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ERETZ Magazine

STAYPUT HOME

JERUSALEM

TEL AVIV

YOUTH HOSTELS

UPPER GALILEE

GOLAN

SEFAD, ROSH PINA

LOWER GALILEE

WESTERN GALILEE

TIBERIAS

ACRE

HAIFA

CEASAREA

SHARON

ASHKELON

JUDEAN HILLS

BEERSHEVA

EILAT

KIBBUTZ HOTELS

  

Stayput Caesarea

When Herod the Great wrested Judea from the Hasmoneans, he inherited a stagnant economy and a need to pay his dues to the Roman emperor. One way to do that was to create the eastern Mediterranean’s biggest free port. And so Caesarea came into being.

Caesarea was the port from which the spices and perfumes of Arabia made their way to Rome. Herod made sure, by force of arms, that this lucrative trade would pass through his port. The riches he accumulated as a result allowed him to build the Temple and other monuments in Jerusalem and many other cities, not only in the Land of Israel, but also beyond its borders. His munificence was known around the Roman world.
Caesarea, Herod’s masterpiece on the Mediterranean, was abandoned in the eighth century. It later became a Crusader town, only to be abandoned again once the Crusaders were defeated.
In the 1920s, the large swamps that had developed around Caesarea, due to the clogging up of the Roman hydrological systems, were drained and the fertile lands of the central coastal plain were again cultivated.
Today Caesarea is emerging from under the shovels of the excavators and renovators. The marvels of Herod’s city can be seen again. And, as in times of old, its location in the center of the country makes it a good jumping off point for visiting the whole county. Herod, master builder that he was, chose his site well.

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Dining

Helena, the gourmet restaurant overlooking the sea in the Caesarea Port, is the joint initiative of two of Israel’s leading chefs. Helena’s Mediterranean menu features mainly fish and seafood. Try the rich bouillabaisse or the fillet of fish that is served on a bed of gnocchi with cream sauce, mushrooms, and spinach (Caesarea Port, Tel. (04) 610-1018, not kosher). Not far from Helena is the Port Café, which offers an amazing view in addition to great food. The cafe specializes in rich breakfasts that include omelets and egg dishes, salads, and freshly baked bread. Don’t miss the shakshouka – a sizzling dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce. (Caesarea Port, Tel. (04) 610-0221, not kosher).
One of the best surprises to be found in Caesarea is an excellent sushi bar that has attracted a following from all over the region. The Minato sushi bar serves a tasty selection of sushi and Japanese soups (Paz gas station, Tel. (04) 626-2092, kosher).

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Caesarea Shopping

In addition to excellent restaurants and a great view, the Caesarea Port is a wonderful place to go shopping.
First of all, don’t miss Eran Graveler’s shop, Beit Hasivivonim. An artist who works mainly in ceramics, Graveler creates Judaica items such as Hanukka lamps, candlesticks, and decorative items. However, his favorite items are sivivonim, the tops that are spun on Hanukka, and he has designed over 300 different ones – some are humorous, others bear blessings, and all of them will make you smile (Tel. (04) 626-1144).
Another place worth a visit is G.R.A.S., which carries original Israeli art, including Judaica and decorative items for the home, as well as a large collection of the latest fashions in Israeli jewelry (Tel. (04) 636-0660).

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Itinerary

Day 1: Caesarea

Leave the hotel, turning right from its driveway. At the roundabout, turn right and follow the road to its end, turn right on Route 4, and drive to the turnoff to Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael. Drive towards Ma’agan Michael and visit the Nahal Taninim Nature Reserve. Return to Route 4 and continue north to the turnoff to Dor. Drive to the Dor beach. Visit the museum at Kibbutz Nachsholim and spend time on the most beautiful Mediterranean beach in Israel. Return to the hotel and in the afternoon drive to Caesarea to visit Herod’s city.

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Day 2: Haifa and Carmel

Drive north on Route 4 to Haifa. Explore the German colony and visit the Bahai Temple. Drive up the Carmel  and continue along Route 672 to the Druze village of Daliyat el Carmel. Explore the market at Daliyat el Carmel. On leaving the village, turn left at the first junction and drive to the parking lot of the Mukhraka monastery. Walk up to the monastery for a view of the Jezreel Valley. Return to Route 672 and continue to the Eliakim Junction. Take Route 70 to the west and at the junction to Zichron Ya’acov take the road left up to the old Jewish settlement. Visit the winery, the synagogue, and the little shops set up along the pedestrian mall. Return to hotel via Route 4.

