Sample Itineraries

Visiting the Galilee, or even parts of it, has been done (rushed) in just one day, but to really enjoy and appreciate it, you must give more of yourself to this special part of Eretz Yisroel - as it offers you its charm and treasures.

The Drive to the Galilee

I usually drive through the Judean desert on my way to the Jordan Valley, and the Jordan Valley takes us north to the Eastern Galilee. I like to make a short stop at Mitzpe Yericho village with its breath taking view of Biblical Jericho – it’s as if it is in the palm of your hand. The village is a typical "settlement" community and worth a look inside to see this dedicated community of modern pioneers. Always a very encouraging and uplifting experience.

Driving up the Jordan Valley we move parallel to Ever Hayarden (East of the Jordan) - the biblical home land of two and a half of Israel's twelve tribes. Lots of Biblical and modern history and drama to share along the way through this picturesque area. A formerly dry, dusty land made into a garden of Eden - just as the prophets said would happen in these times.

The Lower Galilee

We reach the Gilboa Mountains, partially bald - cursed by King David because that is where Saul and Yonatan (David's soul friend) met their tragic deaths. We visit Beit She’an - Rome's showcase city in the east. This city came tumbling down in an earthquake fourteen centuries ago and its monumental remains will make your jaw drop. This is where the bandit turned scholar Resh Lakish fought in the amphitheater, where Rome thought they would rule the Jews and the world forever. Guess who is uncovering their ruins today?

Just down the road to the east is Gan Hashlosha National Park. National Geographic included this site on its list of well hidden gems. A paradise of waterfalls and pools set in an extremely lush framework, where the water is comfortable for swimming year round. These are the waters that Gideon's soldiers drank from as part of their initiation into his army. This is also where King Ahab, Queen Jezebel and the prophets Elijah and Elisha made their mark. All this, where the Bible jumps out of the pages at you at every turn! What a country!

Next door is Gan Garoo, an exquisite transplanted corner of Australia in the Jezre'el Valley. Families love petting the kangaroos and seeing the cute kola bears and the huge birds. You don't have to fly all the way "down under!”

The best preserved mosaic synagogue floor from the Talmudic period was accidentally discovered on Kibbutz Heftziba in 1929. This fifteen hundred year old masterpiece and a presentation about it offer a joyous peek at Jewish life in the Land back then.

Feel like driving up to a huge Crusader Castle? Not a problem. We will visit Kochav Hayarden (Belvoir). What a view from the battlements where they slugged it out with the Muslims a thousand years ago! Those guys had choice real estate. No wonder it was fought over, again and again.

We pass the cone shaped Biblical Mount Tabor, where Deborah the Judge defeated the nine hundred chariots of Cicero the Canaanite. Ask me to give you the blow by blow details, along with the great ending.

Coming to the Golani Junction we can visit the memorial and museum of the Golani Brigade. Born during the War of Independence, this infantry battalion, made up of so many of the local farmers from this area, was Israel's toughest regiment. The very moving and exciting museum is a favorite for youngsters who love to climb on the military vehicles and pose behind the guns...

The Upper Galilee

Tiberius and the picturesque Lake Kinneret. The Sea of Galilee, Israel's only fresh water lake, has a love affair with the people of Israel. With mountains on all sides, the waters give life and elicit a desire to be alive, to enjoy the beauty. Boating and other water sports, fishing, famous restaurants along the sea, archeology, mineral spas - the perfect vacation setting. It is also where the Bible comes alive, reminding you that this is just not another beauty spot.

The city of Tiberius is one of the traditional four holy cities of Eretz Yisroel. The Jerusalem Talmud was edited here, and many of its authors are buried, along with the great Maimonides, in the city’s ancient cemetery. The location on the slopes of the Galilee Mountains offers unforgettable views of the Kinneret and of the Golan Heights beyond.

The lush valley of Ginosar, which the rabbis tell us is the entrance to Paradise, can be seen from high above the dramatic cliffs of Mount Arbel. You can climb down the face of the cliff if you are feeling adventurous, or take a donkey ride, or just look at the amazing view. Arbel itself was a Jewish town over 2000 years ago and was home to Natai Ha'arbeli, one the authors of the Mishna.

Below, we can visit Nof Ginosar, a kibbutz on the western side of Lake Kinneret, where we can see the oldest fishing boat in the world. This Jewish fishing boat plied the waters when the Temple stood in Jerusalem and was probably involved in battles with the Roman navy.

Kfar Nachum - The very impressive remains of a robust Jewish community from 2000 years ago. Beautiful stone work, the synagogue on a hill

Going North on Route 90 to the town of Rosh Pina, we find one of the first Jewish out posts in the Upper Galilee (late 19th century). Rich in modern Jewish history, today it is a picture post card town, replete with beautiful inns, wonderful restaurants, and shops of local artists. Visit the preserved pioneer settlement, see the dramatic presentation.

We drive up the road to Zfat, (known to many as Safed), the capitol of the Upper Galilee and the world center for Kabbalah learning. Perched on a mountain top, Zfat was home to the great mystics and Torah sages of the sixteenth century – among them the ARI, (Rav Isaac Luria, a master kabbalist), Ravs Yosef Karo, Moshe Alshich, and Shlomo Alkabets, author of Lecha dodi. We will visit the quaint and famous shuls (synagogues) - each with a wealth of tradition and stories. The well known cemetery on the hillside and the ARI mikva share the landscape with an equally famous artist colony. Shop shop shop...

