December 2019 | Page 3 of 4 | Gold Carpet Tours

The Sea of Galilee

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Dudu Levy

We drive north to the lower Galilee, descending to the Sea of Galilee, 210 meters below sea level passing the city of Tiberias overlooking the Sea of Galilee, our 1st stop is Magdala on the lake shore recently excavted, visit the local ancient synagogue dating from the 2nd temple period.

Continue driving around the lake, stop at Kibbutz Geinosar where we visit an ancient fishing boat found in the Sea of Galilee dating from the period of Christ.

View of Mt.of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Our last stop for today is the village of Cana of Galilee, we visit the church of the Wedding where Jesus performed his 1st miracle turning water into wine.

The Golan Height

Posted on December 15, 2019December 18, 2019 by Dudu Levy

We drive north through the Sharon coastal plain following the route of the ancient Via Maris, passing Iron wadi dotted with Arab villages, view of biblical Megiddo overlooking the Plain of Armageddon. We continue our journey east and north along the Jordan Valley on the way to the Sea of Galilee, view of Kibbutz Degania that withstood a heavy attack of the Syrian army in 1948.

We travel further eastward ascending to the Golan Heights overlooking the Yarmuch River and Hammat Gader on the border line between Israel and Jordan. Stop at Hashalom lookout, a breathtaking observation point overlooking the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias.

Travel through the Golan Heights southern plateau, view of former syrian fortifications and the modern Israeli settlements, proceed to Katzrin where we visit the Talmudic village with its ancient synagogue. Proceed to Mt. Bental overlooking Syria and Kuneitra, view of Mt.Hermon.

Drive west, descend to the valley ending at a local Kibbutz.

The Upper Galilee

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Dudu Levy

Begin with a walking tour of the Kibbutz, learn about this unique form of settlement. Travel to the Banias reserve known as Caesarea Philippi, the Banias is one of the sources of the Jordan river, enjoy nature, the local vegetation and waterfall. We proceed further up to the nearby impressive Nimrod castle, formerly a Crusader fort.

We leave the Golan and drive through the Hulla valley and the Upper Galille to the city of Safed the center of the mystic movement of the Kabbala, we tour the local old Artist colony dotted with art galleries and visit local synagogues.

Return to point of departure.

The Coastal Route

Posted on December 15, 2019December 15, 2019 by Dudu Levy

Drive north along the Sharon Coast to Caesarea Maritima, its antiquities park is one of Israel’s most impressive parks, housing unique buildings from various periods, standing side by side over an area of 500 dunams (125 acres), there are architectural remains from the Hellenistic period (the 3rd century BCE) to the Crusader period (the 12th century), when Caesarea was a port city and spent many years as Israel’s capital.

Visit the Roman theater, see the recent archaeological excavations with Marine Palace, the Hippodrome, the Bath house, walk into the Crusader city, view of the Ancient Port, the Byzantine street and the Aqueduct.

Continue to the city of Haifa, the 3rd largest city of Israel and its main sea port, ascend Mt.Carmel, enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Bay and the Bahai Gardens (world center of the Bahai faith).

Proceed to the city of Akko, the capital of the Crusaders kingdom 800 years ago, today an Unseco’s heritage site. Enter the Old city for a walking tour, visit the Underground Crusader city, the Knight Halls and St. John’s crypt, walk through the Templar escape tunnel, see the Arab bazaar, the Fishing port, the Pillars Inn, the Pizan Quarter and the Sea Wall.

We continue to Rosh Hanikra passing Kibbutz Lochamei Hagetaot (the Ghetto Fighters) and the city of Naharia, enjoy the view of the Galilee Coastand the Border to Lebanon, descend by a cable car to the magnificent Marine grottoes for a visit.

Discover the Ancient Wonders of Beit Guvrin

Posted on December 15, 2019February 5, 2020 by Ariel Siegal

What attracts millions of visitors to this ancient and once-thriving city?

Tell Merasha is the biblical iron-age city of Maresha. Throughout history, it was inhabited by different people groups, such as the Israelites and Edomites, until it fell into the hands of the Greeks during the conquest of Alexander the Great and became a city for retired Greek soldiers.

Beit Guvrin-Tel Maresha throws you back in time as you walk through the ancient ruins of a Roman-Byzantine amphitheater, Jewish cemeteries, public baths, burial caves, and more than 800 bell caves.

The Roman Amphitheater

One of the four Roman amphitheaters in Israel, it was built in the second century for Roman troops stationed in the region and could seat close to 3,500 spectators. The arena is surrounded by a series of connected barrel vaults, which form a long, circular corridor that supports the seats above. Gladiatorial contests were held there for the entertainment of the soldiers. It was in use until its destruction by the Galilee earthquake of 363. Visitors are free to roam around, stand in the arena where gladiators would fight to the death, and sit where bloodthirsty crowds would cheer the competitors.

Bell Caves – A Wonder

The Beit Guvrin area has over 800 bell-shaped caves, dug during the early Arab period for chalk to cover roads. The caves can reach a height of 18 meters (60 ft.), and underground passageways connect groups of 40–50. If you’re expecting them to be dark and musty, think again. The caves are bright because of their massive entrances and the gaping holes at their apexes. When you walk in the enormous, hand-carved belly of a bell, each sound is amplified and echoes off the smooth stone walls. The caves’ acoustics give the sound a magical quality – so much so that cultural and musical events are held in them.

Bell Cave, Beit Guvrin

The Columbarium Cave and Ancient Burial

In addition to the bell caves, large caves of a different type have been uncovered by earthquakes. Dug into the stone are almost 2,000 niches, thought to be for burial rituals, growing pigeons for food, ritual sacrifices, or fertilizer production. Still, neither ashes nor pigeon droppings have been found in them, and so they remain a mystery.

You can also adventure into the Greek Sidonian burial caves, which date back to between the third and first centuries BC. These family tombs contain beautifully painted cultural symbols and both mythical and real creatures. Carved on both sides are burial niches in which family members would be laid to rest and, at one end, a bed like structure meant for the Sidonian patriarch.

Sidonian Burial Cave

It doesn’t stop there! There is so much more to see, like the Church of Saint Anne, Roman mosaics, and the ruins of a city that survived wars and revolts.

We can take you there. Whether your wish is to hike or explore, our experienced and adventurous guides will transport you back in time and make every stone and story come to life. Discover the ancient city with us!

Golan Height South Region (Day 2)

Posted on December 15, 2019December 15, 2019 by Dudu Levy

We travel to the Sea of Galilee, view of Kibbutz Degania that withstood a heavy attack of the Syrian army in 1948. Continue further eastward ascending to the Golan Heights overlooking the Yarmuch River and Hammat Gader on the border line between Israel and Jordan.

Stop at Hashalom lookout, a breathtaking observation point overlooking the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias. Travel through the Golan Heights southern plateau, view of former syrian fortifications and the modern Israeli settlements, proceed to Katzrin where we visit the Talmudic village with its ancient synagogue.

Proceed to Mt. Bental overlooking Syria and Kuneitra, view of Mt.Hermon and the northern part of the Golan.

Return to Tel Aviv ending till 19:00.