Things to see and do Galilee

It is difficult, in the midst of traffic jams, groups of pilgrims and appels calls, to imagine what Nazareth could look like in Jesus'time. That is why you will have to go to Nazareth Village, a replica nature of a village of two thousand years ago. In addition to the houses, you will see animals and extras in costume costumes that will make you discover the methods, ways and customs (of the time) concerning agriculture, construction, cooking, etc. A visit both entertaining and informative, accompanied by very competent guides.

A superb place with several natural pools where you can bathe, including a hot water source. The water is at 28 ° C all year round. The lush vegetation, an old windmill and a small waterfall add to the charm of the place. Ideal for a break or to spend the day. Barbecues are available. Within the park, two other places are to be visited:

The Regional Mediterranean Archaeological Museum. This museum houses a collection of vases, pottery, statuettes, jewels… bequeathed by the Greek, Roman, Persian and Etruscan civilizations. You can also see objects discovered in the region dating back to the Neolithic.
The Tower and Stockade Site. Here you will see a reconstruction of the surveillance tower, the barracks and the barricades as they were erected in 1936, in order to protect Tel Amal (the name of the kibbutz) during the Arab revolt. Screening of a 10-minute film on the history of this revolt (1936 to 1939).

The name given to the Archaeological Park is a tribute to Ozer (Bertrand) Berkowitz, a former cleric of the city. Opened to the public in 2009 after long years of excavations, the site provides a better understanding of the history of the city, born in 18 BC, the numerous vestiges brought up from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The archaeological park also houses a large landscape park where playgrounds and family attractions have been installed. Outdoor shows are regularly scheduled.

Excavations carried out on the site allowed the traces of a city built 3 000 years BC to be updated, and on the foundations of which eighteen others were erected successively. Above all, there are Roman ruins, including those of a very well preserved amphitheatre which could accommodate 6 000 spectators (this one is somewhat apart from the main site), a colonnades route, a temple, a basilica, a nymphée, a Byzantine thermal baths, another theatre… Sound and light is presented several times a week in the evening.

A ancient city founded around 3000 BC (some archaeologists evoke between 7000 and 500 BC), Megiddo was located at a strategic location where it dominated major commercial and military routes. It was the scene of numerous battles, three of which were famous: in the 1918 th century BC (Canaanites-Egypt), in 609 BC (Josiah /Pharaon Nékao II) and in (British/Turkish). Archaeological excavations showed that the city was soundly fortified at different periods of its long history. The most impressive ruins are those of the walls whose design was exclusively attributed to King Solomon in the 70 th century BC as well as those of a irrigation system that connected the city to a source by a m long underground. Attention to the latter's visit: there are 183 steps to go down, 80 steps up and 600 meters to walk on foot to return to the site. A very didactic museum presents Megiddo as it had to be originally. There is a cafeteria on site. To be aware that Megiddo is still the subject of many controversies between archaeologists, notably about a triple-the door identical to those of Hazor and Guézer, attributed hastily to Solomon.

A few kilometres north of the natural reserve is Lake Hula, one of the best bird watching points in Israel. As in the nearby reserve, many birds stop there during migration. There are a majority of cranes, as well as countless pelicans, ducks, stork, outardes (hubara) and other volatiles. The circuit that turns around (8,5 km) can walk on foot, by bike, by electric car (Golf Car), or by Safari Wagon with a guide. The visit can also be done at night, also with a guide. Each year the site participates in the Hulla Valley Bird Festival.

It was Israel's first natural reserve, officially opened in 1964. The tour is on foot, on the various trails. You will find observatories, and binoculars will be free to help you to observe the local fauna, particularly abundant in winter, with countless cormorants, herons and ducks of all species coming from the north. Other migratory birds, such as pelicans, go further south and simply make a brief stop over their migration in the autumn. There is also an interesting visitor centre (Oforia Visitors Center) which presents local wildlife.

The Tel Dan Nature Reserve protects the Nahal Dan, one of the most important sources of the Jordan River along with the Nahal Banias. The humidity favours dense vegetation and visitors can swim in the natural pools formed by the watercourse. The place was once the northern boundary of the Kingdom of Israel. We can see the remains of the city of Leshem, a Canaanite city and religious centre of the pagan tribes of the North, where a golden calf is said to have been venerated. A black basalt stele from the 9th ^ou VIIIe century BC, known as the "Tel Dan stele", has been found on the site, which contains an inscription in Aramaic. It mentions the victory of King Hazael, or his son, King of Damascus, over the King of the Hebrews or the "House of David". For many archaeologists, this is the first and only identification of King David on an archaeological site to date.

The main attraction of this national park through the Tal Stream is the large natural basin formed by the waters of the river and where you can swim. He is also famous for his centuries-old oaks. The reserve is particularly beautiful in the spring when the flowers cover the ground. There is a campsite there.

This nature reserve is named after the Nahal Ayun, the tributary of the Jordan River. Take approximately 2 hours to tour the four waterfalls of the reserve, the most beautiful of which is more than 30 m high. Three observatories are available to see birds. You can also take a shorter walk, about 30 min from the parking lot from the bottom, which will allow you to see the great fall and an observatory. A pleasant walk.

Zippori was founded by Asmonéens in ii^e century BC. BC. the city was taken by the Romans, in 63 av. J. - C., and became the capital of Galilee under the reign of Herod. Later, it was occupied by the Arabs, then by the crusaders, who built a fortress here. The site preserves the ruins of the Roman city, mainly an amphitheatre and hydraulic remains of facilities (tanks, aqueduct). The excavations also helped emit magnificent Byzantine mosaics, of which was nicknamed the "Mona Lisa of Galilee."

Mount Arbel is a cliff overlooking 390 metres on the west shore of Lake Tiberias. The area was declared a natural reserve in 1967. Located on the Arbel plateau, the national park and reserve are crossed by the Israel National Trail, which is part of the Jesus Trail (Nazareth - Bazaar). In the north and below the plateau, you can see the passage of the Nahal Arbel, which takes its source near Eilabun and flows into Lake Tiberias, near Migdal. His route follows the talweg between Mount Arbel and Mount Nitay, also located in the national park and reserve but inaccessible to the public.

In addition to a number of exceptional views on the lake (including Kinneret Lookout and Carob Lookout), there is a cliff-on-cliff fortress in the 37 th century, probably by Ali Beq, son of the Amir Fahr ad-Din, as well as eight caves of caves that served as refuge for the Jews during their revolt against Herod in BC. during the rebellion against the Romans in 63 after J-C. Several hiking circuits of different levels of difficulty are properly marked. In the Moshav Arbel, the remains of a synagogue used between the th and th centuries of our era are not missing.

The park adjacent to the Bazaar site does not give access to ancient sites. Nevertheless, a beautiful walk through the green spaces dotted with olive trees allows to reach a central building and a pier with a beautiful view of Lake Tiberias. The building houses an information kiosk. Sale of refreshments and small outdoor terrace. The park is crossed by the Kinneret Trail (60 km) and the Kinneret Bike Trail (120 km), which makes it possible to walk around the lake or by bike.