Aiguestortes

Aiguestortes National Park is a magnificent area located in the heart of the Pyrenees. Tourists flock to the park to take advantage of Aiguestortes National Park's beautiful lakes, waterfalls and glacial formations.

Follow The Rules

Visitors should be advised that it is not possible to enter the park by private car. Taxis are available to transport visitors around the park. In order to protect the integrity and beauty of Aiguestortes it is forbidden to collect plants, mushrooms, flowers or rocks. Hunting and fishing is also prohibited. Biking is restricted to certain paved roads.

Wild Life

Aiguestortes has an abundance of wild life. Bird watchers can expect to see Black Woodpeckers, Common Crossbills, Golden Eagles and Bearded Vultures. Aiguestortes is home to wild goat, ermine, roe deer and marmot.

Architecture

The park has a rich architectural history. The Catalan Romanesque churches are a feast for the eyes.

Life in the Lake

There are over 200 gorgeous lakes in the park. They are teeming with trout, rainbow trout, grass frogs, common toads and Pyrenean newts.

Plant Life

The forests are filled with many varieties of trees. Among them are the beech tree, fir, hooked pine and wild pine.

Climate

Temperatures in the park are cold. The average temperature is around 0 to 5 degrees centigrade.

Accommodations and Conveniences

There are quite a few shelters in the park that provide visitors with a place to rest. Food is available as well. Cottages are also available for rental and it is advisable to secure these well in advance of your trip. Medical attention is available in a medical center which is located within the park. If language poses a problem interpreters are available as is a tourist center.

A trip to Aiguestortes National Park is the experience of a lifetime, so let the planning begin!

Massada

Massada, Israel

Massada

What is Massada?

Massada is one of the most prolific and awe inspiring monuments in Israel. Massada, Israel is located on the top of a high cliff that reaches several hundred meters up and overlooks the Judean Desert and gives visitors a scenic look at the Dead Sea. Massada is Hebrew for fortress and was originally built by Herod the Great to serve as a safe haven for himself. Herod built the fortress sometime between 37 and 31 B.C. was known as a master builder with a keen eye for detail.

History

At the beginning of the Jewish revolt the people overthrew the fortress and declared it their base, where they fended off the Romans for well over two years. When the Romans finally overtook the fortress over one thousand of the Jews and zealots committed suicide since they were completely opposed to being taken captive by the Romans. The heroic story of Massada has captivated the minds of scholars and spiritual people for centuries. In 1842 the site of the fortress was finally identified, but it wasn't until the 1960's that the site was completely renovated by hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers. Massada is comprised of various sized bath houses, storerooms, villas, gates, living quarters, a synagogue, and even features a throne room along with Herod's personal palace.

Traveling Tips

Here are a few tips that will aid anyone that decides to take the journey up the steep cliff in Massada, Israel. Bring a water bottle, a hat, and sunscreen for the intense heat. To reach the fortress requires following a winding snake path that twists and turns up to the top of the cliff. This is a physical challenge and anyone that takes the snake path should be physically and mentally prepared by being in shape and bringing the appropriate equipment.

Masada

Masada is an ancient Judaic fortress found in the Judean Desert of Israel near the Dead Sea. Since its discovery in the mid-1800s, it restoration is a sign of Jewish resistance against repression.

History of Masada

The stronghold, whose name in Hebrew means fort, is on a spectacular plateau of rock surrounded by vertical crags. King Herod the Great built a defensive palace on top of the upland. During the Jewish revolt against the Romans, the Zealots took shelter at Masada and remained there for seven years.

The Fall of Masada

The citadel was the last of the Jewish strongholds conquered by the Romans in 73 CE. The zealots, who survived a siege of two years, chose to kill themselves instead of capture by the Romans. Masada represents the forced departure of the Jewish people from the Holy Land. The cruel fall symbolizes the courage since Israel was established in 1948.

Entry and Access to Masada

The site has entry fees for both walking up the path and riding a cable car in both directions. The quickest way to get to the fortress is by cable car, but the car does not start its ascent until 8 am, so that does not permit the opportunity to view the sunrise at the fort.

Masada

There are two other routes up to the fort. The Snake Path starts from the Dead Sea Highway in a sequence of switchbacks that snake up the cliff. This ascent takes from one to two hours. The Roman Ramp, reached by a road on the west side of the cliff, is not as demanding as the Snake Path.

Attractions

Features to be viewed at Masada include the compound of Herod’s palace that has bathhouses and displays of Roman-designed mosaics. In addition, the tour includes buildings of the zealots, including their homes, storerooms and synagogues. Further away are views of the remains of the Roman camps, the splendor of the Judean Desert and glimpses of the Dead Sea.

Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage site, represents the end of Judaic life in the Holy Land in ancient history and symbolizes the founding of the new Jewish nation.

