The Latest Travel News From Israel

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS FROM ISRAEL ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE NORTH AMERICA israel.travel #VisitIsrael

OFFICIAL LINEUP FOR TEL AVIV PRIDE ANNOUNCED Tel Aviv Gay Pride is expected to attract more than 180,000 participants from May 25 to June 9. Last year, some 30,000 LGBTQ tourists traveled to Israel for the rainbow-adorned celebrations, with only higher numbers expected for this year's 'Women in the Community'-themed festival. In addition to the daily happy hours and non-stop beach parties, events range from conferences on women's health to vegan culinary tours of Tel Aviv. Festival highlights will include the LGBTQ film festival, a free Eurovision concert and the pinnacle of pride week, the Tel Aviv Pride parade on June 3rd.    Find the full lineup of events and more information here.

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP FOR THIS SUMMER IN ISRAEL There's a hot lineup of international artists for this summer's concert season in Israel. Fans can catch one of the many shows scheduled to hit the stage in Tel Aviv, Rishon Le Zion, and the Caesarea ancient amphitheater. Headlining artists include:  Chris Cornell: May 6-7 Elton John: May 26 Die Antwoord: June 8 Barry Manilow: June 30 Foreigner: June 14-15 Buddy Guy: July 13 Avicii: July 22 Santana: July 30 Sia: August 11 Dire Straits Experience: September 7-9 (Photo Credit: Andrew Potter) Tickets can be purchased online on the individual event websites, or ticket agencies such as Eventim.

12-YEAR-OLD GIRL UNCOVERS ANCIENT EGYPTIAN PENDANT  A 12-year-old Israeli girl discovered an Egyptian amulet dating back more than 3,200 years last week. Neshama Spielman unearthed the rare artifact while participating in the Temple Mount Sifting Project, a program to sort through Temple Period rubble in Jerusalem. The pendant-shaped amulet bears the name of Egyptian ruler Thutmose III, affirming the artifact originates from pharaoh-era Egypt.   (Photo Credit: Adina Graham/City of David via AP)  For the full article, please click here.

INAUGURAL 'MEET IN GALILEE' SUMMIT SET FOR SEPTEMBER  A new summit, Meet in Galilee, has been organized in order to develop international conventions and cultural events in Israel. The first-ever summit will be held from September 24-26, 2016 and will include an international baroque opera festival and economic forum. The conference will focus on technology and the Middle East. Sessions will cover topics such as venture capital in Israel, digital transformation and cyber security. Tours of the Technion and visits to the Haifa technology incubator will also be offered. The baroque opera festival will hold its four concerts in the ancient city of Akko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Concerts are under the direction of Christophe Rousset, an internationally renowned harpsichordist, orchestral conductor and creator of Les Talens Lyriques.  Find the full lineup of events and more information here.

NEW AIRPORT SHUTTLE OFFERS EASY SOLUTION FOR TRAVELERS Transportation to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport just got a lot easier with the creation of a new shuttle. Secret Tel Aviv, a popular website aimed at helping international visitors in Israel, has partnered with Flo Shuttle to create the only door-to-door, 24/7 service shuttle between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv. The new shuttle provides a cost-effective, quality alternative to taxis and trains. Perks of the shuttle include no booking fees, free reservation changes and the option to privatize service for groups and families. For reservations, visit the Flo Shuttle website.  (Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism)

TIMNA VALLEY VISITOR CENTER OPENS  The Timna Valley Visitor Center hopes to encourage tourism to the 15,000-acre park. A 30-minute drive from Israel's southernmost city, Eilat, the ancient copper mines, towering rock formations and breathtaking views make Timna Valley National Park an ideal spot for travelers. The new center offers interactive exhibits for visitors and will serve as an event hall for special occasions. In addition to the visitor's center, the Ramon Airport (set to open in 2017) will replace both the Eilat and Ovda Airports, the two primary airports servicing domestic and international flights to the south. Both projects fall under a greater initiative to increase tourism to the region and bring travelers to the park before heading straight to Eilat.   (Photo Credit: www.parktimna.co.il)

MARITIME SPORTS SET SAIL IN TEL AVIV FOR ANNUAL FESTIVAL Seafaring enthusiasts will flock to the city's beaches this year from April 18-28 for the annual Sail Tel Aviv Yafo event. The largest maritime sports event in Israel will dot the coastline with hundreds of surfers, kayaks, paddle boarders, and yachts participating in a host of water-sport competitions. Main events will take place on April 28 with the Tel Aviv yacht race, stand up paddle board competition and kayak competition. The highlight of the festival includes a large rally to the Jaffa Port and back. The event will also be open on April 27th for the public to join in a day of paddle boarding, kayaking, rowing and sailing.  (Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism)  Find more information here.

JERUSALEM BAR SERVES UP 'BIBLICAL BEER'

Award-winning Herzl Brewery in Jerusalem has created 'biblical beer,' an expert-crafted beer believed to taste like the fermented beverage served during ancient times. In addition to hops, yeast and water, the brewers used a replicated strain of 2,000-year-old wheat developed by geneticists at Tel Aviv University. "It's unlike anything I have ever tasted," stated brewery owner Itai Gutman. "It has a very dry taste, but it also has a strong aroma and suggestion of red fruit - almost like a syrup." This could be the beginning of a trend to recreate beer, wine, and other boozy delights from biblical times.  Itai Gutman at the Herzl Brewery in Jerusalem  (Photo Credit: Emil Salman)  Find more information here.