Holy Land Pilgrimage

About Jerusalem

From the top of the Mount of Olives, we look down at the spectacular view of Jerusalem, the holy city. It is the only city in the world that has two dimensions: first, the earthly Jerusalem that we see in front of us across the Kidron Valley, and the other, the ethereal Jerusalem that has been etched for thousands of years in the minds, prayers, and dreams of Christians, Muslims, and Jews throughout the world. This is the city where the prophets walked, where King David composed the Book of Psalms, and where the House of God was, all turning Jerusalem into the eternal city.

The ringing of the church bells, the calls of the muezzins from the minarets of the mosques, and the Kaddish prayers coming up from the Jewish cemetery below us starkly bring us back to the observation point, to the earthly Jerusalem, from which we descend to the Jewish cemetery. Since ancient times, Jews aspired to be buried on the Mount of Olives. They believe that, with the coming of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead will begin from here, and many wanted the privilege of being among the first to welcome the Messiah. We will connect to a narrow road known as the "Palm Sunday Road,” through which Jesus entered Jerusalem. The road descends from the mountain to the Kidron Valley, and we will reach a small church that is shaped like a teardrop. It is known as the "Lord Wept" church and in Latin - Dominus Flevit. From here, Jesus observed the temple and the city and wept over his prophecy of the future destruction of Jerusalem. We will continue our descent and pass the Russian Eastern Orthodox church, Mary Magdalene, where, according to tradition, the remains of Saint Mary Magdalene are found in a relic box. The grandmother of the current King of England, Charles III, is also buried there. We’ll then arrive at the Gethsemane Gardens, an ancient olive orchard, and the Church of All Nations (known also as the Basilica of the Agony). The church was built around the “stone of agony” where Jesus prayed the night before he was handed over to the Romans and crucified. Next to it is the Tomb of Virgin Mary, the burial place of the Mother of Christ. From the Gethsemane Garden, you will reach the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Old City is divided into four quarters – Armenian, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim – and has eight gates, seven of which are open. We’ll enter through the Lion’s Gate, which is named for the two pairs of lions on either side of it. We’ll visit the pool of Bethesda, a huge reservoir of water where Jesus healed a paralyzed man. Adjacent to the pool is the Crusader Church of Santa Anna, beneath which there is a space where, according to tradition, Saint Anna gave birth to Mary, the mother of Messiah. The church is known for its special resonance, and many pilgrims wait in line to sing religious hymns there. This part of the tour provides travelers with an unusual experience - religious, archaeological, and musical all in one. We will continue to the Old City and reach the Via Dolorosa (Latin for the “Sorrowful Way”), the last path of Jesus on earth. The road starts in the north of the Temple Mount in the Muslim Quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter. It passes through the bustling markets of the Old City and blends the sacred and the profane. The prayers of the pilgrims, carrying crosses on their backs, are mixed with the calls of the hawkers and merchants from the souvenir shops. Each station along the route tells what happened to Jesus on the way to the Rock of Calvary on which he was crucified. The last five stations are in the Church of the Sepulcher, and this is the only church in the world where eight different Christian denominations, sharing the same space, separately celebrate the return of the Son of God from the dead. Ironically, the keys to the church are actually in the hands of Muslims, who lock and unlock it every day. Another important Christian site is the Hall of the Last Supper located on Mount Zion, outside the walls, in a building above King David's tomb. On your way there, visit the walled Armenian quarter with the St. Jacob's Cathedral in the center- a recommended visit, especially after midnight, when religious ceremonies are held there. We’ll now come to the Jewish Quarter and begin our visit in the Cardo, where you can clearly see the well-preserved remains of the main street from the Roman period. There is a row of shops selling art and Jewish sacred objects such as yarmulkes, prayer shawls, menorahs, spinners, and candlesticks. Highlights of the Jewish Quarter include the four Sephardi synagogues and the Ashkenazi "Hurva" Synagogue that was blown up by the Jordanians in the May 1948 War of Independence. The synagogue was rebuilt following the 1967 Six Day War, and its construction was completed in 2003. These sites tell the history of the area over the past centuries. In the Jewish Quarter, there are also important archaeological findings such as the Herodian suburb, which displays magnificent large houses from the Second Temple period, and the "Burnt House," testimony to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The Jewish Quarter is also home to many kosher cafes, restaurants, bagel shops, and falafel stands. We will finish by going down to the Western Wall. The tour of the tunnel walls, which runs along its foundations, is highly recommended and must be booked in advance. You can also visit the Temple Mount. Muslims have free access to the site, and they are the only ones allowed to enter the mosques. For non-Muslims, the site is open for short periods in the morning and in the afternoon. During these hours you can tour the huge square and enjoy the exterior of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where the Prophet Muhammad prayed, and the Dome of the Rock, containing the upper part of Mount Moriah, where, according to Jewish tradition, the binding of Isaac took place (Muslims claim it was the binding of Ishmael). On the other side of the golden dome and the mosque, which is covered with Jerusalem's Armenian ceramic tiles, you’ll find a spectacular view of the Mount of Olives