Israel, a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea, is regarded by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the biblical Holy Land. Its most sacred sites are in Jerusalem. Within its Old City, the Temple Mount complex includes the Dome of the Rock shrine, the historic Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque and Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Its financial hub, Tel Aviv, is known for Bauhaus architecture, beaches and nightlife. From biblical times to present day, this slice of holy land in the Eastern Mediterranean has long attracted visitors. It has attracted turmoil, too, and Israel remains a politically sensitive country. Nevertheless, its appeal for visitors is enormous and the day-to-day issues facing residents have little effect on those coming to appreciate its astounding historic relics, impressive religious sites and exquisite natural beauty. Home to the Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee and the ancient port of Jaffa, it's hard to go anywhere in Israel without stumbling upon a place of religious significance. None, though, compare to the holy city of Jerusalem. Sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, this ancient metropolis is claimed by both Israel and Palestine and its status remains one of the core issues of the Israeli-Palestine conflict. The combination of weather and holy days can help you determine the best times to visit Israel. The most popular time to travel to Israel is in the late spring and fall, when the weather is warm but not oppressively hot, and fairly dry.
Things Not to Miss in IsraelSeeing the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a relatively small segment of a far longer ancient retaining wall, known also in its entirety as the "Western Wall".
The Coenaculum of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion, Located in the peaceful Franciscan Church of the Coenaculum on Mount Zion, the Last Supper Room (also known as the Coenaculum) is, according to fourth century tradition, the site Jesus' fateful Last Supper. The Coenaculum is divided by pillars into two naves, and has an adjoining smaller room that is kept locked at all times. It was in this small room that the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles purportedly took place, while the larger room was the site of the actual Last Supper itself. Other significant events also took place on this site according to Christian tradition, such as the invocation of the commandment to love one another, the institution of the priesthood, and the appearance of Jesus on Easter Day.
The Dead Sea, The Dead Sea lies between Jordan and Israel in the part of southwest Asia commonly referred to as the Middle East. It can be found between steep, rocky cliffs that are 2,500 to 4,000 feet high. Situated along the coast of Israel, the Dead Sea stretches for over 40 miles. At its widest point, the Dead Sea is about 11 miles wide. At its deepest point, it is about 1,240 feet deep. That's pretty deep, especially when you realize that the lowest parts of the Dead Sea's shores lie almost 1,400 feet below sea level themselves. That makes the shores of the Dead Sea the world's lowest point below sea level. Although its name implies otherwise, the Dead Sea isn't actually a sea at all. It's really a lake. In fact, it's a hypersaline lake, which means it's a landlocked body of water with a high concentration of sodium chloride and other mineral salts. The quantity of water that evaporates from it is greater than that which flows into it, such that this body of water has the highest concentration of salt in the world (340 grams per liter of water). It is called the Dead Sea because its salinity prevents the existence of any life forms in the lake. The Dead Sea's unusually high salt concentration means that people can easily float in the Dead Sea due to natural buoyancy. In this respect the Dead Sea is similar to the Great Salt Lake in Utah in the United States. 5. The Dead Sea is roughly 8.6 times saltier than the ocean
Exploring Haifa for sea views and the Baha'i Gardens, The Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa comprise a staircase of nineteen terraces extending all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. At its heart stands the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, which is the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá'í Faith. These terraced gardens have been designed as waves of light, or circles, with all lines and curves directing attention toward the Shrine on the central terrace.The geometry of the complex is built around the axis connecting it to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith in Bahjí. Bahjí is just north of Acre/'Akko and it is, for Bahá'ís, the holiest spot on earth.
The 1930s Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv, Did you know that Tel Aviv has the world's largest collection of Bauhaus architecture and buildings?. You can see the white, bright and simple Bauhaus buildings all over the city.Enjoy them as you walk around Rothschild Blvd, and between Allenby St. in the south and Ben Gurion Blvd. near Tel Aviv City Hall, in the north.
