Tourism of Israel offers an array of religious and cultural sites. Though travel in Israel is delightful throughout the year, the most pleasant time to visit Israel includes the spring time from March to April and September through October. The Holy Land, as Israel is generally termed, plays host to all kinds of travelers, from pilgrims to leisure travelers, including the business tourists.
The major places of attraction in Israel can be categorized into three, the cities, the historical sites and the natural sites. While cities like Jerusalem and Nazareth boasts of a breathtaking biblical history, others like Tel Aviv and port cities of Ashdod and Haifa reflect a perfect blend of heritage and modernity. The visitors are awestruck by the beauty of the Byzantine churches, fortresses, mosques and synagogues that abound the city of Jerusalem. Eliat, the city nestled in the exotic tropical surroundings and overlooking the Red Sea can well be termed as the Goa of Middle East.
There are several sites of scenic beauty in Israel which are worth-visiting. The Dead Sea of Israel is the lowest point on earth and its water is used for curing many diseases. It is because of the water of the sea that truly works wonder, there are many natural spas and hot springs available around the Dead Sea. The Red Sea and the Sea of Galilee are two other places ensuring their position in the itinerary of the tourists visiting Israel. There are several beaches sprawling with golden sands, and the luxury seaside resorts of Israel serves a perfect haven for unwinding.
There are some best possible accommodation facilities available in Israel for tourists. Israel tourism is remarkably improved than most other Middle East countries. Some best options of hotels in Tel Aviv are Alexander All Suits Hotel, Bell Hotel, Golden Beach Tel Aviv, in Jerusalem one can avail the amenities provided in Arcadia Hotel, Grand court Hotel.
History of Israel
The State of Israel is located in the southwestern part of Asia. Bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt it is one of the most prosperous state in the Middle East. The State of Israel has a large number of castles and ports which bear witness to the history of the country. Israel benefits from the presence of major historical sites relating to different religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Therefore a large percent of the travelers consist of pilgrims.
The history of Israel dates back to the Hebrew Bible. According to the first chapter of the Bible, Jacob (one of the patriarchs of the country mentioned in Old Testament) was rechristened Israel after wrestling with an angel of God. Therefore after attaining Independent Status the country was named the State of Israel in 1948.
The History of Israel can be traced back to the days of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. The state was called the ‘Promised Land’ which was meant to be for the Jews, the predecessors of Jacob. The country of Israel holds a number of connotations for the Christian and Islamic religions. It is here that Jesus Christ was born, and it is also the land where Mohammed, the Muslim Prophet, ascended to heaven.
Israel denotes the amalgam of three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia. Therefore the culture of Israel is a skein of all the cultures, customs and traditions from across the three continents. On the junction of commerce routes, the land also witnessed a wave of armies - the Canaanites, Hebrews, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders Ottoman Turks and the British. Most of the fortifications, castles and royal palaces were built by these visitors who reined the country of Israel from time to time.
During the rise of various regimes in the country, the Jews migrated to other parts of the world. During the British regime in Israel, the Jews were subjected to great atrocities. The Second World War saw the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler massacre 6 million Jews in Europe. Following the growing atrocities across the world, the Jewish Community in Israel re-established sovereignty and Israel was announced as a separate state for the Jews.
Following this declaration, the Arab countries of Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon and Iraq declared war against the State of Israel. This marked the beginning of the War of Independence.
Through the years, Israel has been embroiled in conflict the country is widely visited by Christians and Muslim pilgrims from across the globe. And the close association of the country with these religions helps in promoting the Tourism Industry in Israel.
Culture of Israel
A review of the fifty years of any country can reflect on the cultural history of any state or country. More so in the case of Israel, where the last fifty years have been marked by a series of calamitous events which have had an effect on the cultural character of this South Asian Country of Israel.
The location of the country has also affected the culture of Israel. The country forms point of amalgamation for three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa. This strategic location of Israel allows the country to derive cultural association from all the three continents. And with a large amount of population coming from all the three continents, Israel has derived a rich cultural diversity. Arts and Crafts in Israel are widely supported by the government of Israel. Local artisans are given special provisions by the government. The country has a number of galleries and museums where the work of artisans is displayed. Art lovers in Israel will not be disappointed by the arrangement made by the government. For cities who do not have permanent exhibit sites, temporary sites are made for the art lovers.
