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Arbel National Park

In the eastern Lower Galilee, on the way to Tiberias, a monumental cliff towers up, offering a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley, the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, Mt Hermon, and the Galilee. This is the Arbel Cliff, the heart of the Arbel Nature Reserve, declared in 1967, and the national park that surrounds it.

The main importance of the nature reserve and the reason for its declaration is preservation of the diversity of habitats it contains and the unique species that inhabit it, as well as the fact that it is part of a continuum of natural areas, allowing wildlife to pass between them. In addition, the site was declared a nature reserve in order to restore and conserve the fascinating heritage sites and antiquities found at Arbel. These sites include Arbel Fortress and the impressive cave village, where historic battles were fought in the days of Herod, Horvat Vradim (Hamam), and the ruins of the Jewish settlement of Arbel, in which the remains of a splendid ancient Galilean synagogue are still to be seen.

From the entrance to the national park there are marked hiking trails that pass through these sites. The combination of a visit to the historic and archaeological sites and the experience of nature and the breathtaking clifftop view is the uniquely magical secret of the Arbel.

Katzrin

Known as the “capital of the Golan Heights”, Katzrin is full of beautiful scenery and fascinating history. The original Katzrin, which dates back to the Byzantine era, was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 CE. Thousands of years later, you can still see some of the ruins that tell the story of the ancient town. Lovely hikes, great wineries, and fascinating archeological sites make Katzrin an essential stop in the Golan Heights. Here are our top picks for what to do there.

Some of the most exciting attractions in the Katzrin area are the ancient ruins throughout the area. Many of these sites trace Jewish settlement to the era of Herod the Great, from 39 BCE to 4 CE. Immerse yourself into the Talmudic era at the restored Jewish village at Ancient Katzrin Park. Explore a synagogue and private homes, and see demonstrations of ancient wine, olive oil, and pita production. You can find more relics of Byzantine-era synagogues and churches at The Golan Archeological Museum in Katzrin. An audiovisual presentation tells the story of the heroic revolt of the Jewish town of Gamla against the Romans. Roman arrowheads, clay oil lamps, and coins are also on display.

The Golan Heights is truly one of the most beautiful areas in Israel, and the areas around Katzrin are home to some standout natural gems. For an introduction to the beautiful surroundings, hit the Golan Magic complex for their award-multi-sensory presentation that immerses you in the sights, smells, and sensations of this beautiful region. Then take a nature walk at Eden Springs Park, which surrounds the spring supplying the Mey Eden water brand. You’ll see many plants, animals, panoramic views, and springwater pools, perfect for refreshing along the way. Gamla Nature Reserve and Majrase Nature Reserve offer two other hiking opportunities nearby. But if you’d like to take a more hands-on approach to the beautiful environment, the Bell Ofri farm is an animal refuge with a petting zoo. If you get hungry, the es also features a boutique winery and dairy restaurant.

Description from Tourist Israel

Tomb of Rabbi Akiva

Akiva ben Yosef, also known as Rabbi Akiva, was a leading Jewish scholar and sage, a tanna of the latter part of the first century and the beginning of the second century. Rabbi Akiva was a leading contributor to the Mishnah and to Midrash halakha. He is referred to in the Talmud as Rosh la-Hakhamim, “Chief of the Sages”.

As a leading Mishnaic sage (and teacher of Rabbi Meir Ba’al HaNess), Rabbi Akiva played a major role in establishing rabbinic (ie post–Second Temple) Judaism. He was tortured to death by the Romans because of his support for the Bar Kochba Revolt, his enthusiasm for resistance to the Romans was such that he declared Bar Kochba to be the Messiah.

A visit to Rabbi Akiva’s tomb in Tiberias is a chance to consider this great sage’s life and its significance for the Jewish people and all humanity.

Rabbi Akiva started out as a poor, illiterate shepherd. His wife Rachel married him against the wishes of her affluent father, who balked at Akiva’s lack of education.

Rachel encouraged and supported her husband’s utter devotion to Torah study and lived in abject poverty for twenty-four years. Akiva’s formal study of Torah did not begin until age forty, but his diligence, combined with his keen intellect, enabled him to become one of the foremost sages of the Mishnah with 24,000 students.

He supported the 2nd-century rebel leader Bar Kochba. He was arrested by the Romans and subjected to a horrifyingly painful death; he lovingly recited the words of the “Shema” at the end.

