Distinctive Destinations

Natural History, April, 2000

Now is the time to discover some of the world's most inviting places.

ISRAEL* Celebrate the dawn of the millennium in the Holy Land

ISRAEL'S BIBLICAL LANDSCAPE SETS THE SCENE for all kinds of adventures, from the epic and educational to the spiritual, and the serene. With over 4,000 years of history to explore, Israel offers something new with each visit.

Jerusalem is a must on any Israel itinerary, especially in this momentous year. Within the ancient walls of the Old City lie some of the world's major religious shrines. Outside the walls, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations punctuate an endlessly fascinating landscape of archeological sites, A variety of early Christian artifacts are displayed at the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem, part of an enormous complex of buildings known as the Citadel, sections of which are more than 3,000 years old. Newly accessible to the public, the ancient Ramparts Walk offers the best view of the entire city. The holiest of all Jewish sites, the Western Wall is a remnant of the Second Temple retaining wall where Jews have come to for centuries to pray, mourn and leave their written pleas and prayers in its crevices. The Temple Mount marks the site of Solomon's Temple and Herod's Temple, where Jesus prayed and where Mohammed is believed to have ascended to Heaven. The Mount is topped by the massive Dome of the Rock and the Al-Agsa Mosque, regarded as Islam's third-holiest shrine. Of special significance to Christians, the Via Dolorosa follows the Nine Stations of the Cross from St. Stephen's Gate through the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A seemingly endless source of archeological finds, the Cardo was Jerusalem's main thoroughfare in the sixth century. P, recent excavation has unearthed remnants of Israelite walls and Byzantine structures. In a more modern vein, the Israeli Knesset's reception hall features tapestries by Marc Chagall and The Israel Museum's Billy Rose Sculpture Garden is dotted with works by Henry Moore and other internationally renowned artists.

To the east of Jerusalem lies the otherworldly desert terrain surrounding the Dead Sea, the saltiest and most mineral-rich body of water in the world at the lowest spot on earth, 400 meters below sea level. Year-round, naturally filtered sunshine, high barometric pressure and a relaxed, pollen-free environment combine with its sulfur hot springs and famously therapeutic black mud to make this region the ultimate spa destination. Here, on a high plateau, Herod built Masada, destined to become a symbol of Jewish heroism in the revolt against the Roman conquerors. Recent excavation efforts have made Qumran --the Essene settlement in whose caves the Dead Sea Scrolls lay undiscovered for 2,000 years--more accessible than ever before. The En Gedi Nature Reserve is home to the region's most splendid flora and fauna. The Judean Desert, with it's dramatic, craggy cliffs, offers special opportunities for adventurous hikes, climbing, and rappelling.

The Negev Desert is a multifarious natural wonder of stark mountain ranges, cratered canyons and massive sand dunes. Explorations by camel caravans, on horseback, or in desert Jeeps lead through ancient highways, waystations, monasteries and fortresses hewn out of rocky cliffs, and Bedouin encampments that have changed little in 4,000 years.

At Israel's southernmost tip, on the shores of the Red Sea, lies the sun-drenched paradise of Eilat. On the site where the Queen of Sheba arrived on her historic visit to King Solomon, nature lovers now enjoy carefree days of escape and exploration in the mountains, on the sea, or underwater amidst some

of the world's most beautiful coral reefs. Three miles north of Eilat, the International Birdwatching Center invites visitors to observe the migration of over four million migrating birds of prey. The breathtaking Timna Park is home to King Solomon's Mines, where geological wonders tell their own story of the earth's earliest history.

From the southern seaside resort of Ashkelon to the lovely village of Nahariya in the far north, the country's Mediterranean coast offers miles of sandy beaches, inviting waters, limestone grottoes, archeological sites, and a sumptuous variety of beachfront restaurants and cafes.

Tel Aviv is the centerpiece of a modern nation growing ever more cosmopolitan and sophisticated. This is a city made for walking, from its elegant beachfront promenade through its lovely parks, chic shopping districts and fine museums. Among Tel Aviv's newest cultural treasures is the New Center for the Performing Arts. The city's burgeoning cultural diversity is deliciously expressed in its cuisine, served in an equally diverse array of locales. The birthplace of modern Tel Aviv, the picturesque 4,000 year-old port of Jaffa is a fascinating destination all its own. Long a thriving artists' colony, Jaffa is also home to a wide spectrum of craft shops, galleries, and museums.

In Israel's Galilee region, pastoral settings evoke the feeling of Biblical times. Perched atop Mount Canaan at the highest point in Israel, the ancient holy city of Safed offers magnificent views east to the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan. Safed is a favorite refuge for many Israelis who revel in the purity of its mountain air, the serenity of its tiny meandering medieval lanes, and the ornate brilliance of its brightly colored synagogues.