When Faith takes you on a special journey - Our tour of Israel

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My words cannot describe the overwhelming experience we had touring a fascinating tour of a country full of history, a variety of faiths and cultures. Israel is a very important home to five major religions.  Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Druidism, and the Baha'i Faith. 

Our tour was focused primarily on the Christian faith.   A special journey that can have you come home a different person.  A person with a feeling of peace and contentment.   It doesn't matter your faith.  Going to Israel instills a different perspective and outlook that gives you the courage and the strength to move forward in your life.

My husband and I joined a faith-based fully-escorted tour group experience of Israel.  We experienced firsthand what a tour through this particular travel partner would be like.  A budget tour that included our bus, a tour guide, our hotels, some of our meals (breakfast was always included), and entrance fees to the various sites we visited.  Some dinners were included.  We were responsible for them otherwise.  

It consisted for Eight days of busy extensive touring.  We were driven through the roads of time and history.   From ancient history to modern day cities and cultures.  What an exciting journey!

Day 1 -  Arrival in Tel Aviv

Our journey began in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv where we arrived and spent the night at the Cinema Hotel.  Our hotel was not centrally located and was nice and modest.  By American standards, I would give it a 3 1/2 to 4-star rating.   The breakfast buffet was wonderful.  Offering a wide array of choices.  Including ethnic favorites such a halvah.  Halvah is a sweet treat consisting of ground sesame seeds, honey and sugar.  You will have to try this.  It is amazing! 

You don't want to miss seeing Tel Aviv.  This bustling cosmopolitan city with its beautiful and welcoming beaches looked amazing.  Just wish we had time to visit more of this intriguing place. 

Day 2 - Jaffa, Caesarea, and Nazareth

The tour first took us to the city of Jaffa to visit where Jonah sailed from before he met up with the whale.  Then off to the seaside Roman ruins of ancient Caesarea (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).  It is amazing what remains intact over the centuries.  We were captivated by the historical recollection that the guides offered had you imagining yourself back in the day.

We then set off for our Hotel in Nazareth, the ancient home of the Holy Family.  We stayed here for three nights.

On route to Nazareth we stopped in to see one of the largest and beautiful gardens in Israel, the Ba'Hai Garden.  These gardens are a very important religious site of the Ba'Hai faith.   At the top of the hill hosting the gardens is an outlook that offers a magnificent panoramic view of the coastline and the harbor city of Haifa in the near distance.

We stopped in  at a small roadside diner for some cultural immersion and enjoyed a delicious lunch ($).  It included one entree consisting of breaded chicken fillets and/or falafal, french fries, and a large salad buffet.  Plus your choice of drink.

One thing that was interesting.  As we drove along the roads to where we were going (predominately Muslim) were numerous roadside roughly assembled and wooden kiosks featuring anything from fresh produce to homemade ethnic foods.

Once in Nazareth we checked into our very humble hotel, Hotel Rimonim in Nazareth.  This hotel in everyone's option was in much  need of refurbishment.  Considering our surroundings in which this hotel is located.  It was pretty good.   It was relatively clean, but appeared tired and dreary.   I would rate this hotel as a 2 1/2 to ... maybe a 3-star hotel in comparison to American standards to be generous. 

After our buffet dinner (adequate, yet humble) we went to the Church of the Annunciation to be part of a procession they had honoring Mary.  What a memorable moment!  Seeing the church lit up and the faithful lining up with candles singing and praying.  A gorgeous sight to behold.

Day 3 - Nazareth,  Cana and Bet She'An

Our tour included an early morning visit to the home of Mary's Well in Nazareth.  The church that houses the well is of Orthodox Christian faith.   The well, fed by a spring that comes from the mountains has been said to consistently flow even during times of drought when the river/stream itself is dry.  You can imagine seeing Mary descending the stairs with her water jugs and carrying them back up to take to her family's home.   

A visit to the Church of the Wedding at Cana and  then onto Bet She'an. 

Bet She'an is a very interesting ancient city that goes back into history as being an important city from pre biblical times going back to the Armenians or more.  A very important area that changed hands of different eras of history.  With impressive remnants from the time of the Romans. Again, history unfolds before your very eyes as you stand in awe of how such structures were built with imported columns of marble and more.  This area is now a UNESCO Heritage Site.

We also went to Mt. Tabor to take in the view of the beautiful countryside surrounding it, and see the Sea of Galilee in the distance.

