Welcome to the Holy Land! In this tour, we will be touring Holy Jerusalem! The Land of Milk & Honey! Our private tour of Israel will start by checking out the Old City from Mt. of Olives Viewpoint. From there we’ll have a proper introduction to the city. So I will be pointing out important structures that are forming the city’s skyline and their relation to important traditions. After that, we’ll use the Road of Palm Sunday to get to the famous site of Gethsemani and the Church of the Agony. Also on our way, we’ll visit Dominus Flevit where according to tradition Jesus Wept for the Destruction of the City.
MOUNT OLIVES VIEWPOINT AND A SHORT CAMEL RIDE IF YOU DESIRE
Touring Holy Jerusalem: the Old City
We’ll enter Old Town Jerusalem through Jaffa Gate, starting with the Western Wall located at the Jewish Quarter. In fact, there we can actually see the remains of the Original Herodian Western Wall, laying in ruins exactly as the Romans left it, after the Destruction of the Second Temple.
Pinnacle Of The Temple
Christian tradition says it is here where According to Matthew Satan Tempts Jesus for the Second Time Daring Him to Jump From the Pinnacle of the Temple and rely on angels to break his fall (Matthew 4).
After paying our respects to the famous wall, we will continue to explore a little of the Jewish Quarter by visiting the Herodian Mansions. This is where the Jewish upper social class resided in the time of Jesus. So by visiting there it will give us a good idea about homes belonging to prominent figures like the High Priest Annas. By using the Cardo we’ll move on to visiting the rest of the City’s Quarters.
THE ROMAN BYZANTINE CARDO IN THE JEWISH QUARTER
Touring Holy Jerusalem: The Christian Quarter
After finishing up things in the Jewish Quarter it’s time to check out some of the Key Sites in the Christian Quarter. From the Jewish Quarter, we’ll use the Cardo of the Old City to get to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In fact, Most Christian traditions, alongside most archaeologists, point to this location as where Jesus was Crucified, Buried, and Resurrected. Now while we’ll be touring inside, we’ll follow the last stations of the Via Dolorosa; tombs dated from the time of Jesus, and thoroughly explore the church. Also during our tour, we will encounter ancient relics like a genuine piece from the Cross of Jesus; The spot where Empress Helena found the Real Cross of Jesus; Mt. Golgotha; And much more!
Touring Holy Jerusalem: The Pools of Bethesda
Although already in the Muslim Quarter it’s a must-see site for every Christian. There are only Two Miracles in Jerusalem Jesus performed in the Holy City. We are lucky enough to visit one of them here at the Pools of Bethesda. According to the Gospel of John, it is here where Jesus Heals the Paralytic at the Bethesda Pool. Next to the Pools of Bethesda are Firsts Stations of the Cross, if time permits we will visit them as well.
Click Here for the Best Restaurants in Jerusalem?
For our lunch, the plan is to take you to the local food market Machne Yehuda. It’s an experience just walking there and absorbed all the aromas and smells but we would head to the Iraqi Shuk where a cool local restaurant is waiting for us with typical middle eastern dishes like the Best Hummus Ever in Israel; their flag dish ‘Azura’, Kima; Dolma; Moussaka and more yummy stuff that will make you lick your fingers. After walking the market for a bit, feasting our eyes on the fresh fruits, vegetables, and many different kinds of spices.
Touring Holy Jerusalem: Ein Kerem, Where John the Baptist Was Born
According to Luke chapter 1 John the Baptist is born in a Judaean town near Jerusalem. So this Judean town is identified today as Ein Kerem located on the west side of the City. Now the second half of our private tour in Jerusalem will be dedicated to exploring what is today an upscale neighborhood. When touring the area we’ll check out two important sites that are worth visiting: First would be The Church of Visitation where according to Luke Mary met with Elizabeth, her cousin. The second will be the Church of St. John the Baptist; Where according to Christian traditions John the Baptist was born, in what is today the Crypt of the Church.
EIN KEREM NBH AT NIGHT TIME
