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Worldwide brochure 2022-2023

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ISRAEL & THE OPT • MIDDLE EAST<br />

Discover Israel & the OPT<br />

Stretching along the eastern Mediterranean<br />

coastline and pushing down to touch the<br />

tip of the Red Sea, Israel and the Occupied<br />

Palestinian Territories (OPT) pack many<br />

layers of history into a relatively small area.<br />

It’s a land full of powerful stories, which are<br />

brought to life in the ancient remains and<br />

biblical sites scattered throughout.<br />

From the dynamic modern city of Tel Aviv<br />

with its vibrant nightlife, street cafes and<br />

Mediterranean beaches, venture north to<br />

the biblical sites around the Sea of Galilee,<br />

the old Crusader stronghold of Acre and the<br />

terraced gardens of Baha’i Shrine in Haifa.<br />

To the south lies the Dead Sea, the desert<br />

fortress of Masada, and the beach resort<br />

of Eilat on the Red Sea coast. However, the<br />

jewel in the crown has to be the ancient city<br />

of Jerusalem, with a history stretching back<br />

more than 3,000 years.<br />

Jerusalem<br />

Western Wall, Jerusalem<br />

Temples, churches & historical sites •<br />

Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial<br />

Situated in the Judean Hills, the strategic<br />

importance of this city has made it a muchfought-over<br />

prize. Many rulers have left<br />

their mark in the form of synagogues,<br />

churches, mosques, minarets and shrines.<br />

With monuments sacred to all three major<br />

monotheistic religions, the city is of significant<br />

importance for Christians, Jews and Muslims<br />

alike. Outside the walls of the old city, the Yad<br />

Vashem centre is Israel's official memorial to<br />

the victims of the Holocaust.<br />

Bethlehem<br />

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem<br />

Church of the Nativity, supposed birthplace<br />

of Jesus<br />

Just south of Jerusalem lies the Palestinian<br />

city of Bethlehem, home to one of the oldest<br />

continuously operating churches in the world,<br />

the Church of the Nativity. Inside, the Grotto<br />

of the Nativity is thought to be the actual cave<br />

where Jesus was born, the spot indicated by<br />

a 14-point star. The church itself is the focal<br />

point of Manger Square, a major gathering<br />

point for worshippers at Christmas, and just<br />

outside Bethlehem the Shepherds’ Fields can<br />

be visited.<br />

Ancient port and marina of Acre<br />

The North Coast<br />

& the Sea of Galilee<br />

Crusader fortifications in Acre • Baha’i<br />

terraced gardens in Haifa<br />

The Mediterranean city of Haifa is home to the<br />

resplendent gold-domed Baha’i Shrine and<br />

Persian Gardens. Further north, the walled city<br />

of Acre has 12th-century Crusader remains. In<br />

the town of Nazareth, where Mary learned from<br />

the angel Gabriel that she was to have a child,<br />

visit the Church of Joseph and the Basilica of the<br />

Annunciation. Biblical sites around the Sea of<br />

Galilee include Tabgha, site of the miracle of the<br />

loaves and fishes; and the Mount of Beatitudes.<br />

For more information or to book, contact us on 020 3930 5211 or speak to your travel agent<br />

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