Description
Satisfy both your spirit and your palate on a perfect blend of Jerusalem and Bethlehem's spiritual sites and tasty delights.
Follow the pilgrim's journey to Jerusalem, where Jesus spent His last days and was crucified. Explore all four Quarters of Jerusalem's Old City, including the vibrant shuk where you will savor local delights, before visiting a local Jewish Orthodox home for a traditional Sabbath meal. Continue the journey to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, where a local monk will escort you to the Grotto.
Discover the cultural mosaic preserved in the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting all four Quarters – Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian, and behold their historic wonders. Touch the ancient stones, hear the Middle Eastern market vendors, and smell the incense wafting from the church doors as you wander through the cobbled streets.
Visit the Wailing Wall, the sole remnant of the 2nd Temple. The 2000-year-old wall was built by King Herod as part of the 2nd Temple's expansion, and ever since the Romans destroyed the 2nd Temple in 70 CE, Jews have prayed facing the holy wall. Walk past some Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, buried, and resurrected.
Stroll through Jaffa Gate, one of the Old City's seven open gates, in the Armenian Quarter. Guarded by the iconic, moated Tower of David, the Gate is named after the road that leads from it to the port city of Jaffa. The magic of the Muslim Quarter is to be found in its markets. Locals and tourists mingle and haggle over clothing, jewelry, religious artifacts, food and spices, antiques and souvenirs in centuries-old covered bazaars bursting with color. As you walk through the colorful and diverse market, enjoy some of the regional culinary delights that draw the locals to this market. Along the tour sample some local treats such as baklawa or halva, local bread with hyssop, and wash it all down with some fresh squeezed healthy juice.
Visit the home of a Jewish Orthodox family for a taste of the traditional Shabbat meal – the most important meal of the week. Its customs and traditions have been preserved for centuries by the Jewish Diaspora and included in the daily life of Jews at home in Israel.
After lunch, visit the birthplace of Jesus, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It is the oldest Christian church in daily use, dating back to the 4th century AD. Meet a local monk who will escort you to the Grotto where Jesus was born. Then have a short comfort stop to buy some souvenirs in a local shop before returning to the yacht in Ashdod.
Notes
The Old City is crowded and has over 100 steps. This Yachting Land Adventure is not suitable for guests with any walking challenges. Bethlehem is in the Palestinian Authority. A local guide will guide in the City. Guests with Israeli Passports need to send us a copy of their passport 8 days prior to arrival in order that we can arrange their entry to Bethlehem with the rest of the group. The visit to the Church is combined with shopping in the city.
There is a long line to the Grotto in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, time permitting there will be a visit to the Grotto. The monk escort to the Grotto is subject to the monk's availability. Please wear conservative attire – cover shoulders and knees. Wear comfortable walking shoes and adequate protection against the sun. Guests should indicate any food allergies or sensitivities a minimum of 3 days before departure. This itinerary may vary due to traffic conditions; length of tour might be affected.
This Yachting Land Adventure is offered on the first day of your call to Ashdod. A minimum participation is required to operate all Yachting Land Adventures, and some may have limited capacity. Please book early to avoid disappointment. All adventures in the SeaDream Yachting Land Adventures program are subject to change. Final departure times will be published on-board. Order of sights visited may vary to avoid congestion.
Duration
10.5 hour(s)
Price
629 (USD)
