10 Ways To Spend A Weekend In Jerusalem | Jerusalem Travel Guide

With the all the religious sites in Jerusalem, you would think all there is to do on a visit to Jerusalem were pilgrimage activities. That couldn't be far from the truth. I have had quite a few trips to Jerusalem so I thought I would do a Jerusalem travel guide on things to see and do on a weekend in Jerusalem. There is so much to life in Jerusalem beyond the visits to the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Holy Sepulchre and many other religious sites Jerusalem is famous for.  Below is a list of places to visit, things to do, places to eat and hotel in Jerusalem. Also including the popular. You can, of course, do a day trip to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and I have also done it all the way from Shlomi and Nahariya in the north of Israel boarding Lebanon. Israel is small enough to go from North to South is as few as 4-5 hours.

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Haas-Sherover Promenade +[Best View Point In Jerusalem]

I am heading back to visit Israel again next month so I thought I would update you on my previous trip earlier in the year before I add to the backlog of posts to come. This post is showcasing places with the best views in the Holy Land aka Jerusalem. Jerusalem has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. I love that with each visit to Jerusalem I discover something new.  I hope you enjoyed my discovery of Jerusalem's Umbrella project in my recent post on Jerusalem's Instrammable streets. Haas-Sherover and many other viewing decks in Jerusalem were all part of my discovery and adventures on the last visit to Israel.

A visit to Jerusalem is not complete without visiting Western Wall and Dome of the Rock. In addition that you might also add places with the best views in Jerusalem. One such please with a great view of Jerusalem is Haas Sherover. I picked this place as it was said to be usually quiet and not too crowded with tourists. It didn't disappoint as we were only sharing it was another couple who were too busy making out to notice anyone else and another lady lost in the world of a book sat on a bench. So I guess you could say we had this place to ourselves.

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The Umbrella Project | Exploring Jerusalem's Instagrammable Streets

I visit Israel at least once a year so I thought I would add to the blog a few more Israel travel tips to my installments on the country. When one thinks of Jerusalem, the mind conjures up religious sites and with that, the contentious topics that go hand in hand with all the Holy Land one would think there is nothing to see and do but religious sites. I can certainly tell you there is more to the city than that. It's a beautiful city filled with a mix of people, great food, and beautiful sites. With that in mind, I thought I would share with you this little-hidden gem in the holy city of Jerusalem. While trying to figure out things to see and do in Jerusalem among sites like Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the markets, you might want to add Yoel Moshe Solomon Street in the Nachalat Shiva District. You will find a collection of art galleries, jewellery shops and cafes under the umbrellas. I will be sharing more Israel travel tips as I have another trip to Israel coming up in November that will cover a lot more of the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem travel.

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10 Reasons You Need To Visit Tel Aviv Now

Mediterranean vacations are almost synonymous with European getaways, well the Med is bigger than that, reaching the African shore as well as Middle-Eastern shores. One Mediterranean getaway that you need to add to your wanderlust is  a visit to Israel's Tel Aviv. With 300 days of sunshine, long stretch of beautiful sandy beaches, great nightlife, cuisine, art, and culture, you just cannot go wrong. Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 as a suburb north of the ancient city of Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port in the world. So whether you are in the mood for a beach-bumming vacation for some rest and relaxation or soaking up on culture, there is something for everyone. With hotels in Tel Aviv catering to all budgets. If you need further convincing of why your next Mediterranean vacation needs to to be in this Middle-Eastern gem, how about 10 whole reasons why you need to book flights Tel Aviv now! 

1. Surfs Up - Beaches!

Long stretches of sandy beaches, perfect for sun-seekers, water sports enthusiast, sunset or people watching. Tel Aviv's west side faces the Mediterranean Sea with miles and miles of beaches. From family friendly, quiet and peaceful, to beaches catering to young, hip and ready for a party. You can rent snorkeling or surfing equipment to kayaks as well as sun loungers. If you are up for exploring the beaches, there are bike rentals nearby. If you want a hote right on the beach there is that too. Read on!

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Floating in Israel's Dead Sea

I hope I haven't spoiled you too much with pictures from my road trip around Israel. One of our last stops a few days before leaving Israel was of course the Dead Sea. Also known as the Salt Sea. You cannot visit the Holy Land and not visit the Dead Sea. Why, it would almost be sinful. The Dead Sea serves as a backdrop for many events in biblical times. A place of refuge for King David who hid from King Saul, the prophet Ezekiel had visions here and this was also a health resort for Herod the Great. The story of Masada also happened only a stone's throw from here and overlooks the Dead Sea and a striking sight set in Israel's Judean Dessert combining history, geology and archaeology. 

