A Three Day Christian Travel Guide of Israel:
If this is your first time traveling to Israel and you want to see as much as you can in just 3 days, then this here is your 3 day travel guide. And when I am talking about 3 days, I mean 3 days set aside for traveling around Israel, not including flying in or crossing borders.
What you will need to accomplish this 3 day trip:
- a vehicle - you can rent a vehicle or if you have a travel guide, pick one that is licensed to drive a private vehicle.
- a GPS - Waze (which was created in Israel) or Google Maps are two great apps to have. You will need some data on your phone for this.
- some cash (you can exchange money in the airport or you can put out Israeli shekels from an ATM machine with your credit card)
Also I am assuming that you are beginning your travels from Tel Aviv (a city close to the airport, in the center of Israel) or somewhere in the center of Israel.
Day 1 Itinerary:
Caesarea
Nazareth Village
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Caesarea is one of many beautiful ports in Israel that sit along the Mediterranean Sea. The history of Caesarea date back to the Roman Empire period and hosts incredible architecture that can transport you several centuries back.
Can you guess which two Biblical events took place in Caesarea? One is when Peter visited Cornelius, and the other is when Paul was tried before being sent to Rome.
Nazareth Village is located within the now large city of Nazareth. Before it was such, Nazareth was just a small Galilean town where Yeshua (Jesus) grew up. The Nazareth Village re-creates what a Biblical village would have looked like back in the time of Yeshua.
Time permitting, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee is a must! You can catch a boat from either Tiberias or Nof Ginosar. A boat ride usually lasts about an hour on the water.
Day 2 Itinerary:
Magdala
Capernaum
Jordan River - Yardenit
Mount of Olives
Garden of Gethsemane
Magdala is the town where Mary Magdalene would have come from. It has only recently been discovered when they were going to build a hotel on this empty plot of land. As they began to dig, they found a whole village underground! Past of their discovery was a synagogue that Yeshua (Jesus) would have preached in, a market and some homes.
Capernaum should ring a bell. Yeshua (Jesus) healed Peter's mother in law in this little fishing village that sits along the Sea of Galilee. These are some ancient ruins date back several several years.
The Jordan River is part of Israel's story from Old Testament to New Testament. It is a very significant river that runs from the Galilee down to the Dead Sea in the desert. At Yardenit, they have change rooms and showers if you would be interested in getting baptized.
Then to travel to Jerusalem from the Galilee, it takes about 2 hours. More, if there is bad traffic.
From the Mount of Olives there is a stunning view of the Old City of Jerusalem! From the top there is a path (little bit steep!) where you can walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane. In this garden they have olive trees that are getting close to a thousand years old!
Day 3 Itinerary:
City of David
Old City of Jerusalem which includes:
Western Wall
Mount Zion
Cardo
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Arab Markets
Jaffa Gate
City of David is an archaeological site with cisterns and tunnels! It dates back almost 3000 years! It is an incredible discovery of ancient Jerusalem, from the time of King David.
The Old City of Jerusalem, which is surrounded by ancient walls contains many interesting places to discover:
Within the Old City is the Western Wall, which is a wall from the ancient Temple where the Ark of the Covenant in Holy of Holies were within. People come to the Western Wall to pray, even leaving prayers on paper and stuffing it into the wall.
Jerusalem has been conquered and rebuilt several times. The Cardo is a level of Jerusalem that dates to the time Yeshua/Jesus would of walked the streets.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is an ancient church in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. It dates back to the 4th century. Within this church is a traditional site of where it is believed that Yeshua/Jesus was buried and resurrected.
Arab markets which are located in the Arab quarter of the Old City have a lot of relics, food. and souvenirs. And be ready to haggle, you are in the Middle East after all.
By the Jaffa Gate, you can stop for tea at Christ Church or visit the Tower of David. Plus there are shops and cafes to enjoy.
The Old City of Jerusalem is a fascinating place for exploring, discovering the past, tasting some Middle Eastern food, and shopping for souvenirs.
So that is my recommendation for a 3 day whirlwind trip of Israel. And you will have to come back, because there is more to see and explore!
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