Discover Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Bethlehem 3 beautiful cities in Israel.
A Guide to The Promised Land.
For centuries people have fought, destroyed and killed to be in possession of The Holy Land. Today, the fighting over the ownership of the most sacred place in the world is still going on. The Holy Land has had many names and owners, but nevertheless, you should visit Israel, at least once in your life. Regardless of ownership, The Promised Land is breathtaking.
Tel Aviv is a modern, bustling, cosmopolitan city that hits the perfect combination of hip and authentic. You will be hot, sweaty and amazed by the city. They have chic neighborhoods with hipster cafes and urban shops bordering up to traditional areas and government buildings which are themselves located next to courtyard restaurants with live music and vines on the roof. Tel Aviv is considered a trendy spot for coffee shops, restaurants, and bars as well as chef-owned food stalls.
Marketplaces
If you happen to be visiting Tel Aviv on the weekend, I would advise you spend the morning in the big market at the heart of Tel Aviv. Shuk HaCarmel, where you can buy all your heart desires, all day long. It is Tel Aviv’s largest and most central marketplace known for its charm and vast culinary culture. It is a cool place to experience a variety of local delicacies and exotic dishes.
Shuk means market in Hebrew and there are plenty to pick from in Tel Aviv.
Here you will find fresh food, beauty products, souvenirs and everything else that pleases the heart.
Another Shuk is the open air Friday morning Farmer’s market by the sea that sells local products from veggies to honey. It is freshly grown and the market has a nice atmosphere. Nahalat Binyamin Craft Market is another Shuk to swing by on your Friday around town for a souvenir or two in the crafts department.
Find a nice local cafe downtown, potentially in Kerem Hateimanim. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods. It was established by Jews from Yemen who immigrated to Israel in the late 19th century. It was a poor neighborhood made of one-floor houses, many of them with simple tin roofs. Pick from one of the many amazing restaurants and cafes that are simply decorated but have an amazing aura. Enjoy a lunch in air-conditioned surroundings; anything with hummus is a must
After lunch, you should enjoy the sightseeing walk in the city. Make sure you go by Old Jaffa and enjoy the old part of Tel Aviv. Start at Jaffa Port. An ancient port, one of the oldest in the world that has played a significant role in history from the time of the Bible to today. Jonah set off from this port in the story of Jonah and the Whale. Today, the port offers a constant variety of art exhibits, performances, street fairs and other recreational activities for both locals and tourists to enjoy. Even though it has been transformed into a hip place there are still many fishermen who set off every night from the fishermen’s wharf.
Walk through small streets and find the open air bazaar and flea market. It is located near to the famous Clock Tower. Stop at Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpishim). Make a bargain hunting for vintage treasures with a surprising amount of quality items to be found. The market has been in operation for more than a hundred years and by the look on some of the stalls, it hasn't changed much over the period. While here find one of the cozy small cafes to cool down while having a tea (the market closes early on Fridays, around 2pm).
Afterwards, take a stroll in the beautiful independence park and enjoy the sunset while looking over the water, or admiring the skyline of Tel Aviv.
The nightlife in the city is worth a try. It is crazy! There is always a party and the people of Israel know how to party. Whether you like small bars, live music or pumping mayhem you will find it in Tel Aviv. We ended up dancing with people in bear costumes at a techno-party on our Friday night in town.
Since Jews celebrate Sabbath on Saturday, most true believers are not allowed to practice any work on a Saturday, only relax. Many things will, therefore, be closed or harder to access. Beware many of the markets in Tel Aviv will be completely closed on Saturdays.
Jerusalem is located in a valley, and most of the people living there are stronger believers than in the rest of the country, regardless of their religion. The old part of Jerusalem is located within the city walls and is divided into different areas. We entered through the Damascus gate on the Northwest side, which in ancient times was the road to Syria. It is considered one of the main gates. There are 8 gates leading into the Old Jerusalem and this is probably the one most tourists enter though.
The Christian quarters: here you can join lots of the pilgrims who walk around in a spiritual trance, humming and singing as they visit the places that are most sacred in the Catholic religion. They are all heading in the same direction... towards probably the most famous church in the world, The Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre. This place is known to Catholics as the place where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.
