Historical Archives | Page 12 of 23

Caesarea, Zichron, and Haifa Tour

This is a one-day private tour to Zichron Yaakov, Caesarea and Haifa. With a personal guide you will tour the highlights of these sights, representing ancient, modern and multicultural Israel. Tour the ruins in Caesarea and visit the famous amphiteater. Then, journey to Zichron Yaakov, one of Israel’s first settlements and learn about the Jewish pioneers whilst enjoying the quaint atmosphere. Visit the Carmel winery during your Zichron Yaakov private tour before journeying north to Haifa. Here you will enjoy panoramic views over the city where Jews, Muslim, Christian and Bahai peacefully coexist. For a final stop on your private tour, stop at the Druze village Dalit-el-Carmel, it’s a real feast for the senses. Your personal guide will be able to tailor the day to your preferences. This is your private tour so customize it and enjoy it!

During the tour we will stop at the following sites: Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Beit NILI, Caesarea National Park, Daliat-el-Carmel, German Colony in Haifa, Zichron Yaakov Wineries, and Muhraka Monastery in Haifa

The private tour starts by driving along the coast road to Caesarea. Made famous by Herod, he built a Roman City in honor of Caesar Augustus. On your private tour you will explore the ancient ruins with your personal guide, explaining the history surrounding the aqueducts, homes, stores, hippodrome, Herod’s palace, temples, warehouses and the ancient port. View the crusader fortress, the Ottoman mosque and the Roman amphitheater, which still functions today.
You will continue your private tour to Zichron Yaakov, at the southern end of the Carmel Mountain range. Founded in 1882, by Baron Rothschild, it’s one of Israel’s earliest settlements. There are cottages with inner courtyards designed with a European influence. The main thoroughfare of Zichron Yaakov is a cobbled street with quaint cafes and boutique shops. Your Zichron Yaakov private tour will take you to Beit Nili, a base for a spy ring during World War I. Next, a visit to the Ohel Yaakov Synagogue, dating back to 1886. Finally, stop for wine tasting at The Carmel Winery, established in 1885 as Israel’s first winery. This is your Zichron Yaakov custom tour, so you decide the order and the pace.

Heading north to Haifa, enjoy the immaculate Baha’i Gardens and take in the panoramic view across Haifa bay. On your private tour, visit the German Templar settlement, then head up to the Muhraka Monastery which sits on the highest point of the Carmel Mountain range. It is believed that the Prophet Elijah took refuge here during the Crusader era. Enjoy some wonderful views of the valley below.On the return journey, stop at the Druze village, Dalit-el-carmel. This is a feast for the senses with a vibrant marketplace packed with delicious food and fresh aromas. Have your personal guide explain the traditional Druze dress and religious beliefs.

Dor, Ein Hod, Druze villages and Zichron Yaakov

Drive north along the Sharon Coast and the Carmel Coast to Dor Nachsholim beach, walk along this lovely sandy beach to Tel Dor. Visit this archeological site lying on a small headland at the north side of a protected inlet, it is identified with Biblical Dor, and with Dor/Dora of Greek and Roman origins. The documented history of the site begins in the Late Bronze Age (though the town itself was founded in the Middle Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE), and ends in the Crusader period.

We proceed further north along the Carmel beach to Ein Hod, the Artists Village overlooking the fort of Atlit. Ein Hod is a charming, picturesque artists’ village set in the heart of the Carmel Forest, enjoy a walking tour of the village and visit the central gallery.

Travel to Mt.Carmel, visit the Druze villages of Ussefia and Daliat El Carmel where we take a close look at the Druze community, one of the ethnic religious minorities that live in harmony in Israel. Our next stop is the Muchraka-The Horn of the Carmel, we stop to visit the Carmelite Monastery and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Jezreel Valley and the Lower Galilee.

Driving back to our point of departure we make a stop at the charming town of Zichron Yaakov, This picturesque Moshava semi-cooperative farming community built at the tip of the Carmel mountain range is the first moshava ever built in Israel and is a main tourism and vacation site in this region. We stroll along Ha-Meyasdim Street in the town center, which has become a very popular pedestrian mall and view the famous Carmel Winery.