We then were returned to our hotel for the night.  On this night dinner was not included.  Nazareth is a predominately Muslim occupied area.  The restaurants, with the exception of Dominos Pizza and McDonalds  were closed. We opted for McDonalds.  A hamburger at McDonald's, comparable to a quarter pounder, was $15.  It did come with a small french fry and a kiddie size drink.

Day 4 - The Sea of Galilee and Churches in the Region

The Sea of Galilee and a number of the churches that mark biblical history.   We started out with a optional but delightful boat ride ($) on the Sea of Galilee on a ship that was built to be a replica of the ships used by the fishermen of Jesus's time. 

This  gorgeous fresh water lake has got to be one of the most peaceful and glorious places on the face of the earth.  Several of our friends and myself were engulfed in an amazing feeling of peace as we absorbed the beauty of this marvelous lake.   You just wanted to take in the then calm waters.  The surrounding hills that included the Golan Heights in the distance.   It is no wonder why Jesus spent so much time here despite his adversaries back in Jerusalem.  This is one place I could return to time and time again and never tire of it.

We enjoyed St. Peter's fish to have a feeling of what people in that region ate during biblical times.  I believe the fish is tilapia.

Among the various churches we visited was the Church of the Beatitudes located on a hill above the Sea of Galilee's shore.  Surrounded by lush green gardens and flowers.  The Church of Loaves and Fishes.  Also, the place where St. Peter (and Jesus for a time) lived and a Jewish temple Jesus worshiped, taught and prayed.  We even visited the newly excavated village of Magdala.  Home of Mary Madeleine and a temple where Jesus taught and preached.  It fun to be able to step foot into the lake here.  A memory that will be treasured.

A Baptismal Site on the Jordan River.  It is a modern day Baptismal Sites thought to be where Jesus may have been baptized by John.  This particular section of the river is absolutely gorgeous.  It is the primary site where many Christians go to be baptized in the river.  Another place where a feeling of peace overcomes you as you take in the remarkable beauty that surrounds you.  The sound of the river as it continues its path.  The sound of the wind through the trees.  The birds singing.   Breathtaking.

We returned to Nazareth and  returned to site of the Church of the Annunciation for an extensive tour of the complex.  Here we visited where Mary conceived Jesus.   A large, impressive and yet very beautiful structure.  Lined with artwork portraits or depictions of Mary from countries all over the world.

Visited the more humble Church of St. Joseph which houses the Holy Family's dwelling carved into the rock underneath the church.  Along with the homes of others from that time.

Day 5 -   Bethlehem and Jerusalem

We packed up and were on our way to our next and final hotel located in Jerusalem.  This hotel, called the Rimonim Shalom Jersualem, was very nice in comparison to the last and a very welcome breath of fresh air.   I would rate this hotel with a 3 1/2 to 4-Star in comparison to American Standards.   Our room was spacious, and all the amenities of the hotel were much more appealing and more modern and better maintained in comparison to that in Nazareth.  The food here was also very good.  We enjoyed buffets for our included meals. Do wish we spent more time here at this hotel and less at the one in Nazareth.

On the way to Bethlehem it was necessary to cross the concrete and barbed wire fence border that separated the Palistinian territory from the rest of Israel.  Israelis were not allowed to cross for risk of death without the proper documentation (visa) and visa versa.  We felt safe, but is was sad to see a country divided in such a manner. 

We then continued on to Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity where Jesus is said to have been born.   A gold sunlike star with a black hole in the center marks the place where Jesus was born.    A place where people reflect this precious moment in their faith.  The beginning of Christianity.  

The spot mentioned above is located below a Armenian Orthodox Church.  The door entering the church forces all who enter to to bow down because of its small low doorway.  The door leading to the special place is again small and low.  It is required that you descend some stone-carved stairs to see where Jesus was born and was laid.

Right next door to the Armenian Orthodox Church is a more modern Roman Catholic Church.  We had the opportunity to enjoy

We had the opportunity to enjoy a nice lunch ($) at a local restaurant serving Middle Eastern food.  Due to the sake of time constraints, and to help everyone with their budgets, the choice was a variety of meat choices in a pita bread sandwich.  These sandwiches are called a shawarma.  The shawarma with french fries, salad and drink was a frequented menu item for lunch.  Sorry.  No hamburgers or hotdogs.  Hehe.

