DAY TOUR OF BETHLEHEM AND JERUSALEM

After pick-up at major hotels in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, our day begins with a dramatic panoramic overview of the New and Old city of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus, including the Temple Mount Esplanade of the Old City.

We then enter the Old City of Jerusalem and walk along the Via Dolorosa (the Stations of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of the crucifixion. After that, we will head towards the renovated Jewish Quarter through the Cardo, a 1700 year-old ancient pathway constructed in Roman times.

We will also visit the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall or Kotel), which was part of the outer walls of the holy Jewish Temple.

We then leave Jerusalem and drive towards Bethlehem Which is famous for being the birthplace of Jesus and King David. With over one million visitors every year, Bethlehem has great historical and religious value to both Christianity and Judaism. We visit the Nativity Circle and Bethlehem’s Manger Square, named after the manger Jesus was born in. Manger Square is home to the Church of the Nativity, one of the world’s oldest-standing churches still functioning to this day.

We will visit the main Basilica of the Nativity, designed in the typical Roman-style and constructed on the ruins of its predecessor in 565 AD, as well as the Catholic Church of St. Catherine, adjoining the Basilica of the Nativity.

Underneath the Church stands the Grotto of the Nativity, the cave in which Jesus was born, the exact spot of birth is marked by a 14-pointed star of silver set into the floor. We also see the Armenian Chapel of the Kings or Magi and we visit the Crusader Church.

* Due to visitor overload, a visit down to the Grotto of Nativity might not be possible because of the tour time schedule.