Journey through Northern Israel

We returned just over a week ago from a wonderful trip to northern Israel. The five of us had previously visited Jerusalem on a three-day trip, so this time, Audry, Stephanie and I (all on break) headed towards the Mediterranean coast to journey through northern Israel.

Crossing the border didn’t take long at all – just under 2 ½ hrs. – one never knows how long this process will take. It actually took us almost as long to pick up our rental car in Jerusalem! While waiting for all the paperwork to get filled out, I happened to meet four guys from Mexico. It was nice to hear a little bit about their adventures as they traveled the world together. They had just come from Egypt, and two of them were in India before that.

From there it was on to Tel Aviv. We arrived in time to check out the Carmel Market as the vendors began to wrap up the afternoon in preparation for Shabbat. We had read that this was

the best time to get good deals and indeed it was. It then got a little crazy and we grabbed some falafel sandwiches and head to the beach to watch the sunset over the the Mediterranean Sea.

As the Sabbath began, we walked through Tel Aviv a bit and then

headed to see the Hoyer family. They live just north of Tel Aviv in Herzylia. We had dinner with them that night and they were very kind to welcome us in their home for the Sabbath.

On Saturday morning we enjoyed a great brunch which included homemade cinnamon rolls, then listened to a sermon. In the afternoon went to Caesarea, along the coast of the Mediterranean

where we enjoyed seeing the ruins of the amazing port that Herod

the Great built there. Then we returned to the Hoyer’s home and enjoyed an evening of great conversations and a fantastic pomegranate dessert wine.

On Sunday we drove up to Haifa, stopping at Mount Carmel where the view of the mountains next to the coast was amazing. We then found Eshkol Tower, located at the top of Mount Carmel, and went up to the 30th floor where we enjoyed an incredible view of the city of Haifa. We continued into

Haifa to the Baha'i Gardens,

and even though we could not get in a tour as they were fully booked, we saw the gardens from the top of the hill and from the bottom (from the German Colony). We enjoyed a walk along the beach in Haifa and then drove up to Nazareth.

In Nazareth, we visited the Church of the Assumption, which is on the presumed grounds where Mary’s house was, and presumably near Joseph’s house. That night we drove to Tiberias where we spent the next two nights. On Monday morning we headed towards

Capernaum and saw the ruins of the city.

Then we went in search of the pomegranate winery (introduced to us by the Hoyers), which did not seem to be too far according to our maps. Well, after an hour and a half and three text messages welcoming us to Lebanon (we did not cross any borders!), we found Rimon Winery! It turns out it was only about 15 minutes away! We did not mind the journey as it took us through the beautiful mountainous area of northern Galilee and even gave us a glimpse of

the snow-capped peak of Mount Hermon. We stopped at the Mount of Beatitudes before heading back to Tiberias.

After Stephanie and Audry enjoyed the natural hot springs, we had a

great dinner enjoying the famous “St. Peter’s fish”. It was great to be in the places where we know Jesus walked, and taught, and performed so many miracles. It is a beautiful, peaceful place along the Sea of Galilee. It is no wonder Jesus spent spent so much time there.

On Tuesday morning we drove down towards Jerusalem through the Jordan valley where we could see all kinds of fruit trees and greenery. It was amazing to drive along the valley because we were able to see with our own eyes what God described in the

Bible as the Promised Land! It was so green and beautiful that it brings those words in the Bible to life with a land that truly flows with milk and honey!

It was an amazing experience to go up on Mount Gilboa and see the Jordan valley, and since it was the beginning of the rainy

season, it was all unbelievably green. That was truly the highlight

of our trip.

That same day we returned to Jerusalem; we returned the rental

car and spent a few hours in the Old City before heading back across the border. It was indeed a great trip and the memories we have of the Promised Land will be with us the rest of our lives.

-Eduardo