Walk, discover, know, be amazed, between history, spirituality and nature; sensations and actions that in Israel can be experienced in a single breath, in a moment, in a second.
By the editorial staff – photo Israeli National Tourist Office
The Land of Israel, welcoming and generous, is able to offer an absolutely extraordinary nature, with a mild climate all year round, which has made it possible, especially in recent years, to discover a truly new dimension of tourism.
WALKING AMONG THE PLACES OF THE BEAUTIFUL GALILEE
Perhaps few still know this tourism opportunity, but walking in Galilee, facing a simple and not arduous path, allows you to discover aspects of this land still unknown to the general Italian public.
Galilee, the northern region of Israel, about 80 kilometers wide and 100 kilometers long, is an area with modern infrastructure backed by historical depth and relevance spanning 3,000 years.
The “Path of the Gospel” that we are going to discover will leave memories of beauty and spiritual fulfillment that will certainly remain etched in the memory for a lifetime. Sites such as Kursi, Korazim, Magdala and Megiddo (the biblical Armageddon) tell the story of the changing face of conquest and settlement in northern Israel over thousands of years, while Zippora, the Byzantine Sepphoris capital of Galilee in the early centuries of first millennium AD, it is a site where an increasing number of mosaics are exhibited, incomparable for their expressive beauty.
ISRAEL, A RICH OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
Tourists who wish to take part in an active life during their trip to Israel will be able to easily find bicycles and cycle paths. Saddle tourism is also popular, as are jeep rides both day and night. Along with the more traditional water sports that Galilee offers, from swimming to water skiing, paragliding and rafting in the Jordan River on inner tubes of tires.
Through the roots of history
Tourists interested in exploring and tracing the roots of history in the region will find this presence everywhere, from the times of prophets and kings to modern times, learning about battles, learned Talmud masters, Safed kabbalists and pioneers.
Galilee has played a pivotal role in Jewish history, serving both as an important spiritual center over the centuries, and as a region where the pioneers of the pre-founding period of the State of Israel established some of the country’s first collective settlements, the “kibbutzim “.
As a popular vacation spot that offers year-round water activities, hot springs, wellness centers, but also interesting and fun national parks, Galilee has a lot to offer to nature lovers too, who will do well. for example, to go to this region to admire, in autumn, the spectacle of eight million migratory birds that dot the skies.
THE GOSPEL TRAIL
The Gospel Trail, or the “Path of the Gospel”, wants to give the possibility of a sweet and slow journey. 4 days, with an average of 14 km per day.
It starts from Nazareth, from the so-called Mount of Precipice, a breathtaking panoramic point, and arrives in Capernaum.
The secondary paths
The secondary routes are shorter, thanks to a fork that leads directly from the main road to the most famous sites in Galilee. From Nazareth, you can admire the view offered by Mount Tabor, the Church of the Transfiguration, Cana, the Valley of Turan, the Golani Junction and the Horns of Hattin, where the clash between the forces of the Crusaders and the armies led by Saladin took place. .
The Sea of Galilee
The Gospel Trail then continues north along the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Galilee, Israel’s largest freshwater lake. One of the stops is Magdala, where a third-century synagogue was recently unearthed in a place where, in an exceptional way, a synagogue of the same period had already been found.
ON FOOT TO DISCOVER ALL ISRAEL
The tradition of the journey extends from the north to the whole country. Lovers of slow tourism will be able to discover Israel through theIsrael National Trail (Hebrew: שביל ישראל, Shvil Yisrael), a hiking route that crosses Israel between its southern and northern borders, a wide range of landscapes, a rich variety of flora and fauna and a diversity of cultures.
Over 1000 kilometers long
The trail extends from Kibbutz Dan, near the border between Israel and Lebanon, up to Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba. It has been named by National Geographic as one of the 20 best “hiking trails” in the world. It is approximately 1,100 km (683 miles) long. The exact length changes periodically as theIsrael Trails Committee makes minor changes to the route in various locations.
israeltrail.net
AND NOW IT’S TIME TO RUN!
There are many places in the world where marathons and races are organized, but there is only one that winds through stones that tell unique traditions.
The Jerusalem Marathon
Now in its 10th edition, the Jerusalem Marathon allows you to run between unique and unprecedented places, in the footsteps of history, from the famous Cardo in the Old City to the Tower of David, where each place represents the sign of the passage of an era.
jerusalem-marathon.com
Tel Aviv, the modern soul of Israel
If the Jerusalem Marathon is able to give visibility to the historical roots of the country, it is by running in Tel Aviv that you will be able to discover the soul of the most modern and cosmopolitan city in Israel, competing on the wonderful waterfront, one of the most beautiful in the Near East, suitable to accommodate everyone: adults, children, sports lovers and those who wish to live the life of a city that really never sleeps until late at night!
tlvmarathon.co.il
Dead Sea Marathon
New in the last two years, for athletes and lovers of the challenge of running, is the Dead Sea Marathon which takes place in early spring in the Dead Sea or “Sea of Salt”, the lowest point on earth.
“An unrepeatable experience in an almost lunar landscape. Where the blue of the sky meets the indigo of the water of a salt lake famous all over the world for its beneficial and curative properties. “
And by running you will discover places like the Masada fortressone of the most interesting in all of Israel, a fascinating archaeological site of impressive beauty and a moving history.
worldsmarathons.com
The Marathon of Negev desert
After the Judean desert, it will be the turn of the Marathon Negev desert.
Still unknown to most of the Italian public, the Negev desert tells ancient stories of considerable charm. Like that of the Nabataeans present here since the dawn of time, famous for the trade of fragrant spices and for the ancient cultivation of wine.
Eilat, unmissable
From the incense route to the magnificent Makthesh Ramon crater to reach the discovery of Timna park. These are some of the places that athletes and enthusiasts can begin to know. In the area south of Israel, the journey ends at the extreme tip of the country, in Eilat, the Israeli town on the Red Sea. An extraordinary gift for those who can participate in this unique event of its kind, between the golden colors of the rocks and the sparkling blue of the sky.
marathonisrael.co.il
The Tiberias Marathon
Even Galilee, the North, has its own Marathon: between places of spirituality and green landscapes and vineyards. A unique experience to discover the traditional sites that come to life around Lake Tiberias.
tiberiasmarathon.com
Israel’s Beaujolais Race, an absolute novelty
Finally, a truly original novelty: the Israel’s Beaujolais Race. A half marathon to discover Israel’s wineries and wine excellences. A means to get in touch with an aspect that is partly new, but increasingly growing, the one linked to wine and food and wine that the sweetness of Galilee makes fruity and fragrant. Green landscapes all year round, welcoming cellars, truly zero-kilometer food selections that will pamper the tourist who loves outdoor experiences.
Pack your suitcase and go!
Nothing could be easier then: pack a suitcase to go running in Israel, to discover the magic of nature and history.
Israel awaits you! To walk with you on an unprecedented and fascinating journey of knowledge.
Israel, running between history and spirituality – 4ActionSport