A visit to the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem is an enjoyable experience for all ages. Visitors can relax amidst the surrounding beauty and tranquility of the landscaped lawns or meander through two levels of interesting and diverse animal habitats either on foot or by train. The train transverses the entire zoo with accompanying explanations of the animals and scenery from which you may descend at any of the animal habitats or the visitors’ center built as Noah’s ark. Each train can hold one wheelchair. Along the entire route there are no stairs, and the paths are built for easy walking, baby carriages and wheelchairs, with benches and drinking fountains along the way. Wheelchairs are available on loan.

Visitor Information

Tel. (02)6750111

Duration: several hours

Zoo Hours:

Sunday – Thursday

Winter:                        9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Spring and Summer:     9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

June, July, August:       9:00 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Fridays and Eve of Holidays

 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

How to Reach the Zoo: In Jerusalem.

Car: At the entrance to Jerusalem turn right onto Herzl Blvd., left at second light and an immediate right onto “Begin” South till Golomb exit. Straight until the Malcha Mall and then right to the Zoo.

Bus Routes: Bus no. 26 from French Hill via the Central Bus Station; Bus no. 33 from Har Nof and Bayit Vegan and Bus no. 99.

This fascinating, historic neighborhood of  Jerusalem was established as a result of the overcrowding within the walled city in the middle of the 19^th century. A tour of this interesting area is meant for all types of people. In light of the neighborhood’s narrow sidewalks and steps which make it hard for comfortable manipulation of carriages and wheel chairs, the tour is organized to accommodate the disabled, in particular the wheelchair population.

Visitor Information

Tel. 056-784390, 053-629614

Duration: 3 hours

Length: 2 – 3 Kilometers

Obstacles: There are several places with either a single, low step or descent from the sidewalk that would require assistance for wheelchairs.

How to Reach: Meeting place and parking is in the Parking Lot behind the Gerard Behar Center, entrance from Usishken Street, after turning onto Usishken from Bezalel Street.

Services: Bathrooms are available in the Gerard Behar Center (not wheelchair accessible). Additional bathrooms are in The Clal Building, wheelchair accessibility is at Gate 5 on the corner of Jaffa Road.

Recommended Season: Wandering through Nachlaot  is possible at any time but evenings are recommended and especially during the Succoth, Chanukah and Slichot periods.

website: www.jerusalem.muni.il

An interesting and nostalgic tour of the early days of Tel Aviv, according to the stories and illustrations of Nahum Gutman (and others) by which he is well remembered. Our route will incorporate the busy city streets that gave birth to Tel Aviv, including a replica of the original Tel Aviv streets and kiosks, Rothchild Blvd., the Independence Museum (50 min.tour without movie), the Haganah Museum and more. A guide is available to show you the tour by prior telephone arrangement.

Tour is Intended For: People with walking difficulties

website: www.gutmanmuseum.co.il

The Neot Kedumim nature reserve stretches over 2500 dunam of hills and valleys in the center of the country where Bible vegetation is grown along with agriculture as described in the Sources.

The hills are adorned with grape and olive orchards, tranquil water pools, abundant foliage and agriculture, archeological digs, local wildlife, oceans of wheat and barley stalks, ploughed fields, pomegranate orchards and walnut gardens, a pleasing panorama of Israeli landscape as described in the Bible and literature. Spread out between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, visitors to the nature reserve can get a personal feel of the diverse natural phenomenon so characteristic of our country which was interwoven in the legacy of our people. This place is well known for its magical beauty and is recommended for all.

Visitor Information

In Neot Kedumim, near the Ben Shemen Forest, is the site of an original, water powered Flour Mill which is the only one of its type still in operation today. This restored site is spread over 10 dunams, including a swimming hole whose water is channeled from a nearby wadi, a 50 meter water aqueduct, and a two-tiered reproduction of the original flour mills in early Israel.

Location: Frangrance Garden

Nahal Hashofet presents one of the most uniquely beautiful landscapes in Israel. A European panorama of forested hills, rich, lush countryside with running streams and trees.

One of the few nature sites constructed in Israel that is fitting for all sorts of handicapped, relatively easy to reach. The tour is meant for the traveler along with an aid, and can accommodate all of the following disabilities: hard of hearing, deaf, walking difficulties, limited vision, blind, wheelchair bound and any type of disability requiring assistance.

Services: There are no bathrooms in the area. The closest bathrooms that have options for the disabled are in the commercial section of Yokniam.

1. Shoham: A new residential town of 5,000 people only 10 years old built as one of the satellite communities along the Judean lowlands, Modiin and at the feet of the Shomrone hills.
2. Tel Chadid: This hill rises about 147 meters above the ocean and encompasses a nature reserve of several hundred dunam.

Obstacles: You need a car to go along most of the route and between the various sites.

website: www.kkl.org.il/forests/english/a-shemen.htm

The Lower Galilee is dotted with early settlements, agricultural farms, communal groups, and kibbutzim from the original Aliyot. You may embark on an exciting journey in the footsteps of these pioneers, visionaries and fighters who settled there and share in recollections of the events and stories from their era.

The Upper Galilee and Rosh Pina can be a lovely day trip or a long weekend. There are lovely hotels and local Bed and Breakfasts which are part of the enjoyment.

Visitor Information

The beautiful, quaint city of Zichron is lovely to visit all year round. You can begin with Edah Hill from which you go up to Ramat Hanadiv and from there onto Zichron. Leitner Gardens and the promenade are just a few of the places worth visiting.

This Fragrance Garden was built to especially accommodate the blind or with impaired site. At the entrance to the garden there is a relief map, describing the entire garden. An elevated garden-bed containing fragrant plants and also those pleasant to the touch, surrounds the gan. By grasping onto the metal railing that encircles the flower-bed, you make your way stopping at the signposts written in Hebrew, Latin, Arabic and Braille that explain the plant growing alongside. Recessed in the wall, the flowerbeds were designed for the comfort of children. In the middle of the garden there is a round pool with an inverted spout with a shed that provides shade alongside.

website: www.ramat-hanadiv.org.il

Not too far and a beautiful drive South, an hour from Tel Aviv to Beer Sheva, via the plains of Kiryat Gat, brown and green fields, settlements and kibbutzim until the capital of the Negev and then south to Ramon and its great canyon, one of the wonders of nature.