We start at the desert view point on Mount Scopus, looking over the Judea desert, Jordan Valley, West Bank and the northern tip of the Dead Sea, understanding how the unique topography of Israel has shaped its history, as well as the current political situation.
We drive shortly to Mount of Olives panoramic lookout over the Old City of Jerusalem, listening to my famous presentation – 2,600 years of history in 26 minutes (!).
After taking some breathtaking pictures at the lookout, we drive or walk down the slopes of Mount of Olives to "the Garden of Gethsemane", where Jesus was betrayed and captured at the last night of his life. Here, overlooking Judgment Valley, we discuss the historical background of Jesus and the roots of the Messianic belief in early Judaism, which evolved later into Christianity as a separate religion.
We drive shortly around the Old City to Jaffa Gate and walk into the Old City.
We walk through the Christian Quarter to visit the church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is thought to have been crucified, buried and resurrected.
Then we walk through the Marketplace (Souk, Bazaar)and part of the Via Dolorosa (Pathway of Agony, the 14 Stations of the Cross), the Muslim Quarter and then to the Western (Wailing) Wall.
We walk back and cross the Jewish Quarter to meet our car/bus and drive back to the hotel.
Day 1
We start at the desert view point on Mount Scopus, looking over the Judean desert, Jordan Valley, West Bank and the northern tip of the Dead Sea, understanding how the unique topography of Israel has shaped its history, as well as the current political situation.
We drive shortly to Mount of Olives panoramic lookout over the Old City of Jerusalem, listening to my famous presentation – 2,600 years of history in 26 minutes (!).
After taking some breathtaking pictures at the lookout, we drive or walk down the slopes of Mount of Olives to "the Garden of Gethsemane", where Jesus was betrayed and captured at the last night of his life. Here, overlooking Judgment Valley, we discuss the historical background of Jesus and the roots of the Messianic belief in early Judaism, which evolved later into Christianity as a separate religion.
Then we walk down and cross Judgment Valley (the biblical Kidron valley), stop by Absalom tomb and other ancient Jewish monumental mausoleums, walk uphill and enter into the site called The City of David.
Here we watch a short 3D narrated documentary about "Where it had all begun"! The City of David is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, mostly underground, water cisterns and sewage canals, most of which has been unearthed only recently. The dramatic climax of the 2.5-3 hours excursion will be at the end of it – stepping out from underground right by the Western Wall, under Robinson's Arch!
Then we explore the rest of the archaeological park by the western and southern walls of Temple Mount. We may as well visit an interesting small museum there at the Davidson Center.
After that we walk closely to the holiest spot for the Jewish people, The Wailing Wall, to touch, pray and leave a note with a wish or a prayer. That will be a good time to call it a day and drive back to the hotel.
Day 2
We start our day by walking into the Old City to the entrance of Temple Mount, nearby the Wailing Wall, to visit the platform on top of which stand the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqssa Mosque. In the last few years Non-Muslims cannot visit the inside of the 2 impressive mosques so it's only strolling around Temple Mount, appreciating the site on top of which once stood the Temple, the holiest Jewish place, now the third holiest place in the world for Muslims. No wonder this is such a sensitive place, religiously and politically.
We leave Temple Mount and walk through the Muslim Quarter and part of the Via Dolorosa to The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is thought to have been executed, buried and resurrected.
We continue strolling through the allies of the Old City, crossing the Jewish Quarter and its 1,500 years old Cardo, the main artery of every ancient Roman city.
After a lunch break, we drive to the Museum of Israel to see the famous miniature Model of Jerusalem in the 1st century AD, as well as the Shrine of the Book, dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls and other biblical manuscripts. We continue exploring the other magnificent sections of the museum until closing time.
