In a recent interview the Jerusalem Development Authority Director of Tourism, Ilanit Melchior talked about the city’s plan for the next 5 years and how the mayor, Michael Bloomberg sees the future of the City of Gold. jerusalemThere are plans in place for the city’s expansion in industry, biotechnology, academic education, health care, hi-tech and tourism. The city already beats every other city in the world for significant religious sites (Christian, Muslim and Jewish) and is one of the most historic cities in the world. The new vision for 2020 is to add a few mod-cons to the city, attractions which other capitals have already had for many years and which have proved successful tourist magnets. Jerusalem hopes to attract 4 million more tourists by 2020 by marketing itself independently of Israel just as capitals like New York, London and Paris are marketed as stand-alone destinations.The plan for 2020 was born in collaboration with visiting Harvard Professor Michael E. Porter and urban economist Richard Florida. Porter’s plan is based on the principle of “Competitive advantage.” Or simply put: figure out what you have that no one else has and promote it. His principle states that to develop a city’s economy, you must identify its relative competitive strengths and develop them. The plan will involve intensive marketing overseas and focus on people traveling independently and not on package trips. Jerusalem is already the top attraction in Israel drawing in 75% of all visitors and being the site of the top 5 tourist attractions in the country (Western Wall, Jewish Quarter, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa and the Mount of Olives).Jerusalem’s Cultural Mile or Museum RowPart of promoting Jerusalem as a travel destination is making the city more walkable. This will be done by connecting significant attractions by tree lined paths and plenty of signs telling tourists about the sites. New additions to the already thriving tourist city include a Museum Row like in New York, Los Angeles and other capitals. The “Row” will start at the historic First Station and connect the top Jerusalem museums with the House of Parliament, Supreme Court Building, National Library and Old City by a series of parks and paths. The walking and cycling route will be lined with cafes, galleries, parkland and cultural centers. Museum Row will also be used as an outdoor venue for concerts, happenings and special cultural events.More Improvements for Jerusalem on the HorizonOther visions for Jerusalem’s future include a cable car from the First Station to the Old City; a tourist mini-train to take you through the Old City and a large Ferris wheel like in almost every other capital in the west. The First Station, which is already a Jerusalem point of interest, is to have a new section called Kid’s Station with kid-friendly attractions like a carousel and rock wall for climbing.Apart from additional attractions, Jerusalem plans to make the public transportation more streamline and increase the number of hotels in the city to accommodate the potential additional 4 million tourists. One of the obstacles is transportation on Shabbat. The religious population in Jerusalem is against public transport on the Holy Sabbath. However, before you get too excited bear in mind that all these plans cost money and are yet to be presented to parliament for approval. Hopefully, the future of Jerusalem will be a bright one and make the already historic and magical city a travel Mecca for globe trotters.

In March of this year (2015) Jerusalem’s first urban wildlife park of its kind was opened. The establishment of the Gazelle Valley Urban Wildlife Park comes after 15 years of intensive efforts and legal battles by local activists to prevent construction of buildings on this land.The land between the Katamon neighborhood, Gazelle ValleyGivat Mordechai area and the Holyland neighborhood (by Begin Highway) had once been an area where fruit trees grew and wild animals roamed. This patch of natural countryside in the heart of the city became known as Gazelle Valley because of the herd of gazelles which grazed there. Slowly urban development encroached more and more on this island of green until real estate giants put their sights on Gazelle Valley with plans of constructing a new neighborhood of high-rise blocks. Local activists voiced their objections and together with environmental organizations like the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel they fought for the establishment of a nature reserve.It took 22 million shekels to transform the area into the natural paradise that it is today and a further 70 million is earmarked for future plans for the park. The park was financed by the municipality in conjunction with donations by the Jerusalem Foundation. The urban wildlife park covers more than 60 acres (about the size of the Old City) and has been designed with care to maintain the natural, wild habitat. The park is an oasis within the concrete jungle and is easily accessible on foot from places like the Malka Mall and Bayit V’Gan.Gazelle ValleyUnlike conventional parks Gazelle Valley has large areas where the natural grass and bush have been left untouched creating a natural environment for the herd of gazelles which now call it home. The gazelles which now live in the park are the few that survived from the original much larger herd plus others which have been brought here to repopulate the area. Already two fawns have been born in the park. The park is divided into three areas – for the gazelles, the visitors and an open buffer zone between them. The park has bike paths, two streams, five ponds, picturesque bridges leading to a man-made island, bird watching areas, picnic spots, open lawns and many birds and small animals who have made this home like porcupines, moles and hedgehogs. Visitors can join guided nature tours of the park and borrow deck chairs and binoculars to watch the gazelles.

People often go to pious or righteous Jews to ask for their blessing or to ask them to pray on their behalf. This tradition continues after the pious Jew or "tzadik" has passed on. Jews visit the gravesites of pious Jews and famous Great Sages in the hope that they will intercede on their behalf before God. When Jews pray at the graves of pious Jews or "Kevrei Tzadikim" it is not worship of the departed tzadik, but rather worship of God with the tzadik as an intermediary. Burying damaged Jewish prayer books, Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery.Photo by Zoltan Tasi on UnsplashTraditionally prayer at the graveside of pious Jews is particularly powerful on fast days, holy days, and the anniversary of the passing of a loved one or the tzadik himself. The Gemorah and Zohar emphasize the importance of praying at the graves of tzadikim. Here are the main kevrei tzadikim in Israel but there are many, many more. In Safed, Meron and Tiberias alone there are over 90 kevrah tzadikim!Kever Rachel – BethlehemJacob buried Rachel on the side of the road leading to Bethlehem so that Jews passing by on their way to exile would be able to stop and pray for redemption. Rachel would intercede on the worshiper’s behalf and make their prayers even stronger. The original Kever Rachel was built in 1841, funded by Montefiore but in 1998 it underwent a complete renovation including secure protective walls around the complex.Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair – Tzfat (Safed)This Rabbi was the son-in-law of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and he performed many good deeds (mitzvoth) especially in his love for fellow man. Several times he solved problems by pointing out the mitzvah that the person was not performing correctly. It is traditional to circle his grave in Safed seven times.Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron.Photo byDan RosensteinonUnsplashShmuel HaNavi – Northwest outskirts of JerusalemShmuel HaNavi was a great Torah scholar and in later years became a judge and prophet (navi). He would travel around the country as a judge and never accept payment or gifts for his work. He anointed Shaul as King of Israel on God’s instructions. Shmuel later taught David how to build the Holy Temple and he wrote the biblical Book of Judges. At the gravesite, there is a tall tower which you can climb to get a view across the countryside. Alongside his grave in Jerusalem are the graves of his mother Chana and father Elkanah.Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi) – Mt. MeronThis Rabbi features prominently in the Talmud and was one of Rabbi Akiva’s students and a 2nd-century Mishnaic sage. The Rabbi performed many miracles and wrote enlightened interpretations of the Torah. He is buried next to his son Rabbi Eliezer (bar Rabbi Shimon) on Mount Meron. On the anniversary of his death, the 33rd day of the Omer (Lug B’Omer) crowds of religious followers gather at his graveside to pray, study, sing, and dance. Traditionally on Lag BaOmer bonfires are lit and three-year-old boys are brought to Mt. Meron for their first haircut at the tzadik’s graveside. The Rashbi is connected with the Zohar – the Book of Splendor – the Kabbalist’s sacred book. Also on Mount Meron are the graves of The Tanna, Rabbi Yiba Saba, Hillel Hazaken, Rabbi Yochanan HaSandlar, and Rabbi Yossi ben Kisma.Mount Meron, Israel.Photo credit: © Dmitry MishinRabbi Yosef Karo – Tzfat (Safed) CemeteryThis 15th-century tzadik was born in Spain and educated in Turkey where he began writing his interpretation of Rambam’s Mishnah. He also wrote Bais Yosef where he focused on the early sages. He then moved to Tzfat (Safed) in Israel where he wrote the Shulchan Aruch explaining the Halachah laws in a way that the common man could understand without being a great scholar. He wrote other books and was highly regarded as an authority on Jewish law. Karo died in 1575 but his books remain the mainstay of most religious Jewish households.Rambam – TiberiasRambam was one of the greatest Rabbis of all time, he was born in 1135 in Spain and came from a respected family of Torah scholars. His family was expelled from Spain along with many other Jews and forced to wander from country to country. He wrote Pirush Ha’Mishnah L’Rambam and in Egypt, he became known as a brilliant medical doctor. He also wrote Mishnah Torah, Yad Ha’Chazaka, Yud Gimmel Ikrim, and Sefer Ha’Mitzvot. He died in 1204 in Egypt and his body was returned to Israel and buried as well as some other prominent tzadikim in Tiberias. He lies beside his father, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, and his five students. There are 14 pillars lining a path towards his grave each pillar represents a section of the book Mishnah Torah.The Ashkenazi HaAri Synagogue, Safed (Tzfat), Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockRabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai – TiberiasRabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was privileged to see the second Holy Temple of Jerusalem before dying at the age of 120 in 90AD. In his lifetime he served as the leader of Klal Yisroel and studied with Hillel and Shammai. He was buried in Tiberias 1100 years before Rambam was buried alongside his grave.Rabbi Meir Ba’al HaNes – On the Shore of the Sea of GalileeThis tzadik studied under Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yishmoel, and Elisha ben Avuya (Acher). He was married to Bruriah, the only woman mentioned in the Gemorah as wise and brilliant. He lived through the terrible period of Roman persecution after the destruction of the Holy Temple. He was a brilliant scholar and a Sofer or scribe of holy Torah scrolls. The Rabbi died in Asia but requested to be buried in Israel. His body is buried not far from Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is tradition to make a charitable donation to kollelim (places where Torah is studied intensely) in the name of Rabbi Meir Ba’al HaNes. Torah scroll.Photo byTaylor WilcoxonUnsplashYonatan Ben Uzi’el – AmukaVisiting this gravesite traditionally aids those looking for a marriage partner and women come here to pray for fertility. He was a student of Hillel HaZaken and a wise Torah scholar.Hillel Ha’Zaken – MeronVisiting the grave of this ancient tzadik who lived from 110BC to 10AD, 120 years, is thought to aid longevity and good health. He founded the House of Hillel and the school of Tannaim, the Sages of the Mishnah. He lived during the reign of Herod and is remembered for several poignant and wise phrases such as “If I am not for myself who will be for me?”Tomb of the Patriarchs (Ma’arat HaMachpelah) – HebronCave of the Patriarchs in Hebron is where you’ll find the graves of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. These biblical figures are the primary patriarchs of Judaism together with Rachel who is buried near Bethlehem. The site is surrounded by walls dating back to King Herod and the site is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes tomb in Tiberias, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockRabbi Yehuda bar Eliyahu – Ein Zeitim, Near TzfatPraying at this great scholar’s grave is supposed to bring a blessing on your income. There is an olive tree next to the grave and it is traditional to take a leaf from the tree and place it in your pocket. Rabbi Yehuda bar Eliyahu was one of Rabbi Akiva’s last five students. Today a Kollel (house of Torah study) stands over his tomb and his father’s tomb.Ari HaKadosh – TzfatAri HaKadosh (the Holy Lion)'s real name was Rabbi Isaac Luria Ashkenazi and he lived in the 16th century. He wrote an interpretation of the Zohar and began the Kabbalah movement; the mystic branch of Judaism. Visiting this gravesite is a spiritual and mystic experience. In Tsfat you can visit the synagogue named after him.Rabbi Akiva – TiberiasThe great Akiva was a poor shepherd and only at the age of 40 did he learn to read and write. He soon became a wise and respected Torah scholar. He spent the rest of his life studying the Jewish religious scriptures. Visiting this grave gains worshipers the blessing of wisdom and success in their studies. The most popular time to visit the grave is on the eve of Yom Kippur as this is the anniversary of his death.

More and more people are seeking medical treatment abroad no matter which country they live in. Those in developing countries look for more advanced and better quality medical care in other countries. And those in first world countries like the USA and Western Europe look for cheaper medical care abroad – but still of a high standard. Israel appears to offer both reasonable medical fees and top quality medical professionals.The Medical Tourism Index issued by the International Healthcare Research Center recently named Israel as one of the top medical tourism destinations in the world. Israel took first place for “best patient experience” and third overall out of 25 medical tourism destination. Approximately 50,000 medical tourists arrive in Israel each year many come from Eastern Europe but there are also patients from the US and UK. Among the most popular treatments, procedures and medical care for medical tourists in Israel is orthopedic procedures; cancer treatments; plastic surgery; infertility treatment (Israel has a high percentage of success in this area); cardiac surgery (particularly Bypass surgery) and diabetes.Those suffering from Seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis often come to Israel not only for conventional hospital treatment but also to take advantage of the natural beneficial properties of the Dead Sea. Those with rheumatological complaints and lung disease also benefit from treatments based on the Dead Sea mineral salts, sulphur springs, attenuated ultra-violet radiation, Dead Sea mud and the high oxygen content of the Dead Sea atmosphere.Medical tourism in the Dead seaThe attraction of Israel as a medical tourism destination comes down to several factors:Price – Not only is medical treatment cheaper in Israel than in other parts of the world but the hotels, airfare and miscellaneous expenses are also low in IsraelMedical Professionalism – Israeli doctors are highly respected and known for their abilities; they are constantly fine tuning of their skills through research and further study. Israel in general is known as a country where medical breakthroughs are frequently made. Unfortunately Israel has suffered several wars but this has given doctors the circumstances to practice and perfect their expertise in the fields of orthopedics and trauma related injuries.Israel – When choosing a medical tourism destination the patients have to take into consideration that they will need time to recuperate. So the surroundings and the country itself need to be appealing. Israel offers sun shine, endless attractions, and tours to every corner of the land. Israel holds deep religious significance to Jews, Christians, Muslims and those of the Baha’i faith.If you are considering traveling to another country for medical care then research the medical services offered in Israel and consider that you will be having a vacation in a stunning location once your medical procedure is over.

