Category: Travel

Interesting places to visit in Israel

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
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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
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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.

Israel Travel

Visiting Israel? Things to know

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
No Comments on Visiting Israel? Things to know

A few handy things to know if you’re planning
to visit Israel for the first time

Click here for COVID-19 Travel updates.

Visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least six months. Click here for more.

WEATHER

Israel has two distinct seasons: winter and summer

Winter runs from April to October and Summer from May to September.

Summers are hot, in the 80°-90° F range (27°-32°). Winters are mild, 50°-60° (10°-15°C). Between December and March, you’ll see snow on Mount Hermon summit which is 2,814 metres (9,232 ft) above sea level. It may snow in Jerusalem and Galilee.

The city of Eilat in the south typically enjoys good weather all year.

CURRENCY

New Israel Shekel (NIS) 3.7 NIS = 1 US dollar. Currency can be exchanged at hotels, banks, etc. All major credit cards are accepted.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

Hebrew, Arabic and English

DRIVING

On the right

GETTING AROUND

Taxi – just flag one down or try the popular ride hailing app, Gett

Check out their Bus or Train availability.

POWER

220 volts at 50 Hertz

GREETINGS

Meeting someone for the first time, Israelis may be formal and use last names, but first names will be used thereafter. The most common parting word is “Shalom” (peace).

Travel

5 not-so-well-known places in Paris

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022
No Comments on 5 not-so-well-known places in Paris

3 days in Paris and 5 not-so-well-known places you must see

By Riselle Celestina

The title of this story should be “Less than 3 days in Paris” because in actuality we only got to spend two full days in the city.

This story is about love, survival and determination and you will see why in a bit. It all started when my husband and I saw an advertisement for tickets to Paris that were dirt-cheap. Travel obsessed that we both are, we jumped on the opportunity and bought the tickets not knowing that the island would be struck by one of the strongest hurricanes recorded just around the time we were supposed to board the Air France flight straight to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport.

The airline, understanding our situation was nice enough to give us a voucher for later use. When the time came to finally go on our anticipated Parisian adventure, my husband found himself in and out of meetings he could not avoid. So, I decided to use my ticket and visit my little brother in Antwerp instead (For a 9 Must-Sees in Antwerp click here). My husband would join me later. After a lot of back and forth and date changing my husband and I finally met at the Gare du Nord, one of Paris’ busiest train stations, to spend my 3 remaining days in Europe together. Sounds romantic, right?

What you should know is that no matter how much I love my husband, we are complete opposites when it comes to traveling. I am all about exploring, sightseeing and running from one attraction to the next, sometimes sacrificing meals just to be able to get to the next big thing on my list, while my husband loves to take his time, stroll though unknown areas and stop to savor and enjoy different bars and restaurants along the way. A waste of valuable time, if you ask me, especially when you only have three days.

Despite our constant bickering, yelling and crying (the last one is my secret weapon to getting my way), we still got to see a lot and eat at some amazing places.

This is a list of spots you might want to add to your own Paris list of must-sees when you find yourself in the city of l’amour. I have excluded Paris’ most popular sites like the Arch de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower which we still got to see despite the strict schedule we were on.

Tour Montparnasse

Tour Montparnasse is a skyscraper located in the Montparnasse area of Paris. The tower itself is neither old nor beautiful but what it lacks in looks and age it makes up for in views.You can purchase a ticket to the observatory deck for views of the entire city, including all of the Paris landmarks the city is so famous for. Up to 2011 the Tower of Montparnasse was the tallest building with its 59 floors. It is quite funny to see the Eiffel Tower look so small from the top deck here.

Montparnasse Cemetery

We literally stumbled on this beauty when we got off at the wrong bus stop on our way to the tower.With about 47 acres and 35,000 graves, it is the second largest cemetery in Paris. Just like its bigger counterpart the famous Père Lachaise, the Montparnasse cemetery also has its share of famous eternal residents, including political figures, philosophers, artists, actors, writers and business moguls, including French automobile guy André Citroën.

The Madeleine Neighborhood

My husband deserves all the credit for finding this neighborhood. He begged me to please stop chasing the stops on my list and to just stop at a random metro station on our way from the Eiffel tower. And so we ended up in the Madeleine area, which just happened to be one of the richest neighborhoods in the city. It is home to the Ritz since 1898 and is where you can find the Place du Madeleine and L‘Eglice de Madeleine, a famous catholic church. We, however, did not make it that far. We stopped to wonder at the clean streets, beautiful buildings and salivate over the shopping street with big fashion names but the truth was that we were famished. We decided that lunch was a must here and grabbed a table at a très Parisian looking brasserie called Triadou Haussmann, where we savored on onion soup, escargot and other delicacies. Well done husband!

