First of all, of course, Jerusalem is the religious and cultural center of the state. According to ethnicityology, the greatest shrines of world religions are concentrated here – the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Muslim Mosque of the Rock and Al-Aqsa. The architecture and unique coloring of the eternal city are unique. The Dead Sea is an amazing place on Earth – it is the lowest point on the surface of the globe. It is located about 400 m below sea level. The depth of the sea reaches 400 m. The content of minerals and salts in it is several times greater than in an ordinary sea. Swimming in the Dead Sea is a very unusual feeling, a person does not drown here. Tel Aviv-Yafo is the center of the business life of the country. But chic hotels, excellent beaches, as well as numerous nightclubs, discos, bars and restaurants attract many tourists from all over the world. Jaffa – the ancient part of the city, having a rich history. Now there is a village of artists, an art gallery, artisan shops, shops for tourists, the best fish restaurants, nightclubs. Eilat is Israel’s southernmost city, located on the Red Sea coast. Coral reefs and the unique climate of Eilat attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world, including from Russia. In Eilat, there is an underwater aquarium that allows you to look at the life of the coral reef in all its glory. You can take pictures with dolphins in their natural environment at Dolphin Reef. The City of Kings attraction gives an insight into the life of the legendary Israeli kings David and Solomon. Haifa – the third largest city in Israel, located at the foot of Mount Karmiel, in the north of the country. From the top of Mount Carmel at every turn, a majestic view of the city, the sea and the mountains opens up. On Mount Carmel, in the Persian Gardens, is the Bahai Temple, its golden dome is a symbol of the city. Tiberias attracts not so much with sights as with its amazing nature. Magnificent panorama of Lake Kinneret, opening up to Mount Hermon. It was on this lake, on the water of the Sea of Galilee, that Jesus Christ walked, as they say, “as if on dry land.” The Jordan River begins its journey from the snowy peaks of Mount Khemron, and, stretching for 265 km, ends its journey, flowing into the Dead Sea. In the waters of this river, which is so often described in the Bible, Jesus was baptized. Tradition says that the baptism of Jesus took place near the place where the waters of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River merge.
Kitchen
Israeli cuisine is extremely diverse thanks to people from different countries. It uses a large abundance of vegetables and fruits, olive oil, fish, herbs and legumes. The combination of European and Arab cultures in Israel has influenced the taste habits and cuisine of the Israelis. The most popular dishes: shawarma – a traditional pita or baguette is smeared with hummus or tahina and, if desired, a variety of fresh vegetable salads, pickles, pickled onions and olives and of course several types of meat: lamb, beef, turkey. hummus – mashed yellow peas, onions, garlic and seasonings, tehina – mashed boiled sesame seeds, onions and tomatoes, Falafel – pea balls, burekasy – puff pastry pies with a variety of fillings. A distinctive feature of Israeli cuisine is kashrut.
Transport
Buses are the main form of public transport. Two large bus companies “Egged” and “Dan” and many fixed-route taxis connect almost all settlements. Buses are comfortable, so getting around the country by bus is very convenient. There is also a train connection. Israel’s first high-speed tram system is under construction in Jerusalem. Four operating ports are located in Ashdod, Hadera, Eilat and Haifa. From Friday evening to Saturday evening, public transport does not operate.
Currency exchange
The local currency is called shekel, the exchange rate for April 2011 is $1 = 3.5 shekels. All payments in the country are made in shekels. Foreign currency can be exchanged everywhere. Credit cards of the world’s leading payment systems are accepted almost everywhere. ATMs are widespread. Many ATMs allow you to withdraw cash in foreign currencies. International credit cards and traveler’s checks can also be cashed in the foreign exchange departments of banks without fees.
