Visitors to the kibbutz Zeelim can enjoy this magnificent desert area and be a guest for a complete family vacation. The kibbutz offers many guided tours and trip around the northern Negev. 4X4 vehicles with tour guides will take you to beautiful Negev sites and tell you about the historic and geographic aspects of the sites.

Field trips and and agricultural experience for groups and families showing how crops are grown  and harvested according to seasons.

In the kibbutz guests can use a thermo mineral spa, with hot baths, Jacuzzi with mineral water dry sauna, massage room.

A Beduin style tent is suitable for visiting groups with workshops and authentic entertainment.

Kibbutz Zeelim is located at the Negev, only 1.5 hours drive from Tel Aviv, and 25 minutes from Beer Sheba.

Kibbutz Zeelim Hotel Reservations >>

Baka is another one of the neighborhoods in Jerusalem, infected by the American Jewish invasions to Jerusalem. Enough so that if this invasion continues it seems as if soon enough the whole area of the German Colony, Baka and Katamon will become a sort of satellite neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Known once for its prosperous times in the British Mandatory, when it was mostly populated by Arab Christians, today, the apartments that were resettled during 1948, serve mainly new immigrants coming from the states and France.

Baka’s main street, Beit Lechem, isn’t as sophisticated as its supposed twin from the German Colony, Emek Refaim. But, acting as a melting pot for new immigrants, with the famous Ulpan Etzion (the biggest Hebrew language school for new immigrants in Jerusalem) nestled in it, you can be sure to find great European and American food in the area, proving that the absorption process is going well.

February is one of the coldest months in the Israeli weather, and temperatures usually are between 9-19 Celsius (48-66 Fahrenheit). in the past week the temperature suddenly became higher and people got a sneak preview of the Israeli spring. The sky where blue, no rain and temperatures high enough to drive many to the beaches and for a winter swim. The parks where full of visitors and long shirts replaced jackets and coats. Needles to say children had so much fun during the past week and still remains to be seen is the Purim weather forecast, as in many past years the time of the Jewish holiday is a rainy one and kids are having hard time wearing their holiday costumes.

A picture taken on the morning of February 21 2010:

Kids enjoying a sight of a unique flower: Atropurpurea, Coastal Iris

Explore and experience Israeli country hospitality in a great variety of unique country lodges (Zimmers) across Israel, from the Northern green Galilee hills over viewing the sea of Galilee, the green Golan heights, mount Hermon and the spiritual Galilee city of Safed, down south through the dead sea surrounded by the Judean desert, the Negev and the Arava, each area has its unique Zimmers characterising the area.

Many of the zimmers offer facilities such as double Jacuzzis and scented candles for a romantic atmosphere, fabulous homemade breakfasts including home made jams, fresh bread, cheese, olives, omelets and more.

The high end Zimmer offerings in Israel will host you in a luxurious B.&B. suites wooden or brick style, fully equipped for rest and relaxation with king sized beds, satellite TV, D.V.D, Jacuzzi and kitchenette.

Take a calm, quiet family vocation in the countryside surrounded by the beautiful Israeli nature A great alternative to the big city!!!

The Christian Quarter functions as the most toured quarter of the old city and the second largest out of the four. Located only moments after the Jaffa gate in the northwest, it serves many of the people visiting the old city, as its threshold.

The quarter, consisting of both broad streets and narrow alleys, is the base for the famous Holy Sepulchre Church. The church is said to be built over the areas of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial place and his resurrection. Serving as the heart of Christian life in Jerusalem, the quarter naturally plays the part of home for monks, nuns and priests as well as being connected to both the Greek and Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Besides the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the quarter prides itself in the Mursitan, built over the wreckage of the old Knights Hospitaller hospital, which serves now as a marketplace. Also, tourists can find themselves entering the neo-Romanesque Lutheran Church of the Redeemer or continuing their shopping in the Christian Quarter Shuk which leads into the bazaar of the Moslem Quarter, where they can find many souvenir shops with the same variety on the whole.

More about the Old CIty >>

Tel Aviv has two Marinas which provide anchor for yachts and boats, as well as sailing, diving services, and repair services for sailing vessels, etc. The main Marina is located in the heart of the hotel area in tel aviv, alongside Atarim (Namir) Square, while the other is at the Jaffa port. Sail boats and wind surf equipment can be hired at the Tel Aviv Marina, and there is a school for motor boat and yacht sailing, as well as the possibility of hiring yachts. There are Customs and Border Control services at the Tel Aviv Marina. For details call 03-620-2596.

The Carlton Hotel and the Marina hotel are located along side the Marina as well.

A virtual tour in the Tel Aviv Marina >>

The beautiful white beaches of Tel Aviv are the city’s most popular attraction and a must for any visitor. The magnificent promenade (“Tayelet” in Hebrew), with its beachfront cafes and restaurants, runs along the shore at the main hotel area, providing a great location for morning or afternoon jogging.

Surfing

The beaches are mostly crowded on weekends (Friday and Saturday), and are pleasantly quiet in early mornings, when the only brave swimmers are seniors working on their exercise. The seashores are dotted with kiosks just a few steps from the water, tan worshipers lying on beach-beds while others carefully sitting under parasols.

Beautiful Mediterranean Sunset

While at the beach you may find yourself moving your head from the right to the left, following local pairs playing “Matkot” (Israeli beach Tennis), and on summer evenings, soon after the beautiful Mediterranean sunset, the beaches become a great location for night hang outs, you can find many beach bars, from the new and renovated Mezizim beach bar to the one North of the Marina and others along the beach.

