Tour Israel Blog

Supreme Court, Jerusalem, Israel

A walk in the government district in Jerusalem takes you past the remarkable Supreme Court. A competition to decide the architects was won by Israeli architects,  Ram Karni and his sister, Ada Karmi-Melamede.

A stunning composition of strong geometric shapes and angles, the Supreme Court is open to the public to tour. Indoors, the pyramid, seen in the photo, encompasses a large space that serves as a turning point before entrance to the courtrooms.

Learn about the judicial system in Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, on a tour of the judicial complex. Sit in on a trial.

Travel to Israel and the Holy Land! Drive-Israel.com creates custom self-drive trips in Israel so you can tour Israel at your own pace – meet site experts along the way! Contact us to begin your unique tour of Israel.
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Supreme Court, Jerusalem, Israel

Beit Shmuel, Jerusalem

Save the dates of Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9, to join the bi-annual Houses From Within event. In October 2010,  Houses From Within will showcase Jerusalem homes, office space, historical buildings, architectural gems, and public buildings in the capital.

Now in its 5th year, previous sites that have opened their doors to the public  include The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies on  Mount of Olives,  Light Train Depot,  German-Syrian Orphanage in the Schneller Compound, the Ticho House, Bridges for Peace, Anglican International School, the Italian Hospital,  Grand Synagogue of the Belz Hasidic Dynasty, Underground Prisoners Museum, Agnon House, Swedish Theological Seminary…

If you are planning to be in Jerusalem in October, take advantage of this unique event to get a behind the scenes look at prime Jerusalem properties. Pre-registration required. Contact Drive-Israel.com to sign you up!

Travel to  Israel and the Holy Land! Drive-Israel.com creates custom self-drive trips in Israel so you can tour Israel at your own pace – meet site experts along the way! Contact us to begin your unique tour of Israel.

Book your dream trip to Israel with Drive-Israel.com – leaders in self-drive Israel trips!

Pictured here are Drive-Israel.com clients on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem in May 2010. Security conditions dictate whether or not the entrance to the Temple Mount, is open to foreigners. On this day, our clients, accompanied by their guide Abie, got to the top.

Visiting Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel

Outdoor cafe, Ein Haroud Art Museum

An art museum in a most unusual place! Located in the Jezreel Valley, the Ein Haroud Art Museum, located on Kibbutz  Ein Haroud, predates the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The architect, Samuel Bickels, a kibbutz member, designed the museum to use the area’s abundance of natural light to the fullest. Windows are positioned high up on the walls, allowing maximum space for hanging exhibits while simultaneously providing a luminous natural light to flow into the galleries.

Tour Israel and the Holy Land! Drive-Israel.com creates custom self-drive trips in Israel so you can tour Israel at your own pace – meet site experts along the way! Contact us to begin your unique tour of Israel.
Book your dream trip to Israel with Drive-Israel.com – leaders in self-drive Israel trips!

A recent visit to the Cloisters in New York made this hike to the Crusader fortress of Monfort in the Western Galilee all the more meaningful. Imagine — those knights in shining armor lying still and poised at the Cloisters once climbed these same rocks to Monfort. Within eyesight of the Mediterrean coast, it is easy to see the route taken by the Holyland soldiers in the 1200s, from the port of Acco (Acre) to the inland mountains.

Most of you call this vacation, but for me, an overnight in a luxury B&B is another day at work. My significant other and I set out at midday to explore the Galillee so that I can let you in on the must-dos in Israel.

In the mountains off the coast of Achziv and Rosh HaNikra lies the perfect Provencal inn, complete with spa facilities and a swimming pool. If G-d is in the details, then this chateau is filled with the Holy Spirit: from the fragrant L’Occitane bathtub favors to the basket of lavender potpourri in the 4-postered bedroom, one feels compelled to unwind.

A short distance away in a perfect country setting we found Arnold’s, a new chef restaruant (kosher) with a menu featuring Galilee products like the delicatibly delicious lamb osso buco.

In the Western Galilee you can hike to the Crusader fortress of Monfort, beachcomb the dramatic shoreline of Achziv, and kayak the caves and grottoes of Rosh HaNikra.

Belz Synagogue, Jerusalem

Mark your calendars for the bi-annual Open Houses event that takes place in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept 11 and Saturday,  Sept 12. The event is free and many of the tours do not require pre-registration.

Among the open buildings are the Belz Synagogue, an extremely lavish edifice, that from far looks like the Second Temple. The tour takes place on Friday morning 8AM – 9 AM. Wear modest dress and head coverings for men and women. Registration not required.

Italian Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

The former Italian Hospital, now the offices of the Ministry of Education, is located at 34 Shivtei Yisrael St. Originally built as a private residence in the 1800s by a wealthy banker, the building has gone through many phases and purposes. The tour,  led by an art historian,  takes place on Friday at 10 AM. No registration required, but ID will be checked so arrive no later than 9:30AM.

Bridges for Peace, Jerusalem, Israel

Headquarters of Bridges for Peace, this building was built in 1905 at 7 shaul Adler St, near HaNevi’im. The organization promotes better relationship between Christians and Jews. Biblical scenes adorn the courtyard. Tour is on Friday, 14:00-19:00;  and Saturday, 9:00-14:00.

To mark the publication of his latest book, Mamila/Alrov Quarter – High Tide, Low Tide and Rejuvenation, Jerusalem-based architect David Kroyanker will tour the Mamilla compound with 40 pre-registered guests and talk about the area from the time of the British Mandate and the emergence of the neighborhood from a poor border area to its current affluence. Saturday, 10-12:30.

Mamilla Compound, Jerusalem