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Israel Adventure Travel for All Ages
Adventure travel is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, and as an adventure destination, Israel can't be beat. Israel offers both "soft" adventures: camping, hiking and horseback riding and "hard" ones, like sky diving and mountain climbing. Below is a list of resources for adventures of all kinds.
Only about the size of New Jersey, Israel is blessed with an amazingly varied terrain: four seas (Red, Dead, Med and Galilee) with miles of marvelous coastline; many mountains (some holy, some just heavenly); waterfalls, deserts, oases, archaeological excavations of ancient cities, great fields of wild flowers, enormous canyons ...with diverse climates to match. Here are some of the active pursuits many families enjoy.
Overland Tours
Cover unusual terrain bumpily in non-cushy, all-purpose, 4-wheel drive vehicles. ATV's, All Terrain Vehicles, are more macho than their cousins, the Jeep. Israel offers an almost endless choice of high-contrast itineraries - mountains, deserts, the sea shore, and when driven well and intelligently by someone who loves the land, these rides can be as beautiful as they are hair-raising.
In the very wild Western Negev Desert, visit really remote lost villages such as Ruheiba (home to 4th and 5th century inscriptions) via jeep and only with, expert, professional licensed guides Dan Gazit and Piki Sadeh of Sadeh Tours. (07/998-2144).
Orcha Bagalil specializes in the Galilee via Jeep and rafting on the River Jordan (06/679-2777). Jeep See in Eilat, (07/633-0133). Ask about the special Black Rock Wadi trip, or their sunset and moonlit trips deep in the desert. Jimmy developed his Jeep Safaris in the Golan Heights from his intimate knowledge of the terrain as an experienced cattle driver. A real Israeli cowboy. He now offers jeep trips to once inaccessible local beauty spots (06/676-3406)
Israel by Bicycle and Rollerblades
Israel is a dream for cycling enthusiasts -- enormously diverse countryside, short distances between towns and impressive historical sites, plus great weather almost all year long. And cycling in either of Israel's dramatic deserts, the Negev or Judean, is the best!
Spin along the Dead Sea shore, lowest point on earth. The mineral rich air and super salty water will definitely advance your tan, heal your cuts, and the exercise will force you to pump your pecs and other muscles you never even knew you had. The Nahal Pratzim river valley trail provides the ultimate ride on a soft surface: very quiet, spectacular red mountain scenery, and a possible stop in the Flour Cave, a definite thrill, spookily white inside. You'll emerge powdered.
Sub-cycle category: mountain bikers benefit from all of the above in addition to a plentiful crisscrossing on off-road routes.
Ayala Tours (02/500-6672) in Jerusalem offers a variety of tours from adventure to historical throughout the city. Cyclists should consider their Negev Desert Bike Ride for an 8-day tour from Tel Aviv to Eilat for an intimate overview of the region complete with comfortable accommodations. In addition to offering packages for groups and individuals, they can also assist with hotel booking and information on the area for travelers looking to explore on their own.
Rollerblade, that is, the ultimate derring-do urban sport of the decade. Young Tel Avivians prefer to blade the busy city streets where split second timing, fearlessness, and perfect eye-foot coordination are a must. In Tel Aviv, Lilienblum 14 is a cute pub that also doubles as Blade Central. Or try Crazy Roller in Herzlyia, Park West in Ra'anana, and/or the eponymous SK8 in Haifa.
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