Published on Apr, 2023
We had a very early start waking up at 5am in the morning.
We were picked up on time and our group was directed to the small bus as we had only 10 participants. Our guide, Daphna, spoke perfect English and was very attentive to our requests. The weather was a bit chilly but no rain.
The first part of the drive was on the highway, but then we passed by the Valley of Izrael, the place King Solomon died. After the WWII many emigrants from Europe came to the valley, which was basically a swamp at that time, but the new Aliyah built a kibbutz there and the swamp had become a fertile land.
Then we passed by the Mounts of Nazareth, Mount Precipice and Nazareth, but didn’t stop there. Daphne also mentioned about Mount Tabor (the site of Transfiguration) and allowed us to take pictures.
Our next stop was at Kfar Khanna to visit the
Wedding Church of Cana. This is a very important Christian site but for us it didn’t mean much. The church I was built in the 19th century and its architecture is unattractive. The only thing that interested us was the ruins of the Byzantine Synagogue, discovered underneath the church.
In a short while we arrived to the magnificent Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret).to see the Mount of Beatitudes. Again, the church was not something to remember for us, but hundreds of Christians flocked it, so apparently this site is very important to all of them and we tried to keep low profile and stepped outside immediately to give them more space. We came to this site to enjoy the beauty of Lake Kinneret and we were not disappointed. The view of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights on a sunny morning as well as in the rain (we had both) is absolutely mesmerizing.
Our next stop was Kibbutz Ginassar, where we have seen an amazing archeological find: the 2,000 years old fishing boat (Jesus’s boat). We also learned about its discovery and meticulously performed transportation from the excavator site to the museum at Kibbutz Ginassar.
Then we headed to our last stop, Magdala, but first we had lunch at the Tamar Restaurant. Our lunch was very good, but our group had to seat at one big table, and this is something I don’t like. I had delicious grilled chicken breast with yellow rice and my husband had crusted sea bass fillet with the same rice. We also had a salad bar and their salads were mouthwatering. Not bad for a group lunch. The price was 180 shekels for the two of us.
After lunch we explored fascinating Magala’s excavations, which are still ongoing. Magdala is a hometown of Mary Magdalene and also the site of the first century Synagogue. This is where the two main religions had their paths crossed.
On the way back we stopped at Yardenit Baptismal site and witnessed the Baptism being performed. Not something we were interested in, but that’s what the tour itinerary had to offer.
We passed Tiberias on the way to Tel Aviv and it didn’t look like a resort to me… really rundown and unattractive place, besides the long promenade.
We arrived at the hotel around 6pm and went for a glass of wine with strawberries.
Very tiring day but beautiful Lake Kinneret deserves it.
