 By Rachel Newcombe: Located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel has a warm climate, stunning beaches and boasts a wealth of historic places. It’s regarded as a Holy Land by three of the world’s major religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism – and many pilgrims still travel to places such as Jerusalem and Nazareth each year.
The ancient capital city, Jerusalem, is located in the Judean Hills and was established about 3,000 years ago by King David. It’s a city where old and new merge – it’s packed with old buildings, traditional architecture and history galore, but is inevitably interspersed with elements of modern life. That’s also the case in Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city, which stretches along the Mediterranean Sea. As well as popular golden beaches, there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, shops and a busy nightlife. But, take a walk away from the beach and the commercial areas to the south of modern Tel Aviv, and you’ll discover art galleries, craftsmen and artefacts for sale in the narrow streets at the port of Old Jaffa.
In the south of the country on the coast, the city of Eilat is a popular holiday destination. As well as bathing in the Red Sea, diving reveals beautiful coral reefs and amazing species of fish. Another area that’s worthy of a visit is the famous Dead Sea, where it’s possible to float happily on the surface without moving a limb and even read a newspaper!
Despite the political problems over the years, there are some beautiful places to see and a rich history to explore in Israel. Go!
|
1) 
(No
registration required)
Via Dolorosa and Western Wall