I still remember the cloudy afternoon when I first got to the old city of Acre. The weather was unusual for the beginning of April because the temperature was below normal, the wind was blowing hard and it was about to rain.

My visit was short and quick, as I tried to visit as much as possible before the rain started. A few hours later, I left Acre feeling disappointed but at that moment I couldn’t realize why. Fortunately, the following days the weather was lovely and I could enjoy the rest of my trip. Even so, the regret of seeing Acre on such bad weather was still there. Everything happens for a reason and things fell into place at the right time and I was able to visit the city of Acre for the second time on my last day in Israel. This time the weather was perfect and I could enjoy the beauty of Acre, also known as Akko in Arabic.

Considered a famous Crusader city and blessed with one of the oldest ports in the world, Acre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortified city is blessed with well-preserved citadels, mosques and a lot of Turkish baths and bazaars. Akko has a lot to offer and therefore there are a lot of things you could do there.

To better understand the glorious past of Akko, you could visit the Hospitaller Fortress which belonged to the Hospitallers, who were knights of the Order of Saint John. There are a lot of things that can be admired inside the fortress, but the Knights’ Halls and the Templars’ Tunnel stand out from the rest.

The Turkish Bath (Hammam Al-Basha) is another place that perfectly displays the history of Acre. This old hammam has been fully restored and nowadays it is home to an interesting museum that exhibits a lot of objects related to the history and culture of the Turkish Bath ritual.

The massive stone walls which border the Old Town, are Akko’s most distinctive tourist attraction. Besides admiring the panoramic views over the Old Town of Akko, walking along these ancient defensive walls gives you the chance to live moments of pure relaxation. If you follow the path which goes around the walls of the city, you will notice the massive tower known as the Burj el-Kummander which dominates the northern part of the Old Town. In the east, you can admire the Burg Kurajim or the Tower of Vine, a bastion that was built to defend the town against attacks coming from the sea. During your walk along the walls, you will also discover St. John’s Church, a small church which was built in 1737. This is one of the most colorful buildings in Akko which for sure won’t go unnoticed.

As I have already said, Akko’s Marina used to be a famous port which nowadays is home to colorful fishing boats and yachts. Not far from the harbor, you can find Akko’s main bazaar which offers a variety of goods from fresh spices and food to interesting souvenirs.

The Ahmed Al-Jazzar Mosque is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Akko and for good reason. The well-preserved mosque seems to dominate the skyline with its imposing white and green tower. In case you have enough time to spend in Akko, you can take a boat tour to see the walls from the sea.

I must confess that I chose not to take the boat tour because I wanted to spend a couple of hours on the beach. It was a great opportunity to recharge my batteries after the beautiful but exhausting walk around the town.

To sum up, Akko is a beautiful city which is worth visiting if you ever get to this area. I’m sure that the following pictures will convince you to add Akko to your trip list in case you ever plan a trip to Israel.

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I must confess that whenever I decide to revisit a country, I try to combine the places I have already visited and liked the most with some new ones.

I visited Israel for the second time three years ago and it goes without saying that I’ve added some new beautiful places to my trip itinerary, places that I didn’t manage to visit during my first trip there. The Ramat Gan Safari Park is one of these places. This beautiful park is situated close to the center of Tel Aviv, in the neighboring city of Ramat Gan.

Considered one of the largest zoos in the Middle East, the Ramat Gan Safari is divided into three sections: The Safari Park, The Lion Safari and The Zoo. Regardless of this division, each section imitates the natural habitat of the animals. What makes this place really special is the fact that you get really close to the animals to admire them and take a lot of pictures.

Covering an area of 250 acres, the Ramat Gan Safari is home to 1600 species of animals, including 68 species of mammals, 130 species of fowl and 25 species of reptiles. From elephants and gorillas to snakes and birds, this park reunites species from all over the world.

I must say that it was a real delight to admire different species of monkeys and birds, to enjoy the delicate gestures of the giraffes or to simply watch how the deer and the lions walked freely through the park. This experience was an excellent opportunity to recharge my batteries and also forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. I always feel relaxed around animals and the hours I have spent there passed very quickly.

You can explore the park in your own car, by joining an organized tour or you can take a Segway tour. No matter how you choose to visit this park, when you get to the closed areas you have to walk among the specially designed pavilions.

As I have already said, the Ramat Gan Safari Park is situated close to downtown Tel Aviv and it is very easy to get there. If you ever get to Tel Aviv, I really recommend that you visit this place. If I haven’t convinced you yet, you should take a look at the following pictures which I’m sure will do a better job.

