Experience Safed And The Golan Heights

Experience Safed And The Golan Heights Photo #1 of 1 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Safed, one of the 4 holy cities of Israel, has been a spiritual center since the 1600s - feel it!

Often you see thin string bracelets wrapping the wrists of people, or tied to certain of their belongings. This bracelet has been known as the Power of Protection from the dreaded Evil Eye. What better souvenir to purchase in Israel but one of these, particularly while in the city from which they began their legend.

We'll begin this day with a tour of Safed. The city of Safed was first mentioned in the scripts of Josephus Flavius, conquered by the Crusaders in 1140 and thrived under Turkish rule during the 13th century, when it became the center for many Jewish scholars—scholars who founded the Zohar and Kabbala theories still studied today.

For a long time Safed has been a well kept secret, even to most Israelis. Safed is one of the four holy cities in Israel, together with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias. The old part of town consists of narrow cobblestone alleys revealing artists' galleries, medieval synagogues, private homes and small guest houses. There is something about this city, the old section, that touches you directly, regardless of your beliefs. This is a mystical place and thus the kabbalah, a set of esoteric teachings meant to explain the relationship between an eternal Creator and the mortal/finite universe, was born here.

We’ll visit the charming Artist’ Colony and the ancient Synagogue quarter, including two of its finest synagogues.

Moving on to the Golan Heights, we will stop at an observation point overlooking the largely-destroyed city of Kuneitra and see the Syrian Territory. We'll make a stop at Tel Facher, a former Syrian army camp that has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967.

We'll stop at Bania Springs, the source of the Banias River, one of the main tributaries of the Jordan River and move on to Tel-Hai. Tel-Hai was one of the original four Jewish settlements in the Galilee. We'll see the historic courtyard, learn about the heroic battle of Josef Trumpeldor during the 1920 battle of Tel-Hai and see the Lion Monument, built in memory of the eight guards who were killed while defending the Tel-Hai settlement.

- The amount of time spent in Safed will take approximately three hours depending upon your walking pace, rest stops, additional time to explain subjects in greater detail, other tourists at the same site causing slight delays, etc.
- The tour in Safed is on foot. Good walking shoes are advised for walking on the cobble stone streets of the Old City. During the hot season hats should be worn against the sunshine.
- We will always opt to avoid bad traffic and crowds. Please note that any changes to the itinerary are always done with your best interest in mind.
- We advise that you purchase water during the tour.
- Lunch, beverages, entrance fees, gratuities are not included.

- A surcharge applies for Saturday bookings as well as holidays. In 2020, these dates are April 9th, 16th and 29th, May 29th, September 10th, 20th and 28th, and October 3rd and 10th.
- Please note: Jewish sites may close early on Fridays and will be closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
- Please bring your passport with you on this tour.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 08:00 AM, duration: 9.5 hours Tour duration approximate.