Israel and You Spaces and Places in Israel
Best wishes and “Eid Mubarak” to our Muslim friends on the occasion of Eid el Adha 2013.
Itinerary of an extended Muslim Tour of Israel and Palestine provided by Levy Tours.
DAY 1, Tel Aviv / Jaffa
Arriving at the Ben Gourion airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and drive to tour the old city of Jaffa, one of the ancient gateways to the Holy Land: Through its port the Cedar trees for Salomon’s Temple (Bait el Muqqades) were brought, the prophet Jonas tried to flee God, and it was in Jaffa where Allah’s word began to be spread among the nations through Nabi Butrus. Today Jaffa’s renovated alley-ways attract many artists, who have their galleries there. We now drive through the modern city Tel Aviv, to Maqam Sidna Ali, located on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The mosque was originally a 13th century Mameluk construction built in honor of one of Saladin’s Lieutenants who fought bravely against the Crusaders and died in a battle on the hill on which the mosque now stands. His shrine is now housed within the building. Later enjoining from Israel’s economic and cultural center of Tel Aviv. dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 2, Jerusalem
Breakfast at hotel, Today, we shall dedicate the first part of the day to visit and join the holy prayer and participate in the Hutba at the Al Aqsa Mosque. We will have a guided tour of the Haram esh-Sharif, learning about its historical & architectonical background, as well as the many legends told about the holy Al Aqsa Mosque & The Dome of the Rock, “whose precincts We did bless” – Al Qur’an el Kareem, Sura 17, verse 1. From here we continue along the colorful “Suq” (bazaar) to the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus, where the Khalif Omar met the Bishop Sophronius and prayed outside, in order not to desecrate the Holy City. We shall also visit the Omar Mosque, situated just outside the church and commemorating that event. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to see some of the archaeological excavations made there, such as the Roman Cardo, and then, if open to visitors, visit King David’s tomb – a place holy for Muslims, Jews and Christians. We end the day at the famous Western (“Wailing”) Wall, where we can see Jews from all over the world, in their different dresses, coming to pray near the last remnants of their temple. dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 3, Jerusalem
Breakfast at hotel, We start the day at the different Mosques on top of the Mt. of Olives. From here there is a panoramic view over Jerusalem’s Old City, with the magnificent Dome of the Rock in its center. Then we walk/drive down to the marble-memorial of Mujir-e-Din al Hanbaly, a medieval philosopher, located just above the Tomb of Sitt Mariam (Mary) in the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we drive out of the city to visit Maqam e-Nebi Samuel, Tomb of the Prophet Samuel, which is holy for all 3 main monotheistic religions. There is a wide view towards the Holy City, Jerusalem, and towards the Mediterranean Sea from this historic place. We end the day with a short hike in the Masrek Nature Reserve, visiting the Tomb of Salman el Farsi, who was the personal Barber of the Prophet Mohammed, peace shall be upon him. Due to the holiness of the site, the goats were kept off it, enabling some giant pine-trees to grow there. dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 4, Nablus / Ramalla
Breakfast at hotel, Today we will visit in Nablus, The Old City: There are ancient religious shrines, which date back to ages and visit the old Palestinian market. We also visit Mount Gerizim: It is a well known sacred spot in the city. The history of the mountain dates back to the ancient periods. It is located by the side of the West Bank in Nablus city. The mountain is a very sacred spot for the people of the Samaritan communities. Then we drive to Ramallah, where we visit the “White Mosque” dedicated to Nabi Salach, one of the prophets who spoke against the infidels already before the time of Mohammed. The place is also famous for the underground “Arches Pool” nearby (currently not open). dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 5, Bethlehem / Hebron
Breakfast at hotel, In Hebron (El Halil) we visit the holy Haram el Halil, burial place of Ibraim el Halil, Isaac, and Jacob (Nabi Yaakub) and their spouses. We will also seize this opportunity to pray at this holy place. Although we will make any effort to enable your visit at this so important site, this visit can be cancelled without prior notice due to the regulations of the authorities at the site. From here we continue to Bethlehem and see the Church of the Nativity, and below it the stable-cave of Jesus Birth. At the rest of the day we enjoining from the colorful of the city. dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 6, Jericho / Dead Sea / Masada
