Category: Israel

Israel

Jordan Kastrinsky – JB Upscale

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
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Jordan Kastrinsky, JB Upscale “My Choice is Israel”

Like many visitors before him, Israel felt like home the minute he arrived here. Jordan Kastrinsky, co-owner of JB Upscale, can attest to the country’s appeal as for the past four years, Israel has been his chosen place of residence.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, he first visited with a synagogue trip at 10 years old. He remembers going home to Denver and telling his parents they should move there. He returned again when he was 17 through a joint Israeli-American program. That ‘homely’ feeling persisted and it grew each time he returned. He finally decided to move there after finishing his Bachelors degree at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He joined the Israel Defense Force (IDF), serving as Head of New Media in the Arabic Spokesperson Unit. During that time, he developed a passion for digital marketing, branding, and storytelling. When Jordan became a civilian, he combined his video production and graphic design skills with what he learned at the IDF and freelanced as a digital marketer/content creator in Israel. He recently partnered with his colleague, Benny, and opened JB Upscale to help provide a more comprehensive solution to startups and other digital companies looking to expand internationally.

Jordan and his team provide the following services:

Inbound/Digital Marketing
Branding and Creative Services
Outbound Marketing/PR
Content Marketing and Development
Business Development
Smart Partnership Management

Typical clients include:

startups with a proven solution
mature high-tech companies
digital content platforms
companies needing digital transformation

Sectors of interest:

Technology
Innovation
Digital
Cyber
Biomed
Agro and food technology

Jordan’s note-worthy observations about Israel

The country’s ambience

Friendly people enveloping you with kindness is something he experiences wherever he goes. Israel feels like home. It’s comfortable. For Jordan, sometimes the feeling is difficult to explain, so he simply attributes it to the people. Colorado will always be home to him but Israel definitely comes a very close second. The harmonious coexistence of cultures and religions, with that diversity freely embraced, is meaningful to him. This is the quality of life he relishes. That, and a good plate of hummus.

The Mediterranean Sea

Having grown up in landlocked Colorado, being in such close proximity to the calm, clear Mediterranean with over 100 kilometers of beautiful coastline is refreshing. “The whole ocean vibe of the Mediterranean is very nice,” Jordan said. “It’s my go-to place that I really enjoy.”

Israel is a beach-country and there are many choices, one to fit every mood. Tel Aviv beach is a favourite of many. Within its 14 kilometers are individual beaches, each with a distinct character.

Desert Wadis

Seeing a section of greenery in the middle of an arid desert while on a hike is awe-inspiring. A sublime appreciation for nature is awakened especially when a small river or natural pool is added to that scenery of contrasts. There are many wadis in Israel such as Ein Avdat, Ein Gedi and Wadi Quelt. Green areas with water, in the middle of the desert – wonderfully breathtaking oases!

JB Upscale will accelerate your business growth – from key partners to direct investment.

“We will build you the strategy, implement the tools,

and develop you the content and connection

to kick your business up a notch!”

www.jbupscale.com

jordan@jbupscale.com

IG: @jnkast || Facebook / LinkedIn: Jordan Kastrinsky

Israel

A virtual visit to Israel with Michal Grundland

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
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A virtual visit to Israel with Michal Grundland

An exuberant love for life. This is what immediately pops into mind when you meet Michal Grundland, a resident of Tel Aviv. She is the mother of three (12, 10, 6), a career woman and a marathonist, having over 20 years’ experience in TV Broadcasting and sports production. Michal holds a LLB. and a Master’s Degree in International Sports Law and was the head producer of the food channel in Israel, and a presenter of her own segments. Today She is the VP Business Development & Global partnerships of a sports-tech accelerator and Match operation specialist, working as a freelance with European Football Association and the IFA. During the covid lockdown she found time to open her own line of gluten-free, veggie super food products, under the name Blonde AlpacA.

Michal’s love for Israel is palpable and conversations with her will evoke in you an impatient yearning to visit as soon as it is safe to do so. But what is it that makes Israel so pleasurable? Admittedly, when many people think of this country, thoughts gravitate to its religious significance, and tours to the Holy Land does bring a stream of visitors here every year. Israel’s appeal however, is that and so much more. Mélange visited virtually with Michal and enjoyed a delightful exploration of her homeland.

Michael admits to being a foodie so our journey starts there, with the palate.

Food scene

Israel’s culinary scene is unique, offering a delicious melting pot of food options, indicative of the many cultures that live here. The refreshingly diverse population, with people from all over the world embracing Israel as their home, has resulted in a food scene representative of places like Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Lebanon, Poland, Denmark, Greece and many other countries. “You can definitely see the multiple cultural influences in the food, and choices are extensive,” Michal said. “You can have Asian food, Mediterranean or fine French cuisine. Whatever’s the mood, there is something for every everyone.”