Day 6 - Jerusalem

The highlight of our tour of Israel was Jerusalem.  The melting pot where all faiths live together in a very small area.  Each having their own sections.  Notable, but subtle as you walk the streets from one to the other.  Each respectful of each other and living relatively in peace with each other as they each await their Messiah.

It began with a visit to the Mount of Olives.  From here you get a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem (old and new).  The historic wall and gates, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher with their respective domes.

We then began our tour of the old and historic old town of Jerusalem.  At the Lion's Gate, we proceeded the same path that Jesus took as he began his passion leading to his death.  The Via Delorosa.  A cobble stoned, narrow path, lined with shops, that leads uphill to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the place where Jesus was crucified.  We visited the Church of St. Ann (the birthplace of Mary Jesus' mother), and observed the various stations of the cross.   The final stations being in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  Here you will find an alter and again a starred spot marking the place where the cross that bore Jesus stood, the preparation table, and the Holy Cave where Jesus was entombed.  Leaving an imprint on your heart that will not likely be forgotten.

That night we enjoyed a dinner together a restaurant called "The Tent" which consisted of a Middle Eastern barbecue ($-Not included in tour price, but everyone went anyway).   The first was a vast selection of salads, and then finally a large platter of grilled meats that consisted of lamb, chicken and beef.  Plus a drink and a modest performance of Palestinian dancers who put on a small show.  We all delighted in our experience as we were immersed in the culture of the region.

We must Not forget the french fries.  I have to laugh because not many of the meals we had throughout our trip, that wasn't breakfast,  didn't included french fries.  They learned that Americans love french fries and they were certain not to disappoint.  That and salad.

Day 7 - Jericho, Masada, the Dead Sea, another Baptismal Site

We all gathered onto the bus to head into the Palestinian territory to visit see the Place of Temptation in Jericho.  This area was predominately Muslim.   Regretfully we were not privileged to ride the gondola up to the actual ridge on the mountain was Jesus was tempted by Satin.  Instead, they took us to a shop to buy our figs and dates, and other souvenirs.  Was not sure if we were not schedule to go up there, or whether everyone took too much of the time shopping.  

Masada.  An amazing and sad part of Jewish history in an interesting place.  Located in the mountains/plateau where you can see the Dead Sea in the distance.  A Jewish stronghold built by King David who would not be overtaken by the Romans.  Instead, each killed each other or committed suicide to prevent being held captive by the Romans.  

The Dead Sea.  What a delight!!  The lowest place on the earth that is a body of water with a very high concentration of salt.  It was fun to go into the water where you become very buoyant.  To say you can't drown would be a misnomer, but it would be hard to do.  Your body almost instantly wants you to float on your back.  No need to paddle.  You can just float.  No hands.  No feet.  When done, even if you were not tempted to lather yourself in the mud at the bottom of the sea, your skin felt very soft and smooth.

Our last stop was to a spot quite a piece away from the other baptismal site described earlier.  A more humble location where on one side was the country of Jordan and the other Israel.  You dared not try to cross from one side or the other, or you would be shot.  This area still had a peace about it.  It was not as commercialized.  The water here was muddy.  Whereas the other was perfectly clear.  This particular area, although controversial, is said to the be the original place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

We returned to our hotel in Jerusalem to have our final farewell dinner.  Saying goodbye to our dear companion and new friends from all over the world.

Day 8 - Time to go home

Depending on flight arrangements, people left during the wee hours of the night and others left later in the evening.  We were one of the few who left later that night.  We were free to do as we chose.  We elected to go to the Israel Museum where we saw artifacts that dated to ancient times to modern day times.  This museum is the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and so much more.  It is a place that I would highly recommend to see and appreciate was Israel as a country has gone through over time.  The various eras of time over the centuries that are brought together in one very impressive display.  

If you have even thought of or considered a visit to this very important Holy Place, do it!!  Israel, despite the opinions of others and the political upheavals that surround it, is in my opinion, a very safe place.  

Reinforce your faith.  Get a new, but real perspective of what it is like.  You'll be amazed.  For most, they come home a new person.  Glad that they took the leap of faith to reinforce theirs.

For more information on faith and non-faith based travel and tours to Israel, please reach out to us.  We, together with our travel partners, are certain to provide you will an experience that you will never forget and will be glad that you did it.