Mt. Meron and Amuka Valley

The tomb of Shimon Bar Yochai is found on Mt. Meron, as well as the remains of a 2000-year-old synagogue. Close by is the enchanting Amuka Valley, located in the Biriya Forest, where cows graze and trees carpet everything. Deep in this valley of the Upper Galilee lies the tomb of Yonathan ben Uziel, sage of the Mishna, and here young people come for shidduch prayers. Within the Amuka-Biriya forest can be found the magical road. Don't ask how, but one rolls up this stretch of hill. Very mystical indeed. What a country!

This area is great for hiking - available atop Mt Meron or in the Nachal Amud nature route which is nearby. Through out the entire Galilee there are activities for jeep rides, horse back riding, rappelling, target shooting etc.

The Hula Valley

This lushest of valleys is sandwiched between the mountains of the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. It was a malaria infested swamp for the long centuries of Jewish absence from the Land. With the return of Jewish pioneers a century ago, the Valley was returned to a "land of milk and honey" - and cotton fields and citrus plantations. Wisely, the ones who presided over the draining of the swamps kept untouched an area designated as a nature reserve - the beautiful flora and fauna (water buffalo, Wild Boar, etc..) was left intact. This area serves as a stop over for myriads of migratory birds on their trip from Europe to Africa and back twice yearly. The visitor's center and reserveis highly recommended along with the Dubrovin farm, a preserved pioneer farmstead capturing the flavor of those dramatic times and struggles.

Uppermost Galilee and the Golan

Further north, above Kiryat Shmona, thrill seekers will want to visit the Manara Cliffs Sports Center. Tobogganing, rock climbing, rappelling, zip lines - fun!

Some of the most beautiful and famous hiking and walking trails in Israel take us along the sources of the Jordan River:

Syrian bunker system and Six Day War battle site - On the Golan side of the Valley, the hills rise, offering perfect tactical advantage to those on the hill. The Syrians held that ground from 1948 until they were dislodged in fierce combat in June 1967, when the Golan was liberated by Israel. We can visit the battle scene and understand why the hill was so important. We pay our respects to the Jewish heroes who overcame all odds.

Above these hills is the vast Crusader castle, Kal'at Nimrod. Roaming through the towers and dungeons of this mountain top fortress brings one back to the drama of Crusader versus Muslims a thousand years ago.

The Western Galilee

The Western Galilee includes the northwest coast of Israel and inland areas until the town of Carmiel.

Let us first consider the coast. We begin with a visit to the magnificent excavations of Caesarea, the main port city that Herod the Great built in the Second Temple period. The theaters, markets, hippodrome, port facilities, and palaces speak for themselves. It is truly a wonder. The visitor’s center is wonderful and helps make the place come alive.

It is interesting to note that the first great Jewish revolt actually was sparked by a pogrom against the Jewish minority of this metropolis, and the end of the second rebellion - the Bar Kochba revolt - ended in this Roman city too. Here Rabbi Akiva, the co- leader of the revolt was martyred as he recited the Shema Yisroel before his weeping students. We come full circle here, but we are back!

Traveling inland we come to Zichron Ya’akov, a colorful, picturesque town on the bluffs over looking the Mediterranean. This was one of the earliest modern Jewish settlements in the eighteenth century. It is a great treat to stroll through the preserved original streets and shop and eat in the warm and friendly ambiance. A visit to the museum of the early settlers and to the first pioneer synagogue is highly recommended.

Also recommended is the NILI Museum. NILI was a small group of Jews who spied for the British during the First World War when the Turks still ruled Eretz Yisroel. The dramatic story includes the capture and suicide of Sarah Aaronson. Down the road are the Rothschild Gardens and the tombs of Baron and Baroness Edmund Rothschild. This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Israel. Great place for a picnic lunch.

A bit further inland we come to Mei Kedem (Ancient Waters). This is a recently discovered underground water system that served Caesarea in ancient times. Kids love walking through the water in the dark with flashlights to light the way.

Returning to the coast, we pass the most beautiful beaches in Israel, and drive up to Atlit. This is the site where the Crusaders and Muslims fought their last battle, pushing the Crusaders back to the sea. Many years later as the Jewish People tried to make their way back to its Land, the British Occupying Forces intercepted and detained Jews in the Atlit camp. We can visit the preserved and reconstructed facility and learn about a dramatic chapter in the rebirth of the Nation of Israel.

Traveling further north, we come to Haifa, Israel's largest modern port city. The view from Mount Carmel to the bay is unforgettable. The Museum of Clandestine Immigration and Israel Navy Museum is well worth a visit. One can take the cable car up the slope of Mt Carmel and visit the world famous Bahia Gardens. We will stand on the spot of the great contest between the prophet Eliyahu and the priests of the Ba'al, overlooking the green Jezre'el Valley. Also the traditional cave in which Eliyahu sought refuge from wicked Queen Jezebel can be visited.

Acco - This ancient port town is where the Ramban lived his last years after making aliyah from Spain. A very picturesque city - the old Crusader and Turkish ruins here are magnificent. The underground Crusader Halls are a classic. Do not miss a visit to the Turkish/British prison fortress, where the young men of the Jewish resistance were hanged by the British, just as Rabbi Akiva was martyred centuries earlier down the coast, by another occupying Empire.

Finally we drive towards the Lebanese border, passing the very beautiful "honeymooners" town of Nahariyah. Great place to spend time and relax.

We can go no further, as we reach Rosh Hanikra on the border. The sea grottos here are a unique phenomenon. We can ride a cable car to where the sea meets the sculptured white caverns, walking through the caves as the sea roars at our feet. Thrilling.

Shalom Pollack Tours of Israel

Sample Itineraries