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When I think about my second trip to Israel, the image of the beautiful Masada comes to my mind. This ancient fortress lies on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea, in the mysterious Judaean Desert.

Considered one of the most famous archaeological sites is Israel, the impressive ruins of Masada reveal their beauty in a spectacular desert scenery. The fortress was built as a palace complex by Herod the Great, King of Judaea and it still displays the traces of the classical Roman style.

King Herod’s northern palace is the part of the complex which reveals the details of an opulent architectural design in the most prominent way. Built on three rock terraces, this palace is considered the most impressive part of the complex.

A large Roman bath embellished with a colorful mosaic floor and wall murals is another attraction in the complex.

The fortress is also famous for its old innovative water system which used to collect runoff water from a single day of rain to sustain life for a thousand people over a period of two-three years.

The luxurious western palace, the Jewish ritual bath, the storerooms, the watchtowers and the synagogue are other buildings which talk about the history of Masada.

The massive defense walls which hide these exceptional Roman buildings give you the feeling that the struggle between oppression and liberty is still going on. It is said that the fortress was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, at the beginning of the First Jewish Revolt against Rome. According to historical remarks, a few years later, when the Romans succeeded in reaching the mountain top fortress, the 960 Jewish zealots who lived there committed suicide. They wanted to avoid falling into the hands of the Romans alive and this is why their death was considered a great act of courage and heroism.

In order to reach the fortress, you can go up a rocky path called the “snake path’’ or you can take the cable car that runs from the foot of the mountain to the top. I chose the cable car because when I visited the fortress it was too hot to walk. This was a great opportunity to find out a few details about the history of this place because the tourist center presents a documentary film about the story of Masada.

Whether you choose to visit Masada on your own or as part of a guided tour, I’m sure you will like this place. I must confess that I really liked visiting this fortress and the few hours I spent there went by so fast. You don’t have to take my words for granted because the following pictures will convince you to pay a visit to this place in case you ever get to Israel.

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It goes without saying that when you say Israel you say religious edifices. It is said that all believers should live the experience of visiting Israel’s religious attractions at least once in a lifetime. Beyond its religious side, Israel is blessed with a lot of other beautiful tourist attractions and the experience of discovering them is also very interesting.

I visited Israel twice and I had the chance to enjoy more than its religious side. I experienced its culture and lifestyle as well. Nine years ago, I visited Israel for the first time as part of an organized trip lead by a priest. The tour was complete and it included all the major religious tourist attractions in Israel and Palestine. I didn’t write about this religious experience and I won’t do it now either because it is, in my opinion, the type of experience which should be kept in one’s heart. In case you want to live such an experience, I advise you to choose a trip organized by a priest because this way you will have the chance to “see” Israel from a different point of view.

My second trip to Israel took place two years ago and during the ten days I spent there, I tried to discover another side of this country. If you plan to visit Israel, I hope that my trip itinerary helps you. I consider there are definitely a few places you should add to your trip list.

Even though the purpose of my trip was to discover new places in Israel, I wanted to revisit the city of Jerusalem and the town of Nazareth. Whether you are a religious person or not, Jerusalem should be on your trip list. You cannot leave Israel without stopping in this famous city because the Old City of Jerusalem is well worth a visit. Beyond the multitude of bazaars and all the agitation, this part of the city holds pages of history within its walls.

The most famous road is the Via Dolorosa. Every Christian should take a tour of the Via Dolorosa which is believed to be the path Jesus followed on the way to his crucifixion. Situated at the end of this road, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Church of the Resurrection is the final destination for believers. This church is built above Golgotha, the place where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and it shelters Jesus’s empty tomb. The road that leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not the same without a priest who can explain all the important details to you.

The Garden of Gethsemane is another place that you should visit. Situated near the foot of the Mount of Olives, this garden is the place where Jesus went to pray the night before he was crucified. The Church of All Nations is situated near the garden and according to religion, this church was built over the rock where Jesus prayed before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

A few steps farther, you can find the Grotto of Gethsemane, the natural cave used as shelter by Jesus and his disciples. Near the grotto, there is the Church of the Assumption or the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, where according to Christian tradition the Mother of Jesus was buried after she died. Jerusalem is blessed with a lot of other religious edifices, but I chose to revisit only the ones I have already mentioned. The visit to Jerusalem ended with a walk to the Ramparts Walk, where I had the chance to admire a great view over the Old City.

The town of Nazareth was another place that I wanted to revisit. From all the places I had already visited during my first trip there, I chose to revisit only the small Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. This is the church where one of the most famous biblical scenes took place. According to religion, the angel Gabriel descended from Heaven to tell the Virgin Mary about her pregnancy. The church stands over the cave where it is believed that Mary first heard the angel’s voice.

