Israel

This is the country where the events described in Scripture took place. Israel is a land of seas, mountains, horizonless desert, verdant trees, cardamom-scented city streets and a land where history has been written for thousands of years.

Among the places to visit is Jerusalem, an ancient city of importance not only for Christians but also for Jews and Muslims. The city's status is disputed, and while Israel controls the entire city and has declared Jerusalem its capital, this is not recognised by a number of Muslim countries. The city is a real treasure, where you will have the chance to see the Dome of the Rock Temple, the oldest surviving Islamic architectural structure. The Red Wall, part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount, visited by millions of tourists every year. It has become a tradition to write a note and insert it into a crack in the Wailing Wall. Another attraction is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the most important building in Jerusalem for Christians, and one of the places where Jesus was not only crucified and buried, but also resurrected.

The Dead Sea is a salt lake in Israel and Jordan, whose salts are often used for healing. The site, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year, although it is called a sea, is in fact morphologically a lake, as it has no direct connection to the ocean. The name Dead Sea was given to the lake by the Romans. No river flows out of this sea, and the desert heat causes the water to evaporate quickly, making it very salty. The air at the Dead Sea is highly oxygenated and the hot mineral springs, sea water and bromine-laden air are said to improve mood. The Dead Sea is home to many health centres, as well as hotels with seawater pools, mud baths and health clubs.

Tel Aviv is a major city in Israel, located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is Israel's largest port city and is also known as a financial and commercial centre. In 2003, Tel Aviv's 'White Stake' district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has magnificent gardens and parks.

Nazareth is the largest city in all of Israel. Nazareth is also considered the Arab capital of Israel, as the vast majority of the city's population is Arab. The city is located in a ravine surrounded by hills. The city centre is inhabited by Arabs, while Jews have settled in a new area on a hill. The city is significant for the Christian faith community because Jesus Christ spent his childhood and youth there. Nazareth is the place of the Annunciation and Incarnation.

Haifa is Israel's third-largest city, located on the Mediterranean coast on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is a ridge adjacent to the city, whose name is associated with the prophet Elijah in the First Book of Kings. The magnificent panoramic view from the top of the mountain and the lush vegetation have made Mount Carmel an image of beauty. Nowadays, a church belonging to the Carmelite monks stands on the hill. Haifa's city centre is the spectacular Bahai Gardens, with their meticulously maintained terraces. The 19 terraces cover a total length of more than a kilometre. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens are one of the most visited tourist attractions.

Bethlehem is a West Bank city just outside Jerusalem, now part of the Palestinian Authority. It is the birthplace of Christ and the burial place of Rachel, and is known as the City of David. The city is important for both Christians and Jews.

Caesarea was the ancient residence of Roman procurators and the most important port in Palestine. Its former grandeur is reflected in the city's remaining fortifications, the Acropolis vaults of Herod's time, the theatre, the Byzantine shopping street and the aqueduct in the north of the city. When the Crusaders settled in Caesarea in the 12th century, they left behind the fortress walls. Interestingly, the Holy Grail, the most precious relic of the Christian world in the form of a chalice, is thought to have been found here.

Food - Food policy has traditionally been dominated by a division between kosher (permitted) and treif (forbidden) products. Kosher foods are plant products, including sheep, goat, beef, venison, poultry and fish (with scales, fins and a developed backbone). Pork, rabbit and all game meat, seafood and similar products are prohibited. Dairy and meat products must not be eaten together. Meat must never be fried in butter.

Popular dishes in Israel include falafels, hummus, shakshuka, couscous, burek, tahina, "Jewish meat", meorav ierushalmi, eggplant salad with mayonnaise, lentil soup, fried tilapia, rugelach and tahini cookies.

Israel has a very strong coffee-drinking culture, and Turkish coffee is sometimes flavoured with cardamom. Tea is also a favourite. The more popular alcoholic drinks are arrack, beer and, of course, Israeli wine.

What's for dinner? We recommend bringing olive oil, Israeli wine, Dead Sea salt products, dates, tahini and coffee.