Israel Travel

The Jerusalem Archaeological Park and Davidson Center

Jerusalem Archaeological Park and Davidson Center

An east Jerusalem Tourism site, The Jerusalem Archaeological Park offers the most wonderful sites and discoveries of Old Jerusalem during the 2nd Temple era. At the base of the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount, visitors and tourist can clib the original steps of the Hulda Gates that lead to the Temple Mount, and where the Jewish people believe God will come through these gates. The archaeological park consists of Robinson’s Arch, the Herodian Street, where huge stones are fallen remains of the Western Wall. Here you will also find numerous explorations and finds from a variation of periods in history of Jerusalem. Other highlights include the Rigual baths, Byzantine residences, and remains of the Umayyad Palaces from the early Ismalic period. Within the Park you will also find the Davidson center. This 21st century center combines new computerized media, illustration and visual exhibitions as well as historic artifacts and exhibitions. Enjoy and learn about 2,000 plus years of discoveries at this site, including one of the highlights of this modern facility is a real-time virtual reality reconstruction of the temple mount during Herodian rule. Please remember that guided tours of the park and virtual israel tours must be reserved in advance.

Haifa a city with endless possibilities in Israel

Haiffa Carmel Gardens

Israel’s most northern capital offers cultural diversity, oriental ambiance and incredible breathtaking panoramic views. This rich metropolitan city is the perfect destination for your stay or visit during your tour.
While in Haifa you can enjoy a unique collection of museums, cinemas, theaters, art centers, galleries, markets and live concerts such as previously held jazz festivals and special music festivals, as well as a Children’s theater festival at spring, summer live festivals, and international film festivals, and the largest event of the year in winter’s grand finale, “The Holidays Festival”.
Haifa is unique by incredible scenery and marvelous landscapes such as at the Bahai Temple with it’s golden dome, including 19 terraces of stunning gardens and landscapes from the foothill of mount Carmel to it’s very peak. Besides incredible landscapes at the Carmel park, there are miles of natural golden beaches you can also enjoy on the Mediterranean sea.
Haifa also offers important Israel Christian sites such as Stella Maris Church, a inspiring Carmelite order church and a Christian and Catholic pilgrimage site, located next to the shrine of Elijah, a famous prophet who ascended into heaven in a whirlwind.
In Haifa you can also experience a German Colony with authentic stone houses, cafes, restaurants, pubs and shopping centers.

Why travel to the Dead Sea and Surrounding area

This comes as no surprise as the list of places of interest is simply amazing. But a lot of people who travel to Israel forego the Dead Sea and its surrounding areas. This by all means is an absolute mistake.
Every fact about this site is fascinating. It’s a place of interest for nature lovers, for history buffs and for pleasure seekers among many. So if you want to visit the Dead Sea, you must descend 400 meters beneath sea level. This body of water not only sits at the lowest point on earth but possesses the highest concentration of salt and minerals. Because of its qualities, it provides bathers with incredible healing benefits.
The beaches along the western part of the Dead Sea showcase sumptuous hotels and spas with world class restaurants and some of the most unique scenery anywhere. Adrenaline junkies can take pleasure in a bounty of activities such as camel treks and desert jeep tours to name a few. And if time allows, the galleries and art studios nearby beckon a visit.
With the Dead Sea bordering the Judean Desert and a number of natural springs flowing along the coast, it’s not unusual to find a great selection of flora and fauna. So if your tour includes a stop at the Ein Gedi or the Einot Tsukim nature reserves, then by all means take advantage of your itinerary.
Along with these magnificent places there are landmarks that ought not to be excluded. They’re important in the region’s history and the country’s past. Among these are the Massada Fortress and the Qumran caves where historians tell us the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered.
But no trip to this area is complete without taking time to visit the numerous monasteries that adorn the cliffs. Most of these edifications date back to the fourth century when monks sought the desert as a place to live and devote their lives to Jesus.
Christians who travel to Israel during the holidays usually journey to the northwestern side of the Dead Sea; from here they go on a pilgrimage to the Jordan River, where Jesus was said to have been baptized.
So include the Dead Sea in your visit. You’ll agree it’s a place like none other in the world.

Many Reasons to visit Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Stretching along the magnificent Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv is Israel largest city in the country. It is a exciting city with entertainment, shopping, markets, culture and arts with a unique atmosphere of excitement in the day and famous for night life. It is a popular destination when touring Israel.

