: Historically interesting for Christians
Disadvantages: Local transportation expensive

...thing that amazed me about Bethlehem was its size. I was expecting something like a small village, but it is a big town, complete with international hotel chains. Cultural events were taking place every evening in the city. We heard an Arabic singer (don’t know who he was). It’s not difficult to get there. You can take a bus for only 2 shekels from the Suliman street bus station. But once you’re there it can be a bit expensive. I wanted to go to ... Read review