Page 94 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

92 ❯❯ Israel and Petra Area by Area

Southern Golan
4
MAP B6 • www.parks.org.il
Some of Israel’s best hiking is here,
in the Yehudia Nature Reserve. The
Zavitan Canyon leads to pools with
extraordinary hexagonal basalt
formations, while Yehudia Canyon
entails swimming through pools
of icy water. Katzrin, the regional
capital, was founded in 1977. There’s
an ancient Jewish settlement, an
archeological museum, and a visitor
center here. Gamla Nature Reserve
also has walking trails.
Sea of Galilee
5 The colorful harbor at Akko's Old City
A popular holiday spot, this
scenic lake is called the Kinneret by Old mosques join the Protestant,
Israelis (see pp32–3). Major Christian Catholic, and Greek churches on
sites dot the banks. At Tabgha, a the water’s edge.
church marks the traditional site
Jezreel Valley
of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. 7
Capernaum has archeological MAP C5 • Kavim buses 411
remains, including a church built and 412 to Beit She’an
over the house of the Apostle Peter. The valley is edged to the south by
The Mount of Beatitudes has an the Gilboa mountains, with its scenic
octagonal church and sublime views. driving route, walking trails, and
At Yardenit, on the south side of the viewpoints. Ruins of the Roman city
lake, white-gowned pilgrims gather of Beit She’an (see p94) at the valley’s
to be baptized in the Jordan River. eastern end are the most extensive
in the country. The natural pools at
Tiberias
6 Gan HaShlosha National Park are
perfect for bathing, while close by,
MAP C5 • Tourist Office:
23 HaBanim St; (04) 672 5666 the Beit Alpha synagogue (see p94)
This large resort town was founded has a magnificent Byzantine-era
in Roman times to take advantage mosaic floor. There’s an art museum
of the nearby hot springs. These and a lovely café at Kibbutz Ein
remain an attraction, as do the Harod Meuchad.
nearby beaches. Roman ruins at
Safed (Tzfat)
Hamat Tiberias National 8
Park include a zodiac wheel MAP B5 • Synagogues: Open
mosaic in the synagogue. 9:30am–5pm Sun–Thu (till noon Fri);
One of four Jewish holy Beit HaMeiri Museum: 8:30am–
cities, Tiberias has tombs 2:30pm Sun–Thu (till 1:30pm Fri)
of many eminent rabbis. Sephardic Jewish scholars fleeing
the Spanish Inquisition turned Safed
Ancient mosque, into a world center of Kabbalah
Tiberias (Jewish mysticism), and it retains an
ethereal vibe to this day. Centuries-
old synagogues associated with
illustrious rabbis from centuries
past are still in use, while the Artists’
Quarter is crammed with galleries
and studios. For a glimpse into
19th-century life here, drop by
the Beit HaMeiri Museum.

090-093_Top_10_Israel.indd 92 19/06/2017 12:58