Towards the northern part of the Golan there are two quite dramatic hills – not incredibly high but very prominent and standing out in the terrain. Mount Avital is closed to the public, but Mount Bental is accessible. The site of one of the most dramatic battles in Israel’s history Mount Bental … Read more
Nimrod’s Fortress is located high over the Golan towards Mount Hermon. This Mameluk fortress is an amazing place to explore – find the secret passage and take in the stunning views, especially at sunset. It is the largest existing Crusader-era castle or fortress in all of Israel. Its location is quite strategic, … Read more
Sharing a common entrance (and entrance ticket) with Gangaroo is Sachne – no less interesting, but, a completely different experience — beautiful pools and streams. Sachne is a series of natural pools fed by hot springs and a stream with mini-water falls and a (non-operational) mill. Although the water is warm (28c), it … Read more
Hamat Gader Hamat Gader (or literally The Hot Springs on the Fence or in its Arabic name “El Hama”) is a hot springs and resort location established in the Roman age, making it the oldest spa complex in Israel. It is tucked away under the Sea of Galilee and located in the … Read more
Emek Bet Shean (or Emek Beit Shean) has a few special spots that are well worth visiting, since they are so close together. Emek Bet Shean can be incredibly hot during the summer. So keep your shade on and drink plenty of fluids while you’re enjoying the day. Two of these sites … Read more
An alternative to Sachne – Gan HeShelosha (if you are looking for a refreshing dip) is Nahal HaKibbutzim about five or ten minutes drive away. It is a water hike located on Beit Shean valley in Emek HaMaayanot. It’s one of the best-known water hikes in the country, although the place actually has … Read more
Safed is an ancient city in the Northern District of Israel. It is also called “Tsfat,” “Tzfas,” “Safad,” “Zfat” or “Zefat”. Sefad’s “Old City” is split into two sections: the Old Jewish Quarter and the Artist Quarter (or Artist’s Colony). The Zefat Artists’ Colony is located just south of the Old Jewish … Read more
Beit Shean is one of the oldest cities in Israel. Over 20 layers of human civilization are tucked away inside its large ancient tell or mound. Spread out to the south below Tel Beit Shean are the extensive ruins of a magnificent Roman city. Beit Shean had all the necessary ingredients for … Read more
The Valley of Tears was the scene of one of the most important battles of the Yom Kippur War. In general terms Israel was taken by surprise at the outset of the 1973 Yom Kippur War (also known as the “Valley of Tears Battle”), having ignored or misinterpreted much of the intelligence … Read more
The Banias is the term referring to an ancient site that was built around a spring which was once associated with Pan, the Greek god of the wild, the shepherds and the flocks, nature and rustic music. The name “Banias” itself is associated with the pre-Hellenistic Greek god, who is also variously … Read more