Good Friday is commemorated on the Friday before Easter Sunday each year and marks the day that Christ was crucified. The Crucifixion of Jesus took place in Jerusalem (on a site now within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City) so if you are lucky enough to be in Jerusalem on Good Friday you will have the unique experience of being exactly where these Biblical events took place. Good Friday is marked in Jerusalem by religious services in the many churches and by other unique events. Thousands of Christians come to Jerusalem for Good Friday to take part in the moving events of that day.Via Dolorosa ProcessionThe most major event in Jerusalem on Good Friday is a procession by Roman Catholics and Protestants which retraces the route Jesus took from his sentencing in front of Pontius Pilot to Golgotha where he was crucified. He carried his heavy cross along this route, known as the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering or Way of Sorrows)) and paused at 14 points along the way. The places where Jesus stopped along the Via Dolorosa are called the Stations of the Cross. Each year thousands of pilgrims carrying crosses, chanting, praying and singing hymns proceed through the streets of the Old City along the Via Dolorosa led by Christian religious leaders of Jerusalem. At each of the Stations of the Cross they stop to pray. The brown robed Franciscan friars pause at each of the stations to explain their religious significance and chant prayers in Latin. Some years there is someone dressed as Jesus bearing a heavy wooden cross that walks just behind the priests leading the procession. The person taking the role of Jesus wears a crown of thorns and has fake blood dripping from his wounds. “Jesus” is flanked by people dressed as Roman soldiers. The procession ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, laid to rest in a tomb and later resurrected on Easter Sunday. Once the procession reaches the Holy Sepulchre where the final four Stations of the Cross are located the pilgrims pause to pray and later that day there are more special ceremonies within the church.Practical InformationEaster is celebrated on different days by the Orthodox denominations which follow the Julian calendar and by the Catholics and Protestants who follow the Gregorian calendar. Throughout the entire week of Easter there are special events in Jerusalem so if you cannot make it for Good Friday then try to be in the Holy City at some other time during the Holy Week.Special events on Good Friday in Jerusalem:7:15am – Passion of Christ on Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.11:30am – Procession of the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) led by Franciscan monks from the Lion’s Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.4pm – Liturgy of the Hours in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.8:10am – “Funeral Procession” in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.At the Garden Tomb there is an English Good Friday meditative service for Protestants.Roman Catholic and Protestant Good Friday Dates: 2017 – April 14; 2018 – March 30; 2019 – April 19 and 2020 – April 10.Orthodox Good Friday Dates: 2017 – April 14; 2018 – April 6; 2019 – April 26 and 2020 – April 17. In 2017 Good Friday dates for Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestants will coincide, this means that the Good Friday events in Jerusalem in 2017 will be even more memorable than other years. This happened in 2010, 2011 and 2014 but after 2017 it will not happen again until 2034.

Spencer Tunick, the world famous photographer who specializes in taking shots of hundreds of nude people standing in public places or at famous landmarks has now included the Dead Sea in his long list of large-scale nude photo shoots.Naked SeaIsraelis of all ages ( between 18-77), creeds, colors, men, women, shapes and sizes rushed to apply to the Facebook request for volunteers to appear naked in Spencer’s photo at the Dead Sea. 1,200 volunteers arrived at the Dead Sea before sunrise on September 17th 2011 to take part. The 17th was a Saturday, chosen specifically to discourage protests by orthodox Jews who would be prevented from disrupting the shoot because they don’t travel on Shabbath. The final location was also kept secret until the last minute to avoid protests and curious spectators. The nude subjects posed in the Dead Sea water, on the shore and also covered in the Dead Sea black mud.Spenser claimed that his photo shoot was intended to bring attention to the gradual destruction of the Dead Sea by man. The Dead Sea is probably the only site in the Middle East, or Israel for that matter, where this kind of artistic photography will ever be produced. When asked what prompted them to take part participants said they wanted to be a part of this once in a lifetime event and have a unique liberating experience!

When choosing where to base yourself on a trip to Israel the obvious choice is either Tel-Aviv or Jerusalem but there is another attractive option – Herzliya. Herzliya is a city on the coast about 20 minutes north of Tel-Aviv. The main coastal road (route #90)and railway tracks divide the city in to who halves. Inland you have the main centre of the city and the residential area. Across the main coastal road and along the beachfront you have Herzliya Petuach which is one of the most sort after residential areas and a hub for tourists, revelers and beach-lovers. Herzliya Petuach is also the industrial area of the city but it has evolved from industry into a dynamic center for nightclubs and chic eateries.If you choose to stay at a Herzliya hotel it will most likely be one of those along the beachfront. The hotels are all of a high standard (4 to 5 stars) and have the added advantage of the sea right on their doorstep. It literally takes minutes to walk from any of the Herzliya beachfront hotels down to the seaHerzliya is conveniently located within easy access of the main coastal road which can take you to Tel-Aviv or north to Haifa and beyond. The Herzliya train station connects to Ben Gurion and other cities in Israel. There are many regular buses and taxis available. In addition, tour companies pick up groups of tourists from the Herzliya hotels. By foot, you can walk up and down the coastline along the sand.If you intend to unwind, relax and soak up the sun then Herzliya is a great place to base yourself. You can see the rest of the country with daily tours where you are picked up from your hotel but the rest of the time you can enjoy the beach and hotel amenities. Just a few minutes away is the Arena Mall which faces the Herzliya Marina. There are many top stores here as well as restaurants which have brilliant views over the yachts and boats in the marina. From the marina, you can go on boat excursions, try deep-sea fishing or take a kayak out on the water. In the evening head for Herzliya Pituach’s many nightclubs, wine bars, karaoke bars, and restaurants. Herzliya Pituach is also home to an outlet mall where you’ll get great bargains on brand-name fashion items.

Israel is made up of a range of ethnic and cultural communities; there are Jews who immigrated from around the world bringing their traditional cultures with them as well as Muslim and Christian communities. One of the most fascinating and unique Israeli communities is the Black Hebrew Israelites.The Black Hebrews are a group which believes they are the descendents of the ancient Israeli Tribe of Judah. It all began when Ben Carter of Chicago had a dream in 1966 where the Angel Gabriel came to him. The angel told him that African Americans were the Biblical lost tribe of Israel and should return to the Holy Land. The group grew, Carter changed his name to Ben Ammi and more and more African Americans joined the group. The group began arriving in Israel via Liberia with their leader Ben Ammi Ben-Israel in 1969.At first the Hebrew Israelites were not welcome in Israel, they are not recognized as Jews by Israel’s Chief Rabbinical authority and so they could not settle in Israel under the Law of Return (which welcomes Jews from around the world to settle in Israel). The Rabbinate said that they could only stay if they converted to Judaism but they refused as they believe they are already Jewish. Their statues was in the balance for many years, but now after three generations of Hebrew Israelites have made Israel their home the government awarded them permanent residency status in 2006.Their religious observance of Jewish law includes keeping Shabbat and they believe in the Old Testament but incorporate elements of African American heritage in their observance. The Black Hebrew Israelites are vegans; they wear only natural fabrics; don’t drink alcohol or smoke; don’t use salt in their cooking; don’t believe in premarital sex; circumcise boys at 8 days old in accordance with Jewish law; practice organic agriculture and maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a holistic approach to medicine. Hebrew Israelite men can be seen wearing Jewish tzitzit, head coverings and African print shirts while the women wear brightly colored African tribal dresses. Many of the men have more than one wife in accordance with ancient Biblical law.In Israel their community of about 2,500 members is based in Dimona in Southern Israel, they have a tight knit community with their own school, place of worship and community facilities. The unique Hebrew Israelite community of Dimona has welcomed many famous guests including Whitney Houston and Steve Wonder.The Israeli community is famous for its gospel choir which tours internationally raising money for the community. They also create an income for their community through their soy food factory in Arad. Other members of the community are involved in producing and selling African cultural clothing made from natural fabrics. The group runs a vegan restaurant called Ta’am Hachaim in Tel-Aviv. A few hundred Hebrew Israelites serve in the Israeli Army and members of their group have represented Israel in international sports and academic events. In 1999 Eddi Butler, a members of the Hebrew Israelite community, represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest. The group lives in their community on the urban kibbutz – Shomrei HaShalom in Dimona. They are very much a part of Israeli society and they welcome visitors and the chance to educate people about their beliefs. To arrange a visit to the Black Hebrew community in Dimona call their public relations office at 972-8-655-5400.

