Things to see and do Israel

It is impressive and imposing, so it's not surprising to learn that it is the largest synagogue in Israel. It was inaugurated in 1926. In the 1930s, Ze'ev Rechter, a member of the Bauhaus movement in Israel, added an arcade to it. The synagogue was renovated in 1970. It was at this time that the famous concrete arches, which have since become emblematic of the building, were added, giving it its modernist side. Don't miss the stained glass windows, replicas of stained glass windows from European synagogues destroyed during the Shoah

This former train station, which operated the line between Jerusalem and Jaffa from 1892 to 1948, was bought by the town council in 2005. At the time, it was derelict and the city decided to give it a second life. The buildings have been renovated and are now home to trendy stores, cafés and restaurants. There are several buildings of particular interest: the former railway station, whose architecture is influenced by the ^19th-century European Templar style, as is the Villa, and the Wieland family home right next door to the factory of the same name.

Site of the Israeli Tourism Office in France. Site in French.

The Embassy of France in Israel. All contacts and a panorama of Franco-Israeli relations, in cultural, scientific, economic and commercial terms.

Tel Arad is an important archaeological site, with the remains of a Canaanite city and fortresses from the time of the kings of Judah. The Canaanite city is said to have been abandoned around 2600 BC, for reasons that are still unknown. The site remained deserted for around 1,500 years, until the beginning of the Israelite period. It was during this period that several fortresses were erected to defend the kingdom of Judah from incursions from the south. The remains of a Hellenistic fortress (^4th-1st c. BC) have also been discovered here.

When the border between Jordan and Israel was first set in 1992 in the middle of the Jordan bed, some cultivated land was on the Jordanian side. They were finally left to Israel in 1994, in exchange for other land. The road to peace allows to discover some of these lands. The route starts from the Moshav Idan (Iddan), passing through the Moshav Hatseva (Hatzeva) and then closer to the Jordanian border before ending at the mohsav Ein Yahav, near road No. 90 towards Eilat. It is 24 km. There are farms and beautiful views of the Jordanian mountains. This route is also signposted for cyclists. To see on track: Peace Scenic Lookout, at the corner of Badlands Road, opened in 1998, has the names of the generous donors and Hufira Scenic Lookout near Ein Yahav.

Orit Zeidman is an internationally renowned artist. From Tel Aviv, his art gallery presents works to the revolutionary concept: His talent is expressed in his unique ability to link the art of painting with the environment. This is a dialogue, which can also lead to original and personalized works. Many awards have rewarded his work.

Just south of Kalia Beach, it retains the same spirit as nearby establishments, with plenty of space, old-fashioned facilities (plastic chairs, umbrellas), a small sandy beach, a store to buy cosmetics and a place to slather on the mud. There's also a restaurant, a children's pool and changing rooms. The entrance fee of 85 NIS seems a little steep considering the quality of services on offer, but it's still more pleasant than its neighbors. It's also possible to pitch a tent.

The private beach is managed by the Biankini Resort, founded in 2002 and unfortunately little maintained since... The resort offers rooms and bungalows for rent, as well as a camping area. Access to the beach is subject to a fee for visitors not staying at the hotel, and it's true that 80 NIS is a bit steep for the services on offer. As the resort is located high up, a staircase leads down to the beach on a wide wooden pontoon. The beach is equipped with toilets, showers, deckchairs and a snack bar.

This kibbutz was founded in 1957. Today, its 600 kibboutzniks produce fruits (mangoes, dates…) and vegetables, and produce more than 60% of Israeli dairy products. The kibbutz visited. There is a restaurant and a shop that sells local products. Yotvata enjoys the tourist attraction of the Hai Bar reserve, a few kilometres south.

The Red Sea Desert Information Centre, which depends on the Eilot Regional Council, can help you organize your visits to the southern part of the Arava Valley, between Yotvata and Eilot.

This cave, discovered accidentally in 1854, was identified as the one by which King Zedekiah (Zedekias), the last king of Judah, tried to flee to Jericho before the Chaldéennes armies, before the destruction of the First Temple. The cave is also known as the "Solomon quarry" because stones extracted here would have been used to build the Temple of King Solomon.

