Touring Israel with a tour guide

🕊️ Storks in Israel – Nature’s Migratory Spectacle 🇮🇱 Every year, hundreds of thousands of storkssoar through Israel on their epic journey between Europe and Africa! The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is the most common, while the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is rarer and more elusive. 🗺️ Where to Spot Them 📍 Hula Valley – A top migration stopover 📍 Jezreel Valley – Flocks resting in the fields 📍 Bet She’an Valley – A key feeding ground 🌍 Why Israel? With its unique location, Israel is a bottleneck for migrating birds, making it one of the best places in the world to witness this natural phenomenon. ⚠️ Conservation Matters! While these birds are protected in Israel, they face threats like power line collisions, habitat loss, and pesticide exposure. Conservation efforts, including the Hula Valley Restoration Project, help ensure their safe passage. 🐦✨ Have you ever seen a stork in Israel? Share your experience in the comments! 👇 #simonostertourguideisrael #simonosterto...

Jerusalem’s Yemin Moshe neighbourhood, and the Spanish synagogue. The land where Yemin Moshe and the Sephardi Spanish Synagogue now stand was legally purchased in the mid-19th century - not stolen, not occupied, and certainly not colonised by the British! This land was originally Waqf property, under the authority of Muhammad Tahir al-Husayni, the Mufti of Jerusalem (c. 1842–1858). Waqf land was typically inalienable, but under Ottoman law, sales or long-term leases (hikr) were permitted with official approval from the Mufti & other authorities. The purchase was facilitated by Hacham Bashi Chaim Avraham Gagin, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem’s Sephardic community, who worked within the legal framework of the time. Later, Sir Moses Montefiore, a British Jewish philanthropist, played a key role in developing Yemin Moshe as the first Jewish neighbourhood built outside the Old City walls. His vision was to improve Jewish living conditions, as many families lived in overcrowded and unsanit...

**🐟 The Mighty Sea Bass of Israel! 🌊🇮🇱** The European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)is a prized fish found along Israel’s Mediterranean coast and in fish farms across the country**. Known for its delicate flavour and firm texture, it’s a favourite in Israeli cuisine — whether grilled, baked, or served fresh as sashimi! 🍽️🔥 🌊 Did You Know? 🐠 Sea bass thrive in both saltwater & freshwater, making them ideal for Israel’s innovative aquaculture industry. 🌿 They are high in protein & Omega-3, making them a healthy choice! 👨‍🍳 A staple in Mediterranean dishes, often paired with olive oil, lemon & fresh herbs. Next time you’re by the sea, keep an eye out for these sleek, silver beauties. 😋🐟 📸 Have you tried Israeli sea bass? Share your favourite way to eat it in the comments! #simonostertourguideisrael #simonostertourguide #VisitIsrael #tourguideisrael #TouringIsrael #BookTourGuideinIsrael #SeaBass #IsraeliCuisine #MediterraneanFood #FreshCatch #Seafoo...

🏡 The German Colony, Jerusalem – A Blend of History & Charm 🇮🇱 Tucked away southwest of the Old City, the German Colony is one of Jerusalem’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. Established in the late 19th century by the German Templer Society, it was part of a movement of Protestant settlers who believed living in the Holy Land would hasten the Second Coming of Christ. With its red-tiled roofs, tree-lined streets & European-style stone houses, the German Colony has a unique character; it’s a lively hub filled with cafés, restaurants & boutique shops, making it a favourite spot for both locals & visitors. 🚶‍♂️ Explore Emek Refaim Street – the heart of the neighbourhood, offering a mix of history, culture & fantastic food. The name "Emek Refaim" translates to "Valley of the Ghosts", with biblical roots tied to ancient inhabitants of the region. 🔍 Did you know? The land for the German Colony was purchased from the Husseini family who arrived in...

🐪 The Mighty Dromedary Camel – King of the Desert! 🏜️ The Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius), also known as the Arabian camel, is one of the most iconic animals in Israel’s deserts! With its single hump, it’s built to survive extreme heat and go without water for days—making it the ultimate desert traveler. 🚶‍♂️🌞 🌟 Fun Facts: 🥵 Can drink up to 100 litres of water in minutes after a dry spell! 🔥 Thick fur protects them from the desert sun and cold nights. 🚶‍♂️ Used for transport for thousands of years by Bedouins and traders. Spot these majestic creatures in the Negev & Judean Deserts—or even take a camel ride for a true desert adventure! 🏜️✨ 📸 Tag us in your best camel photos! 🐪📷 #imagineisraeltours #simonostertourguideisrael #simonostertourguide #DromedaryCamel #CamelsOfInstagram #DesertKing #NegevDesert #MiddleEastWildlife #IsraelTravel #HikingIsrael #WildlifePhotography #NatureLover #DesertLife  

  🌼 Blooming in March: The Beautiful Cyclamen! 🌿 March in Israel is a wonderful time for wildflowers, & one of the most enchanting sights is the Cyclamen (Rakefet). With its delicate pink & white petals that seem to dance in the breeze, this flower thrives in rocky hillsides, forests & shady spots across the country. 🌱 Did you know? The Cyclamen is known for its unique "nodding" flowers, which bend gracefully downwards. In Jewish folklore, it is even said that King Solomon chose the Cyclamen as his royal crown’s inspiration! 👑 🌿 Where to see them: 📍 Carmel and Galilee forests 📍 Jerusalem hills 📍 Golan Heights If you’re out for a hike this month, keep an eye out for these beauties peeking from between the rocks! ✨ 📸 Share your Cyclamen photos and tag us! 🌸 #IsraelWildflowers #Cyclamen #Rakefet #SpringInIsrael #HikingIsrael #NatureLover #FloralBeauty #MarchBlooms #IsraelNature #imagineisraeltours #simonostertourguideisrael #visitisrael #touring...

Yemin Moshe is one of Jerusalem’s most picturesque & historically significant neighbourhoods, known for its iconic windmill & stunning views of the Old City. It was one of the first Jewish neighbourhoods built outside the Old City walls, marking a major step in the expansion of Jerusalem. The land was purchased from the Arab Al-Khalidi family & the neighbourhood was built in 1891 with funding from Sir Moses Montefiore, a British Jewish philanthropist; it was named in his honour. (“Yemin Moshe” means “Moses’ Right Hand” in Hebrew). Montefiore sought to improve the living conditions of Jerusalem’s Jewish community, which at the time was crowded inside the Old City, creating modern homes with better sanitation, fresh air & more space. One of the most famous landmarks, the Montefiore Windmill, was built in 1857 - before the neighbourhood itself - as part of Montefiore’s efforts to promote economic self-sufficiency among Jerusalem’s Jews. However, it was largely ineffective ...