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Golan Heights
One of the most frequented places in Israel is Golan Heights with its breathtaking scenic views and intriguing archeological sites. Golan Heights is a northern mountainous region with distinct seasonal changes. The views become more picturesque as you progress from the plains just above sea level to about 1,200 meters in the north. On the eastern side you can overlook volcanic hills, and on the western side view the Sea of Gaililee and the Jordan Valley from the basalt cliffs.
No matter the season, Golan Heights has activities to enrich your tour experience. Hiking, skiing, and exploring historical archeological sites are just a few things to do in Golan Heights, Israel. With so much to choose from, getting a travel agency in Israel that can balance an itinerary of historical significance with relaxation is key. There are several ways to commune with nature or spend meditative time in a natural setting here. Winter offers amazing skiing for both professionals and amateurs on nearby Mount Hermon. Summer months provide refreshing cool streams and rushing waterfalls to enjoy after spending days hiking trails or visiting excavation sites. Springtime boasts spectacular views of the plains carpeted with gorgeous, colorful flowers. Bird watchers delight in cliff-dwelling Griffon vultures that number nearly 100 taking flight from their nests in the Gamla Nature Reserve. In Biblical times, this was the area of Bashan assigned to the Tribe of Manasseh. The remains of hundreds of dolmens, or burial chambers, that dot the landscape were reserved for the tribe elite. Dolmens are recognizable by two vertical stones that support a capstone. Many date back to the early and middle Bronze Age.
Mount Hermon holds religious significance to Christians as the probable place of the Transfiguration, where Jesus is transfigured in the presence of the disciples Peter, James, and John. It is the likely location, in that Jesus and the disciples were in the Caesarea Philippi area at the time, which is located at the base of Mount Hermon.
Nimrod Fortress sits on a strategic hill in the Golan Heights, high above the road from Akko to Damascus. Mamluks built it in the 13th century in an effort to control the traffic of the invading Crusaders. Today, visitors can walk the walls and peer through the same slits that castle defenders used to shoot arrows at approaching enemies. Explore the towers and winding staircases of the ancient castle. Take the secret passageway to a hidden door near the main entrance.
Katzrin Park is a restored ancient Talmudic village in the Golan Heights. You can visit the archeological site to see the ancient synagogue, the house of the Rabbi – completely outfitted for daily life of the time, and a courtyard facing Jerusalem. The village is across the street from the serene and modern city of Katzrin, the largest Jewish settlement in Golan Heights. The Golan Antiquities Museum in Katzrin displays many archaeological findings from the site and surrounding area.
You can visit the Golan Heights on one leg of a fascinating 12-day Archaeological Tour. Spend quiet moments amid the majesty and bounty of nature, wander among historical dolmens, walk where Jesus and the disciples walked in Caesarea Philippi and Mount Hermon, and examine the historical details of Nimrod Fortress and ancient Katzrin. Immerse yourself in the ancient history and culture of the Holy Land.
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