Citadel at Caesarea by Adam Reeder, on Flickr

Caesarea National Park is one of, if not Israel’s, most impressive archaeological site. The beautifully restored harbor here was built by King Herod and is a work of engineering marvel. The site is a fascinating place to explore and the museum includes a great multimedia explanation of the history of the port.

Within the park is the Caesarea Amphitheater, also restored, which  during the summer regularly hosts concerts of both local, and international acts. The Harbor Beach is located within the Park although you can enter seperately, and is totally unique in its setting, with superb facilities.

The Park is also home to a unique museum, the world’s only underwater museum where you are able to dive through the underwater ruins of this ancient city. Wow! For more call the Caesarea Dive Club (04-6265898).

Caesarea Aqueduct by luzer, on Flickr

Outside the national park, in the modern day neighborhood of Caesarea is the Aquaduct Beach one of the most breathtaking beaches imaginable. With an ancient aquaduct marking the edge of the beach the breathtaking approach is even more stunning up close. There is no life guard here so bathing is not strictly allowed although it does get busy on summer weekends, but the is worlds away from the beaches further south with a more rural surrounding and breathtaking archaeological feature

Caesarea Amphitheater where concerts are held in the summer by Flickr user heatkernel

Caesarea also hosts the Ralli Museum, one of four museums around the world funded by philanthropist Harry Recanti. The two galleries at Caesarea focus on Latin American and Sephardic Jewish artwork. The museum is free to enter and has some fantastic pieces so if you’re in the area, and cant resist the urge to see some art, this is the place to go. Nearby is Caesarea Golf Club which is Israel’s only full size golf course. Recently reconstructed by renowned designer Pete Dye, this course plays host, every four years to the Maccabi Games, the Jewish Olympics.

All this is exploring is likely to get your appetite going, and there are some brilliant restaurants in Caesarea at the Harbor. They vary in price although most are pretty good and serve seafood with an awesome location overlooking the Mediterranean.

Visiting Caesarea

Caesarea National Park is a half-day attraction which is great all-year round. It is easily accesisble by road, although getting to Caesarea by public transport can be tricky. Many tourists therefore decide to visit the site on a tour of Caesarea, many of which incorporate other sites along the coast and can start from either Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

Caesarea is a great place to enjoy a sunset and meal so go late afternoon in the summer and enjoy the sunset in one of the many restaurants in Caeasarea harbor. The museum is open in summer months (April-September) from 8am to 6pm and winter months until 4pm, with the site itself and restaurants remaining open later into the evening.

Enquiries: 04-626-7080

Fees: Adult: NIS 38; child: NIS 23Israeli senior citizen: 50% discount. Group (over 30 people): Adult: NIS 34: child NIS 21

Caesarea is located just off of Road 2, the main coastal highway about mid-way between Haifa and Tel Aviv. It is about a 1 hour drive from downtown Tel Aviv.

Public transport to Caesarea is slightly difficult. There is a train link between Tel Aviv and Haifa, and Kesarya, however from the station you will need to take a taxi to the site about a five minute ride away (it is too far to walk). There are no inter-city buses to the town although local buses do come from Hadera irregularly during the day.

Stunning views by Flickr user hoyasmeg

Mount Carmel’s higher altitude means it receives greater levels of rainfall than the land below, giving birth to abundant pine forests, including the Carmel National Park. In Spring, over 650 species of plant blossom and perhaps this water, combined with its strategic location, can explain the settlement which has taken place here for millenia. Today, many pretty towns and villages adjourn the slopes of the Carmel including Zichron Yaakov, whilst the slopes of the far north are home to the city of Haifa.

View across Haifa from Mount Carmel by Flickr user exothermic

Haifa, Israel’s third city sits on the northern slopes of Mount Carmel, giving breathtaking views out across the Bay of Haifa. On the lower slopes in the city are the Bahai Gardens, which open up into the city’s recently restored German Colony.

View from Zichron Ya'akov across the Coastal Plain

Zichron Yaakov was one of the first modern settlements established in the Land of Israel, Zichron Yaakov developed as a result of wine, with the rich fertile soils of the Carmel making it a feasible place to grow vines. Today, the town has a pretty center through which you can walk, as well as wineries to visit, in Zichron itself, and neighboring Binyamina.

