Eilats absolute biggest attraction is diving trips to the coral reefs. Several companies offer themselves and usually they can be found at Coral Beach. Some expectant travellers are not so excited by the diving possibilities as the diving companies themselves but anyhow, the security measures are generally in order, and if you havent got a diving certificate in advance you can get one. To the inexperienced or not so experienced diver, Eilat is more than fantastic anyhow.
Dolphin Reef is another of Eilats famous attractions. Her you can either snorkel or dive with dolphins, as far as the dolphins are willing to. For they have free access to leave the fence in the water if they dont want to play anymore. But luckily this happens rarely, and youre often lucky enough to get them within patting-distance.
Other water activities are the glass-bottom submarines and the Underwater Observatory where you can take a closer look at corals and fishes, dry-shod. In the Underwater Observatory you can look straight out at the life in the Red Sea through an underwater glass wall. If that isnt lively enough the observatory has a fine supplement in the shape of an aquarium where the fishes cant run off just like that. However they can from the glass-bottom submarines and they do so from time to time, and the result for the tourist is as might be expected.
Clandestine Immigration & Navy Museum is the most interesting thing to see in Haifa as to museums and the like. The museum describes the dramatic history from before, during and after World War 2, where Jews by the ten thousand from Europe tried to get to the holy land but had incessant obstacles put in their way by the British authorities.
Elijahs Cave is of great importance to all the three large religions in Israel. Here Elijah is said to have been hiding from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel after having killed 450 priests in Baal. You get to the cave by a lift from the Karmelit monastery, which is also worth a visit.
Even though Haifa is a modern city it also holds the opportunity to take a relaxing stroll in the streets that cling to the slopes of the Karmel Mountain.
Unlike other famous churches, the church of the Nativity is first and foremost a church for services and religious ceremonies. There you dont put a lot of effort in serving tourists as seen in Jerusalem for example. The church is literally built on top of the place where Jesus is said to have been born and the church is a great experience no matter how Christian you are. The cave itself where Jesus was born is not open during all of the churchs opening hours, so check the opening hours before you head for Bethlehem.
The Dead Sea holds a sovereign 1st place in the category "Characteristic nature phenomenon's". With its high concentration of salt, the sea has been cleansed for all life. However tourists can get a fun and sometimes-painful float on the surface. Its simply impossible and certainly not a good idea to try to get further down in the warm, thick water.
By the Ein Gedi kibbutz you find a lovely oasis with a spectacular nature park. The park runs through a canyon and offers a spectacular animal life and tropical plants. Below the kibbutz lies one of the most popular beaches by the Dead Sea.
The desert fortress Massada is Israels most important historical sight. From its place in the desert with a view to the Dead Sea and Jordans mountains, it tells the story of some hundred Jews famous suicide during Roman siege in the year 72 BD The fortress is in ruins but some places have been carefully restored. Due to the heat and the lack of shade, a visit at Massada is best at sunrise. In that way you also get a fantastic view when the sun breaks out from behind Jordans mountains in the horizon. Take the snake path if your physique can stand it.
According to the legend, the Virgin Mary nursed her newborn son on the spot where the Milk Grotto is today. The chapel is not that big and a bit peculiar in its accessories. But if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, its worth taking a stroll by the chapel, which is situated on Milk Grotto Street.
The port of Jaffa is absolutely worth a visit. The small town used to be alone on the beach, but during the last 50 years its been swallowed up by the big city. With its oblique streets and whitewashed houses this part of town forms an historical alternative to the modern Tel Aviv. An evening walk with ice cream eating to match brings out the best in Jaffa.
In the northern part of the country, Tiberias is a pleasant experience compared to the sometimes-unbearable heat in the rest of the country. At the same time Tiberia is the starting point of trips to the Golan hights, but can also itself offer a swim or a boat trip in and on the Genezerath Lake.
Not far from Tiberia is the holy town Safed. It is said to be so holy that not even the birds fly on shabbat. Whether or not its true you can find out by taking a walk around the charming old town, which holds both the remains of an old crusader citadel and a good portion of Jewish mysticism.
The Al-Aqsa mosque shares the Temple mountain opposite The Wailing Wall with the Rocky Mosque. Its not nearly as sacred as the Rocky Mosque but still sumptuously beautiful. It was first built in the 6th century but was shortly after destroyed twice by earthquake.
Jerusalems trademark, the golden dome on the Dome of the Rock, at the same time forms a roof of the Muslims third largest shrine. With its imposing dome and imposing interior as well, the dome is another must for visitors in Israel. Here Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son and according to Islam, the same place where the prophet Muhammed ascended to Heaven.
In the new part of town you also find the Mahane Yehuda market. A great experience if youre fond of nosing about and poking your nose into foodstuffs and vegetables that are large and vigorous and always fresh.
Mea Shearim is the orthodox Jews quarter and a living example of how the Eastern European ghettos looked like before Nazi-Germany put an end to them. Tourists have access to the quarter but the inhabitants arent animals and do not wish to be treated as such. Therefore take pictures with utmost discretion. Long sleeves and long trousers are necessary in order not to give offence.
A walk around the old town is a sight in itself. The smells, the sounds and the crowd of the many locals who push their way through among the shopkeepers is a great experience. Sometimes you can even feel the tension between Jews and Muslims, when a Jew with a fur hat bumps into an Arab with a white scarf. Take a detour from the big roads and enjoy the silence in the small side streets, especially in the Armenian part of town.
Just outside Jerusalem, on the eastern side, lies the Olive mountain with the Virgin Marys grave and the garden of Getsehmane where Jesus is said to have kissed Judas. The most interesting thing about the Olive Mountain is the fabulous view of both the old and the new Jerusalem.
In Qumran, a boy who was playing found the later so famous Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave. A Jewish sect that was being split up by the Romans wrote the scrolls between the year 150 BD and 68 AD. Today the scrolls can be seen at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
In the old town you also find Via Dolorosa. The street Jesus walked with the crown of thorns and the cross. The street begins at St. Stephens Gate and carries by the different stops Jesus made when he met Maria, dropped the cross and more. The street ends at the Grave Church, but can be hard to find without a guide.
A visit at the Wailing Wall or the Western Wall in the old part of Jerusalem is probably one of the greatest experiences for any tourist in Israel. The wall is all thats left of the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 AD The Jews lament the loss, hence the name. The wall can be visited 24 hours a day, and you shouldnt cheat yourself for the experience of sitting on the square in front of the wall and watch the crowd during the shabbat Friday night or the night before one of the many holidays.
The Yad Vashem museum in Jerusalem is probably one of the worlds most unpleasant and scary museums, but nevertheless a very important museum. Here the Holocaust is explained and remembered so entreating that no one leaves Yad Vashem without having been moved far into the heart.
From the top of the Shalom Tower theres a fantastic view of the city and the Mediterranean coast. The tower is used for observation post by the military, and therefore you can be lucky to catch a glimpse of the soldier who regularly is on the lookout for enemy vessels on the ocean.
The Diaspora Museum is the biggest sight of its kind in Tel Aviv. With a fine collection of models, film and different presentations which all together tell the story of the Jews life in exile.