The Muslim quarters: if coming from outside Herod’s Gate or Bab-a-Zahara leads you into the Muslim Quarter. This area contains the great mosque, Dome of the Rock, which is definitely worth a visit regardless of your beliefs (remember to check for Ramadan, during which it will be closed to tourists). This area is more peaceful and contains fewer tourists, and less yelling/singing/screaming people. The Armenian quarter, and the Jewish quarter: Zion Gate leads into the Jewish quarter where the Western Wall is located. And even for a non-believer, it is a very spiritual experience. I, myself, felt very moved standing at the female part of the Western Wall and watch how all these visitors believe and hope so strongly that this Wall can help them get closer to what they want and need. People wear their dreams and hopes outside their clothes and let their emotions run freely.
Explore
I would recommend taking a trip beneath the city, where you will get to see the underground part of the wall, and hear all about the history of Jerusalem, a bloody and fascinating story. Take a walk around the city, you will see lots of graveyards. Jews believe the closer to the wall they are buried, the less time they spend in Purgatory.
Climb the Olive Mountain and enjoy the view of Jerusalem, a breathtaking climb in more ways than one.
If you are Christian, short research will tell you that Catholics and Protestants disagree on the location of Jesus’ remains. Catholics believe Christ lies under the floor of The Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre - just follow the procession in the Christian quarters. But the Protestants have created a little garden outside the gates. The Protestant tomb of Christ also called the Garden Tomb is a nice green place to visit for some peace and quiet. You get a free tour where volunteers explain Protestant beliefs.
We met a nice Muslim shop-owner on our walk along the wall. He had painted a huge part of the wall white. We asked him if it was a political message about peace. He replied with a cheeky smile: ‘No but I like to watch my football games on the big screen’.
I would advise taking a walk along the wall and around the city, and end in the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, around the time where the priests started mass (check online). Visiting the church will certainly leave an impression due to its magnificence. In the church, you get a candle and have the option to follow the processions into the underground caves where Christ sat many years ago. It is a spiritual experience even for non-believers you cannot help but feel the presence of greatness.
Besides the walk along the wall, visit the Church of the Nativity and take a look at the flea markets. Bethlehem is also home to the Palestinian Heritage Center, which aims to promote art. Therefore, if you are an art lover, it could be a good idea to visit the center and enjoy the interesting pieces of art.
Important:
Remember, bring your passport, because Bethlehem is located in Palestine, and guards check firmly before letting anyone back in Israel.
It seems sad that The Promised Land has been the heart of conflict for centuries. Especially because these people fight about who loves God the most. After all, none of us know god until we are introduced. I shall not call myself an expert on divine powers but after reading up on the history and experiencing the land, I believe it is a place of worship but more than that, it should be a land of kindness, and a land of love, because regardless of religion that seems to be what everybody visits for. Love.
* All photos are private and taken by me.
For centuries people have fought, destroyed and killed to be in possession of The Holy Land. Today, the fighting over the ownership of the most sacred place in the world is still going on. The Holy Land has had many names and owners, but nevertheless, you should visit Israel, at least once in your life. Regardless of ownership, The Promised Land is breathtaking.
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| Jewish boys waiting to enter the underground tunnels, Jerusalem |
Tel Aviv
If you are heading to Israel, I bet you will land in Tel Aviv.Tel Aviv is a modern, bustling, cosmopolitan city that hits the perfect combination of hip and authentic. You will be hot, sweaty and amazed by the city. They have chic neighborhoods with hipster cafes and urban shops bordering up to traditional areas and government buildings which are themselves located next to courtyard restaurants with live music and vines on the roof. Tel Aviv is considered a trendy spot for coffee shops, restaurants, and bars as well as chef-owned food stalls.
Marketplaces
If you happen to be visiting Tel Aviv on the weekend, I would advise you spend the morning in the big market at the heart of Tel Aviv. Shuk HaCarmel, where you can buy all your heart desires, all day long. It is Tel Aviv’s largest and most central marketplace known for its charm and vast culinary culture. It is a cool place to experience a variety of local delicacies and exotic dishes.