and its churches as well as the Gate of Mercy. If you’re looking to supplement the holy sites with less sacred experiences, Jerusalem has much to offer! Let's start with the eastern bazaar, which is divided into markets that continue along narrow alleys covered with roofs, each specializing is something different: spices, meats, fabrics, souvenirs, and holy items for pilgrims. The city is studded with well-known hummus shops that, according to experts, are among the best in the country, as well as falafel and shawarma stalls, and restaurants and cafes centered around the Avtimus market near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the area of the Nablus Gate, women from the nearby villages sell vegetables, and, from there, you can continue to the Viennese Cafe and enjoy delicious apple pie and whipped cream at the Austrian Hospice. From the roof of the hostel there is a panoramic view of the Old City and the Mount of Olives. We will finish with a walk on the Old City walls, observing daily life in the different quarters, and then descend at the Jaffa Gate. This is where the old and new cities connect. Jerusalem’s new city is home to many diverse sites, museums, fascinating neighborhoods, botanical gardens, and much more. In the heart of the new city is the Mahane Yehuda market. The market, which has traditionally been packed with stalls selling vegetables, fish, meat, housewares, and clothes, has transformed into one of the most important entertainment centers in the city. While still serving as a market, some of the old shops are now trendy restaurants, fast food stalls, and pubs, though some have remained as they always were. Some restaurants, such as Azura and Rachmo, still cook on kerosene burners, and the restaurant, Hatzot, still serves the original Jerusalem mix as it did forty years ago. South of the market, across Agrippas Street, you can experience the charm and tranquility of the Nachalot area. To the north, across Jaffa Street, is the Makor Baruch neighborhood, an ultra-Orthodox enclave where the setting changes dramatically. The ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Jerusalem, the most famous of which is Mea Shearim, are reminiscent of the historic Jewish villages in Europe. The men wear black and white clothes and homburg hats, and the women are fully covered from head to toe. It is fascinating to walk through these neighborhoods, but women must dress modestly according to local custom, preferably in a long dress. The pants here are for men only! Jerusalem is home to outstanding museums. Don’t miss the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. The museum houses outstanding collections of Israelite archeology, Jewish ethnology, and local modern art, and its structure and adjacent sculpture garden are outstanding. The Museum for Islamic Art, which collects, preserves, and exhibits Islamic art spanning many centuries, is another highlight. The Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum is located on Mount Herzl in the west of the city near the Mount Herzl cemetery. Binyamin Ze'ev Herzl, the visionary of the modern State of Israel, is buried there as are many of Israel's leaders. Next to it is the National Military Cemetery. Under Mount Herzl there is the lovely green neighborhood of Ein Kerem. Christian pilgrims can visit the Church of the Visitation which commemorates the meeting of Mary with her cousin Elisheba. During the visit, Mary told her that she would give birth to a son. Elisheba’s song of praise - the Magnificent - is written on the walls of the courtyard in dozens of different languages. You can also visit the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist located in the center of the village. Above Ein Kerem, in the synagogue at Hadassah Medical Center, there are 12 stained glass windows by the famous Jewish artist, Marc Chagall, which are definitely worth a visit. There are many charming neighborhoods in Jerusalem’s new city, including the German Colony which is home to lovely cafes and shops; the Hebrew University campus on Mount Scopus which has a beautiful Mediterranean botanical garden; and the National Library in Givat Ram with its beautiful stained glass windows by Ardon, as well as a botanical garden and cafe. The Promenade of the Governor's Palace offers a breathtaking view of Jerusalem from the south. On Ticho Street, in the heart of downtown Jerusalem, visit the house of Anna Ticho, a famous Israeli painter known for her landscapes of Jerusalem and enjoy the delicious café that is housed there. It's hard to believe, but the holy city also has a vibrant nightlife. Some of the hot spots include the Nachalat Sheva area, Rivlin Street, the Russian Compound, and the Mahane Yehuda Market which are full of pubs and bars all week long, and many on Friday evenings, as well. Jerusalem is Mediterranean in its landscape, but it is also on the edge of the desert - just a short drive from Mount Scopus. You’ll find completely different scenery there - the colors are yellowish, the ground is bare, the light is clearer and more powerful, and there’s less vegetation – this is the desert of the holy city. In fact, that's what it was called in the Byzantine period, and there were over sixty monasteries located there. They served the pilgrims who came down from Jerusalem to be baptized in the Jordan River, and, from here, the guidelines for Christian religious ceremonies were established. Three of the monasteries are still active today: Mar Saba on the Kidron Valley east of Bethlehem, St. George’s Monastery in Wadi Qelt, and Deir Hajla near Jordan, adjacent to Jericho. Each one is captivating! Jerusalem… there is no other city in the world where transparent walls separate so many types of nationalities, people, denominations, and religions- Western Jews, secular Orthodox Jews, Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians and Armenian Christians, Copts and Ethiopians, yet, somehow, there is a connection that works most of the time. It is not easy, but fascinating to see and experience this most unique story. We will end with a verse from Psalms Chapter 122 that will always be relevant: "May peace be in your army, peace in your palaces."Amen.