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Day 3: Sea of Galilee

Take Route 65 to Megiddo Junction. Turn left at the junction and drive to Tel Megiddo National Park.  Return to Route 65 and continue to Afula. Take Route 60 to Nazereth. Explore the old city and marketplace and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Stop for lunch. Take Route 754 to Route 77, which leads to Tiberias. Drive along the shore road to the turnoff to Kvutzat Kinneret. Drive up the road to the Yardenit Baptismal Site. Return to the main road and continue to the entrance to Kibbutz Deganiya Aleph. Visit the Deganiya Courtyard, the site of the first kibbutz ever founded. Return to the main road and continue to the Zemah Junction. Drive south along Route 90 to Kibbutz Sha’ar Hagolan for a visit to the museum  of prehistory. Drive along Route 92 to Kibbutz Ein Gev. Stop at the kibbutz for a visit to the anchor’s museum and a snack. Continue north along the shore road to Kursi and visit the Site of the Gerasene Demoniac. Turn left on to Route 87 and visit Capernaum and Tabgha. Take 90 north and drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes. Continue north on Route 90 to Amiad Junction. Take Route 85 to Route 65, which leads to Caesarea.

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Day 4: Western Galilee

Take Route 4 to Acre. Explore the old Crusader town. Continue to Kibbutz Lohamei Hagetaot and visit the Ghetto Fighters’ Museum. Continue north to the sea grottos at Rosh Hanikra. Return along Route 4, stopping at Achziv for a swim in the Mediterranean (May-November).

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Day 5: Jerusalem

Take Route 2 south, take 20 to 1 and follow it to Jerusalem. Enter the Old City via the Jaffa Gate and visit the Tower of David Museum. Then walk down David Street, the main souvenir market. Turn left onto Christian Quarter Street and walk to the alley of Saint Helena that leads down to the Holy Sepulcher. Exit by the small entrance to the courtyard that leads to the Muristan Market. Walk straight ahead until you reach the busy market street of Khan e-Zeit. Turn right and walk down the ancient Crusader markets. Once out of the market, turn left on David Street and make your way round the corner to Sisileh Street. Walk down to the Kotel. After visiting the Kotel, take the Rabbi Yehudah Halevi steps up to the Jewish Quarter. Walk to the Zion Gate, walk out the gate, turn right, and walk along the outside of the wall, back to the Jaffa Gate.

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Day 6: Tel Aviv

Take Route 2 to Tel Aviv. Explore Jaffa.  Taste historic Tel Aviv by strolling through Neve Tzedek and Rothschild Boulevard. Take a lunch break on Sheinkin Street and then check out the shops along Dizengoff. End the day with dinner at Ibn Gabirol Street.

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Dan Caesarea

The Dan Caesarea is a full-service resort that is convenient to most parts of central and northern Israel. Despite its central location, the pressures of everyday life do not penetrate the Dan Caesarea’s luxurious 15 acres of beautiful gardens, swimming pools, and sports facilities. Even though it covers a large area, the hotel only has 114 rooms, all of which can comfortably accommodate four people and more than half of which are deluxe rooms or suites. Several rooms are specially equipped to accommodate the disabled. All of the rooms have balconies and many have a sea view, while each of the three luxurious suites has its own jacuzzi.
There is plenty to do at the Dan Caesarea, between the sports facilities and playground, luxurious spa, and entertainment program for children and adults featuring musicians, clowns, and magicians. The hotel organizes tournaments for the guests on its tennis, soccer and basketball courts and in the swimming pool, as well as miniature golf competitions for children. The sports facilities here meet the highest professional standards; in the winter, foreign soccer teams often come here for a few weeks to train.

The Dan Caesarea’s extensive grounds and tasteful design create the atmosphere of an isolated country estate, however, it actually is very close to many attractions. The 18-hole Caesarea Golf Club is just down the street and offers a discount to Dan Caesarea guests. The nearby Dani-Hi center caters to the more adventurous with paintball, rappelling, horseback riding, archery, a shooting range, and more. The Caesarea National Park is an archaeological park with ancient temples, theaters, and buildings, a well-tended beach, and a lovely port, complete with restaurants, art galleries and studios. The Dan Caesarea is also the perfect base for excursions to the picturesque town of Zichron Ya’acov, with its art galleries, unique shops, wineries, gourmet restaurants, and museum.

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Copyright ERETZ Magazine 2008