The culinary landscape is delightfully expansive, but the country’s agricultural produce is definitely worthy of note. Because of the weather here, vegetables grown are of very high quality, therefore every morsel consumed brings pleasure to the palate. “The Israelis products are so good that you can taste and smell the sun in every bite. That is what we’re exporting it to different countries – avocados, oranges, cherry tomatoes. And it’s just evolving all the time” Michal gushed, “especially with Israel being an innovation and technology leader. For instance, growing amazing red peppers in the middle of the desert and dates ‘to die for’ like no place in the world”.

Traditional food

A colourful picture is painted of a lively, diverse food culture. One can easily visualize walking into a restaurant or strolling through city streets and being disconcerted by the many choices that abound – what should you eat? But one thing is certain – visitors must not leave Israel without trying Shakshuka, described by Michal as “one of the most traditional, and definitely my favorite taste of Israel’s” It is a dish made of eggs, tomato sauce, herbs, pepper and onions. “You can have it for breakfast, brunch or dinner,” added Michal, “you can add topping such as feta cheese, Mozzarella, eggplant or without at all. . And you can also customize it by adding cheese – whatever’s your preference, but you’ve got to try Shakshuka.”

Another must-have traditional “Taste of Israel” is the Challah Bread, typically eaten on ceremonial occasions, Jewish holidays and every Shabbat family dinner. A braided loaf made with egg, slightly sweet with a moist texture, this bread is of important significance to every Jewish house. Michal explained: “Shabbat dinner is a special meal being held on Friday evening. Getting together, family, friends with a unique sense of ‘belonging’, it is very integral to the Israeli lifestyle. It can be formal, or informal but almost every home in Israel will have a lovely Shabbat dinner every Friday evening and there will be Challah bread on the table, among so many more dishes.”

The more popular ‘Taste of Israel’ is the Hummus, made with long cocked tender chick peas eaten with Pita bread (Michal suggestion is you also try the ‘red lentil’ version and actually drop the Pita bread as “it is really not god for your diet… too much carbs, mot really worth it”

Jerusalem

Michal considers Jerusalem to be one of the most amazing places on earth. “There is a special something that I can’t quite put into words that overcomes me when I get to Jerusalem,” she shared, “a sense of excitement, mixed with awe that grows and grows, everywhere I go – awe of what Jerusalem represents.” She admits that although she is a true believer, she is not religious, yet this amazing feeling persists and is magnified when she goes to the Western Wall.

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. This is where The Western wall, King David’s citadel, Parliament, the Supreme Court of Justice and governing bodies are located, but in her mind, Michal sees Tel Aviv as the “capital” and Jerusalem as the sacred place where she travels very often. Jerusalem is just 50 minutes’ drive away from Tel-Aviv. During Covid, the new train last segment was finalized and it is now even great to get from TLV to Jerusalem by train in 60 minutes.

The culinary scene in Jerusalem is also amazing, with a stellar assortment of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world. Michal’s favourite places to eat and hang out in the Jerusalem market is Machneyuda, owned by Michal’s friends, Itzik Ruham, Chef Ori Navon & Chef Assaf Granit. Granitisan awarded 1 Micheline star for his restaurant in Paris named Shabour. Michal usually celebrates at her friend’s restaurant on every occasion but also “celebrate without any special reason. When I have guests coming over from abroad, it’s a must for me to take them to Machneyuda. Otherwise, I feel I failed hosting my guests”.

Tel Aviv

“The best city in the world! No doubt at all. This city never goes to sleep, never. 24 hours you can find what you are looking for, and even if you don’t know what you are actually looking for”. Tel Aviv is an amazing city anyone can enjoy. Families, singles, the youth and seniors will all find it appealing. As Michal describes, “on one street there’s a place where you can hang out with your kids. Next door tons of coffee houses and restaurants and endless variety of bars. The weather is super amazing – humid, yes, but everyone is outside, at the beautiful beaches of Tel-Aviv, sitting at cafes or bars and enjoying the outdoors in various ways, and the city is so alive!” She quickly inserts that this feeling about Tel Aviv is also shared by people who are not local. On her frequent travels abroad, friends in other countries often express enthusiasm about the city “I’m dying to go back there,” they would say and those who have not yet visited are eager for the opportunity to experience it.

The city is indeed alive! The nightlife is electric and if you are an outgoing socialite who loves to party, you can do that here at any time of day or night. But you can also find calm if you seek it. Michal usually starts her day at 5:30 am with a jog in Park Hayarkon, running towards the beach, breathing in the clean air, creating the perfect, quiet start to her day. She’ll head back home, grab a shower, get the kids off to school then head to a coffee shop before staring her day in earnest. There are three favorite coffee shops she visits a few times per week. She usually goes there to grab a coffee on the way to work, for meetings or to just to relax with her husband before heading off on their own separate ways for the day. The ambience at Bucke Café is at the heart of Yehuda-Maccabi it’s in the northern part of Tel Aviv and is an instant reminder of the funky ‘New-York style’ coffee houses. Reviva and Celia is a posher restaurant-coffee house and fancy level baking factory with unique sweets and special pistachio pie “to die for”, and Juno Wine bar although having this heavy name, it is a great coffee house for early morning meetings, brunches and quick take-away picks. “This is my regular daily place, at least 4-5 times a week.” It comes highly recommended whenever you’re in northern Tel Aviv.

