ISRAEL - INTERNATIONAL MEDITERRANEAN TOURISM MARKET

The 16th annual 'International Mediterranean Tourism Market' (IMTM) was recently held in February 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Several USA 'hosted buyers' boarded flights from either LAX or JFK - El Al Airlines gateways in the US.

The first day we relaxed in our respective 4-/5-star hotels -based on whether you upgraded for an additional 15-Euros/$25 per night. I chose the oceanfront 'Renaissance Hotel' overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. I enjoyed room service on my balcony on the 11th-floor as I watched a small group play a friendly game of beach volleyball at night and a spectacular view of Tel Aviv.

The following day it was all business as we attended the opening ceremony for 'IMTM' and the tradeshow visiting various local vendors as well as an international section.

Hosted buyers had a relaxing lounge area where we could eat light snacks and sip on beverages and Israeli wines or check emails on the complimentary laptops provided.

In the afternoon, those of us who had recently arrived participated in half-day 'Tel Aviv City



Tour', which included the 'Old City of Jaffa' - where 'St. Peter's church' and spectacular view of the Tel Aviv coastline could be seen. That evening many of us did 'nightclub/bar tours' and called it a night.

The following we all divided up into different buses and did a full-day 'Jerusalem Tour', which included a stop first at the "Yad Vashem" -National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust.

We continued on to see a panoramic view of Jerualem's Old City from theMount of Olives.

Also, sights included: Entry thru Mt. Zion to see the 'Room of the Last Supper' which we missed; the Christian Quarter with the 'Church of the Holy Sepulcher'; 'Via Dolorosa' - stations of the Cross; the 'Western Wall'-Judaism's most sacred site and some quick shopping in the 'Arab Market'.

Later that evening we stopped at a 'kibbutz' -a collective farm - for appetizers and beverages including wine from their own winery.


It was a full day and we prepared for the following day's tours to either: Galilee area or the Dead Sea area. Since I am a Bible Student, I selected the Galilee area which is the birthplace of Christianity and of course - the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Our 'spiritual journey' day began with a stop in 'Caeserea' - an ancient port city built by King


Herod in tribute to Ceasar of Rome. It was remarkable, especially the miles long aqueduct.

We had lunch in Tiberias in a boutique hotel 'The Scots Hotel St. Andrews Galilee', owned by the Church of Scotland. It was formerly a medical center refurbished and complete with a wine cellar and Galilee lake view simming pool. Defnitely a great base for tours in the Galilee area.







Afterwards we headed to the Mount of Beatitudes - traditional site of Jesus' sermon on the Mount; Tabgha - site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Fishes and Loaves';

Capernaum- "City of Jesus" - an ancient Jewish fishing town with a synagogue from the 4th century where Jesus began his ministry.

We then headed towards Nazareth - the childhood town of Jesus. Passing thru Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine - I later imagined Jesus walking down the hill from Nazareth to Cana to attend the wedding ceremony.

In Nazareth we drove by 'Mary's well' and visited the majestic 'Basilica of the Annuciation' where Mary received word from an angel of the Lord of the Christ Child.

Finally we had some time for quick shopping at the 'Arab Bazaar' before we headed back to Tel Aviv. Also, it was time to reflect on the awesome experience, especially to Believers seeing the 'Holy Land" up close and personal.

Back at my hotel, I packed up and headed to the airport for my flight on El Al to JFK and then on to San Francisco.


Next to Egypt, this was definitely a 'spiritual journey' I will always treasure...