Some of The Sites in The North of Israel That You Simply Can't Miss

Otherwise known as the "Town of Jesus", this is the site where Jesus is said to have lived for a large portion of his life, and some of the Apostles (St Peter, St Andrew, St James and St John) lived there in the second century BC. Today the area is a national park spanning 80km2, containing ruins from the Biblical period. Not to be missed!

Yardenit is a baptism site in the Jordan River especially for Christian pilgrims. The site is located to the south of the source of the river from the Sea of Galilee. According to Christian tradition, John the Baptist baptised Jesus at Kasar el Yehud to the north of the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side of the border. Seeing as Kasar el Yehud hasn't been functional since the 6 Day War, the Yardenit is the only baptism site in the region. 

Nazareth is an ancient city located south-west of the Sea of Galilee. According to the New Testament, Mary lived in Nazareth with Jesus and her husband St Joseph. It was there that she received the news that she would give birth to the messiah, and there that Jesus grew up. The city is home to many holy sites, among them the place the family lived. The most famous site is the Church of the Annunciation. The city is a popular destination for pilgrims, and has been visited by at least 3 Popes, signifying its strong connection to Christianity. 

For those interested in Judaism:

The holiest site in this spiritual city is probably the Ari Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Tsfat. It was originally dedicated to Elijah the Prophet, 300 years before the Ari (Rabbi Yitzhak Luria) came to Tsfat in the 16th century. The city is full of Jewish history, making it an unmissable destination for anyone interested in the Jewish religion. 

Mount Meron is the tallest mountain within Israeli borders. It is situated next to the towns of Tsfat and Maalot Tarshicha, and its peak reaches 1,204 meters above sea level. This is one of the holiest sites for Jews due to it being the burial site of some of the most important Rabbis in Jewish history, including Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son Rabbi Elazar. Rabbi Johanan HaSandler and the prophet Sablan. Each year on Lag Ba'Omer, thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews gather on the mountain for the craziest celebrations you will ever experience.

For nature lovers:

If you're a fan of bird watching, this is the place for you! The Hula Valley is one of the best spots for bird watching in the world. The reason for this is that the Hula Valley is a rest stop for birds migrating between Africa and Europe. Twice a year, the mass migration of birds allows you to see a huge variety of species. Additionally, you can rent bikes and other vehicles to explore the area.

Hamat Gader is a fusion of nature and lifestyle. On the one hand there is an impressive alligator reserve where you can see over 200 different species. Next to the reserve there is a natural sulphur pool, a spring which rises up from deep below the Earth's crust at 42 degrees Celsius. The pool provides a pampering experience for bathers, and due to the spring's rate of flow, the entire pool replaces itself every 4 hours with new water untouched by human hand. The thermomineral water is known to have special healing qualities thanks to the combination of the temperature of the water and its rich mineral content.
 

There are a number of spots along the Jordan River where you can go kayaking. There isn't much difference between the sites, but the most famous are Hagoshrim and Kfar Blum. The rafting is perfectly safe and can be either very relaxing or very fun, depending on your kayaking style!