Events

If you’re a marathoner, Michal suggests that you visit for the annual Tel Aviv marathon which takes place every last Friday in February and will resume post-pandemic. The Jerusalem marathon follows the 2nd Friday of March “so people can combine between both Marathons,” Michal advised.

“Purim is the best holiday ever!” – it is the “Jewish Halloween” also in March, where people dress in costumes and enjoy three days of nonstop parades, parties, gift-giving and socializing with friends and family. The weather is great that time of year because it is not cold, neither is it too hot, so enjoying that festive time outdoors is pleasant.

One of the biggest pride parades in the world is held here in June, albeit it will resume post-pandemic. This event brings thousands of people together. Music, party, food, drinks – a gargantuan social event whose presence in Israel is indicative of the inclusiveness this country embraces.

Vacation suggestions

If you have just 24 hours to spend in Israel, you can drive from the north where it borders Lebanon, to the south where it borders Egypt, in about six hours. “I do not exaggerate when I say six hours max, and this is if you’re taking the long road,” Michal explained. “If you go east to west, it will be a shorter drive.” A lot is packed into that relatively small country with a terrain that’s as diverse as its people. Snow will be seen in some areas and within six hours you can be standing in the desert. Amazing views, places of quiet where you’ll actually feel alone, then very hectic, modern, futuristic places in cities like Tel Aviv.

According to Michal, a basic vacation in Israel would require at least seven or eight nights. The first two can be spent in Tel Aviv, then head up north to visit sea of Galilee and Ramat Hagolan. You should definitely visit the wineries in the area just make sure you are not driving yourself after that visit. On your way south, visit the Dead Sea as it’s a must on your ‘check list’ being the lowest place on earth!!! then head to the southern city of Eilat, the Israeli version of Vegas on the beaches of the beautiful Red Sea which sits on the border with Jordan and Egypt. Stay for two nights then head back to Tel Aviv on your last night and don’t forget to party again! Also, don’t miss an opportunity to have a great run on the shoreline of TLV.

Even if you don’t have much of a vacation plan, Michal says you can ask for advice when you get here – even random people on the street will provide guidance. Israelis are warm, friendly people who will immediately make you feel like they’ve known you all their lives.

Family vacations

“Israel is noisy,” Michal said jokingly, “and it is because the voices of children all around you are relentless.” It is a very child-friendly country and travelling here with kids is an easy process. Municipalities have free activities for them in the parks and on the beaches. There are a lot of great attractions to keep them occupied whether you’re in the cities or suburbs and accommodations are welcoming. Families are encouraged to consider Israel as a vacation destination.

Weather

The weather in Israel is generally warm but during October to March it will be cooler, even really cold in some places like Jerusalem and up north, but the cold spells does not linger.

Shopping

Although Michal has an active social life that warrants an extensive wardrobe, she confesses that shopping does not interest her. “I don’t have a lot of time to shop, because I already have a limited ‘twenty-six’ hours in my day and can’t waste it on shopping but, when I do out of necessity, I am a smart shopper – I am a minimalist.” She does mention that you’ll find known international brands to fit every budget, including Zara, H & M, Nike, Footlocker and others.

Israel is tourist-friendly and signs are usually found in Hebrew and English.

Israel

Why You Should Visit Israel

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
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Man in a coat and top hat walking by a shop

Why you should visit Israel

Many people are thinking of places to visit when it is safe to travel again, and Israel offers a variety of reasons why they should be on the post-Covid travel bucket list being compiled by people around the world who eager to head to new places.

Israel is the Holy Land, known for being home to the Western Wall, the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and many other places of religious significance. It is also home to The Voice of Music Festival and the Jerusalem International Film Festival where movie producers from as many as 60 countries participate and over 200 movies are screened. If you’re a movie-lover, you’ve already discovered another reason to visit Israel. These and other unique experiences await.

Here’s another: when you get here, you must visit the Dead Sea, which is one of the largest natural spas in the world. You can also visit the Charles Bronfman Auditorium and listen to the incredible sounds of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, immersing yourself in a musical experience the likes of which you may not experience elsewhere in the world.

There is always something of interest taking place here, and most importantly, something for everyone’s pleasure regardless of preference. Israel is host to dozens of cultural festivals and events and it is also a family-friendly destination that boasts of incredible beaches, and a vibrant nightlife. All of this is accompanied by an international smorgasbord of cuisines that’s just as rich and colorful as the country itself.

