February 2020 | Page 2 of 2 | Gold Carpet Tours

West Jerusalem – The New City

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Dudu Levy

We begin with a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem from the Promenade, overlooking the city from the south.

Proceed to West Jerusalem-the New City, drive through the city center, walk along Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall and continue to Machne Yehuda open market.

Travel through Mea Shearim the ultra orthdox quarter of Jerusalem, continue to the Government City, view of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Government offices, stop at the Knesset-the Israeli Parliament for a visit, see the Menorah.

Proceed to the nearby Israel Museum, visit the Shrine of the Book housing the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and see the model of Jerusalem of the 2nd Temple . Our next stop is Mt. Herzle, known as Mt.of Remembrance, visit the National cemetery of Israel and Yad Vashem-the memorail site of the Holocaust.

Return to hotel ending till 18:00.

Nature and Biblical History in the Judean Low Land

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Dudu Levy

Drive to the Judean Foothills (Shfela) region where we stop at the Harel Lookout, overlooking the famous “Burma Road” constructed during the War of Independence and played an important roll in overcoming the blockade of Jerusalem. In the winter and spring we can enjoy the lush green and multitude of wild flowers of the surrounding scenery.

We continue through the Shfela, passing the archeological site of biblical Beit Shemesh, not far from the modern day city of its name. We proceed to visit Tel Azeka overlooking the Elah Valley, named after the Elah or Turpentine trees that are indigenous to the valley, and site of the historical battle between David and Goliath, with the Philistines encamped at Azekah and the Israelites encamped at Socho. Today Socho is renowned for the Blue Lupines that carpet its slopes every March. In season we will be able to enjoy this wondrous sight.

We continue to Beit Guvrin, a national park encompassing the ruins of Maresha, which was one of the important towns of Judah during the time of the First Temple, and which was succeeded by Beit Guvrin as the main town of the region in the Roman era. We will have a view of archeological Maresha and visit the magnificent manmade caves of Beit Guvrin – the columbarium, the Phoenician cave, the Bell Cave and others.

Our last stop on this journey is Tel Lachish, site of an ancient Near East city, now an archaeological site and an Israeli national park. According to the Bible, Lachish was an important city in the Kingdom of Israel, which was first destroyed by the Assyrians, and later by the Babylonians. The Lachish region today is renowned for the longevity of its grapes, which are grown using innovative natural methods, with no genetic engineering. The scenery is filled with vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.

Return to hotel ending till 18:00

Jerusalem and the Dead Sea

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Dudu Levy

Tour begins with apanoramic view of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives. Continue along the Kidron valley, view of the Garden of Gathsemane, the South Wall Excavations, stop at Mount Zion, visit the Tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper, view of the Dormition Abbey.

Enter the Old city of Jerusalem for a walking tour, view of the Armenian quarter, visit the Jewish quarter, see the Cardo, the Western (Wailing) Wall, view of the Temple Mount, proceed walking through the Moslem quarter and along the Via Dolorosa, see the Stations of the Cross, continue to the Christian quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Drive through the Wilderness of Judea, descending to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, 400 meters below sea level, view of the Inn of the Good Samaritan, the Bedouins camps and the city of Jericho with Mount of Temptation.

Stop at one of the Dead Sea resorts for a swim, enjoy the therapeutic water, the black mud and the amazing feelings of floating on the water.

Return to hotel ending till 18:00.

The Golan Heights

Posted on February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 by Dudu Levy

We drive eastward 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 east 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, return to point of departure.

Delicious Foods You Have to Try in Israel

Posted on February 3, 2020February 5, 2020 by Oriel Moran

Middle-Eastern-style dining means food spread out across a table and shared by everyone. It means what’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine. It means extra chairs set out for strangers, who are welcomed as part of the family.

Often, our best memories are of the times we’ve shared a good meal and enjoyed great conversations and laughter.

That’s what Israeli food is all about: nourishing guests and loved ones and enjoying the good things in life.

One of the best parts of traveling to Israel is exploring authentic local foods. If you’re planning on a trip to Israel, your taste buds are in for a treat!

Israeli Breakfast and Shakshuka

They say the most important meal of the day is breakfast, and, believe me, you’ve never had a breakfast like this.

Served to you “buffet style” is this luxury breakfast of cooked eggs, a selection of cheeses, salty olives, roasted antipasti-style vegetables, a selection of quality bread, tuna and egg salads, and a classic Israeli salad (cucumber and tomato with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice). You’ll also choose from fruit platters, sweet and salty pastries, and, of course, Turkish coffee and teas with which to wash it all down.

A typical, traditional breakfast that you can find anywhere is shakshuka. Soft or hard eggs are prepared in a skillet in the center of a boiling, tomato-based sauce with olive oil and fresh herbs and spices such as parsley, cumin, and paprika. Sometimes red peppers, hot peppers, and cheese are added. Typically, a bread basket is provided on the side so you can scoop up bite after bite of that mouth-watering yumminess.

Shakshuka, Israeli Breakfast Dish

Hummus, Meat, and Everything in Between

Once you’ve been seated at an Israeli restaurant, you’ll be spoiled with a variety of salads such as beetroot, shredded sweet carrots, eggplant in mayo, bulgur and tabbouleh, as well as a basket of warm pita bread and deep dishes of tahini, fresh hummus (chickpea dip), and olive oil.

Just when you were wondering if that was the entire meal, the waiter will come out carrying skewers of lamb meat or spring chicken grilled over coals, juicy kebabs, rice with lentils, and french fries. Try Samir’s Restaurant in Ramla or Hatzot restaurant in downtown Jerusalem.

If you like the sound of that but want it on the go, a shawarma or falafel stand is the place for you. You can have your choice of falafel balls or shawarma – thinly cut lamb or chicken roasted on a slowly turning vertical rotisserie or spit served in a pita pocket or a lafa (flat round bread) and rolled up with condiments such as hummus or tahini and salads. Some call it the burrito of the middle east

Israeli Lunch

Everyone Has a Sweet Tooth

No meal is complete without a few dessert options to satisfy your sweet tooth. Knafe is a hot, traditional Middle-Eastern dessert. Soft cheese is roasted in a little hand-sized pan, then layered with thin, noodle-like pastry and soaked in sugar syrup. If that alone doesn’t make you salivate, it’s topped off with a small mountain of nuts like almonds and pistachios. Halfway through the first bite, you’ll be ordering another one. We recommend Baklawish in Mahaneh Yehuda, Jerusalems outdoor market or Haburika at the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.

Another tasty treat that originated within the Jewish community in Poland is the rugelach. It can be found at any local bakery. Buttery dough in a triangular shape is spread with chocolate and nuts, rolled up and baked into a crispy delight! They’re best eaten when they are fresh out of the oven.

You could also try one of Israel’s favorites: Malabi, a rosewater milk pudding made with rice, rice flour, sugar, and milk. It’s often served with pomegranate syrup, pistachios, and nuts. And for our vegan friends, there is always the option of a coconut milk-based Malabi. Try Hamalabia, a malabi stand in the flea market in Jaffa.

Knafeh

Foods and flavors are part of what makes touring in Israel an exhilarating experience and give you the best feel of the local Israeli culture. Everywhere you turn, there are new tastes to discover.

Join one of our daily tours in Israel and enjoy this beautiful country with our experienced guides. Dine on the best cuisine the Middle East has to offer. Take it from us, you’ll want to share Israel’s greatest tastes with everyone you love, and that’s exactly how Israeli food should be eaten.