Jerusalem is an endless treasure trove of fascinating sites and attractions. A “top” list cannot do the City of Gold justice but to get you started here are the absolute must-see sites of Jerusalem.City of David excavations, Jerusalem, Israel.Photo credit: © Shutterstock1. Old CityMany of the individual top attractions of Jerusalem are within the Old City walls but in addition to the Old City highlights, there are many fascinating sites, narrow alleys, markets, and churches to discover. Wandering through the Old City is perhaps the best way to discover the Old City. Try following the Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus took carrying his cross to his crucifixion in Calvary where the Holy Sepulchre now stands. Shop for authentic souvenirs in the Muslim Quarter market and see the Armenian ceramics in the Armenian Quarter. The Old City walls were constructed under the Ottoman rule in the 16th century and it is possible to walk along the ramparts.In the 9th century, the city was divided into the four quarters of Armenian, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish neighborhoods. The Old City has drawn people of all faiths for thousands of years. It was here that Jesus was crucified, that the Jewish Temple stood, and where Muhammad traveled on his Night Journey. The Old City sites include Temple Mount, the Western Wall, Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock; the Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage site.Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo byAdam KringonUnsplash2. Church of the Holy SepulchreThe Church of the Resurrection in the Old City Christian Quarter is located on the site of Calvary (Golgotha) where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. The Via Dolorosa leads to the church where the last four Stations of the Cross are located representing the final stages of Christ’s Passion. The church was completed in 326AD (but rebuilt, repaired, extended, and renovated several times) and since then has been a pilgrimage site for Christians from across the globe. Much of the church structure we see today dates back to the Crusaders who rebuilt the church. The building is shared by several Christian denominations each with its own chapels within the church. Highlights of a visit to the church include the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox chapels; Calvary; the Chapel of the Nailing of the Cross; the Chapel of Adam; the mosaic depicting Christ’s body being prepared for burial; the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus’ body was laid to be prepared for burial and the Rotund, a massive dome above the Chapel of Aedicule which holds the Holy Sepulchre and the Angel’s Stone, a fragment of the stone which sealed Jesus’ tomb. The extremely beautiful and ornate church is one of the largest in the world.Dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo byAdam KringonUnsplash3. Wailing WallThe Kotel, Western Wall, or Wailing Wall is the last remaining part of the ancient Jewish Second Temple which stood on Temple Mount until its destruction in c.70AD. The small stretch of wall which we call the Wailing Wall was part of the retaining walls of the temple constructed by Herod the Great in c.19BC. The temple on Temple Mount was the most sacred site in Judaism and following its destruction, the remaining wall became the most sacred site in the Jewish world. Looking at the wall you can see the large stone blocks on the lower section which date back to the original Herodian wall, smaller blocks in the middle section added during the Umayyad Era, and the smaller blocks on the top of the wall added during the Ottoman Era.The entire wall would have measured 488 meters long. The portion referred to as the Wailing Wall faces a large plaza in the Jewish Quarter while the rest of the wall is hidden behind other structures in the Muslim Quarter. There is a small section (8 meters) called the Little Western Wall still accessible within a tunnel. Jews gather throughout the day and night to pray at the Western Wall, it is the local synagogue for those Jews who live close by. It is a tradition to place a prayer note (with your private message to God) in between the stones of the wall. For a unique experience, you can take a tour of the Kotel Tunnels beneath the ground along the excavated hidden layers of the walls. You can join the hour-long tour from the Visitors Center on the Western Wall Plaza. Another interesting attraction alongside the Western Wall is the Generation Center which takes you on a journey following the existence of the Jewish people and giving you a unique view of the Western Wall.The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem. Photo byReiseuhuonUnsplash4. Temple MountHar HaBayit, HaMoriya, Haram al-Sharif, or Temple Mount is the most sacred site in Jerusalem for Jews and Muslims. The Jews value Temple Mount as the former site of their Holy Temple which was destroyed in c.70AD while the Muslims value the site because of several religious structures which stand here and the belief that Muhammad traveled here in his Night Journey as told in the Koran (although Jerusalem is not mentioned by name). Today entrance to the Temple Mount is monitored closely to avoid conflict between Jews and Arabs and it is usually only possible for non-Muslims to visit as part of a guided tour. Temple Mount is the site of the Dome of the Rock (the Noble Sanctuary with its famous golden dome and colorful mosaics), the al-Aqsa Mosque (thought to be the “Farthest Mosque” referred to in the Koran, it is the 3rd holiest Islamic site in the world) and the Dome of the Chain (an Ummayads era prayer house with a domed hexagonal structure and open arches). The mount is accessed through four gates, the paved trapezium-shaped area referred to as Temple Mount is in the eastern section of the Old City; it covers 37 acres and measures 488 meters by 470 meters by 315 meters by 280 meters. On the southern section of the western flank is the Western Wall where Jews worship on the other side of the wall.Dome of the Rock through the archway, Temple Mount, Jerusalem. Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash5. Mahane Yehuda Market250 market stalls and stores fill the lanes of Jerusalem’s most famous “shuk” or market. The market can be found between Jaffa Road, Agrippas Street, Beit Yaakov Street, and Kiach Street. There is a covered section down Eitz Chaim Street and an open-air market along Mahane Yehuda Street. Smaller streets bisect these two main streets each heavily ladened with food, produce, and goods. The Mahane Yehuda Market is well known for its many eateries, here you can find hidden gems, restaurants that count among the best in the city. The market is known for its lively atmosphere, frequent street entertainers, fresh produce, regular special events, and colorful dynamic atmosphere. Try sampling the roasted nuts, halva, pickles, olives, fresh baked goods and pick up some cheap household goods and casual clothing. For a slice of Israeli society visit Mahane Yehuda!Doughnuts for Hanukkah in Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem. Photo byElisheva GoharonUnsplash6. Yad VashemThis museum is Israel’s official memorial to those who lost their lives in the World War II Holocaust. The Holocaust History MuseumYad Vashem is located on Mount Herzl next to the Jerusalem Forest; the expansive grounds have several memorials including the Children’s Memorial, the Hall of Remembrance, and the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations which commemorates non-Jewish heroes who helped hide or rescue Jews from certain death. The main museum building has a unique triangular or prism shape constructed out of concrete which cuts through the landscape and after passing through the exhibits visitors reach an opening overlooking the valley forests. A skylight extends through the entire “triangle” letting in natural light. The museum holds video testimonials featuring Holocaust survivors; a Hall of Names featuring the photos of 600 Holocaust victims lining a cone shape which goes both up and down to where there is a pool of water. The museum exhibits include authentic artifacts, photographs, documents, personal possessions, and the world’s largest collection of artwork created by Jews and other victims during WWII. Yad Vashem is the second most visited site in Israel after the Wailing Wall and admission is free.Memorial to the Deportees (Wagon or cattle car monument) at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.Photo credit: © Shutterstock7. Ein KeremIn southwest Jerusalem, just behind the Old City lies this picturesque ancient village which is now a neighborhood of Jerusalem. It is believed that John the Baptist was born here and many churches and monasteries have been established here for that reason. In addition to enjoying the many quaint coffee shops, specialty restaurants, lush greenery, and the traditional courtyard homes of Ein Kerem you can visit several sites. There are two Ein Kerem Churches of St. John the Baptist, one is a Catholic church constructed on the remains of former Byzantine and Crusader churches where you can see part of the surviving mosaic floor. The other church belongs to the Eastern Orthodox church and was built in 1894. The Church of the Visitation is thought to be built on the site of John the Baptist’s parent’s home. The present church was designed by well-known architect Antonio Barluzzi who also designed the Church of All Nations on the Mount of Olives. Other sites in Ein Kerem include Les Soeurs de Notre-Dame de Sion; the Russian Orthodox Gorny Convent and Mary’s Spring believed to be where Mary drank water and where Mary and Elizabeth met. Alongside the spring (which is actually the end of an ancient aqueduct) is a mosque and school.The historical streets of Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel. Photo byLaura SiegalonUnsplash8. David's TowerIt is hard to miss the sight of David’s Tower next to the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. The medieval citadel actually has no connection with King David; the present structure stands on the site of earlier Hasmonean, Herodian, and Christian fortifications. Herod altered the original Hasmonean fort towers and the northeastern tower (the Tower of Phasael) became known as the Tower of David by the Byzantine Christians who mistook it for the Palace of King David. The Turkish Muslim leaders also thought this was King David’s palace (1187) and the Mamluks made the same mistake destroying and rebuilding the citadel. During the Turkish Ottoman era the citadel was rebuilt and became a garrison and mosque; the minaret that is today referred to as the Tower of David dates back to the 16th century Ottoman Era. Under the British Mandate (1917-1948) the citadel was restored and used for cultural events and following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War the citadel became the property of the Arab Legion and was once again used as a military fortress until the Israeli victory in 1967.Today the Tower of David houses a museum and is used for exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events. The museum is housed in the guardrooms of the original citadel and in the courtyard, you can see archaeological ruins. The museum uses diverse state-of-the-art techniques to tell the story of Jerusalem in chronological order from 3200BC to the 20th century AD. The Tower of David is the site of Jerusalem’s Night Spectacular sound and light show “Babylon Exile.” Sophisticated special effects are used to project images on the surrounding ancient stones which come alive with images of the past.The 1:100 scale aluminum model depicts the structure of the Jerusalem citadel including the minaret which is called the “Tower of David. Photo credit: ©Dmitry Mishin9. Mount of OlivesThe Mount of Olives is a two-mile-long ridge with three summits facing the Old City across the Kidron Valley. This holy mount is known to most Christians as the site where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Flevit super illam); where he taught his disciples (including the Olivet Discourse); as the site of his betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and where Jesus ascended to heaven in Acts 1:9-12. In the Old Testament, the mountain is referred to when David fled from Absalom (II Samuel 15:30) and in many other references. The mount has been a sacred Jewish burial ground since antiquity and verses in Zachariah refer to it as the place where the resurrection of the dead will begin after the Messiah has arrived. For this reason, many Jews wish to be buried here and it is the final resting place of many famous Jewish figures including Chaim ibn Attar. Today the mount is home to several landmarks; the Arab neighborhood of At-Tur stands on the mountain’s summit and to the north is the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center. On the Mount of Olives you can visit the Church of All Nations, with its stunning colorful mosaic on the façade; the Church of Mary Magdalene, a magnificent Russian Orthodox Church with gold onion-domes; Dominus Flevit Church which marks where Jesus wept and the Chapel of the Ascension, a shrine marking where Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. The Church of the Pater Noster stands on the site thought to be where Jesus taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. Ceramic plaques line the walls bearing the Lord’s Prayer in different languages. Other structures on the Mount of Olives include the Augusta Victoria Hospital; Orson Hyde Memorial Garden; the Seven Arches Hotel and the Garden of Gethsemane.View of the Temple Mount and of Mount Olives Jewish cemetery. Photo byRobert ByeonUnsplash10. Mount ZionSouth of the Armenian Quarter of the Old City is the highest point of ancient Jerusalem, Mount Zion. The mount is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament and the name has become synonymous with the city – the City of Zion. The biblical events believed to have occurred here include the last supper, where Jesus appeared before the high priest for judgment; where the Virgin Mary fell asleep (on the site of the present-day Dormition Abbey), and the site of the ancient Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-29). During Christ’s lifetime, Mount Zion would have been a well-to-do residential neighborhood within the City Walls. The name “Mount Zion” has been used to refer to a number of locations including Temple Mount. The mount is also the traditional burial place of King Davidalthough it was the Crusaders who built the present David’s Tomb which stands on Mount Zion. Gradually over time, the tomb came to be accepted as the real burial place of David. King David is also a respected figure in the Islamic faith. When the walls of the Old City were built under the Turkish Sulieman the Magnificent in the 16th century the Sultan heard that Kind David’s tomb had been left outside of the walls and so he had the architects of the walls beheaded. Inside Jaffa Gate, you can see two stone graves said to be those of the architects. Today visitors to Mount Zion can visit King David’s Tomb and above it the Room of the Last Supper. There is also the Chamber of the Holocaust, a small Holocaust museum; the Catholic cemetery where Oskar Schindler is buried (of Schindler’s List fame); Dormition Abbey; andSt. Peter in Gallicantu (traditional location of the house of Caiaphas).Dormition Abbey, Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Israel.Photo credit: ©Dmitry Mishin11. Mea ShearimOne of Jerusalem’s oldest neighborhoods, Mea Shearim is home to ultra-Orthodox Jews or Haredim. This was the 5th settlement outside of the Old City walls established in 1874. The name means 100 gates or hundredfold and is thought to either come from a biblical verse or the fact that the neighborhood once had 100 gates. The neighborhood has narrow stone lanes and streets with small courtyards and homes entered through gates in the stone walls that line the streets. On your walk through the neighborhood, you will notice signs requesting “modest dress.” Visitors to this part of the city should respect the local residents by wearing modest clothing. Women should were tops with sleeves, not show a lot of cleavages and wear skirts below their knees. Men should not wear vests or shorts. During Shabbat (from sundown on Friday to sun up on Saturday) the neighborhood is in darkness. Visitors should also avoid using mobile phones, taking photos, or smoking in the neighborhood. A visit to Mea Shearim will give you an insight into an insular community that lives by the rules of the ancient Torah.Two Orthodox Jews burying a genizah at the Jewish Cemetery on Mount Olives. Photo byZoltan TasionUnsplash12. Israel Museum This comprehensive museum complex is Israel’s national museum. The Israel Museum covers a wide range of historic periods and artwork. In the permanent art galleries, you can see Israeli art, contemporary art, modern art, European art, design, photography, prints, drawings, and architecture, exhibits on world culture, and the Billy Rose Art Garden. The archaeological section covers discoveries from the Land of Israel, Islamic near Eastern excavations, the development of the alphabet, neighboring cultures, coins, and glass through the ages. A permanent section deals with Jewish art and life including traditional Jewish cultures from around the world, illuminated scripts, and the cycle of the Jewish year. There is a children’s wing where exhibits are geared towards younger visitors and there are regular activities for families (especially during Israeli school holidays). A highlight of the museum is the Shrine of the Book; a uniquely shaped building housing the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Aleppo Codex. There is also an impressive scale model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Era. This is the ultimate Israeli museum for art and history so if you visit one museum in Israel it should be this one.Kurdish hat belonging to Jews from Kurdistan, now in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Photo byLevi Meir ClancyonUnsplash13. Kidron Valley This valley lies between the Mount of Olives and the walls of the Old City. Here you can see ancient tombs and olive trees. The valley was once a deep ravine and defensive border for the original City of David. King David would have run through here when fleeing Absalom (II Samuel 15:23) and Jesus would have walked here when visiting the village of Bethany and the Garden of Gethsemane. During the Second Temple period, a large bridge is believed to have spanned the valley connecting the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. Three monuments face the Old City walls. The Pillar of Absalom (King David’s rebellious son) is a tall ornate tomb hewn out of the rock face with a pointed roof. The Tomb of the Sons of Hezir has columns supporting a frieze and an inscription identifying this as the tomb of the biblical figure and his sons. The Tomb of Zachariah is next in line, it is a free-standing cube decorated with columns and topped with a pyramid-shaped roof. The Tomb of the Virgin Mary is at the foot of the Mount of Olive and is thought to be the burial place of Jesus’ mother. Today a church marks the site where rock-cut underground caves have been excavated. Visitors can descend 47 steps into the tomb and see an excavated sarcophagus uncovered here.Kidron Valley, Jerusalem, Israel.Photo credit: © Shutterstock14. City of DavidJerusalem as a whole is often referred to as the “City of David” but actually the original City of King David was located outside the Old City walls opposite the Dung Gate overlooking the Kidron Valley. Excavations have uncovered remains of the city along a ridge called the Ophel. The excavated buildings date back to the Jebusite and Israelite eras of the 10th century BC and although as yet no discovery has tied the ruins with King David the site has been named the City of David. Visitors must take a guided tour of the site. The visit includes a 3D presentation; a view of the excavated City of David from an Observation Deck; a visit to the royal compound of First Temple Jerusalem (Area G); Warren’s Shaft (an underground tunnel connecting the citadel to the Gihon water source) and a visit to the Siloam Pool of the Second Temple Era. Tours leave from the Visitors Center at the entrance to the City of David. There are three different themed tours titled Ascend to Zion, Family Tours of Biblical Jerusalem, and Enchanted Jerusalem.15. Haas PromenadeHaas promenade connects the neighborhoods of East Talpiot and Talpiot. The promenade continues on to connect with the Sherover and Goldman Promenades making one continuous public park area. The promenade looks down on the Old City and you can see as far as the Dead Sea. It is thought to be the biblical site where Abraham was shown Mount Moriah where he was to sacrifice his son Isaac. Although the site has seen historic events unfold it is famed for the view more than anything else. From here you can see the Dome of the Rock taking center stage, the walls of the Old City, Arab villages, olive groves, pine trees, and the Hills of Judea in the distance.Entrance to City of David, Jerusalem. Photo credit: © Shutterstockto credit: © Shutterstoc