The small but impressive Israel

There’s a reason Israel is mentioned when food is discussed by world travellers. The Land of Milk and Honey has a wide array of mouth watering cuisine with an impressive variety of restaurants and other eating establishments. Armed with someone who knows the lay of the land, you can find the most incredible food on offer. There’s sufganiyot, the sugar-dusted doughnut, and shakshuka, a delicious mix of eggs poached with wholesome tomato sauce, or the legendary shawarma – meat, cooked on a revolving spit which actually needs no introduction, and is it known in many parts of the world.

Israel’s local cafes and coffee shops offer some of the finest drinks you’ll find anywhere. This is what Starbucks, the American coffee discovered as they struggled to set up shop here. The local ones were just too good to beat.

A visit to Israel will allow you to explore a country of immeasurable natural beauty, world-class culture, unbeatable history, and friendly people. If that isn’t enough, there’s the entertainment and social scene, some of the best in the world.

What a man says and what a man really means

Rainie examines red flags that may rear its head at different stages of romantic relationships. She highlights the differences between what a man says and what a man really means. It is delivered as a mix of satire and sarcasm, but the insight is highly empowering for women. The author cleverly explores men’s actions and non-actions, juxtaposing both aspects to reveal the female interpretation of what he said which is not really what he meant – sorry, guys, but it’s usually very different.

The author does not claim the book to be a critique, but rather an inspection of different dating situations that some women across the globe may encounter. Nonetheless, the book does get a laugh out of male readers. Some men are able to humourously identify those red flags and see through the eyes of the female, the negative impression they may have once made, albeit unintentionally. And for the men with daughters, they may well say, “I’ll be having a chat with every boy who comes around my daughter, because I want to make sure he walks the perfect walk.”

Tel Aviv – The City That Never Sleeps

Many people call Tel Aviv one of the most interesting places they have ever visited. Its beaches are legendary, its fashion scene is impressive – Tel Aviv Fashion Week should be on your radar if fashion is your thing – and its tech hub rivals Silicon Valley’s. There is so much value in one place!

On the social side, when visiting Tel Aviv, be prepared to stay up late. The night clubs won’t start filling up until after midnight, but until then, you can find bars and other amazing hang-outs all over the city. The most legendary of these include The Block, The Breakfast Club, and the Haoman 17.

On weekends, in observation of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, Jerusalem and many of the other cities will have little activity. This is a time to spend with family, have meals together and attend service. Tel Aviv, however remains abuzz with activity while the rest of the country rests.

Visit the official Israeli Tourism website for more insights.

SAFE TRAVELS

Israel Travel

Interesting places to visit in Israel

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
No Comments on Interesting places to visit in Israel

Places to visit in Israel

HAIFA

Haifa is the third-largest city in Israel, and ranks among the top three most populous metropolitan areas. It houses the Baha’i Faith’s Baha’i World Centre, a destination for pilgrimage for those of the faith and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Haifa is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel. The city has a history of over 3000 years. The earliest known settlement related to Haifa was established in the Late Bronze Age. Both Mount Carmel and Kishon River are mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Historical mention of Haifa occurs since the Persian and Hellenistic periods.

GERMAN COLONY

German messianics including several Templers arrived in Haifa and settled in what is now called the German Colony in 1868. This was the beginning of Haifa’s introduction to industrialization. The Templers were the one who built a steam-powered station and opened factories. They also inaugurated carriage services to the nearby settlements of Tiberias, Nazareth and Acre. All of this played a key role in jumpstarting Haifa’s modernization.

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE

The buildings hosting the spiritual as well as administrative headquarters of the Baha’i Faith are on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Designed by a Canadian landscape architect, they coordinate and govern the Baha’i Faith. The global teaching plans, the study and the translation of the Baha’i holy writings are all done here. It is where the Universal House of Justice is located, which is the Baha’i Faith’s supreme governing body. This is also a site of pilgrimage, attracting 1 million pilgrims of the faith every year.

BAHA’I GARDENS

There are garden terraces built around the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, called the Hanging Gardens of Haifa in popular terminology. There are nineteen terraces in total, and the gardens sweep down towards the port city itself.

The gardens have elements of design based off the Nishat Bagh gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, Persian gardens of Shiraz and English gardens. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations during a visit to Israel. The Monument Gardens are a set of gardens holding the graves of some members of the Baha’i holy family.

CULINARY SCENE

Haifa’s culinary scene is strong, with a wide variety of cuisines that are both accessible and delicious spread across the city’s restaurants. At Douzan, located inside a Templer building from the 1870s in the German Colony, you can get fusion cuisine of meat and seafood. Elkheir Druze Cuisine serves excellent Mediterranean and Middle eastern food with the matching ambience. At Fattoush, you can get Middle eastern food inspired by multiple cultures. Other restaurants serve excellent Levantine, Italian and Asian cuisine.

NIGHTLIFE

There are a variety of clubs that cater to the club-hoppers. Syncopa offers live music, with Israeli rock and soft folk songs alike. Eli’s Pub is known for its exclusive jazz performances, live music concerts and more. Places like the Libira and the Cantina Sociale are the best places for alcohol connoisseurs looking to spend some of their vacation time. While most of these places serve great cuisine and beverages, late-night restaurants such as the Borekas Turki M’Izmir should be tried before leaving Haifa.