Tel Aviv was recently founded not too long ago in 1909 and was built on the sand dunes north to the ancient port city of Jaffa.
In 2003 UNESCO, the United National Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization, pronounced “The White City” and area located between Allenby Street in the south and Ibn Givrol in the east, the Yarkon River in the north and the Mediterranean Sea in the West, as a World Cultural Heritage Site. By this endorsement, the world recognized the excellent architectural qualities of the building & streets of Tel Aviv witch were designed by Jewish architects, who were schooled and had studied in Europe before immigrating to Palestine, which after became the State of Israel.

Things to See & Do when traveling to Israel:

Tourist Sites
Architecture enthusiast should walk around the streets of Tel Aviv to discover just why the White City is a world heritage site featuring over 1,000 Bauhaus buildings.
See the Nachalat Binyamin Art and Craft Market which is next to the colorful Camel Fruit Market, with street theatre, artists, and interesting palm readers.
The Nece Tzedek neighborhood was the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa at the beginning of 1887-22 years before the establishment Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, at the Tel Aviv Municipality Building. Some of the graffiti, written on the night of assassination, are displayed at this location. The Yehoshua Gardens at located on the bank of the Yarkon River offering plenty of recreational facilities for the whole family including tropical gardens, Bird Park and Water Park that open summer time opposite the Park is one of Israel’s largest fun fairs. For a great view of Tel Aviv, go to the Azrieli observatory rising 49 floors over the city.

Museums in Tel Aviv
You will see in Tel Aviv 3 of Israel’s biggest museums offering contemporary and classical art to archaeology, history & sciences.
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art shows permanent and changing collections and exhibitions year around. The Museums show some of the best of Israeli art and sculpture as well as European impressionism and post impressionism art and European and American art of the 20th century can be found in the Tel Aviv Museum. The Eretz Israel Museum (the Land of Israel Museum) is actually a very large collection of museums in one location. Visit the glass museum, the museum of ceramics, coins and copper. The Planetarium is also located in the grounds.
The Jewish Diaspora Museum (beit Hatefusoth) situated in the grounds of Tel Aviv University is the first museum devoted to the history of the Jewish culture and Israelis. The permanent exhibition shows the visitor of the story of the Jewish nation in the Diaspora by means of drawings, video clips, movies, and much more. Independence hall Museum, on May 14th, 1948 David Ben Gurin read here Israel’s Declaration of Independence. The hall where it happened looks exactly as it did in 1948. There are other small museums around the Tel Aviv including Ben Gurion House, the Rubin Museum, the Palmach Museum.

Travel to Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Stretching along the magnificent Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv is Israel largest city in the country. It is a exciting city with entertainment, shopping, markets, culture and arts with a unique atmosphere of excitement in the day and famous for night life.

Tel Aviv was recently founded not too long ago in 1909 and was built on the sand dunes north to the ancient port city of Jaffa.
In 2003 UNESCO, the United National Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization, pronounced “The White City” and area located between Allenby Street in the south and Ibn Givrol in the east, the Yarkon River in the north and the Mediterranean Sea in the West, as a World Cultural Heritage Site. By this endorsement, the world recognized the excellent architectural qualities of the building & streets of Tel Aviv witch were designed by Jewish architects, who were schooled and had studied in Europe before immigrating to Palestine, which after became the State of Israel.

Things to See & Do on a Tel Aviv Israel Tour:

Tourist Sites
Architecture enthusiast should walk around the streets of Tel Aviv to discover just why the White City is a world heritage site featuring over 1,000 Bauhaus buildings.
See the Nachalat Binyamin Art and Craft Market which is next to the colorful Camel Fruit Market, with street theatre, artists, and interesting palm readers.
The Nece Tzedek neighborhood was the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa at the beginning of 1887-22 years before the establishment Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, at the Tel Aviv Municipality Building. Some of the graffiti, written on the night of assassination, are displayed at this location. The Yehoshua Gardens at located on the bank of the Yarkon River offering plenty of recreational facilities for the whole family including tropical gardens, Bird Park and Water Park that open summer time opposite the Park is one of Israel’s largest fun fairs. For a great view of Tel Aviv, go to the Azrieli observatory rising 49 floors over the city.

Tel Aviv Israel Museums
You will see in Tel Aviv 3 of Israel’s biggest museums offering contemporary and classical art to archaeology, history & sciences.
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art shows permanent and changing collections and exhibitions year around. The Museums show some of the best of Israeli art and sculpture as well as European impressionism and post impressionism art and European and American art of the 20th century can be found in the Tel Aviv Museum. The Eretz Israel Museum (the Land of Israel Museum) is actually a very large collection of museums in one location. Visit the glass museum, the museum of ceramics, coins and copper. The Planetarium is also located in the grounds.
The Jewish Diaspora Museum (beit Hatefusoth) situated in the grounds of Tel Aviv University is the first museum devoted to the history of the Jewish culture and Israelis. The permanent exhibition shows the visitor of the story of the Jewish nation in the Diaspora by means of drawings, video clips, movies, and much more. Independence hall Museum, on May 14th, 1948 David Ben Gurin read here Israel’s Declaration of Independence. The hall where it happened looks exactly as it did in 1948. There are other small museums around the Tel Aviv including Ben Gurion House, the Rubin Museum, the Palmach Museum.

