The Gospel Trail offers visitors a great way to experience Israel's Galilee region. // © 2013 Tal Glick / Israeli Ministry of Tourism
Haim Gutin, Israel commissioner for tourism for North and South America, and a few of his colleagues from the Israel Ministry of Tourism, recently dropped by the TravelAge West office.
They shared a slew of interesting developments in Israel __ including new hotels (sign me up for the W Tel Aviv in 2015), new ad campaigns, a new travel agent training course and a visit to Israel by members of the USTOA. All information you will no doubt read in TAW in the weeks and months ahead.
One of the items that caught my interest was the Gospel Trail.
While not exactly new (it debuted in 2011), the 37-mile trail winds around the Sea of Galilee and is based on the path Jesus would have taken from Mount Precipice to Capernaum, making stops at Mount Tabor, Cana, the Horns of Hettin, Mount Arbel, Magdala, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes.
The trail also includes scripture readings hewn into basalt rocks, rest and picnic areas as well as information sites.
Even if you're not interested in following in the footsteps of Jesus, Gutin said that the trail is great for biking and hiking as well. Plus, the scenery around Galilee is so beautiful __ I'm guessing that alone makes for a divine experience.