Acre Old City Market

The Crusader city of Acre lies on the Mediterranean coast just north of Haifa. It is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Israel with a hidden Crusader city beneath the ground and the 18th century Old City above ground. One of the most exciting things to do in Acre is walking through the Old City where the main streets are lined with market stalls and shops that open up onto the street.

The Acre Old City Market is a dirty, colorful, loud and bustling market where the local residents do their shopping among curious tourists. The prices are very reasonable, the vendors friendly and you can even try bargaining. Most of the market is covered so you won’t be in the sun and vendors display their goods hanging from every possible surface and spread out onto the street. The market operates during daylight hours and it is perfectly safe to walk around during the daytime. If you follow the market streets you will eventually reach the sea.

The market’s real purpose is to supply locals who live in the Old City with all they need. Among the goods on sale there is clothing, kitchen utensils, toys, jewelry, accessories, shoes, leather goods and more. Food on sale includes both raw and ready-to-eat food. See the fish monger; butcher; vegetable stalls; cheese and spice stalls. At the bakery see large trays of traditional baklava sweet cakes being prepared. You can find unique traditional items in the Acre Old City Market like hooker pipes. In among the market, stalls are several restaurants selling grilled meats, fish dishes, shawama and falafel.

Having entered the Old City Market and walked for a few meters you will see a doorway on your right that opens up to a gentrified, restored 18th century market street. This market is dedicated to arts, crafts and souvenirs. It is completely different to the Old City Market and is lined with elegant boutiques, eateries and pubs. If the Old City Market is a bit much for you then head in to this quieter and cleaner side street.

A Culinary Tour of Akko with Nurit Foran

Nurit Foran has been dealing with food for 25 years. For the past 6 years, Nurit has led people through the alleys and markets of the Western Galilee, bring them local dishes, introducing them to the local people and combining cultures and tastes.

During this tour, Nurit will lead you through the smells, stories and tastes of Akko’s colorful market. We will meet her for a sweet breakfast, taste a warm and sweet knafe, go into the courtyard of a local cook and more.

Acre and Rosh Hanikra Tour

Acre (some times referred to as Akko) is one of the oldest towns in Israel. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea not too far from Haifa and has been home both to the Crusaders and Ottomans over the centuries. It has seen many skirmishes over the years and many people including Napoleon Bonaparte have tried to capture it. The city was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 and since then has become part of the Israel experience for many tourists who visit the Holy Land. Steeped in history and full of interesting adventure and cultural events, Acre is definitely a place worth visiting on your tour of the Holy Land.

Rosh Hanikra is situated on the North West Corner of Israel, right on the Border with Lebanon. In ancient times Rosh Hanikra was based along one of the major trade routes between Palestine & Egypt in the South and Lebanon & Syria in the North. People who visit there today can walk right up to the border crossing point with Lebanon before venturing down the cliff face in a cable car to explore the grotto’s below. The tunnels and railway lines on view were constructed by the British Army during World War II to facilitate movement of supplies between Egypt and Beirut. Rosh Hanikra is a place filled with history and is well worth the visit on your tour of Israel.

Jaffa Highlights Tour

Jaffa is one of the oldest cities in the world, steeped in stories and atmosphere. Recently, the Old City of Jaffa underwent an exhilarating process of renewal. New Restaurants and Galleries opened, and the oldest port in the world is rejuvenating. Come join us on a magical tour between the picturesque alleys, artist galleries, and culinary delights. Our guides bring to life the ancient streets with stories from Greek mythology, Chrisitian history, jewish lore and contemporary folklore. Set for the sunset, it is truly a magical mystery tour.

Jaffa Old City Tour

Old Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world, is one of the magical places to visit in Israel. A city that has existed for over 4000 years in which many peoples have conquered, ruled, lived and left their mark to this day. From Ramesses and other Egyptian kings, through the Philistines, the Byzantines, the Ottomans and the English to the establishment of Israel and its union with the Hebrew city of Tel Aviv.

