Ever Fascinating Israel
By Robert Haru Fisher
 As the accepted birthplace of two of the world's major
religions, Israel has been a destination for travelers from abroad
for perhaps longer than any other country in the modern era. The
wealth of cultural and historical sites to be found here is fabulous
enough, but Israel is a leader in modern science and technology as
well, so it isn’t just Biblical milk and honey, but educational and
economic progress as well.
Despite its wealth of historic places, there were until recently
only three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country
- The Old City of Acre, Masada and Tel Aviv (the latter primarily
for its Bauhaus architecture). This spring, however, several
biblical towns and archeological sites, including four spots along
the Incense Route in the Negev, and mounds at Megiddo, Hazor and
Beersheba, were added.
Tourism from the US and Canada has increased for the past few years,
2006 being expected to see even more visitors, including heritage
travel by Jewish tourists and Holy Land experiences by Christians.
Meanwhile, a recent historic, first meeting between tourism
representatives from Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine augurs well
for peaceful travel in the region.
Events
The Ministry of Tourism website (see below) lists events as they occur throughout the country.
 Outdoors
Take a hike! You'll hear this in several places, especially around Eilat or in the Negev, in either of which camping is also a possibility. Hikes to and from Masada, the ancient symbol of the Jews' fight for freedom, are especially popular.
Israel is one of the best places in the world for bird watching possibilities, with, they say, about 500 million birds crossing the narrow airspace here twice a year during their migrations.
Camping Out
For information on where to set up your tents, contact the Israel Chalets & Camping Union, PO Box 53, 22100 Nahariya, Israel, phone 04/992-5392.
Health
In addition to soaking in the Red Sea, you can visit one or more spas there that offer therapeutic packages said to help several medical conditions, including psoriasis. More info at
www.dead-sea.health.org.
Lodging
Israel is awash with good hotels in all price categories, from luxurious resorts to modest bed & breakfast facilities. In addition to leading Israeli chains, such as the Dan properties, there are several American and other foreign chains throughout the country, especially in Tel-Aviv and Eilat, such as Hilton, Sheraton, Howard Johnson's, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. Eilat is the center for beach activities around the year, with at least a dozen large resorts. And don't forget the possibilities of staying in a kibbutz, or in a cozy country hotel.
Dining Out
In addition to Israeli food, which has a definite Middle Eastern bent, you can find restaurants featuring nearly every world cuisine, from Chinese to Italian, French to Spanish, you name it. Visitors who want kosher food will, of course, find it readily available in every community. And in the land where the Tourism Department's logo features men toting a huge bunch of grapes, there is also a small wine industry, producing increasingly good labels over the past two decades, including what one critic calls "the best kosher wines in the world." Look for wines from the Golan Heights.
Shopping
You'll want to buy handicrafts while here, so head for shopping areas in Jerusalem, Tel- Aviv or Eilat, especially. You can even buy frankincense and myrrh here, just as the Wise Men may have done, if they didn't bring their own from Yemen. Judaica, including anointing oils, is also a popular category, with much information on this and other purchases at
www.israelshop.com.
Major Destinations
Jerusalem
 A holy city to three important religions, Jerusalem attracts pilgrims, sightseers and history-lovers from every part of the world. You may have to help your guide, if you hire one, to narrow down the huge list of sites to a manageable number, mentioning that you would prefer to see more Christian sites, or Jewish, or Moslem, or archeological, or whatever, as the case may be. Whatever your desire, it's likely that certain famous highlights will dominate your itinerary:
The Big Three for all religions, of course, are the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Christian), the Western Wall (Jewish) and the Dome of the Rock (Moslem). Many visitors want to walk the Via Dolorosa en route to the church and add the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, the Garden Tomb and the Garden of Gethsemane to their itineraries. Be sure to check out the important gates (e.g., Jaffa, Lion's, Damascus) to the Old City, and read up on their histories and significance.
Of great historical interest also are the tunnels at the Western Wall, King David's Tomb, the Tombs of the Prophets, and the Al Aqsa Mosque. Other important places include the Tower of David, the Jewish Quarter (with some nice restaurants), the City of David archeological site, the Bible Lands Museum, Holyland, the Biblical Zoo and the Islamic Museum. Archeologists will appreciate the Davidson Center, one of the most significant sites in the country.
