Discover Jerusalem, Bethlehem & the Dead Sea
Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea and is regarded by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the biblical Holy Land. Its most sacred sites are in Jerusalem. Within its Old City, the Temple Mount complex includes the Dome of the Rock shrine, the historic Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In our second blog we visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Dead Sea:
1. JERUSALEM (180 KM FROM TIBERIAS/ 68KM FROM TEL AVIV)
Jerusalem is a city on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The present old city walls were built in 1541.
SLEEP AT ALEGRA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
The Allegra Boutique Hotel is an excellent example of a dynamic fusion of old and new, past and present. The location of the hotel is in one of the most desirable areas in Jerusalem, in the heart of the picturesque neighborhood of Ein Kerem, a short drive from the Old City, the Knesset building and the National Museum, allowing guests to experience Jerusalem in a very unique way.
SLEEP AT HOTEL YEHUDA
Find a breath of fresh air, just an arm’s length from the heart of Jerusalem. We invite you to join them atop the gorgeous Massuah Hills, where a stone castle overlooks a rolling green wilderness. Designer rooms offer plenty of space, with lush landscape views. Enjoy the perfect luxury retreat while exploring Jerusalem.
2. BETHLEHEM (9 KM FROM JERUSALEM)
Bethlehem is a Palestinian town south of Jerusalem in the West Bank. The biblical birthplace of Jesus, it’s a major Christian pilgrimage destination. The birth is marked by an inlaid silver star in a grotto under the 6th-century Church of the Nativity, which shares Manger Square with the 15th-century Church of St. Catherine and the 1860 Mosque of Omar.
3. MASADA FORTRESS (100 KM FROM JERUSALEM)
Masada is an ancient fortress in southern Israel’s Judean Desert. It's on a massive plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. A cable car and a long, winding path climb up to the fortifications, built around 30 B.C. Among the ruins are King Herod's Palace, which sprawls over 3 rock terraces, and a Roman-style bathhouse with mosaic floors. The Masada Museum has archaeological exhibits and recreations of historical scenes.
PLAY AT KEDEM
KEDEM is a unique travel service bootstrapped by a seasoned entrepreneur who loves blending technology with authentic travel, the outdoors and sustainable experiences. By providing adventure-craving travelers with an alternative to commercialized motorcoach tours, Kedem is changing the way people experience Israel.
4. EIN BOKEK (27 KM FROM MASADA FORTRESS)
Ein Bokek is a hotel and resort district on the Israeli shore of the Dead Sea, near Neve Zohar. The Bokek Stream, for which the district is named, is a canyon-like gorge with water springs and unique fauna and flora. The first hotel was built in 1960. In 2000, fourteen hotels were operating in Ein Bokek, offering various types of spas and Dead Sea health treatments. The Zohar Hot Springs are located three kilometers south of Ein Bokek. Rich in sulphur, the water is believed to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of muscular ailments, diseases of the joints and allergies. Some trivia: The world's lowest installed ATM is at Ein Bokek; it was installed independently by a grocery store at 421 metres (1381 feet) below sea level!
SLEEP AT CROWNE PLAZA DEAD SEA
Located right on the beach, Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel features a large freshwater pool. The rooms are elegant and offer views of the sea. There is free WiFi throughout.
The large and luxurious spa offers a fitness room, a heated pool with salt water from the Dead Sea, 2 hot tubs, wet and dry saunas, and 2 pressure showers. A wide variety of treatments and massages are available.
5. ASHDOD (147 KM FROM EIN BOKEK)
Ashdod is the sixth-largest city and the largest port in Israel accounting for 60% of the country's imported goods. Ashdod is located in the Southern District of the country, on the Mediterranean coast where it is situated between Tel Aviv to the north 32 kilometres away, and Ashkelon to the south 20 km away.
WHEN TO GO: Israel is a year-round destination, which experiences a pleasant Mediterranean climate with mostly warm and cloudless days. The country generally sees long, hot summers and mild, wet winters. This makes Spring and Autumn the best seasons to visit, when temperatures are high but not stifling and there isn't too much rain
VISA: Visitors to Israel must obtain a visa from one of the Israeli diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. All visitors must hold a passport that is valid for 6 months after the date of departure from Israel.
CURRENCY: The Israeli national currency is the new Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS), more commonly known as the shekel. The shekel is divided into 100 agurot (agura in singular). Israeli bank notes come in four denominations: 20, 50, 100 and 200 NIS and coins come in five denominations: 10, 5 and 1 NIS; 50 agurot and 10 agurot.
LANGUAGE: English is widely spoken and understood, and Arabic is the daily language and language of instruction for Israel's Arabic citizens. But for Jewish Israelis, who comprise 83% of the country's population, the day-to-day language is Hebrew.
HOW TO GET AROUND: Rent a car or Intercity buses between the major cities of Israel. Buses between Jerusalem, Haifa, and Tel Aviv depart very frequently. For less frequent buses, such as Tel Aviv or Jerusalem to Eilat, or Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, you must book your ticket in advance.
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