JerusalemIsrael's capital city occupies an important place in the hearts and minds of Muslims, Christians and Jews alike. The walled section comprising the
Old City of Jerusalem is an area rich in the historical traditions of these three religions. It is home to the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the
Dome of the Rock and the
Al Aksa Mosque on the
Temple Mount. The Western Wall provides the focal point for Jewish worship and stands as an enduring symbol of the Jewish homeland.
The Old City can be accessed through seven of the eight gates punctuating the ancient walls enveloping
it. Within these walls are the separate quarters of the Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian communities. A dazzling array of merchandise can be purchased from the lively Arab souk (open-air market) and meandering through the narrow corridors and cobbled pavements of the ancient center inevitably provides a feast of sensations.
For an orientation of the Old City it is best to set off along the Ramparts Walk, originally designed for watchmen, or to climb the Citadel of David for a panoramic vista of the eternally fascinating city of
Jerusalem.
Getting Around: Jerusalem has an extensive public bus service, and most drivers speak English, but most bus services stop over Shabbat (from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday). Bus 99 is a hop-on hop-off service that visits all main tourist attractions in the city. The old city area is compact enough to explore on foot. Those who choose to drive in Jerusalem will find local drivers tend to be unruly. Taxis are plentiful, identifiable by a yellow sign on the roof, and can be hailed in the street, ordered by telephone or hired outside hotels and the main places of interest. Taxis are metered and charge more late at night and on Saturday and public holidays. Passengers should make sure the taxi driver turns the meter on at the start of a journey. Shared taxis (sherutim) are another popular form of transport, traveling fixed routes and usually costing about the same as a bus. Passengers can get on and off when they need to, though drivers (and fellow passengers) can be impatient when it comes to delays.
Climate: Jerusalem is situated at a relatively high altitude, and therefore experiences quite cold, wet winters with occasional light snowfalls. By contrast summers are dry and warm, with low humidity and temperatures averaging around 75°F (24°C), making for pleasant bright days. During autumn and spring a hot desert wind called the sharav is common.
Tel AvivTel Aviv is a vibrant modern city that is best known for its sun-drenched beaches, pumping nightclubs, designer shopping, crowded street markets and high culture. What it lacks in antiquities,
Tel Aviv makes up for in commerce. One third of
Israel's population have made the bustling metropolis home. At weekends residents from nearby towns head to Tel Aviv looking for entertainment and relaxation and city slickers spill out onto the city's beaches to soak up the Mediterranean sun along a six-mile (10km) stretch of golden sand. The diversity of the population is reflected in the architectural variations and influences such as the
Yemenite Quarter and the Vodka cafes of Allenby Street. Tel Aviv also provides an ideal base from which to explore other parts of Israel including
Jaffa, the
Galilee and
Caesarea.
Getting Around: The easiest way to get around Tel Aviv is on foot or by taxi. Taxi mini-buses (sheruts) follow the same routes as the public buses, often with more frequency and are slightly cheaper on weekdays. The bus system itself is extensive with a fixed fare in the city center. Taxi cabs are not of any particular make or model car, but do have rooftop signs and are plentiful. Fares are metered and more expensive at night. Driving in Tel Aviv is not for the faint-hearted. Local drivers tend to be aggressive and impatient.
Climate: The climate of Tel Aviv is subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in summer is 77°F (25°C) and in winter, 57°F (14°C). Humidity tends to be high all year round and November to April is the wet season. July and August are the busiest months in Tel Aviv, and it is perhaps best to travel to Tel Aviv off-season.
GalileeThe Galilee is Israel's most fertile region with an abundance of valleys, forests and farmlands. Tourists are drawn to the recreational pursuits and historical attractions associated with the area. Lake
Tiberias (also known as the
Sea of Galilee) is an area closely associated with the life and times of Jesus making it a religious center for both Christians and Jews - it has many religious shrines and historical sites of interest. The city of Tiberias was built in honor of the Roman Emperor after which it was named and has played an integral role in the history of the Jews. It served as an important spiritual center and was the site of the compilation of the Talmud. The early pioneers established some of Israel's first kibbutzim (collective farms) around Tiberias. Today it is a popular vacation spot offering year-round water activities, hot springs, health resorts and magnificent national parks.
