HISTORY 1 in the Holy Land Unearth History Cover photo: The Mona Lisa of the Galilee at Tzipori, Israel Photo by Itamar Grinberg for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism HISTORY 3 Enjoy our history & heritage journeys across some of Israel’s most fascinating sites The Land of Israel, also known as the Holy Land, is the birthplace of the Jewish people, the place where the final form of the Hebrew Bible is thought to have been compiled, and the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity. It contains sites sacred to Judaism, Samaritanism, Christianity, Islam, Druze and the Bahá'í Faith. Israel’s cities and countryside encompass over 3,000 years of history, culture and religion whilst natural wonders pepper the land from north to south. Whether it’s your first visit to Israel or if we’re already your frequent home away from home, there’s always more historical treasures just waiting for you to discover. Amiel Tours invites you to join us and choose from our assorted collection of history and heritage journeys across some of Israel’s most fascinating sites, all brimming with unforgettable moments and stories. We hope you enjoy our history and heritage moments as we look forward to creating many one-of-a-kind experiences and memories that will last for a lifetime. AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE Digging through Time at Korazim National Park Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Korazim contains the ruins of an ancient Jewish town. A 25-acre park, Korazim is one of the most well-preserved ancient cities dating back to the Second Temple era. Korazim is mentioned in the New Testament as one of the towns condemned by Jesus. Uncover the past in this ancient Jewish city with an expert archaeologist and unearth artifacts such as pottery, glass, coins and more. This is a 2-3 hours experience that your groups will never forget! HISTORY 5 Fascinating Herodion National Park Located 12 kilometers south of Jerusalem and 5 kilometers southeast of Bethlehem, in the Judaean Desert, West Bank, and built by Herod the Great, King of Judah during the Roman period, Herodion is one of the most fascinating sites in the Holy Land. Herod began to build Herodion, apparently as a government and administrative center in Judea, leaving Jerusalem mainly as the religious center. He named his impressive, eye-catching monument after himself and is believed to have been buried there. The city was divided into a fortress on the upper city and a palace and gardens in the lower city. Ancient Shiloh- 3500-Year-Old Biblical Experience Shiloh, the site of the Tabernacle and the first capital of the Israelite Kingdom, is one of the most importance heritage sites in Israel, with a history of over 3,000 years. The layers of the different historical periods present the story of the region and its people. Here, the biblical stories of its original inhabitants – Samuel the prophet, Hanna and her famous prayer for a child, the 15th of Av celebrations in the vineyards and more come back to life. The site offers archeological tours, a unique light and sound experience, crafting workshops, archeological digs in season and many more exciting activities. AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE Visit the ‘Underground’ at the Ayalon Institute Located about 30 minutes south of Tel Aviv, the Ayalon Institute brings alive one of the most fascinating chapters in the story of the establishment of the State of Israel. It was here, that a secret underground ammunition factory disguised as part of a kibbutz to fool the British in the 1940s was created for the production of 9mm bullets for the Sten submachine gun, which was the personal weapon of the Palmach fighters. Tzipori National Park: The Ornament of the Galilee Located in the heart of the Lower Galilee about 6.5 kilometers northwest of Nazareth, Tzipori (Sepphoris) was believed to be the birthplace of Mary, mother of Jesus, and the village where Saints Anna and Joachim are often said to have resided. On the ancient hill of Tzipori, draped in orchards, walk through the landscape of the dawn of Christianity. On your way see an ancient water cistern from the time of Jesus, visit a Byzantine church, enter a Crusader fortress, experience the 4,500 seat Roman theatre, view the panorama of Mary’s childhood at the village of Nazareth, go down to Mary’s house and much more. Photo taken by Itamar Grinberg for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism HISTORY 7 ‘Beit Shean Nights’ – History Comes to Life A breathtaking audiovisual display at Beit Shean National Park taking place after sunset. Step into time as the past takes shape in an incredible sound-and-light show, bringing to life the ancient town and its inhabitants by projecting images of horse-drawn carriages, Romans and buildings onto the stones, along the central street, and on the stage. Considered the fourth biggest audio-light show in the world, this display is produced by Israel’s renowned Disk-In Pro, the same company behind the Olympic Experience Museum in Tel Aviv. Photo taken by Tal Glick Meet the Nabateans along the Ancient Incense Route Close your eyes and travel back in time 2,000 years. Experience the tale of the mystifying Arabian nomad tribes that controlled the trading routes in the south Levant. Today, the small Israeli portion of the 2,000-kilometer Incense Route – a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a fascinating trail filled with beautiful desert vistas and archeological discoveries across four Nabatean Negev Desert cities - Avdat, Shivta, Mamshit and Haluza. Together they reflect the hugely profitable trade in frankincense and myrrh from south Arabia to the Mediterranean, which flourished from the 3rd century BCE until the 2nd century CE. Photo taken by Dafna Tal for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE The Battle of David And Goliath at Ella Valley Located in the Judean Hills near the modern city of Beit Shemesh, about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem, Ella Valley is just four miles long. Climb up Tel Azaqa for a spectacular view of the Ella valley, where the famous battle between David and Goliath took place. Visit the ruins of the ancient fortress city of Khirbet Qeiyafa (identified with “Sha’arayim” in the bible), touch biblical history and behold where the Philistines fled after their defeat. HISTORY 9 Meet with an Archaeologist Enjoy fascinating, in depth tours of archeological sites in Jerusalem, the Negev or the Galilee, headed by the archaeologist who excavated them. Learn about the way archaeologists interpret the stones and the material culture they unearth through systematic scientific analysis, and what we can learn from that about the people who inhabited the site and the local history. AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE Learn about Israel’s borders and neighboring countries with a Borders Tour former IDF officer, in this Geopolitical tour along Israel’s borders in the North (Lebanon/Syria) or the south (Gaza). This unique tour will give you a better understanding of Israel and its neighbors, the role of the IDF in protecting the borders, and everyday life of those who live close to the border from an up close and personal perspective. Create and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences that become lifelong memories AMIEL TOURS MAKE IT MEMORABLE www.amiel.com.