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Novomeisky was a Zionist entrepreneur. From the beginning of the 20th century, he dreamed of developing the Dead Sea region. After enormous difficulties, he developed a method for mining minerals and established the Palestine Potash Company in the Dead Sea. The company operated from the 1930s until 1948 when the enterprise was destroyed in the war. The visitor center was established four months ago where the workers lived in the 1930s. It is clear that a lot of money was invested in the place, and it tells the story of the Dead Sea and Novomeisky fascinatingly. We moved between the huts, watched great short films with familiar actors projected on giant screens, and saw stunning installations on the formation of the Dead Sea. With the help of virtual reality glasses, we "entered" the workers' lives in the 1930s. We saw a reconstruction of the space and everyday life and received explanations about the importance of minerals, their production from the Dead Sea, and the Zionist enterprise that Novomeisky managed to establish against all odds. The last short film tells the story of ICL, the company that bought the enterprise from the Israeli government in the 1990s and it is basically a long commercial representing only the good sides of the company and overlooking its problematic aspects. For more trips in the area, press here.

A trip in Nahal Tzafit was before April 2018 just a trip in amazing desert landscapes. On April 26, 2018, 10 students from the Bnei Zion, pre-military preparatory school perished there in a flood during a trip. The disaster loads the place with chilling meanings. The hike in the river is fascinating and sad. When descending the mountain, where there are amazing views of the desert, to the canyon. The space is just amazing. Huge walls closing in on all sides. The forces of nature are stunning in their beauty and make it clear that it was impossible to escape from here. Along the way, there is a place where hikers have created a kind of monument - some clusters of stones on one of the rocks. The place is amazing and quiet, and the intensities of the desert are strongly expressed there. The route is circular, about 3 km. There are some climbs and in the second stage a descent on a few ladders. The road leads from the red trail to the blue trail and from there in the black trail unto the canyon, from where it leads to the car. Important: When it is hot you must get there early to start the route because most of the trail is exposed to the sun. Do not arrive when there is a flood warning. For more trips in the area press here.

Nahal Rahaf is located near the Dead Sea. The hike is 3 km and includes climbing boulders. The walk to the ponds is between cliffs and mountains with beautiful views of the canyon, the desert, and the Dead Sea. Some of the trails are on the edge of the cliff and care must be taken. The area of the ponds is stunning in its beauty - a combination of huge rocks in brown and white and water ponds. There is one pool towards the end which is just a dream. Clearwater that you can either dip your feet in or swim in and then rest between the rocks. Perfect place to stop for a small picnic or coffee break. 📍Free of charge 📍No need to register in advance For more trips in the area press here.

A beautiful old street hosts some of the city's more exciting and essential buildings, dated back to the 18th century. I started at the Historic Court Square. This courthouse served three early American Presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison. It is continuous to Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society and ends in McGuffey Art Center.

The Downtown Mall is a pedestrian street, full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment, located in historic buildings. Lovely place to travel when the weather is convenient or to sit for a meal or drink. The Downtown Visitors Center is located in the east end of the Downtown Mall and was very helpful with lots of maps, brochures, and good advice for the itinerary. Adorable.

The guided tour tells the story of the Highland, including details on the burned main house that his remaining was discovered only in 2016, the stories of the presidential family, and the story of James Monroe. He served as a governor, secretary of state, secretary of war, and as the 5th president of the USA. Inside the house, there are original objects of the Monroe family, alongside reproductions. The guided tour lasts 40 minutes. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to take pictures inside the house, so I can only share the exterior photos. When you purchase tickets, you will get a map of the entire estate for self-exploration.

I decided to visit Carter Orchard on the spot while driving back from the Highland to Charlottesville. It is an excellent place to buy apples, peaches, nectarines, and veggies, as well as pies, cakes, and cookies. There are also several types of homemade ciders. In the right season, it is also possible to pick your own fruits. The views are outstanding.

The University of Virginia was established by Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States, in 1819 as a public institution. This unique historical university is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The heart of the university is the Thomas Jefferson Academical Village & Lawn, including several buildings that remained as Jefferson sketched them. One of the most famous students of UVA was the poet Edgar Allan Poe, whose room is displayed to visitors. The Rotunda The Rotunda, the famous UVA landmark, housed the library and nowadays serves as a museum and gathering place for students. It was severely damaged in the fire of 1895 and restored in 2016. The Pavilion & Lawn Rooms Each of the ten Pavilions has its unique architectural style. They served as the residence for staff and students. Even nowadays, leading students get to live here in their 4th year of study. Edgar Allan Poe Room The Garden

The Grand Caverns are limestone caverns located in Grottoes, Virginia, a 50-minute drive from Charlottesville. The site claims it was discovered in 1804 and open to the public two years later. Today it operates by the town of Grottoes. However, in 2004 researchers found another 3 miles of the cave that isn't open to the public yet. On arrival, the visitors can buy entrance cards at the old Cavern Inn, which nowadays serves as a souvenir shop. After purchasing the tickets, there is a slight climb to the entrance to the cave's entrance. While waiting for the tour to start, there is a small exhibit you can visit. I joined a guided tour inside the cave (it's the only way to visit the caverns). It was unique, with a spectacular variety of stalactites and sentinels in various forms. I've been there for two hours. Also, Inside the cave, you will see signatures of more than 200 soldiers from the civil war. The temperature inside the caves is 12 degrees Celsius, so it's comfortable with the right clothes. The Grand Caverns The Cavern Inn & The Museum in the Entrance

How comes that the only museum of Indigenous Australian art outside Australia is located in Virginia from all places? It isn't clear. However, it's a cute little museum worth visiting while staying in Charlottesville. The collection includes historical and contemporary works from Australia. The Kluge-Ruhe Collection is running by the University of Virginia.

The original Michie Tavern was established in 1784 and served lots of travelers with food and lodging. In 1927 the new owner moved it closer to Monticello to the current location. The restaurant serves a buffet of traditional Virginia's food, including fried chicken, smoked pork BBQ, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits, and more. It really feels like sitting in an 18th-century tavern.

Monticello, located outside of Charlottesville, was the home of Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States, and the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Although he drafted the inspired words: "all men are created equal," he was a slave owner. As an architect, Jefferson design Monticello, as he outlined the University of Virginia he founded. Both sites were declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Jefferson is buried in a cemetery built inside the plantation. Reaching Monticello is by shuttles, driving from the visitor center that hosts several exhibitions on Jefferson's life. There are guided tours inside the house. The visitor can go by themselves to the other buildings in the plantation, like the kitchen, the slaves' quarters, the wine cellar, and more. It is optional to get back to the visitor center by foot through the Monticello Cemetery. The Visitors Center