Places of Interest
|
Eco-Tourism in Northern Israel The
City of David Boutique
Wineries in Israel
Entrepreneurs in the Golan Heights
The "White City"
Cinematrix High Tech Cinema The Menahem Begin
Heritage Center Tourism in the
Old City of Jerusalem Ein Hod, Unique Artists Colony
Struggle for
Russian Jewry on Show Eco-tourism in Southern Israel |
Some aspects of Israel's "Green Revolution" are well known such as the increased use of solar power, water conservation and electric cars,
but not many people are aware of the possiblility of enviromentally friendly travel to the land of the bible. It's called "Eco-Tourism" and appeals to
ecologically conscious people, both travelers and service providers. Israel up close takes a look at some of Israel's exclusive "Eco-Tourism" sites in the Galilee.
The
City of David, Jerusalem of the biblical era,
is set on a hill below the Temple Mount. This ancient sacred city,
left in ruins for centuries, is being slowly transformed into a peaceful
community of Arabs and Jews. As its name implies, the city was founded
by ancient Israel’s King David and is an area rich in archeological
treasures of the biblical period. After the destruction of the second
Temple, its Jewish inhabitants were forcibly evicted, but today, nearly
2,000 years later, the Jewish community is being rebuilt. Running
time: 3.35 minutes
The
Judean Hills are rich in history, beauty and, thanks to Israel’s
entrepreneurial spirit, wine. The wine-making roots of this region date
back to biblical times when local growers manufactured their product for
local consumption and use in the Jewish Temple. Thousands of years later,
the ancient art of wine-making in this region, which lies only minutes
from Jerusalem, has gone high-tech, led by three boutique wineries, Ella
Valley, Seahorse and Domaine du Castel. Each
approaches his craft from a unique perspective but each is out to make
the
best tasting wines in
the world. Running time: 6.37 minutes
Nimrod is a relatively new Golan Heights community on the slopes of Mount Hermon, Israel’s tallest peak. Awed by the beauty of the landscape and the chill of the winter, the families who call the small village home share more than just a love of nature. Each of Nimrod’s families brought their unique entrepreneurial energies to the area. There’s a small bed & breakfast, a restaurant and an artist and his gallery. Each contributes a special element to life in Nimrod and has made the area a favorite get-away for Israelis and tourists alike.
Running time: 5.19 minutes
Tel Aviv is Israel’s cultural center and home to a majority of the country’s citizens. It also hosts the largest collection of buildings built in the Bauhaus, or International, architectural style, created in Germany in the 1920s. European architects, fleeing the Nazis, arrived in Tel Aviv and found a growing city in search of a look. They put their Old World training to use in Israel’s new city. The United Nations declared Tel Aviv a “World Heritage Site,” an honor many in the city hope will spur the refurbishment of many of the Bauhaus buildings. The Bauhaus style is known for its clean lines, angular structures and open floor plans, all of which gave Tel Aviv its nickname, The White City. Running
time: 2.21 minutes
Cinema lovers can now smell a good movie when they see one. At the
Cinematrix in Haifa, the audience experiences "sensurround" in the
fullest sense, including aroma, sound, moving seats ("smart chairs"),
air, water, smoke, 3-D glasses and the feeling of traveling through
space at astonishing speeds, almost touching the planets as they fly
out of the screen. The technology allows each viewer to actually
influence the action by remote control and revolutionize the way one
watches movies. Cinematrix is Israel's contribution to the world of Cinema.
Running time: 3:10 minutes, infocomm-smart theater
One of Jerusalem's newer landmarks is The Menahem Begin Heritage Center dedicated to presenting insight into the life and times of Israel's sixth Prime Minister, Menahem Begin. However, besides the impressive museum and library,
the main goal of the institute is to serve as an educational and research center for aspiring young leaders. One unique program
offers Israeli youth, Jews and Arabs alike, a new and innovative way of learning about parliamentary
democracy.
The Old City of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount and Arab Market, still tops the list of Israel's tourist destinations. Recent statistics show that the volume of foreign visitors to the walled neighborhood is rising steadily and will soon reach record numbers. Israeli tourism is also on the rise. Local tour guides and merchants speak of renewed prosperity based on feelings of security and co-existence in the mixed Quarter. Running time: 2:47 minutes
Israeli artists have been have been shaking up the international art scene in growing numbers over the last decade and their works can be found in the world's top museums and exhibition halls. The uniqueness of this village is, you have to be an artist to reside there.
It's been called the spark that set in motion the collapse of the Soviet Union, and prompted that country’s historic transformation to a free society. An exhibition on the epic history of Russian Jewry's struggle for freedom is on display in Tel Aviv’s Beth Hatefutsot (Museum of the Jewish Diaspora). Called "Jews of Struggle," the show marks the 40th anniversary of the movement which changed the history of Israel and the rest of the world, bringing freedom and new beginnings to millions. We interview Natan Sharansky, who gives us his insights into this historic exodus that brought almost one million Russian Jews to Israel, including many elderly Holocaust survivors. 
The South abounds in sites where committed Israelis have established resorts to teach about and live the principles of green and sustainable living. Visit a resort on a 2,000 year old spice route, where the hosts model their behavior after the patriarch Abraham. Enroll in a kibbutz that teaches the principles of green living and design. Stay at a village and at a moshav, all living green and energy conserving lives, and offering their expertise to eco-travellers. (running time 7:09 minutes)
Copyright ©2005 IsraelUpClose. All rights reserved