About Caesarea

Caesarea, a short drive north of Tel Aviv, is an ancient port city whose construction was initiated in 22 BC by King Herod the Great. Caesarea was a grand city - the first city in the Holy Land which had advanced urban planning down to the last detail! It is located on the white dunes south of the Carmel, and it was chosen to be a deep sea harbor with an artificial breakwater- the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Caesarea, named by King Herod after Augustus Caesar who endowed it with the majority of its great public buildings, infrastructure, and monuments, was added to the port and became the capital of Roman and Byzantine Palestine.

A significant portion of the spice trade, healing materials, and incense from Southern Arabia and the East was channeled by King Herod from the ports of Gaza and Jaffa to Caesarea. The profit from taxes and duties imposed on the expensive goods was huge and was used by the king to finance his many construction projects. In the large port, about a hundred ships could dock at the same time, and Yosef ben Matityahu, the historian of the period, notes that it was larger than the port of Piraeus and a thriving commercial hub. Herod, who was despised by many of his people, also built Caesarea as a port of refuge. The city’s residents were his loyalists, allowing him a clear escape route to Rome should a revolt arise. For Herod, who was devoted to the Roman Empire, Caesarea provided a foundation for the spread of Roman culture in Judea. He built a amphitheater in the city which has been restored, two hippodromes for chariot races, a huge and remarkable two-part (inner and outer) harbor, a nearby palace on the sea, warehouses for grain, oil, and wine, and a magnificent bath house. He also built a large temple above the harbor dedicated to his patron, Augustus, after whom both Caesarea and Sebastia in Samaria were named. There is a lighthouse overlooking the city whose remains are in the corner of the small fishing port. For Christians, Caesarea is significant as it was the city where Pontius Pilate ruled during the time of Jesus; the site where Simon Peter converted Cornelius, the Roman; and, during the 3rd and 4th centuries, it became an important center of the Christian Roman Empire. In the 7th century, the Muslims captured the city and partially destroyed it. While Caesarea never again regained its status, it was captured by the Crusaders in the 11th century, and its fortress walls were refortified. In the mid- 13th century, Caesarea was reconstructed by Louis IX, but, upon falling to the Mamluk sultan in 1265, the city was destroyed and left in ruins until the end of the 19th century. The Caesarea National Park is home to the well-preserved amphitheater which is not only a remarkable relic of the past, but a present day, popular location for performances, including many concerts. From the inside of the amphitheater there is a spectacular view of the Mediterranean. Other highlights of the park include the Reef Palace, the inner courtyard of the guest wing of Herod’s glorious palace with pillars facing the sea. Other remains of the palace can be seen, as well, though portions are submerged in the sea. The “Caesarea Experience” tells the story of the city’s history, and the archaeological park displays archaeological relics that were found all over the park. The Crusader gate has been reconstructed, and the area of the ancient port around which the Crusader city was built is a modern entertainment area with cafes, restaurants, and galleries. You’ll also find the Sculptures Park and the Caesarea Harbor Visitors’ Center with artifacts discovered underwater and a film about the life of King Herod. Today's port is much smaller than the Herodian port, and most of its breakwaters sank into the sea, but you can still see some of the old piers under the temple hill. The small mosque near the waterfront tells the story of Muslim families from Bosnia who were resettled by the Turks. Next to it are several restaurants and cafes overlooking the harbor and the sea – a great place for lunch or just a coffee break. Inside the harbor there is also a bathing beach. From Caesarea you can continue on a tour of the beautiful town of Binyamina, visit the burial plot of Baron Edmond de Rothschild who was a great supporter of Jewish settlement in Israel, and end with a visit to one of the famous wineries in nearby Zichron Ya'akov. L’Chaim!

