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Holy Land Tours & Travel Guide
The "Holy Land" is a sacred pilgrimage site for three major world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Located in the modern day Middle Eastern region, hundreds of thousands devout followers and religious history buffs make there way to the ancient sacred land of Jerusalem.
Considered holy by Jews, Christians, and Muslim, the Holy Land spans between the Jordan Rivers and the Mediterranean seas. The territory includes Israel, western Jordan, and the Palestinian territories. This land is known as the Holy Land due to it’s religious significance, including the holiest city of Judaism (Jerusalem), the history with Jesus, and the site of the Isra and Mi’raj event. People from across the globe visit the Holy Land to confirm their beliefs, and to connect with the physical manifestations of their faith.
The major regions of the Holy Land include Jerusalem, The Palestinian territories and Jordan, which are visited on most tours. Holy Land’s differ depending on the religion. The Jewish Holy Lands include Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Mount Sinai. The Christian Holy Lands include Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, and Tiberias. The Islamic Holy Lands include Jerusalem, Mecca, and the Medina. Most Holy Land tours spend a fair amount of time in Jerusalem, which is understandable with the religious history and power the city has.
Common Holy Land tour routes usually start in Tel Aviv, and end in Jerusalem. Tel Aviv is a modern city that sits on the Mediterranean Sea. Stops along the way include Jaffa, Caeserea, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Galilee, and Masada. Physical activity levels vary depending on the tour – some tours have easy physical requirement, while others have strenuous activity levels.
Physical level requirements are listed on each tour page, so make sure to check into that if you’re looking for an easier travel level. Another travel trip – consider flying into Israel a day before the tour starts. This will help you make the most of your trip, and it will give you an extra day for some downtime and to recover from the long flights/jet lag.
Each stop has great experiences. While in Jaffa, walk the seaside promenade, and visit the Artist Quarter. Celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s church. While you’re in Caeserea, explore the archaeological discoveries, or visit the market in Druge Village. Take a boat ride in the Sea of Galilee, or visit a local winery.
Jerusalem offers the opportunity to follow the Via Dolorosa, or take in the city from the Mount of Olives. Take a stroll through the old city of Jerusalem, filled with cobblestone streets and colorful markets. Tours also offer an option to visit the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, where you can float in the salty sea, and soak in the therapeutic salt and minerals.
Holy Land tours are filled with incredible landmarks. Some of the most popular ones include:
1. The Basilica of the Annunciation - built above the site of The Virgin Mary’s home, where the Annunciation of the arrival of her soon took place.
2. Jerusalem Old City - Old City is home of numerous religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the end of the Via Dolorosa path, which is also site where Jesus was crucified), and the Dome of the Rock.
3. Bethlehem - the biblical birthplace of Jesus
4. Via Dolorosa - also known as the ‘Way of Sorrow,’ this is the path that Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion. The Path is about one-third of a mile long (about 600 meters).
5. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre - The end of the Via Dolorosa path, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried.
6. The Mount of Olives - where Jesus encouraged His disciples after the crucifixion, and is where He spent the night before his arrest. Make a stop at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is said to have accepted his betrayal.
7. Yad Veshem - A memorial site dedicated to the Jewish Victims of the Holocaust.
8. Nazareth - Visit the town where Jesus spent his childhood, which is where you can see the Basilica of the annunciation, listed above.
9. The Dead Sea - offers an opportunity to visit the lowest point on earth, and to soak in the salty sea, filled with minerals. Visit the a factory that features lotions, scrubs and masks made from the minerals.
Note: Do not shave that day or possibly the day before. The high concentrations of salt can make your body aware of all your cuts - It stings! An excursion to the dead sea allows the opportunity to see the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
10. Masada - located in the Judean Desert, ascend by cable car to visit the fortress and excavation of King Herod’s place. The top is seen as a symbol of bravery and self-sacrifice of the Jewish people. This hilltop also offers view of the Dead Sea and the Roman camps.
11. The Sea of Galilee - take a boat ride to see where Our Lord preached. Nearby is the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes, built to commemorate the miraculous feeding of five thousand.
