Madonna, who is a noted practitioner of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, also toured holy sites in Israel in 2004 and 2007.

“We are thrilled Madonna has chosen to begin her World Tour in Israel,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America, “which will serve as a wonderful addition to the stunning lineup of concerts in Israel this summer.”

Madonna’s performance will precede concerts by Bruce Springsteen and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Israel this summer.

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

I’ve just returned from a travel writers’ conference in Israel where we convened at three excellent hotels in the Dan group (named for one of the Bible’s 12 tribes of Israel). When I arrived three days prior to the conference to also visit Palestine, I discovered another special hotel in East Jerusalem that was conveniently close to the meeting place for a small group tour to Bethlehem and Ramallah in Palestine’s West Bank.

The unique attraction of the American Colony Hotel, however , is that it has been central to the history of Jerusalem since the 1880’s when Horatio Spafford and his wife left Chicago and traveled to Jerusalem to build a new life for themselves after the tragic loss of their four young daughters in a shipwreck.

Joined by 16 other members of their church, they settled in a small house in the Old City. Although they were never missionaries, they aimed at living a simple life with everything in common..

Their door was always open to their Arab and Jewish neighbors as well as Bedouin from around the city. As they became well known for their acts of benevolence and assistance to the community, people referred to them simply as “the Americans.”

When seventy Swedes living in the US joined them in 1894, they required larger premises. The home they bought was initially built as a palace for a pasha and his four wives. It would soon become The American Colony Hotel.

In 1902, Baron Ustinov (grandfather of actor Sir Peter Ustinov), found the Turkish inns of the time unacceptable and needed a suitable accommodation to house his visitors from Europe and America, the American Colony Hotel became a lodging for Western travelers and pilgrims.

The Americans endured countless challenges and a series of wars. To initiate the truce that ended Ottoman rule in Jerusalem, the hotel made a white flag from a bed sheet from one of the Colony’s hospitals.

The Colony has always been known locally as a neutral island, remaining outside the turbulent politics of the land. An oasis where Jews and Arabs meet, it is also a favorite haven for international journalists and diplomats from across the world. Its cozy, newly refurbished Cellar Bar continues to be Jerusalem’s most famous gathering place.

The Colony is still owned by Spafford’s grandson, but is now managed by the Gauer hotels of Switzerland. The Spaffords’ former home in the Old City today houses a Children’s Center, which runs medical, infant welfare and social work departments for local children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

www.americancolony.com

www.greenolivetours.com to arrange tours to Palestine’s West Bank.

“Bathing in bathhouses during the Byzantine period is a continuation of the Roman tradition,” said Dr. Rina Avner, Excavation Director, Israel Antiquities Authority. “Similar bathhouses were found in the past at Latrun and Caesarea.

“This remarkable new discovery will serve as a valuable addition to Israel’s vast collection of archeological treasures,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America,” and will provide some additional excitement to historic-minded travelers arriving in Israel this year.”

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

In the survey, Tel Aviv was described as the gay capital of the Middle East and as “an exotic and welcoming destination with a Mediterranean c’est la vie attitude.”

“We are proud to see Tel Aviv gain international recognition as the world’s best tourism destination for LGBT travelers,” said Oded Grofman, Consul for Tourism, Israel Government Tourist Office – Canada. “We hope this award attracts travelers of all tastes and interests to visit Israel in 2012.”

Tel Aviv will host its annual LGBT Pride Festival, featuring a wide selection of events, festivals and a parade, June 8, 2012.

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.ca

The race will bring participants through sites within Jerusalem’s historical landscape, including the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, the Knesset, Jerusalem Promenade and various Old City sites such as Sultan’s Pool and the German Colony.

“This historic marathon will inspire world-class athletes to travel to Jerusalem,” said Oded Grofman, Consul for Tourism, Israel Government Tourist Office – Canada, “and will create some additional excitement for travelers arriving in Israel this year.”

The Marathon will also host a three-day health and fitness exposition at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, featuring health and sports nutrition booths, lectures, workshops and equipment kiosks.