The city of Akko or Acre was a great surprise taking into account all the things it has to offer. This famous Crusader city is blessed with one of the oldest ports in the world, well-preserved citadels and mosques, Turkish baths and crowded bazaars. Here, you can visit the Hospitaller Fortress which paints the glorious past of Akko or you can relax inside the Turkish Bath, which is nowadays an interesting museum.

A walk along the massive stone walls which border the Old Town will offer you the chance to admire some gorgeous panoramic views. During this walk, you will notice the massive tower known as Burj el-Kummander, the bastion Burg Kurajim and the small St. John’s Church.

Ahmed Al-Jazzar Mosque is another tourist attraction that deserves your attention. This well-preserved religious edifice impresses tourists with its imposing white and green tower. Akko’s Marina is that part of the city that I liked the most. The image of the colorful fishing boats and the luxury yachts outlines the beauty of this port. In case you are a shopping lover, Akko’s main bazaar is the perfect option. The city is also blessed with a large beach where you can spend a few moments of relaxation after visiting all these tourist attractions.

Haifa was the city that really impressed me. Here, I visited the Baha’i Gardens and the lovely Camel Beach. The Baha’i Gardens are the symbol of the Bahá’i faith and one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in Haifa and Western Galilee. The Bahá’i religion brings together the essential beliefs of all religions and promotes the idea of a unified world regardless of nations, races, social classes and creeds. The Baha’i Gardens shelter 19 terraces of flowers, water fountains and small sculptures that surround the Shrine of the Báb. Considered the most famous holy place in the Bahá’i faith, this shrine was built in honor of the prophet Báb, the main founder of the Bahá’i religion.

Covering a large area, the Bahá’i Gardens are divided into three different sections beautifully decorated with flowers and trees, water fountains and small sculptures. For a complete experience, you should visit all these sections. You can visit the gardens on your own or as a part of a guided tour.

After visiting this beautiful place, I ended the day relaxing on Camel Beach. Equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, this sandy beach is the perfect place where you can rest and relax for a few hours.

Another day of my trip was dedicated to the city of Tel Aviv. This city has a lot to offer and in case you want to visit all its important tourist attractions, you should spend at least a few days here. Taking into account the fact that I didn’t stay long in Tel Aviv, I decided to visit only the Ramat Gan Safari and Jaffa.

The Ramat Gan Safari is a beautiful park situated close to the center of Tel Aviv, in the neighboring city of Ramat Gan. Divided into three sections, it is one of the largest zoos in the Middle East. The Safari Park, The Lion Safari and The Zoo are the three sections specially designed to imitate the natural habitat of the animals. The Ramat Gan Safari is home to 1600 species of animals, including 68 species of mammals, 130 species of fowl and 25 species of reptiles. I must confess that it was a great experience to admire different species from all over the world. The park covers an area of 250 acres and you can explore it in your car, by taking a Segway tour or by joining an organized tour.

Jaffa, the southern and the oldest part of Tel Aviv, was the second place I decided to visit. In my opinion, visiting this part of Tel Aviv was a great way to end the day. Walking in the ancient port and admiring the gorgeous views was a perfect way to relax. Also, there are some beautiful buildings you will definitely notice during this walk. For example, I liked the bell tower of St. Peter’s Church, which is one of the symbols of Jaffa.

Masada National Park is another historical place that caught my attention. Lying on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea, this ancient fortress is considered one of the most famous archaeological sites in Israel. Built as a palace complex by Herod the Great, King of Judaea, Masada shelters the ruins of the beautiful Roman buildings. Considered the most impressive part of the complex, King Herod’s northern palace is built on three rock terraces and displays an opulent architectural style. The large Roman bath embellished with a colorful mosaic floor and murals is another part of the complex which attracts a lot of tourists.

Masada is also famous for its old innovative water system which used to collect runoff water from the rain. This water was used to sustain life for a thousand people over a period of two-three years. The luxurious western palace, the Jewish ritual bath, the storerooms, the watchtowers and the synagogue are other buildings you can admire inside the fortress. To reach the fortress, you can follow the “snake path” or you can take the cable car that runs from the foot of the mountain to the top. You have two options to visit Masada. You can explore it on your own or as a part of a guided tour.