The Israeli Parliament Building (the Knesset) here can be visited on Sundays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 2:30, free of charge. Bring your passports.
Yad Vashem is a moving tribute to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust, augmented by the recent (2005) addition of the new Holocaust History Museum. The Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book is one of the largest encyclopedia museums in the world, and is full of wonders. Highlights here include the sculpture garden, works by Rembrandt, Klee, Picasso, Poussin, Magritte and more. Note also the bust of Hadrian, the Great Isaiah Scroll, the Beersheba Venus, among thousands of marvelous objects.
Music lovers should look for concerts by the Jerusalem Symphony. And check the local English-language paper, the Jerusalem Post, for other events in the performing arts.
For more information on Jerusalem, go to
www.jerusalem.muni.il/english.
Near Jerusalem
The earliest scenes associated with Christianity include the historical birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, a short trip outside Jerusalem, where the Church of the Nativity is the star attraction (literally, as a metal star in the floor of the church's basement marks the site of the crèche). Trips can be arranged also to the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have preached and performed his miracles, or to the Jordan River, scene of St. John's baptizing efforts.
South of Jerusalem
Highlights of this area include Masada, scene of the heroic defense of the citadel by early Jewish freedom fighters, and the Dead Sea, today a target for health seekers and spa-lovers. (Everyone wants to float in the Dead Sea, preferably while pretending to read a newspaper or holding a drink in one hand.)
 The Red Sea Riviera
At the far southern end of Israel, fronted by the Red Sea, is sunny Eilat, center of water sports and other beach activities, with dozens of resorts, large and small, some lining the four main beaches, others a short walk distant. As it has warm weather year round, Eilat is especially popular in winter with Israelis and travelers from Europe. At least a dozen dive centers offer packages for varying lengths of water activities in the crystal-clear Red Sea. In addition to several hiking, nature and ecology tours, there are also side trip packages to nearby Egypt and Jordan.
Tel Aviv & The Coast
In Tel Aviv, look for cultural opportunities, such as theater (often in English), concerts and dance. Consider programs by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Opera, for instance. Take time to visit at least one or two of the city's outstanding museums, such as the Diaspora Museum and the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art. Other museums include the Eretz Israel Museum and the Bible Museum. Some of the country's best restaurants are here, too.
 Haifa
This old port city, famous in the time of the Caesars, has a unique character, with many worthwhile sights and sites. Among them are the nearby Old City of Acre, itself fabled in literature (Marco Polo is said to have set off for China from here, and everyone headed for the Middle East from Europe through here in ancient times), and the magnificent Bahai Shrine on Mount Carmel. Also of interest here are the Germany Colony, Sculpture Garden, Elijah's Cave, the Stella Maris Monastery, the Funicular up the mountains, and the Druze Villages.
Galilee
The city of Nazareth, though ancient in origin, was developed in the form seen today mostly in the 18th century under Ottoman rule. Not far away is Safed, a world center of Kabbala and Jewish thought, with many of its medieval synagogues noted for their Spanish architecture. Of interest in the region also are the Gamla Nature Reserve, Hula National Park and the nearby International Center for the Study of Bird Migration at Latrun. Near the Sea of Galilee are the tomb of Maimonides, the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha and Capernaum.
Getting There
Airlines
In addition to El Al, which has nonstop flights from the USA to Israel, the country has another airline, Israir, until recently only for charters, but now planning regular scheduled service between New York and Tel Aviv. Additional airlines operating here include: Continental and Delta (both nonstop), and about 22 others, most with one stop between the USA and Israel.
Dozens of tour operators in the USA have packages to Israel, many of them themed to religious, historical or ecological interests, to mention only a few kinds.
For more information on Israel, go to the website of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism,
www.goisrael.com. Or you can contact them at 888/77 ISRAEL or 212/499-5660, email
info@goisrael.com. There is also an office in Los Angeles, phone 323/658-7463, email
igtola@imot.org.
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