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Middle-Eastern Weekend |Tales From Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is vibrant and alive with buzzing culture, a beautiful sun-kissed Mediterranean promenade filled with sun worshipers in an unexpectedly modern city. With traffic gridlocks that would match that of London, its a good thing too that you have the equivalent of Boris bikes in Tel Aviv. This makes exploring a lot easier but we took to the sights on foot after parking the car. In about 5 years time you will be able to explore the whole of Israel on a bike with the proposed 100km national bike trail. The promenade is filled with skaters and runners, ice-cream touting kids on the block, cafes, restaurants, designer shops and night clubs, most of which are open 24 hours. Tel Aviv also seems to be a place where a lot of Israelis living out of town come for weekend entertainment and relation. The city also comes alive at night with party-loving Tel Avivans mingling in the coolest bars around town.

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Haifa | Peace and Harmony in the Ba'hai Gardens

While road-tripping around Israel I also had my sights on Haifa, a city located north of Israel and the third largest city after Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. As we were staying in Shlomi, the drive was only about an hour if not less. With a population of a quarter of a million you will find all religions living in harmony here. One religion in particular that takes the show in Haifa is the BaHai Faith. A monotheisic religion that emphasizes the spiritual unity of humankind - basically that we all have the same spiritual sources and come from the same God, that all humans are equal, that diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance. I can't argue with that. If only we as people operated that way, the world would be far more peaceful today. Also considering that Israel's population is mainly made up of Jews, it's quite astonishing to find Bahai taking center stage in Haifa with the beautiful gardens on Mount Carmel. Nearly a million people visit the gardens each year, but the faith is still considered relative new. Started by a Persian 200 years ago, spreading from Iran now with 7 million practitioners around the world today, its a shame that believers are still being persecuted in countries such as Iran and many others in the Middle East. The first leader of the faith was shunned by the Shia clergy and executed in less than 10 years of the movement starting.

The efforts to increase fellowship were continued, which led to the name Baha'u'allah by Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri who also wrote to Pop Pious IX, Queen Victoria, Napolean III but he too was also banished to the Ottoman Empire's most infamous prisons located in Akko(Arce). This was after fleeing from persecution in Tehran, Istanbul, Badgbad and with conflict between the Babis(practioners of Bahai faith) arising it also wasn't long before the Ottoman authorities banished Bahais to Acre in Palestine(1868), the city is now part of Israel. This is also another beautiful city I visited while I was in Israel(post to come). It is considered to be one of the world's oldest cities to have been constantly inhabited and now seen as the birthplace of the Bahai faith. Each follower of the religion is required to make at least one pilgrimage to two of the most holy sites; in Haifa and Akko both of which are in Israel.

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48 hours in Jerusalem

Within the walls of the Old Jerusalem there are sites of the world's most significant religious sites, all split into quarters: Muslim, Armenian, Jewish and Christian. All with layers upon layer of history just waiting to be uncovered, touched and experienced in full and total immersion. They say that a trip to Jerusalem changes you. Well, that was according to my boyfriend. Benjamin Disraeli said, "The view of Jerusalem is the history of the world; it is more, it is the history of the earth and of heaven". So you can just imagine my excitement when we finally made the 3-hour drive from Shlomi to Jerusalem. I was delighted to finally be visiting the city after dreaming about it for so long. To be taking the route that Christ took carrying the cross on his shoulders before crucifixion. Now, I don't think you have to be religious to understand just what an important city Jerusalem is. Its a place of intense sanctity for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Considering how significant this place for many religions it is a real shame that we can't all peacefully enjoy or benefit equally from it without many of the conflicts that have spewed here. 

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Shlomi | A Sanctuary Overlooking Lebanese Mountains

My 100th post!!! How fitting that I finally get to post pictures from my trip around Israel on my 100th. I have been a little overwhelmed with pictures from trips I have taken but not yet posted about. Looking through them and trying to decide what to post first has caused me to steer clear from them, instead I opted for what seemed easier; London. I hope you enjoyed posts covering some of my favorite spots in London. This is a first of a series of posts showcasing some of the places I visited in Israel.

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I am off to Israel!

I cannot hold in any longer. I am off to Isreal!!! Well, in exactly 7 days I will be seeking not only sun, sea and sand, but a little spirituality as well. They say that a trip to Israel really changes you as a person, so I cannot wait to see it for myself, finally!  Also not to mention that there will be a  family reunion on the trip as well. As I normally plan everything to a 'T', this trip  is slightly different. Because there is a bit of reunion gathering so I will have to take things as they come.  We don't have concrete plans to visit particular places but I know there are places I don't want to leave without seeing. 

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