Route 90, the longest road in Israel at about 480 km (300 miles), cuts through the desert and passes by the Dead Sea as it travels from the northern to the southernmost point. Built in the 1960s, the newest sections (to the north of the Dead Sea), are 50 years old, paved after the 1967 …
On December 2019, our walking tour of the Old City of Jeruselam began early in the morning, starting along the north-east walls towards Lions Gate and the Muslim Quarter. One of seven gates created in the wall of the old city, Lions Gate is the only one that opens towards the east. Its name is …
I was in Bethlehem for 3 days in December 2019 and somehow found a reason to visit Manger Square daily, soaking in the vibes, sounds and smells. It was a constant hive of activity with numerous street food stalls dotted around the square and a 55-foot high Christmas tree. Located in the heart of the …
Mount Zion is one of the rare places that can move, having migrated from the City of David (Lower Eastern Hill) to the Temple Mount (Upper Eastern Hill) to its present location on the Western Hill, just outside the walls of the Old City. Despite shifting locations multiple times, present day Mount Zion remains an …
A mountain ridge on the eastern side of Kidron valley, Mount of Olives commands wonderful views over the Old City and Temple Mount. Its name is derived from the olive trees that once covered its slopes.Steeped in biblical significance, it is associated with key events surrounding the life of Jesus which occurred during His final days …
2000 year-old Hebrew texts that are manuscripts to the Hebrew bible In the heart of the Judean desert, a Bedouin shepherd made the greatest manuscript discovery (though he did not know it then) among the high cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea. Ancient scrolls found in a desert caveAs the story goes, this accidental discovery occurred …
For more than 40 years, it was almost impossible and dangerous to visit the original baptismal site of Jesus due to the presence of landmines, planted by the Israeli Army after the Six Day War in 1967 to prevent infiltration from Jordan.Fully re-opened in 2019, I had the privilege to stand on the banks of …
Continue reading Baptismal Site on the Jordan River – Qasr Al-Yahud
Continuing along the Jesus trail from Tiberias to Nazareth, we visited two important sacred Christian sites where significant events had taken place in different centuries - before Christ (BC) and after Christ (AD). 1. Cana Catholic Wedding ChurchWhile attending a wedding in Cana with his mother, Mary and his first few disciples, Jesus turned water …
Just outside the city, a row of stone arches by the Mediterranean Sea makes for a dramatic backdrop against a long strip of sandy beach. The beach area with its unique setting among ancient Roman ruins, guarantees magical views of the azure blue waters and is the perfect spot for a relaxing stroll, a swim …
Visited December 2019Built as a shrine to the Baha’i faith, the Baha’i Gardens comprise a staircase of 19 terraces extending up the northern slope of the city's Mount Carmel. At the central terrace stands the golden domed Shrine of the Bab (the “Gate” in Arabic) - the final resting place of the Founder of the …
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