A cable car lets you get down to the caves with a breathtaking view of the reefs and the sea. Take advantage of it, the journey is barely 1 min… At the bottom of the cliff, a tunnel, built in 1968, gives access to cavities dug in limestone by marine erosion. It is a small maze: 200 m of underground galleries, perfectly practicable, where the sea and. Sometimes, corridors lead to gaping holes where, winter, large waves flow without warning. Near the tunnel dug for the crossing of the railway to Lebanon, a "sound and light" projection is regularly distributed and traced the historic history of the sites. The film lasts 15 minutes and is subtitled in several languages. On Saturdays and days of celebration, you can take a 40-minute walk on a small train along the coast.

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.

The Underwater Observatory houses a panoramic glass room 4 metres below sea level, from which you can admire countless multicoloured fish. If you still haven't had your fill of the Red Sea, the park's extensive aquariums will add to the list of wildlife on display. Children will undoubtedly enjoy seeing the turtles, rays and sharks, and touching some of the fish in the tanks.

The Eilat coral reef stretches for over 1 km along the western coast of the Gulf. It is a natural underwater reserve for around a hundred species of coral, as well as numerous multicolored fish. The water is crystal-clear, and coral and fish are perfectly visible at shallow depths. You don't need a tank - just a mask, snorkel and flippers ("snorkeling"). If you haven't brought your own, you can rent them on site. Caution: avoid contact with the coral, and don't dive barefoot: the coral cuts.

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.

In addition to its strategic military position, due to its proximity to the Syrian border (Damascus is only 50 km away!), the Golan has another major asset: its water. Several tributaries of the Jordan have their source here, and 35% of the country's water supply comes from this region. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon, this nature reserve on the border between the Upper Galilee and the Golan is home to the Nahal Banias. This river, one of the main sources of the Jordan River along with the Nahal Dan, forms an impressive 10 m-high waterfall a few kilometers away. Nearby is a cave that once served as a temple to the Greek god Pan, hence its first name: Paneas or Paneas, transformed into Banias or Baniyas. The best time to admire the waterfall is in spring, when the snow melts.

The reserve is also home to a number of historic mills, used to grind grain and produce flour. For example, the Matrouf flour mill is still in operation, used by the villagers of Mas'ada and En Kiniya, and can be visited. There are other ruined mills along the creek (the Um Ra'i mill near Nahal Sa'ar, and the Al-Mahadeh and Sab'ah mills near the waterfall). The site also features Roman ruins, from the time when the town of Caesarea Philippi stood here, and ruins dating from the Crusader era.

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.

Located between Gamla and Qatzrin, the superb Yehudiya woodland reserve and its waterfalls will delight hikers of all levels. Some of them are designed for the more athletic, involving abseiling or swimming. Such is the case of the Gorge Noire trail, which follows the canyon carved out by the Zavitan River along a series of abseiling waterfalls. It's a popular nature reserve for campers, as you can legally pitch your tent here.

The scattered ruins of Gamla's fortifications, now protected in the national park, were discovered during the Six-Day War. The town takes its name from the Hebrew word "gamal", or camel, in reference to the hill on which it is situated, which evokes the shape of a camel's rump. The site is known as the Masada of the North: in 67 AD, 5,000 of its inhabitants threw themselves into the void rather than surrender to the Romans. This episode, and the seven-month siege that preceded it, were recounted by the Jewish writer Flavius Josephus. To reach the ruins, follow a path up the hillside. At the entrance to the site are the remains of a ^1st-century synagogue, one of the oldest ever discovered.

Gamla is also famous for the many vultures that nest on the cliffs. Another remarkable natural feature is Israel's highest waterfall (51 metres), which flows all year round, and which you can reach by taking a path that passes close to a field of dolmens built by nomads who inhabited the Golan 4,000 years ago! These burial mounds date back to the Bronze Age: they consist of two stone blocks set perpendicular to the ground, topped by a horizontal slab. Together, they resemble heavy stone tables. Given their size and number, archaeologists assume that these dolmens were used to bury members of the elite only.

Unearthed in the 1970s-1980s, the ruins of ancient Qatzrin have been restored and the village reconstituted in this pleasant little park. On display are a ^3rd-century synagogue and a number of reconstructed houses featuring ancient domestic utensils and farming implements. Figures in historical dress demonstrate traditional farming techniques, manipulating the grape or olive press to produce wine and olive oil. An audiovisual presentation is available on request.

