Jerusalem – The centre of ethnicities and religious heritage

Israel is more than just a tourist destination and has evolved into a glamourous country of many facets that attracts tourists from all over the world. Many want to expand their knowledge of the region’s history, while others want to understand today’s social–political issues. For many people all over the world, however, Israel is the Holy Land. Over the centuries it has therefore been a magnet for pilgrims, to whom it offers a wide range of travel opportunities. A trip to Israel can therefore take place for a variety of reasons that extend far beyond straightforward tourism.

Jerusalem is the undisputed religious and historic key destination in Israel. But the country’s capital city and its surrounding region have far more to offer to enrich every visitor’s holiday experience in many ways.

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Activities

A kaleidoscope of scenic impressions

This country may be relatively small, but its scenic diversity is enormous – from the breath-taking beauty of its hills and valleys, to the eerie stillness of the Negev desert, the peaceful borders of the Sea of Galilee and the ancient walls and pathways of Nazareth and Jerusalem.

Known as a place of Christian pilgrimage but also the largest freshwater lake in the country, the Sea of Galilee features the spectacular backdrop of the Galilee Mountains and the Golan foothills. It is possible to visit the holy sites in vessels constructed just like their ancient wooden counterparts. Visitors can cross the Sea of Galilee to Tabgha, where the Biblical loaves and fishes miracle took place, and to Capernaum, where Jesus is said to have lived and taught. From there, they can also visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount. The lake is also surrounded by attractive beaches, and a variety of water sports are on offer.

Don’t miss visiting the world’s most saline lake: at 431 metres below sea level, the Dead Seas also situated at the lowest natural point on the Earth’s surface. Its waters have a salt concentration of 34 percent, which is why many people who suffer from skin complaints travel to Israel to bathe in the Dead Sea. Yet the word “bathe” does not begin to describe the unreal feeling of weightlessness when floating in the water, which has a constant temperature of around 40 degrees.

Jerusalem

“Next year in Jerusalem” is the wish that concludes every Seder, the feast that marks the start of the Jewish Passover holidays. The city of Jerusalem is a holy site for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. The division of the old walled city into its Jewish, Muslim (Arab), Armenian and Christian quarters makes it all the more fascinating. The Mount of Olives is the perfect place to take it all in, and to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere far away from the bustling streets.

Nestling on the Temple Mount is Jerusalem’s landmark, the breath-taking Dome of the Rock. With its mysterious octagonal base in shades of turquoise, the shimmering golden cupola gives Jerusalem its unique city silhouette. The construction work on the Dome first began some 1,300 years ago, and it is one of the holiest Islamic edifices.

Few of Israel’s many holy sites are holier than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified and buried. It is one of the most spiritual places imaginable. Endless processions of pilgrims solemnly wander through the aisles by candlelight to worship and pray. For centuries, Jews have visited the Wailing Wall to pray and bemoan the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The large stones seem to have a kind of magnetic power, attracting believers’ hands and brows in their quest for a deep and direct connection with God. Many leave little pieces of paper behind containing written prayers.

The Bible as a guidebook

The Holy Land has been coveted and fought over for centuries. Jewish and later Christian pilgrims have been making their way on foot to the Holy City of Jerusalem for more than 2,500 years. This tradition was reinforced among Christian pilgrims during medieval times. This, where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, was crucified in Jerusalem, is the birthplace of Christianity. Pilgrims from all over the world seek to retrace the events described in the New Testament by walking in the footsteps of Jesus and his disciples.

Many visitors indeed decide to take the idea of “walking in the footsteps of Jesus” literally. And although their plans to go hiking in Israel may elicit a surprised “Here?” from the border officials, it is a rewarding experience. Pilgrims as well as lovers of nature visit from all over the world to hike through the valleys and forests, Jewish and Arab villages, desert oases, passing ancient churches and monasteries, encountering different people, sampling the local cuisine, and enjoying the silence of nature.

Accommodation

Jerusalem offers you a broad variety of accommodation options from budget hostels up to elegant hotels with loads of amenities, scattered around the heart of Jerusalem old town or in the city’s outskirts.

Culinary & Culture

Apart from the numerous historic and religious sites in and around Jerusalem old town, major parts of the regions rich culture and archaeological traces can be discovered in impressive museums and arts collections like the Israel Museum, the Menachem Begin Heritage Center or the Rockefeller Museum.

For sure you will be very hungry at some point between all the exciting sites and activities. And in Jerusalem, food is definitely an essential part of every cultural trip. Getting your appetite really started you should take a walk over the famous Mahane Yehuda Market and enjoy the fusion of colors and aromatic scents of fresh foods and the hustle around the market stands selling their fresh products and clothes.

There are several typical small dishes and snacks full of flavour like classic Hummus, Falafel and Pitas or meat dishes like Musakhan, a traditional Palestinian chicken recipe, that you can try in different forms and styles, either in Jerusalem’s famous street food stands or in one of the numerous restaurants across the city.