The intersection of Rte 3 and the Jerusalem--Tel-Aviv Highway, Rte 1, going south, presents a combination of gourmet and historic sites well worth exploring. The route takes you to [1] Latrun Monastery, Domaine de Latrun winery, the outdoor Latrun Tank Museum (Yad L'Shiryon), and radar station at Latrun, [2] an exhibit of Israel in miniature at Mini-Israel, [3] the Arab--Jewish settlement of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salaam, [4] a winery, cheese plant, and vitrage studio at Kibbutz Nachshon, [5] Soreq Winery at Tal Shahar, [6] remains of a Philistine site, and Roman glass jewelry studio at Kibbutz Revadim, [7] Carlsberg Beer Factory, and the seaside Philistine town of Ashkelon, and [8] the mineral water-rich day spa at Hamei Yoav.

Route 90 spans the entire country from Metulla in the north on the Lebanese border, to Eilat in the south on the Egyptian border. Rte 90 skirts around the western shore of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), continues through the Beit Shean Valley, passes next to Jericho and down the Israeli side of the Dead Sea, where it begins the journey through the plains of the Arava, finally reaching Eilat. The climate changes from cool mountain air to the increasingly hot climate of valleys, plains and desert, readying you for an immediate jump into the cold Red Sea waters.

From the high mountain region of Metulla to the flat plains of the Arava, you'll need to wear and then discard various layers of clothing.

Always pack swimming gear when you travel throughout Israel.

Remember to bring your mobile phone - comes in very handy when the gate is locked - just call the number posted - and in you go!

The areas on and around Rte 40 are rich in hidden treasures. The road starts in the center of the country at Or Yehuda . We continue on Route 40, starting at [10] Neve Midbar Day Spa, [11] Kibbutz Revivim, [12] Kibbutz Ze'elim, [13] Kibbutz Gvulot, [14] Shivta National Park, [15] Matnat HaMidbar, [16] Kornmehl Cheese Farm, [17] Naot Farm, [18] Kibbutz Sde Boker, [19] Ein Ovdat, [20] Karmey Ovdat Winery, [21] Ovdat National Park, [22] Mitzpe Ramon and [23] Kibbutz Neot Smadar.

Go to the beginning of Rte 40, at Or Yehuda, Museum of Babylonian Jewry.