About 10 minutes drive inland from Zichron Yaakov is the little settlement of Bat Shlomo. A traditional agricultural settlement which hasnt developed or commercialised, the village has some small art galleries, and old synagogue, and a great farm where they make cheese and have a small cafe.

Ein Hodis located between Zichron Yaakov and Haifa. A famous artists colony on the slopes of the Carmel overlooking the Mediterranean, Ein Hod’s little streets are home to a large number of artists and artisans, many of whom open their homes to the public, or exhibit their works in the public communal gallery in the center of the village.

The Carmel by flickr user vad_levin

Over 80 dunams of the Carmel Mountain Nature Reserve with paths and trails offering scenic routes for hiking and biking as well as breathtaking lookouts with views spreading as far as the Upper Galilee. Elsewhere in the reserve is “Hai-Bar” – a wildlife reserve where animals and birds which have previously become extinct from the area have been reintroduced into the area.

The Druze are a minority group who live peacefully in Israel and are renowned for their hospitality. Their villages in the Carmel and Golan regions, offer not only an insight into their interesting religion, but great food. Visiting and experiencing this is known as Druze Hospitality

The Moshav (a unique farming village) was home of the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Zt”l whose torah, songs and poetry are famous worldwide. Mevo Modi’im is located in a historically important site, dating back to biblical times.

The emergence of this artistic initiative stems from the Bat Yam Municipal Government who have been trying to promote this area of the city, decaying in much of its urban form, as a center for experimental urban architecture. By funding the project, they aim to raise the profile of this intention, and promote the cultural life of their city.

Bat Yam via yxejamir on Flickr

The construction of the gallery has not involved large changes from the guerrilla structure that the Riviera nightclub is. The architects have simply given it a coat of paint, and redecorated. The nightclub, which was highly successful in the 1950′s and 60′s closed in the late 70′s and has since been derelict. It is hoped that creating an artistic space here will give Bat Yam a niche in the creation of the long boardwalk currently under construction between the city, Tel Aviv, and Herzliya beyond Tel Aviv to the north.

The second stage of the project will involve the conversion of another part of the building to create a permanent exhibition space and thus the creation of a permanent cultural space of note, for this city.

The Abu Ghosh Restaurant by ForestForTrees, on Flickr

Last January, Ibrahim decided to go for a world’s record. As verified by a Guinness Book of World Records representative, he prepared enough hummus to fill a large satellite dish. The paste weighed almost 9,000 pounds, edging out a Beirut restaurant for the title of the world’s largest dish of hummus.

Ibrahim started his business after winning the lottery in Chicago, and chose to invest his winnings in the place where he’d grown up. The strategy paid off. His restaurant gets about 15,000 patrons on weekends, especially Saturdays when most Israeli restaurants are closed for Shabbat.

Abu Gosh is a perfect stop off on a drive up the road to Jerusalem, with the village clearly signed, and if you are after Arabic cuisine, is THE place to go.

Article via Israel MFA

Israel’s Mediterranean Coastal Plain starts in the North with Israel’s border with Lebanon. The area between here and the major port city of Haifa is known as the Western Galilee. Sparsely populated, the Northern border is home to the cliffside caves at Rosh HaNikra. Moving south are small towns, and inland kibbutzim and moshavim, historic farming communities, small deserted coves and expansive beaches. Just north of Haifa is the city of Akko home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its ancient Old City.

The city of Haifa is Israel’s industrial heartland as one of the country’s major ports. The city is famed for its Bahai Gardens, breathtaking terraced gardens sloping down Mount Carmel to the Mediterranean, and home to the world center of the Bahai Faith. The city also has a refurbished German Colony with interesting cobbled streets, boutiques and restaurants.