Music of Israel is very versatile and is a combination of western and eastern music. It includes a wide variety of Asian and Arab pop and Hassidic songs. While talking about music in Israel it is unlikely not to mention the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orchestra forms a major crux of the musical scene in Israel. Established in 1936, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the national orchestra of the country. The famous musical composer Zubin Mehta, is a well renowned figure and the orchestra under his guidance perform in concerts throughout the country and abroad.
Another cultural aspect is the theater in Israel which consists of large number of small and large groups of different genres. The first theater professionals in the country were immigrants from Europe and Russia. These immigrants found the Middle-Eastern culture that maintained a dialogue with innovative modern theatrical thinking. One of the most famous theatrical groups in the country is the Ha-Bima Theatre group that originated in Russia. Today, it is considered as the national theater company of Israel. The group presents classical and contemporary plays. The other noted theater groups are the Ha-Kameri Theater Group, Tsavta in Tel Aviv, Gesher, Haifa Theater and the Yaffo Arab-Jewish Theater.
Religion is very much a part of the lives of Jews and therefore Israelites are subject to strict etiquettes. Few of the etiquettes in Israel are strict and have to be followed by the citizens. Among the Jews handshakes are a standard mode of greeting therefore if you meet a strict follower of the Jewish tradition then you might be greeted by a handshake in Israel. Across the country of Israel, hospitality is a medium of demonstrating wealth and power. Therefore expect a lavish spread of food while visiting a friend for dinner in the country. One of the most important customs for women in the country one should remember that the knees and elbows must be covered and that they should wear high collard clothes.
The Cuisine of Israel is been influenced by the ethnic communities which constitute the population of Israel. The religious based dietary laws of Kashrut play a determining factor in the cooking and eating habits of the country. Meat and Bread constitute the daily cuisines of the country while fish has also become an integral part of informal dining in the country due to its proximity with the Mediterranean Sea.
The Israeli culture is an amalgamation of traditions and cultures from across the country and the neighboring areas.
Israel Popular Destinations
The Middle East country of Israel, having a moderate climate is frequented with numerous travelers throughout the year. Israel display hundreds of scaled down models of buildings and also a wide array of sacred sites. This astounding combination of tradition and modernity has made Israel a magnificent travel destination.
The State of Israel consists of a number of places and the tourists are suggested to visit those places to experience the rich heritage of Israel. Some of the popular destinations of Israel are listed below:
Jerusalem , the capital of Israel is a popular destination for both religious and non-religious travelers. It is of supreme historical and spiritual importance. It has a network of museums and concerts and archaeological treasures that interact with the daily life of the city. The popular attractions are Western(Wailing)Wall, Dome of the Rock, Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, Israel Museum, garden Tomb, Mount Olives to name a few.
Tel Aviv is the second largest city of Israel and contains most part of the largest and most populous metropolitan area of Israel, Gush Dan. A large number of museums are placed at Tel Aviv. There are important sacred places as well. Some of the tourist attractions are Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Migdal Shalom Tower, The Great Synagogue, Ja'ama'a-el-Bahr Sea Mosque are just a few of them.
Eilat is the place where the beauty of nature and wildlife can be enjoyed. It has a number of parks and beaches. Tourists can have a fabulous time scuba diving in the beaches of Eilat. The other attractions which are not be missed are the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Dolphin Reef, Amazing World, Yellow Submarine, Aqua Beach and Eilat Marina.
Haifa is situated in the Northwest of Israel and has several important religious sites and beaches. The most famous site of Haifa is Baha'i gardens and golden Dome, a beautiful garden with 19 terraces. Other places of importance are Mount Carmel National Park, Stella Maris Lighthouse and Carmelite Monastery, Technion College, The German Colony and Elijah's Cave.
Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus and a famous site for Christian pilgrimage. Visitors should not miss the Church of the Nativity on Manger Square. It is one of the oldest surviving Christian Churches. The other important religious sites are Church of St. Catherine, Milk Grotto, Rachel's Tomb and Shepherds' Fields.
