Travel to Israel with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Israel with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Israel

Thousands of tourists are drawn to Israel’s historical and religious landmarks in spite of the politically volatile and unstable situation of the country. To millions of Jews, Christians and Muslims, Israel is the Holy Land – where Solomon reigned, where Jesus died on the cross, and where Muhammad also ascended to the heavens. The country has some exciting, cosmopolitan cities and fine diving in the Red Sea, as well as plenty of religious attractions.

Jerusalem is the coveted sacred city of Israel and is divided into three parts: the walled Old City, containing most of the sights; the predominantly Arab East Jerusalem; and the rapidly expanding new city, known as West Jerusalem. Temple Mount rises over the Old City and the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) below is a popular place for Jewish worship. Part of the city also lies in the Palestinian territories.

Jerusalem’s historic via Dolorosa is said to be the route Jesus followed as he carried his cross to the site of his crucifixion, where today the Church of the Holy Sepulchre stands. To the west of the city is Yad Vashem, the sombre Jewish holocaust memorial, and to the east is the picturesque Mount of Olives, where Jesus is said to have ascended to heaven.

Another highlight of Israel, Tel Aviv, is all about business and entertainment. The Yemenite quarter is the best place to relax while strolling the markets, taking a break at coffee shops and vodka bars, or exploring the nearby beaches. Major attractions of the city include the Diaspora Museum, which chronicles Jewish culture in exile, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

The supposed birthplace of Jesus, the historic town of Bethlehem, boasts one of the world’s oldest churches; the Church of the Nativity, which is believed by many to have been built over the stable where Jesus was born. Rachels Tomb, a celebrated shrine for Jewish worship, is just outside the town.

Eilat is an excellent resort destination in the south and is the place to go for fun in the sun and good nightlife. You can ride in a glass-bottomed boat over some of the finest coral reefs in the Middle East, lie on the beaches, or participate in an array of water sports. The main attraction is the Dolphin Reef, where you can swim and dive with these friendly sea mammals and watch them being fed. Many evenings and nights, when admission to the beach is free, there is live or disco music and dancing, and this is one of the best places in Eilat to spend a day or an evening.

Haifa is Israel’s third-largest metropolitan area and is comprised of three main sections: the industrial area, the business district (Hadar), and the Carmel district. Just to the south of Haifa are some beautiful beaches frequented mostly by locals.

You won’t want to miss an excursion to the Dead Sea, where the high salt and mineral content of the water enables you to float on the surface. Also in the area is Ein Gedi, a tropical oasis complete with freshwater springs and waterfalls. To the south is the towering Masada fortress. Also well worth seeing is the Sea of Galilee, which is home to lush valleys and thick forests. On the shore is Tiberias, a captivating town with ancient tombs and natural hot springs, and also within reach of the Beit Shean archaeological site.

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