Israel: Beautiful, Special and Amazing

 

I would like to share a blog with you about Israel.  This blog comes from Travel Impressions (American Express Vacations) our travel supplier of choice.  Rest assured that even if I have not had the opportunity to travel to your destination myself, I am honored to be affiliated with a company whose extensive travel background is at my fingertips...and yours.

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Israel: Beautiful, Special and Amazing
November 2, 2010

 

Hello All,

My name is Katie and I am pleased to announce that I am the new “travel insider!” I am truly excited to take on this new role, however I sure do have some big shoes to fill. From here on out, the new blogs that I will be writing are going to take on a different twist. I am going to meet with people who have gone on amazing vacations and experienced things that will thrill all who read. I will conduct interview-like meetings and then share all of the information with you to keep you entertained and knowledgeable about the wonderful destinations around the world.

My first blog is about the fascinating country of Israel. There are so many reasons why you must see this country. The grounds are so beautiful and sun-drenched that you will think you were in another world. There are sites and sights that are historical, archaeological, religious or even just beautiful that reflect a wondrous contrast between ancient and the modern times. Imagine walking in the very footsteps of history as you retrace the steps of Abraham 4,000 years ago, King David 3,000 years ago, Jesus 2,000 years ago and the Crusades 1,000 years ago. Even though I am not a huge history buff, the very thought of retracing those footsteps excites me beyond belief!

 

There is so much more to Israel than what I just mentioned, so let’s hear what one of my colleagues, Heather, had to say about her recent trip. (Enjoy these pictures of her recent trip to Israel)

What were you most surprised about when visiting Israel?

I was especially surprised by how comfortable and welcome I felt almost immediately. Many people have preconceived ideas about Israel but I think everyone will be surprised by how much MORE there is to Israel than just the religious and historical parts of the country. Some of my favorite memories were when we attended a local wine and cheese festival in Haifa, watched World Cup Soccer from a Pub in Jerusalem with a crowd chanting U.S.A., and laughing until my sides hurt playing in the Dead Sea.

How would you describe your overall travel experience?

AMAZING! This is actually an “inside joke” from the group that I traveled with. We found ourselves repeating this word over and over again throughout the trip. However, it was truly the best word to describe the destination.

If you had a chance to tell the world what you saw, what would you say?

We had a chance to touch, see and feel history! No matter what your background or religious beliefs are, Israel is a living piece of history. We saw the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, Caesarea, walked through tunnels created by the Templar Knights, explored the archeological site of The City of David, visited the Wailing Wall, walked the streets of the Old City in Jerusalem including the Via Dolorosa, visited Masada, floated in the Dead Sea, and toured through the vibrant city of Tel Aviv.

What was the most extraordinary part of your trip?

There were so many extraordinary moments. For me, one of the most moving experiences was when we arrived on top of the Mt. of Olives and viewed the city of Jerusalem for the first time. The Shining Dome of the Rock, the Temple Mount, the Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives…it just took my breath away to realize that I was really there.

How was the food?

Can I use the word AMAZING again? Actually, I can come up with another word. The food was absolutely divine. From a street-side cafe in the Old City of Jerusalem where we had a casual lunch of falafel pitas, to the beautiful buffet at the Kibbutz Lavi, to the gourmet dining experience at the Rennstaurant on the side of Mt. Carmel in Haifa with the stunning views, we did not experience a meal that we did not like!

Describe the hotels that you stayed in during your visit.

We stayed at the Dan Carmel in Haifa which sits right on top of Mt. Carmel with gorgeous views looking down on Haifa and the port. The rooms there were very nice and spacious. The property had a nice little garden which is a great spot for events, and then a beautiful pool just off of the garden that could also be seen from the main restaurant. In Jerusalem, we had the honor of staying at the historically significant and impressive King David Hotel where we had views of the Old City. The property and grounds are what one would expect for a world-class hotel. However, the fact that the hotel is the site of many significant historical events made the stay there even more meaningful. Our last night was spent at the Dan Tel Aviv with a fabulous location just across the street from the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. All of these properties are part of the Dan family of hotels and the service at each was more than gracious.

Did having a guide with you help enhance your experience? If so, in what way?

Israel would not have been the same without our guides who truly brought the destination to life. If we didn’t have our guides with us, I am afraid we would have missed out on so much valuable information that made each site we visited more than just another place to check off on our list of must-see places in Israel.

If you had to use three words to describe Israel, which words would you use?

Beautiful, special and AMAZING… you know I had to throw it in there one more time!

 

Contact Cruise and Vacation Paradise (a Cruise Planners/American Express franchise) to book your trip to Israel today.