Page 28 - Holyland Magazine - 2020 Edition

The Mediterranean Sea at Rosh Hanikra,
north Israel. Photo: Itamar Grinberg, IMOT

Israel's

four seas

A bounty of adventures by the sea in one
unforgettable trip

Leoni Jesner
or those who thought it impossible to visit four seas in the
one country, in one trip, think again. Israel, a compact,
diversely populated and uniquely positioned country, is in
fact bordered by four seas – the Mediterranean Sea, the
FSea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, the Red Sea meaning it
is more than possible to experience holy encounters, partake in
adventurous sports at sea, float on water, and enjoy endless fun
in the sun across four seas.

Whether it’s a few days or an extended trip in Israel, visitors can
travel between seas with ease and in next to no time.

The Mediterranean Sea
Israel’s coastline, spanning from the north at Rosh Hanikra (ancient
Phoenicia) to the southern city of Ashkelon (ancient Philistia),
is home to a large percentage of the population. A fascinating
discovery of diverse coastal plain, Israel’s coastal expanse has
it all, from packed beaches and remote sandy hideaways, to
seafront cultural landmarks and urban landscapes.
In the north of Israel is the city of Nahariya, a seaside town
resting on the Mediterranean shore, which claims to have
striking similarities to Miami Beach. With palm tree lined streets,
shops, restaurants and bars, coupled with a year-round sunny
climate, fishing pier and popular beaches, Nahariya is a draw for
tourists from all around the world.
A short 11km south is the picturesque town of Old Akko, a port city
with a rich past, where Muslims, Christians and Jewish residents
live in coexistence. In Biblical times, Akko was the home of one
of the first Christian communities called Ptolemais, mentioned
on Acts 21:7. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
for its remains of the Crusader town resting on street level and
underground, Akko’s port is one of the oldest in the world where
visitors can explore the sea by boat or enjoy Middle Eastern
delights whilst watching the fishermen at work.

Further south yet is Haifa, Israel’s third most populated city, a
seaport built on the slopes of Mount Carmel and surrounded by
a curve of almost 64km of coastline along the Bay of Haifa. The
city has beaches to enjoy and a renowned port, where a wide
selection of restaurants are for the choosing amid a backdrop of
sea vessels coming and going throughout the day.
The remainder of Israel’s coastline includes the seaside towns
of Netanya, Herzilya, Bat Yam, Ashdod and of course, the city
of Tel Aviv, where fun in the sun is to be had all day long. And

28