About the city of Jerusalem

Experience the Golden City of Jerusalem

New City of Jerusalem

The New City of Jerusalem has many important sites and not just the Old City. The Yad Vashem Memorial to the Holocaust provides a multifaceted tribute to the millions of Jews who died during the war. The emphasis of the Museum is to commemorate and document the events of the holocaust as well as provide education and continued research on this horrific event.

The Israel Museum achieved world class fame with its remarkable collections that include prehistoric archaeology, and contemporary art. One can argue the most famous exhibit are the Dead Sea Scrolls that date from 3rd Century BC to the 1st Century AD and discovered as early as 1947. Other places to visit are the new Supreme Court Building and Mt. Herzl to visit the grave of Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin.

Traveling to Jerusalem with Family

If you are traveling with your family and children there is much to see. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo which is situated in southwest Jerusalem. The zoo includes many animal species specially those mentioned in the bible and many other rare species. The landscape of the Zoo is very unusual as it is surrounded by Jerusalem Hills.
Another favorite for children is The Bloomfield Science Museum that Specializes in interactive exhibitions of science and technology.
Mini Israel Park is also a favorite of families, it is located at Latrun and displays hundreds of models that are exact copies of the sites of Israel during biblical times.

Shop in Jerusalem

Unique and great shopping can be found in Jerusalem, great deals can be found both in the Old City of Jerusalem or at shops near to the hotel zones where you will find Judaica, arts, crafts and souvenirs. You can also visit the popular Mahneh Yehuda Market a outdoor food and goods market.

Nightlife in Jerusalem

There is plenty of nightlife in Jerusalem, contrary to most whom think Tel Aviv is the only place in Jerusalem for night activities. One of the best places to go for a light meal or dinner is the Nachalat Shiva area with sidewalk restaurants, small boutiques and shops. Just walk through the streets and admire the beautiful old stone homes. One of the many restaurants or cafes will surely be to your taste Ben Yehuda Street is very lively area night and there are many bars and restaurants to enjoy the evening and night.

Culture in Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra offers a great time of performance for classical music and those whom appreciate the music. The Israeli festival of music and performing arts is a annual event in Jerusalem featuring both Israeli and International artists, including a Jazz festival.

Over the years, the City of Jerusalem and Jerusalem tours have evolved and undergone many changes which have made it one of the most interesting cities in the world as well as an important point for tourism in Israel.

New Tierra Santa Spanish Website

Israel Tourism Consultants has launched today it’s product line and website in Spanish. We welcome you to visit our new Tierra Santa Israel website www.tierrasantaisrael.com.

Jewish Travel back to Israel

Around a million or two people travel to Israel every year. Some of them are Christians while majority of them are Jewish. Large number of people comes to Israel to start and build business while others come to travel to the country which has so many wonderful locations like Red Sea, Dead Se, the Mediterranean and so many religious places as well. The large groups of people who travel are of Jews and they travel back to Israel because it is the homeland for Jewish families.
Conceivably, these visitors can be pilgrims who come to visit the sacred places located at Jewish Land Israel. The sacred sense of places is located not only in Jerusalem but also in Eilat and Tel Aviv. Visitors not only coming to Israel to meet to see the Holy Temples and synagogues of the ancient time but, they also come to see the wonderful cafes, trendy shops and markets in the Israel. People travel back to study Torah as well as meet and see the world’s known diamond cutters, dairy farmers and software tycoons.
Thus travelers of Jewish faith can be very exciting to visit Israel and see the wonderful locations, meet religious people by providing them their own culture and history.
There are so many travel agencies, Israel tours, Jewish tours and Israel group travel which are guided by certified professional tour guides, that visiting their homeland becomes a educational and fun experience. Israel is a place of Jewish heritage, with great emotions and aspirations experienced every time one visits Israel.

