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.
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 leave Jerusalem and drive eastward, for about 30-40 minutes, to the northern tip of the Dead Sea. Enjoy a swim/float in a one of the beach fronts.
We drive back to Jerusalem, park the car and walk into the Old City through Jaffa Gate
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.
