A Day in Palestine
During my trip to Israel I decided to stay two extra days to explore more cities. I figured that since I didn’t know the next time I’d be in Israel, this was the logical thing to do. However, after a whirlwind trip full of thrilling adventures, I was beyond exhausted but eagerly trudged along. I checked into a hostel in Jerusalem and planned a day trip to Bethlehem and Jericho.
Since Palestine requires a border crossing, I decided to make things simple by taking part in an organized trip. I chose to go with Vered Hasharon, one of several tour companies offering daily and multi-day trips throughout Israel. The driver explained to me that since he held an Israeli ID card (he was born in Israel and currently lives there) but was technically Palestinian, by default he was given a Jordanian passport. This allowed him to cross between both Israel and Palestine.
Bethlehem
I met my tour guide Abu once we passed to the Palestinian territory and we immediately went to Church of the Nativity, which is the oldest church still active today. Most tourists visit here to see ancient mosaics, the birth cave (where Jesus is said to have been born) and the birth place (where Mary gave birth to Jesus.) I was lucky because I was able to enter the birth cave during the Armenian morning prayers.
Jericho
Known as the oldest city in the world, Jericho was also a town where Jesus passed through during his years spreading the faith. We stopped here to learn more about the many ancient civilizations that have lived in Jericho. Also in Jericho is the Mount of Temptation, the site where Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was tempted by the devil, making this a popular tourist destination for religious pilgrims.
The Tree of Life
Often called Hisham’s Palace, Khirbet El-Mafjar is a short distance from Jericho. The Umayyad palace was modeled after a Roman bath house, and although only ruins remain, there are clear signs of what the palace looked like many years ago. My personal highlight was seeing the “Tree of Life” floor design. The entire site is comprised of a palace, courtyard, bath house, mosque, and a collection of mosaic art.
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27 Comments
Wow, the Tree of Life is beautiful!
Brock – Backpack With Brock recently posted..Exploring Franconia Notch State Park – New Hampshire, USA
I know! It was a really windy day but it was worth all the sand in my eyes to see this haha.
Megan recently posted..A Day in Palestine
I didn’t realize you could do a day trip to Palestine from Israel, but I think it’s great that you had that opportunity.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Thien Cung Grotto: the Gaudiest Limestone Cave in Vietnam
I didn’t think so either but a lot of tour companies offer day trips. Generally, they have drivers who can cross between Israel and Palestine, allowing you to meet your guide once you get there. It was a great way to spend my last day!
Megan recently posted..A Day in Palestine
I have never been to Palestine yet and I guess this is one of the best places where we can have holiday and have a quality time with the family or friends..
DynaLou recently posted..Panic Away Review
I really enjoyed my day in Palestine. I definitely recommend visiting!
Megan recently posted..A Day in Palestine
I would love to get back to Israel — I spent 4 months there years ago, but somehow missed Jericho.
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..The Holy Grail of Hokey: Inside The Holy Land Experience (Part Two)
Oh wow – 4 months sounds like an amazing opportunity! To be honest, I was more impressed with Bethlehem than Jericho.
Megan recently posted..Neighborhood Guide to Oslo
Very cool that were able to tour those areas. I would love to go – my wife did Irael and the West Bank earlier this year, and she really loved it.
Don Faust recently posted..Far North: Black Bears (and other Canadian animals) in the NWT
You should definitely go Don! It was sort of a last minute addition for me but I’m glad I went.
Megan recently posted..Neighborhood Guide to Oslo
Palestine. A great place that I hear. Very, very cool that you got to see all these ancient places.
Kurt recently posted..Favorite European Destinations of 2011
Thanks Kurt! I was really impressed by all the history there and the people are so friendly.
Megan recently posted..Neighborhood Guide to Oslo
So excited to go to Palestine & Israel—you’re making me wanna plan the trip and go now! haha…
You will love it!
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Jerusalem
That’s so awesome that you were able to go to Israel. I would love to do a tour of that region. Jericho would be so cool to see in person, having read about it since I was young!
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) recently posted..Brewery of the Month: Berkshire Brewing Company
Hey Ellen! Great meeting you the other night
I hope you make it here one day.
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Jerusalem
I really want to visit. All these places look beautiful.
Bobbi Lee Hitchon recently posted..10 photos of Queen Elizabeth II’s travels
I hope you make it there Bobbi!
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Jerusalem
So much history! Israel looks amazing.
Dean recently posted..Canoeing Through Sea Caves in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
It sure is Dean!
Megan recently posted..Cambodia Off the Beaten Path
I absolutely LOVE Palestine! I’ve been there for a total of 2 years over 7 trips and it became my ‘second home’. I’ve done a lot of traveling and still find the Palestinians to be the most friendly, giving, and welcoming people in the world. It’s also incredibly interesting and beautiful. There’s so much injustice going on there – much we don’t read about in mainstream media – and seeing it in person, you will be amazed. I highly recommend putting Palestine on your travel list.
My first entry about ‘Lessons from Abroad’ came from Palestine.
Merna recently posted..Lessons from Abroad: How to Choose a Spouse
So great to hear Merna! I agree, the people I met there were very kind and friendly. I’m so glad I made the trip there.
Glad that you added Palestine onto your itinerary. Plenty of people skip it which often upsets me. Such an incredible area with so much history and so much happening there today. I lived in Tel Aviv for 4 months and worked for an Israeli-Palestinian organization so I visited several times and always wish I’d spent more time in Palestine.
Wow – what a great experience Adam! I wish I had more time there but I agree, the people in Palestine are so friendly and kind.
Megan recently posted..Local Life Along the Elbe
Please forgive me, but I’ve looked at all my maps, checked online, looked at Google Earth with the borders turned on, and I can’t find a country named Palestine anywhere in the Middle East. Is it closer to Egypt? Or closer to Syria? What is the name of the capital city of Palestine, and what form of government do they have there? Is it a modern free multi-party democracy?
I see Israel, Egypt with the Sinai Peninsula, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon… but no Palestine.
Wikipedia.. in its topic “Middle East” does not have Palestine among the list of countries of the Middle East.
Where is Palestine ?
Great question!! You will not find it on the official maps, and that’s because it was officially there instead of Israel! They can’t put there because it was and still occupied! Yet they can’t delete it from our hearts, history… It will be shine again soon… Justice will win someday!
Great question!! You will not find it on the official maps, and that’s because it was officially there instead of Israel! They can’t put there because it was and still occupied! Yet they can’t delete it from our hearts, history… It will be shine again soon… Justice will win someday!!