Does anyone have tour guide suggestions for Jerusalem?

Question

I’m planning a trip to be there for 6 or 7 days in May. I am a Christian and would love to visit the old city and get a taste of how Muslims, Jews and Christians live there.

I would be going by myself, so I would prefer a group guide.

Also, suggestions on other parts of Israel to visit would be great.

Answer 1

the best option for you would be to either book a day tour at any of the hotels. it's a basic walking tour of the old city which helps you get oriented and then you can tour on your own using a guide book.

another option would be to hire a private guide. that would cost about 150-200 dollars for the day (for a walking tour, if you want a guide with a private car it would cost more). however, this way your tour is more adapted to your needs/wants and will give you a better insight into the place.







same applies to travelling to other parts of the country.





daily tours:



http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/main.asp?lngCategoryID=2727



private guides:



http://www.tour-guides.co.il/request.php

Answer 2

I'm also a Christian and have been to Palestine/Israel 7 times for a total of about 2 years (trips ranged from weeks to a year).



There is a Christian Information Center located near Jaffa Gate, across from the Tower of David. Their website is http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/cic/CICmainin.htm and there

they list Christian guesthouses. I lived in a West Bank village but when in Jerusalem, I've stayed at the Knights Palace a few times. It's in the Old City, close to New Gate and also not far from Jaffa Gate. Their website is http://www.knightspalace.com It's run by the Latin Patriarchate (Catholic) Church.



In the Old City, visit the sites most important to each of the faiths - the Holy Sepulchre (Christian), the Dome of the Rock (Muslim), and the Wailing Wall (Jew). The Old City is made up of 4 quarters so visit each: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian. Walk on top of the Old City wall for some nice views. Also visit the Garden Tomb, which is not far outside the Old City, by Damascus Gate.



If you'd prefer to go with a tour group rather than explore on your own, then contact the Christian Info Center to see if they have list of guides.



Do NOT take an Israeli operated tour company. As a Christian you'll want to see some of the sites within the West Bank (Palestine) and also learn more about Arab Christians there so be sure to ask for an Arab-run company!



Of course you'll want to go to Bethlehem, which is only about 5 km south of Jerusalem but a major checkpoint to go through between them. Also, the Dead Sea is amazing so spend some time floating on top of the water!



I really encourage you to get a tour group that visits a Palestinian city or village, and preferably one that includes meeting with local people. Ramallah is about 1/2 hour north of Jerusalem and a city. Within 15-20 minutes of there is the village of Taybeh (about 99% Christian) and Bir Zeit (about 60% Christian). Both beautiful villages worth visiting.



Be prepared to be surprised! What you read/see in the media is not all that is going on 'on the ground'. What the media often omits is the extent of the oppression and mistreatment of the Palestinians and what they have to live through. There's enough that speak English that you'll easily find someone to talk to. Ask questions - I've travelled a lot throughout the world and I must say the Palestinians are amongst the warmest, most helpful people I've ever encountered.



I haven't taken a tour myself but just did a search and found a couple of companies:

http://www.guidingstarltd.com/

http://www.awad-tours.com/

Probably best to contact the Christian Info Center for recommendations on Palestinian tour companies to get a longer list to consider.



If you have any other questions/concerns, feel free to email me. Have a super trip!

Answer 3

Anything and everything you need to know is at this web site.

Even tours specific to Christians.

Once in Jerusalem you simply walk to the Old City (Jaffa gate).

Davidic Tours is off the court yard from the Kotel (Wall). You do not want to miss that one.

Take the virtual tour from the web site--I actually stayed in the Hotel they use for the tour--it sits right next to the Old City.



Once owned by Dan Hotels (The Dan Pearl) it now appears to be independently owned and the name is now The Pearl. Or stay in any number of youth hostels inside and out of the old city.



Head north to the Galilee, the Golan, Haifa and I could go on and on. Anywhere you go in Israel is awesome and life changing.



http://www.goisrael.com/tourism_eng

Answer 4

Consult lonely planet or another travel guide.



Perhaps consult with your church, or other Christians who have come to Israel.



You don't have too much time so I would recommend a trip to the Dead Sea, or a trip to the Galillee. You can see the Kinneret (I think also called Sea of Galillee).



Spend some time wandering around by yourself... be safe and have a good trip

Answer 5

you extremely probally shouldn't pay interest to me, yet what i did i went to each and each and every of the quarters and requested the shop keepers if there became some thing i ought to work out or exciting information. some stated i had a demise choose. yet i imagine i realized extra that way then going with a tourguide that became worrying about my protection. east jerusalem is extremely cool traditionally, yet an american jew has to have some balls to pass there on my own.

Answer 6

as a christian, you might be interested in following the stations of jesus...idk wut u call them O_o but there were tons of group guides going by there...just for an idea of what you might want to look for =)

the Muslim quarter is cool, lots of food!! lol =p and the armenian quarter has rly good restaurants....(sry im food oriented)

i went there when i was jewish, and we visited the western wall and everything...that was cool, i bet even if ur not jewish it would be a cool sight to see.

eh i went on a bus tour, maybe u can latch urself onto one without them noticing =p thats all i can think of right now...have fun =)

visit a Druse village!!! they make good food too, and learning abt the druse is super cool =)