Israel's popular destinations are not limited to the above mentioned places. Places like Tiberias, Netanya, Zefat, Nazareth, Nablus, Golan Height, Jericho, Hebron should also be visited by the travelers. The very name Israel evokes images of ancient architecture, religious significance and picturesque locales. It is an invigorating experience traveling through this ancient country.
Festival and Events in Israel
The Jewish calendar is marked with a string of events that span the entire year to give the Jewish community a number of days to celebrate. The festivals and events in Israel, as in the other Jewish nations therefore include a variety of occasions, each of which is observed by the Jews with an equal care and dedication. Most of the festivals owe their origin to ancient episodes mentioned in the Bible. For instance, the events preceding and following the Exodus often contribute to the origin of several festivals, as the Jews observe the particular days to recount the Biblical episodes. Some festivals again, have stemmed from certain time hallowed customs which the Jews had been following since the ancient times. The festivals and events in Israel are delightfully varied, giving the country a range of experiences through the year. While some occasions stem from happy events, allowing the Jews to celebrate with joy, some others are days to commemorate some tragic loss. Whatever be the mood and custom involved, the festivals and events in Israel speak of a rich cultural heritage and a distinct dedication which the community follows in case of each occasion.
Rosh Hashanah in Israel: This day in September marks the New Year in the Jewish calendar. With its own set of customs, the day is one for celebrating the new beginning.
Fast of Gedaliah in Israel: The day marks the death of Gedaliah, the appointed guardian of the Jewish race. As the day speaks of the degeneration of the erstwhile Jews, it is spent today with a series of rituals to lament the fall.
Yom Kippur in Israel: Yom Kippur, according to the Bible, is a day devoted to the atonement of the sins done in the past year. As making amends is the primary purpose of the day, fasts and strict customs form an inherent part of it.
Sukkot in Israel: Sukkot in Israel is a happy occasion as the country celebrates the time for traveling to Jerusalem to thank the Provider for a good harvest. With a festive spirit in the air, the day is spent in feasts and celebrations.
Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah in Israel: closely following the Sukkot, comes the Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which marks the home coming of the Jews from Jerusalem.
Hanukah in Israel: Hanukah is an eight day festival for rejoicing the military and religious feats of the ancient Jews, and recounting the miracle which saved the Jewish sanctity.
Tu B'Shevat in Israel: The festival is devoted to reshaping ones relation with nature and acknowledging the natural bounty with which Israel has been blessed. With feasts and forestry drives, the day bears a distinct flavor.
Fast of Esther in Israel: The day recounts the fats which Esther and the Jews had held before a decisive battle with the Babylonian forces.
Purim in Israel: With its carnival spirit, the day is meant for celebrating the historic victory of the Jews in the historic battle. With feats, public performances, parades, and dances, the day stands as one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar.
Passover in Israel: The day celebrates the benevolence of God as he passed over the Jewish houses before the Exodus and thus saved the Jewish race from annihilation.
Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes'Remembrance Day in Israel: The day stands as one of the saddest days in the Jewish history as it recounts the ruthless murder of six million Jews in the Nazi reign.
Shavuot in Israel: The day preserves a tradition which the ancient Jews had followed to celebrate the year's harvest.
17th of Tammuz in Israel: The 17th of Tammuz is one of the saddest days in the Jewish calendar as it marks the five tragic events which led to the fall of Jerusalem.
Ninth of Av in Israel: The day spells another tragic event for the Jews as it marks the day when the ancient Jews were forbidden to enter Israel.
How to Get in
Israel, an exotic and mystifying land have seen an increase in the number of people visiting the country every year. In fact, the number of tourists to the country has risen considerably in the coming years. One can get to Israel by air, by road or by sea.
By Air:
A large number of international airlines operate flights to Israel. Israel's main international airport is Ben Gurion Airport located 20 km from Tel Aviv and 40 km from Jerusalem.
By Sea:
Shipping is another cheap and convenient mode of getting to Israel. Various shipping lines offer scheduled sailing options from countless Europe destinations to Haifa Port.
If you want to travel to Israel by land then you get there through Israel's borders with Egypt and Jordan.
Hotels in Israel
