ISRAEL > MIDDLE EAST >  INDEX


State of Israel - in the Middle East on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

Districs in Israel [ mehozot ] : Central Mehoz, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern Mehoz, Southern Mahoz and Tel Aviv.

Israel is bordering Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and shares the coastlines of the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Aqaba / Gulf of Eilat, and the Dead Sea.

Capital City of Israël : Jerusalem

note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv


car hire, hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / traveling to israel

links


Car Rental Israel

 Avis
World's second largest general-use car rental business, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services.
 Budget Rent A Car
 Hertz

Rental Homes / Apartments

 Good Morning Jerusalem - The Israel Holiday Apartments Center
Apartments in Jerusalem and in the Tel-Aviv area. They also have a wide selection of kibbutz and moshav apartments.

Hostels Israel

 Hostelbookers.com - Great Hostels, Free booking, Fast & Easy to use
Hostelbookers.com is one of the worlds largest online booking services for hostels. All hostels you see here are offering realtime prices and availability.
 Bed & Breakfast Guide Israel 
All-inclusive listing of bed & breakfast (b&b) accommodations in Israel using interactive maps to quickly & easily pinpoint location according to area, attractions and religious sites.

Hotels in Israel

 All-hotels.com 
 Expedia.com
 Kibbutz Hotels Chain
Wherever you go, you'll find an attractive Kibbutz Hotel, Holiday Village and/or Country Lodgings. From the southernmost point of Eilat's Red Sea, to high up in the north, near the snowy slopes of Mount Hermon.

More Hotels? See the page Hotels

National Parks

 Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority
Golan Heights, Sea of Galilee, Galilee, Lower Galllee and the Valleys, Mt. Carmel, The Coast, Central Israel, Judean Desert and the Dead See, The Negev, Eilat and the Arava.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

 

 Camel Riders - Desert Exporation Tours
 Desert Eco Tours
For tours & trips in Sinai, Jordan, Petra, all Israel tours, Egypt, the Western Desert & Eastern Sahara, Negev and Eilat Mts. A wide range of desert tours, jeep safari, 4X4 tour, camel trekking and hiking,all customized according to clients' requests. Diving cruises & safaris in Sinai & the Red Sea. Holidays, excursions, trips, vacations. Eilat hotels.
 Jordan River Rafting [ Hebrew language ]
 Midreshet Sde Boker - Gateway to the Negev - Touring the Negev
Although the Negev is known to be hot, the highlands in its center are a cool surprise. Even in summer the weather here is quite pleasant, for the highlands rise from 450 to 1,000 meters above sea level.
Although in the past most Negev settlement was in the highlands, today the region is very underpopulated. It contains only one city, Dimona, the two small towns of Yeruham and Mitzpe Ramon and a few kibbutzim and moshavim.
The absence of modern civilization is, however, a blessing which has preserved many of the highland's fabulous natural attraction. Among them: three craters, unique flowers like the Yeruham iris and exceptionally beautiful riverbeds, canyons and desert springs.
Besides colossal natural sites, the highlands offer some of Israel's outstanding national parks. Within their confines are the reamins of four excavated ancient Nabatean cities: Avdat, Mamshit, Shivta and Nitzana.
 Succah in the Desert 
Succah in the Desert is an ecological dwelling that combines the ruggedness of the nomad with the conveniences of modern technology.It is protective space which enables you to encounter your own creative inner place,inspired by the desert magic.
Eight cozy dwelling or succot (plural for Succah-Biblical term for a temporary desert dwelling) await and welcome you for a unique vacation experience.

 Snuba Diving [ Eilat ]

Travel Guides Israel / Related Books

 Amazon.com - Books about Israel

Lonely Planet Israel & the Palestinian Territories - by Michael Kohn (Author)
Paperback: 448 pages; Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 5 edition (March 2, 2007); Language: English; ISBN-13: 978-1864502770
Fodor's Israel 
Eight pages of brilliant color photographs; Accessible coverage of top destinations: Jerusalem and the Old City, the Dead Sea, Masada, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Zfat, and the Negev desert; Brand -new information on spa culture, the B&B scene, resorts, wineries, gallery experience, folk art shops, and transportation changes; Full coverage of outdoor activities from the beaches of Eilat to hiking in the Golan; Plus travel safety information and security expectations.
Paperback: 480 pages; Publisher: Fodor's; 6 edition (July 4, 2006); Language: English; ISBN-13: 978-1400016686
Eyewitness Travel Guide to Jerusalem & the Holy Land - by Kate Poole
Book Description : Flanked by Africa, Asia, and Europe, the Holy Land encompasses Israel, Palestine, and parts of Jordan and Egypt. Jerusalem is the walled city at its center divided into three parts: Modern Jerusalem, The Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, and the Old City -- the Old City is made up of the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter. Experience the Western Wall, Hurva Square, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and many other important sites. With more than 800 full -color photographs and detailed street-by-street maps DK's Eyewitness Guide: Jerusalem and the Holy Land details the history and beauty of this land from the Sea of Galilee to the Negev Desert. Whether you're visiting St. Catherine's Monastery or exploring the coral reefs in the Red Sea, this one guide is the only reference you will ever need.
Paperback: 304 pages; Publisher: DK Travel; 1st edition (March 15, 2000); Language: English; ISBN-13: 978-0789451705

