Habonim Beach and Caesarea

Habonim Beach Nature Reserve is one of the loveliest and most interesting of Mediterranean beaches.
The beach is located within a reserve which is home to the largest number of inlets - carved out by waves and wind - sandy recesses, reefs, caves and wave fountains. South of the nature reserve is Caesarea, the ancient port city that served as the capital of Israel during the Roman and the Byzantine eras. Caesarea's ancient Roman amphitheater has been renovated and reconstructed and is currently a culture and entertainment venue. In Caesarea, you will also find an ancient Roman aqueduct and impressive archaeological findings.

Port of Caesarea
Travel Through Time - Sound and Light Show at the Port of Caesarea
Many tourist sites convey the story of ancient Israel, but one story particularly worth noting is the magnificent history of Caesarea. A visit to the national park and ancient port, a tour of the hippodrome and Roman amphitheater, a walk amongthe impressive palace ruins cannot be complete without observing the splendor displayed in the "Travel Through Time" displays that together recreate a city being reawakened in front of our very eyes, an impressive highlight to your visit.

The Travel Through Time display transforms your tour into a historical trek through time. The 10-minute multimedia clip shows the city through the ages. An innovative computer simulation visually displays how the city passed from one ruler to another and how the city appeared in different ages. Nearby, you will find a hall with four screens that welcome visitors with 12 figures from various historical periods: a personal meeting with King Herod, with Louis IX, Rabbi Akiva, Baron de Rothschild, Hannah Senesh. Others historical figure displays can also be scheduled, allowing you to hear their stories, thus introducing you to the events of each era.

Visitors then continue to the Tower of Time display located in the recreated fortress. The view from the top of the tower itself is good enough reason to climb to the top. In both Tower of Time halls, visitors can view a sophisticated computer system that allows them to see the ancient structures of the city that were excavated -- all on a giant screen. Tourists can take a virtual tour of the city, enter buildings and visit the streets, even participate in various activities such as horse racing in the hippodrome, performances in the theater, roaming around the market booths, and receiving ships arriving at the port, all of which tangibly and powerfully reflect Caesarea's importance throughout the ages.

At the end of the experience, visitors can walk the paths of the national park to see the sites and vistas from up close that they saw in the displays. Visitors should tour the pier built in the 1850s and see the fishermen scattered along the coast on a calm day, or the waves shattering against it on stormy days. Visitors can walk the paved path across from the artists yard, enjoying the artistic jewels offered, dine in one of the restaurants that offer a diversity of menus, join divers who dive to the historic underwater park and even stretch out on the golden sands that reach the port's shores.

Telephone for reservations: 04-6267080, *6550

For more information: http://www.caesarea.com/en/