Mount of Olives
You will start the day on the top of the Mount of Olives with a panoramic view, which offers breathtaking views of the Old City and the surrounding area. Since antiquity, Jews have sought to be buried on the Mount of Olives, where according to the Bible the resurrection will begin. Eventually, the cemetery grew to cover much of the mountain and is still in use.
Your first stop will be at the Dominus Flevit (meaning “The Lord Wept”) teardrop chapel which was only built in 1955 over the site of a Byzantine construction and commemorates the occasion of Jesus looking at the city of Jerusalem and, when realizing that it was going to destroy itself by violence, weeping bitterly.
You will walk along the Palm Sunday Road, which winds its way down the mountain and is believed to be the path that Jesus took on his way to Jerusalem.
At the bottom you will reach the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed and was arrested before his Crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus and his disciples came to Gethsemane on the night before his arrest, and Jesus prayed alone while his disciples slept. It is said that Jesus was deeply troubled and asked God if it was possible for the events that were about to take place to be averted. However, he ultimately accepted his fate and submitted to God’s will.
Bethlehem
Next you will exit Israel (do not forget your passport!) through one of the checkpoints to enter the city of Bethlehem where you will drive through the Old City neighborhoods before arriving at the main Manger Square.
Here we meet a local Palestinian guide who will join us in the Church of Nativity, the oldest church building in the Holy Land and the place of birth of Jesus. We will also visit the Shepherds Field that commemorates the place where, according to tradition, the announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds by the angels happened.
Israel Museum, Dead Sea Scrolls
The Israel Museum is a world-renowned cultural institution located in Jerusalem, Israel. It is home to a diverse collection of art, archaeology, and natural history, and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of the region.
A visit to the Israel Museum begins with a tour of the campus, which is spread out over 20 acres and includes several buildings and outdoor exhibits. The museum’s main building, known as the Billy Rose Art Garden, houses a wide range of artworks and cultural artifacts, including ancient Near Eastern and Israeli art, modern and contemporary art, and Judaica.
One of the highlights of the Israel Museum is the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most important collections of ancient Jewish texts in the world. The scrolls, which date back to the time of Jesus, are displayed in a specially designed building that is meant to evoke the appearance of the caves in which they were found.
Other highlights of the Israel Museum include the archaeology wing, which features a wide range of artifacts from ancient civilizations, and the Yigal Alon Museum, which showcases Israeli and international contemporary art.
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Israel Museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year. These may include art shows, concerts, lectures, and other cultural events.
Overall, a visit to the Israel Museum is a fascinating and educational experience that offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in art, archaeology, or the history and culture of the region, the Israel Museum has something to offer.