09/05/2013
Segway
Have you ever wanted to hover through a Jerusalem tourist attraction, but you’re sick of the traffic jams and frustrated by the confines of being in a bus or a car, a Segway Tour in Jerusalem beats all the other modes of transportation.
Segways, invented in 2001, are an ecologically-friendly means of personal transportation that look like overgrown scooters, but without the long footrest. The Segway is a great way to explore any Jerusalem tourist attraction without the congestion of the narrow streets or unpredictability of the buses. Electrically operated, the Segway uses the rider’s balance to get around, so the sensation, once you have the hang of it, is much like gliding on the ground. As the rider leans slightly forward, the Segway picks up momentum; to slow down or stop, the rider leans back. Segway tours offer a fun alternative to ordinary sightseeing in Israel. They are quiet, simple to operate, and allow you to explore places that are out of walking range.
Segway Tour In Jerusalem
Wohl Rose Garden
In Jerusalem, several companies operate Segway tours in a variety of locations. All insist on a short training session prior to setting out and then, once you’ve strapped on the obligatory safety helmet, you’re off. Its a great balance between sightseeing and speed which you control. Required to travel less than 13.5 km per hour by Israel law, a Segway keeps you moving while still offering the chance to see things you might not have noticed while whizzing by on a tour bus.
One of the most popular Segway tours is to the Armon Hanatziv Promenade, which is made up of three different promenades–the Haas Promenade (or Tayelet) that overlooks the Old City and the Hinnom Valley, the Sherover Promenade, and the Goldman Promenade. Pedestrians along the tree-lined paths would not necessarily notice the trails down the hill into the Peace Forest that connects the Tayelet on the ridge with the valley below. On a Segway, it’s easy to navigate the hilly areas with relatively little effort.
Eco-Tour Jerusalem
Yemin Moshe
There are Segway tours to the grounds around the Knesset, Israel’s recently renovated parliament building. You’ll also see the impressive iconic menorah that’s been a national symbol since Hasmonean times, and the beautiful Wohl Rose Gardens that connect the Knesset with the Supreme Court Building.
A Segway tour is also a good way to fully appreciate the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, located near Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus. Seasonal exhibits, a conservatory, pond, and the largest plant collection in the country make this a pleasant urban oasis. A Segway trip will allow you to take in the sights and still leave you with plenty of energy to continue exploring Jerusalem and its many attractions.
The Streets of Jerusalem
In the Yemin Moshe Neighbourhood
Mishkenot Shaananim and Yemin Moshe are two Jerusalem neighborhoods served by the Segway tour companies. Located in the valley just west of Jaffa Gate and Mt Zion, Mishkenot Shaananim was the first neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City in the late 19th century.
Sponsored by British philanthropist Moses Montefiore, the simple terraced dwellings were topped with a crenelated wall in the same style as the wall of the Old City—an effort to keep things familiar for the brave residents who ventured out of the Old City and exposed themselves to bandits. Montefiore built the poor people a windmill so they could grind grain and support themselves, but apparently Jerusalem’s wind patterns were never quite sufficient and the windmill became a decorative symbol identifying the neighborhood. Today there’s a wide platform next to the landmark where Segway tours stop to take advantage of the superb views toward the hills surrounding Jerusalem.
DID YOU KNOW?
A new Segway costs between $5,000 and $7,000 dollars. Although they were invented in 2001, they only became legal in Israel in 2006. Riders must be at least 16 years of age.