For more information, visit www.jerusalem-marathon.com

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.ca

In collaboration with the Israeli Opera, the festival will include a selection of opera, vocal and classical musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool beneath the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, including:

Verdi’s La Traviata in Zedekiah’s Cave, June 6-14: A 60-minute performance highlighting Verdi’s legendary work featuring members of the Israeli Opera and local musicians

La Bohème, September 6: A performance of Puccini’s most popular opera featuring international soloists, including Ira Bertman, Roberto Aronica and Boaz Daniel, as well as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and a children’s chorus

Pretty Woman Meets The Fifth Element, September 8:

A multi-media production featuring opera arias and duets accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and projected visuals from a variety of movies including Pretty Woman, Moonstruck, The Fifth Element, Amadeus and A Room with a View, among others.

Cantors and Tenors, September 10: A concert featuring leading international cantors and opera tenors, including Dudu Fisher, Benzion Miller, Jacob Motzen and Yotam Cohen accompanied by the Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir

“The Jerusalem International Opera Festival will inspire travelers and music lovers from around the world to visit the Old City of Jerusalem,” said Oded Grofman, Consul for Tourism, Israel Government Tourist Office – Canada. “The festival is sure to create an extraordinary musical environment unlike any other.”

For more information, visit www.jerusalem-culture.com/Opera_Festival%20

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.ca

The participants’ bikes were shipped to Israel last month and during the trip participants visited military bases, honored fallen soldiers and delivered $500,000 worth of medical supplies donated by the organization’s Hope For Israel Relief Fund that also helps Holocaust survivors and Israel’s needy. The visit also brought the bikers from the Golan to Beersheba and through much of Israel and its Christian holy places, with a bike ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem’s Western Wall as the trip’s climax.

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

The participants’ bikes were shipped to Israel last month and during the trip participants will visit military bases, honor fallen soldiers and deliver $0.5 million worth of medical supplies donated by the organization’s Hope For Israel Relief Fund that also helps Holocaust survivors and Israel’s needy. The visit will take bikers from the Golan to Beersheba visiting much of Israel and its Christian holy places, and the trip’s climax will be the epic bike ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem’s Western Wall.

Seeing the group off at JFK, Israel’s Tourism Commissioner, Haim Gutin (sporting a leather vest presented to him by Pastor Wes Alvarez of My Father’s Vineyard in Pensacola, FL) said, “we are honored by your coming, and it will be a special treat for me to ride with you next week through Jerusalem, my home town.”

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

The festival will also include an international art exhibit at the Tsuk Gallery, an outdoor sculpture display at the Shaked Promenade Garden and an educational symposium focused on ancient mosaics at the Netanya Cultural Center.

“We are excited to host this wonderful exhibition showcasing Israeli and international mosaic artists,” said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America, “which will also help attract a new wave of travelers to explore the serene beaches and tourist sites in Netanya.”

The festival will also host a special children’s mosaic project at the Netanya Museum and include an artist workshop presented by Israeli artists Yuti and Anat Shami.

For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

The Hula Valley International Bird Festival is part of “A Winter of Birds” – 5 weeks of International Birding events in the Galilee.

The Hula Valley is one of the most important stopover and wintering sites for southbound migrants through the Great Rift Valley.

The KKL Agamon-Hula Park and Hula Nature Reserve host thousands of wintering Common Cranes, Pelicans, Ducks, Waders and Passerines every year. Over 300 species are seen here annually including some of the rarest European birds of prey. Great Spotted and E.Imperial Eagles, Pallid Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard and more winter in the valley and can be seen with ease.

We believe it is time to spotlight the region as the world class birding destination that it is, and the way to do so is through a large scale Birdwatching event.

The Hula Valley Bird Festival will take place on the 20-27 November 2011 and is a one week event that offers something for everyone; Birding tours, Photography seminars, a large scale scientific conference and much more.

Join us for an unforgettable week of bird-watching tours and events and come discover the Hula Valley and Northern Israel as the Birdwatching gems they are.

The festival will also offer comprehensive birding workshop, photography seminar, scientific conference and an intimate performance with seven-time Grammy Award-winning musician Paul Winter.

www.hulabirdfestival.org