EXPLORING MODERN JERUSALEM
More than just an ancient city filled with religious sites and historic attractions, Jerusalem is a modern travel destination with an international flair, boasting world-class museums and unique sporting events, as well as art, design and culture festivals.
For food-lovers, gourmands and oenophiles, Jerusalem is an ideal travel destination offering unique wine bars, food tours and restaurants, as well as innovative culinary experiences and markets. Just this month, Jerusalem’s famous Mahane Yehuda Market announced its new “Shuk Bites” tours, offering travelers an insider’s view of the vibrant food stalls, produce stands and colorful vendors. The Shuk Bites tours provide travelers with taste-testings of various items throughout the Mahane Yehuda Market, or shuk, including fresh produce, boutique cheeses and breads, as well as organic coffee, pastries and international spices.
Active travelers wishing to explore Jerusalem by foot can participate in the third annual Jerusalem International Marathon on March 1, 2013. Taking place during Israel’s 65th anniversary year, the race will include 26-mile, 13-mile and 6.2-mile running routes through a unique course combining historic sites, beautiful landscapes and modern attractions, including the Old City of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus and Hebrew University, Sultan’s Pool, Mount Zion, American and German Colonies, the Alrov Mamilla outdoor mall and streets adjacent to the Mahane Yehuda Market.
Famous for its vast collection of local and international art works and innovative exhibitions, as well as being home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Israel Museum will host a new exhibition showcasing Japanese artwork entitled, “Crossplay: Male Actors, Female Roles in Kabuki Theater” through November 10, 2012. The collection includes 17- to 20th-century Japanese prints, paintings and original Kabuki theater costumes, and is the first of its kind to be shown in Israel.
For music lovers, Israel will host the Jerusalem Sacred Music Festival (September 6-7), a 24-hour marathon featuring electronic music, poetry, liturgy and traditional music at various locations across the city; and a concert featuring the New Jerusalem Orchestra performing a specially commissioned piece entitled “Maam Yerushalayim” on September 8.
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo offers a wide range of family-friendly tours and attractions through its grounds and gardens housing a variety of rare animals, including sand kittens, white rhinos and black-footed penguins. The zoo recently announced plans to construct Israel’s largest aquarium, which will feature 32 different fish tanks and an underwater tunnel with 180-degree views of sharks, sea turtles, coral reef and exotic fish.
For fashion-minded travelers, Jerusalem is home to a medley of shopping areas including the picturesque Alrov Mamilla Mall, with shops selling clothes by international and homegrown designers, as well as hip cafes, restaurants and art galleries. And a short walk from the Alrov Mamilla Mall is Jerusalem’s Bezalel Street, a center for Israeli design and shopping and home to the world-renowned Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.
And prior to arriving in Jerusalem, travelers can get a glimpse of the action taking place throughout the city with the newly launched Google Street View; and keep track of their personal travel itinerary and upcoming events with iTravelJerusalem.com, a new easy-to-use website offering travel deals, events and information highlighting tourism to Jerusalem.
Come Find the Israel in You. To know more, visit www.goisrael.com.
