SPR 2016

The Wailing Wall (or Western Wall) is the surviving retaining wall of Jerusalem's First Temple. Commonly called the Wailing Wall due to the people's laments for the loss of the temple in AD 70, it is now the holiest site in Judaism and has been a place of pilgrimage for the Jewish people since the Ottoman era. The Jewish Quarter of the Old City runs roughly from the Zion Gate east to the Western Wall Plaza. This part of the Old City was destroyed during the Israeli-Arab fighting in 1948 and has been extensively rebuilt since 1967. A major highlight here for history fans is the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, at the southern end of the Western Wall Plaza, where archaeologists have unearthed fascinating remnants of old Jerusalem. The Western Wall Tunnels, which take you under the city, back to the level of the original city, are also not to be missed. Jewish Quarter Street (RehovHaYehudim) is the main lane of the district, and veering off this road onto the surrounding side streets, there are a cluster of interesting synagogues that can be visited.

The Western Wall Tunnel is an underground tunnel exposing the full length of the Western Wall. The tunnel is adjacent to the Western Wall and is located under buildings of the Old City of Jerusalem. While the open-air portion of the Western Wall is approximately 60 metres (200 ft) long, the majority of its original length is hidden underground. The tunnel allows access to an additional 485 metres (1,591 ft) of the wall.

The Siloam Tunnel, also known as Hezekiah's Tunnel, is a water tunnel that was dug underneath the City of David in Jerusalem in ancient times. Its popular name is due to the most common hypothesis of its origin, namely that it dates from the reign of Hezekiah of Judah (late 8th and early 7th century BCE) and corresponds to the waterworks mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20 in the Bible.[1] According to the Bible, King Hezekiah prepared Jerusalem for an impending siege by the Assyrians, by "blocking the source of the waters of the upper Gihon, and leading them straight down on the west to the City of David".

For Christian pilgrims, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is Jerusalem's holiest site and is said to have been built on the site where Jesus was crucified. The site for the church was picked by Empress Helena - mother to Constantine the Great during her tour of the Holy Land. She was the one to announce to the Byzantine world that this spot was the Calvary (or Golgotha) of the gospels. The original church (built in 335 AD) was destroyed by 1009, and the grand church you see now dates from the 11th century. Although often heaving with pilgrims from across the world, the church interior is an opulently beautiful piece of religious architecture. This is the ending point for the Via Dolorosa pilgrimage and the last five Stations of the Cross are within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre itself. The interior contains various holy relics, and the different quarters inside the church are owned by different Christian denominations.

For many Christian visitors, the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) is the highlight of a visit to Jerusalem. This walk follows the route of Jesus Christ after his condemnation as he bears his cross towards execution at Calvary. The walk is easily followed independently but if you're here on a Friday, you can join the procession along this route led by the Italian Franciscan monks. The course of the Via Dolorosa is marked by the fourteen Stations of the Cross, some of which are based on the Gospels' accounts and some on tradition. The walk begins in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City on Via Dolorosa Street (1st station, near the intersection with HaPrakhim Street) from where you follow the street west through eight stations until you reach the 9th station at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where the last five stations are. Of particular interest along the way is the Chapel of the Flagellation (2nd station), built on the site where Jesus is believed to have been flogged. Hours: The Franciscan Fathers lead Via Dolorosa processions every Friday throughout the year starting at 3pm (Oct-Mar) and 4pm (Apr-Sep) from the 1st station. Location: Via Dolorosa Street, Old City

The Citadel, popularly known as the Tower of David, actually has no connection with David, having been erected by King Herod to protect the palace he built in approximately 24 BC. His original citadel had three towers named after his brother Phasael, his wife Mariamne, and his friend Hippicus. After Titus' conquest of the city in AD 70, the Romans stationed a garrison here, but later the citadel fell into disrepair. It was successively rebuilt by the Crusaders, Egypt'sMamelukes and Turks, during their years of reign over Jerusalem. The building you now see was built in the 14th century on the foundations of the original Phasael Tower. Inside is the Tower of David Museum, which relays the story of Jerusalem. While here, make sure you climb up to the rooftop for one of Old City's best views. There is also a Sound and Light show here in the evenings. Hours: Tower of David Museum, Sun-Thu 9am-4pm & Fri-Sat 9am-2pm Admission: Tower of David Museum - adult 36NIS, student 25NIS, child 18NIS; Sound & Light Show- adult 55NIS, student & child 45NIS Location: Jaffa Gate, Old City Official site: www.towerofdavid.org.il

