Jerusalem & Dead Sea

About this tour

Standing at the top of the Mount of Olives we have a spectacular scenic view of the Old city soon to be explored. Here we have a view of the Dome of the Rock plus many roofs, steeples and minerals of the city. We travel downward passing the Garden of Gethsemane passing through Kidron Valley and a number of ancient Jewish tombs.

We arrive at the Armenian quarter of the Old City then onto to the restored Cardo. At one time this was a busy Byzantine passage for travel. Entering the Jewish quarter we take a look at Wailing Wall considered to be the holiest place in the world. We go along the Via Dolirosa which takes us to The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the holiest site for Christians in the Old City. We end our travels of The Old city by visiting the Christian and Muslim Quarter markets.
Our journey continues by taking a drive Judean desert, past the city of Jericho arriving at the Dead Sea. Where we can relax and take a dip in the Dead Sea, benefiting from the rich minerals that the Dead sea contains.
We begin our trip in Jerusalem, at the top of the Mount of Olives. Where an exhilarating view of the Historical city greets us. Look down and see the walls of Jerusalem. The Old city amongst other famous icons such as the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount with its amazing gold-coloured dome. As we travel down the Mount of Olives we bypass the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of all Nations displaying a colorful mosaic pediment onto the Jewish burial tombs of Zechariah, Absolom, and Beneii Hazir.

Passing by the Kidron Valley, following the walls of the Old City, we eventually get to the Zion Gate and enter the Armenian Quarter. From here we can take a walk along the Cardo, a restored main Byzantine street cutting through the old city. Due to restoration and excavation of old crusader shops, those old crusader buildings are being used today resulting in a modern shopping complex.

Upon our arrival at the Jewish quarter, we have the Western Wall(Kotel or Wailing wall) This being the remaining wall what is left of the Jewish Temple destroyed in 70AD. Jews come together night and day to pray. Why not leave a prayer note between in gaps between the huge stones of the walls.

Our travels continue with a visit to the Via Dolorosa or Way of the Cross, a journey Jesus took as he carried a cross on his way to be crucified. Meandering its way through the Old City paths and markets, The Via Dolorosa has 14 locations where Jesus stopped while carrying the cross for his crucifixion. Each location has information on the events that took place before Jesus was crucified. Towards the end of this path at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on Golgotha where the crucifixion of Jesus took place. A gigantic church with a number of beautiful chapels. As we enter the church we can view the final five of the stations where Jesus paused at each station before being crucified. The 10th station; where Jesus was stripped of his clothes; the 11th station; Where Jesus was nailed to the cross; the 12th station; where Jesus dies on the cross; the 13th station; where Jesus is taken down from the cross; the 14th station where Jesus is placed in the tomb.

As we depart from the Old city we approach the Christian and Muslim Quarter markets. A place to buy souvenirs and bargains as you drink refreshing freshly squeezed orange juice. Next on the list is leaving Jerusalem southbound to the Judean desert.

Next, we pass the Biblical city of Jericho going towards the Dead Sea. On route, we can see the notice stating the point where will reach below sea level. We will be about 400 meters below sea level when we can finally relax at the Dead Sea, 9.6 times saltier than the oceans. With such a high density of salt, swimming is more like floating, where you can’t sink. It is also one of the world’s first health resorts dating back to King Herod.