The Galilee can be divided into the Upper Galilee, Western Galilee and Lower Galilee; each has its own charm and attractions. The Galilee is characteristically lush and green with many streams and lakes to cool yourself. It was also here that Jesus spent the years of his ministry and the area is full of significant locations which appear in the Bible. In addition to the top attractions at the Sea of Galileelisted below there are numerous nature reserves, hiking paths, places to ride horses and wineries.Church of Annunciation, Nazareth.Photo credit: © ShutterstockThe Best Attractions in Lower Galilee (Nazareth area)Church of the Annunciation - the Basilica of the Annunciation was built on the site believed by Roman Catholics to be where Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel who told her of her impending pregnancy and future son. The church is said to be built on the grotto which was Mary’s childhood home in Nazareth. There were earlier churches on this site but the present structure was built in 1969. The most impressive part of the church is the courtyard where there are mosaics featuring the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. The mosaics come from Christian communities around the world and each depicts the Holy figures as they see them for example the Japanese Madonna wears a kimono.St. Gabriel's Church of Nazareth - this is one of two Churches of the Annunciation in Nazareth, established in the Byzantine era and rebuilt in the Crusader era and later again in the 18th century. The church is built over the natural spring which Eastern Orthodox Christians believe to be where Mary was informed by the Angel Gabriel of her future son. On the ground level of the church, you can see the water running into a well. The church boasts a colorful wooden “templon” screen painted with religious icons. On the ceiling are murals and a golden chandelier.Interior of the Annunciation Chruch, Nazareth.Photo credit: © ShutterstockNazareth Village - this open-air museum is a reconstruction of biblical Nazareth featuring elements of village life in Galilee at the times of Jesus. Here you can see homes, olive presses, figures dressed in traditional period costumes, and see demonstrations of traditional crafts and domestic chores from 2,000 years ago. The site offers an interactive experience where you can try your hand at different activities.Mensa Christi Church of Nazareth - this Franciscan church was built in 1861 and is famed for the Table of Christ, a granite slab believe to be the rock Jesus used as a table when dining with the disciples after his resurrection. Today the slab forms the church altar. The church has recently been restored including the mosaics and dome. Although the church is locked most of the time it can be visited on request. The name Mensa Christi is also associated with a church in Tabgha, the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.Ancient Bath House of Nazareth - The bathhouse is nestled between Mary’s Well and the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel in the shade of a tall ficus tree. When excavated artifacts were uncovered dating back to the ancient Roman era. Today there are guided tours of the caldarium, heated tunnels of the hypocaust, and the former furnace. There is a permanent exhibition about the excavations and above the site is a store selling local handmade craft items.Church of St. Joseph- this Romanesque church stands above the grotto thought to have been Joseph’s home and workshop in Nazareth. The church which stands here today was constructed in 1914 over the ruins of earlier churches. In the crypt, you can see mosaics, an ancient water pit, and 1st-century grottos.Capernaum, the town of Jesus.Photo credit: © ShutterstockMount Precipice - just south of Nazareth on the cliffs of Mount Kedumim is Mt. Precipice overlooking the Jezreel Valley and Mount Tabor.On the mount, excavations uncovered the remains of prehistoric settlements and 18 layers of ancient civilizations. One of the findings was a group of 13 Neanderthal skeletons dating back 50,000 years. On the top of the mount are several ancient tombs, cisterns, and a mosaic as well as breathtaking views. Mt. Precipice is mentioned in the Bible in Luke 4 16-30 when Jesus is driven from the synagogue and crowds threatened to throw him from the cliffs.Mount Tabor - just 9km east of Nazareth is the Mount of Transfiguration where the Old Testament tells of the battle between Barak and the Israelite Deborah. Christians believe this to be the site of the transfiguration of Jesus. Today the mount is a popular hiking and hand gliding site. Visitors can go to the hilltop Franciscan Church of Transfiguration or the Greek Church on the eastern slope.Capernaum- situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee began as a small fishing village during the Hasmonean dynasty (c.140BC- c.116BC). It is mentioned in all four of the Gospels as the hometown of St. Simon Peter, James, Andrew, and John. Jesus is said to have taught in the synagogue, cured a Roman Centurion’s servant, and cured a possessed man. Today the village is known for the archaeological discovery of two synagogues built on the same site during different periods.One is a 4th-century white limestone structure and the older synagogue was built of local black basalt rock. Today visitors can see the ancient ruins of Capernaum within an excavation site where there is also a Late Roman synagogue and the octagonal-shaped church built above the excavated house of St. Peters. Within the church, you can look down through an opening in the floor and see the excavated house. The complex includes the ruins of Byzantine homes and early Roman houses.Megiddo (Armageddon). Photo credit: © ShutterstockTiberias - the capital of Galilee is one of the four Jewish Holy cities; it is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Today the city has many modern attractions, boat excursions, a craft market, and luxury hotels. Tiberius is also the site of a Greek Orthodox Church at the southern end of the modern city which used to be an Ottoman city. You can see the walls of the 18th-century Ottoman city which run right down to the water’s edge. There is an open-air museum of ancient artifacts among the high-rise hotels and at various points in the city, you can see the remains of the ancient Ottoman walls. Hamat Tiberias National Park is a spa of hot springs which was used as far back as the Romans. At the site, there is a small museum in part of the original building and a synagogue dating back to the 3rd-5th century AD with a magnificent mosaic.Tiberias has a famous cemetery with graves of both Jewish and Muslim deceased. The Greek Orthodox Church and Monastery of the Twelve Apostles is a religious complex where there are three chapels, St. Peters, Mary Magdalene's, and St. Nicholas’. The tomb of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon (Rambam or Maimonides) is located in Tiberias. Rambam is a revered Jewish sage and rabbi who died in 1204. Other sites in Tiberias include the Crusader’s St. Peter Church; the Citadel, now housing an art gallery; the Antiquities Museum; the excavated Jewish Court complex of 19th-century synagogues and the Scottish Compound, now a hotel and church which was once the 19th-century Scottish enclave.Mount Precipice.Photo credit: © ShutterstockJordan River - It is possible for Christians to be baptized in the Jordan Riverat one of the sites which claim to be where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Although there is another baptismal site further south this is perhaps the most popular. Here there is a visitor’s center where you can buy a white robe to enter the water and get a certificate attesting to your baptism. There are steps and railings to help you get in and out of the water.Wedding Church - Cana is the town where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). The town of Cana is also referred to several times in the Bible in other contexts. The Franciscan Wedding Church commemorated the иiblical miracle, it was constructed in 1879 on a site where ancient stone wine jars were found. A nearby Greek Orthodox church is an alternative site of the miracle.Tel Megiddo - this tel or hill was a strategically important location in ancient times as it overlooked trade routes and the Jezreel Valley. At one point it was an important city-state and approximately 26 layers of ruined ancient civilizations have been found during excavations of the tel.The Greek name for the site is Armageddon and it is said to be the site where the final battle will take place during the end of time according to the Book of Revelations. Visitors can explore the archaeological site, enter through a Solomonic gateway; see an ancient altar; a grain pit; stables, and a complex water system with a 35-meter deep shaft and tunnel. There are also the remains of what may be the oldest remaining church in Israel.Jesus Trail- if you love to hike and want to really get to know the Galilee first hand then you can follow this hiking trail which links significantChristian sites in Galilee.Along the route, you will encounter Cana, Nazareth, a Roman Road, the Sea of Galilee, Tabgha, and Mount Tabor among other sites.Sea of Galilee. View from Photo by Johnnie Cohen on UnsplashThe Best Aattractions in Upper Galilee (Safed Area)Safed Visitors Center - not only can you get maps and info at this center but you can see a permanent exhibition, an excavation site under the building, and a short introductory film to the history and culture of Safed.Abuhav Synagogue - this Safed synagogue dates back to the original structure of the 1490s. The rest of the synagogue was constructed after an earthquake in 1837 destroyed most of the structure. The synagogue was built according to the Kabbalistic principle, there are ancient scrolls kept here and the walls are decorated with beautiful frescoes.Ashkenazi HaAri Synagogue - built in honor of Rabbi Isaac Luria, also known as the Ari. Luria was a Kabbalistic Rabbi who arrived in the city in 1570 and prayed in this synagogue. The highlight of this Safed synagogue is the beautifully painted Ark where Torah scrolls are kept.Sephardic HaAri Synagogue - this Safed synagogue is thought to have been built in 1522. Rabbi Luria also prayed here regularly. Legend has it that the Prophet Elijah would appear before the Rabbi as he sat studying here and enjoying the view of Mt. Meron. Meiri House Museum - the Meiri family settled here after immigrating from Iran in 1837. They established the country’s first dairy in this 16th-century house. The house has a fascinating history and was used for many purposes over the years. See a timeline of events in Safed history, see authentic furniture and historic household items and documents.Karo Synagogue - this historic building in Safed was once the headquarters of the rabbinical court and here Rabbi Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, together with other religious leaders laid down Jewish law.Mount Beatitudes.Photo credit: © ShutterstockInternational Center for Safed Kabbalah Visitor Center - have the Kabbalah experience, just like Madonna, Kushner, and other celebs. This ancient Jewish mystical belief is based on the religious book The Zohar. Here you can see audio-visual presentations, use interactive media stations, learn about Kabbalistic art and get brilliant views from the roof of the historic building which houses the center.Artists’ Colony, Safed - Wander the narrow cobbled streets with ancient stone buildings on either side. In the stores, you will find art galleries, Judaica, hand-made jewelry, pottery, weaving, and paintings all inspired by the spirituality atmosphere of Safed.Stam Center Safed - here you can learn about the art of writing holy texts for Torah scrolls, mezuzot, and tefillin. A writer of these texts needs to be highly skilled and follow strict rules. See a multi-sensory audio-visual presentation and learn about the mystical meaning behind Hebrew letters.Sea of Galilee - perhaps the highlight of any trip to the Galilee is a visit to the Sea of Galilee or Kinneret. The main source of Israel’s large freshwater lake is the Jordan River which flows in at the northern end and out at the southern end. The sea will be familiar to Christians as the site of many significant biblical events. Many chapels and churches on the seashore mark these events.It was here that Jesus walked on water, that he went to sea with the fishermen, and where they performed several miracles like calming the sea. Today visitors usually start their exploration of the Sea of Galilee in Tiberius, the largest city on the seashore. You can participate in water sports, swim, take boat excursions, use the beaches for camping or just enjoy the tranquil setting. You might like to enjoy a delicious meal of freshly caught fish from the Sea of Galilee.The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes, Tabgha, Israel. Photo credit: © ShutterstockChurch of Mount of Beatitudes- the church on the summit of the Mount of Beatitudes marks the site where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. Although earlier churches stood on this site the present church was commissioned by Benito Mussolini and designed by Antonio Barluzzi. The church has an octagonal shape representative of the eight Beatitudes. Inside there are beautiful mosaics and the roof bears an impressive dome.Domus Galilaeae - this modern church shared the peak of the Mount of Beatitudes and was completed in 2000. It is a large complex used for Christian seminars and conventions.Hula Valley - located above the Sea of Galilee, with the Hula Lake at its heart. The Hula Nature Reserve is a wetland and home to tens of thousands of aquatic birds. It is both a stop for migrating birds and home to local species. Visitors can walk along hiking trails and over floating bridges across the swamps or observe the birds from special “hides” or blinds. At the Oforia Visitors Center visitor can see a model of the Hula Valley, multimedia presentations with special effects, and dioramas. There are interactive computer screens with quiz questions.Manara Cliff - in the Upper Galilee, near the Lebanese border, this mount overlooks the Hula Valley. Visitors can hike or take a cable car to the top of Manara Cliff for amazing views. At the top of the mount, there are various attractions like arts and crafts for kids and extreme sports activities. To get down from the mount you can hand glide, hike, cycle, take the cable car, or take the super cool toboggan all the way down. Manara is popular with extreme sports enthusiasts who can try snappling, climbing, archery, and omega.Mount Meron - this is the highest peak in Israel (not including the Golan Heights) and the site of the highest nature reserve. Although not all the mount can be hiked there are marked paths in some areas. The mount has religious significance for the Jewish community as it is the site of the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi) a 2nd-century sage. On the anniversary of the Rabbi’s death on the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer thousands of people gather on the mount to pay homage at the tomb.Rainbow in the Hula Valley.Photo by Shalev Cohen on UnsplashThe Best Attractions of the Coastal PlainRosh HaNikra grottoes - these chalk cliffs and sea caves are located on the border with Lebanon in the Western Galilee on the edge of the Mediterranean. In addition to having a fascinating history that includes pirates, arms traders, British troops, and a secret railway the site is simply breathtakingly beautiful.Visitors descend the white chalk cliff by cable car overlooking the sea and enter a 200-meter labyrinth of caves that have been formed over centuries by the water beating against the stone. The reflection of the white caves makes the water appear milky turquoise. In the vicinity are a number of nature reserves.Mount Carmel -Mount Carmel in northern Israel, near Haifa, is one of the world's 500 UNESCO bioreserves. It is home to unique plants, trees, and animals. Lots of hiking trails offer a plethora of activities and are accessible year-round. The word “karmel” is supposedly a compound of “kerem” and “el”, meaning "vineyard of God". In Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thought, Elijah is associated with Mount Carmel, and it is believed that he sometimes lived in a cave there.If you are interested in visiting top Galilee sites, join one of our Galilee and Golan tours.Limestone Grottos of Rosh Hanikra.Photo credit: © Shutterstock

The Jewish people are known for their scientific talent with great names like Albert Einstein, Robert Aumann and Konrad Emil Bloch. So it is not surprising that Israel has several top science museum. The museums are primarily geared towards children but the exhibits have been made to appeal to the whole family.Science Museum. Photo credit: © ShutterstockThe Clore Garden of Science, RehovotThe Clore Garden of Science is located on the grounds of the famous Weizmann Institute of science. The entire museum is outdoors so in hot weather bring a hat and water. The museum is run by the Davidson Institute of Science Education. The museum is completely hands-on with displays set up where kids can do experiments to see how different laws of nature work and prove them for themselves.The garden covers 10,000m² and the interactive exhibits focus on the laws of physics, solar energy, water power, and the role natural elements play in the world. Among the exhibits are a Solar Furnace, Pipes of Pan, a Resonant Pendulum, and a wave pool where the science of waves is demonstrated. In addition to the outdoor exhibits, there is an EcoSphere, a dome-shaped greenhouse where ecological principles are demonstrated. Young high school-age guides are on hand to give brief demonstrations, explain the various exhibits and give short tours.Address: Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Sunday-Thursday 09:00-17:00, Saturday 09:00-19:00, Friday closed Family 220ILS, Children 5-18 50ILS, Adults 60ILSBloomfield Science Museum. Photo credit: © Maria MurashovaMadatech Museum, HaifaThe science museum is housed within a historic building that dates back to 1912. During WWI the building was used by the German Army as a slaughterhouse; in 1917 it became a military hospital for the Turkish Army and in 1918 came under the British. In 1923 Albert Einstein visited the building which had become the new Technion. Einstein became the president of the Technion Committee.Today the building houses Israel’s most famous science museum; there are more than 20 sections, 12 labs, 6 demonstration halls, and over 600 hands-on exhibits. Kids learn through the many games and by pressing buttons, pulling levers, and operating equipment. The exhibits are presented in themed sections so that all the energy-related exhibits are together etc. There is an outside area with more hands-on exhibits. The museum has a multi-sense 3D cinema where science-related movies are shown. The museum’s slogan is “explore, experience, discover and learn through play and fun.” There is an area for toddlers where they too can experiment in a safe play area.Address: The Israeli National Museum of Science, Technology and Space, Historic Technion Building, 25 Shmariyahu Levine St., Haifa Sunday-Wednesday 10:00-15:00, Thursday and Saturday,10:00-17:00, Friday 10:00- 13:00 Family (up to 4 people) 260ILS, Children 5-18, 65ILS, Adults 75ILSBloomfield Science Museum. Photo credit: © Katya SavinaBloomfield Science Museum, JerusalemThe museum exhibits are mostly hands-on and divided into thematic groups. There is an indoor and outdoor exhibition area. Although the themes are science-oriented there is a broader spectrum of exhibits that takes in technology, society, and art. Most of the exhibits have been created in-house in collaboration with the Hebrew University. The museum sections include Waterworks, Electricity, Discovering Levers, Games in Light and Shadow, CAPTCHA (about computers), Illusions, Flashlight in the Dark, Amusement Park, Testing and Measuring, and Water. Kids get to build apparatus and take part in regular activities. There is a Resource Center where you can read, see movies, use the Internet, and just hang out. The museum has a 3D cinema and films are an extra fee. There are daily guided tours, free talks, workshops, and science demonstrations.Address: Museum Blvd., Givat Ram, Jerusalem Sunday-Wednesday and Saturday 10:00-18:00, Thursday 16:00-22:00, Friday 10:00-16:00 Family (up to 4 people) 220ILS, Children under 5 free, All visitors over 5 years old 79ILS

