The
Destination
The Golan is a traveler's dream destination. Its
natural landscape comprises wide-open spaces,
woodlands and water-filled canyons, hot springs
and ski slopes. Its wild life includes elegant
leopards and wolves, bashful gazelles and timid
rock rabbits, vultures and eagles, and much, much
more. The history of man in the Golan dates back to prehistoric
times. Many of the area's most ancient
archaeological remains, such as its
Stonehenge-like megalithic circles, remain
undeciphered. Some ruins-such as the site of the
Masada-like battle of Gamla during the Great
Revolt of the Jews against the Romans ail that is
left of historic moments of bravery and freedom.
The Golan is clotted with the archaeological
records of various periods and cultures,
including those of the Greek world and early
Christianity. Susita, one of many Hellenistic
cities found throughout the East, Caesarea
Philippi, the capital of the Golan in the time of
Jesus and the site of one of the most important
episodes in the New Testament, Mount Hermon, one of the traditional
sites of the

White
water rafting on
the Jordan - one of
the
many ways to get to
know this famous
river. |
transfiguration, and
Kursi, the site of the miracle of the swine, are
all situated within minutes of ancient
synagogues, churches, villages, and medieval
fortresses-the historic legacy on the Golan.
The residents of the Golan today are another
reason to visit this area. From the Druze
villagers in the northern mountains to the Jewish
kibbutz and moshav farmersof the southern
tableland, the people of the Golan are deeply
attached to the soil.
Farmers and cattlemen, apple growers and
vintners, they make this region one of the most
productive In Israel, as well as one of the most
inviting. For a real vacation, an adventure of
exploration and appreciation, the Golan is the
place to spend your time during your next visit
to Israel.
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