La Promenade Planteé

Long before New York City even dreamt of introducing the High Line, Paris had La Promenade Planteé, the first green space constructed on an elevated viaduct.This linear park is also called the Coulée Verte or the Green Course and it goes on for two miles on what was once part of an old railway line. It is a must visit, even if it is not exactly on the way to any of the traditional must sees in Paris. The park is wonderful to stroll through and even has some art on display here and there.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Both my husband and I are big fans of the Doors, so a visit to the final resting place of its front man Jim Morrison was a must for us. We skipped Montmartre to be able to fit the cemetery into our hectic schedule and are we glad we did. The cemetery is incredibly beautiful and we ended up spending quite some time here. Now, given, we were lost for the majority of the time, desperately looking for the grave of one of the 70’s most iconic artists. Still, thank Goodness we took part of the day to visit, because we saw so much more of the cemetery than what we initially planned to. We saw the grave of Oscar Wilde and that of Chopin, the tomb of Rossini and even a very impressive tomb dedicated to a dog by the name of Lick. Beautifully crafted tombs and incredible angel statues, all in a park-like space with tall trees and long pathways through graves and tombs and mausoleums, this cemetery is less morbid than you would think.

When we finally located the Morrison grave (hint: follow the Americans) we were a little let down. The grave is nothing compared to those of Oscar Wilde and Chopin, not even to the one dedicated to the dog. It’s a simple grave in between other not so impressive graves. What makes it stand out is the occasional hippy blasting one of the Doors hit songs, a tree of chewed gum (eww) that for some reason or another is supposed to be a way to pay homage to the fallen rock star and other “stuff” people decided to leave behind in honor of the Lizard King. There used to be a small head stone of Morrison, but it kept getting stolen. The cemetery also found it necessary to place barricades because of people sleeping, drinking and performing other activities on his grave. Still, no big The Doors fan can visit Paris without stopping at Père Lachaise cemetery to greet the American poet.

Travel

5 interesting facts about Venice

Post author By Fred
Post date February 15, 2022

5 interesting facts about Venice

There are canals and boats, but no cars in Venice
The well-known cocktail, Bellini, was invented in Venice in 1948
Well-known trader and adventurer, Marco Polo, was born here
By law, all gondolas must be black
Venice Carnival with its ornate masks and outfits must be experienced at least once in your lifetime

Images of stunning architecture, many canals and hundreds of gondolas follow thoughts of Venice, located in Italy’s north east. The city is actually 118 islands connected by bridges with canals in between. Its canals are busy places, with not only gondolas, but also motor boats, water taxis and other water transportation that carry people, produce and goods along the watery highway of the city.

Exploring this unique city via its canals is certainly fun, but a walking tour of Venice with a local who knows the corners of the city, its in depth history and notable sights provides a different perspective. Lesser-known markets, museums, cafes and giftshops can be explored, inserting a distinct Venetian flavour to your experience.

On a walking tour, most people will explore the bustling Rialto Market in the San Polo district, popular with tourists and locals. On your walk from the market, you will see old houses and buildings that were constructed since the 5th century BC. You will cross the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal and go up onto the rooftop of the historic Fondaco dei Tedeschi to get a spectacular view on the city. Next, down past Marco Polo’s home, and from there head to St. Mark’s Square, home of St. Mark’s Basilica, the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Venice and Doge’s Palace, once a place of government, now a museum and cultural centre.

This is one of many tours you will experience while walking through Venice but for a taste of the extraordinary, hidden gems can be explored allowing you to experience the city like a local.

Contact Alessandro Trabucco, Tour Leader in Venice, to show you his Venice, the precious jewel in which he was born.

Places to visit in Israel

HAIFA

GERMAN COLONY

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE

BAHA’I GARDENS

CULINARY SCENE

NIGHTLIFE

PLACES TO VISIT IN ISRAEL

Jaffa

ANCIENT PORT CITY

SHOPS

RESTAURANTS

ARTISANS

MUSEUMS

DYNAMIC MIX OF CULTURES

PLACES TO VISIT IN ISRAEL

Resort City of Eilat

Places to stay

Things to do

Things to do

The Gospel Trail

Nazareth

The Mount of Beatitudes

RESTAURANTS

ARTISANS

MUSEUMS

DYNAMIC MIX OF CULTURES

The City of Acre

Top 5 Must-Visit Wineries in Israel

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

A few handy things to know if you’re planning to visit Israel for the first time

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By Riselle Celestina

Tour Montparnasse

Montparnasse Cemetery

The Madeleine Neighborhood

La Promenade Planteé

Père Lachaise Cemetery

5 interesting facts about Venice

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A few handy things to know if you’re planning
to visit Israel for the first time