North (Coastal Plain & Carmel)
Rosh HaNikra
Rosh HaNikra lies on the Israeli border with Lebanon. From the beautiful white chalk cliffs of Rosh HaNikra, you can view much of the coastline of Israel stretching down south, along the Mediterranean Sea. Descend the cliffs in a short cable-car ride and walk among the grottos to see the caves formed by the sea. They also have a nice movie presentation which presents the history of the place and of the railway line built by the British in World War II, the remains of which can still be seen in Rosh HaNikra. About 60 years ago, during the War of Independence, the Israeli Hagana forces bombed the railway line, to avoid invasion from Lebanon.
This site shouldn't take more than a few hours to complete. There is a restaurant with a beautiful view at the top. There is an entrance fee to the grottos.
Nahariya
This is a little south of Rosh HaNikra and is simply a modern coastal resort town, founded by German Jews in the 1930s. There is an excellent restaurant at the train station, with the best Hummus I've tasted so far - Abu Rami's.
Akko
Akko is a bustling Arab city containing restored ancient relics of an underground Crusader city. There is an entrance fee to see the Crusader relics and there is a tour guide of the city provided for visitors. If you want a treat, we recommend to eat at Abu Christo's fish restaurant on the sea front. It is a bit expensive but the fish is lovely and the setting could hardly be more beautiful. Another restaurant in the city is the famous 'Hummus Sa'id', well-known for its good hummus. See our note on eating in Eastern Restaurants. Akko was visited by Paul (called Ptolemais or Acre in the New Testament: see Acts 21.7) and is mentioned in Judges 1.31 as a city that the Israelites were unable to take. It is also famous for it's rambling open market which sells everything from fish and Arab sweets to clothes and pottery. See notes on bargaining under 'General Tips'. Plan to spend a few good hours in Akko.
Haifa
Haifa is perhaps Israel's most beautiful large city, built on the slopes of one of the mountains in the Carmel range. At the base of the city, Ben Gurion street is lined with old stone buildings that date from the time of the German Templars. Today this street is lined with restaurants. A little further up the Carmel, stop at the Louis Prommenade, located on Yeffe Nof Street behind the Dan Hotel, to check out a sweeping view of Haifa bay. This is recommended for a quiet afternoon. Consider some of the cafes in Carmel center for good coffee and relaxation. Nearby is Gan HaEm Zoo, a nice attraction for the family. At the peak of the mountain and the top of the city, is Haifa University, opposite which is an entrance to the Carmel National Park. Carry on driving up the mountain and beyond Haifa and you will find other entrances to the National Park; it covers about 21 acres of ground.
Restaurants in Haifa
In Haifa there are many good restaurants. As we mentioned, Ben Gurion Street is lined with them. On Allenby Street is a good Eastern restaurant that is cheaper than those on Ben Gurion and very good. An excellent Chinese Restaurant on Yaffo Street called Yan Yan is run by dear believers from Bethesda congregation who came to Israel in the 70s as refugees from communist Vietnam; thankfully, and to our benefit, they found sanctuary in Israel. Yan Yan is in walking distance from Bethesda congregation and often a bunch of believers eat there together after the meeting.
Near the Louis Prommenade in Central Carmel there are also many good restaurants and cafeterias. We like the little bagel shop B Bagels.
Isfiya and Daliat al Carmel
Driving up from Haifa toward the Haifa University, you can continue up winding country roads until you arrive at a druze village called Isfiya. Don't worry, the druze are very friendly and welcome tourist business. You can enjoy any of the restaurants in this village, but it is more recommended to carry on driving beyond Isfiya, to another Druze town called Daliat el-Carmel, or Dalia for short. The town is lined with market-like shops and stalls where your bargaining skills will be well and truly tested! (See note on bargaining, under 'General tips'). Nice souveniers can be purchased at these shops for dead cheap. Basically any restaurant that you step into on this street would serve you good food for a reasonable price (see note on eating in Eastern Restaurants). However, one especially recommended restaurant, Lev HaKfar, is not on the main street. To get to it, walk to the end of the main street of shops facing away from Isfiya and Haifa, turn right and continue about 200 meters. It should be on the left (after a few other restaurants). This restaurant is so good you will probably see the locals frequenting it. It is also clean and inexpensive: well worth a visit!
The Muchraka
Beyond Dalia, you can visit Muchraqa, the site of a Carmelite monastery that marks the traditional spot where Elijah strove with the prophets of Baal. From the roof of the monastery, you can enjoy another incredible view over much of Northern Israel to get a good perspective of the layout of the land. There is an excellent view of the Jezreel Valley where many biblical wars have taken and will take place, including Barak's defeat of the armies of Sisera, the victory of Gideon's army, Saul's final battle, the war between Josiah and Pharaoh Necho and of course, the coming battle of Armegeddon. On the way back down towards Haifa, try turning off to the left before you reach Haifa University, on the Bet Oren Road. This takes you on a very scenic route, back down to the coastal road - just watch those hair-pin bends! Families might enjoy the opportunity to go horse-back riding from one of the farms on the Bet Oren road.
Zichron Ya'akov
Zichron Ya'akov is a small town about 40 mins drive south of Haifa. The town is very beautiful and with many delightful cafeterias. The streets are full of craft and antique shops. Near Zichron Ya'akov are some lovely botanical gardens, called Gan Ramat HaNadiv or The Rotschild Gardens, which could take an hour or so to look around. You can also visit the Carmel wineries in Zichron Ya'akov.