Photo by Itamar Grinberg

PLACES TO VISIT IN ISRAEL

Jaffa

Resort City of Eilat

The Gospel Trail

The City of Acre

Israel Travel

jaffa

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
No Comments on jaffa

Jaffa

Jaffa is an ancient port city in Israel to the south of Tel Aviv, said to date back to the time of the Great Flood. Mythological sources claim its name comes from Noah’s son Japheth or from Cassiopeia, the mother of Andromeda. It has both historical and strategic importance, and the passing of years has made it a wonderful tourist attraction.

ANCIENT PORT CITY

Ancient Jaffa’s location gave it strategic importance in battles, having a broad view of the coastline. It was established in around 1800 BCE at the very latest. It has been mentioned in an ancient Egyptian letter from 1440 BCE that tells of the conquest of the city by the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III. It exchanged hands several times between warring factions.

After renovations, the old port of Jaffa now teems with life and activity. It houses several bookstores, cafés, nightclubs and more.

SHOPS

The flea markets of Jaffa are where you can find an eclectic mix of wares. There are Persian carpets, African design shops, amulets to ward off evil, Israeli antiques, Israeli fashion design in the mid-range and inexpensive Middle-eastern clothes. In the Old Jaffa Hostel, you can get a nap in between shopping binges.

RESTAURANTS

The best aspects of Jaffa must be its restaurants where traditional Israeli and Levantine cuisine like hummus, shawarma, shakshuka, kebab or falafel abound. Jaffa residents will swear that the best hummus you’ve ever tasted is sold here. Traditional Arabic cooking is prevalent as well. Great fish restaurants are scattered over the port city, alongside Romanian restaurants, European cafés, Tunisian bistros and several places that specialize in high-end fine dining. There are bars for the wine and cocktail lovers, and the bakeries in the city will cater to your dessert cravings.

ARTISANS

Israeli artists have been living in Jaffa’s Old City for decades, and the newer generation have moved in to join them. The artisans here sell locally made ceramics as well as crafts, high-end wares and fair-trade items.

MUSEUMS

There are several museums and galleries of note to visit in Jaffa. This includes the Frank Meisler Gallery, the Uri Geller Museum, Ilana Goor Museum, the Iris Eshet Cohen Gallery, the Jaffa Art Salon and more. All of these have beautiful art and pieces of Jaffa’s history on display for curious art lovers and tourists.

DYNAMIC MIX OF CULTURES

Jaffa is populated by Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Tabeetha School, established in the 1800s offers education to people of every religion and sect. Jaffa is a center of cross-cultural heritage that strikes a balance to ease tensions between the several conflicting sects in Israel. The Jewish Community Center brings Jaffa residents together to share their food, music and traditions.

Jaffa’s heterogeneous mix of people and cultures make it perhaps of the most dynamic places on the planet. If you’re looking for a good time on your visit to Israel, Jaffa’s culture and the variety of attractions here make it the hottest spot you should stop by.

Photos by Dana Friedlander

PLACES TO VISIT IN ISRAEL

Haifa

Resort City of Eilat

The Gospel Trail

The City of Acre

Israel Travel

Resort City of Eilat

Resort City of Eilat

If you like sunshine and the sea, then Eilat is the destination for you! Located at the southern-most tip of Israel with the Red Sea bordering Egypt and Jordan, Eilat has become a popular seaside destination for tourists. Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches with water sports, nightlife, hiking, international music festivals, tax-free shopping and popular attractions such as the Dolphin Reef, this city attracts tourists from all over the world especially from Europe.

Places to stay

There are various types of accommodations for every budget, from budget-friendly hotels starting from 15 USD/night to luxurious hotels going up to 4,500 USD/night. Travellers looking for budget-friendly accommodations with a local flavour will find many listings on sites such as Airbnb. Eilat also has other affordable options of hostels for backpackers and families ranging from separate rooms to dormitories. Most of these hostels are near the city centre making it easy to get around.

Things to do

The main attraction of Eilat are the beaches with North beach and the South beach (Coral Beach) being the two most popular ones. At the beach, do not pass on the chance to stop and say hi to cute dolphins! The Dolphin Reef in Eilat offers tourists the opportunity to bserve dolphins in their natural habitat. The more adventurous tourists can opt for a closer interaction with the animals through guided scuba diving and snorkeling excursions. You can also visit the Underwater Observatory Museum for the most amazing marine life experience.

Located north of Eilat, the Harei Eilat (Eilat Mountains), is popular with hikers and nature lovers. This destination offers breath-taking views of the spectacular desert routes with the rich yellow, red and brown colours of the mountains’ rocky landscape.

You can also visit Petra in Jordan while in Eilat for one or two-day tours or opt to visit independently. Tours to Petra are available every day, however, for independent visits you must pre-arrange your visa from your home country.