About Acre

“If only I had succeeded in conquering Acre, I would have changed the face of the world," dictated Napoleon Bonaparte to the writer of his memoirs during his exile on the island of Saint Helena. Even he, one of the most famous generals in the annals of Europe, recognized the extraordinary importance of this northern port city to the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Acre (Hebrew: Akko) was the key and the entrance port to the Land of Israel, serving as the connecting axis between the East and the West. The famous traveler Marco Polo also stayed in the city- an important stop on his first journey to distant China. And he wasn’t the only one - throughout the Middle Ages and modern times, until new ports opened in the capital of Lebanon and in Haifa, Acre was a rich and lively city where travelers and merchants from all over the world gathered. It had bustling markets and a port full of goods from the East – everything from spices, perfumes, spices, and incense, to silk, precious gems, sugar cane, and cotton. Acre reached its peak during the Crusader period. Affluent Italian cities, such as Venice, Pisa, and Genoa fought fiercely to gain a foothold in Acre, and every square meter of the city was valuable. The Knights Templar, who protected the pilgrim convoys, joined the fight for control of the city as did the Knights of the Order of St. John who opened a huge hospital in the north of the city for the exhausted pilgrims who arrived in Acre by sea. This is thought to be the first hospital in Europe, giving the Knights of St. John the Baptist the name: Hospitallers. The Muslims built a new city on the Crusader ruins, and significant parts of the lower city have been excavated over the past 70 years. While in Acre, wander the halls of the knights and the tunnel of the Templars. The Turks built a citadel above the Crusader Quarter that, during the British Mandate, was turned into a prison for members of the resistance, before the establishment of the State of Israel. The citadel is now a museum where you can visit the prison cells and the gallows cell. Today, old Acre is an Arab city, and most of its inhabitants are Muslim. You’ll hear the voice of the muezzin five times a day, blending into the busy street that stretches between the Al Jazar Mosque and the port. The mosque has a wide courtyard with a place for worshippers to purify themselves. For a small fee you can visit it and enjoy Turkish architecture at its best. The mosque is a place of pilgrimage for the Muslims of the Galilee, and, according to the believers, a hair from the Prophet Muhammad's beard is kept there. To the right of the entrance to the mosque are the graves of Ahmed El Jazar and Suleiman Pasha, builders of the new Turkish Acre. From the courtyard of the mosque, a narrow staircase will take us down to a huge reservoir of drinking water. The water, which originated in springs about 8 miles north of the city, was transported by an aqueduct. The last aqueduct, built by Suleiman Pasha in 1812, can be clearly seen from the road near the adjacent Kibbutz of the Ghetto Fighters. The road from the mosque to the port leads to a colorful market full of spices, musical instruments, hookahs, tobacco shops, halva, peanuts, candied almonds, and pistachios, bakeries with sweet oriental pastries and pitas, hummus and falafel stands, housewares, and shops selling freshly caught fish from the port. At every corner, there are merchants squeezing fresh citrus juices, pomegranates, and sugar cane. In the small port which is used today for fishing and mooring modest yachts, you can go on a fun cruise around the walls of Acre. Be sure to walk on the wide walls of the Old City – it is said that Acre is not a city surrounded by a wall, but, rather, it is a large wall housing a small city inside. Near the harbor, on the way to the southern wall adjacent to the sea, you will pass by Khan al-Adamtan, which includes a large courtyard surrounded by granite columns looted from the ruins of Caesarea. This khan, built by Ai al-Jazar, was the most important market in Acre with shops on the ground level and an inn for guests on the upper level. Above the khan rises the clock tower built in 1900 to mark the 25th anniversary of the reign of the Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid II in the Land of Israel. He was also the last sultan to rule the Holy Land. We will continue on the wall that runs along the sea from the Doniana restaurant, overlooking the harbor to the lighthouse, to the fish restaurant of Chef Uri Buri. We recommended strolling among the narrow and picturesque alleys. Acre's nightlife is centered around Khan Al Farang which was an important market dominated by 16th century French merchants until they were driven out by Al Jajar, who took over the cotton trade. Today it is lined with restaurants and cafes, and, if you’re interested, you can also go native and smoke hookah! Outside the Old City walls there are three sites that we recommend visiting: Napoleon's hill, from where Napoleon looked out over the city and was amazed to discover the mighty wall that was quickly erected by Ahmed al-Jazar just a few years before the French invasion of the Levant; the Tunisian Synagogue with the many mosaics documenting important events from the country's history; and the spacious and well-kept Baha'i garden north of the city where Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i religion, was laid to rest. The city of Acre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and is a fascinating day trip through history!

