North: Galilee and Golan
Iyun (Tanur) Stream Nature Reserve
The Iyun stream begins high in the mountains of Lebanon. Just a few hundred meters after it crosses the border into Israel it cascades down off of a cliff by an old flour mill. The stream eventually feeds into the Jordan River.
Amud Stream Nature Reserve
Hiking Nahal Amud is one of the preeminent Israel experiences.
Synagogue Church of Nazareth
Hidden amongst the covered streets of Nazareth’s Old City, you can discover a church built on the spot where the Jews in the time of Jesus were said to have gathered in their synagogue. In the time of Jesus, the first century, synagogues were places of learning and community decision-making. Three of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke mention the story of Jesus preaching in his village synagogue here.
Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciaton (St. Gabriel)
The Greek Church of St. Gabriel has been built and rebuilt three times over the course of two millennia. It contains the spring of Nazareth, where the women folk of the ancient village, including Mary, mother or Jesus, came to gather water for their families. Today the spring can still be seen to issue forth water. Greek Orthodox hold that this is the true site of the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary of her impending pregnancy and birth of Jesus. The water from the spring fed Mary’s Well, located just 140 meters from the spring.
Church of the Annunciation (Nazareth)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:26-38
So begins the Gospel of Luke’s description of the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary, mother of Jesus. Today the largest church in the Middle East sits atop part of the cave complex where Catholics believe the message was delivered. The Franciscan compound which includes The Church of the Annunciation also includes a school, the Church of St. Joseph, and a museum filled with exquisite Crusader-era relics, only open at special hours.
Fruit Picking in Golan Heights
Breeshit Orchard route 98, 3 km north of Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
El Rom orchard route 98, opposite Kibbutz El Rom.
Sha’al orchard route 978, South of Moshav Odem
Ramot route 92, next to the gas station.
Odem orchard route 978, in Moshav Odem, just south of Mas’ada.
Nov orchard route 98.
Kesem HaPri route 98, next to Avnei Eitan.
Wasset Tourist Center
41 years ago during the Yom Kippur war this junction buzzed with activity. Wounded soldiers were evacuated from the front, just a ten minute drive. Tanks converged on Wasset to refuel, rearm and, in some cases, pick up new crew members to replace tank corps soldiers who were killed at the front.
A few years ago the final Syrian building at the junction was razed to ground, although just East of the junction remnants of the Syrian village that existed here prior to 1967 can still be seen and among them note the Emir Faour’s Summer Palace. A few years ago, just south of the junction the Wasset Tourist Center was created. Today it houses a restaurant, winery, and several shops including pottery. When you need to refuel you body and take a break in the north country stop at the cross-roads here.
The Big Juba (Odem Forest)
The Big Juba challenges you to descend into it’s depths. But be warned, there is no trail. The Juba is a big hole in the Earth, 200 feet deep. It is covered inside with vegetation. It’s creation is testament to the volcanic nature of the Golan Heights. In this place a vent released gases into the atmosphere but no lave flowed out of the Earth here. As a result a deep hole formed, today silent testament to the Golan’s geologic history.
Park Oravim (Ravens)
A simple playground for children, basalt rock sculptures, picnic tables and Eucalyptus trees complete this park at the Wasset Junction in the Northern Golan Heights. Nearby is the Wasset Tourism Center which includes a pottery shop, winery, and restaurants.