12. Western Wall - The most religious site in the world for Jewish people, thousands of people visit the wall annually to recipe prayers. The wall is the western support wall of the Temple Mountain.
One of the best parts of travel is all the delicious food we get to try! Here are some of the must-try foods while you’re visiting the Holy Land. You’re sure to find any of these in cafes throughout your tour, or in one of the numerous street markets.
1. Hummus Masabacha/Kawarma - Often paired with warm pita bread, make sure to check our hummus masabacha (chickpeas, paprika, and lemon-spiked tahini) or hummus kawarma – hummus with lamb mine, onions, and parsley).
2. Falafal - Made with either fava beans or chickpeas (or both!), falafel is often served with the mentioned above hummus, pita bread, salad, and pickled.
3. Tahini - one of Israel’s key ingredients in their food.
4. Kanafeh - A cheese pastry soaked in a sweet, sugary syrup.
5. Baba Ganoush - Aubergine, also known as eggplant, is an extremely common dish served in Israel. Aubergine is often paired with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, or whatever other flavors you want to mix in.
6. Shakshuka - a combination of peppers, tomatoes, coriander, with eggs cooked in.
7. Lechem bread - one of the common breads served with every meal in Israel.
8. Not technically food but worth a mention: fresh-squeezed juice. You’ll find these stands in the open markets of Israel. If you’re there in the fall, pomegranate juice is a popular option!
9. Schnitzel - While this is a popular food option worldwide, there’s a bit of a twist in Israel. The schnitzel is actually a fried chicken breast! This is often served on a sandwich or with fries.
Before you set off on your trip, take some time to get to know your camera. Do test photo shoots, read the manual, google your camera for trips. When traveling, you can’t always be at the right place at the right time, but knowing the settings and what you camera can do can help you get the best shot in the moment. Luckily, smart phones do a great job of judging the lighting and have great photo-editing options within the phone itself.
If snapping incredible photos that leave your friends asking for copies is one of your goals, try googling your destinations. The internet is full of photography tips for numerous cities, and you can learn what time of day you should photograph whatever it is you’re trying to take a snap of, such as the Basilica of the Annunciation, to get the best light.
Once you arrive in Israel, take a peek at the postcard rack, or images for sale, to get ideas of new perspectives/angles you want to shoot at. One of the best photography tips for any sort of travel is to wake up early and arrive to whatever area you’re photographing, so you can try to beat the crowds and get that picture perfect shot. Another perk of heading out early or staying out late, is you won’t have to deal with the glaring sun reflection.
One more trip – make sure you follow the rules and guidelines of camera use. Some places forbid the use of cameras inside, so if you see a sign that says no photos allowed, respect the sign and do not take photos. When you stop to take a photo, be aware of your surroundings.
As the weather varies, what you should wear depends on the time of year you are going. Bring layers if traveling in winter – a light-weight rain coat, a hat and gloves will be useful during this time. This is the rainy season in Israel. Summers are hot, ranging from high 80s and 90s (F) in the city, and soaring over 100 degrees in the desert and The Dead Sea. The sun is strong, so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the rays.
Regardless of when you visit, some religious sights require being covered. Make sure to bring clothing that covers your shoulders (a short-sleeve shirt should suffice) and bottoms that cover your knees. If you do forget, some religious sights offer shawls and coverings you can wear. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Israel streets are uneven and you will often find cobblestone. If you’re visiting the Dead Sea, a pair of shoes you can wear in the water may be beneficial. The ground can be rough, and while you’re unlikely to spend much time in the water, the salt water can eat away at your shoes.
The perfect itinerary allowed us to efficiently visited all the top sites with great lodgings. Unfortunately, the guide cut short stops at the Bahai Gardens, Acco, T...
It was a wonderful experience. Trips like this unfortunately are few and far between for me, but the G Adventures guides maximized the experience. I am certain to re...
This really was incredible trip that had an excellent educational aspect to it. I have never done a tour before for fear of having an anesthetized and unsatisfying e...
Trip of a lifetime!
A very satisfying experience.
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