The most bustling and alive district is the Muslim Quarter, which is home to the best souk shopping in the Old City. This district roughly runs from Damascus Gate through the northeast chunk of the Old City. There are plenty of fine surviving remnants of Mameluke architecture lining the streets here including the 14th century Khan al-Sultan (Bab Silsila Street) where you can climb up to the roof for excellent views across the higgledy-piggledy lanes. If you wander down Antonia Street you'll come to the beautiful Crusader-built St. Anne's Church (believed to be built on top of the site of the house of the Virgin Mary's parents) and the Pool of Bethesda next door. Location: Old City

Israel Museum. Opened in 1965, this complex of museums is the only place in the country that collects and displays both archaeological finds and art. The Shrine of the Book building displays Israel's portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls (the rest of the scrolls are displayed in Amman's Citadel Hill museum, Jordan), which were unearthed in the Dead Sea area during the 1940s. In the main building of the complex, the Judaica wing has an impressive display of sacred Jewish art and ethnographic displays from Jewish life in various countries. The archaeological wing contains fascinating exhibits from the early days of settlement here through to the Romans. The Art wing has a good collection of works by Israeli painters as well as pieces by Gauguin, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Hours: Open Sat-Mon & Wed-Thu 10am-5pm, Tue 4pm-9pm Admission: adult 50NIS, students 37NIS, child 25 or free every Tue & Sat Location: Givat Ram district, West Jerusalem Official site: http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/

Jerusalem Tour (daytrip)- $71 Per Person

This wonderful Jerusalem day tour will take you through all the major sites of old and new Jerusalem. From a panoramic view of old and new Jerusalem to the alleys of the old city with its picturesque and colorful atmosphere. The tour covers all the major sites and attractions of the city and tells its remarkable story. You will be picked up at your hotel by your guide and board a luxurious tour bus or van. All of our Jerusalem guides are extremely knowledgeable in the history of Jerusalem and know the city inside and out.

The following Jerusalem highlights included

• Magnificent view of Old and New Jerusalem from Mount Olive
• Old City
• Jewish Quarter including the Western Wall, holiest Jewish site
• Cardo (old Roman market)
• Christian Quarter, through the Via Dolorosa
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• New City - Israel parliament (Knesset)
• Yad Vashem - Holocaust memorial museum

Nazareth (daytrip) - $94 Per Person

Depart to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his boyhood. Visit the Church of Annunciation. Following Jesus' footsteps continue to Cana, site where Jesus performed his first miracle changing water into wine.
Proceed to Tiberias, the lovely resort town and enjoy a boat-ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Continue to Tabgha, site of the miracle of the Fish and Loaves.
Continue to Yardenit, the Jordan River baptismal site at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee, and return to Tel-Aviv.

Masada (daytrip) - $105 Per Person

Ride through the Judean Hills and desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth; drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Massada. Ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by Herod, where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palaces, water cisterns and mosaic floors. Descend by cable car and stop at a SPA to float on the Dead Sea.

NOTE: comfortable walking shoes, head covering, sun protection, swimsuit and towel are recommended.

Petra (daytrip) - $225 Per Person (from Eilat)

Leave EILAT in the morning, cross the Arava border and drive to PETRA, through the scenic Jordanian desert, past the Wadi Rum area, where Lawrence of Arabia once lived and fought with the Bedouin. Enter the Rose City of PETRA through the Siq, a narrow passage through the mountains which has inspired awe for centuries - up to the treasury which suddenly appears at the end of the gorge, leaving the visitors breath-taken by its size, color and beauty. Continue into the heart of this ancient city carved into the mountains, passing hundreds of tombs and monuments and a spectacular Amphitheatre which once held 3,000 spectators. After our visit to PETRA, a stop for a sit-down lunch, followed by a visit to Moses Spring before leaving Wadi Moussa (the new town of Petra). We drive to Aqaba for a short city tour, return to the Arava border and back to Eilat.

*Does not include boarder Tax & Tips