Tels are prehistoric settlement mounds predominantly found in the Middle East. Megiddo, Hazor and Beersheba are three of 200 such tels in Israel, which contain significant remains of cities which have biblical connections. Excavation has found large multi-layered settlements which existed over the course of several millennia. The locations were probably chosen as settlement sites due to their strategic positions along important ancient trade routes and because of the available water supplies. The three tels are referred to as “biblical tels” as they appear in the Old Testament.Tel Hazor National Park, Israel. Photo credit: © Yuval Gassar. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityIn 2005 UNESCO declared these mounds as having outstanding universal value according to 4 criteria:1. The tels show an interchange of ideas and values between the east and west through trading, this can be seen in the many styles of building including those of Egypt and Syria;2. The tels offer a rare insight into the living conditions and lifestyle of the Canaan cities of the Bronze Age and the biblical cities of the Iron Age; 3. The development of Levant (Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and eastern Turkey) urban development evident in the tels had a great impact on future historic developments in the region;4. Having been mentioned in the Bible the three tels have spiritual and religious universal value.The findings at these tels show us that there was a centralized authority that controlled the important trade routes through the region. Thankfully the remains at each site have retained their integrity and have been left untouched for centuries. Over the course of time, the tels have become conical-shaped mounds with a flat top. The tels show evidence of sophisticated, geographically responsive, engineering in the ancient underground water systems designed to bring water to the cities. Ruins at Tel Megiddo National Park. Photo credit: © Avi Bahari. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityTel HazorTel Hazor is located in northern Israel near the Sea of Galilee and boasts one of the best examples of ancient ramparts in the Middle East. The ramparts enclosed the city with 9 meter high walls and there were two monumental gates. Its late Bronze Age palaces and temples stand out as some of the best in the Levant and the most complex in Israel. Excavation began at Tel Hazor in 1928 and later in the 1950s the well-known archaeologist Yigal Yadin led further excavations; in 1990 work was once again resumed on the site. A six-chambered stone gate was found which can be attributed to the time of King Solomon. The complex water system involved a 30-meter descending tunnel and a cave with a vaulted corridor. As with the other two tels, Tel Hazor held an important position at a major ancient crossroad. Tel Hazor National Park. Photo credit: © Doron Nissim. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityTel MegiddoTel Megiddo is just 50km southwest of Tel Hazor at the northern point of the Kishon River and has an unparalleled number of temples in its early Bronze Age temple compound, which shows that there was a continuity in the ritual activity on the Tel. This mound was the site of a powerful Canaan settlement that controlled the Via Maris, a route connecting Egypt with Syria, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia.Megiddo is referred to as Armageddon in the New Testament. The site was first excavated in 1903-5, then again in 1925-39, and again in the 1960s – 70s. Archaeologists uncovered around 30 different cities built one on top of the other on at least 20 levels. Another major archaeological find was an 80-meter long aqueduct that brought water from a spring at the foot of the mound up a vertical shaft to supply the city with fresh water.Tel Megiddo Archaeological Park. Photo credit: © Avi Bahari. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks AuthorityTel BeershebaTel Beersheba is in southern Israel near the Negev Desert and the archaeological findings show an elaborate, oval-shaped and walled, Iron Age town plan unparalleled in the Levant. The well-planned town has a central square and an underwater drainage system as well as a well 69 meters below the ground. Excavation of Tel Beersheba only began in the 1960s. They discovered the remains of a 9th-century Judahite settlement which continued into the 8th century until it was destroyed by a fire during the Assyrian campaign. Among the remains is the Governor’s Palace with three long halls and several ancillary rooms.Tel Beersheba, Israel.Photo credit: © Nadav Taube. Published with permission of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority

If you’ve arrived in Israel and would like to do a bit of sightseeing in Tel-Aviv by bike, or if you want to avoid the city traffic then Tel-O-Fun offers you a solution. Tel-O-Fun is a bike rental system available to residents and tourists in Tel-Aviv. Throughout the city rental stations have a row of the bright green bicycles waiting for users? Each bike is locked to the bike stand and a simple procedure unlocks the bike. The bikes are one-size with 3 gears and have adjustable seats, a headlight, back light and small carrier area at the back. You can rent the bikes 24/7 and there is no need to book in advance. There are about 150 rental stations spaced within 500 meters apart. The bikes are not built to hold a child’s seat or an extra passenger on the back. The rider is responsible for his own safety as no insurance is included in the rental. Tel-Aviv is criss-crossed with many cycle paths and parks where you can cycle freely.bike rental stationHow Does Bike Rental in Tel-Aviv WorkGet to one of the bike stations where there is a service terminal in Hebrew, English and Arabic. Select whether you want a daily or weekly rental. Swipe your credit card to make a payment and you will receive a card with barcode which is used to release the bike from its docking station. Climb on the saddle and off you go!You can return the bike at any one of the bike stations; it doesn’t have to be the same one you took the bike from. Simply lock the bike on the left hand side of one of the docking poles. Be sure to wait until you hear a click of the lock which ends the rental process.How Much Does Bike Rental in Tel-Aviv CostThe fee includes an access fee plus a cumulative time fee for the amount of time you have the bike. For the first half hour there is no access fee. However you can’t take a bike, ride to another station within half an hour, return the bike and then rent another bike for free. If less than 10 minutes has passed between returning one bike and the same subscriber re-renting another bike the fee will be calculated cumulatively. If you are cycling for under half an hour it will charge you only the access fee (17ILS). Each credit card can be used to register up to four subscribers. Note that there is a fine for late return of 1,200ILS up to the first 24 hours and 800ILS for each additional day of delay. The maximum fine is 4,500ILS. Rentals must be at least 18 years old and have a credit card.Access Fee:Daily: 17ILS (Saturdays and public holidays 23ILS)Weekly: 70ILSAccumulative time fee:Up to 30 minutes: FreeUp to 60 minutes: 5ILSUp to 90 minutes: 10ILSUp to 150 minutes: 30ILSUp to 270 minutes: 270ILSAnd for each additional hour up to 24 hours: 100ILSIf for some reason you need more explanations or have difficulty renting your bike then see the Tel-O-Fun website; call Tel-O-Fun customer call center at *6070 (Sunday to Thursday 07:00-21:00 and Fridays and public holidays 07:00-14:00) or visit their Customer Service Center in the Tel-Aviv Municipality Building (Sunday-Wednesday 08:00-18:00 and Thursday 08:00-15:00).For more details visit the official site ofTel-O-Fun

Bethlehem is the place of Christ’s birth but also a thriving modern Palestinian city. Today visitors can travel to Bethlehem to see the exact place where Jesus was born. To reach Bethlehem tourists in Israel must go through a border crossing into the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and travel past places like the Inn of the Good Samaritan and Shepherds’ Field where shepherds watched their sheep on the night of Jesus’ birth. Once in Bethlehem tourists can visit historic churches built to mark specific biblical sites.Bethlehem rooftop view. Photo credit: © ShutterstockAccording to an ancient Hebrew saying, “a man is the fruit of his home’s landscapes.” The Christ is no mere man, of course, but as God sent His only begotten son to walk among us, we should feel blessed for having the opportunity to know Him and walk in his footsteps, as well as witnessing with our own eyes the environment in which He was born.For that reason, many Christians choose to take a tour of Bethlehem. In order to provide themselves with the best and most convenient tour possible, many Christians choose to take guided Israel toursand receive information about the place from experts who know all there is to know about Jesus Christ, the city, and its connection with Christianity throughout the generations.When the word Bethlehem rises to mind one could not be held guilty if he or she thinks of faraway biblical times, but as we know Bethlehem is not just a city of the past. Adorned with amazing churches built by many congregations during many different periods, filled with many significant museums and artifacts and containing beautiful natural surroundings, while Jesus’ birth is of course the city’s main attraction, it is far from being the only one. A good tour of the city will not only enlighten you as to what the city was but also show you what it is today.Bethlehem in the BibleBethlehem features in the Old Testament as the birthplace of King David; it is also where Rachel was buried when she died in childbirth giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 35:19). In the Bible, the city is referred to as Beth Lechem – House of Bread; the City of David and as Ephratah. Bethlehem is mentioned many times in the Bible, for example in Ruth; Genesis; Joshua; Samuel I; Judges, and John.The New Testament’s Book of Luke and of Matthew tells the story of the Nativity. Joseph and Mary, who was pregnant, traveled from their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, near Jerusalem. They made the journey because of a census that required each citizen to return to their ancestral town to register. As Joseph was from the House of David he needed to return to Bethlehem, the City of David. When the couple arrived they found the city overflowing with visitors and no accommodation was available. As Luke tells us: “Mary laid Jesus in a manger as there was no room in the inn.”The Shepherds' Field Chapel.Photo credit: © ShutterstockBethlehem HistoryLess than a century after Jesus’ death tradition had established a site in Bethlehem that was believed to be the place of Jesus’ birth. Many houses at the time had an adjacent cave that was used for storage and to house animals and so a cave became the venerated site of the nativity. In the 4th century St Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine took it upon herself to travel through the Holy Land authenticating biblical site. In 326 she commissioned a church to be built in Bethlehem around the nativity cave. A part of the floor mosaic of this original church can still be seen in the present Church of the Nativity. St Helena’s church was replaced in 530 by a larger structure that has survived. Under the Crusaders two kings were crowned in this church and it was completely redecorated in 1169. Despite later looting under the Ottomans, fires, and an earthquake the Church of the Nativity has survived.In modern times Bethlehem came under the British from 1920 to 1948 when the British Mandate was in place. The UN 1947 partition resolution included Bethlehem in the international enclave of Jerusalem which would be administered by the UN. However, just a few months later Jordan captured the city in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and controlled the region until the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel captured the West Bank including Bethlehem. Israel administered the city until 1995 when the Oslo Peace Accord placed Bethlehem within the Palestinian Authority West Bank and Israel withdrew from the area.Bethlehem TodayToday Bethlehem is home to Muslim and Christian Arabs who live mostly in harmony. The city’s economy depends largely on tourism as well as traditional products and handicrafts like Middle Eastern jewelry, olive wood carvings, olive oil, marble, and religious objects.Silver Star Marker of Jesus' Birth Site, Grotto of Nativity, Bethlehem.Photo credit: © ShutterstockBethlehem AttractionsManger Square – This is the first stop for Christina visitors to Bethlehem.Manger Square is bordered by the Nativity Church; the Mosque of Omar and the Palestinian Peace Center. Manger Square is the site of a festive gathering each Christmas Eve of Christians from across the globe who come to celebrate Christ’s birth.Church of the Nativity – Also known as the Basilica of the Nativity this church is built around the Holy Grotto of the Nativity, the oldest continually worshipped Christian site. Although originally built in the 4th century the present structure dates back to 565 with additions made later by the Crusaders. The earliest mention of the manger site in Bethlehem was by Justin Martyr in c.160 AD followed by a mention by Greek historian Eusebius of Caesarea.The structure we see today was commissioned by Christian Roman Emperor Constantine and his mother St. Helena in 326 AD. The church was built around the Sacred Cave. The original structure was replaced in 530 AD by a larger church but parts of the Constantinian floor mosaics can still be seen. Miraculously the church was not destroyed when the land came under the rule of the Persians and later Muslim rulers. During the Crusader era of the 11th century, Baldwin I and II were crowned in the Church of the Nativity.Under the Crusaders the church was renovated and redecorated. The church remained untouched under the Mamluks and Ottomans although precious marble was removed by the Ottomans for use in construction on Temple Mount Today the church is shared by the Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Churches. Church of Nativity, Bethlehem. Photo credit: © ShutterstockHighlights of the church include the Door of Humility; a small entrance to the church that requires visitors to bow down as they enter. It also served a practical purpose during the Ottoman era when looters couldn’t fit their carts through the doorway. The church’s wide nave is flanked by 44 columns painted with Crusader images and the walls are adorned with murals. There are two Greek Orthodox altars and an Armenian altar dedicated to the Three Kings (three wise men). The Chapel of the Manger is a Roman Catholic shrine with 12th-century mosaics. The Grotto of the Nativity lies beneath the church and is reached down a flight of stairs. A silver star marks the place where Jesus was born. A door connects the Church of the Nativity to the Church of St. Catherine.Church of St Catherine – Alongside the Church of the Nativity stands another historic church marking the site where Christ is said to have appeared to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. It was here that Christ is said to have predicted Catherine’s martyrdom when she was burnt on a wheel (hence: Catherine Wheel) at Mount Sinai in c.310. The church was dedicated in 1347; mentioned in records in the 15th century and enlarged in 1881. Manger Square, Bethlehem.Photo credit: © ShutterstockThe church is flanked on two sides by a Franciscan monastery where there is a beautiful cloister restored by Barluzzi using 12th-century capitals and columns from the monastery. Visitors to the church can descend a flight of steps to caves where there is the Chapel of the Holy Innocent; St. Joseph’s Chapel; Chapel of St. Eusebius; the Tomb of St. Paula and her daughter Eustochium and the Tomb of St. Jerome. Jerome is said to have translated the Bible in one of the church’s subterranean caves in 386 AD.Milk Grotto – Also called the Grotto of Our Lady and the Chapel of the Milk Grotto. It was here that the Holy Family took refuge when escaping from Herod’s decree to kill all newborn males (Massacre of the Innocents). As Mary nursed baby Jesus a little of her milk is thought to have dropped to the ground turning the cave surfaces white. A 5th-century Byzantine chapel once stood here and the present chapel dates back to 1872.PracticalitiesWhere to eat: Ha’agala, a country café located a short car drive or a beautiful bike ride away from Bethlehem, is a charming place for those who want to combine great food with relaxation. Ha’agala, Ha’Horesh 3, Alonei Aba.Where to sleep: Talitha Kumi Guest House is known for high standards and great service and is just five minutes walk from the most important destinations. B’eit Jala 7.A street in Bethlehem.Photo credit: © Shutterstock