Transport / Ho do I travel to Israel

 Tel Aviv - Yafo Ben Gurion Airport Ben Gurion Airport
 Tel Aviv-Yafo Sde Dov Airport
 Airports Eilat, Haifa, Herzlia, Dov Hoz, Ovda, Rosh Pina

  Tickets / Bargain Flights - flights to Israel / Flight tickets Israel

 Israel Railways

 Online Map of Israel [ Uni Texas - Perry-Castañeda Library - Map Collection ]


Links  

 Travel Insurance 

 Language Courses

 Israeli Government - Ministry of Goreign Affairs
 Israeli Government - Office of the Prime Minister

 Go Israel - Tourist Board of Israel - Discover Israel
Israel, perfectly located at the fulcrum of Europe, Asia and Africa, is a world-class destination for sophisticated travelers. Israel offers cultural attractions on a par with Europe and the U.S., luxury hotels, glamorous spas and a hot restaurant scene - all within an atmosphere that combines the very ancient with the ultra high-tech, and the exotic with the contemporary

 Jerusalem City - national capital

 Central Mehoz
 Haifa
 Jerusalem
 Northern Mehoz
 Southern Mahoz
 Tel Aviv

 Akko
 Arad
 Ashkelon 
 Bethlehem
 Caesarea
 Eilat
Eilat, the southernmost city of Israel, is a unique oasis extended on the coast of the Red Sea. Eilat lives by the rhythm of the sun, the desert, the sea and nature itself. The calm transparent waters of the Red Sea reveal a delightful surprise - breathtakingly beautiful Coral Reefs and an enchanted underwater world, featuring thousands of varieties of fish and other marine life forms.
 Ein Bokek [ Dead See ] - tourist and therapeutic complex
Ein Bokek is now a modern oasis and panacea for health seekers and tourists alike, and lies in stark contrast to the barren, rugged and genesis landscape of the Judean Desert Cliffs surrounding the area. Notwithstanding, it has been visited by humans since their hunter-gatherer days many thousands of years ago throughout history to the present day. In biblical times the area supplied salt to the world from the huge deposit known as Mount Sodom just south of Ein Bokek. Because of the great value of salt as a meat preserver, it was widely desirable. Roman fortresses were erected and manned to protect the caravansaries transporting these shipments, one of which was situated at Ein Bokek. These archaeological remains and those of a nearby perfume and medicine factory which was also in operation at that time, open a door into another era.
 Givat Ela
 Haifa City - hebrew / some english
 Nazareth City
History, Tourism, The Museum, Holy Places, Events and more
 Netanya
 Tel Aviv - City of tel Aviv - Yafo
What's on, Tourist information
 Tiberias

 Coral Islands [ Eilat ]
 Coral World - The Underwater Observatory Marine Park Eilat
 Dead Sea
The Dead Sea in Israel is renowned worldwide as a treatment spa for people with psoriasis and other skin, muscle and joint conditions. The unique combination of filtered sunlight and dense mineral waters produces consistently excellent results
 Dolphin Reef Eilat - Attraction
Dolphin Reef Eilat, on the shores of the Red Sea, is a unique attraction. At the Reef, visitors are given the special opportunity to meet and observe dolphins in their natural habitat.
A group of Bottlenose dolphins, including babies born at the site, have made Dolphin Reef Eilat their home. They maintain their normal routine of hunting, playing, courting, and socializing.
 Gulf of Akaba
 Jordan Valley
 Lake Tiberias
 Negev Desert
 Qumran
Qumran is a ruin from the days of the Second Temple on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. It became famous since 1947 when a number of ancient manuscripts were found in nearby caves. These manuscripts are now known as the Dead Sea Scrolls...
 Red See
 Sinai desert
 Taba Region

 Dead Sea Research Center  - Arthritis, Rheumatism, Psoriasis, Asthma Treatments
The Dead Sea area, famous for its health promoting environment for thousands of years, contains an unique solar irradiation, an increased oxygen density, a high density salty sea with an unusual salt composition, thermo-mineral springs and a special natural mud. The effects of these unique properties are presently being critically evaluated in terms of types of diseases treated, modes of therapy, and mechanism of healing. These endeavours are designed to help patients to find ways to promote their health by taking advantage of this unique environment in an optimal way.
 Garden Tomb Website - near the Damascus Gate
It is believed by many to be the location of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, outside the city walls, and the tomb where Jesus Christ was laid after His crucifixion; and rose from death.
 Nativity Church in Bethlehem
The Nativity Church is the oldest church in the Holy Land and probably the oldest in the world. In the year 135 A.D. Hadrian desecrated the cave of Nativity, surrounding it by a temple dedicated to Adonis. This desecration of the cave served to fix the site indelibly for the future. Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, built in 324 AD a magnificent basilica over the cave of Nativity. The basilica in an octagonal structure was very richly decorated with marble mosaics and frescoes. In 529 AD, the church was badly damaged by the Samaritans who revolted against the Byzantine Empire. Remains of the mosaic pavements of this church are still visible inside the basilica. Justinian had the basilica rebuilt, adding a trifoil shaped triple apse. In 614, when the Persians destroyed all churches and convents, the Church of the Nativity was the only church which evaded destruction.
 Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Center aims to stimulate and foster research on the Scrolls, particularly the great task of integrating the new information gained from the Scrolls into the body of knowledge about Jewish history and religion in the Second Temple period. Such integration will affect areas like biblical studies, Jewish literature and thought of the Second Temple Period, earliest Christianity and the New Testament, the study of early rabbinic Judaism, and more.