Traveling to Israel General Information

Most international airlines operate flights to Israel. EL AL Israel Airlines operate direct flights from the USA, Europe, the Far East and Africa. Other Israeli charter companies (e.g. Arkia and Israir) operate flights from locations in Europe and Israir also operates flights from the USA. There are no direct flights from distant locations (e.g. Australia or from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel). All International flights will land at Ben Gurion Airport, which is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city of Tel Aviv. In order to help prevent delays at the passport control, all visitors arriving by air will receive forms to fill out during the course of their flight (it is important to accurately fill out details and keep a copy of the form, which should be presented on departure from Israel). At Passport Control, travelers will be requested to present their passport, (that is valid for at least six months) a boarding pass and the entry form. After their passport has been stamped, incoming travelers continue to the passenger luggage area, where carts are at their disposal. From there, they continue to customs control and to the airport exit. Visitors arriving at the borderline passes on the Israel Egypt Tour or Israel Jordan Tour border will receive forms in which their personal details must be filled in. After undergoing a security check, they must present the completed forms together with their passport. (Borders are at the Taba border between Egypt and Israel near Eilat, and the Rafiah crossing near the Mediterranean; via the Arava Bridge between Jordan and Israel near Akaba and Eilat; via the Allenby Bridge near Jericho and the Jordan River; and via the Sheikh Hussein Bridge in the Galilee region). Tourists on travelers on their Israel tours can remain in Israel up to three months from their date of arrival. When departing Israel, passengers should arrive at the airport three hours before departure. Passengers and their luggage will undergo a security check by airport personnel and modern security equipment. After the security check, and check in with the airline they are flying, passengers continue to Passport Control where they must present their passport, airline ticket and the entry form they completed upon arrival to Israel.
*(All border crossings, ports and airports are open daily except for certain religious holidays.)
*Citizens of the following countries will be issued a Tourist Visa, free of charge, at every port or entrance terminal to Israel:
Europe – Austria, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Belgium, Britain, Gibraltar, Germany (people born after 1.1.1928), Denmark, Holland, Hungary, Greece, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Malta, Norway, Slovenia, San Marino, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland.
Asia and Oceania – Australia, the Fiji Islands, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, New Zealand.
Africa – Lesotho, Mauritius, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, the Central African Republic.
America – Uruguay, the Bahamas, El Salvador, Ecuador, Argentina, the United States of America, Bolivia, Barbados, Brazil, Guatemala, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Surinam, Nevis and Saint Kitts, Panama, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada.
*Foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices, licensed foreign exchange agencies and most hotels. The rates vary from place to place and banks may charge a commission (official currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). There are 100 Agarot in each Shekel. Bank notes are in denominations of NIS 20, 50, 100 and 200. Coins are in denominations of NIS 10, 5, 1 and 50, 10 and 5 Agarot). Major credit cards are accepted in Israel.
*English is the main language for purpose of business and tourism. Most Israelis speak English and the majority of signposts are also in English. Since Israel is a land of immigration, additional languages are spoken among the various immigrant communities especially Russian.

Israel Tourism

With 4,000 years of history, the land of Israel has focused on travelers and tourists who came to Israel to live an experience of a lifetime. Over 1.5 million tourists arrive each year in Israel, and find a country that is ancient and modern with technology at the same time biblical, holy and secular. The diversity of Israel as a tourist destination makes for a unique and unforgettable experience. With its location in Southeast Asia between the Mediterranean and the deserts of Syria and Arabia, Israel is a subtropical region with a period of hot dry summers and cold and semi-humid rainy winters. Having the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Jordan Valley Rift to the east, the mountains of Lebanon to the north and the Eilat Bay in the south, as its boundaries alone, make Israel a visionary delight for any adventure and nature seeker who travel to israel. Israel has reflected a passion for research and preservation of its heritage, in dozens of ongoing excavations and discoveries in some of the worlds most important sites located in Jerusalem, Caesarea, Masada and Ashkelon as well as many national parks. Sites from all periods of history can be found in the Israeli landscape.

Scenery is only a small percentage of the many reasons to visit Israel. Eating in Israel is as varied as its population. Israeli cuisine is a concept that has involved from/to many culinary traditions. Fine, elegant restaurants as well as small cafes, pizza and falafel stands line the streets of the cities giving every person limitless options. Israel is tied to world events, and keeps a steady pace on the changes in the world, including culinary trends. It is important to note that while kosher food is prevalent in hotels in Israel, many restaurants are not kosher. You can find almost any kitchen to satisfy your taste buds whether it be Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Arabic or American food.

Israel became part of the world’s most popular Ecotourism destinations as the country is concerned about the environment and the development of nature reserves that are crucial to the to the history of Israel and is overseen by the Nature Reserve Authority. Most reserves have trails where visitors are asked to respect the paths that are marked and not to destroy or disturb plants and wildlife. While visiting the diverse regional landscape of Israel be sure to take a ride through the desert via jeep, horseback or camel. If the desert is too hot for your taste, you can take a cool refreshing dive in the Red Sea or raft or kayak down the Jordan River. Many other family filled activities can be found in Israel such as bird watching and museums with children activities.