Travel Tips

Posts Tagged ‘Israel travel’

When people considering going on one of the tours in Israel, many things come to mind. Many people, however, aren’t aware of the wide variety of cultures and lifestyles within Israel. On one side of the spectrum, we have Jerusalem, a religious city that is home to three major religions and a history that is very deep and involved. Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is a fairly new city, just founded in 1909. It is a much more liberal city without deep cultural roots.

The two cities are opposites in many ways, although they are only about fifty minutes from each other. In fact, the only similarity is that they both are in Israel. Jerusalem is more of a local type city, with people from the area working, living and raising their families there. Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is more of a global type city that is accepting of people of all kinds.

Ever since it was first captured, religion has been a vital part of Jerusalem. King David conquered this city back in the eleventh century B.C. and it has since been revered as a city of worship and holiness. The Jews consider it the Holy City and in spite of the years that have passed, true Jews still look to Jerusalem as the home of their religion. Due to the Bible stories and the life and crucifixion of Jesus, Christian consider Jerusalem to be a holy city. Muslims believe that Muhammad took a miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then up to heaven. When enjoying Israel trip, many people are drawn to Jerusalem because of their religious beliefs.

Tel Aviv is a modern city with modern ideas. Although it was called “the first Hebrew city,” it is actually neither Jewish nor Hebrew. Rather, it is an Israeli city with free spirited ideas. A very liberal city, Tel Aviv does not have the deep religious history of Jerusalem. Tel Aviv is a very tolerant community, as opposed to Jerusalem that has a more resistant nature.

Perhaps Jerusalem’s stubborn and exclusive nature is due to the fact that it has been at the center of geopolitical turmoil with other countries for most of its existence. The Palestinian Arabs and Zionists are always struggling with the Jews for ownership of land in Israel, each claiming that it is theirs due to their rights, families and historical significance. Political tensions run high in Jerusalem and it seems that the issues will never be resolved.

Tel Aviv, on the other hand, is such a new country that is has become very self-sufficient and independent. While Jerusalem has a big government that handles affairs, Tel Aviv has separated itself from being accountable to a strict set of rules and regulations. While Tel Aviv only has about 2.5 million people, compared to Jerusalem’s 5.5 million, the city is showing tremendous growth and is proving to be a trendsetter. Many young people are drawn to the area because of its tolerant attitude. Rather than having a definite set of standards like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv allows a more loose lifestyle.

Life in Jerusalem still carries the cultural identity of a deeply religious, nationally oriented city. Tradition and nationalism is very important and this carries over into all aspects of the city. Large families and lower wages are quite common and accepted in Jerusalem. From the aged to the young, from the religious to the secular, Tel Aviv holds a wide variety of diverse people.

The cities are unique, each offering a different life. Jerusalem is definitely more fitting for those interested in religious or historical facts. Tel Aviv, however, is a better fit for those with a more modern point of view and who desire tolerance and acceptance.

Taking a trip to Israel is the dream of most Christian people. This is because it is in the land of Israel that most of the stories in the Bible took place. There are so many interesting places for a Christian to visit because so many of the landmarks remind them of important passages and people in the Bible.

One place that Christians will want to visit when taking Holy Land tours is the city of Nazareth. This is most well-known as the place where Jesus grew up and also the place where his mother, Mary, received the news that she would give birth. We also know that Jesus began his ministry in Nazareth, although he was not well received by the people. Downtown Nazareth is where the Church of the Annunciation is located. The church is the largest in the Middle East and contains artwork of Jesus and Mary from around the world.

Israel tours will also take you to the Sea of Galilee. It was here that Jesus first began calling his disciples, as they fished in this beautiful sea. Near this place, Jesus took a few small loaves and fishes from a boy’s lunch and fed over 5,000 people as he taught. Peter’s greatest catch of fish was on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus found him and called him once again after the crucifixion. You will also find beautiful mountains here, the valley of Hazor, the city of Dan, and Caesarea Philippi.

Jewish tours would not be complete without a visit to the city of Galilee and its surrounding areas. In Galilee, you will also see the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus traditionally gave the Sermon on the Mount, which contains the Beatitudes in the Bible. There is a beautiful garden here and an ancient Franciscan church that shows the eight beatitudes in glass that is artistically stained. Near here is a baptismal site along the Jordan River. Here is where John the Baptist baptized his cousin, Jesus. Many Christians come to this area to be baptized in the Jordan River.

Masada is a fortress that was built by King Herod in 30 BC and is full of history and interesting exhibits. He built it as a refuge for himself and it was conquered by Jewish zealots in 68 BC who made it their own stronghold. The remains of Masada have been well preserved and reconstructed, including King Herod’s northern palace. Mosaic floors and decorated walls cover a Roman style bath house near the palace. Murals and embellishments cover the walls of the buildings in Masada and Italian experts restored and preserved them. The fortress is very high and must be reached by a very long flight of stairs or a cable car that runs from the tourist center at the base of Masada to the top.

No tour to Israel would be complete without a visit to the Dead Sea, which is famous for its health benefits. The unique climate in the region has claimed to have aided in various types of sicknesses. Because of the pressure from the higher atmosphere, people who have respiratory dysfunctions, such as cystic fibrosis, find relief at the Dead Sea. People are able to sunbathe for here for longer periods of time and not get the harmful and dangerous effects of extended exposure to the sun’s rays. Even people with psoriasis and other skin disorders have found relief from the waters of this unique and well known sea.

Of course, there are other important places to visit while in Israel, such as Jerusalem, Gethsemane, Bethlehem, Via Dolorosa, and the Mount of Olives. These sites take us to a time and place long ago, the times we read about in the Bible. Walking the same paths as many biblical characters can give one a sense of deep emotional and spiritual blessing. Your Christian faith will be strengthened with the wonderful memories you will experience on your tour of Israel.