The city is full of diverse and fascinating history ranging from myths from Greek mythology, the beginnings of Christianity as an independent religion, the Eichmann Prison, the rise of Old Jaffa as a stronghold of artists and many other events and stories. Prepare your eyes, and heart for an interesting and exciting tour!

Jaffa-Tel Aviv Half Day Tour

Explore the Old city and market of Jaffa while learning about the aftermath of 1948. Walk the ‘seam’ areas of Jaffa and Tel Aviv, a city that had its beginnings as a neighborhood of Jaffa.

From the famous clock tower of Jaffa you will ascend the hill to the old city with its restored Ottoman buildings, a renaissance neighborhood full of boutiques and upscale Jewish homes, once occupied by Palestinian Arabs who were expelled in 1948. Then on to the market, the heart of Jaffa during the British Mandate era, and today a bustling area of merchants of all kinds hawking their goods. You’ll learn about the Jewish immigration of the period, and the relationships between the communities prior to 1948.

From the market the group will walk through the old American Colony area, also known as the German Colony, seeing the New England-style homes and learning about the attempt by an American group to create a community in the late nineteenth century. Then into today’s Tel Aviv, and the Neve Zedek neighborhood, Jaffa’s first Jewish neighborhood, and the former Palestinian Arab neighborhood of Manshie which was completely destroyed after 1948 in order to ensure that Tel Aviv would develop as an essentially all-Jewish city.

You’ll also learn about modern Jaffa, a complex mosaic of communities that is undergoing upheaval due to gentrification process supported by the government, with the brunt of the displacement falling on the shoulders of the remaining Palestinian Arab residents.

YIVO’s 2022 Study Tours

Lithuania & Poland

Join YIVO for an enlightening journey to Lithuania and Poland. Examine the life that was lived as you reconnect with your own heritage. Discover the remarkable treasures of old Warsaw, Kraków, Vilnius, and the magical Białowieża Forest.

Literary Tour of Jewish Galicia

Due to popular demand and the success of the 2018 tour, YIVO will host its second Literary Tour of Jewish Galicia, where we will read the works of writers such as Peretz, Bruno Schulz, Agnon, Celan, Babel, and many others in the places that they were written, and travel through the historic landscape that shaped them.

St. Petersburg – Moscow – Prague

YIVO is proud to announce a study tour to St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Prague. This tour will explore the history of Russian and Soviet Jewry, as well as visit some of the major attractions of these two Russian capitals. The tour will conclude in Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe.

Hopla Guide

Hi there! We are Laura et Georges, the team behind Hopla Guide.

We run this project together, and in our spare time, we run our life together. We are an international couple, she’s Argentinian, he’s French, but both “Made in Alsace”.

Travellers, food lovers, culture addicts, wanderers… our lives brought us in many places, from Europe to Latin America.

Every trip, we seek for authentic experiences. We want to discover it all, but freely, spontaneously.

During our trips, we found ourselves with two options: either we had to follow a guided group, losing our independence, or wander around with the feeling of missing out on important places.

What to see ? In what order ? And what souvenirs to buy and bring back home ?

Is there no other way?

What if we could visit a city on our own, with freedom and flexibility, and be sure we are going to see everything, learn about the local culture, and have fun at the same time?

What if we could be guided explorers?

One day, we decided to put our abilities together and innovate. Laura has a master’s degree in tourism specialized in management, marketing and eco-sustainability. Georges has a master’s degree in history of art from Paris-Sorbonne university. We both have professional experience in tourism companies.

That is how Hopla Guide started. We built a solution, reimagined guided tours, and created a complete experience, both physical and digital.

Cultural information had to be accessible to the explorer at any time, so we chose to build a mobile app, allowing interactivity and flexibility.

But we wanted to go further and create something that doesn’t stay on your phone but materialises in the real world. So we selected exciting items that enhance the visit and bring the tour on another level of interaction, using other senses : touch, taste and smell.

We believe in slow tourism, in a respectful and deeper way of discovering. We empower little groups to live a true cultural exploration, not just a quick run in the city to take some pictures and go away without learning anything. Our explorers are meant to get an honest grasp of the local identity.

We invite you to take part in our story and give a chance to another kind of cultural experience.

Post Tour Tag: Historical