About Nazareth

Israelis love Nazareth - the largest Arab city in Israel – and often spend Saturdays, holidays, and weekdays enjoying its markets, restaurants, and shops. But this is nothing new! Throughout history, Nazareth has always welcomed its visitors, including the non-Christians who come to visit the churches.

The city of Nazareth is as renowned as Jerusalem. Jesus is known as “Jesus of Nazareth,” not of Jerusalem, where he was crucified, or of Bethlehem, where he was born. In fact, the Hebrew word for “Christian” is “Notzri,” derived from “Nazeret,” the Hebrew name for Nazareth. Jesus lived here as a child and a teenager, and it is where the entire Christian story began. This is the place where the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that her future was to give birth to the Son of God - the Messiah. Jesus eventually left, as “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” We will begin our visit to Nazareth with a view from the Mount of Ancients - the Mount of the Jump. From there, you’ll have a great view of the city and its churches and mosques as well as a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley. This area is identified with the steep cliff from which the people of Nazareth conspired to throw Jesus into the valley because he hinted that he was the Messiah. From there, he passed between them and went on his way. We will continue to the city, which is surrounded by mountains. The Catholic Church of the Annunciation, whose construction began in 1962, is located in the heart of the city. The church was intended to serve as a religious center and a central place of prayer for Christians in Israel. Keep in mind that, at the time, important religious sites such as the Church of the Sepulcher, the Church of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem were under Jordanian control and access was prohibited until the Six Day War in 1967. The Italian church architect, Giovanni Muccio, who was commissioned to design the structure, was an artisan, philosopher, and theologian. He believed in the necessity to adapt the church to modern times, both in its form and in its construction materials, and it is, indeed, a modern structure. From the moment you enter the complex, you immediately notice the mix of the old and new styles and the works of artists from all over the world. Each of the craftsmen created dozens of mosaics, ceramics, wall paintings, and bronze and stone sculptures, which are scattered in and around the church, in the design of his country of origin. A visit to the church is recommended, even if only to view the artistry. In the large complex of the church there are also the archeological remains of ancient Nazareth and the Church of St. Joseph, which was built on the site where the young Jesus worked for his adoptive father. In the crypt of the church you can see water cisterns and a Jewish purification bowl from the Second Temple period. From the church, ascend to the small, colorful Nazareth market, a traditional market selling household goods, fabrics, coffee, spices, jewelry, vegetables, meat, and baked goods. There, among the narrow alleys, is the ancient Jewish synagogue from which Jesus was expelled by the worshippers. A narrow road towards the north will lead us to Mary's Well and the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation from where Mary’s spring rises. Pilgrims usually fill bottles with the water, which is believed to be holy. Nazareth is the commercial and financial center of the Arabs of the Galilee, and it is also an important culinary center where the traditional Arab Galilean food is combined with Israeli and European cuisine. There are numerous excellent falafel and hummus stalls in the city, as well as quite a few first rate restaurants. There is a wide variety of accommodations available in Nazareth. In recent years, large hotels have opened alongside small boutique hotels, some within the old city, which provide a great base for trips to the nearby sites: Kfar Cana, where the young Jesus turned water into wine; Zipori, which was the capital of the Galilee and is home to fascinating antiquity; Beit Sha’arim, a Roman-style Jewish necropolis; Nahalel, the first settlement in northern Israel. Nahalel is also home to a cemetery overlooking the valley where General Moshe Dayan is buried side by side with the first Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon, who perished in the space shuttle Columbia disaster. You are all invited to visit Nazareth. As the locals say: "Ahlan wa sahlan” (welcome)!

About Tiberias

After the death and spectacular funeral ceremony of Herod the Great, the famous 1st century BC King of Judea, three ships sailed from the Holy Land to Rome. On each of the ships was one of Herod’s sons – all traveling to Rome in order to attempt to inherit their father’s entire kingdom. Augustus, their father's patron, followed the Roman doctrine, "divide and conquer," and, indeed, the Holy Land was divided into three parts. Achelous received the Judean region, Philip received the Golan (the areas east and north of the Sea of Galilee), and the Galilee was given to Herod Antipas – the same Antipas who, according to the New Testament, played a role in the execution of John the Baptist. 