Located in the midst of bustling Tel Aviv, Sarona is a complex offering both locals and tourists a ‘non-stop experience’. The home of jewelry stores, fashion boutiques, small cafes and trendy restaurants, it is part of a new central business district in the city. Surrounding Sarona is a cluster of modern office buildings, but with its landscaped gardens and the ‘park’ area, it still has a ‘quiet’ feel to it.German Templar ColonyHistorically, the story of Sarona is fascinating. It was established in the 1880s by German Templars, a Protestant sect with their roots in the Lutheran church. These messianic Christians had made their way to the Holy Land, in anticipation of the second coming of the messiah, and created ‘colonies’ around the country, including Jerusalem and Haifa.At this time, Tel Aviv did not exist as a city but by 1889 settlers had built 41 houses in the area and turned it into an agricultural colony. Indeed, it was also the Sarona Templars who introduced the Jaffa orange to the local economy...a fruit that, today, is world-renowned. By the time of the Second World War, however, the Templars had gained a reputation as Nazi sympathizers and in 1939 they were labeled “enemy nationals” and exiled by the British to Germany and Australia.The colony subsequently was used as a military base by the British and on the eve of their departure, it was handed over to the Jewish population. After the establishment of the State of Israel, the buildings were used for a time as government offices and only in 2006 were plans established to regenerate the area, as well as to renovate and restore the old buildings in their original European style.Culinary ‘Hot Spot’In 2014, Sarona opened to great fanfare and today has a well-deserved reputation as one of the city’s ‘hot spots.’ With a wide range of eateries, wine bars, and Israel’s famed ‘Max Brenner’ ice cream parlor, it’s a true culinary center and the ideal place to eat, after wandering through the small stores, all housed inside the old Templar buildings.Its large indoor market houses a wide range of food counters selling all kinds of gourmet products, both from abroad and locally-sourced. Visitors can sample artisan cheeses, breads, olives, and wines, as well as purchase delectable local fruits such as figs, apricots, and dates.Outside there are often children’s entertainers performing and the small park area offers greenery surrounded by views of skyscrapers. A very Tel Aviv experience!

Al-Aqsa Mosque (The Distant Mosque or Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa) is one of the most prominent buildings on Temple Mount (Haram esh-Sharif) in Jerusalem's Old City. Al-Aqsa is considered the world's third holiest Muslim site after Medina and Mecca. Today, Al-Aqsa Mosque is a functioning house of worship, and although not an attention-grabber like its neighbor, the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa's religious significance and its position on perhaps the holiest ground in the world makes it a remarkable landmark. Together with the other structures on Temple Mount, Al-Aqsa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the world's second-oldest mosque after the Kaaba in Mecca.Why is Al-Aqsa Mosque a Holy Muslim Site?Al-Aqsa is not mentioned in the Koran by name but is believed to be referred to in the holy book as the Farthest Mosque. The Koran tells how in approximately 621AD Muhammad was transported from Mecca to the "Furthest Mosque" during his spiritual and physical "Night Journey." For a time, prayers were made facing Al-Aqsa until Muhammad was directed by Allah to face the Kaaba in Mecca during prayers. In Jewish tradition Temple Mount was the site of the Holy Temple and Al-Aqsa was built on sacred Jewish ground. Some Christians believe that it was here that Jesus cleared the Temple of moneychangers (Matthew 21:31). So Al-Aqsa is at the heart of a site held sacred by all three of the Abrahamic religions.Brief History of Al-Aqsa MosqueMuslim tradition can trace Al-Aqsa back to Isaac and Jacob who established Al-Aqsa as the "furthest place of worship" west of Mecca. Al-Aqsa or al-Masjid was originally built by Omar (c.584AD-c.644D) a powerful Muslim Caliph and close companion of Muhammad. Under Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik the mosque was expanded. Work was completed by Abd al-Malik's son, Al Walid in 705AD. In 746 it was destroyed by an earthquake but was reconstructed. Following another earthquake in 1033, Fatimid Caliph Ali az-Zahir had the mosque rebuilt. Over the years the structure was repeatedly renovated, improved, and expanded by the ruling Caliphate. In 1099 Crusaders took Jerusalem and converted the mosque into a palace. In 1131 the Crusaders were replaced by a militant branch of the Christian church. They became known as Templars after their new base on Temple Mount. Saladin reclaimed the city in 1187 and made further renovations.In more recent history King Abdullah of Jordan was assassinated at the mosque in 1951. During the 1967 Arab-Israelis War, Israel took control of East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa on Temple Mount. The mosque was heavily damaged in 1969 after an arson attack by an Australian Christian hoping to hasten the Second Coming of Jesus by making way for the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple. The site has remained a hot spot with tension between Palestinians and Israelis over ownership and use of the site.What is Al-Aqsa Mosque Like?Al-Aqsa is a low, expansive rectangular structure that is spread over 35,000m² and can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers. Its most striking features are the four minarets and the silver dome that crowns the structure. The interior of the dome is adorned with dazzling 14th-century decorations. The mosque is predominantly built in the early Islamic architectural style. Elegant 11th-century Romanesque arches cover the tiled façade. The ablution fountain stands outside the main structure, between the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The refectory on the southern wall is an addition made by the Knights Templars in the 12th century. The decoratively carved mihrab (prayer niche) was added by Saladin in the late 1100s. Inside the mosque, there are seven aisles divided by tall columns and arches. Stained glass windows let in colorful light that reflects off of the decorative mosaic walls and dramatic white arches.Visiting Al-Aqsa Mosque on Temple MountSince 1967 the Jordan/Palestinian Islamic Trust (Waqf) controls all matters on the Temple Mount while Israel controls external security. Non-Muslim visitors are not permitted to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque but they can admire it from the outside by visiting Temple Mount. The best and safest way to see Al-Aqsa Mosque is with a guided tour of Jerusalem's Old City.

The Carmel National park, extending over much of the eponymous mountain range, is Israel’s largest national green space and a real Garden of Eden. Running along the top of the Carmel Ridge, westward to the Mediterranean sea, it’s packed full of flora, fauna, hiking trails and breathtaking views. Whether you’re a runner, biker, hiker or simply a nature lover, it’s a must-visit when visiting the north of the country. Even better, because it’s so close to the sea, the area receives quite a lot of rainfall, which means that much of the year it is green and verdant.Little SwitzerlandReferred to as “Little Switzerland” by locals, its Alpine-like woodlands make the Carmel home to over 10,000 hectares of cypress, pine and eucalyptus trees as well as over 650 species of plants. What is even more remarkable is that this is a man-made park - the afforestation project began under the British Mandate (in the 1930s) and was continued by the Jewish National Fund after the state of Israel came into being in 1948. Within the park, there are endless walking and bicycle paths, dedicated nature areas and a range of trails (depending on how far you want to walk and how experienced a hiker you are). For archaeological lovers, there are a number of sites that were inhabited in prehistoric times.The Tree Valley, Cyclamen Forest, Finger RIdge, Kelach Outlook, the Galim Stream, Mount Shokef, the Druze villages of Daliat el Carmel/Isifiya and the Nesher Hanging Bridges are just a few of its many attractions. But if you only have a few hours, here are a few recommendations for a fine day out in this beautiful national reserve:For beginners, try Horshat haArbaim - at just 1,5 kms, you’ll pass ancient oak trees and enjoy a lookout over Haifa Bay. Taking the Kelah Stream, you’ll walk for 3 kms through woodlands where Persian fallow deer have been released into the area by Israeli ecologists. Look out for the rare Madonna Lily, which flowers here in the spring. Or, also at 3 kms, there’s the Etsba Ridge (Finger RIdge) and cave, with part of the route overlapping with the famous Israel National Trail.For the more active hiker, there’s the Sfunim Stream trail which has a short but rather steep incline. At 4 kms long, it gives you a fabulous view of the Carmel coastal plain from the top of the Megadim Cliff.And for the real pros, there’s the Neder and Galim Streams trail - at 8 kms, its path is stony and pebbly and there are lots of challengings parts, including climbing using bars! Hike through Wadi Kelah and past the Oranit caves (home to plenty of bats). All the trails are well marked - and don’t forget to take at least 2 liters of water per person. And keep your eyes peeled for the flowers you’ll see because it’s hard not to be impressed by the array of flora in the Carmel.All along the streams of the trails, there are laurestine, which blossoms beautifully in the spring, and laurel (from which flower bay leaves, good for cooking). Look out for the rock rose, with its white flowers, and soft rock rose, which blossoms in pinks. All around you’ll smell marjoram, sage and the scene of pine leaves.The Cyclamen Trail and Hanging Bridges of Nesher.Beginning close to the Cypress Plaza, this short 1,300-metre trail is famous for its ancient burial area...as you walk along, you will see the entrances to six burial chambers that have been carved into the rock. It is presumed to have belonged to a wealthy Jewish family back in the times of the Mishnah. (Archaeology lovers can continue west, to the site of the Horvat Hermesh ruins),And for those who like action, there’s nothing like a visit to the Hanging Bridges of Nesher. These two narrow bridges span a ravine and run across a seasonal river - built using steel cables, they are part of a hiking route that leads you through Israeli oak, Cypress pines, and Greek strawberry trees. There are two paths - green is easy and black is more difficult. Don’t forget your camera - the views from atop the bridges are outstanding!The Hai BarFor animal lovers, a visit to the Hai-Bar is a must. Close to Nahal Galim, this is a huge nature reserve, home to animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. Inside you’ll see Roe and Persian Fallow deer, wild goats, and Palestinian Mountain Gazelles as well as vultures, eagles and thousands of butterflies. It’s a great place to take the kids and the free guided tours are extremely informative (explaining how they encourage the animals to reproduce in captivity then gradually release the offspring back into the wild)Daliat-el-Carmel villageFinally, if you’re in the area, a visit to the Druze village of Daliat-el-Carmel / Isifiiya is highly recommended, Found at the top of the Carmel mountain, it was established in the 18th century by Druze from Lebanon and 200 years later is still offering visitors open and warm hospitality. The village has a lively Saturday market and the Carmelite Muhraka Monastery (which, according to tradition, is where Elijah the Prophet proved himself) is a popular pilgrimage site. The church is small but the gardens are pretty and the viewing platform affords astonishing views of the surrounding area.Practical InformationThe Carmel National Park is open to visitors throughout the year and admission is free (although there is a fee required for vehicles). The park has picnic areas, a restaurant, playgrounds, and a Druze Hospitality Area, which serves tea and fresh bread. For overnight stays, close to Kibbutz Beit Oren, there is the Fairy Forest ecological campsite, which has an open kitchen, warm showers, compost toilets and a pool in the woods!

Many visitors to Israel are surprised to find that so many biblical sites, like Golgotha, still exist. The Bible tells us that Christ was crucified on the Hill of Golgotha. Almost 2,000 years have passed and Golgotha no longer resembles a hill; it is now one of about 30 chapels within the 4th-century Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem's Old City. The site of Christ's crucifixion on Golgotha is the Twelfth Station of the Cross and one of14 Stations of the Cross marking the final events of Christ's life.Golgotha (Aramaic) or Calvary (Latin) means "Skull" and is mentioned in all of the New Testament Gospels. It may have been named "the Place of the Skull" because of the shape of the hill or because it was the site of many crucifixions. Jewish tradition holds that the skull of Adam was passed down by Noah to his son Shem and then to Melchisedech who deposited the skull at the foot of Golgotha. Golgotha may also have been where the binding of Isaac took place.Brief History of GolgothaEarly Christians venerated Golgotha as the site of the crucifixion. In 325 AD Queen Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I identified the biblical sites that now lie within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre including Christ's Tomb and Golgotha. Constantine I commissioned the construction of the Sepulchre Church, replacing a pagan temple. Constantine's church was destroyed by Persians in 614 and rebuilt only to be destroyed again under Muslim rule in 1009. The church structure we see today is mainly from the Crusader reconstruction in 1149.Was Christ Really Crucified on Golgotha?Early Christians believed this to be the site of the crucifixion. Golgotha is mentioned in the writings of early pilgrims and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built to mark this location in AD 326. Experts say that it is very likely that the site revered as Golgotha was in fact where Jesus was crucified. At the time of Christ's crucifixion, the hill of execution would have been outside the city, in accordance with Roman and Jewish customs of the time. Later new city walls were built bringing the hill, within the city.Visiting GolgothaThe Sepulchre Church hums with activity, pilgrims, incense, hymns and religious ceremonies at all times of the day. The Chapel of Golgotha is located immediately to the right once you enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A flight of steep, narrow, stone stairs leads up 4.5 meters to the top of the "hill" of Calvary where Christ was crucified. Here there are two chapels – the Greek Orthodox Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Catholic Chapel of the Crucifixion.The floor is covered with marble and mosaics while the walls and ceiling are heavily decorated with mosaics, icons, sanctuary lamps and liturgical riches. A Greek Orthodox altar marks the place where the cross stood. Beneath the altar is a circular opening where you can reach through to touch the rock where the cross stood. A glass cover protects the rock from endless visitors and you can see a crack in the rock which may have been caused by an earthquake at the moment of Christ's death. A small window looks down on the Chapel of the Franks and the Tenth Station of the Cross where Jesus was stripped of his clothes. Descending from Calvary via a second set of steps you will find yourself once again at the foot of Golgotha.To visit Golgotha please join Jerusalem Old and New Tour.

