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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