We just returned from our trip to Israel to visit Jason and Rebecca, and all we can say is “waaaaaahhhhhhh”. We did not want to leave!! Our trip was full of beautiful sites, amazing stories and delicious treats. Not only that, but we got to spend some quality time with my brother and his girlfriend, which is worth way more than a pile of baklava any day.
The first night we were in Israel was spent with my cousin, Sharon, and her family. It’s been 3 years since I’ve seen them all and it was a perfect start to our trip. We played cribbage with their son Ezra, joked around with Avidan (another son) and had breakfast with the whole family the next morning. Next time we come to Israel we are absolutely staying with them for more than one night!
We made it to Haifa in one piece the next morning, only slightly jet-lagged and ready for some adventures! Our journey started with a visit to the most incredible mosaic-tiled Tunisian synagogue we’ve ever seen (see Jason and Rebecca’s post for pics), and then a trip to Akko, a fortress city with some bangin’ hummous and a relaxed atmosphere. Then we went to the most northern point of Israel to visit the caves of Rosh Hanikra. Jay and Rebecca (who will be referred to as J&R from now on for simplicity sake) had already been to this site, so we explored this on our own and were AMAZED to view the caverns filled with turquoise water. Such beautiful views all around!
The next stop was quite unexpected, to say the least! Achzivland is a micronation of Israel, founded in 1970 and inhabited by only two people (and several dogs and cats). The couple literally founded their own nation, for reasons unknown, which is nestled in the northern part of Israel on the shores of the Mediterranean. They even have their own passport stamps!! On their land is a museum of sorts with a random assortment of pottery, statues, dolls and coins. Their land also allowed access to the beach, where we combed the sands for sea glass and artifacts while the sun set across the Mediterranean.
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| View outside the caves of Rosh Hanikra |
The next stop was quite unexpected, to say the least! Achzivland is a micronation of Israel, founded in 1970 and inhabited by only two people (and several dogs and cats). The couple literally founded their own nation, for reasons unknown, which is nestled in the northern part of Israel on the shores of the Mediterranean. They even have their own passport stamps!! On their land is a museum of sorts with a random assortment of pottery, statues, dolls and coins. Their land also allowed access to the beach, where we combed the sands for sea glass and artifacts while the sun set across the Mediterranean.
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| Eric tries to conquer Achzivland |
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| All four of us in Achzivland |
Our next day was filled again with a visit to Capernaum, which is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and is home to two ancient synagogues built one over the other (circa late 4th century CE). Today, there is a “floating” octagonal church built over the 5th century CE church on this site, which was quite the impressive engineering feat.
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| Impressive architectural church built over the ruins of a 5th century CE church |
Next up, we hiked the cliffs of Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This was particularly exciting because J&R had never been before and the views were absolutely breathtaking! Jay, Rebecca and Eric also got to try their hand at scaling the cliffs.
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| View of the Galilee from the Arbel Cliff |
Eric and I took the next day and hiked Masada and Ein Gedi and then took a dip in the Dead Sea, which was Eric’s first time. J&R had been to those spots multiple times, so they met up with us in Jerusalem that night, where we had a delicious dinner of flatbreads, stuffed mushrooms, tapenade and homemade pasta. Eric and Jay went to a local bar afterward, and on the way home Eric performed his first mitzvah when he helped 5 Hasidic men change a tire!
The following day we all spent exploring Jerusalem. Eric and I did the underground tunnel tour of the Western Wall and then went shopping in the markets. Eric was VERY impressed by my haggling skills as I negotiated prices with all of the vendors in the markets. It is basically expected that you do not pay the price initially given to you and instead, cut it down by half.
We ended our trip with a walking food tour of Haifa, complete with THE BEST falafel and literally piles and piles of baklava. It is impossible to really describe the amount of baklava
that was in this shop, but it was jaw-dropping!!
that was in this shop, but it was jaw-dropping!!
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| Hands down the best falafel in the world |
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| Mountain of baklava |
Israel is one of the most unique places that either Eric or I have traveled to, and we are so grateful that Jason and Rebecca hosted us and toured us around the country.
The architecture is beautiful and I fell in love with the all the porches. Most have huge porches with either a swing, גאודי ברצלונה
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