GOLAN HEIGHTS & GALILEE SITE HIGHLIGHTS
Caro or Abuhav Synagogues
Abuhav Synagogue was named after Rabbi Yitzchak (Isaac) Abuhav of Portugal. The synagogue was first built in the sixteenth century and its southern wall in which the Holy Ark stands is unique. Instead of one Holy Ark there are three Holy Arks. The synagogue has been rebuilt twice since its creation, both times due to earthquakes.
Capernaum
An important Roman town and one of the focal points of Christ’s teachings in Galilee. It was also home to a number of his Disciples, including Simon Peter. In Capernaum’s fascinating archaeological precinct there are surviving houses from the period, as well as a church, built over the ruins of what is said to have been Simon Peter’s house.
Daliyat El-Carmel – Druze Village
A Druze village high on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. A colorful village that offers wonderful hospitality with a smile and is also very interesting. The Druze is an ethnic group that split off from Islam in Egypt about 1,000 years ago. According to the Druze, their religion is the renewal of an ancient faith that became a secret known only to the group’s sages.
Golan Heights
The beautiful Golan Heights, between the Jordan River and the Syrian border, was annexed by Israel in 1981, after it forcefully occupied this former Syrian territory during the 1967 Six Day War and successfully defended it in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Despite the conflicts, it remains a lovely area of rich agricultural developments, traditional Druze villages and wonderful national parks.
Golan Olive Oil Mill
The Golan Olive Oil Mill and Visitor Center is a uniquely designed building with an ancient ambiance, located adjacent to the ancient city of Qazrin. We offer a guided tour, which explains the process of olive oil production, reviewing the evolution of the process from ancient tools to our modern machines.
Hula Valley
One of the unique regions in northern Israel. Lush, green fields are interspersed throughout the valley surrounded by imposing mountains on the east and the west. The striking black volcanic basalt hills south of the valley slowed down the flow of melted snow and rain from Mt. Hermon creating historic Lake Hula and its surrounding wetlands, which served as a filter for the water flowing into Lake Kinneret.
Iscar
In the largest ever buy-out of an Israeli company, American investor Warren Buffett has paid $4 billion for an 80 percent stake in Iscar Metalworking Company, an industry leader in metal-cutting tools owned by the Wertheimer family.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Base
Every citizen must perform military service in the IDF as soon as they reach 18-years old. The term of service is two years for women and men serve an additional 30 days each year until they turn 35. You see these armed soldiers frequently heading to and from their bases.
Katzrin Micro Brewery
Katzrin a growing Jewish settlement, bills itself as "the city of water and wine.” Microbreweries are common and very popular here. The high-end beer and view of the Sea of Galilee are designed to appeal to Israeli yuppies, who are being encouraged more aggressively than ever to move to this rugged plateau seized from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.
Megiddo
One of the most important ancient and well-known cities in Israel. A fortified city at the opening of the Iron Pass, the arena of battles between superpowers and countries from antiquity until modern times. The city dates back to 4000 BC. Excavations have revealed twenty layers containing many relics, some of which have been reconstructed, including the remains of walls, jewelry, a secret tunnel to the spring and a water systems dating back from various periods.
Mount of Beatitudes
On top of the hill behind, known as the Mount of the Beatitudes, is the modern Church of the Beatitudes. The hill is so called, because it is thought that here, overlooking the lake, Christ gave his Sermon on the Mount.
Nazareth
Known as "the Arab capital of Israel". In the New Testament, the city is described as the childhood home of Jesus, and as such is a center of Christian pilgrimage, with many shrines commemorating biblical events.
Safed (Hebrew:Tsfat)
The ancient Galilean city is the highest city in Israel, and commands a breathtaking view of the Galilee. Safed is one of the four holy cities in Israel. It has been a spiritual center since the 1600s when it was the center of Kabbala (Jewish mysticism). The Kabbalist mystics lived, studied, taught, and wrote in the city and many of the graves are objects of veneration.
Security Barrier / Seam Zone
The Seam Zone is an operational concept conceived by the Israeli Defense Establishment in order to reduce the number of terrorist attacks.
St. Peter’s Fish
Also known as Tilapia, mentioned as being eaten in the bible.
Ask about Optional Pre and Post-cruise Extensions
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