​  A Magical Walk Through Tzfat's Old City
 
Tzfat also known as Safed, is located in the northern part of Israel, and is a mythical holy city that plenty of tourists flock to. Located near the lush emerald mountains and winding roads of the Upper Galilee, it’s a city that’s steeped in history and mysticism. Tzfat is also known as the ‘City of Kabbalah’ and achieved its fame and reputation in the 16th century when rabbis, Kabbalistic scholars and other Jews were fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition.
 
As you wander through the streets of Tzfat’s ancient city, you’ll be entranced by this mystical city that’s also the center of art and Jewish culture. From cobbled streets to ancient sites with panoramic views, Israeli art galleries, and hearty homemade food, there’s bound to be something that’ll capture your attention.
 
Here, we’ll give you a snippet of a walk through Tzfat’s old city, from synagogues to heritage sites, and specialized shops, you’ll get a glimpse into this magical city that’s sure to leave a lasting impression, and ignite your wanderlust.
 
Tzfat Tourist Information Center
As you begin your walk through Tzfat, head to the tourist information center that’s located at 17 Alkabetz Street for some handy information that’ll help you get around the city. Either than featuring a historical exhibition, you’ll also be able to pick up some maps and guidebooks.
 
At the tourist information center, you can even get a snapshot of the city’s history by watching a 10-minute presentation on the history of Safed, taking a look at some 16th-century excavations, and walking up to an observation deck to take in a breathtaking view of Northern Israel.
 
 
International Center of Tzfat Kabbalah
After getting all the information you need at the tourist information center, head to the Tzfat Kabbalah Centre to visit the primary location of Kabbalah, spirituality, as well as Jewish Studies. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the world of Kabbala by participating in workshops, courses, and activities. The staff members also conduct classes and tours to share how Kabbalah developed in 16th-century Tzfat.
 
The aim of the Kabbalah Centre is to make Kabbalah more widely known to individuals while still being authentic. If you only have time to pop by for a short while, the center also offers a 15-minute presentation to provide you with a short overview of what Kabbalah is all about.
 
Great Stairs
After you’ve had your fill on Kabbalah information, visit the Great Stairs that were originally constructed by the British, but run through the mountain of which Tzfat is built. The stairs divide the Old City along with the Artist Quarter and provide a scenic view of Tzfat.
 
There are several stairs that you’d need to ascend before reaching the top. On the way up, however, you’ll also encounter the old watchtower that the British used as a form of defense. Since these Great Stairs have quite a bit of history behind it, it’s perfect for individuals that want to know more about the history of Tzfat.
 
Ascend Institute
 After climbing up the great stairs, you can take a break by heading to the Ascend Institute. Similar to the Tzfat Kabbalah Center, the Ascend Institute also features daily classes for individuals to expand their knowledge. These classes focus on different aspects of Kabbalah, traditional Judaism, and Hassidic thought.
 
At the Ascend Institute, hostel accommodations are also available for Jewish travelers that are looking for a place to stay while learning more about their heritage. The Ascend Institute even has a library with a staff rabbi to answer any questions about Judaism that any passing traveler might have.
 
Abuahv Synanogue
There are quite a few Synagogues in Tzfat, and one of the most well-known ones is the Abuhav Synagogue. It houses the oldest Torah scroll in Safed – one that’s associated with countless traditions as well as legends. It’s so sacred, that the scroll is only used during special Jewish religious events such as Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. The synagogue was built in the 16th century with a design that stems from Kabbalistic principles.
 
As you explore the synagogue, you’ll be in awe of its majestic sight. The interior dome of the synagogue even has musical instruments that were used in the Temple in Jerusalem depicted on it. It also has Israel’s tribe symbols and four crowns that are symbolic. 
 
 
The Kahal National Heritage Site
At Tzfat, you might past through the Kahal National Heritage Site. It’s been declared a National Heritage Site of Israel as excavations have revealed an entire 16th-century Jewish neighborhood. Eventually, this excavation site will be developed into an educational village that will comprise of information as well as interactive exhibits that depict Jewish life during Tzfat’s golden age.
 
A sample of the excavation is housed in the Tzfat Tourist Information Centre, and this site is sure to be a popular tourist attraction in the future.
 
 
HaMeiri Cheese Shop
While Tzfat has plenty of history, very few know that the HaMeiri Tzfat Dairy was actually the first dairy in Israel, and produces cheeses of exceptional quality from the best sheep milk and goat milk since the 1840s. The shop sits on a mountain, and visitors can get to know more about the stories of Tzfat along with the HaMeiri family.
 
You’ll also get to learn about cheese production during the tour, and get to sample some of the creamiest and finest creations in HaMeiri. Even though the tour is only offered in Hebrew, being able to taste the cheeses is certainly a highlight of the tour.
 
