Overview: Israel is a land suffused with the importance of its position,
as the cradle of Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike. This
cultural complexity is further reflected by the diversity of its
natural landscape, which varies from the salty serenity of the Dead
Sea, to verdant national parks and parched desert plateaus. Most visits to the Holy Land are ushered in with a trip to the
capital city of Jerusalem. The vibrant streets bustle with the
activity of modern city-dwellers and busy markets spill out onto
ancient cobbled streets against a skyline of sacred sites. The
modern commercial centre of Tel Aviv is dedicated to the more
hedonistic pursuits of life, that come in the form of sun-drenched
beaches, good restaurants, designer clothing stores and
sophisticated night clubs. Sunbathing and scuba diving is the
allure of the Red Sea port of Elat, while relaxation and spa
resorts are a specialty of the Dead Sea experience. The Galilee
area, north of Jerusalem, is the destination of pilgrims and
nature-lovers alike. Its concentration of holy sites provides a
fascinating visit, particularly around the azure stretches of the
Sea of Galilee. The cosmopolitan reaches of the Jewish-Arab city of
Haifa provide a glorious base from which to explore the Galilee
area, as well as the magnificent sea grottoes of Rosh Hanikra. Home to over 200 museums, Israel has the highest number of
museums per capita in the whole world - further underlining its
status as one of the most culturally-rich tourist destinations on
the planet - while its national parks are roundly celebrated for
their accessibility and beauty, as well. Nearly 3.5 million people
visited Israel on holiday last year, confirming its reputation as a
chief international tourist destination.
|