With more than 3,000 years of history, Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and the spiritual centre of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions, is an amazing destination and the world’s most multicultural city.
TripAdvisor ranked Jerusalem as one of the top 10 cultural and sightseeing destinations in the world last year, beating London, Venice and Istanbul.
Nestling in the Judean Hills on the edge of the desert, the so-called Golden City is home to a wealth of historical and biblical sites as well as being a vibrant, modern metropolis. While many of the thousands who visit each year are religious pilgrims, Jerusalem is an awe-inspiring destination for travellers and holidaymakers of any faith.
Defying the ravages of conflict, invading armies and the passing of the centuries, the city’s architecture is remarkably well preserved.
The historical and spiritual core of Jerusalem can be found inside the walls of the Old City, reached through seven gates. Most visitors enter through the Jaffa Gate, which leads downhill to all the main sights. Stepping inside is like walking into another world, with the hustle and bustle of street vendors plying their wares on the ancient paving stones, and rabbis, priests, monks and nuns going about their daily business.
The Old City is divided into four distinct quarters – Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian – with a maze of narrow labyrinths and alleys all leading to the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall.
A guided tour is the best way to get acquainted with the city, and afterwards visitors can take things at their own pace, stopping off to buy fresh orange juice or a snack from one of the many falafel stands. There is also a wide range of restaurants serving Arabic, Jewish and western cuisine, with plenty of choice for vegetarians.
The walk along the top of the old city wall provides some great views. The gold-plated Dome of the Rock, dominating Jerusalem’s skyline, is the most important Muslim place of prayer outside of Mecca.
A top cultural attraction is the Israel Museum where the striking domed Shrine of the Book houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the world’s oldest biblical manuscripts.
“Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and its combination of historical and cultural treasures makes it one of the most unique cities,” says Superstar Holidays manager Charlene Blake.
“For visitors it proves to be an unforgettable experience. The old city is a step back in time and the new city features shops selling the latest fashions, jewellery and a choice of classic and cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants.”
If it’s a cultural experience your clients are after then a holiday that combines Tel Aviv with Jerusalem is the right choice, she adds.
Beyond the city
Many people are surprised to learn that Israel is relatively small, roughly the size of Wales.
This means there is plenty of opportunity to venture beyond Jerusalem, with tours and day trips taking in many of the country’s diverse attractions.
The vibrant 24-hour city of Tel Aviv is only an hour and a half from Jerusalem. As it’s the main airline gateway, suggest clients stay there for a night or two at the beginning or end of a Jerusalem-based stay.
A trip to the Dead Sea is a must. Geographically the lowest point on Earth at 416 metres below sea level, it’s impossible to sink in the salty mineral-rich waters.
The majority of day trips include a visit to the Ein Gedi public spa. For clients in search of more luxurious pampering recommend a stay at one of the Dead Sea spa hotels.
For those interested in culture, recommend excursions to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and Masada, the impressive ruins of King Herod’s mountain-top fortress. The Sea of Galilee is a beautiful area, famous for its biblical connections. Many tours include a visit to Nazareth.
Sample product: Attraction World offers excursions, including the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spa, from £56 or a combination of the Dead Sea and Masada from £75.
Top five sights
Mount of Olives: The perfect place to start a sightseeing tour, the mount overlooks the Old City and provides panoramic views of all the landmarks.
City of David: The oldest part of Jerusalem, captured by King David more than 3,000 years ago, is where much of the Bible was written. Here, visitors can explore archaeological excavations.
Western Wall: The most important religious shrine for Jewish people, the wall is all that remains of Jerusalem’s Second Temple. Prayers, written on pieces of paper, are pushed into the wall and the area in front is an open-air synagogue.
Via Dolorosa: Translated from Latin as the Way of Suffering, the route is said to follow the path Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. It is marked out by nine of the 14 Stations of the Cross, with the last five inside the Church of Holy Sepulchre.
Jerusalem Archaeological Park & Davidson Centre: One of the largest and most significant archaeological sites in Israel, a multimedia presentation provides an interesting overview before a visit to the park (pictured right).
Getting there
Jet2.com’s twice-weekly service from Manchester to Tel Aviv will increase to three times a week from July 12 to September 6, with flights departing on Tuesdays in addition to the existing Monday and Thursday flights. Tickets are now on sale and start at £99.99 one way.
EasyJet has also increased flights from Luton to Tel Aviv and now operates a daily service.
El Al flies to Tel Aviv twice daily from Heathrow and six times a week from Luton.
Sample product
Superstar Holidays offers three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Dan Boutique Hotel from £405, or the Prima Royale Hotel from £399, for departures on May 8, including El Al flights from Heathrow. superstar.co.uk, 020 7121 1500