For those looking for a few minutes of respite, Eilat has a Botanical Garden with waterfalls and wooden swings. The garden is on a hill and offers a welcoming cool shade on Eilat’s hot days.

The international Red Sea Jazz Festival which usually takes place over four days is another thing that will draw you to Eilat if you are a music lover. With travel restrictions still in place in many countries, monitor their website to see whether a festival will be held this year.

Things to do

Domestic tourists with a negative COVID-19 test carried out a maximum of 72 hours before entry can visit Eilat.

Foreign tourists who have received both doses of their COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to visit from May 23, 2021. Only approved guided tours would be allowed into the country and by extension into the city of Eilat to limit the number of people entering per day. From July 2021, it is expected that other foreign tourists will also be allowed.

For more information on Eilat: www.eilat.city

Photos: Dafna Tal

Israel Travel

The Gospel Trail

The Gospel Trail

Over two thousand years ago, Jesus left his home in Nazareth and embarked on an arduous journey. He eventually arrived at the lake side fishing village of Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee. Throughout the course of his journey, he performed various miracles along the way.

In 2007, Maoz Inon, a Jewish Israeli entrepreneur teamed up with David Landis, a Christian American hiking specialist to re-establish the route traversed by the Son of God years ago.

Today, this 40 mile (64 km) long trail, commonly known as the ‘Jesus Trail’ or the ‘Gospel Trail’ has been opened to the public for hiking and camping. The trail connects the important places from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It offers a surreal experience for devotees by offering them a profound and deeply personal experience of the route traversed by the Messiah years ago.

Nazareth

The trail begins in the ancient city of Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The closest airport to Nazareth is Tel Aviv. Throughout history, Nazareth has been home to a wide variety of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In the present day, Nazareth predominantly consists of Arab citizens of Israel and is the largest Arab city in Israel. The majority of its population are followers of the Islamic faith, while most of the others are followers of Christianity.

The Mount of Beatitudes

Winding across numerous places of importance from the life of Christ, the trail also takes hikers to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

RESTAURANTS

ARTISANS

MUSEUMS

There are several museums and galleries of note to visit in Jaffa. This includes the Frank Meisler Gallery, the Uri Geller Museum, Ilana Goor Museum, the Iris Eshet Cohen Gallery, the Jaffa Art Salon and more. All of these have beautiful art and pieces of Jaffa’s history on display for curious art lovers and tourists.

DYNAMIC MIX OF CULTURES

Photos: Dana Friedlander

Israel Travel

The City of Acre

The City of Acre

Acre, Akko in Hebrew, or Akkā in Arabic is a coastal city in the Northwestern Israel located north of Haifa Bay (formerly, Bay of Acre). Acre runs along the Mediterranean Sea and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, claiming this title in 2001 for its valuable history and ancient sites. Additionally, Akka proudly claims the title of being one of the oldest ports globally. It is interesting to note that in 1271, the famous trader and adventurer, Marco Polo, began his historical voyage from Acre to the Orient.

The foundation of this 4000-year old city was shaped mainly by the Crusaders and the Ottomans. This heritage site is home to one of the oldest communities in the world. It has been found that the first-ever habitants dated to approximately 3000 BC., and the initial mention of this city takes us to an Egyptian text dating back 19th Century BC.

Although it is officially called The Old City of Acre, it has undergone a major revamp since it was declared a heritage site. Some of that took place at The Knights’ Hospitallers. This was a military order providing care for the poor, sick, and also looked after the personal care of the pilgrims in the Holy Land. These Hospitallers ran the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.

If you are around Marco Polo Street, chances are you are close to the Arab Market in Acre where locals shop for their daily essentials from fruits to vegetables and local fish. You will also find shops for your clothing needs, household items, and juice stands too.

If mouth-watering seafood is what you crave, Acre has a delicious solution – its seaside restaurants. One of the most famous restaurants for seafood is Uri Buri Restaurant, but their menu includes a variety other dishes as well. El Marsa is another popular restaurant. Many others offer delightful cuisines such as Mercato Restaurant, and for the best humus in town, visit Humus Said.

Attractions such as the Templars’ Tunnel, the Enchanted Garden, and the large Al-Jazzar Mosque are interesting, historical places to visit. Like Hospitallers, Templars too were a monastic order helping pilgrims pass safely from Europe to Jerusalem. The Tunnels, located beneath the city, aided their passage from port to the halls.

The Enchanted Garden, with its impressive greenery, is an entrance to the Hospitaller Fortress. This Garden is also known as The Festival Garden.

The green and white Al-Jazzar Mosque, dominating Acre’s skyline, was built in 1781 during the rule of Turkish governor, Ahmad Pasha Al-Jazzar. Other than in Jerusalem, it is Israel’s biggest mosque and visitors must wear modest, appropriate attire to enter.