According to tradition, his body was miraculously transported to Tiberias for burial alongside his students who had died in a plague.

His tomb, on the mountainside behind the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood, overlooks Tiberias and the Kinneret, and has been a pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages.

It became a special tradition to pray for rain at Rabbi Akiva’s tomb during drought years.

Among those who visited Rabbi Akiva’s Tomb was the famed kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Ari Zal, making the site even more sacred.

Tomb of Rabbi Meir

About two thousand years ago, the divine Tanna Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes revealed the way to work salvation above the way of nature. He ordered the housekeeper of the prisoners to release his sister-in-law and if the guardians of the kingdom caught him he would say “Alka Damair Anani” and be saved, thus assuring him of the miracle of his rescue.

In all generations, the people of Israel have relied on the power of the righteous, holy and sublime Tanna – and have won many wonderful salvations in all areas: livelihood, mating, children, health, success and more.

The site of the holy Tanna Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes is in the city of Tiberias and has been an inexhaustible spring of blessings and salvation for every one of the children of Israel who came to beg God to win salvation and mercy, thanks to the Tanna in this holy place.

Berko Archaeological Park

The Berko Archaeological Park in Tiberias contains the ancient remnants of the city of Tiberias from the time the city was established by Herod Antipas in the first century CE, until the Fatimid Dynasty in the eleventh century CE. The park is extremely impressive and presents in a fabulous manner the past of the city of Tiberias. The park also contains a green corner with paths, gardens and archaeological finds, including an ancient Roman gate, a theater which had seating capacity of seven-thousand people and a drainage system that is a thousand years old. The park also hosts various music and theater public events. The Berko Archaeological Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into Tiberias of the first century.

Bet Yerah (Khirbet Kerak)

The archaeological site of Bet Yerah (“house of the moon”), also known as Khirbet Kerak, is not mentioned in either Biblical or Egyptian records, but excavations here have uncovered evidence of a settlement dating from the Bronze Age right through to the period of Arab rule.

The site, 10 kilometers south of the Hamat-Tiberias hot springs, includes a jumble of remains dating from various eras. The best preserved remnants include a bath complex dating from the 4th or 5th century and a 3rd century Roman fort. There is also a Byzantine church and a three-aisled synagogue dating from the 5th century. The tell of Khirbet Kerak lies where the Sea of Galilee empties into the Jordan river and the terrain rises 15 meters above the level of the lake. It is triangular in shape and approximately 1.2 km by 380 m (at its widest point), covering 60-75 acres. The Jordan river runs to the south, although it previously (until at least the medieval period) ran north and west of it.

The tell of Khirbet Kerak was at certain times the site of two twin towns, Bet Yerah and Sinnabris.

Fauzi Azar

Fauzi Azar by Abraham Hostels (formerly known as Fauzi Azar Inn) is a guesthouse located in the old city of Nazareth, Israel. Its location is on the popular path of the Jesus Trail. In recent years, the Fauzi Azar has played a role in working with the Christian Arab community of Nazareth through various projects.

The Fauzi Azar was once the home of the Azars, a wealthy family residing in the city of Nazareth. It was built in 1830 by Habib Azar, while the Inn itself was named after one of his great-grandsons, Fauzi. The family remained in the area until the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, when they relocated to Syria.

The house was converted into a guesthouse in May 2005 by Israeli entrepreneur Maoz Inon, having decided to build a hostel in the city of Nazareth to serve as a way-point for hikers, travelers, and tourists. Palestinian residents of Nazareth view Inon’s project as a larger attempt to disenfranchise the locals and to Judaize the Galilee further pushing Palestinians out.[citation needed]

The 19th-century building built from stone has been preserved and restored over the years. The three-story building has original hand painted ceilings, Turkish marble floors, and limestone arches. The Fauzi Azar has sponsored community-based projects with the hopes of reinvigorating the old city in Nazareth. They also host a volunteer program in which international volunteers come to Israel to live in the old city while working there.

In November 2011, they received the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for “Best Accommodation for Local Communities.” In June 2011, Tony Blair, former prime minister of the United Kingdom visited the Fauzi Azar during a tour of Israel’s Nativity Route. He visited the Fauzi Azar while in Nazareth following the first section of the Jesus Trail. In December 2011, Tony Wheeler, founder of the Lonely Planet travel guide stayed at the Inn as a guest, and hiked the Jesus Trail with Inon.

