Israel

by Samantha Wilson

• ISBN13: 9781841622712
• ISBN10: 1841622710
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2009-03-17
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

Israel is a country whose turbulent history stands alongside its rich cultural heritage and outstanding natural beauty. The spiritual centre of three world religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, this new Bradt guide provides in-depth detail on key religious sites of interest to pilgrims. Go scuba-diving in the seaside town of Eilat, visit the green valleys and mountains of the Golan Heights or float in the country's famous salt lake, the Dead Sea. Plenty of practical details on culture, language, local tours, flights and visas make the Bradt guide a comprehensive and up-to-date choice for visitors to this popular destination in the Middle East.

Author Biography

Samantha Wilson lives in Tel Aviv and has fully explored both Israel and the neighboring countries.  She writes for a variety of publications including a current affairs magazine.

Excerpts

Nazareth
Nazareth - Israel’s largest Arab city - rests atop, between and around five round hills that form the end of the Galilee Mountains presiding over the Jezreel Valley below. Outside the country, it is probably most well known as being the childhood home of Jesus and a site for pilgrims over the last two thousand years. Religious and historic sites centre around the Old City in the heart of Nazareth, where preconceived images of quaint cobbled stone alleys and bustling markets are fully realised. Outside the Old City however, Nazareth is a hectic, modern and vibrant Arab city where the aromas of strong coffee, spices and sweets drift along the streets, where women sport traditional Jalabeye coats, and where the loud chatter and the sounds of car horns dull only marginally at prayer times. With a population of 60,000 – 60% of whom are Muslim – there is an undeniable and refreshing feel of unity, where two major religions are co-existing in relative success. Incomparably to many other Arab Israelis and certainly Palestinians living in the West Bank, the people of Nazareth are content with their situation, where Arab life and culture most certainly prevail. Modest dress is highly recommended - particularly for women - both in the Old City and outside.
 

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Excerpted from Israel by Samantha Wilson
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