 News from Israel - Haaretz
 News from Jerusalem - Jerusalem Post
 University Israel - Tel Aviv University 

Cuisine - Israeli cooking / Jewish recipes

 Dinner Site - information of restaurants in Israel on the internet

The Food of Israel: Authentic Recipes from the Land of Milk and Honey
by Sherry Ansky (Author), Beth Elon (Author), Nelli Sheffer (Photographer)
Book Description : The Food of Israel is the only cookbook that successfully combines the best of Israeli cuisine with the allure and scope of a great destination guide. Find recipes from some of the best restaurants throughout Israel, including the many influences of the land: from the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia. From piping hot pita bread with spicy za'atar seasoning, Israeli salads made with the finest olive oils to Arabic Malawach, stuffed sardines, and lamb with roasted eggplant, as well as the sweet Mutabeck, a pastry filled with salty sheep cheese and syrup. The modern Israeli palate is as vibrant and varied as its people. There is a recipe sure to please a wide variety of tastes.
Hardcover: 132 pages; Publisher: Periplus Editions (May 2000); Language: English; ISBN-13: 978-9625932682
Jewish Traditions Cookbook - Catherine Atkinson, Marlena Spieler, Trish Davies
Hardcover 512 pages (December 15, 2005); Publisher: Lorenz Books; Language: English; ISBN: 0754815846

History of Israel

Independence on May 14, 1948 [ from League of Nations mandate under British administration ]

 History of The Levant
This article deals with the general history of the Levant, which is an antiquated term that refers to a large area in Southwest Asia, south of the Taurus Mountains, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the west, the Arabian Desert in the north, and Mesopotamia to the east.
 Israel's History - Wikipedia
Historical roots / Caliphate, Crusades, and the Ottoman Empire / Modern Zionism / British Mandate / Establishment of the State.
Israel: A History - Martin Gilbert
Israel is a small and relatively young country, but its turbulent history has placed it squarely at the centre of the world stage for most of this century. For two millennia the Jews, dispersed all over the world, prayed for a return to Zion. Until the nineteenth century, that dream seemed a fantasy, but then a secular Zionist movement was born and soon the initial trickle of Jewish immigrants to Palestine turned into a flood as Jews fled persecution in Europe. From these beginnings, Martin Gilbert traces the events and personalities that would lead to the sudden, dramatic declaration of Statehood in May 1948.
From that point on, Israel's history has been dominated by conflict: Suez, the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War, the Lebanon and the Intifada. Using contemporary documents and eyewitness accounts, drawing on his own intimate knowledge of the country and its people, Martin Gilbert weaves together a seamless, page-turning history of a powerful and proud nation.
Paperback 761 pages (October 1, 1999); Publisher: Black Swan; Language: English; ISBN: 0552995452
 Israel Bible Museum
 Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority
Jewish people's memorial to the murdered Six Million and symbolizes the ongoing confrontation with the rupture engendered by the Holocaust.

Music, Culture & Entertainment

Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day - Kristine K. Kershul
The book walks you through your language in 23 easy steps. Almost automatically you will acquire a large working vocabulary that will suit your needs. As you work through the steps, use the sticky labels (included). At the back of the book, you will also find cut-out flash cards to make learning fun. When you have completed the book, cut out the menu at the back and take it along on your trip.
Paperback 134 pages (June 11, 1998); Publisher: Bilingual Books, Inc.; Language: English; ISBN: 0944502253
 Culture of Israel
"Israeli culture is inseparable from the long history of Judaism and the Jewish history which preceded it"
 Israeli Music

Web Portal / Search Engine / Directory

 Dead Sea Tourim Guide
Recognized as a mini-universe with its own micro-climate, the Dead Sea is the saltiest and most mineral-laden body of water in the world. The unparalleld buoyancy and warmth of the water has everyone floating. And its health promoting thermo-mineral springs and world famous cosmetic black mud have been praised by visitors for millennia.
 Eilat.net
Hotels, Attraction, Excursions, Restaurants, General Info, Sinai
 Eilat.com
 Portal to the Jewish World
On-line sinds 1995 verwijst het inmiddels naar bijna 3.000 Joodse organisaties wereldwijd.

 Yellow Pages Israel 


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