Monday, March 21, 2016

The Latest Travel News From Israel

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS FROM ISRAEL 

#VisitIsrael
ISRAEL DRAWS CROWDS FOR EASTER
Tens of thousands of Christians are celebrating Holy Week this week in Israel, leading up to Easter, to visit the places described in the New Testament firsthand. The Catholic Holy Week officially began on March 20th with the celebration of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Highlights of the day included the solemn mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher with the Blessing of the Palms and the traditional palm procession. The celebration continued from the church of Bethphage down the western slope of the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley and into the Old City of Jerusalem.

 
Find more information here.  
NEW 'BEHIND THE MASK' EXHIBIT OPENS AT THE BIBLE LANDS MUSEUM
Opening in time for Purim is the new "Behind the Mask" exhibition at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem. The exhibit is part of a new initiative at BLMJ called "Community Curates" that allows the public to dust off their treasures and put them on display for all to see. "Behind the Mask" features both ancient and modern masks from all continents and collectors all over Israel. Special guided tours, family-friendly activities and programming is available throughout the day. The exhibit will be on display until September 2016.

 
Find more information here
AMERICAN TOURISM TO ISRAEL UP 7% IN FEBRUARY
2015 was the best year ever for American tourism to Israel and the trend is continuing in 2016, with a 7% increase in January and February 2016, compared to the same period last year. "We're very encouraged by this positive statistic," says Uri Steinberg, Israel Tourism Commissioner for North America, "and it bodes very well for the remainder of the year." 

 
ISRAELI HIKER STRIKES GOLD: 
2,000-YEAR-OLD ROMAN COIN FOUND IN ISRAEL
While hiking in eastern Galilee, Israeli Laurie Rimon discovered a gold coin so rare that archeologists say it may be one of only two of its kind in existence. The coin shows Emperor Augustus, founder of the Roman Empire and Caesar's heir. The other side is minted with Roman military legions. According to Israeli archeologists, it was created by Emperor Trajan to honor the Roman Emperors who reigned before him. The coin was difficult to use due to its high value - it was worth enough to cover a soldier's monthly salary. The Israel Antiquities Authority's plan is to publicly display the extraordinary artifact in museums soon.

(Photo Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority)
EPIC ISRAEL HOSTS ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE FOR PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR RIDERS
Epic Israel will challenge professional and amateur riders to the limit with a full board stage mountain bike race with long routes through spectacular views of nature. The 75- to 110-kilometer route changes annually, giving riders a challenging and versatile mountain biking experience with the goal of finishing the race within the time limit. The race will take place this year from September 29-October 1. 

 
Find more information here
INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY FESTIVAL GEEK PICNIC TO TAKE PLACE IN JERUSALEM
Geek Picnic, the international science and technology festival, makes its Israeli debut April 25-27 at Jerusalem's Sacher Park, a 40-acre green expanse in the city center. The event is geared towards tech and science professionals and science enthusiasts of all ages who are fans of gadgets, gaming, virtual-reality experiences and wearable tech. Approximately 45,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day celebration of technological innovation, which will feature exhibits devoted to "The Lightning Show," "The Hand of God," "The World of 3D Printing," "Virtual Reality," "My Android Friend," "An Airborne Duel" and more.

 
Find more information here
FIRST INTERNATIONAL HOLY LAND CHOIR FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED
The First International Holy Land Choir Festival "On The Lake" will take place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee from May 16-18, 2016. Choirs from around the world have been invited to participate with Israeli conductor and composer David Loden as the Musical Coordinator of the Festival. The theatrical backdrop for the festival is the impressive Berko Archaeological Park where the Southern Gate and walls of the Roman City can be seen.

 
Find more information here.
ICE RETURNS TO JERUSALEMYAMBAKERECH 2016
YambaKerach, an indoor skating rink, will be an added attraction for visitors at Cinema City through April 30, 2016. The ice skating rink offers children and the entire family an amazing, hands-on experience that includes "seals" to enable younger children to move about the rink in a seated position, with the help of their parents.

 
Find more information here.
THRILLER LIVE MUSICAL COMES TO TEL AVIV AND HAIFA
Michael Jackson's legacy lives on with the Thriller Live musical. The show celebrates the music of The Jackson 5 and the solo work of Jackson that made him the King of Pop. The musical will open in Israel on May 19 at the Heichal HaTarbut theater in Tel Aviv. There will be a total of eight shows in Tel Aviv from May 19-24, and another show in Haifa on May 26.

Find more information here
UNESCO RECOGNIZES BET SHE'ARIM AS 15TH WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN ISRAEL
UNESCO declared the Necropolis of Bet She'arimin in the area southeast of the city of Haifa as a World Heritage Site in 2015 - making it the ninth site in Israel to hold this distinctive and prestigious certification. Bet She'arim became a renowned Jewish center due to the presence of the spiritual leader Rabbi Judah Hanasi, head of the Sanhedrin. Visitors can explore this and other World Heritage Sites in Israel on a daily basis throughout the year. 
(Photo Credit: Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
Find more information here.
A 75-DAY JOURNEY ALONG THE ISRAEL NATIONAL TRAIL BEGINS MARCH 25TH
Starting March 25, 2016, backpackers from Israel and abroad will embark on a 75-day adventure walking the Israel National Trail with non-profit organization WalkAboutLove. Beginning in Eilat, the scenic trail winds through the Mitzpe Ramon Crater, the Arava Desert and the Negev, up to Jerusalem, Caesarea, the lush Galilee and the Golan Heights, finally ending at Mount Hermon. WalkAboutLove offers those interested in Israeli culture the incredible opportunity to discover the country through a combination of nature, culture, history and unique traditions.

Find more information here.
TEL AVIV SAMSUNG MARATHON 2016 A HUGE SUCCESS!
The 2016 Tel Aviv Marathon, which took place on February 29th, has been lauded as a huge success, welcoming some 40,000 runners from Israel and abroad participating in the nation's biggest international sports event. Celebrating the nonstop party life, the run began in Tel Aviv, along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and into the historical city of Jaffa. The runners crossed the finish line to a lively music celebration at Ganey Yehoshua. The winner, William Kiprono Yegon from Kenya, finished the race in 02:10:51. The 2017 marathon is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2017. 

(Photo Credit: Ronen Topelberg)
Find photos from the Tel Aviv Marathon here.

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