Israel Tour

Israel Pilgrim Tour Picture Gallery

 

A distance view of Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel and among the holiest and sacred places in the world, a city with deep religions historical roots of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

 

The Basilica of the Agony, built within the Gethsemane or Gat Sehmanim gardens referred in New Testament as the garden where Jesus used to come and pray with his disciples. On the right is the Wailing Wall where people lament for the loss of the first and second holy temple destroyed during the Arab – Israel war (one of the holiest sites in Judaism.

 

Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Church of the Resurrection or the Church of Anastasis, built at the site where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried. It’s a beautiful church with various stations built to remember Jesus’ final journey to his crucifixion.

 

A museum model of the old Jerusalem and on the right is the tear-drop shaped church that symbolizes the tears that Jesus wept after he predicted the future destruction of the Second Temple.

 

Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph's Church – the site believed to be where Joseph once had his workshop.

 

Masada -a mountaintop fortress, overlooking the Dead Sea, believed to be where King Herod's mighty palace stood and on the right is The Dead Sea –it’s the lowest point on earth and the sea where you can't sink due to the high salt content.

 

Church of the Nativity that was built on the site where it is believed Jesus Christ was born.

 

The Shepherd's Field (Beit Sahour) –where the birth of Jesus was announced by the angels and on the right is the Church of the Holy Innocents -built to commemorate the children of Bethlehem massacred by Herod.

 

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes -built on the

About Israel

Israel is a country of about 290 miles by 85 miles, located on the southeastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Lebanon to the north, Syria/Jordan to the east and Egypt to the south. It is positioned at the junction of three continents; Europe, Asia and Africa. Although most of the country is a semi desert, Israel has various topographical features ranging from forest highlands, fertile green valleys, mountain deserts, to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth).

Israel is a fascinating country with a rich religious historical background that spans over 35 centuries ago, even after various wars and natural calamities; the country has maintained and rebuild most of its historical sites, making it a top destination for millions of religious and archaeological tourists.

Where to Go and What to Do

Israel has so much to offer religious and archaeological tourists, from your arrival at Tel Aviv airport, you will be met by incredible white sandy beaches, the Carmel Market and Nachlat Benyamin, Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Yarkon Park and many more. Tel Aviv is a modern city with few religious sites.

Jerusalem is the cradle of Christianity, Islam and Judaism; here there is so much to see, from the Old City of Jerusalem and the Jewish Quarter, home to the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock. Also walk the path of Jesus' crucifixion that ends at the holy church of Sepulchre, tour biblical sites that includes the Rock of Agony -where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Visit top religious museums in Jerusalem that include the Israel Museum with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem.

Visit Bethlehem, Nazareth and Sea of Galilee; where Jesus was born, brought up, and began his ministry spreading the Gospel, where he recruited his disciples and appeared to them at the shore of the lake, where he gave Peter primacy over the church, Mount of Beatitudes &ndash -where Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount, Bethsaida -where Jesus performed the miracle of walking on water and many other.

Visit the Dead Sea; a very high salty inland lake that is 1,000 feet below sea level (the lowest point on earth), known as the “sea where you can’t sink” due to the high salt content. An interesting place where people just relax floating on water as their skin benefit from the rich mineral water. Also visit Masada -a mountaintop fortress, overlooking the Dead Sea, believed to be where King Herods' mighty palace stood.

Language

The official language of Israel is Hebrew, English is widely used as a second language, and recently Russian is gaining popularity in some regions.

Climate

Israel can generally be said to be hot and sunny throughout the year, with a rainy season in November to April. Total annual rain of 50-70cm in the north, to about 2.5cm in the far south. Regional climatic conditions vary considerably from hot, humid, mild, wet, dry, warm and cold. Average summer temperatures range from 18 °C to 32 °C, winters are mild, with temperatures averaging 14 °C along the coast and 9 °C at the mountains. The Dead Sea area is the lowest place on the planet and the climate is one of the hottest regions in the world.

