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The stone amphitheater at The Hebrew University has seen both grandees and wars. Photo by Movraw via Shutterstock. com
Mount Scopus amphitheater, Jerusalem The open-air amphitheater located at the edge of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’ s Mount Scopus campus is one of the university’ s bestkept secrets, alongside its botanical gardens. The amphitheater originates in 1925, when a temporary wooden structure was laid down at the site ahead of the university’ s opening ceremony, which included grandees such as the British Lord Balfour and General Allenby. The current stone structure was built 10 years later and withstood historic events such as Israel’ s War of Independence and the Six Day War. Nowadays, visitors who make the endless trek all the way to the edge of the campus are rewarded with beautiful desert views stretching into Jordan.
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People get together in the Midron Slopes beach in Jaffa. Photo by Eyal Tagar / Tel Aviv / Flickr
Midron Slopes beach, Jaffa Located at the southern, less well-known side of Jaffa, the Midron Slopes beach rolling down from the Ajami neighborhood to the Mediterranean Sea boasts expansive grass lawns, bike paths, walking lanes and strips of sand, but somehow have yet to attract the crowds found elsewhere in Jaffa and Tel Aviv. The beach is best enjoyed early on Friday evenings, when families get together for dinner, couples go out on romantic dates and kids whizz around, all in a uniquely pleasant, local atmosphere.
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Ein Sukkot Spring, Jordan Valley Ein Sukkot is a wonderfully large spring surrounded by reeds, giving the whole place a very private and secluded vibe. The spring is located off-road in between a couple of settlements, making getting there a bit of a challenge, but is a firm favorite among travelers who absolutely cannot bear the thought of sharing an afternoon with the masses. Secret indeed. Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley is a secret gem. Photo by Matanya Tausig / Flash 90