Israel, prominent on the world stage as a political hotbed, is often passed over by people when planning where next to travel. This small country is not only the main player in many Middle Eastern struggles but a land of unbeatable beauty, a multitude of historical and religious sights and a fascinating mix of people. Israel is a destination everyone should reach at least once in their lifetime.


People who do decide to discover Israel for themselves usually arrange to spend some time in the northern part of the country but too often reserve just a small part of their itinerary for this area. With its awesome landscape and ancient sights covering approximately 2,000 square kilometers, northern Israel is a spot to absorb rather than pass through in a rush. The most effective as well as one of the simplest ways to explore this area is by making the most of the excellent value Israel car hire suppliers. Trains, while existent in Israel, do not yet run along the entirety of the country, and bus travel can leave you with more time waiting and changing stations than seeing the sights. Rental car companies are plentiful in Israel and roads are extremely well signed, each one worded in large Hebrew, Arabic and English letters. In this part of Israel renting a car makes the most sense.


Along the shores of the sunny Mediterranean the ancient port city of Caesarea holds a theatre constructed during the reign of Herod the Great and a large aqueduct built atop arches, along which you can walk to view the sea. Further north, the walled city of Acco beats with the heart of Arab culture. Drive a couple of hours east and you'll reach the Sea of Galilee. A sea in name only, this large lake is surrounded by kibbutzim and significant religious sights like Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes. Look east, and you'll be gazing upon the mountains of Jordan. Minutes south of the Galilee is Bet She'an, layers of excavated cities dating back to the 4th Century B.C. Drive north, and you'll shortly arrive in the Golan Heights, where Druze villages and military bunkers dot the otherwise rather stark rural landscape all the way to the border with southern Lebanon. These are just a few of the sights youll find in this part of Israel.


Getting to know northern Israel is an important part of any trip to this country, and renting a car will give you the freedom to see it all. Just be sure to allow yourself the several days needed to experience as much as you can of the beauty and rich history in this area of the earth.

Guest post By: Sabina Lohr
editor of solofemaletraveler.com

The travel industry has always been very dynamic. With changing locations, flights and more importantly, people’s preferences, it is an industry that has never stayed still. Over the last few years, people’s habits and the way they go about arranging their holidays has changed significantly.

With the widespread availability of the internet, more and more people, are turning online for their travel plans. The availability of constantly updated information enables people to make very ‘informed’ choices. Price comparisons and essential travel information is always available at a mouse click.


Of increasing popularity are websites that put holidaymakers directly in contact with owners of privately owned holiday accommodation. The fluidity and transparency of the internet, ensures that prices fairly match people’s demands. Direct holiday rentals have seen a boom in recent years and it is easy to understand why. The increased flexibility and the recognition that the best way to see an area is to ‘live’ there and experience it first hand. Of particular importance when traveling with small children.

Spain is still the number one location for UK holiday makers. Being such a large and diverse country, people are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to making holiday plans. From the Spanish Costas, to the small white-washed Spanish pueblos, there is always something for everyone.  Renting a holiday villa in Spain or a holiday apartment in Spain directly from the owner is now a very feasible and affordable option.
Being less than three hours travel time and flights being so cheap, more and more people are re-discovering a new way to experience an old favorite!!

This is a guest blog from Spain-Holiday.com

    

Not me, the young Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland leads the Open going into day 2 of the 139th Open Championship.  The young man, tipped for the top showed some true magic yesterday, albeit helped by the eerily calm conditions.  Take nothing away from the young man however, wind or no wind, St. Andrews commands respect as many of those the wrong side of level par will confirm.  So the young man leads the way with a course record equalling 63, (9 under par!).  As for the rest, there a few back on 6 under and large group hot on their heels at 5 under, including the main threat, Tiger.

Tiger had an indifferent day, some signs of his dominance in the sport, but also a few signs of his not so hot recent form.  It just shows the true competitive nature of the man however, 5 under par around St. Andrews on the opening day of the Open and he is not at all happy.  A few missed puts out there, especially on the 17th leading to a bogey and missed opportunity at 18 for an easy birdie will play on his mind long into the night.  As for the new putter, I don’t know what all the fuss was about, the media could not think of anything else when he announced he would be using a new putter – I tell you, if I putted like that with any putter I would be more than happy.

The weather looks to play an important part of the Open once again, St. Andrews, Just 20 miles east of Edinburgh and 50 miles east of Glasgow was yesterday dead calm, with not a breath of wind (very unusual), until early afternoon when the wind picked up and few meaningful showers drenched the later end of the draw.  The best scores were posted in the morning no doubt and McIlroy took full advantage, but of the afternoon tee slots, England’s own Lee Westwood set the pace with a very impressive 5 under par in what were pretty gusty conditions.  The English man hit a purple patch and hit 5 consecutive birdies to put him in a good position going into day 2.

