Golan Heights
No visit to Israel is complete without a tour to the volcanic plateau of the Golan Heights. Strategically situated above the Jewish Galilee communities and nestled along the Syrian disengagement line, the Golan Heights is our backdrop for understanding the geopolitical realities of the modern Middle East. We will also explore the remnants of Jewish settlement from the 3-6th centuries as we learn about the modern day communities.
This unique region is an integral part of the agricultural and industrial and cultural landscape of Israel. Wet, windy winters provide water for the man-made reservoirs which in turn serve the vineyards, orchards, and some 40,000 residents, before filtering down to the Sea of Galilee, below. The plateau provides grassy fields for herds of cattle and a rocky natural habitat for vultures. The deep canyons offer a shaded, cool respite and waterfalls for year-round hikers.
Golan stops can include: A Druze village, the view from Mt. Bental overlooking Syria, a taste of Golan wines, the Mishnaic (3rd c.) city of Katzrin, and olive oil factory, an ancient synagogue, a water-hike, fruit-picking, chocolate making…there’s more!
Galilee
One of the most diverse regions of Israel is the Galilee. The Upper Galilee, bordering Lebanon, is home to dozens of small communities including some of Israel’s minority groups (Maronites, Circassians, Druze, Bedouin, etc). Here, between natural forests and olive groves we can encounter a Crusader castle, a sculpture garden, or a hi-tech park. Quaint Safed, the Jewish spiritual center famous for the authors who wrote of the Kabbalah and the words to “Lecah Dodi”, is notable for its winding alleys and fabulous art shops and galleries. Further south, the Lower Galilee is the cradle of early Christianity, with Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee inspiring thousands of pilgrims.
The Galilee truly has something for everyone: Archaeology, history, industry & agriculture, ecological innovations, extreme sports, religious significance, and every type of community.