Touring Israel with a tour guide

Lords-and-Ladies/ Wild Arum (Arum hygrophilum) לולב החורש (Lulev HaChores)" One of Israel’s first signs winter is on the way, the Wild Arum can be seen poking through the dry stubble of summer fields. after the first rains. The single bright green, arrow-shaped leaf wraps protectively around a tall, finger-like spadix - the flowering part. 🌱 Habitat: Mediterranean hillsides, woodlands & open fields across Israel. Season: From November to February, depending on rainfall & temperature 🐝 Pollinators: Small flies, lured by the plant’s faint scent & ingenious design. They become briefly trapped inside & help transfer pollen. ⚠️ All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, containing calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth & throat. #FloraAndFauna #WildIsrael #ImagineIsraelTours #SimonOsterTourGuideIsrael #VisitIsrael #ExploreIsrael #NatureIsrael #IsraeliWildflowers #EcoTourismIsrael #DiscoverIsrael #israeltourism At Imagine Israel Tours we love...

Simon says: "Let's Tour Magdala" Walking among the ancient stones of Magdala is like stepping straight into the world of the Gospels. This remarkable site, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, was uncovered by accident in 2009 during construction of a new hotel. Archaeologists soon realised they had discovered one of the most significant finds in recent years - a 1st-century Jewish village with a beautifully preserved synagogue from the time of Jesus. This is the larger of 2 synagogues discovered in the area, which provided archaeologists with new information, that communal Jewish worship was taking place BEFORE the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem! Within the synagogue, excavators found the famous Magdala Stone, carved with the earliest known depiction of the Temple menorah. This, together with ritual baths (mikva’ot), shops & fish ponds, reveals a thriving Jewish community deeply connected to faith & daily life on the shores of Galilee. Mag...

🦟The mosquito 🌸 It is particularly prevalent from April to October, when evenings are warm & water lingers in puddles, planters & streams. The good news? Nature does its bit too - 🦇 Bats, 🐸 frogs, 🐦 swallows, & 🐟 fish all help keep mosquito numbers down From the wetlands of the Hula Valley (once drained because of mosquito-borne malaria) to my own home town of Zichron Ya'akov 💡When you travel around Israelwith Imagine Israel Tours, here are some simple tips to stay comfortable outdoors: 🕓 Mosquitoes are most active at dusk & dawn 👕 Wear light, loose clothing 🧴 Use repellent if you’re near water or greenery• Apply insect repellent during dawn & dusk • Wear long, loose-fitting clothing when in nature reserves • Avoid stagnant water areas & use local advice Our tours blend history, culture & nature - even the smallest details matter. #ImagineIsraelTours #Galilee #simonostertourguideisrael #tourismisrael #NatureAwareness #TravelSmart #IsraelO...

🌸 Autumn Crocus (Crocus palaestinus) 📍Found across the Judean Hills, Galilee, Golan & northern Negev; favours open slopes & rocky, well-drained ground 🕒 Blooming period: October – December, timing depends on autumn rainfall. 📐 Size & form: Low-growing bulbous plant; single flowers appear before leaves, petals pale lilac with prominent orange stigmas. 🔬 Botanical note: Crocus palaestinus is one of several native crocus species in Israel; flowers emerge directly from corms after the dry season. 🌱 Ecological role: Early seasonal nectar source for insects & an indicator species of Mediterranean autumn rains. #ImagineIsraelTours #WildflowersOfIsrael #CrocusPalaestinus #AutumnCrocus #FloraOfIsrael #NatureInIsrael #MediterraneanFlora #IsraelNature #SeasonalBloom #BotanyIsrael #FloraAndFauna #SimonOsterTourGuideIsrael #IsraelTouring #VisitIsrael   At Imagine Israel Tours we love to notice not just the big moments of history, but also the small details of ...

The Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) 🦡 Native to North & East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia & the Indian subcontinent, i n Israel, the Striped Hyena lives in dry valleys, rocky slopes & semi-desert areas - from the Negev to the Galilee. 📏 Recognizable by its sandy-grey coat with bold black stripes & a dramatic mane that rises when threatened, aeults stand about 60–80 cm tall & can weigh up to 40 kg. 🍽️ Primarily a scavenger feeding on carcasses & bones, it also eats fruit & insects. It is mostly nocturnal & is rarely seen by day. 📉 Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to persecution & habitat loss. Yet it remains a vital part of the ecosystem, cleaning the land by consuming remains others leave behind. #simonostertourguideisrael #ImagineIsraelTours #StripedHyena #HyaenaHyaena #WildlifeOfIsrael #MiddleEastWildlife #floraAdFauna #Visitsrael #IsraelTouring #CarnivoreConservation #NatureFacts #EcosystemHealth #Near...

Capernaum – The Town of Jesus Capernaum, known in Hebrew as Kfar Nahum (“Village of Nahum”), is located on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee,  near Tabgha & the Mount of Beatitudes.  It is one of the most visited archaeological & biblical sites in northern Israel, attracting Christian pilgrims from around the world.  Capernaum was established in  (2nd century BCE)   flourishing through the Roman & Byzantine periods . Archaeological evidence shows it was a small fishing & agricultural village, home to around 1,500 residents .  The Christian Bible identifies Capernaum as a key centre of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, (Matthew 4:13), & several important Gospel events are linked to Capernaum, including: The healing of the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5–13) The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29–31) The paralyzed man lowered through the roof (Mark 2:1–12) The teaching in the synagogue (John 6:35–59) The ...