Tzfat Candle Factory
The Tzfat Candle Factory is a must-see as you wander through Tzfat as it produces a wide variety of hand-dipped, woven candles that are used for Jewish rituals. Either than brightly colored paraffin and beeswax candles, there are even artistic pieces that are created from beeswax.
 
These pieces include wax sculptures of Biblical events, Jewish caricatures, religious ceremonies, Jewish stars and more. If you’re lucky, you may even to get a glimpse of one of the artist’s sculpting a twisting a candle from scratch.
 
 
Beit Hameiri
If you’d like to know about the livelihood of the Jewish community in Tzfat over the past 200 years or so, look no further than Beit Hameiri. While the building is over 400 years old, you’ll be able to explore this historical museum that has a different part of the Jewish community’s life on each of the floors.
 
You’ll also be able to take a look at some valuable artifacts such as a 16th-century mikyeh, religious objects, documents, utensils and tools, paintings, and more. This is definitely not a place you’d want to miss if you’d like to know about the liberation of Tzfat and its history. 
 
 
 
Conclusion
Here, we’re just skimming the surface of what Tzfat has to offer. Whether you’re keener on the food that Tzfat has to offer, taking a look at the different synagogues, or learning more about Jewish history and religion, there’s plenty more for you to explore and discover in the magical city of Tzfat. Want more tips and guides on travel? Check out Trip101, your one-stop media for travel and accommodations.
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Considering a move or even a vacation to Israel? If you have time spent lounging on a beach on your mind or you prefer to hang out in the city or even find some quiet space in a suburban area, Israel is an ideal location, and one that has always been popular, for expats and tourists to head to when they have a little time off or want to relocate to a new and exciting country. The safest places to stay may be important to know, especially if you have never travelled to Israel before. If you must travel to some of the riskier areas, be sure to have proper security detail with you if possible to help ensure safety. Whether you want to enjoy a quaint mountain hike, visits to local synagogues or checking out local artwork and other things to do, here are a few of the safest, and most popular areas for tourists as well as those who already live in Israel. 


Safed/Tzfat

Of course, we’ll mention Safed, also known in Hebrew as Tzfat, as it is considered one of the safest, as well as beautiful cities in all of Israel to visit or live in. Located in Northern Israel, Safed receives many thousands of visitors every year who want to take in the glorious mountain scenes, visit the synagogues and spend quiet days exploring the small towns alleyways and city streets where artwork is displayed and dining in small cafes with friends or family is easily done. The primary population is mostly Jewish, and more than half of the 32,000 residents are aged 29 and younger.  
This small town boasts two distinct areas that visitors like to visit. The Old Jewish Quarter where historical synagogues can be explored and the Artists Quarter where once there was a large bohemian art group but today, you can find small galleries and brilliant displays of local art. The city offers religious, artistic and cultural attractions as well as festivals, local tours and nice accommodations that draw many people to plan extended visits or even look for homes to rent when relocating to Israel.
Safed is a safe area where residents and visitors feel safe while walking along the towns streets and taking hikes through the local mountainous area. 
 
Tel Aviv

Situated on the Mediterranean coast, this busy city has long been one of the more popular destinations for fun enthusiasts as they visit Israel. As one of the largest English speaking areas in the country, Tel Aviv is a great place, as well as safe, to plan a vacation when considering a trip to Israel. The beach is of course one of the most popular attractions, but this great city has much, much more to offer residents as well as those who just happen to wander in for a short stay.
No matter what kind of music you enjoy, it isn’t difficult to find a concert venue to check out in Tel Aviv. You can also enjoy plenty of shopping, great places to dine out and even parties and meetups to gather with like-minded people who enjoy the same things you do. Meetups in Tel Aviv range from technology geeks to fitness buffs and many other topics of interest. You can also find a wide array of shopping venues from budget shops to high end, upscale boutiques and many other places to shop for virtually any item you may be in search of ranging from shoes and handbags to clothing, electronics and more. 
Tel Aviv is safe for tourists and is a great place to rent a bicycle or take a walking tour of the city to see the sights a little closer than you would in a car or a taxi. 
 
Savyon
Known to locals as the Beverly Hills of Israel, Savyon is home to just under 4000 residents and is a city where luxury living is plentiful. Whether you enjoy quiet evenings spent in the hotel relaxing to soft music while enjoying a delicious meal, or you prefer to visit local museums, parks or even forest areas where hiking is always a great way to have fun, Savyon has so much to offer.
You will find several locations where live music is played in the evenings, or where you can catch a good theatre show or even take part in a local festival. Home to some of the wealthiest people in Israel, you can find beautiful homes for sale or even luxury villas for rent within the city. While the area is safe for those who live in Savyon as well as tourists, you will see some of the most sophisticated security gates and other security measures to keep the luxury homes safe from crime. 
 