This superb 5,000 m² cave, also known as Avshalom Cave or Soreq Cave, is one of Israel's national parks. Discovered by chance in 1968, thanks to an explosion in a quarry, it contains stalactites, stalagmites and other original formations, some of which are said to date back 300,000 years. After watching a film on the formation of the caves, the visit is made in groups: it is necessarily accompanied by a guide.

It was in these caves that the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, carefully preserved in hermetically sealed clay jars. After the first discovery in 1947, all the caves in the region were meticulously excavated, uncovering extracts from 970 manuscripts in a dozen caves: among these are the oldest Hebrew writings of the Old Testament ever discovered. This is a major discovery of the ^20th century, the Holy Grail for theologians and historians of all persuasions. After half a century of twists and turns, these fragmented scrolls have finally been deciphered and published. In 2017, researchers found a new cave containing more scrolls. In 2018, hitherto undeciphered scrolls were interpreted by researchers, shedding new light on the mysterious religious community of the Essenes, a mystical Jewish sect that retreated to these desolate mountains in the late ^2nd century BC.

The manuscripts were first attributed to them: it was long thought that the Essene community, before being destroyed by the Romans in 68 AD, had time to cleverly hide the manuscripts in these jars. But the Essene thesis is increasingly being challenged by archaeologists and their scientific advances.

The story of a discovery. In 1947, a Bedouin discovered jars in a cave containing leather scrolls that were surprisingly well preserved. According to legend, he had come there in search of a lost goat. He found the first Dead Sea Scrolls, without realizing the importance of his discovery. The first excavations at the site began in 1951. In 1956, a team from the École Biblique et Archéologique Française in Jerusalem, led by Father Roland de Vaux, uncovered the nearby Essene archaeological site and discovered, in other caves (notably Cave 4), some 800 additional manuscripts, mostly on parchment but also on papyrus, mainly in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, but also in Greek. Only a dozen scrolls were more or less intact: for all the others, a puzzle had to be put together from tens of thousands of fragments.

A priceless discovery. The oldest biblical text uncovered at Qumran is probably a fragment of a scroll from the Books of Samuel, dating from the late ^3rd century BC.

But the major discovery of the site is the world-famous Book of Isaiah. It is the oldest known complete Hebrew manuscript of a biblical book. The text is written in 54 columns on 17 sheets of leather sewn end-to-end, with a total length of around 7.30 m. The book was made in the ^2nd century BC.

With the exception of the Book of Esther, all the books of the canonical Jewish Bible have been found in these caves, some in multiple copies. To these must be added apocryphal writings, not recognized by Jewish or Christian canons: the Book of Enoch, an apocalyptic text from the ^2nd century BC, in Aramaic; the apocryphal Book of Genesis in Aramaic; the Book of Jubilees, a Hebrew text that goes from Genesis to the giving of the Law to Moses; the Prayer of Nabonides, a Babylonian king saved by a Jewish exorcist, also in Aramaic, and so on. Last but not least, specific Essene texts: the Rule of the Community, a Rule of War, the Temple Scroll (describing the future Temple), the Damascus Document (recounting the exile of the persecuted Essenes in Syria), hymns, blessings, hymns and commentaries on the prophetic books (Habakkuk, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Hosea). Some of these manuscripts are now on display in the "Sanctuary of the Book" at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Others are in the Rockefeller Museum and the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, also in Jerusalem. Still others are at the Department of Antiquities museum in Amman, Jordan, and at the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris. The Sanctuary of the Book preserves the first three scrolls discovered in 1947: the Book of Isaiah, a commentary on the Book of Habakkuk and a community discipline manual.

The scrolls today. Fifteen years ago, 75% of the manuscripts were still unknown: differences between researchers, the religious prejudices of some, but also the reluctance of the Catholic Church, which until 1990 had a virtual monopoly on deciphering and translating the manuscripts, to publish the results of this research, clearly held back scientific progress. The end of this monopoly has enabled research to be relaunched. In 1991, a pirate edition of most of the manuscript photographs was published in the USA. Shortly afterwards, the Israeli authorities decided to give free access to all the manuscripts. Hence, in 1993, the microfiche edition of all the photographs. Since the 1990s, more deciphered texts have been published than in the previous forty years, and more or less exhaustive translations of the manuscripts are now widely available. But the difficult work of examining and deciphering these scrolls continues to this day. The latest technologies are opening up new opportunities to advance our knowledge of these texts, in particular through DNA studies of the skins used for the parchments, which could help determine their origin.