Breakfast at hotel, We will visit the site of Nabi Moussa, where a medieval tradition places the tomb of Nabi Moussa (Moses). Until the time of the British mandate in Palestine this place was famous for “Ziyarat Nabi Moussa” that was held here during the spring, and included a colorful march from Jerusalem to this site, and a week of prayers and other festive activities. Drive to Jericho, where you will visit the magnificent “Hisham’s Palace” – one of the most well preserved monuments of the Early Muslim Era in Palestine. This palace is mainly famous for its colorful and realistic mosaics that beautify the floor in the Palace’s “Diwan”. After drive to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend Masada by cable car and visit the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 7, Caesarea / Haifa / Akko / Tiberius
Breakfast at hotel, Today we leave Jerusalem. Our first stop as we travel north will be Caesarea by the Sea, once capital of the Roman province, and see the Roman and Crusader remains and the harbor. We continue to drive along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to Haifa, the beautiful city situated on the slopes of the ever-green Mt. Carmel. This place is famous for its view, including the view of the Baha’i Gardens, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Drive to the oriental city of Akko (Acre), an ancient, well-preserved port-city, full of controversies. After entering the Old City through the thick walls that symbolize the Islamic victory over the “Emperor” – Napoleon Bonaparte, we visit the very well preserved “Knights Halls” which were buried under the Muslim city. We will also visit the Turkish “Hammam” (Bath) where a state-of-the-art audiovisual show leads you through its chambers, and make the “good old days” come alive… All those sites are in, around, and under the living oriental Bazaar with its colors and odors of the East. We will not miss, of course, a visit and a prayer at the glorious Al Jazzar Mosque, which became one of the symbols of the city. The mosque is also famous for keeping some hairs of the Prophet’s beard! . dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
DAY 8, Tiberius / Baniass
Breakfast at hotel, Near Tiberius, we will visit the archaeological park of the Tiberius Hot Springs, active from the Roman Era and until this very time!!! We will learn about the Roman Ghosts and the Arab Jinnys that apparently lived there… We continue along the Eastern Bank of the Sea of Galilee to Baniass, an ancient Greco-Roman city on one of the sources of the Jordan River, today a Nature Reserve, where you can walk in the dense wood along the sprinkling water, and enjoy the different archaeological findings ranging from the Greco-Roman period, to the times of the Crusaders and the Turks. On the cliff overlooking the Baniass you can see the Holy Site dedicated to the Prophet Al Hader. We climb even higher to Qala’at Namrud – a Muslim Fortress at the slopes of Mt. Hermon (Jebel-e-Sheikh), overlooking all of the Hula Valley, the Upper Galilee, and all the way to the Lebanon. This view made it the main Muslim stronghold that withheld the Crusader Kingdom from spreading further to the North. This fortress is so big; that legend has it that it was built by Namrud, the ancient giant who tried through this fortress to defy Allah himself! dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
DAY 9, Tiberius / Sea of Galilee
Breakfast at hotel, Our day will start with the “Horns of Hittin”, overlooking the blue Sea of Galilee, where Salach-e-Din had his glorious victory over the Crusaders, we will visit the Tomb of Nabi Shuaib (Jethro) – The father-in-law of Nebi Moussa, who helped him in fighting the infidel Midianites, and fled from them to hide in this cave. This place is also a very holy place for the Druze. Continue to boat ride from Tiberius to Capernaum; there you will see an ancient synagogue and St. Peter’s house, which was later converted, into a church. Also by the shore you will visit Tabgha with the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy and the ancient mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount is remembered. dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
DAY 10, Departure
Breakfast at hotel, Transfer to the Ben Gourion airport for departure, we leave this land today with memories never to be forgotten.
Please note: You can change the program and add days tour and sites throughout Palestine and Israel, it also possible to change the trip according to departure and arrival
Levy Tours & Travels
7 Dov Sadan St. Jerusalem, Israel
Phone: + 972 52 3100078