Antipas built Tiberias in 20 BC as a new city, located near the desirable hot sulfur springs. It was named after his patron and friend, the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Due to the presence of many graves in the area, the Jews settled there slowly, but, after the destruction of the Temple, Tiberias became an important Jewish center of Torah and Talmud study and it was the only city with a continuous Jewish presence alongside a non-Jewish population. After the War of Independence in 1948, the city became predominantly Jewish. Tiberias is considered one of the four holy cities in Israel, and it is home to the graves of important rabbis such as Rabbi Akiva, who was the spiritual leader of the Bar Kochva rebellion; Rabbi Meir Baal Hans, who performed many miracles; and Maimonides, a 12th century physician and thinker who codified Jewish law. It is traditional among Jews to visit the graves to ask for sustenance, marriages, fertility, and health. Tiberias is also important for Christians mainly as a base for visiting the northern bank of the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) where most of the important Christian sites are located.We will start our visit to Tiberias in the hot springs area. The hot springs of Tiberias and the baths are open to the public, and, in addition to bathing in the hot water, there are massages and other body treatments available. In the national park above the springs, there are the remains of an ancient synagogue from the Roman period with its magnificent zodiac mosaic. When you enter the lower city of Tiberias through the Turkish wall, you’ll be on the main street with its many clothing and shoe stores. On the northern side of the street, you’ll find lots of falafel stands and other street food stalls. There is also a small produce market where you can buy the fruits of the Galilee. From the promenade near the Sea of Galilee, there are short cruises available. From the well-known Gai Beach, there is a road that leads to Mount Beriniki where there are remains of a Byzantine church and an 8th century mosque – and a great view of the Sea. There is also a popular water park on Gai Beach with a wide variety of slides and other water attractions. Tiberias has many types of tourist accommodations, including the well-known Scottish Leprosy Hospital, built of basalt stones, which was converted into a hotel. Another famous hotel is the Rimonim Gali Kinneret, where dignitaries from the days of the British mandate and the early years of the modern state of Israel stayed. Both are worth a visit – even just for a coffee break or a delicious meal! A short distance from Tiberias is the Arbel National Park, with its spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, the Ginosar Valley and Magdala, and the mountains of the Golan and Galilee. The baptism site of the Christian pilgrims is in the southern part of Tiberias. This is where the Jordan River departs from the Sea of Galilee as it makes its way down to the Dead Sea. A short drive away is the Roman site, Hamat Gader, which is located where the borders of Israel, Syria, and Jordan meet in the deep canyon of the Yarmouch. Hamat Gader offers a fascinating combination of archeology, immersion in the sulfur baths, and a tour of the crocodile farm. Due to its location, Tiberias is a great base for trips to the eastern Arab Galilee and the Golan Heights, and the Roman town of Beit Shean, the Crusader Star of the Jordan, Mount Tabor, and Safed are also in close proximity. We recommend that you finish your day with a romantic dinner at one of the fish restaurants by the sea – don’t miss the local Saint Peters fish, known in Hebrew as Amnon Kinneret. B’teavon! (Enjoy your meal!)

About Jerusalem

From the top of the Mount of Olives, we look down at the spectacular view of Jerusalem, the holy city. It is the only city in the world that has two dimensions: first, the earthly Jerusalem that we see in front of us across the Kidron Valley, and the other, the ethereal Jerusalem that has been etched for thousands of years in the minds, prayers, and dreams of Christians, Muslims, and Jews throughout the world. This is the city where the prophets walked, where King David composed the Book of Psalms, and where the House of God was, all turning Jerusalem into the eternal city.