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."

" La petite Suisse "is part of Carmel National Park and is located west of the road between Haifa and Oussafia, near Haifa University. One part houses the Hai Bar Nature Reserve. You can admire splendid cliffs and ravines that plunge into a diverse Mediterranean forest, one of the most beautiful in the region. From the rest areas, it is possible to access very pleasant trails that cross wooded areas.

This national park, which occupies almost the entire Carmel Forest, is one of Israel's largest. It is accessible via Haifa University (to the north), Route No. 4 (to the west, near Atlit), Moshav Elyakim (to the south) and Nesher (to the northeast). It is home to splendid Mediterranean vegetation and wildlife. Activities include hiking along the many streams that criss-cross the Carmel, the Hai-Bar nature reserve and wilderness camping.

Those arriving by car can easily access the entrance to the Shchoret Canyon (or Black Canyon), which is on the Israel National Trail. Halfway along the track leading to the pillars of Amram, take on the left another track marked in green. At the end of the road, a marked green trail is made between the 20 m high walls. There's only sandstone, but also the older black granite and, further, the outflow of the gorge, white chalk, younger. Then leave green tags for red tags on the right, which reach a large point of view on the Vallée valley. Continue on the trail marked in red to a second point of view. From this one, follow on the right, south, the black tags that go back to the parking lot. Count 2 hours of round trip.

From the road 90 from Eilat, take on the left a track marked in blue. After 6 km the track ends with a parking lot. 5 min walk leads to the geological formation of the pillars of Amram. It is a high "fée" carved in sandstone by hydraulic erosion on the western cliff of a circus that is the foothills of Eilat mountains. In the plain, you may see gazelles dorcas. It is better to have a car to visit this site: The bus from Eilat will only leave you at the entrance of the track.

The Red Canyon is the framework of one of the most beautiful trails of the National Mountain Park of Eilat. By bus, on the line linking Eilat and Return Ramon, ask the driver to drop you at the intersection of the track leading to the entrance of the site (indicated by a sign on the edge of road No. 12). From there, walk around 1,5 km to reach the parking lot. You will then have 1 km of extra walking to reach the interesting part of the canyon. If you are by car, directly reach the parking by the track (or pre-park if the floor is too sandy). The trail is marked in green, blue and black. The green course does not require more than 1 hour round-trip. It goes to the bottom of narrow gorges where you can find a large part of the day.

Road No. 12 reaches at the top of Mount Hizkiyyahu at 838 m above sea level. From here, views of Eilat Mountains and, beyond, the valley of Arava to the East. To the west, Egypt: the old road of Mecca, the Montagnes mountains and the grey sand plain called the Moon Valley. Unfortunately, this part is inaccessible and visible from the road.

After crossing the Filter Border Crossing area and starting along the Egyptian border, a small lane on the right leads to the region's sole source: Ein Filter, i. e. the "source of the drops" because the pond is fed by almost a drip. A 4 x 4 is required. To access the pond, park on the parking lot and follow the signposted trail. Less than one kilometre later, you will arrive at the source, sheltered at the bottom of the Nefatim Oued and preserved from the intense evaporation by the shadow of the cliffs surrounding it. The pond fills more extensively in the rainy season when a waterfall falls along the wall. Upstream, another small mare was set up by British soldiers. There is a marked trail in black. The best time to visit ponds is dawn or late afternoon: You can then marvel at gazelles, rock damans or gangas to the water. Take a 30 minute walk for this walk.

You will find impressive views of the road No 12, which runs along the Egyptian border to the north and climbs over the Gulf by crawling between the mountains of Eilat to the west and the Montagnes mountains to the east, in Egypt. It is the former pilgrim route (El al-Hajj) from Cairo to Mecca by the Sinai Desert and Aqaba, traced by the Sultan of Egypt, Mahmoud Ibn Beautiful, in the early th century. From the road itself, the view extends over the blue Gulf and, basically, the Jordanian mountains, all red at sunset. From Eilat and after a great turn, a small road on the right leads to Mount Yeroham Lookout. The view is magnificent on the Gulf, the city of Aqaba and the town of Eilat.