History, food and a vibrant night life – a lovely mix, enough for visitors to leave with the lingering thought of having enjoyed a pleasant experience in this city.

Visit www.akko.org.il for more.

Photos: Itamar Grinberg

Israel Travel

Top 5 Must-Visit Wineries in Israel

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022

Top 5 Must-Visit Wineries in Israel

Israel’s main wine-producing regions are: Shomron region, Galilee, Negev Desert , the Judean Hills and the Samson region. Over 80% of the vineyards are located in Samson, Galilee or the Shomron regions. During the last twenty years, the Israeli wine industry has experienced a boom and there are now over 350 wineries with many offering extensive wine tours. Here’s our list of five wineries you can visit.

Carmel Winery
One of the largest and oldest wineries in the country, it produces 15 million bottles annually. Visitors are welcome to take part in workshops and tours, as well as wine tasting. A cultural center offers other activities for tourists including a look into the history of the winery, which Baron de Rothschild set up in 1882.

Yatir Winery
This winery is built at the foot of the Tel Arad Fort, a mere ten minutes from the vineyards of the Yatir Forest. It was founded as a joint venture in 2000 by the local vineyard owners and the Carmel Winery. This winery has been awarded with exceptional recognition, its wines rated among top wines in Israel by international and local wine critics. The Negev desert climate makes their process of wine making unique. If heading south, this winery should be a sure stop.

Binyamina Winery
An iconic place located not far from the beautiful town of Zichron Ya’akov, this winery was established in 1952 and is situated in an old perfume factory. It has since expanded and now the Binyamina winery offers wines under five different labels. You can enjoy wine workshops, a short film and a vineyard tour. Bring the little ones with you – they offer grape juice tasting for underage visitors!

Tishbi Estate Winery
Located in the seaside town of Zichron Ya’akov, and established by Baron de Rothschild over a century ago, wine lovers can tour the six vineyards owned by the winery, sample the wine and learn about the history surrounding it. Over a million bottles are produced every year. This winery also produces delicacies such as wine jellies, jams and chocolates.

Golan Heights Winery
This winery has been pioneering wine-making techniques since the early eighties. Visitors can take a tour of its cellars and vineyards, view a short movie explaining the history of the area and enjoy a wine-and-cheese tasting that features local cheeses. The Gamla, Golan and Yarden labels produced here are distributed internationally. Don’t miss out on visiting this winery, with its gorgeous mountainous backdrop!

Although of all the wineries you come across on your travel throughout Israel will be worth a stop and taste, these five should be on your itinerary.

Israel Travel

12 of the most beautiful secret spots in Israel

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
No Comments on 12 of the most beautiful secret spots in Israel

12 of the most beautiful secret spots in Israel

By Naama Barak | original article published in ISRAEL21c

Israel being a pretty small country, you’d think that every last inch of it would be well-known and well-covered. Yet that’s far from being the case. The avid or armchair traveler can relish in reaching endless little locations where they can bask in the glorious silence, as well as in the glow of boasting about it to friends less in the know.

So that you too will be able to sound all adventurous and mysterious next time Israel comes up, we’ve gathered 12 secluded spots up and down the country. Because really, who wants to hear about overflowing markets anymore.

1. Evrona evaporation ponds, Arava Desert

Fancy seeing a flamingo in the desert? Look no further than the evaporation ponds in Evrona near Eilat, which a group of previously migrating flamingos has decided to call home. The birds used to fly over the area on their way to Africa but over 20 years ago made their pit spot a permanent one thanks to the readily available food at the site. The pools are located right on the border with Jordan, meaning that the flamingos simultaneously receive audiences from both countries who in turn can also wave hello to one another. Coexistence, flamingo-style.

2. Kedem hot springs, Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is one of Israel’s best-known travel destinations, but it too is full of surprises, including deliciously hot springs dotted along the shoreline where the Kedem Stream meets the Dead Sea, some of them large enough to fit a family or a few friends and some of them just big enough to seat romantic couples. Getting there isn’t easy and requires going off-road and avoiding dangerous sinkholes, but that doesn’t seem to deter the brave few who venture out there, especially in the winter season.

3. Hamukei Nitzana, Negev Desert

Hamukei Nitzana (Nitzana Curves) is a natural park full of large, bright-white chalk rocks that form in curvy, smooth patterns reminiscent of, well, curves. Its location right on Israel’s southern border with Egypt means that it’s not flooded with tourists even in the most Covid-free of times, enabling enterprising visitors to walk around and enjoy the moon-like setting in peace and quiet. It’s also a great destination for a moonlight hike, when the chalky stones shine bright.

4. Little Crater, Negev Desert

Despite its name, the Little Crater is quite a large secret location, coming in at 5 miles long, almost 4 miles wide and 1,300 feet deep. The crater is a rare geological phenomenon and is far less famous than its cousins, the Ramon Crater and the Big Crater. It was only deemed a nature reserve in 2019 following a decades-long struggle with Israel’s defense establishment, which opposed the move because some of the reserve belongs to the Negev Nuclear Research Center. It is home to unique geological forms, colorful rocks and endangered wildlife and is a wonderful site for a desert hike.