Abu Hanna Boutique Hotel

Ahlan Group believes traveling well is part of enjoying life. They are here to change the way you travel, And inspire you by creating the perfect vacation with the personalized attention of their local team.

They specialize in exclusive boutique apartments and hotels that are reserved solely for guests and provide everything needed for a relaxed and comfortable stay. Their apartments are in the most attractive locations, and are fully furnished and fully equipped – perfect for couples, solo travelers and big, happy families. In addition to their top-notch accommodations we’re proud to offer 24/7 service and a personal welcome to ensure that your stay is nothing short of amazing.

On top of everything they do to make sure your accommodations will be perfectly prepared in anticipation of your arrival, they also strive to provide incomparable service. The’re here twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions, offer suggestions, and ensure that you’re having the time of your life.
Whether it’s a short trip or an extended stay, you’re welcome to put the Ahlan group to the test, and see what we can do for you.

Rosemary Restaurant

Rosemary Restaurant was established in 2014 by Gassan Touma, a local citizen of Nazareth, the City of Annunciation and hometown of young Jesus. Rosemary Restaurant is located at Mary’s well, where it is believed to be the place the angel Gabriel appeared to vergin Mary: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” The restaurant itself was an ancient Hammam. You can still see the old stone reserved in the building which is over 200 years old.

The decor is a mix of vintage and retro design. The oak tables indoors provide a clear view of the fresh veggie baskets on top and the chef working in the kitchen, and that is to show the freshness of the ingredients used coming straight from the market onto a customer’s dish. There is also an outdoor dining amid the olive trees, alongside Mary’s Well, which offers another taste to the authenticity of the place.

The menu offers a mix of local Nazarene and European cuisine. It has a wide variety of delicious and mouth watering starters and main courses.

Diana Restaurant

Nazareth has been home to the Diana Restaurant for more than 44 years. The well-known and beloved restaurant was established in the beginning by Abu Duhol, who brought the seafood gospel to the Arab sector as early as the 1970s. In 1993, the management of the restaurant passed to his children, the most famous of whom is Chef Duhol Spadi, whom you probably know as one of the leading contenders in the second season of Master Chef.

Today the second generation continues to strengthen Diana, which has risen to new heights culinaryly and has become a brand just like its owner. Homemade and fresh food, with Syrian, Lebanese and Turkish influences, has amassed a large fan base over the years – and today it can be said with certainty that it is a pilgrimage hotspot for locals and tourists alike. The open kitchen allows you to see in real time how the magic takes place – the work of the Spadi family and the cooks.

The chef of the restaurant today is Wasim Spadi who took his father’s dishes and added new, quality and fresh ingredients to them, which have become Diana’s hallmark. What has not changed, and probably will never change, is the family passion for home-cooked food, on which both Abu Duhol and his sons grew up. The flavors from mom and grandma continue to be the main thing, so it’s no wonder you can feel the love in every bite.

The meats at Diana are the highlight and some of the flagship dishes are actually meat dishes, with excellent flavors and aromas of charcoal grill (rare in our districts). Try for example fresh circle shawarma, ground lamb kebab, fine lamb chops and also lamb saddle skewers, for which it is only worth booking a place. The meats are served alongside a rich selection of salads and starters like Abu Duhol’s special hummus. There are also fresh grilled fish, which come every morning from the Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean and the breeding ponds; Seafood-based entrees like shrimp and calamari; Traditional Arab dishes such as Cuban, adsorption and coffee; And for dessert, knafa, orchid, baklava in a variety of flavors and more.

Groups from abroad who come to tour the exciting Nazareth, are invited to experience the city through the plate. After visiting the religious and tourist centers, it is worth staying at Diana and connecting to Nazareth on a culinary level as well. Diana for a restaurant is a must on every visit to Israel.

A cylindrical stone surrounds the outer walls of the restaurant, in order to preserve the charm and authenticity that characterizes Nazareth. A shaded terrace and a variety of flowers welcome diners, who can relax in it and enjoy the pleasant and cool atmosphere at all hours of the day. The interior of the restaurant has been given a design that combines modern with oriental and immediately evokes a relaxed feeling.

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