To the northeast, Mount Scopus( Hebrew:Har HaTsofim ) towers 820 m above the Holy City, offering a superb view of the Old City and the Judean hills. This strategic point was used by all the armies that attempted to conquer Jerusalem. The British cemetery is located here, where the soldiers who fell in 1917 are buried. Today, however, it is primarily a university center, with the campus of the Hebrew University, founded in 1925. Mount Scopus is also home to Israel's most important botanical garden, and the tomb of Nicanor of Alexandria.

This art teaching centre offers courses and workshops for all ages and organizes cultural events throughout the year. It is located in a beautiful renovated building dating back to the Ottoman era.

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.

While there are no more traces of the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah on route no. 90 than on the plateau overlooking the road (Ami'az Plateau), a large pillar of salt is indicated here, presented as "Lot's wife". According to the Old Testament, Lot's wife was petrified when she looked back during her flight from Sodom. It stands at the entrance to an abandoned salt grotto (Sodom Cave), which has not been visited since a recent collapse, for safety reasons.

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.

Makhtesh Ramon is a spectacular 500-metre deep geological formation, stretching 40 km long and 9 km wide in the middle of the Negev, next to the city of Return Ramon. It is one of the five makhteshim in the region (Makhtesh Ramon, Makhtesh Gadol, Makhtesh Katan and two minor makhteshim). Commonly known as craters, they are actually circuses of karst erosion that all fall under the same training process.

Originally, there was a mountain where the summit, following the seismic activity of the African Syrian fault, found itself in an asymmetrical way. The rains entrainèrent surface erosion and sides and created, by infiltration, underground cavities. The movement of water inside the cavities thus formed façonna a karst landscape whose tender rocks under the cap were gradually evacuated. The hard rocks of the summit écroulèrent under their weight and were swept by a oued, the Nahal Ramon. The soil contains a wide variety of rocks, minerals and colorful sands, but also fossils. In the crater and surrounding area, some plants extract from quartz, clay, but mainly gypsum. The fauna and flora, desert type, are very diverse.

A leaflet named Makhtesh Ramon Nature Reserve, available at Return Ramon Visitor Center and also downloadable on the park site, contains details of the walks and hikes that make it possible to discover the crater. Durations vary from 1 hour to 3 days and relate to all levels of difficulty. About 12 km from Return Ramon, in the heart of the crater, a nomadic camp welcomes visitors, including for the night.

Mount Sodom is located south-west of the Dead Sea and is part of the Judean Desert Nature Reserve. This mountain range consisting of salt rock (halite) extends about 8 km long and 5 km wide, 226 m above the Dead Sea but at an altitude of 170 below sea level, as usually understood. Take 5 km on a very hilly road from Highway # 90 to Mount Sodom Lookout. From the edge above the Dead Sea, you enjoy an unparalleled view of the evaporation basins below. On the Jordanian side, the city of Es Sapi (Safi) and cultivated fields, the Jordanian potash plant, Jebel Safah (1 252 m, the most right) and Jebel Hanzira (1 225 m, opposite), are part of the Moab Mountains. A guidance table is available.

The tunnel that you can visit here was built for the periods Roman and Byzantine. It belongs to a vast system of water that fed Caesarea. From its source (Ein Tzabarin Springs) the system covered 23 km. You can venture in a restored part of this tunnel (280 metres) where water however rises up to 50 inches. A guide will accompany you but you must have a lamp, shoes and suitable clothing replacement. Before walk, a film about ten minutes in English is presented.

Odem Forest Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve on the Golan Heights. It features some 20 craters of varying sizes. Their formation dates back to volcanic activity several million years ago: they are thought to have been caused by an explosion following the meeting of cold underground water and magma burning on the surface. Big Juba is the largest crater ("juba" means "pit" in Arabic), 250 m in diameter and 60 m deep. It's a great place for the more athletically inclined, but the serenity of the setting is the main attraction.

A thermal spa in the desert, incredible but true! Taking 900 metres in depth, water for the four spa basins is particularly rich in minerals, a valuable ally to alleviate vascular problems. The centre offers various massages: Aromatherapy, reflexology, Ayurvedic, Thai… There is also a sauna and steam bath on site; In short, this centre has nothing to envy the Dead Sea Care Centre. A kosher in the garden and a kosher cafeteria ensure the cover and, as well, a part of the centre has been transformed into a lodge. 82 rooms with air conditioning, bathroom, kitchenette and satellite TV are available. Prices vary according to formulas and seasons.