Getting Around in Israel

Generally, Israel is a car and bus culture; major modes of public transport include, use of taxis, car rentals, buses and some limited train service between major destinations. Most tourists to Israel get around the cities by car or bus, there are various bus and shared taxi terminal all over major towns, private hired taxis or cars. For long distance, you can opt for the Trains or take a domestic flight.

Visa Restrictions

For most countries in Europe, U.S, Canada, Australia, among other selective countries, do not require a VISA to Israel. However for Kenyan citizens, you require a VISA; but you don’t have to worry, all our tour packages to Israel includes a VISA application.  Major requirement is a passport with at list six months validity from the date of entry.

If continuing from Israel on to other Arab or Muslim countries, some countries may deny you entry if they find any proof of Israel entry, it is recommended you discard any sort of proof of entry to Israel and request the officers at the airport to provide you with an entry card instead of stamping your passport.  

Jerusalem (Yerushalaim)

The capital city of Israel and among the holiest and sacred places in the world, a city with deep religions historical roots of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Visiting Jerusalem is like travelling back to the ancient times; seeing the Old City encircled by imposing stone walls that date to the Ottoman period with so many historical holy sites. Below are some of the top historical religious sites in Jerusalem:-

• Western Wall: Also known as Kotel (a Hebrew name) or the Wailing Wall due how people lament for the loss of the first and second holy temple destroyed during the Arab – Israel war, it is located at the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City and is among the holiest sites in Judaism. A plaza to accommodate the crowds was built in front of the wall soon after the war and is usually opened throughout the year for prayers and holds national ceremonies like the Bar Mitzvah ceremonies and military swearing-in ceremonies among others. Other nearby attractions includes the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, The Western Wall Tunnels and a few interesting synagogues.
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Also known as the Church of the Resurrection or the Church of Anastasis, it’s a famous church located within Jerusalem’s Old City in the Christian Quarter and it was built at a site where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried. It’s a beautiful church with various stations built to remember Jesus’ final journey to his crucifixion.
• Israel Museum: It’s the world leading religious museum with over 500,000 objects relating to the Bible, Jewish life, the Holy Land archaeology and other related art.Among them is the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world, the Dead Sea Scrolls, other rare Biblical manuscripts, the Jewish Art, the Synagogue Route, the Cycle of the Jewish Year, Costume and Jewelry.
• Dome of the Rock: It’s a beautiful Golden Dome, built on the Temple Mount within Jerusalem Old City, the Dome was built on a stone where the Muslims believed as the site that Prophet Mohamed ascended to heaven from and the Jewish believe it was the place where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac.
• City of David:  An archaeological site within Jerusalem with a fascinating glimpse into ancient Jerusalem as it looked in the years before the Jews were exiled to Babylon. After continuous excavations of the area; seals bearing the names of officials mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah were discovered and various artifacts, water tunnels and structures related to King Hezekiah and King Solomon were and still being discovered.  
• Via Dolorosa:  Via Dolorosa means the Way of Sorrows, it’s a path believed Jesus walked as he approached his crucifixion, the path has fourteen sacred landmarks known as the Stations of the Cross. It’s a famous path that begins at the Antonia Fortress, to the ancient military barracks built by Herod the Great, and goes for about 600 meters to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher –the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
• Gethsemane & The Basilica of the Agony: The Basilica built on the lower foothills of Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives is one of the most beautiful churches in Israel, built within the Gethsemane or Gat Sehmanim gardens referred in New Testament as the garden where Jesus used to come and pray with his disciples.
• Bible Lands Museum: An historical museum established by Dr. Elie Borowski and his wife Batya in 1992. It’s a fascinating Bible Museum that brings historical context of people mentioned in the Bible, among them include; the ancient Canaanites, Egyptians and Philistines. The items at the museum display include ancient documents, statues, coins and pottery that are well elaborated on brief explanations at the bottom and their relevant Bible verse to place the item into context.
• The Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu: It’s a Roman Catholic Church located outside Jerusalem’s walled Old City, the church was dedicated to Apostle Peter, to commemorate his triple denial of Jesus Christ and his later repentance and reconciliation with Jesus after his resurrection. 
• Dominus Flevit Church: The tear-drop shaped church that means Jesus wept in Latin, symbolizes the tears that Jesus wept after he predicted the future destruction of the Second Temple. The church is built a short distance from the site believed Jesus wept.
• Church of St Mary Magdalene: It’s a stunning church with seven onion like goldish domes, with a Russian Orthodox cross. The church was built to commemorate Christ’s female disciple - Mary from Magdal.
• Church of Saint Anne:  It is one of the best preserved Crusader churches in the Jerusalem, the church was building on site believed to be the traditional home of the maternal grandparents of Jesus - Anne and Joachim, and the birthplace of Mary (Jesus’ mother). 
• Yad Vashem:  Is a hall of historical names pinned on the wall established in 1953, it is the largest Holocaust museum and memorial in the world.
• Other major highlights of Jerusalem include; The Garden Tomb - a possible site that the resurrection of Jesus took place, Hezekiah's Tunnels – believed to be a diversion of the water supply ordered by King Hezekiah, Damascus Gate, Dormition Abbey – the site believed to be the death place of Virgin Mary, Jaffa Gate, Kidron Valley – where the Old Testament refer as the Valley of Johoshaphat and where the dead will be resurrected from the cemetery on the Mouth of Olives, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Lions' Gate, Cenacle – the place believed Jesus Christ and his disciples had their last meal before the crucifixion, The Davidson Center - the largest and most significant archaeological parks in Israel.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is Israel’s commercial hub with vibrant nightlife, authentic markets, great beaches, incredible restaurants and many more; it’s a multi-social society that embrace all kinds of people. Top attractions in Tel Aviv include the white sandy beaches, the Carmel Market and Nachlat Benyamin, Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Yarkon Park and many more.

