Daliyat El-Carmel

When you travel to Israel it's nice to be able to stop in some of the little villages steeped with history, like the Druze village of Daliyat El-Carmel. Located high on Mr. Carmel, it has amazing character and offers wonderful hospitality. The Druze is actually an ethnic group that branches off from Islam about 1,000 years ago in Egypt. Their religion is a renewed version of an ancient faith that is extremely secretive and known only by the sages of the group. Founded by Druze from Mt. Lebanon, Daliyat El-Carmel was founded during the 17th century near Isfiya, another Druze village, with which it combined in 2003 (taking on the official name of Carmel as one town). One of the best aspects of the village is its amazing market, which is open on Saturdays. The market alone is reason enough to stop on your Israel tour in Daliyat El-Carmel. Just about anything and everything can be found there and much of it is made in the actual town. The house of Sir Laurence Oliphant, found on the 22nd Street, is the home of the Englishman who had a passion for the Holy Land and moved in 1880 to Israel to help the Jews during the First Aliya movement of immigration. His house serves as a military memorial today for those who served in the Israel Defense Force and died for their country. Those on Israel tours should stop at the Druze Heritage House on 8th St, which has wonderful examples of Druze life. Even if you don't have a plan, there is much to see and experience in Daliyat El-Carmel so simply wondering the streets can be an adventure!