To Haifa and further south is Mount Carmel a range of hills running a few kilometers inland from the coast. The coast here is not heavily populated and where it is, there are more small kibbutzim and moshavim, small traditionally farming communities. Similarly, Mount Carmel itself is home to numerous little villages and small towns, notably Ein Hod, an artists colony, and Zichron Yaakov, one of the country’s oldest settlements and home to one of the many wineries in the Carmel. The Carmel also boasts some of Israel’s largest Druze communities, a small religion famed for their great native cuisine.

South of the Carmel, the Coastal Plain is once again flat. Moving further south it becomes more densely populated, but before this happens, is the ancient port city of Caesarea with its restored harbor, amphitheater, and acquaduct. One of Israel’s most popular National Parks Caesarea is somewhere truly not to be missed. About 30km south of Caesarea is the city of Herzliya and its seaside neighbor, Herzliya Pituach. One of Israel’s most upscale neighborhood, Herzliya houses some of Israel’s richest and most famous, as well as diplomats, oligarchs, and other notable people. The beach here is great, and slightly less urban than what follows slightly south in Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s economic and cultural capital. Flanked by the Mediterranean some have dubbed it the Miami of the Middle East, and for good reason. The city is full of incredible places to visit, things to do and see, and restaurants, cafes, hotels, and more. Tel Aviv is everything that modern-day Israel is with a massive range of incredible things to do.

The Coastal Plain has amazing beaches, leisure activities, cultural sites, and so much more. Any visitor to Israel will pass through the area and take in some of what is on offer, but it is incredibly easy to miss something fantastic. Remember, Israel is a small country, and nothing is too far away!

Zichron Ya'akov's main street by the(?), on Flickr

Zichron Ya’akov is one of the first ‘modern’ settlements in the Land of Israel. The town was founded in 1882 by 100 Jewish pioneers, returning to their Biblical homeland from Romania. However, the rocky soil of Mount Carmel upon which the town is built proved very difficult to farm, and combined with an outbreak of malaria, many of these pioneers left within the year. This could have been the end of Zichron Ya’akov before it was even established, however, the following year, a stroke of luck brought French Jewish philanthopist and winemaker Baron Edmond James de Rothschild to Zichron on a visit to Israel. Upon visiting, he discovered that the slopes of the Carmel offered superb wine-growing properties, and as such set about establishing Zichron as a winemaking town. He named the town in memory of his father Jacob (Ya’akov in Hebrew; Zichron means Memorial), and founded what is still one of Israel’s top wineries, the Carmel Winery.

Zichron Ya’akov is a small, tranquil town, offering breathtaking views across Israel’s Mediterreanean Coast and beyond. Zichron’s main street, known as Midrahov, is now a pedestrianised zone lined with cafes and boutique artistic stores. Being the original street of the settlement, many of the houses are of great historic value and plaques outside tell the story of many. At the end of the street is the First Aliyah Museum which tells the  fascinating story of the pioneers from Europe who established this town over a hundred years ago.

Carmel Winery by Mordy Steinfeld, on Flickr

As a wine-making town, Zichron Ya’akov’s original winery, the Carmel Winery has a visitors center open to the public. Also near the town are the famous wineries of Tishbi and Binyamina who also have visitor centers. Wine is now a big industry across the country and wine tours in Israel make for an interesting and unusual way of seeing the country.

View across the Carmel from the Ramat HaNadiv gardens by Yigal Chamish, on Flickr

Just outside of Zichron Ya’akov is Ramat HaNadiv, the memorial gardens for the Baron Edmond de Rothschild. This large estate occupies a swathe of hillside on Mount Carmel, and the formal gardens at the center are absolutely breathtaking. With a cool breeze blowing in from the Mediterranean and great views, these superb gardens are some of Israel’s finest. A visitor center here is a architecturally pioneering structure which tells the story of Ramat HaNadiv and there is a great cafe on site. And best of all, perhaps, because it is an endownment of the Rothschild family, entry to the site is free of charge.

Drummers on Tel Aviv's Beach by Flickr user miss pupik

Israel’s second city, located on the Mediterranean, is a city with a savvy attitude and cultural astuteness. “The city which never sleeps”, as Tel Aviv has come to be known for its renowned nightlife, is also a city of fantastic culture, cuisine, and liberalism. The city’s beaches stretch for miles, whilst many prominent museums, and restored quarters such as the ancient Port of Jaffa, Neve Tzedek and the White City of Bauhaus style buildings make Tel Aviv a city which you can never stop exploring.

