This country may be relatively small, but its scenic diversity is enormous – from the breathtaking beauty of its hills and valleys, to the eerie stillness of the Negev desert, the peaceful borders of the Sea of Galilee and the ancient walls and pathways of Nazareth and Jerusalem.
Known as a place of Christian pilgrimage but also the largest freshwater lake in the country, the Sea of Galilee features the spectacular backdrop of the Galilee Mountains and the Golan foothills. It is possible to visit the holy sites in vessels constructed just like their ancient wooden counterparts. Visitors can cross the Sea of Galilee to Tabgha, where the Biblical loaves and fishes miracle took place, and to Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have lived and taught. From there, they can also visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount. The lake is also surrounded by attractive beaches, and a variety of water sports are on offer.
Don’t miss visiting the world’s most saline lake: at 431 metres below sea level, the Dead Seas also situated at the lowest natural point on the Earth’s surface. Its waters have a salt concentration of 34 percent, which is why many people who suffer from skin complaints travel to Israel to bathe in the Dead Sea. Yet the word “bathe” does not begin to describe the unreal feeling of weightlessness when floating in the water, which has a constant temperature of around 40 degrees.