Jerusalem, Bethlehem And Dead Sea Tour, 2 Days From Tel Aviv

Our day begins at the Mount of Olives with a breathtaking panoramic view over Jerusalem then we continue on to the Byzantine Cardo, an ancient main road which runs through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. We take a look at the Wailing Wall (Kotel) and then follow the sacred route Jesus took carrying his cross along the Way of Sorrows (Via Dolorosa). We stop as several of the Stations of the Cross and reach the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was crucified and where his burial tomb is located. We take a stroll through the bazaars of the Christian and Moslem Quarters and then depart Jerusalem and make our way to Bethlehem.

In Bethlehem, our main focus is the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born. Our journey begins at the Mount of Olives overlooking the ancient Jewish cemetery where it is believed that the resurrection will begin when the Messiah comes (Zech 14:4). From this elevated location we can see across the Old City and down to Temple Mount where the Holy Jewish Temple once stood. We continue on towards the Zion Gate by driving passed the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and the Kidron Valley where we see the Jewish burial tombs of Absalom, King David's son; Jehoshaphat and the Hezir family (benei Hazir). At the Zion Gate we enter Jerusalem's Old City and make our way through the Armenian Quarter. Then we follow the 1500 year old excavated Byzantine Cardo which has been restored and is now home to modern shops which line a section of the ancient road.

We carry on through the Jewish Quarter and on to the Western Wall which was part of the outer walls of the Holy Jewish Temple that stood on Temple Mount almost 2,000 years ago.

We then walk where Jesus once walked the Way of Sorrows along the Via Dolorosa, as thousands of pilgrims do each year. We stop at several of the Stations of the Cross where Jesus stopped briefly as he carried his cross to Golgotha (Calvary). The final station on the Way of Sorrows is at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher marking the site where Christ was crucified and where his burial tomb is located. The Basilica was constructed during the Byzantine Era and underwent renovations and reconstruction over the years. Before we leave the Old City we meander through the typically Middle Eastern markets and then set off for Bethlehem, the city of Christ's birth. We arrive in the City of Bread, Bethlehem, which was home to Jesse, King David's father as well as being Christ's birthplace (Matthew 2:1). From Manger Square we enter the 4th century Church of the Nativity which is the oldest church in Israel still in use. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where a star indicates the place where Jesus was born. Also in the Orthodox Church is an alter dedicated to the Three Wise Men. This is the place where the well-known story of Christmas night took place and a visit here is a moving experience for all Christians. The Church of the Nativity was neglected for centuries following the expulsion of the Crusaders and was also damaged by an earthquake and fire. However during the British Mandate and more recently under Israeli authority the church has been restored and repaired.

On the way out of the church we see the Armenian Chapel of the Kings or Magi and we visit the Crusader Church. From the Church of St. Catherine we go down into a two room cave which connects with the Grotto of the Nativity. It was here that Saint Jerome spent 30 years translating the Hebrew Bible into the Latin version called The Vulgate. This is the perfect place for us to take a moment and sing some Christmas carols. In Luke 2:8-11 we read of an angel appearing to shepherds who were tending their sheep in a nearby field. We stop to see Shepherds Field, and the contemporary Church of the Angels designed by Antonio Berluzzi with panels retelling the story of Jesus' early life. On our way back towards Jerusalem we pass the Field of Ruth. Here Ruth, King David's great grandmother worked in the fields of Boaz. (Ruth 2:1).

On our journey south of Jerusalem we see the Inn of the Good Samaritan, then as we descend even further we stop at the mark indicating that we are now going below sea level. We have a clear view of Jericho in the distance, where Jesus cured the blind and where Joshua and his troops caused the great city walls to fall (Joshua 6). At 400 meters below sea level we reach the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea. For thousands of years people, including Cleopatra, have known the therapeutic powers of this area and the sea itself. Being further from the sun than any other point on Earth, the harmful sun rays are filtered out making it safe for those suffering from skin ailments to expose their skin and enjoy some of the suns more positive qualities. The air is dry and non-allergenic meaning that your body is enjoying the benefits of the Dead Sea internally as you inhale the revitalizing air. Then there is the black mud, nature's natural facial and body mask. We have the opportunity to smother some of this mineral rich mud onto our skin and benefit from its therapeutic qualities.

We can also take a swim in the sea where the highly saline water prohibits any living creature from inhabiting the water, hence the "Dead" Sea. Minerals like magnesium are farmed from these waters and used in medicines and cosmetics around the world. We spend some time relaxing on the Dead Sea beach and floating in the water while surrounded by the most magnificent views of the cobalt blue water and the Moab Mountains in the distance. On our return journey back to Jerusalem we pass the Qumran caves where the 2000 year old Dead Sea Scrolls were found.