Chapel of AdamThe Chapel of Adam is one of the 30-plus chapels within the 4th-century Church of the Holy Sepulcherin Jerusalem's Old City. The chapel marks the site where Adam, the first man is believed to be buried. The Chapel or Cave of Adam is one of the oldest chapels in the vast Sepulcher Church and is located directly beneath Calvary (Golgotha), the site of Christ's crucifixion. It is a small, sparsely decorated chapel with plain ancient stone walls, but the space is packed with history and tradition. Several traditions connect the Chapel of Adam with Calvary above.Adam's SkullThe name Calvary or Golgotha means “Place of the Skull” which could refer to the shape of the hill, the execution site, or Adam’s skull buried below. This location inspired the liturgical image of a skull at the foot of Christ’s cross. The skull at the foot of Christ's cross reminds us that man's redemption was brought by Christ's death and resurrection. Jewish tradition also holds that Adam's skull was buried here. According to Exodus 14:18, Noah passed the skull to his son, Shem, and then to Melchizedek, the priest-king of Jerusalem who buried Adam's remains at the foot of Golgotha. The tomb of Melchizedek once lay in the cave but was destroyed by fire in 1808. The site is sometimes called the Chapel of Melchizedek.Hill of Golgotha Above and The Cave of Adam BelowToday the Cave of Adam and the Hill of Golgotha are within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and no longer resemble a cave or a hill. Since the 4th century, chapels have marked these sacred locations. Fission in the rock of Golgotha runs vertically directly down to the Chapel of Adam below. Tradition holds that when Christ was crucified at Calvary there was an earthquake (Matthew 27:51) that split the Rock of Calvary. Christ's blood then trickled down the rock along the crack onto Adam’s remains buried below. The blood of the Savior redeeming Adam from original sin, as it redeems all mankind. This site connects the First Adam with the second or New Adam (Jesus).History of the Chapel of AdamEarly Christians believed that Adam was buried near or at Calvary. The first reference to Adam’s Cave was by the 3rd-century Christian scholar, Origen (c.184-253). From 135AD to 312AD the site was covered by a pagan temple. In the 4th century Christian Emperor Constantine I, preserved and restored many Biblical sites in the Holy land. He had the Church of the Holy Sepulcher constructed, encompassing the Tomb of Christ. While the huge church was under construction the Rock of Golgotha was uncovered together with the cave below. St. Jerome mentions the Cave of Adam in his letters from 386AD. Over the years the church has been destroyed, rebuilt, and renovated. Adam's Chapel has seen many changes which are evident in the layers of stone that form the chapel walls.Visiting the Chapel of AdamAs you enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher a small staircase to your right leads up to Calvary, and alongside the stairs is the entrance to the Chapel of Adam. The chapel walls are heavy, ancient stone, and a Greek Orthodox altar stands in a niche at one end of the room. Behind the altar, a section of the cracked Rock of Calvary can be seen through a glass panel. Looking at the chapel walls you can see that there are remnants of stones from the different historic periods, each constructed in a different style. A door leads from the Chapel of Adam into the Greek Treasury. Here you can see a number of relics including a piece of the True Cross.To see Adam's Chapel please join Jerusalem Old and New Tour.

The Chapel of Saint Helena is one of about thirty chapels within the enormous Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City. The Holy Sepulchre encompasses the most sacred Christian sites including Christ's Tomb and Calvary. Many visitors to the sprawling 4th-century church overlook the Chapel of St. Helena although it is dedicated to the woman responsible for the church's construction. Helena was the "woman behind the man" as they say. She was the driving force that encouraged her son the Roman Emperor Constantine I to build the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, surrounding and protecting the most sacred Christian sites in the world.Who Was Saint Helena?Helena Augusta (c.247 AD – c.330 AD) was not of noble birth but became the consort of Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and mother to Emperor Constantine the Great. She traveled to Jerusalem and Syria Palaestina to seek out biblical sites in order to preserve them for posterity. Among the sites that Helena identified was Christ's Tomb. In 326 AD, on his mother's advice, Emperor Constantine commissioned the construction of the first church on this site to replace a pagan temple. Helena ordered the pagan temple torn down and excavation of the sacred sites. She is said to have uncovered three crosses at the site, one of which was found in a cistern near Calvary. This was declared the True Cross after an ailing woman touched it and was cured. When Queen Helena's work was done she returned to Rome taking some of the Christian relics with her. She dies in c.330 AD and was buried near Rome. Her sarcophagus is on display in the Vatican Museum. She became a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, and the Lutheran Church. As a saint, she is revered for her piety and as the Patron Saint of Discoveries. She is sometimes referred to as Helen of Constantinople.Creation of the Chapel of Saint HelenaIn 1048 the basilica was reconstructed and it was further beautified by the Crusaders in 1099. One 12th century chronicler wrote of the church renovations and how they had excavated the site to find the cistern where the True Cross had been found. This space was used to create the Chapel of St. Helena in honor of the woman responsible for identifying the biblical sites. The Church and its new, expanded complex were consecrated in 1149.Visiting the Chapel of HelenaJust past the Chapel of the Derision in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a flight of steps leading down to the Chapel of St. Helena located in the crypt of the original 4th-century basilica. It is the oldest complete part of the church and one of only two chapels beneath ground level. The chapel is owned by the Armenian church and known to them as St Gregory the Illuminator, the Armenian national patriot. The walls of the stairway have small crosses carved into the stone by medieval pilgrims. On the chapel floor is a large mosaic depicting historic Armenian churches by 20th-century artist Hava Yofe. The chapel has two apses, the north apse holds an altar dedicated to St. Dismas, "The Good Thief" who was crucified with Jesus. The south apse honors St. Helena. To one side you can see a seat in the southeast corner where St. Helena is said to have sat during the search for the True Cross. The Armenian Chapel of St. Vartan and the Franciscan Chapel of the Finding of the Cross where St. Helena is said to have discovered the True Cross are accessed via the Chapel of St. Helena.To visit the Chapel of Saint Helena join our Jerusalem Old and New Tour.

Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky, JerusalemJust 70 meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, is an unassuming wooden door with signs in Cyrillic script telling you, you have reached the Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky. If you venture in you will discover one of the most interesting churches in the Old City. The St. Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church is part of Alexander's Yard, also known as the Russian House. Here the Savior's cross was placed on the shoulders of Simon of Cyrene, as Christ stumbled, carrying his cross to Calvary.Who was Alexander Nevsky?Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (1221-1263) was a Russian warrior-prince during the rule of the Varangian Rurik dynasty. He protected the Russian state through his military victories and negotiated with the Golden Horde (Mongolian Empire) to prevent Russians from participating in the Horde's battles. In 1547 Nevsky was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. St. Nevsky is an extremely popular hero in Russian culture. Numerous churches are named after him; he is the Patron Saint of St Petersburg and he became the Patron Saint of Tsar Alexander III. In 1725 Empress Catherine I made the Imperial Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky one of the highest chivalry honors.History of the Church of Alexander NevskyIn 1858 Palestine was under Ottoman rule and Russia wanted to reinforce its presence in the Levant. They established the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society and bought land close to the Sepulchre Church. The aim was to construct a consulate and hostel for Russian pilgrims. Construction began but was brought to a halt when ancient remains were found on the site. The hostel and consulate were eventually built outside the city walls. In 1883 excavations uncovered a stone threshold with hinges for a gate. It may have been part of the Judgement Gate where Jesus passed on his way to Calvary. Today experts consider the threshold to be from the 2nd century, many years after Christ's crucifixion. Other findings included a wide staircase believed to have been part of the Sepulchre Church at a time when the church was a lot larger. This theory corresponds to the depiction of the Holy Sepulchre in the 6th century Madaba Map.The Russians knew that building on top of the ancient remains and so close to the Holy Sepulchre would not be supported by the Ottoman administration. So they continued construction in secret. Russian women smuggled church bells into the church and the exterior was designed to resemble a regular Russian house. The church was completed around 1896-1903 and named after Alexander Nevsky, patron saint of the recently deceased Emperor Alexander III. The church was consecrated by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1891 and again in 1896 by the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.Visiting the Church of St. Alexander NevskyFor Russian pilgrims, the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky is a must-see attraction. Enter the Baroque-style church and follow a flight of stairs up to the main chapel. See the painted iconostasis adorned with images of Russian religious icons. Space has a high ceiling, marble floor, and plain stone walls with paintings of Russian saints and Biblical scenes. On the lower level of the church stands an excavated archway that may have been built by Hadrian and reused in the 4th-century basilica. To the right is an 11th-century column and to the left 2nd-century stonework from Hadrian's Roman forum. Beyond the archway is a reconstruction of the wide stairway that once led up to the 4th century Holy Sepulcher Church. Beneath the protective glass is the Judgement Gate threshold and nearby is a large piece of the Rock of Calvary topped by a crucifix. In the adjacent museum are objects related to the church construction and excavations. To visit the church join JerusalemOld City Private Christian Tour.

Damascus Gate is the largest and most impressive of the eight gate entrances in Jerusalem's Old City walls. The gate, also known as the Pillar's Gate, Bab el-Amud, Shar Shchem, and the Nablus Gate, openings through the northern wall of the Old City into the Muslim Quarter. The road through the gate leads to the city of Nablus and continues to Damascus.The Roman Damascus GateThe present Damascus Gate structure was built as part of the 16th-century Ottoman city walls but the gate foundations date back to the Romans. The Roman gate spanned the road connecting the Roman city of Neopolis (present-day Nablus) to the Roman Cardo, a thoroughfare through Jerusalem. Excavations uncovered part of the Roman gate and a Roman plaza. The Roman gateway would have consisted of three arched openings with the central one being twice as wide as the side arches. Inscribed above the gate is the city's Roman name "Aelia Capitolina." Only the eastern archway has survived and can be seen below the present gate. Other excavated remains include watchtowers flanking the gate. The 40-foot tall eastern tower has been preserved and stairs connect it to the ramparts.Engraved in the Roman plaza paving are games perhaps scratched into the stone by bored Roman soldiers on duty. A Roman milestone once stood in the plaza and would have been 72-foot high and topped with a statue of Emperor Hadrian. The milestone or victory pillar features on the 6th century Byzantine Madaba Map of the Middle East and gives the gate its Arabic name – Bab el-Amud or Pillar's Gate. The Roman entrance to the city was used throughout the Early Muslim and Crusader period with the Crusaders adding several extensions. Christian tradition places the martyrdom of Saint Stephan outside the gate, and the Crusaders gave it the name St. Stephan's Gate.The Ottoman Damascus GateBetween 1537 and 1540 the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent restored the city walls and the Damascus Gate was the first of the city gates to be reconstructed. The gate was again restored by the British during the British Mandate. In the 1970s the Jerusalem Foundation funded a restoration project that addressed issues such as parking facilities, poor access, and general neglect. The entrance plaza was reconfigured into an amphitheater that leads down to the gate. In 1985 work was done on the remains of the Roman gate and they were opened to the public as part of an archaeological garden.Features of the Damascus GateApproaching the gate from outside the Old City the semi-circular amphitheater stairs lead down to the gate entrance. The gate is perhaps the most decorated of the eight Old City gates. The surrounding defensive walls are topped with crenelated battlements. The towers on either side of the gateway have arrowslits, where archers could have shot through at approaching enemies and machicolations openings where hot liquid could have been poured on attacking troops. Once through the gateway in the Muslim Quarter you can look down onto the Roman remains and ancient Roman gateway and plaza below.

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist in the Old City's Christian Quarter should not be confused with the church of the same name in Ein Kerem. The church in the Christian Quarter is one of the oldest churches in Jerusalem. The above-ground part of the church, bell tower, and dome date back to the 11th century when it served the Crusader Knights Hospitalier while the crypt below ground-level dates back to the 5th century, Byzantine period. The Church of Saint John the Baptist stands in the area south of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre known as "Muristan." This was the site of the first Bimaristan, meaning a hospital in the medieval Islamic world. The area where the hospital once stood, and where the church stands today, retains the name "Muristan."John the BaptistJohn the Baptist was born to the Virgin Mary's cousin, Elizabeth in Ein Kerem. He grew up to be a preacher, leader of the baptismal movement and he baptized Christ in the Jordan River. He is considered a forerunner or predecessor of Christ. John was beheaded by King Herod Antipas at the request of Herod's daughter, Salome who had asked for John's head on a platter (Mark 6:17-29). The location of his head and other remains is uncertain but some traditions hold that the head was housed in the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Jerusalem's Old City.History of St. John the Baptist ChurchDuring the Byzantine era (4th-6th century) a structure was built on the site of the present church; it may have been a shrine holding relics, including John the Baptist's head. With the Persian arrival in Jerusalem, the Byzantine building was damaged and then restored after 614AD by John Almoner, Patriarch of Alexandria. Over the years the structure sunk about 3m below street level. Italian merchants arrived in the 11th century and built a pilgrim hospital and church above the sunken 7th-century structure which became the church basement. During the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099, injured Crusader Knights were treated in the hospital. Some knights stayed on to established the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. The Knights Hospitalier was an order of the Crusader knights dedicated to administering medical care to Crusader knights fighting on route to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was recaptured by Saladin in 1189 and the basement left to accumulate dirt and debris. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem acquired the church in the late 15th century and turned the basement into a chapel. In 1839 the church and monastery were restored and a reliquary was discovered in the crypt; perhaps the same reliquary that once held John's head.Features of the Church of Saint John the Baptist, Old City JerusalemThe church complex has an unremarkable exterior but opens to an enclosed courtyard surrounded by several apartments that are used by Greek Orthodox monks. Inside the church are three apses and a long narthex adorned with elaborate artwork and icons. There is a breathtaking iconostasis screen separating the altar from the area where the congregation stands. This is the longest iconostasis in Jerusalem and dates back to 1853. One of the church icons depicts Saint John's head and is attached to a relic believed to be a piece of the saint's skull. Another icon features Byzantine Empress Eudocia who was responsible for establishing several 5th-century churches. Near the entrance of the church are the relics of the Greek Saint Paliottis who came to Jerusalem in the 1820s. He was captured, arrested, and martyred at Jerusalem's citadel (Tower of David Museum). His icon depicts him in a traditional Greek costume. The building is topped by a distinctive silver dome supported by four pillars.