The Keshet Cave is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Israel. I must confess that it was a real pleasure to explore this natural arch. Also known as the Rainbow Cave or the Arch Cave, this carved rock has a small cave beneath which attracts hundreds of extreme sports lovers. They go down from the arch to the cave base, dropping off the side of the cave and swinging under the arch using only a thick rope. In case you are not a fan of extreme sports, just like me, you can admire this natural arch and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it.

After visiting the Keshet Cave, you can relax a few hours on the Betzet Beach, which is located at the foot of the mountain. Betzet Beach is the northernmost beach in Israel. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Israel.

All things considered, in case you plan a trip to Israel and you don’t know what to visit there, I hope that my trip itinerary inspires you.

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These wonderful gardens shelter 19 terraces of flowers, water fountains and small sculptures that surround the Shrine of the Báb, the most famous holy place in the Bahá’i faith. This dome-shaped shrine and the monuments and buildings situated in these beautiful gardens make the complex one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in Haifa and Western Galilee. As the name suggests, this shrine was built in honor of the Báb, the prophet who is considered the main founder of the Bahá’i religion.

Siyyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi, the Persian who called himself the Báb, laid the foundations of this new religion almost 200 years ago. His doctrine was preached by his descendants and today the Bahá’i faith has over seven million followers all over the world.

In case you didn’t know, the Bahá’i religion brings together the essential beliefs of all religions and promotes the goal of a unified world which ensures the prosperity of all nations, races, social classes and creeds. Situated in the Bahá’i Gardens, the Bahai World Centre in Haifa is the place where the nine elected leaders make important decisions. This is why Haifa is considered one of the most spiritual cities in the world when it comes to the tradition of pilgrimage in the Bahá’i faith.

The Bahá’i Gardens cover a large area which is divided into three different sections beautifully decorated with flowers and trees, water fountains and small sculptures. The lower section starts from the German Colony, a small area located at the foot of the Bahá’i Gardens, and reaches the Port of Haifa. The middle section includes the gardens around the Shrine of the Báb, which is the resting place of the famous prophet. The upper section lies between the Louis Promenade and the main gate where the visit starts. If you want your visit to be complete, you should cover all these sections.

You can visit the gardens on your own or you can choose one of the guided tours in English, Russian or Hebrew. For the 45-minute guided tour you don’t need a reservation and it’s free of charge. The only condition is to arrive half an hour ahead of the set time because the places are limited and the principle applied is “first come, first served”.

I visited the Bahá’i Gardens on my own because I wanted to take my time and enjoy their beauty to the fullest. As I have already said, I liked this place because, besides its beauty, it has a strong spiritual power. This is one of the places I would like to revisit one day because the hour I spent there went by so fast and lovely. You don’t have to take my words for granted. Just take a look at the following pictures which I’m sure will convince you to pay a visit to the Bahá’i Gardens in case you ever get to Israel.

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There are many sacred places to visit in Jerusalem, but one of my favorites is the Garden of Gethsemane. Situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives, in the east of the Kidron Valley, the Garden of Gethsemane is actually an olive tree grove.

This grove is the place where Jesus went with his disciples to pray the night before he was crucified. In this garden Jesus decided to entrust himself to the will of his Father. Contrary to what you might expect, this is not a large garden and it covers an area of only 1200 m².

Even if in time the garden was modernized in order to create a stronger impression on the pilgrims, it is still one of the most natural areas in Jerusalem. In the Garden of Olives, as it is called, you will have the chance to admire eight olive trees which are considered to be the oldest olive trees in the world.

The legend says that these eight olive trees are the descendants of one olive tree that witnessed Jesus’s prayer. It is also said that they belong to the same olive root (when an olive tree is cut down, several shoots grow from the cut root and once these shoots are replanted they form new olive trees).

The name of Gethsemane means “oil press” and it is interesting to know that the oil obtained from the fruit of these trees is still used to light some lamps which decorate the Holy Places. The Garden of Gethsemane is very beautiful and tidy, but what I liked most about this place was that special energy that made me experience a mixture of emotions.

I felt inner peace, balance and serenity. In my opinion this is one of the most special places in the world. You should know that if you visit the Garden of Gethsemane, you will also have the opportunity to visit other sacred places, situated near the garden.

The Church of All Nations is built on top of the rock where Jesus had prayed before he was betrayed by Judas. Another place situated at about 100 meters from the church is the Grotto of Gethsemane.

This is actually the shelter that Jesus and his disciples used when they came to the garden. Near this grotto, there is a church that shelters the tomb of Virgin Mary. All these places highlight the beauty of the entire area.

In my opinion this garden is indeed a place where you can feel closer to God. No pilgrimage to the Holy Places is complete without visiting the Garden of Gethsemane.

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