Things to Take Heed Of
While many areas of Israel are safe and pleasant for residents as well as those who visit the country, there are also areas that are deemed unsafe and that should be avoided when possible. These areas include cities that border Lebanon as this area has been known to have a heavy military presence and has had many conflicts over the years. It is not considered an area safe for travel or tourism.

Terrorist groups have been known to frequent the border between Israel and Egypt as well as Israel and Syria since war has been ongoing in recent years. Kidnappings, bombings and shootings have been reported near both borders and these are not safe areas of the country to visit.  

When you avoid the unsafe areas, you will find that your time in Israel can be happy and free. Many people love this country and the residents who reside within and Israel is an ideal place to visit when you have time for a vacation or an extended break to check out the beauty of the world around you. 

If I hear another person talk about luck, in relation to the fact that over 800 rockets have fallen on Israel and, so far, only one person has died, I'm going to seriously question their sanity. How do you ignore so many miracles?

Zahals spokes man reported that to day at 4:30 am, a tunnel with 13 terrorists was was found just before they entered a Jewish Kibutz (Sufa). If Their plans would have been successful we would have woken up to a day of a massacre like we have not seen in years.

Ashdod-
A rocket fell in a gas station with 35.000 liters of gasoline, which haven't exploded.

Gaza-
We wanted to cut them off from electricity, but the world stood up gaginst it, so Hashem had cut off 50.000 houses form electricity by their own rocket.

Beer Sheva-
Kids were playing in a football court , and a rocket fell right there right after they left.
not far from there another rocket fell by a gas balloon and didn't explode.

Eshkol-
A rocket fell in a kitchen right before the family went in. nothing happened.

Negev-
the girls went out and a rocket fell in their room right after they left.

Near Jerusalem-
A rocket fell on a balcony of a family and did not explode.

Holon-
A rocket "missed" a child by a split second.

Ashkalon
A rocket fell on a pediatric clinic on the one day of the week when the dr. didn't see patients

Nes Tziona-
A rocket fell on a high way full of cars - No One got hurt................

After a week of ceaseless rocket attacks on our population centers, the ground forces have been sent into Gaza. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight.

I'm full of worry for our soldiers and the civilians who are living in such terror. I feel horrible for the Gaza citizens, the innocent ones who never did anything except try to feed their families and live under Hamas. Yet Israel has no choice.

I'm bewildered and aghast at the people who blame Israel for this situation and feel that our government should ignore the people who are trying to destroy our country and refrain from responding to the rocket fire.

Most of all however, I can't help being grateful that I live in a place in which we have an army to defend us, a government that protects us and an entire infrastructure that  will do everything possible to keep us safe and secure.

I can't help but contrast our situation today with that of the Jews of Europe whose governments, armies and neighbors turned on them. As difficult as things are now, it can't even begin to compare with the terror that the Jews lived and died under. No one helped them with psychological help when they were terrorized, no one saw to their wounds, no one ensured that they would be compensated for damaged property.....

My daughter rolls her eyes when, after every fast, I mention that fast days remind me of the people who didn't have anything to eat after the fast. So I don't share these thoughts with anyone. But whatever happens, at least I live in my country that protects and defends

Interesting Shabbat lunch. We had a local family of new immigrants join us -- their story would make a good book. (The father, originally from LA, lived all over the Far East for many years and has a daughter with an Indian woman who left when the girl was very young. The father met a Philippina woman online and went to live in the Philippines . They married and had 2 children and lived on a small island. They became more religiously observant via the local Chabad and right after the typhoon, they made aliyah. There's actually much more to the story than that, but suffice it to say that they are always interesting guests!) There was also an engaged couple -- the woman did Livnot many years ago and we were friendly then.....her fiance is a lovely guy and I appreciate his easy-going nature. We had 3 guests from Livnot who are in Tzfat for various periods of time and a neighbor who lives in the apartment below my house.

The "excitement" started when I asked the Livnoters to share any "Words of Wisdom" that they may have prepared at Livnot (it's kind of Livnot's answer to a Dvar Torah.....inspirational thoughts, but not necessarily related to the week's Portion of the Torah).

The young man shared his Words of Wisdom -- basically that, because of the high possibility that a gay Orthodox youth may attempt suicide (as born out by statistics), the mitzvah of preserving a life overrides the prohibition against homosexual behavior and the Orthodox community should adopt a more open and welcoming stance towards gays.

What a can of worms! Our neighbor kept insisting that, "the Torah says....." about the prohibition against homosexual activity while the rest of us tried to emphasize "live and let live."

Glad that I had a glass of wine in my stomach so that I could stay relatively mellow. Never boring a