The ringing of the church bells, the calls of the muezzins from the minarets of the mosques, and the Kaddish prayers coming up from the Jewish cemetery below us starkly bring us back to the observation point, to the earthly Jerusalem, from which we descend to the Jewish cemetery. Since ancient times, Jews aspired to be buried on the Mount of Olives. They believe that, with the coming of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead will begin from here, and many wanted the privilege of being among the first to welcome the Messiah. We will connect to a narrow road known as the "Palm Sunday Road,” through which Jesus entered Jerusalem. The road descends from the mountain to the Kidron Valley, and we will reach a small church that is shaped like a teardrop. It is known as the "Lord Wept" church and in Latin - Dominus Flevit. From here, Jesus observed the temple and the city and wept over his prophecy of the future destruction of Jerusalem. We will continue our descent and pass the Russian Eastern Orthodox church, Mary Magdalene, where, according to tradition, the remains of Saint Mary Magdalene are found in a relic box. The grandmother of the current King of England, Charles III, is also buried there. We’ll then arrive at the Gethsemane Gardens, an ancient olive orchard, and the Church of All Nations (known also as the Basilica of the Agony). The church was built around the “stone of agony” where Jesus prayed the night before he was handed over to the Romans and crucified. Next to it is the Tomb of Virgin Mary, the burial place of the Mother of Christ. From the Gethsemane Garden, you will reach the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Old City is divided into four quarters – Armenian, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim – and has eight gates, seven of which are open. We’ll enter through the Lion’s Gate, which is named for the two pairs of lions on either side of it. We’ll visit the pool of Bethesda, a huge reservoir of water where Jesus healed a paralyzed man. Adjacent to the pool is the Crusader Church of Santa Anna, beneath which there is a space where, according to tradition, Saint Anna gave birth to Mary, the mother of Messiah. The church is known for its special resonance, and many pilgrims wait in line to sing religious hymns there. This part of the tour provides travelers with an unusual experience - religious, archaeological, and musical all in one. We will continue to the Old City and reach the Via Dolorosa (Latin for the “Sorrowful Way”), the last path of Jesus on earth. The road starts in the north of the Temple Mount in the Muslim Quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter. It passes through the bustling markets of the Old City and blends the sacred and the profane. The prayers of the pilgrims, carrying crosses on their backs, are mixed with the calls of the hawkers and merchants from the souvenir shops. Each station along the route tells what happened to Jesus on the way to the Rock of Calvary on which he was crucified. The last five stations are in the Church of the Sepulcher, and this is the only church in the world where eight different Christian denominations, sharing the same space, separately celebrate the return of the Son of God from the dead. Ironically, the keys to the church are actually in the hands of Muslims, who lock and unlock it every day. Another important Christian site is the Hall of the Last Supper located on Mount Zion, outside the walls, in a building above King David's tomb. On your way there, visit the walled Armenian quarter with the St. Jacob's Cathedral in the center- a recommended visit, especially after midnight, when religious ceremonies are held there. We’ll now come to the Jewish Quarter and begin our visit in the Cardo, where you can clearly see the well-preserved remains of the main street from the Roman period. There is a row of shops selling art and Jewish sacred objects such as yarmulkes, prayer shawls, menorahs, spinners, and candlesticks. Highlights of the Jewish Quarter include the four Sephardi synagogues and the Ashkenazi "Hurva" Synagogue that was blown up by the Jordanians in the May 1948 War of Independence. The synagogue was rebuilt following the 1967 Six Day War, and its construction was completed in 2003. These sites tell the history of the area over the past centuries. In the Jewish Quarter, there are also important archaeological findings such as the Herodian suburb, which displays magnificent large houses from the Second Temple period, and the "Burnt House," testimony to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The Jewish Quarter is also home to many kosher cafes, restaurants, bagel shops, and falafel stands. We will finish by going down to the Western Wall. The tour of the tunnel walls, which runs along its foundations, is highly recommended and must be booked in advance. You can also visit the Temple Mount. Muslims have free access to the site, and they are the only ones allowed to enter the mosques. For non-Muslims, the site is open for short periods in the morning and in the afternoon. During these hours you can tour the huge square and enjoy the exterior of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where the Prophet Muhammad prayed, and the Dome of the Rock, containing the upper part of Mount Moriah, where, according to Jewish tradition, the binding of Isaac took place (Muslims claim it was the binding of Ishmael). On the other side of the golden dome and the mosque, which is covered with Jerusalem's Armenian ceramic tiles, you’ll find a spectacular view of the Mount of Olives and its churches as well as the Gate of Mercy. If you’re looking to supplement the holy sites with less sacred experiences, Jerusalem has much to offer! Let's start with the eastern bazaar, which is divided into markets that continue along narrow alleys covered with roofs, each specializing is something different: spices, meats, fabrics, souvenirs, and holy items for pilgrims. The city is studded with well-known hummus shops that, according to experts, are among the best in the country, as well as falafel and shawarma stalls, and restaurants and cafes centered around the Avtimus market near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the area of the Nablus Gate, women from the nearby villages sell vegetables, and, from there, you can continue to the Viennese Cafe and enjoy delicious apple pie and whipped cream at the Austrian Hospice. From the roof of the hostel there is a panoramic view of the Old City and the Mount of Olives. We will finish with a walk on the Old City walls, observing daily life in the different quarters, and then descend at the Jaffa Gate. This is where the old and new cities connect. Jerusalem’s new city is home to many diverse sites, museums, fascinating neighborhoods, botanical gardens, and much more. In the heart of the new city is the Mahane Yehuda market. The market, which has traditionally been packed with stalls selling vegetables, fish, meat, housewares, and clothes, has transformed into one of the most important entertainment centers in the city. While still serving as a market, some of the old shops are now trendy restaurants, fast food stalls, and pubs, though some have remained as they always were. Some restaurants, such as Azura and Rachmo, still cook on kerosene burners, and the restaurant, Hatzot, still serves the original Jerusalem mix as it did forty years ago. South of the market, across Agrippas Street, you can experience the charm and tranquility of the Nachalot area. To the north, across Jaffa Street, is the Makor Baruch neighborhood, an ultra-Orthodox enclave where the setting changes dramatically. The ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Jerusalem, the most famous of which is Mea Shearim, are reminiscent of the historic Jewish villages in Europe. The men wear black and white clothes and homburg hats, and the women are fully covered from head to toe. It is fascinating to walk through these neighborhoods, but women must dress modestly according to local custom, preferably in a long dress. The pants here are for men only! Jerusalem is home to outstanding museums. Don’t miss the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. The museum houses outstanding collections of Israelite archeology, Jewish ethnology, and local modern art, and its structure and adjacent sculpture garden are outstanding. The Museum for Islamic Art, which collects, preserves, and exhibits Islamic art spanning many centuries, is another highlight. The Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum is located on Mount Herzl in the west of the city near the Mount Herzl cemetery. Binyamin Ze'ev Herzl, the visionary of the modern State of Israel, is buried there as are many of Israel's leaders. Next to it is the National Military Cemetery. Under Mount Herzl there is the lovely green neighborhood of Ein Kerem. Christian pilgrims can visit the Church of the Visitation which commemorates the meeting of Mary with her cousin Elisheba. During the visit, Mary told her that she would give birth to a son. Elisheba’s song of praise - the Magnificent - is written on the walls of the courtyard in dozens of different languages. You can also visit the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist located in the center of the village. Above Ein Kerem, in the synagogue at Hadassah Medical Center, there are 12 stained glass windows by the famous Jewish artist, Marc Chagall, which are definitely worth a visit. There are many charming neighborhoods in Jerusalem’s new city, including the German Colony which is home to lovely cafes and shops; the Hebrew University campus on Mount Scopus which has a beautiful Mediterranean botanical garden; and the National Library in Givat Ram with its beautiful stained glass windows by Ardon, as well as a botanical garden and cafe. The Promenade of the Governor's Palace offers a breathtaking view of Jerusalem from the south. On Ticho Street, in the heart of downtown Jerusalem, visit the house of Anna Ticho, a famous Israeli painter known for her landscapes of Jerusalem and enjoy the delicious café that is housed there. It's hard to believe, but the holy city also has a vibrant nightlife. Some of the hot spots include the Nachalat Sheva area, Rivlin Street, the Russian Compound, and the Mahane Yehuda Market which are full of pubs and bars all week long, and many on Friday evenings, as well. Jerusalem is Mediterranean in its landscape, but it is also on the edge of the desert - just a short drive from Mount Scopus. You’ll find completely different scenery there - the colors are yellowish, the ground is bare, the light is clearer and more powerful, and there’s less vegetation – this is the desert of the holy city. In fact, that's what it was called in the Byzantine period, and there were over sixty monasteries located there. They served the pilgrims who came down from Jerusalem to be baptized in the Jordan River, and, from here, the guidelines for Christian religious ceremonies were established. Three of the monasteries are still active today: Mar Saba on the Kidron Valley east of Bethlehem, St. George’s Monastery in Wadi Qelt, and Deir Hajla near Jordan, adjacent to Jericho. Each one is captivating! Jerusalem… there is no other city in the world where transparent walls separate so many types of nationalities, people, denominations, and religions- Western Jews, secular Orthodox Jews, Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians and Armenian Christians, Copts and Ethiopians, yet, somehow, there is a connection that works most of the time. It is not easy, but fascinating to see and experience this most unique story. We will end with a verse from Psalms Chapter 122 that will always be relevant: "May peace be in your army, peace in your palaces."Amen.

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