So what will day 2 bring? Who will miss the cut? Its looking to be an sub-par cut this year with all the great scoring of yesterday, however some wind and rain will be a real leveller today and will no doubt sort the men from the boys.

My tip is for Tiger to show his strength in character and show the world of golf that he has still got what it takes, but the young McIlroy and UK’s Chris Wood will push him all the way.

It's been quite a year for the World no. 1 golfer.  Probably not one he’d want to relive with the revelations about his private life, his voluntary exclusion from the game and the media blood bath that followed with some rather uncomfortable moments.  The World’s media turned its eye to the highest paid athlete of 2008.  Woods grew up in Orange County, California and was brandishing a golf club a very tender age.  Nurtured through academies his talent became visible very early and he was swiftly talked about as the next big thing in golf.  Boy did he live up to that reputation.  Having bagged 14 Majors since turning pro in 1996 a number only eclipsed by Jack Nicklaus who won a staggering 18!

That record is sure to tumble as woods is currently ranked world number 1 and has held that position longer than any other professional golfer, a feat that will prove hard to match.  His dominance is similar to that of Michael Schumacher who won an unprecedented 7 world championship drivers titles.  As for current form however, Woods has been likened to more of a pussy cat than a tiger, with his competitive edge seemingly lacking.  There is no doubt he holds the key to the greatest ability golf has seen, a combination of shot variation, course management and seemingly nerves of steel, but with recent knee surgery sidelining him for the best part of a season and the more recent ‘off the  course’ tribulations his form has dipped and he is for the first time in a long time having to battle to retain his world no.1 status.  Phil Mickelson is hot on his heels and can smell victory and the Open Championship could be the place to strip Tiger of his cherished ranking.

As for the Open, 2010 see’s its 150th anniversary being played out at the spectacular St. Andrews, the spiritual home of golf.  While the preparation is hotting up with the talk of Tiger’s new putter, the weather for sure is anything but hot!  Gusty winds and torrential downpours are sure to throw a few surprises to the field and I am sure that has opened the door for some of the lesser known players.  A chance to win the Open Championship!  Scotland really is seeing some nasty weather at the moment and whilst no one expects the need for sun cream, just 30 miles from Edinburgh it’s really kicking up a storm!

As for Tiger loosing his teeth? I think the tactics are pretty good from the other players and pundits around the world of golf, but I would not bet against Tiger biting back and showing the world of golf that he is still the greatest player to ever pick up a set of clubs, new putter or not.

Last night saw Spain crowned World Cup Champions after a dogged final with the Netherlands.  The final score 1-0 to the Spaniards courtesy of a 110 minute goal by arguably the championships best player, Andres Iniesta.  0-0 at full time, although the yellow card score was more of a talking point, with Netherlands clear front runners and some might wonder how they did not tot up more red cards.

The Dutch game plan has been heavily criticized by many pundits saying there is no place on football for the tactics employed, who have until now been one of the star performers of the tournament and played some excellent football.  Sadly last night the beautiful football was left in the locker room and a bullish Dutch side took to the field intent on stopping the Spanish playing the game they know so well.  To an extent the game plan was solid, Spain were unable to pass with the fluency they have shown to date, largely down to the Dutch tight marking and heavy challenges. 

Referee Howard Webb has been criticized by the Dutch manager and received a barrage of complaints from the players.  I thought he did very well in what was in truth an ugly game.  Webb kept both sides at a full quota of 11 men for 108 minutes, when Johnny Heitinga was shown a second yellow and given his marching orders 18 minutes into extra time.  How Nigel De Jong was still on the pitch after his karate style challenge on Xabi Alonso is beyond me and Webb must not have had a clear view of the incident.  Planting his size 10’s into Alonso’s chest after 27 minutes was worthy of a red and made for unpleasant viewing.

In the end I think the best team won on the night and justice was served for football.  Spain have won the World Cup for the first time in their History and become only the 8th nation to lift the trophy, joining the likes of Germany, Brazil and England. They have also emulated France team of 98 and 2000 by holding both European and World titles at the same time.

As for the tournament as a whole, it’s been a mixed bag.  A slow start saw some big name teams struggling for form, including Spain, who if you remember lost their opening game to Switzerland and become the only team to win the tournament after losing the opening game!  Italy and France, both former winners fell at the first hurdle, England crashed out in the last 16 and Brazil were sent home at the quarter finals.  South Africa sadly did not make the knockout stages, whilst adopted hosts Ghana made the quarter finals and were harshly denied a semi-final place by Uruguay.  In the end however, the best team won and the hosts put on a great spectacle, not without its controversies however, we’ll all remember the drones of the vuvuzela and I don’t think many will forget the furore surrounding the Jubilani, or simple football.

Roll on 2014 Brazil.

My prediction – Brazil....Surely they cannot be beaten in their own back yard!