Shuk means market in Hebrew and there are plenty to pick from in Tel Aviv.
Here you will find fresh food, beauty products, souvenirs and everything else that pleases the heart.
Another Shuk is the open air Friday morning Farmer’s market by the sea that sells local products from veggies to honey. It is freshly grown and the market has a nice atmosphere. Nahalat Binyamin Craft Market is another Shuk to swing by on your Friday around town for a souvenir or two in the crafts department.
Find a nice local cafe downtown, potentially in Kerem Hateimanim. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods. It was established by Jews from Yemen who immigrated to Israel in the late 19th century. It was a poor neighborhood made of one-floor houses, many of them with simple tin roofs. Pick from one of the many amazing restaurants and cafes that are simply decorated but have an amazing aura. Enjoy a lunch in air-conditioned surroundings; anything with hummus is a must
After lunch, you should enjoy the sightseeing walk in the city. Make sure you go by Old Jaffa and enjoy the old part of Tel Aviv. Start at Jaffa Port. An ancient port, one of the oldest in the world that has played a significant role in history from the time of the Bible to today. Jonah set off from this port in the story of Jonah and the Whale. Today, the port offers a constant variety of art exhibits, performances, street fairs and other recreational activities for both locals and tourists to enjoy. Even though it has been transformed into a hip place there are still many fishermen who set off every night from the fishermen’s wharf.
Walk through small streets and find the open air bazaar and flea market. It is located near to the famous Clock Tower. Stop at Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpishim). Make a bargain hunting for vintage treasures with a surprising amount of quality items to be found. The market has been in operation for more than a hundred years and by the look on some of the stalls, it hasn't changed much over the period. While here find one of the cozy small cafes to cool down while having a tea (the market closes early on Fridays, around 2pm).
Afterwards, take a stroll in the beautiful independence park and enjoy the sunset while looking over the water, or admiring the skyline of Tel Aviv.
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| Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv |
The nightlife in the city is worth a try. It is crazy! There is always a party and the people of Israel know how to party. Whether you like small bars, live music or pumping mayhem you will find it in Tel Aviv. We ended up dancing with people in bear costumes at a techno-party on our Friday night in town.
Since Jews celebrate Sabbath on Saturday, most true believers are not allowed to practice any work on a Saturday, only relax. Many things will, therefore, be closed or harder to access. Beware many of the markets in Tel Aviv will be completely closed on Saturdays.
Join the locals and grab a nice drink and go for a lazy stroll in the city center and enjoy yourself, or spend the day on one of the beaches around Tel Aviv. The water is clean and it is not too crowded. A lot of people will not drive their car on Saturdays and stay at home.
How to move on
The next day, try to catch an early bus to Jerusalem, enjoying the ride while seeing how the scenery changes, from flat green and well-kept surroundings to dry desert land.
The next day, try to catch an early bus to Jerusalem, enjoying the ride while seeing how the scenery changes, from flat green and well-kept surroundings to dry desert land.
A first glance at Jerusalem
Jerusalem. Where magic meets history and greatness. The capital of Israel. This may be the oldest town in the world, and throughout the most wanted by everyone. It is extremely important and holy for all the major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The city has been the center of attention for many centuries, and it still is. And while you slowly see the city appearing in front of you, you cannot help feeling spiritual and amazed.Jerusalem is located in a valley, and most of the people living there are stronger believers than in the rest of the country, regardless of their religion. The old part of Jerusalem is located within the city walls and is divided into different areas. We entered through the Damascus gate on the Northwest side, which in ancient times was the road to Syria. It is considered one of the main gates. There are 8 gates leading into the Old Jerusalem and this is probably the one most tourists enter though.
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| A view of the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock in the background. |
The Christian quarters: here you can join lots of the pilgrims who walk around in a spiritual trance, humming and singing as they visit the places that are most sacred in the Catholic religion. They are all heading in the same direction... towards probably the most famous church in the world, The Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre. This place is known to Catholics as the place where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.
