Golden Spirit Tours -

BETHLEHEM

Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ and a major site of Pilgrimage; and in biblical tradition, the childhood home of David, who was named king here as he tended his father’s sheep. It is mentioned 47 times in the Bible, firstly as Ephrata in connection with the death of Rachel.

• CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY CHURCH: The original church was constructed under the patronage of Constantine’s mother, Saint Helena, who came on a pilgrimage in 325 AD to investigate the sites associated with the life of Jesus Christ which had been revered since the early days of Christianity.
• MILK GROTTO:A hollowed-out grotto of soft white rock. According to tradition, the Milk Grotto is the place where Virgin Mary nursed her Baby Jesus here, and a few drops of milk fell on the floor, turning the rocks white. The Milk Grotto is venerated by Christian and Muslims.
• BEIT SAHOUR:  Life in Beit Sahour was long before biblical times, as far back as the Bronze Age. It is usually highlighted on the traditional tourist itinerary as the home of the Shepherds Fields, where the angels are said to have visited the shepherds to foretell the birth of Jesus.
• SHEPHERDS FIELD: is the site where the angel of the Lord appeared before the shepherds bringing them the good tidings of the birth of Jesus, joined with a multitude of heavenly hosts, who sang “Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth, Peace among men”.
• SAINT THEODOSIUS MONASTERY: Tradition has it that the wise men rested here after God warned them in a dream that they should not return to Herod.
• MAR SABA MONASTERY: Built into the rock overlooking the Kidron Valley, this magnificent monastery is a spectacular sight when it first comes into view. It preserves a way of life unchanged since the time of Constantine, and maintains a tradition of not allowing women to enter. The monastery was founded by Saint Saba (439-532) the great monastic leader of the Byzantine period.
• HERODION: Built in a circular shape on the top of a hill that dominates the landscape and offers an impressive view of the Dead Sea. It includes the remains of a huge palace built by King Herod for his wife. The place contained luxurious, round walled buildings, fortified chambers, baths, and terraced gardens.
• ARTAS: The name Artas is derived from the Latin word Hortus meaning Paradise. It has a breathtaking view of the spectacular Convent of Hortus Conclusus (closed garden), the surrounding hills and terraced green fields.
• SOLOMON’S POOLS: Hidden among very tall pine trees in a small valley, Solomon’s Pools consist of three huge rectangular reservoirs of stone and masonry that can hold 160,000 cubic meters of water. Although tradition attributes these to King Solomon, the pools almost certainly date from the time of Herod, and many have been conceived by Pontius Pilate. In the past, the reservoirs collected spring and rainwater and pumped it to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. QAL’AT AL_BURAK (Ottoman fortress) is located near the pools.
• BEIT JALA: It has been known as home to Saint Nicolas since the early Christian era. Beit Jala means “grass carpet” in Aramic. Beit Jala is distinguished for its first rate Olive Oil. It is the home of two theological seminaries and numerous old churches and convents, including the Church of Saint Nicolas, Church of Annunciation, Church of Virgin Mary, and the Salesian Monastery of Cremisan that is reputed for its excellent wine.

HEBRON

Hebron is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world. Its Arabic name, Khalil al-Rahman, means “the Friend of God”. Hebron is closely identified with Abraham and is regarded as holy by Christians, Muslims and Jews. The OLD TOWN OF HEBRON is one of the oldest towns in Palestine. The market, or Souq, with its arched roofs and maze of alleys is definitely worth exploring. The shops and stalls sell everything from pottery, olivewood, blown glass, and a wide array of aromatic spices and dried fruits.

• THE MOSQUE OF ABRAHAM: Hebron’s most important site is the Haram al-Khalil, which stands in the same place a Byzantine church built by Justinian once stood. It is a formidable rectangular building, which looks like a fortress. The construction of the walls and pavement is the work of King Herod.
• OAK OF ABRAHAM: Known in biblical tradition as Mamre, the Oak of Abraham marks the legendary site where Abraham pitched his tent. According to biblical tradition, this is where three angels told Abraham that his barren wife Sarah would give birth to a son. Christian tradition also identifies this as a resting place of Joseph and Mary on their way back from Egypt. Until recently, pilgrims used to peel pieces of the trunk for good luck. Now, however, the Russian Orthodox Church who owns the site and the nearby monastery has wrapped the trunk with steel braces for protection.

RAMALLAH

Throughout history Ramallah was considered a passageway to cities in the north like Nablus and Nazareth. Home of the Palestinian Parliament, Ramallah is a fast-growing cosmopolitan town famous for its lively town center, museums, art galleries, theatres, parks, booming restaurants and a bustling nightlife. It is also has a pleasant, cool climate.

NABLUS

Nablus was founded by the Roman Emperor Titus in honor of his father Flavius Vespasian. It was called Flavia Neapolis, the “New City”, until the Arabs took the town and changed its name to Nablus. Today, Nablus is considered a major commercial, industrial and agricultural center in the West Bank. Olive oil soap, produced from olive oil and caustic soda, is a Nabulsi specialty, which has been produced for more than 250 years. Nablus is also renowned for its Kenafa, a tasty oriental pastry.

• JACOB’S WELL: The place where Jesus met the Samaritan woman who offered Him water. Jacob dug the well for himself, his children, and his flock on a plot of land he bought upon his return from Mesopotamia. The Crusaders restored it over the well. Today, it stands within the walled complex of the Greek Orthodox Monastery.
• SEBASTIA: The ancient royal city of Sebastia, or Samaria, is one of the largest archeological sites in Palestine. The ruins of ancient Sebastia extend on a hill overlooking the present village of Sebastia. According to religious tradition, the head of John the Baptist was found here.
• MOUNT GERIZIM: Offers a magnificent panoramic view of Nablus and the surrounding area. The Samaritans, one of the oldest and tiniest religious minorities in the Holy Land, hold Mount Gerizim as sacred.
• TELL DOTHAN: The impressive Tell Dothan is the site where Joseph was sold by his brothers to some Ishmaelite trades who took him to Egypt.

THE FERTILE TRIANGLE

The agriculturally rich northen West Bank governorates of Jenin, Tulkarem & Qalqilia are the breadbasket of Palestine.

• JENIN: A picturesque town built on the slopes of a hill and surrounded with gardens of carob, fig, and palm trees, it is a distinguished agricultural town producing an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
• BURQIN: The village of Burqin contains the ruins of a Byzantine church and the cave where the lepers, who were healed by Jesus, once lived. The church has been restored several times and is still being used by the village’s Christian Greek Orthodox community.
• QALQILYA: A Canaanite city whose name is derived from Roman castle known as Qala’alia. This small town has the only zoo in Palestine.
• TULKAREM: The original name is Tur Karm, meaning the Mountain of Generosity due to its fertile land. This prosperous town was originally inhabited by the Canaanites.