Israel

Israel has a fascinating contrast between the ancient and sacred sites clustered in Jerusalem’s Old City – the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock shrine, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Wailing Wall – and the crisp, white architecture, beaches and wild nightlife of Tel Aviv. In the north, on the Mediterranean coastline and extending up the north slope of Mount Carmel lies Haifa, renowned for the immaculately landscaped Bahá’í Gardens with the gold-domed Shrine of the Báb proudly stood in their centre, and the shops, galleries and restaurants of the German Colony at their foot. Although Tel Aviv is renowned for its beaches on the Mediterranean coast, Israel is also popular for its sunny beaches and hotel resorts, SCUBA diving and water sports available on the Red Sea and the unique Dead Sea, famous for its buoyancy and medicinal qualities.