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ISRAEL TRAVEL GUIDE
Visitors prepared to visit Israel are rewarded with rich and memorable experiences based on fascinating ancient religious sites, modern cultural attractions and scenic coastal beauty. Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and an essential stop for anyone wanting to feel the essence of the country. Tel Aviv offers both beaches and sightseeing attractions, making it a popular draw. With the same mix but a leaning towards a beach resort ambience is lively Haifa, while for religious and historical enthusiasts there is Nazareth, the famed home of the infant Jesus.
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ISRAEL WEATHER - When To Go
Israel’s climate varies depending on which region of the country you visit. However, as a general rule it enjoys Mediterranean-style weather, which means hot summers, cool winters and moderate spring and autumn seasons. Many visitors schedule their trips for the summer months, but it’s worth noting that July and August can be blisteringly hot so it’s not the perfect time to visit if you are not accustomed to heat.
March and April and September and October are the best times to take a holiday in Israel as temperatures are warm but not excessively so (low to mid 20s°C) and the big cities are less crowded.
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ISRAEL HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Tel Aviv: is Israel’s second-largest city and just an hour’s drive from Jerusalem. It is a modern metropolis and the country’s largest commercial centre. Despite only a century of history behind it, it has managed to acquire World Heritage site status so you can figure that as far as attractions and appeal go, it is not short on either. A good sightseeing tour should include stops at the Azrieli Centre, Ben Gurion House, Migdal Shalom and Independence Hall. For a slice of modern Tel Aviv culture, visits to the Jaffa and Florentin districts are a must. Come summertime, the city’s beaches such as Metzitzim, Atzmout and Hilton are the ideal places to relax and enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean weather.
- Jerusalem: few visitors bypass the Holy City of Jerusalem, not wanting to miss out on its rich history and cultural heritage as well the buzz of modern day life. Well-considered sightseeing tours should include Temple Mount and Herod’s Gate as well as the Chapel of the Ascension, Dome of the Rock, Holy Sepulchre and the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. A trip to the Old City is also a must as few experiences can compare with the rich and varying mixtures of sights, sounds and smells yielded by the Christian, Jewish, Armenian and Muslim quarters respectively. For a setting with a lively youthful environment and venues to match, head for Azza Street where the city’s students hang out in their spare time.
- Haifa: the country’s third-largest city presents a rich cultural mix with influences stemming from both Arabic and Eastern European sources. It is also a contemporary city in many respects with amenities such as modern hotels, shopping malls and entertainment centres. Visitors more often than not come primarily to enjoy the excellent beaches, among which are Bat Galim, Dado and Zamir. If sightseeing is more your thing, then don’t miss out on favourites such as the Baha’i Shrine, Kababir, Elijah’s Cave, Muhraka and the Sculpture Garden. Haifa can be reached in just 90 minutes from Tel Aviv so it is a good option for daytrip.
- Eilat: sitting at the country’s southernmost tip, Eilat is commonly hailed as one of the country’s best beach holiday destinations. It is a place to which scuba diving enthusiasts flock in droves to appreciate the beauty of the vibrantly coloured coral reef in the waters off its coastline. The same beauty can be admired from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat or on a submarine tour. Top attractions in the city include the 8,000-acre Hai Bar wildlife reserve, the fascinating Coral World Underwater Observatory and the nature-rich Timna Valley National Park. Of course, if the thought of all that activity tires you, then you can just as easily spend endless lazy days on the city’s fantastic beaches. Eilat can be reached from Jerusalem in around five hours by car or public bus.
- Nazareth: for religious pilgrims Nazareth is of particular interest since it is the small town in which, according to the New Testament, Jesus spent his formative years. It is teeming with fascinating sightseeing attractions and more significantly perhaps, it is the cultural and commercial epicentre for the country’s Arab population. Any half-decent sightseeing itinerary should include stops at the Basilica of the Annunciation, St Joseph's Church, Mary’s Well and the Ancient Bath House, St Gabriel’s Church of the Annunciation and the White Mosque (El Mas-jad El Abiad). Sitting just 60 miles from Tel Aviv and less than 80 miles from Jerusalem, Nazareth can be visited on a daytrip from either location.
- Other places to visit include Akko, a World Heritage site on the north coast; and Tiberias, an ancient city turned modern resort.
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ISRAEL HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Food in Israel is a mix of eastern and western influences with the cooking styles of the Mediterranean impacting significantly on the national cuisine. Jewish and Arabic regions differ somewhat in their culinary offerings but both are equally delicious. Good food can be found across the country but the best restaurants are in the bigger cities.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: A presiding religious ambience has done nothing to dull Israel’s party scene and in the big cities such as Tel Aviv and the beach holiday destinations such as Haifa and Eilat, visitors can enjoy lively night venues where alcohol is widely available and dancing can be pursued until the daylight hours.
- Accommodation: Modern hotels can be found in all of the major tourist destinations and standards, as a rule, are high. The alternative to hotel accommodation is to stay in a kibbutz where prices are much cheaper and rooms are simple but clean and functional.
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ISRAEL FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Direct flights to Tel Aviv from London Heathrow are available daily with British Airways. El Al, Israil, and Thomsonfly also operate flights to Tel Aviv.
Thomsonfly also operate direct flights to Tel Aviv from Manchester.
Cheap flights to Israel and Tel Aviv may also be available by flying from your regional airport via a European hub (such as Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt). Try travel sites such as Expedia.co.uk or ebookers for such options.
Holidaymakers wanting to fly to Eilat and nearby Red Sea resorts may want to try tour operators such as Thomas Cook, Thomson Holidays and First Choice for more convenient flight options.
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