This exclusive itinerary takes the visitor on a fantastic exploration to one of the most debated territories of the Middle East, starting from the Canaanite civilization (2nd millennium BC) and up to the present moment.
The turn of events in this area largely attributes to its rich religious history. After all, Palestine is one of the most meaningful places that witnessed three monotheistic religions. This trip will speak volumes about those significant moments, counterpointed by the arid lands that hosted Christian Hermits and Muslim Sufis.
The itinerary will be enlivened by three parallel stories shared by Palestinians. The visitors will get distinctive insight into the exquisite cultural and historical aspects, as well as experience local life and entertainment – all while tasting the superb local food.
Last but not least is… nature. Most of this travel will go alongside one of the most iconic valleys: the Jezreel Valley ( Marj Ibn Āmir in Arabic), also known as the Valley of Megiddo.
Every sensation will be enhanced by the unique hospitality of local families, surrounded by the heartwarming nature, in an environment that discloses old wounds but more importantly reveals the remedies of the will.
Rozana Association provides customer service and assistance throughout visits. CONTACT for more info.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP
Day 1
TEL AVIV- MUKHMAS (NEAR JERUSALEM)
The visitors will gather near the exit from Ben Gurion Airport. Meeting with the guide and the private bus used for the whole travel. Transfer to Mukhmas where the visitors will have the precious opportunity to be welcomed as guest, have dinner and spend the night in the house of one of the families of the village. 1st gastronomic taste.
Day 2
JERUSALEM OLD CITY
Transfer to hotel in Jerusalem. Then it is possible to walk inside the walls and visit the main monuments and religious places: Church oh Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount, Western Wall, tour of the Old City and its Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian quarters, tour of the walls, Tower of David, Ramparts walk, Mardigian museum of Armenian culture. The members of Nabi Samuel Women Society in the old city will prepare and teach to the guests how to realize a traditional dish and how to dance the traditional Arabic Dabka. 2nd gastronomic taste and return to the hotel for the night.
Day 3
JERUSALEM - BETHLEHEM
After breakfast, transfer to Bethlehem. The morning is dedicated to the City. Will start with a visit of the old Ottoman Centre, its antique corners and its quarters (in Arabic: harat) built around squares by familiar clans flourished in the past centuries. Within the narrow streets is possible to admire: old oil presses, the Dar Mansour Ottoman house, the Greek Catholic Church, the African quarter. The Church of the Nativity and the close Milk Grotto with its popular belief of fertility are the natural target of all the tourists. The Old Bethlehem home museum, run by the Arab Women’s Union will give the feeling of the old traditional Palestinian life from the time of Christ. In the afternoon the group will head to Dheisha camp to meet the refugees, know their history and life, visit the Dheisha Creativity Center and take part to the activities of the center (dances, design, realization of handicrafts and have dinner there (4th gastronomic taste) before returning to the guesthouse. In the evening, the Bonjour Café is a relaxing place and Cosmos in the Olive Tree Tourist Village is a night club to dance and listen music.
Day 4
BETHLEHEM – SANUR – ARRABA
The visit to Bethlehem will continue in the morning. In the afternoon the visitors will start for Arraba, where are waited by a very welcoming home, able to give them a lesson and taste of a superb 4th gastronomic specialty. In the evening they can enjoy a walk inside the lively town centre full of street food shops and in the Municipality park with its entertainments and pool on the open air (in summer!).
Day 5
ARRABA – BURQIN
Morning: Visit of Abd Al-Hadi palaces to learn the story about ruling families during Ottoman period and British mandate. Later on meeting with local artists to learn the “Arabic Names Writing”, with a local painter, and learn about traditional Palestinian herbal medication with Basema Al-Arda. Visit of the Alhufeira historic area on Dothan hill - date back to Byzantine and Canaanite periods, and move to Sanour village. In Sanur, tour in one of the oldest and formidable castles in the area and visit to Al-Fakhara traditional pottery workshop. From Sanur to Burqin village, for meet welcoming hosts and enjoy an evening meal (5th gastronomic taste) followed by a night in one of the excellent homestays
Day 6
BURQUIN- SEBASTYA - NABLUS
Visit of Burqin, the outstanding Orthodox Church of St. George (called “of the Ten Lepers” for the tales that in Burqin Jesus made the miracle of healing the ten lepers) and the Al- Khoukha palace built by Jarrar family. Direction to Sebastia, another jewel of Palestinian heritage. In the tourist centre will be possible attend to several classes like mosaic or Arabic bread making. Visit of sufi shrines and learn their stories. The core of the visit is the local important archaeological site, inclusive of Roman forum, basilica, stadium, theatre and colonnade, beyond Greek and Hellenistic finds and the Bizantine Church of Discovery. In the Old Town is possible to admire the Nabi Yahia mosque, built on the St John Baptist cathedral (XII century), the dome tombs, the village oven. Afternoon: Nablus, the Palestine former capital under Ottoman domination. A meeting with one of the social organizations Women’s Corner or Haneen project will introduce to the city, and after spare time for strolling and shopping along the old centre of Al-Qasaba, An-Naser street, Jama’a Al-Kabir and the souk. Transfer to Yafa Cultural Centre Guesthouse, in the close Balata Refugees camp, for catch the opportunity to have a good accommodation, learn more about Palestinian refugees and enjoy a traditional dinner and cookery training (6th gastronomic taste).
Day 7
NABLUS - JERICHO
After breakfast, transfer to Jericho after a visit to Bethania, where the Gospel locates the home of Marta and Maria and the place of the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus. There can be visited: the tomb of Lazarus, the Greek Orthodox church, the Al-Ozir mosque and the Khan Al-Ahmar (Monastery of St Euthymius). In Jericho, the group will stroll in the old centre with the historical sycamore (the tree climbed by Zacchaeus to see Jesus) and the mosaic center, before getting up on the telepherique to the interesting Monastery of Temptations (from which Jesus was tempted by the Devil) with all the monks’ cellars and a superb view of the landscape. A traditional Palestinian meal (8th gastronomic taste) will be served for dinner in the Al-Bakri guesthouse where the group will sleep.
Day 8
JERICHO-TEL AVIV
The day starts with a breakfast in a Bedouin tent and a taste of the special handmade Arabic coffee that will give the group the energy to walk to the remains of the historic palace of Herodos and start the transfer along the Wadi Al-Qilt to reach the historic Saint George monastery. A traditional lunch will then be served at the local YWCA, before going to Tel Aviv airport and returning home.
The rate of the organized tour (min 12 people) includes:
Equipment & Supplies:
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