Driving up the Mediterranean coast

Today we left Tel Aviv for an amazing romp through history and religious pluralism. Our first stop was Caesaria, the ancient capitol of the Roman province of Palestinia, where we were impressed by the perfect acoustics in the open theater, as well as the audacious breadth and scope of the city, and how it changed over time as it passed from one culture and religion to another.

Then we were off to visit a Druze village for lunch, to learn about their culture and religion, and the unique place they have in Modern Israel.

Of course we had to stop at the Bahá’i Gardens and Temple in Haifa, where we took in the sights and learned about the history and beliefs of the Bahá’i.

The rest of the afternoon was reserved for Acco (Acre) site of an extensive crusader fortress, and later Ottoman and British prisons built on the ramparts of the mostly buried citadel. After touring the fortress, we went to the modern harbor of this city where Jews and Muslims live together in harmony right next to a place that epitomizes the history of religious strife and violence.

Now we are off to a well deserved rest at the Kibbutz Kfar Blum Pastoral guest house, which will be our home base as we explore the North of Israel.