Ein Bokek BeachInternational visitors to Israel are often unaware that there are beaches on the shores of the Dead Sea where you can enjoy the usual beachfront pleasures but also the wonders of this unique location. Each of the beaches along Israel’s Dead Sea shore has its own charm but Ein Bokek Beach is unique in being right in front of the “Dead Sea Strip,” where all of the best Dead Sea hotels are located. Ein Bokek is also known as the Dead Sea’s “Tourist Zone” and the beach is conveniently next to stores, malls, and restaurants. For visitors staying at one of the Dead Sea hotels, the Ein Bokek beach is perfect! You can step right out of your hotel onto the sand.Visiting Ein Bokek BeachBeautiful Ein Bokek beach is a wide sandy beach that is kept immaculately clean. Ein Bokek beach is open year-round and is free. The beach amenities include sunshades, beach chairs, water fountains, toilets, and showers. Not only that but if you want you can visit the Ein Bokek Solarium, a world-renowned skin treatment center. You can walk down to the beach at any time, night or day, but the official open hours are daily from 7 am to 5 pm. During these hours there are lifeguards on duty. The most recent addition to Ein Bokek beach is a promenade that runs the length of the beachfront.The Dead Sea Experience at Ein BokekAt Ein Bokek beach you can enjoy the Dead Sea experience of floating in the thick, salty water. The water, which is 9 times more saline than the ocean makes it impossible to sink. It is the concentration of salts and minerals in the Dead Sea region that makes it such a special environment. Located 400 meters beneath sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowers point on the planet. Each of the environmental elements at the Dead Sea has some beneficial quality. The water is rich in salts and minerals that nourish the skin. Dead Sea minerals are used in health and beauty treatments for skin, joint, and muscle ailments. The black Dead Sea mud can be used to rejuvenate the skin as it simultaneously extracts toxins from the skin and nourishes it. The Dead Sea air is dry, practically allergen-free, and has 15% more oxygen than other regions, which is great for respiratory disorders. Being 400 m below sea level the Dead Sea is so low that many of the harmful UV rays are filtered. People with skin conditions like psoriasis come to the Dead Sea for heliotherapy (sun therapy) as here they can safely enjoy the sun. In fact, experts say that the combination of natural elements at the Dead Sea is relaxing and can put you in a good frame of mind.

Jerusalem’s historic first railway station (HaTakhana HaRishona) is near the German Colony. It was the last stop on the Jaffa-Jerusalem railway. The station first opened in 1892 and closed in 1998 when the railway stopped operating. For 15-years Jerusalem’s first station stood abandoned and neglected. Then, in 2013, the station was restored and opened as a cultural and entertainment venue. The station has become a venue for annual cultural events and festivals, including the Jerusalem Film Festival and the Jerusalem Jazz Festival.History of Jerusalem’s First StationDuring the 19th-century, Jaffa Port was the main entry point to the Holy Land. Jewish businessmen, including Moses Montefiore and Dr. Conrad Schick, discussed the need for a railway connection between Jerusalem and the coast. In 1885 Jewish businessman, Yosef Navon began looking into the possible construction of a railway line. He had the advantage of being an Ottoman subject and having connections with the Ottoman rulers in Palestine. Navon went to Constantinople to promote the project and was granted a 71-year concession to build the railway. Due to financial difficulties, Navon was forced to sell the franchise, and he went in search of investors for the project. Eventually the Societe du Chemin de Fer Ottoman de Jaffa a Jerusalem et Prolongement was set up to build the line. The railway line follows the ancient route used by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. Now, instead of 10-hours by camel or donkey, pilgrims could reach Jerusalem by train.Creation of the First Station Cultural CenterOriginally the train station comprised a double-story building, with two wings. Various alterations were made over the years, but the basic shape of the station was maintained. The station welcomed tourists, business people, and pilgrims who boarded the train in Jaffa and traveled to Jerusalem. The number of passengers decreased over time as motor traffic increased, and public bus services improved along a new highway to Jerusalem. Trains to Tel Aviv were reduced to twice a day until eventually, they were redundant. After its closure in 1998, and a period of 15-years, restoration began in 2013. The station was considered a valuable piece of Jerusalem’s architectural history, and a location with potential as a public space.Visiting HaTakhana HaRishonaToday visitors can enjoy the facilities spread across the former rail yard which is covered in wooden decks. The complex makes use of the historic station house, ticket hall, and concourse. There are food stalls, restaurants, vendor carts, family attractions, and pubs. You can see an exhibition of historical photographs on display in the old station house. A cycle path, built along the route of the old train tracks, connects the First Station to the Train Track Park. There is an exhibition of model trains and a stage for performances. See the Psalms on the Wall, a graffiti exhibition, an artist’s interpretation of the Book of Psalms. The Space-Distance photographic exhibit focuses on the social distancing imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it has affected our lives. Namaste is an art project displayed at the First Station, featuring six large murals of people from different cultures, welcoming visitors with the namaste gesture. The Jerusalem First Station open-air mall hosts markets throughout the week. From Sunday to Thursday, there is the Jerusalem Designers’ Fair; on Tuesdays, there is the Ramat Rachel Farmers’ Market and on occasional Fridays, you can enjoy a second-hand market. There are weekly outdoor dance and fitness classes held for the public including yoga, kung fu, Zumba, hip hop, and kickboxing. Note that due to coronavirus restrictions some of the First Station events may be restricted or canceled.

The Hecht Synagogue is located in the Faculty of Humanities on the Hebrew University Campus of Mount Scopus, Jerusalem. The synagogue is famed for its architecture and a breathtaking view over the Old City and Temple Mount with the stunning gold Dome of the Rock.Founders of the Hecht Synagogue, JerusalemThe construction of the synagogue was funded by the Hecht family in memory of Mayer Jacob Hecht (1928-2006). Jacob Hecht (better known as Chic) was the US Republican Senator of Nevada (1983-1989) and the US Ambassador to the Bahamas (1989-1993). The Hebrew University had existed on Mount Scopus since 1925. From 1948 to 1967 the university was in an UN-protected Israeli enclave in the Jordanian-administered territory. During this time the campus had deteriorated and following the Six-Day War in 1967, there was a push to restore and revitalize the university with the help of donations.Tootie and Marty Hecht were at the university visiting their son Alan, a student at the time when they were asked whether they would like to make a contribution to the reconstruction of the campus. At first, they were asked to fund the construction of a dormitory but when they heard that there was no synagogue on campus they undertook to raise the necessary $100,000 in matching government funds for the construction of a synagogue. Construction was temporarily halted during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, then plans went full steam ahead with the government in favor of completing the campus and fortifying the site so that Mt. Scopus would never be taken again.Features of the Hecht SynagogueThe Hecht Synagogue was designed by Israeli architect Ram Karmi and was completed in 1981. It is a minimalist building constructed of white Jerusalem stone and white plaster. It has a fortress-like exterior and inside there are many geometrical angles. The synagogue is best known for the design of the Torah Ark and window. The Torah Ark is split in two, flanking a large picture window with a direct view of the Old City. Unlike other synagogues where congregations face east towards Jerusalem, the worshipers at Hecht Synagogue face west towards the Judean Mountains, the Old City, and the Western Wall. The seating is in a U-shape facing the large window so that all worshippers have a wonderful view. For even more panoramic views you can go on to the balcony and roof.Hecht Synagogue Religious LifeThe synagogue location and the view of the Old City below conjure up images from the Old Testament. A passage in the Talmud tells how Rabbi Akiva stood on Mount Scopus looking down on the ruins of the Temple. Here Romans camped as they planned their attack on Jerusalem. Since its construction, several important events and services have been held in the synagogue. In 1990 the wedding of Evgenij Balter and Inga Kosyrskaya took place here. They were both former Soviet "Refuseniks" and wanted to hold the ceremony here to honor Senator Hecht who had played an important role in securing the release of Jews from the Soviet Union. The synagogue has a thriving beit midrash with various religious learning programs, seminars, and activities. The Hecht Synagogue is an orthodox Jewish place of worship but the Hebrew University also has a conservative synagogue (Ramot Zion), Muslim prayer room, and Fellowship of Christian Students. Regular services are held in the synagogue which is open to the public.

Jaffa Gate JerusalemJaffa Gate dates back to the 16th century when it was built as part of Jerusalem’s Old City walls during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The gate is named Jaffa Gate or Sha’ar Yafo because the gate faces towards Jaffa Port which was the main access point for pilgrims and merchants arriving by sea. In Arabic, the gate is called Bab el-Khalil, Gate of the Friend, or Hebron Gate in reference to Abraham, who is traditionally buried in the city of Hebron (el-Khalil). Today Jaffa Gate is the main pedestrian entrance used for visitors to the Old City. It opens onto the Armenian Quarter and leads straight to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Temple Mount. Nearby is David’s Tower and leading to the gate is the Mamilla open-air shopping center built in 2007.The L-Shaped Jaffa GateThe gate tower or gatehouse has an L-shape so that visitors enter the gatehouse on one flank and exit from an adjacent flank, having to turn at a right angle instead of simply continuing through the gatehouse in a straight line. This L-shape was typical of Medieval gate entrances designed to slow down attacking forces. Originally the gateway chamber would have had heavy iron-plated wooden doors that would have been locked at night to protect residents. The impressive gate entrance is 6m-high and the gatehouse continues another 6m above. To one side of the gate tower are steps leading up to the ramparts.Early History of Jaffa Gate, JerusalemThe first walls built in this area were in the 2nd century BC by the Hasmonean kings. In c.37-34 BC Herod added three towers and a small Water Gate where people could go to fetch water from Sultan’s Pool. Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD, a fortress was built by Muslims in the 7th century AD. Crusaders arrived in 1099 and built a gate behind the site of the present gate. The Crusaders thought the remains of Herod’s tower was from King David and named it David’s Tower and the gate, David’s Gate. The walls and gate were destroyed and rebuilt several times over the next few hundred years as leaders came and went.The Ottoman GateThe Ottoman Turks took Jerusalem in 1517 and remained in control for the next 400 years. It was in this time that the city walls, including the Jaffa Gate, were built in 1538 out of pale Jerusalem stone. At the foot of the gate are the graves of Suleiman’s architects who designed the walls. Legend holds that the Sultan had the architects executed for not including Mount Zion within the city walls or because he did not want them to build a similar wall elsewhere. Under Ottoman rule, Christians were only permitted to enter through Jaffa Gate and it became known as Pilgrims’ Gate.The Jaffa Gate Vehicle EntranceIn 1898 an opening was made south of the gate to allow Wilhelm II of Germany to make a ceremonious entrance to the city. Local leaders also preferred the Kaiser not to enter through the gateway as an Arab legend held that if a foreign ruler entered through Jaffa Gate, he would take the city. Today the 1898 opening is used for vehicles entering the city as they wouldn’t be able to negotiate the awkward L-shape of the gatehouse.Modern-Day Jaffa GateFollowing WWI, the British expelled the Ottomans from Jerusalem and were awarded a mandate over Palestine by the UN. Following Israel’s independence in 1948, a war ensued in which Jordan took Jerusalem and held the city for the next 20 years. You can still see the bullet holes from the conflict in the walls surrounding the gate. During Jordanian occupation, Jaffa Gate was sealed and was reopened in 1967 when Israel reclaimed Jerusalem in the Six-Day War. The gate has been renovated and is now the Old City entrance most used by tourists. It is conveniently placed close to David’s Tower, the Old City markets, and many Old City landmarks. Pedestrians enter through the L-Shaped gatehouse while vehicles can enter on the road through the adjacent opening in the walls.

British War Cemetery JerusalemIsrael is full of unexpected places packed with fascinating history. The Jerusalem British War Cemetery and Memorial on Mount Scopus is one of those unusual places. The Jerusalem cemetery is for British and British Commonwealth soldiers who died in Palestine during World War I (1914-1918). The Jerusalem War Cemetery was planned for the fallen soldiers who had come from far and wide to serve in the Great War and the memorial was inaugurated in 1927 in the presence of Lord Allenby.The British in PalestineWhen WWI broke out Palestine was ruled by the Turkish Empire (Ottomans) and Allied Forces advanced into the region in 1916. In November 1917 the Allies captured Jerusalem, forcing the Turks to surrender and vacate the city. It was a bloody military campaign that cost the lives of many Allied soldiers and led to the downfall of the Ottoman Empire which had ruled Jerusalem since 1517. As was the custom, the British established a military cemetery near to the battle site for fallen soldiers who died far from home. Soon after WWI ended the League of Nations appointing Britain with the Mandate for Palestine, to administer the land that was now a non-self-governing territory. The British Mandate was in place from 1920 to 1948.2515 British Commonwealth GravesThe 2515 soldiers buried here are from Britain and the British Commonwealth countries including New Zealand; Egypt, Australia, South Africa, the British West Indies, and India as well as 100 unidentified fallen soldiers and a few German and Turkish dead. The gravestones are identical in shape and size but bear the soldier's rank, name, army unit, and date of their demise.At the foot of the headstones, families have been allowed to add a personal message. There are touching engraved epitaphs such as "What can a man do more than die for his countryman;" Farewell brave son, until we meet again" and "Time flies, Love remains" and "His last message, no more wars for me." One of the many interesting gravestones marks the final resting place of a British driver called William Shakespeare who died in 1918. There is a small Jewish section in the cemetery for the 24 Jewish soldiers that served in the British army during World War I.A large white stone memorial commemorates the lives of 3,300 fallen Commonwealth servicemen who died fighting in Egypt or Palestine. The memorial was designed by Sir John Burnet and sculptures are by Gilbert Bayes including one of the Patron Saint of England George fighting a dragon. In the memorial chapel is a mosaic by Robert Anning Bell.Discover the British War CemeteryThe cemetery on Mount Scopus is between the Hadassah Medical Center and the Hebrew University. The entrance gate honors the Imperial Guard with the unit's motto inscribed in stone in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. A path leads from the cemetery entrance to the chapel and intersects with a second path to form a cross. At the intersection stands the Cross of Sacrifice and the Memorial Stone, traditional symbols of British military cemeteries. The beautifully kept grounds are a quiet haven from the hustle and bustle of the city below. From the cemetery, there are magnificent views across the Old City. Laws prevent the construction of anything obscuring the view of the Old City from the cemetery on Mt. Scopus.This cemetery of British and Commonwealth soldiers so far from home brings to mind the words of British poet, Rupert Brooke in his poem The Soldier: "If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is forever England…"