5. Alma Cave, Galilee

Alma Cave in the northern Galilee region is everything you could wish for in a cave: long, dark, cold and full of bats. It has a few legends surrounding it, such as the one claiming that Jews returned to the Land of Israel from their Babylonian exile through it (because it’s so long).

Fast-forward a few thousand years, and the cave is equipped with pegs and light reflectors to ease the way in for visitors, who should still come in long-sleeved clothes and anti-slip shoes. The cave is currently closed to protect its bat population, but once it reopens it’s well worth the descent.

6. Ancient fortress, Ashdod Beach

While the beaches in Tel Aviv are perhaps the most famous, the coastline in Israel in fact runs down a substantial part of the country. And the beach in Ashdod, half an hour’s drive south of Tel Aviv, even boasts its very own fortress.

First built by Arab rulers in the seventh century, the fortress was used in later centuries to unsuccessfully defend the Holy Land from the Crusaders, who after taking over the area also took ownership of the stronghold. Nowadays, the fortress remains strike a magnificent picture against an otherwise empty strip of sand, even leading couples to choose the venue to tie the knot in small, corona-era wedding ceremonies.

7. Austrian Hospice rooftop, Jerusalem

The Old City of Jerusalem has many rooftops from which to take in the breathtaking views, with one of the best – and relatively accessible – ones belonging to the Austrian Hospice. Opened in 1863, the building first served as the Austrian Catholic Church’s pilgrim hostel before turning into a military convalescent home during World War I, an internment camp during World War II, a hospital and again a present-day hostel with its very own Viennese coffeeshop.

While the coffeeshop is famous for its hot chocolate and apple strudel, those looking for a different experience would do well to saunter up the staircase to the roof, from which they can comfortably view the very heart of the Old City.

8. Saint Peter’s Church, Tel Aviv

The bright pink Russian Orthodox Saint Peter’s Church towering over treetops makes an unusual addition to an otherwise rather nondescript residential area of southern Tel Aviv. Built in the 19th century, the complex includes both a church and a monastery and is open to the public for only a short time each week, very much adding to its secretive status. Enjoyed mostly by locals, the complex and the surrounding park are a breath of fresh air in the metropolitan area.

9. Mount Scopus amphitheater, Jerusalem

The open-air amphitheater located at the edge of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus campus is one of the university’s best-kept secrets, alongside its botanical gardens. The amphitheater originates in 1925, when a temporary wooden structure was laid down at the site ahead of the university’s opening ceremony, which included grandees such as the British Lord Balfour and General Allenby. The current stone structure was built 10 years later and withstood historic events such as Israel’s War of Independence and the Six Day War. Nowadays, visitors who make the endless trek all the way to the edge of the campus are rewarded with beautiful desert views stretching into Jordan.

10. Midron Slopes beach, Jaffa

Located at the southern, less well-known side of Jaffa, the Midron Slopes beach rolling down from the Ajami neighborhood to the Mediterranean Sea boasts expansive grass lawns, bike paths, walking lanes and strips of sand, but somehow have yet to attract the crowds found elsewhere in Jaffa and Tel Aviv. The beach is best enjoyed early on Friday evenings, when families get together for dinner, couples go out on romantic dates and kids whizz around, all in a uniquely pleasant, local atmosphere.

11. Ein Sukkot Spring, Jordan Valley

Ein Sukkot is a wonderfully large spring surrounded by reeds, giving the whole place a very private and secluded vibe. The spring is located off-road in between a couple of settlements, making getting there a bit of a challenge, but is a firm favorite among travelers who absolutely cannot bear the thought of sharing an afternoon with the masses. Secret indeed.

12. Timna hidden lake, Arava Desert

The hidden lake at Timna is perhaps one of the most striking sights in Israel – a bright turquoise body of water surrounded by red mountains in the middle of the desert. Located a short ride outside of Eilat, the lake isn’t a natural one but was formed when the copper quarries at the site were flooded. Since the lake is situated among mines, it’s a little off the beaten track and isn’t the easiest place to get to. And yet, keen travelers are making their way there for a swim in the salty waters and even, as has become somewhat popular lately, for diving in the unusual location.

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12 of the most beautiful secret spots in Israel

1. Evrona evaporation ponds, Arava Desert

2. Kedem hot springs, Dead Sea

3. Hamukei Nitzana, Negev Desert

4. Little Crater, Negev Desert

5. Alma Cave, Galilee

6. Ancient fortress, Ashdod Beach

7. Austrian Hospice rooftop, Jerusalem

8. Saint Peter’s Church, Tel Aviv

9. Mount Scopus amphitheater, Jerusalem

10. Midron Slopes beach, Jaffa

11. Ein Sukkot Spring, Jordan Valley

12. Timna hidden lake, Arava Desert

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