The Muslim quarters: if coming from outside Herod’s Gate or Bab-a-Zahara leads you into the Muslim Quarter. This area contains the great mosque, Dome of the Rock, which is definitely worth a visit regardless of your beliefs (remember to check for Ramadan, during which it will be closed to tourists). This area is more peaceful and contains fewer tourists, and less yelling/singing/screaming people. The Armenian quarter, and the Jewish quarter: Zion Gate leads into the Jewish quarter where the Western Wall is located. And even for a non-believer, it is a very spiritual experience. I, myself, felt very moved standing at the female part of the Western Wall and watch how all these visitors believe and hope so strongly that this Wall can help them get closer to what they want and need. People wear their dreams and hopes outside their clothes and let their emotions run freely.
Explore
I would recommend taking a trip beneath the city, where you will get to see the underground part of the wall, and hear all about the history of Jerusalem, a bloody and fascinating story. Take a walk around the city, you will see lots of graveyards. Jews believe the closer to the wall they are buried, the less time they spend in Purgatory.
Climb the Olive Mountain and enjoy the view of Jerusalem, a breathtaking climb in more ways than one.
If you are Christian, short research will tell you that Catholics and Protestants disagree on the location of Jesus’ remains. Catholics believe Christ lies under the floor of The Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre - just follow the procession in the Christian quarters. But the Protestants have created a little garden outside the gates. The Protestant tomb of Christ also called the Garden Tomb is a nice green place to visit for some peace and quiet. You get a free tour where volunteers explain Protestant beliefs.
Bethlehem – a Palestinian city neighboring south Jerusalem
Even though Bethlehem was closed for tourists for a while due to the worsening Israeli-Arab relations, I was lucky to visit it during the time it was allowed. If one is not a strong believer, it’s still worth visiting Bethlehem just to see the wall and everything that is painted on it. Bethlehem has few Jewish habitats, most of the citizens are Muslim. Many locals live out of small shopping stalls in the market. The main attraction is, of course, the wall dividing Israel and Palestine. Many people have written words of love and peace on this wall and tried to express the feeling of powerlessness you feel when you see a country divided like this. Many have protested and fought for the destruction of the wall, yet it still stands. |
| The Western Wall, Bethlehem |
We met a nice Muslim shop-owner on our walk along the wall. He had painted a huge part of the wall white. We asked him if it was a political message about peace. He replied with a cheeky smile: ‘No but I like to watch my football games on the big screen’.
I would advise taking a walk along the wall and around the city, and end in the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, around the time where the priests started mass (check online). Visiting the church will certainly leave an impression due to its magnificence. In the church, you get a candle and have the option to follow the processions into the underground caves where Christ sat many years ago. It is a spiritual experience even for non-believers you cannot help but feel the presence of greatness.
Besides the walk along the wall, visit the Church of the Nativity and take a look at the flea markets. Bethlehem is also home to the Palestinian Heritage Center, which aims to promote art. Therefore, if you are an art lover, it could be a good idea to visit the center and enjoy the interesting pieces of art.
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| The underground area at the church of nativity |
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| the church of nativity |
Important:
Remember, bring your passport, because Bethlehem is located in Palestine, and guards check firmly before letting anyone back in Israel.
It seems sad that The Promised Land has been the heart of conflict for centuries. Especially because these people fight about who loves God the most. After all, none of us know god until we are introduced. I shall not call myself an expert on divine powers but after reading up on the history and experiencing the land, I believe it is a place of worship but more than that, it should be a land of kindness, and a land of love, because regardless of religion that seems to be what everybody visits for. Love.
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| View over Bethlehem |
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| Political statements on the Wall, Bethlehem |
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| Political statements on the Wall, Bethlehem |
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| Political statements on the Wall, Bethlehem |
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| Underground tunnels, Jerusalem |
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| View from Olive Mountain, Jerusalem |
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| The Western Wall, Jerusalem |
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| The Western Wall, Jerusalem |
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| The Independence Park, Tel Aviv |
* All photos are private and taken by me.
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