A short history…

On Rothschild Boulevard by Ilan Bresler

Tel Aviv celebrated its centenary only last year! Founded in 1909 as a suburb north of the city of Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port in the world, the suburb grew and grew, and eventually overtook Jaffa in size, merging with it after Israel’s independence to form a single municipality. The city is now the largest Jewish city of modern times, at the heart of the Israeli hi-tech industry known as Silicon Wadi.

Immigrants have come to Tel Aviv from far and wide, bringing with them their own styles of cuisine, culture, and architecture. As such, no matter what you are after, you’ll be sure to find it here. The city, the city has gained a reputation for high quality restaurants and a world-class cafe culture.

Tel Aviv street scene by Flickr user Jerry

A buzzing city

Performance artist in Dizengoff Square by Flickr user miss pupik

The cultural scene in Tel Aviv is equally diverse. Theaters, dance centers, and concert halls, as well as museums and galleries, are sprawled around the city and Tel Aviv’s legendary nightlife just gets better and better.

In 2003, Tel Aviv was designated UNESCO World Heritage Status for its White City. This is an area around Rothschild Boulevard in the north of the city which has the world’s largest collection of international, or Bauhaus styled buildings. The area has recently been restored and walking tours of the White City take place regularly, whilst the Bauhaus Museum offers an insight into this architectural style brought to the city by German immigrants.

Since the 1980s gentrification has taken place in many of the formerly poor southern neighborhoods of the city to create what are now the trendiest quarters of this cool city such as the Florentin. These more Middle-Eastern style neighborhoods are at the heart of the city’s nightlife. Other areas to go, live, and be seen are the ultra-cool Sheinkin Street with its cafes and boutiques and the redeveloped Tel Aviv Port (Namal Tel Aviv)  in the north of the city.

Tel Aviv beach skyline by Flickr user ZeHawk

The 1990s saw Tel Aviv move into a new era as the hi-tech industry developed around the city, bringing with it new skyscrapers. The tallest of these, the Azrieli Center Circular Tower offers an observation gallery with views across this vibrant, modern city.

A visit to Tel Aviv couldn’t be complete without a visit to the beach. Running the length of the city, from north to south, many of the large hotels overlook the promenade. The city also has a selection of unique, trendy, boutique and more modestly priced hotels.

Isfiya and Daliyat El Carmel are two such villages, located in the Carmel region, just north of Zichron Yaakov and south of Haifa, and just over a one hour drive from Tel Aviv.

The Druze village of Isfiya is located on the top of the Carmel Mountain commanding a panoramic view of the surrounding green hills. The village has a rich tradition of openness, hospitality, and warmth that is characteristic of the Druze community. Its special location and rich ethnic tradition and culture have proved especially attractive for travelers and tourists.

Isfiya was first established during the 17th and 18th century by Druze from the mountains of Lebanon. They were later joined by several Egyptian families, and in 2003 the village was merged with the neighboring Druze village of Daliat El Carmel. The two unified villages are known today as Ir Carmel.

The village has opened itself to tourists, while at the same time preserving its traditional Druze life style. The Druze are well-known for their warm hospitality and receive guests with smiling enthusiasm. The Isfiya residents are no exception, and welcome visitors into their homes, where they can get a close glimpse of Druze religious customs and traditions.

Visitors can walk through the narrow streets of the village and wander through the picturesque alleyways on their own, but it is recommended to go with a guide, who will add to your visit by showing you around and telling you interesting stories about the community. In the center of the village are several old buildings built in the style characteristic of northern Israel and southern Lebanon. There is also an olive press in the impressive ancient quarter where visitors can learn about the process of making olive oil and make oil candles.

The main street of the village has a lively bazaar filled with a variety of colorful shops. Nearby restaurants serve guests spicy ethnic foods. The colorful market is filled with visitors on Shabbat and is a noisy, festive place filled with exotic aromas and colors.