Nazareth (Natsrat)

Nazareth is one of the main religious pilgrimage, located in the lower Galilee; it is here where the Annunciation took place, and Jesus was brought up, and where Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she was carrying the child of God. They are various important historical Christian sites that makes Nazareth a holy destination; among them is the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph's Church – the site believed to be where Joseph once had his workshop, Synagogue Church, Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Mensa Christi Church, The Cana –believed to be the place where Jesus performed his first miracle, among other.

Bethlehem

Located within the West Bank area, it’s a major Christian pilgrimage center and home to the Church of the Nativity that was built on the site where it is believed Jesus Christ was born. Major sightseeing attraction include the Church of the Nativity, the Shepherd's Field (Beit Sahour) –where the birth of Jesus was announced by the angels, the marvellous Mar Saba Monastery, the Chapel of the Holy Innocents - commemorating the children of Bethlehem massacred Herod's, Cave chapel – believed to be the site of where the Holy Family hid before they went to Egypt, Hebron - Tomb of the Patriarchs where the Prophets Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are buried.

Sea of Galilee

A famous town with a rich religious story of Jesus Christ, who carried out much of his ministry work and miracle around the Sea of Galilee region. It’s a beautiful place a collection of churches around Tabgha, built over the sites where Jesus carried out his miracles. Major highlights includes the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes -built on the site believed to be the place Christ stood during the miracle when he fed the 5,000 people, Church of the Primacy of St Peter – where Jesus appeared to his disciples on the shores of the lake when he gave Peter primacy over the church, Mount of Beatitudes – where Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount, Capernaum –referred in the New Testament as where Jesus lived, preached, and gathered the first of his disciples, Bethsaida -where Jesus performed the miracle of walking on water.

Other Major attractions

Other Major attractions in Israel includes; the Haifa -a northern city with a highlight of the Baha'i Gardens which tumble down the hillside towards the sea in a series of immaculate green terraces, the Jaffa town –a small harbor town with an illustrious past of port, The Dead Sea –it’s the lowest point on earth and the sea where you can't sink due to the high salt content, Masada -a mountaintop fortress, overlooking the Dead Sea, believed to be where King Herod's mighty palace stood and many other attractions in Israel.