Israel is a very popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors coming into the country each year. While it is well-known as a center of high religious importance and ancient cultural landmarks, Israel is also a wonderful place to enjoy the natural world. You might think that since the country is stereotypically portrayed as a largely arid environment, there's not much there to see. While it's true the summers can get very hot and the winters tend to remain mild in Israel, the country offers starkly diverse landscapes for visitors willing to explore them.
The northern Mediterranean region is cooler and wetter than the rest of the country, and the annual rainfall volume differs between the years. However, with an average yearly temperature of 20 °C, you can be sure that your trip to Israel will enjoy mild and pleasant weather so that you can visit as many landmarks as possible.
If you haven't yet established an itinerary, here are some of the best locations you should include during your next gateway to Israel.
Pilgrimages
Commonly known as the Holy Land, Israel is one of the favorite destinations for spiritual travelers coming in from all corners of the world. Jerusalem, the city of three faiths, has remained one of the most popular places in the world for several centuries. Recently, an initiative has sought to restore an ancient pilgrimage route. No less than 400 km long, the road passes through several cities and rural communities, offering a unique opportunity to explore the country in a completely new way.
The trail enables anyone, irrespective of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender and orientation, to embark on an inner journey and immerse themselves into a world of history and symbolism that blends physical effort and mental fortitude with peace and tranquility. The idea behind reviving this route was to connect the global community, help people relate to one another more, and develop a higher appreciation for connection, patience and tolerance.
When you go on a green pilgrimage with Israel Connection, you'll also get to tour Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. As part of the experience, you have the chance to interact with locals, which is the best way to learn more about a country's traditions, culture and way of life. The special thing about this trip is that it aims to provide an excellent experience for visitors without neglecting the importance of preserving the beauty of the local area and leaving a positive footprint in the aftermath.
Baha'i Gardens
Built on nineteen terraces, beginning at the foot of Mount Carmel in Haifa, these hanging gardens include over 1,500 steps ascending the mountain. The central terrace includes the Shrine of the Báb, the second holiest place on Earth for Baha'is, after the Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh. Gravel paths separate the garden's sections, and there's an endless amount of flower beds and arrangements, as well as carefully trimmed hedges, tended by a team of gardeners. The irrigation system is computer-based, using meteorological data to determine the right amount of water that should be used. Hundreds of valves distribute water throughout the gardens, a process which is completed either at night or during the early hours of the morning to avoid wasting moisture through evaporation.
Timna Valley
Timna Valley is located in the Arabah geographic area in Southwestern Israel, roughly 30 kilometers from the city of Eilat. In ancient times, the region has been part of the Kingdom of Edom. Excavations have revealed that the location contains some of the earliest signs of camel domestication in the world.
Covering over 60 square kilometers, the valley has a wide range of geological features, many of them quite uncommon. The sand in the area is predominantly red, but shades of orange, grey, dark brown and even black can be found. Erosion and water have created several different formations, including Solomon's pillars, created by natural deterioration processes through fractures in the sandstone cliff until it was transformed into distinct structures.
The mushroom, an unusually shaped monolith, was caused by wind and humidity over centuries. The area was also home to several ore smelting sites dating as far back as the 14th and the 12th centuries BCE. Natural arches are common, albeit less spectacular, rock formations mainly predominant along the western side of Timna Valley.
Timna Valley is also important from an archaeological standpoint. Excavations in the area have uncovered an Egyptian temple dedicated to Hathor, the goddess associated with mining, and rock drawings carved by the different ruling empires that governed the area over time.
Qumran National Park
Located approximately two kilometers from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, this national park is best known for the Qumran Caves, found around the site itself in the Judaean Desert. It is here that the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the oldest Jewish and Hebrew manuscripts in the world, were discovered. The area was home to ancient civilizations, and if you want to learn more about the culture and lifestyle of the place, the first thing you should do is learn the language. My Israel books are the best options for students of the Hebrew language, offering learning resources for a wide range of learners or different proficiency levels.
Ancient ruins indicate that the Essenes, a mystic sect during the Second Temple period, inhabited the area. Qumran has a desert climate, and there are many natural and artificial caves, which were historically used for storage and as hiding places.
Mount Carmel National Park
This national park is the country's largest conservation area. Extending over much of Mount Carmel, visiting this location allows you to walk through over 10,000 hectares of eucalyptus, cypress and pine forests. There are several walking and bicycle paths you can take and over 250 prehistoric sites to visit if you're a history lover. While the area was tragically the site of forest fires in 2010, major rehabilitation efforts have been deployed and managed to restore much of the environment that fell prey to the flames.
Visiting Israel is a culturally enriching experience. Seeing the historical and cultural sites is an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in ancient culture and explore some truly remarkable natural wonders.