Visitors who wish to learn about the Druze culture from close up can lodge in an authentic Druze home or in guesthouses run by the local residents. Guests can enjoy traditional foods, listen to stories, and watch special performances of traditional music, song and dance. Those who would like to have a religious experience can visit the Druze house of prayer, the mosque, or in the Catholic-Maronite Church.

The western entrance to Isfiya has a beautiful promenade overlooking the view. Isfiya is a good departure point for nature walks in the Carmel Mountains nearby.

Daliyat el-Carmel is a colorful village that offers wonderful hospitality with a smile and is also very interesting. Daliyat el-Carmel was founded in the 17th century by Druze from Mt. Lebanon.

Daliyat el-Carmel’s colorful market, open on Saturdays, is only an excuse to come to this special place. On the main street dozens of stores offer their varied wares and one can get lost in the abundance and variety. Between the stores are many restaurants serving genuine Druze ethnic foods, bakeries that fill the air with the sweet smell of baklava pastries. Other food stands sell high quality olive oil, olives, pita bread and locally produced labaneh cheese. The flurry of activity, the colors, the new beside the old, and the village bustling with people are a multi-sensational experience not to be missed. The market also has a few galleries where cultural evenings can be held, alongside the Druze hospitality.

Apart from Daliyat el-Carmel’s main street, with its tourist center, on 22nd Street there is the house of Sir Laurence Oliphant, an Englishman who loved the Holy Land and moved here in 1880 to help the Jews during the period of the First Aliya wave of immigration. Today his house serves as a military memorial to village residents who served in the Israel Defense Forces and gave their lives for their country. The front courtyard of the house is a plaza that overlooks the slopes of the Carmel hills.

The Druze heritage house is on 8th Street and houses an exhibit about the Druze lifestyle. One can also just wander around the village to no specific place; walk through the narrow passageways that wind their way between old houses, prayer halls and holy sites, beside olive oil presses, textile workshops and art galleries.

In recent years the villagers have begun hosting groups in their homes, and such a visit offers a glimpse of their houses, culture and tradition. The local residents offer tourists and genuine ethnic foods, wear their traditional clothes, tell stories about the Druze heritage and there are even guest houses designed with an authentic Druze décor.

If you get the chance, the Druze villages of Israel are a fascinating place to stop off and visit. Here we’ve focussed on two villages, although other examples include Majdal Shams, Buq’ata and Ein Qinya.

Maps: Isfiya & Daliyat el Karmel,  Majdal Shams, Buq’ata, Ein Qinya

Quotes: Haaretz

Regarded by some as a suburb to the north of Tel Aviv, Herzliya is a city in its own right. Herzliya Pituach, the coastal neighborhood of this city, is one of Israel’s most exclusive, with ambassadors and industrialists among its residents. Fine restaurants as well as the nice beach and upscale atmosphere make this a great place to relax, near Tel Aviv.

What can I do?

The main attraction of Herzliya for most people is the beach. Whilst it isn’t Israel’s best beach, Herzliya’s beach is clean and attractive, and has a life guard. It does get busy at week-ends but is a great place to spend an afternoon out of the bustle of Tel Aviv (only 20 minutes away)

The Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art art is often overlooked but is a great collection of modern pieces.

And you can stay fit…

The lack of hustle and bustle in comparison to Tel Aviv makes Herzliya a great place to get active. Jogging and cycling could be easier and

Just north of Herzliya, in Gaash is one of Israel’s two golf courses – a nine hole course.

And eat well!

Herzliya has a large number of trendy restaurants, largely in the Industrial Zone. Whilst this sounds very unattractive, Herzliya Industrial Zone consists of glass office buildings in which are offices of international hi-tech and venture capital firms. Some of the best

The Herzliya Marina complex also has a great selection of restaurants.

Sleep…

Herzliya has a few resort-style hotels along its coastline. None of these are anything special unless you wish to be based here instead of the bustle of Tel Aviv. This is set to change in a couple of years, however, when Nobu, the Robert De-Niro owned leisure chain will open its first hotel,

Shop…

Herzliya Marina has a shopping mall although it contains the same stores as most of Israel’s malls.