Frishman beach Tel Aviv

The religious beach

Shopping in Tel Aviv can be a fascinating experience, as the city offers various kinds of shopping venues, from outdoor flea markets to big modern malls.

If it’s the Middle Eastern ambiance you’re after, visit the colorful Carmel Market with its oriental flavor, to watch the vendors sell exotic food products and cheap clothing (don’t forget to bargain), or go to neighboring Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall, where artists present their unique home-made.

However, if you’re looking for modern style shopping, then you can attend the chic fashion stores at Dizengoff and Sheinkin Streets, visit the exclusive boutiques at Hamedina Square and Ramat Aviv mall, or head for Azrieli Center, a uniquely structured shopping mall and the highest building in the city. Most of Tel-Aviv’s shopping areas are within walking distance from the hotel district on Hayarkon St., while others are easy to get to by local bus or taxi. Notice that some shops are closed between 1pm and 4pm, and most are closed on Saturday.

Dizengoff Center

Center of Dizengoff and King George streets. Large, modern shopping center. Encompassing innumerable shops, 7 movie theaters, restaurants and cafes.

Gan Ha’ir

This is one of lsrael’s exclusive centers, with stores and restaurants of truly international standards. Here you’ll find everything you’re looking for, whether it’s fashion, jewelry, carpets, housewares, dining, delis or night-clubs. With its lush greenery, sparkling fountains and futuristic elevators, the fully air conditioned City Garden Shopping Center is one of Tel Aviv’s treasures. Tel. 03- 5279111 (Center into), 71 lbn Gvirol St.

Canyon Ayalon

The mall, which is in Ramat Gan, is the most successful one in Israel and is considered to be one of the most successful malls in the whole world! The mall is air-conditioned and has a variety of stores. restaurants and movie theaters, The mall has 100 stores and 2,150 parking spots that are free for the visitors. Open daily 9am-1Opm. Tel. 570-3105, Info. 177-022-1776

The new Tel Aviv Bus Terminal

The New Tel Aviv Bus Terminal operates also as lsrael’s business, commerce and entertainment center. 230,00 square meters of enclosed and air-conditioned space in summer and winter, 1,400 shops including all the known branches in all categories, thousands of parking spaces, escalators, fountains, restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, branches of the major banks and an enclosed and clean market. In other words, a city within a city. An experience!

Opera Tower

This apartment building is located at the junction of 1 Allenby St., Tel Aviv, opposite the Promenade. The building was erected at the site of what was the First Knesset and later housed the Israeli Opera. There are three floors for commercial use, including shops of Israeli designers, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, Judaica and fashion, 6 cafes-restaurants and 5 cinemas. The place is fully air-conditioned. Into: 03- 510-7496. Buses 4, 10. Opera Tower hosts exhibitions and artistic activities.

Old Port Tel Aviv – Namal Tel Aviv

The first port of Israel was opened at 1936 and now is a flourishing hang out area with many new restaurants, bars and shops all accessible by a 14000 square meters of a wooden deck that its shape was inspired by the Tel Aviv sand dunes. The port is now one of Tel Aviv’s major attractions, among the many shops you can find at the port are : Replay, Castro, Adiddas, BlueBird, Levis, Crocker, Asics, Crocks Diva and many others.

The Wohl Archaeological Museum is located in the Herodian Quarter, which was considered the upscale, wealthy neighborhood in the city during the time of the Second Temple.

The site was discovered during archaeological digs conducted in the Jewish Quarter between 1969-1983 and is considered the largest covered archaeological site in Israel. Six houses belonging to the Jerusalem elite were discovered there, most likely belonging to the ruling family during the Herodian Era (some 2,000 years ago). The findings – wells, mikvehs (ritual baths), mosaic-tiled floors and fresco – bear testament to the owners’ wealth. Numerous rock tools and utensils were also found at the site.

Address: 1 HaKaraim St., Jerusalem
Jewish Quarter of the Old City
Phone: 972-2-6283448

Caesarea founded as a small Phoenician port city, eventually conquered by Alexander Jannaeus to be made part of the Hasmonean kingdom today it is one of Israel’s major tourist attractions and an increasingly popular place for Israel’s elite to make their homes. Aqueduct of Caesarea Virtual Tour Panorama >>

Caesarea offers an amazing visit to the national park and ancient port, a tour of the hippodrome and Roman amphitheater, a walk among the impressive palace ruins, walk the paths of the national park to see the sites and vistas, walk across from the artists yard, dine in one of the restaurants that offer a diversity of menus, join divers who dive to the historic underwater park and even stretch out on the golden sands that reach the port’s shores.

The Roman Theater of Caesarea in Israel is a well-preserved and fully restored theater built by Herod. Today, the amphitheater is not only a spectacular relic of the past, but a modern performing venue where concerts are frequently held. Inside the gate of the theater is a plaque with a replica (the original is in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem) of the inscription found during excavations in 1959-63.

During 2006 Israel had launched the world’s first underwater museum at Caesarea, Divers can now tour the sign-posted remains of the magnificent harbor built by King Herod to honor his Roman patron, Caesar Augustus. The site has been excavated over the last three decades.

If you want to stay in city the Dan Caesarea offers guests the luxurious ambiance of a country estate hotel. Set in fifteen acres of landscaped gardens, flanked by orange groves, banana plantations and an 18-hole golf course, it provides a gorgeous retreat for a fabulous vacation and is a much sought after venue for special events.