holy Land
Jan 4, 2023 01:19:55 #
Considering a week or so trip to Jerusalem in June. Never been there so asking advice on airlines, tours, thing to avoid, things not to avoid, etc. any and all help is appreciated
Jan 4, 2023 06:32:40 #
Jan 4, 2023 06:59:10 #
LXK0930
Loc: Souh Jersey
There are lots of guide books that will point out the major sites. Here are some of the more overlooked ones:
Note that Israel is a tiny country, so almost anywhere (except Eilat) is an easy day trip.
One of the less-known experiences is Hezkiahu's tunnel. However, it requires walking through several feet of water, with only flashlight, for a long distance.
If you are going to Masada, go VERY early in the morning. It gets very hot very fast. Also, take the cable car, unless you are in really good shape.
If you can get to Eilat, take a day trip to Petra (in Jordan). A once in a lifetime experience.
In Haifa, visit the Bahai temple.
As far as photo equipment, bring a camera with a wide to medium tele lens. Unless you want to shoot wildlife, forget the really long lenses.
As far as airlines, El Al is my LEAST favorite airline. Most others are OK.
Enjoy your trip.
Note that Israel is a tiny country, so almost anywhere (except Eilat) is an easy day trip.
One of the less-known experiences is Hezkiahu's tunnel. However, it requires walking through several feet of water, with only flashlight, for a long distance.
If you are going to Masada, go VERY early in the morning. It gets very hot very fast. Also, take the cable car, unless you are in really good shape.
If you can get to Eilat, take a day trip to Petra (in Jordan). A once in a lifetime experience.
In Haifa, visit the Bahai temple.
As far as photo equipment, bring a camera with a wide to medium tele lens. Unless you want to shoot wildlife, forget the really long lenses.
As far as airlines, El Al is my LEAST favorite airline. Most others are OK.
Enjoy your trip.
Jan 4, 2023 07:19:17 #
My wife and went to Israel with a tour by Moody Bible Institute a few years back. I highly recommend them. Our guide was phenomenal. We saw many sites all over Israel on our 10-day tour. All of the accommodations were great. We flew on United Airlines and had no difficulties. Enjoy your trip!
Jan 4, 2023 11:34:57 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
Since this topic is titled, “Holy Land”, I presume you are not Jewish because we don’t call it that. Are you only going to Jerusalem? If so, there’s enough to see to take up two weeks, easily.
Popular sites for Christians are the Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, which is a church built over the supposed burial site of Jesus. You will probably want to walk along the Via Dolorosa, which follows the path Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion, and the 14 stops he made along the way.
You’ll want to visit Mahane Yehuda, which is a very popular open-air market in Jerusalem.
The Shrine Of The Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) gives tours.
Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum.
Definitely the “Old City” with the various “quarters”. And, of course, the “Wailing Wall”, which Israelis just call “the wall”.
There is so much in and around Jerusalem that you can easily spend two weeks there and never leave the city.
Popular sites for Christians are the Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, which is a church built over the supposed burial site of Jesus. You will probably want to walk along the Via Dolorosa, which follows the path Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion, and the 14 stops he made along the way.
You’ll want to visit Mahane Yehuda, which is a very popular open-air market in Jerusalem.
The Shrine Of The Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) gives tours.
Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum.
Definitely the “Old City” with the various “quarters”. And, of course, the “Wailing Wall”, which Israelis just call “the wall”.
There is so much in and around Jerusalem that you can easily spend two weeks there and never leave the city.
Jan 4, 2023 12:44:25 #
Jan 4, 2023 12:51:23 #
Thanks very much for your reply; there was no intent to avoid the proper name for the location - we simply hear it referred to by the term so often that it sorta comes naturally. I probably should have used "Jerusalem" instead! Anyway, thanks for the information you offered. There is such an abundance of history - two weeks would likely not be enough but there is only so much time available. Having lived in other countries on several occasions I am aware that one cannot really get the "flavor" of a place in such a short time; we will have to make do with what we have. We look forward to seeing a bit of Israel, which is such an important place to so many, many people. Thanks again.
Jan 4, 2023 14:42:47 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
Tinker wrote:
Thanks very much for your reply; there was no intent to avoid the proper name for the location - we simply hear it referred to by the term so often that it sorta comes naturally. I probably should have used "Jerusalem…
No worries. You’re right. It doesn’t matter. I was simply pointing out that tours to “The Holy Land” are typically geared towards Christian tourists and there’s no problem at all with that.
Jerusalem has a lot of history, religious and otherwise. Tel Aviv? Not so much. Its “history” goes back only to 1912, whereas Jerusalem’s goes back THOUSANDS of years. If you can visiti only one city, that is the one.
Jan 5, 2023 06:10:11 #
Jan 5, 2023 06:39:54 #
You won't likely have enough time, but I would hope you could hear perspectives from various sides of the tension between Palestinians (Christians and Muslims) and Jews. The vast majority of Americans (from different religious traditions) do not appreciate the complexity of the history and current life in that region of the world.
Jan 5, 2023 07:55:34 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
Look at tour books to get an idea what to see. Get a guide it will make things easier especially since you don’t have much time. Read The Source by James Michener for historical perspective.
Jan 5, 2023 09:03:48 #
Jan 5, 2023 10:12:45 #
Kozan
Loc: Trenton Tennessee
Tinker wrote:
Considering a week or so trip to Jerusalem in June. Never been there so asking advice on airlines, tours, thing to avoid, things not to avoid, etc. any and all help is appreciated
I highly recommend going to Capernaum and to the mountain where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. There is a monastery there.
When I was in the Naval Reserve we once had an exercise with the Isreali government. The Isrealis gave us a day off and had tours. I chose to go to Capernaum, where Jesus lived. Then we went to the mountain top. I was in the gift shop, but I decided to wonder out the back door of the gift shop. I found myself going over to the edge of the mountain and I saw the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. and the land north of that. I recognized it as the spot where Jesus fed the multitude of people with a few loaves of bread and a few fishes. Then I realized I was standing in the spot where Christ gave the sermon. The hair on the back of my head was standing up when I realized the significance of that spot in history.
Not many people can say they stood in the very spot that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.
Jan 5, 2023 10:52:11 #
kb6kgx
Loc: Simi Valley, CA
Archiefamous wrote:
ElAl is the safest and most secure way of traveling to Israel
The only way I would go.
Jan 5, 2023 11:20:01 #
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