Bar Mitzvahs in Israel

A bar mitzvah is a once in a lifetime, coming of age experience in a boy's life, marking the first steps toward manhood. With its great significance and joy for the family, what better way to make it memorable by considering bar mitzvahs in Israel. When families choose to take a tour overseas and plan bar mitzvahs in Israel, they will be giving their sons a gift beyond measure. Bar mitzvahs in Israel go beyond expensive gifts. Things come and go but memories will last a lifetime. Coming to Israel and the heart of the Jewish faith is a journey that should be shared by all of the family.

Parents can tailor bar mitzvahs in Israel to their personal preferences. The entire extended family can make it a giant celebration or it can be more intimate with the guest of honor and the immediate family. Once in Israel, there are so many ways to make bar mitzvahs in Israel unforgettable. Tours can be arranged with the travel agency or a self-guided itinerary can be planned to allow visitors to travel at their own leisure. There is so much to do and see in the Holy Land.

There are many points of interests that shouldn't be missed when choosing bar mitzvahs in Israel. The Massada, the Western Wall, and the Dead Sea are all favorites and of great significance to members of the Jewish faith. Jerusalem, Gush Halav, and Ein-hod are also popular destinations as well. Visitors can go on a quest to seek out various important places from the Bible when on their journey and experience their heritage as well as the culture while celebrating bar mitzvahs in Israel. They must not forget to sample the local cuisine that combines Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors for a unique experience. Challah, couscous, and potato bourekas are only a few dishes to be sampled. Regardless of what families do, where they stay, or where they dine, they will never be able to surpass the experience of sharing a bar mitzvah in the Holy Land and should consider starting plans for the future.

Jewish Tours of Spain

Friendly Jewish tours of Barcelona and Spain
 

Jewish tours of Spain begin with Barcelona. In the past one hundred years more and more Jews have been migrating to Spain. Barcelona has a population of between 4 and 5 thousand Jews. Barcelona also has a wine co-op that has been producing kosher wine since 1993.

Of course Jewish heritage tours of Spain would include tours of the synagogues. Barcelona has two functioning synagogues; Cominidad Isrealita de Barcelona and Chabad of Barcelona. Of the two synagogues, Cominidad Isrealita is the more traditional. The city also has a restored medieval synagogue, dated to the eighth century.

Jewish tours of Spain may also include tours of Casa de Batllo (also known as Gaudi House) the house was redesigned in 1904 by Antoni Gaudi. The house is one of the most prestigious in Spain and became a museum in 1963. Audio tours are available for purchase in eight languages, some of these include English, Spanish, Italian, and Chinese. Another Gaudi design that you must see on Jewish tours of Spain is the La Sagrada Familia. Construction on this beautiful temple began in 1882 and it is estimated to take between 30 and 50 more years to complete.

Jewish Tours of Spain

If you are looking for kosher food in Barcelona look no further than Mrs. Nechama Libersohn. They can deliver the food right to your hotel or apartment.

If you are a lover of art then your Jewish tours of Spain must include the Pablo Picasso museum in Barcelona. The museum has beautifully arranged his works from the beginning of his career to his final masterpieces. This will give you a glimpse of his progression over time. You may also want to visit the Miro Museum. This wonderful collection has Miro works dating back to 1914.

And no Jewish tours of Spain would be complete without seeing the Israeli Embassy in Barcelona.

Jewish heritage tours of Spain

Jewish heritage tours of Spain are a great way for travelers to catch a glimpse of the beauty and history that this culture provided to the country. In August, 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ordered all of the Jews who had not converted to Catholicism out of the country. Many of these people had lived in the country for thousands of years, and they left behind many of their cultural edifices. Travelers can enjoy Jewish heritage tours of Spain and are offered a glimpse into the culture and architecture that was left behind.

Cordoba

Cordoba provides those on Jewish heritage tours of Spain a chance to see the beautiful synagogue that was built in 1314. This is the only synagogue in the entire country that was not converted into a Christian building, and it is still preserved in all of its medieval beauty. The Gate of the Jews is also in this city and is a monument to the Jewish philosopher and doctor, Maimonides. The Casa Sefarad is another item of interest on Jewish heritage tours of Spain and offers cultural activities. During the third week of June, travelers can also enjoy the International Sephardi Music Festival.

Jewish heritage tours of Spain

Seville

Seville is home to the Barrio Santa Cruz, or the Jewish Quarter. There is still a small Jewish community in this city, and they will offer tourists a chance for guided Jewish heritage tours of Spain.

Toledo

Toledo used to be the Spanish capital and provided a home to many Jewish people before their expulsion. The Transito Synagogue dates to 1357, and it is now a Sephardic Museum that includes Hebrew inscriptions as well as an antique wooden ceiling.

Segovia

This is the city where Ferdinand and Isabella signed the famous expulsion order and is another stop on Jewish heritage tours of Spain. The Corpus Christi church used to be the leading synagogue in the city, and there is a remarkable Jewish cemetery in Segovia.