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Migrating birds Aqueduct Majr ibn Amr 1 Jenin Jenin is the most northern Palestinian town in the West Bank. Its vicinity is part of the fertile Jesreel Valley (Majribn Amrin Arabic) and known as the fruit and bread basket of Palestine. In addition to trips into the countryside, this typical Arabic re- gion ofPalestine offers archaeological discoveries and cultural encounters. Sights The fruit and vegetable market in the city 1 center, the old market as-Sebat, the ancient aqueduct and the water system of Bal'ama. 2 The excavations of Tel Dothan, where accor- ding to tradition, Joseph was sold to Egypt by his brothers. Activities Meeting with al-Jalame Women Cooperative, 3 whose members are autonomously planting fruits and vegetables and offer typical Palesti- nian dishes. Hiking in Um at-Tut Nature Reserve and bird- 4 watching in Majr ibn Amr, where two times a year tens of thousands of migrating birds rest. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pictures/text: S. Plötzgen. Icon Iconostasis Cave of the 1 0 lepers 2 Burqin The small village of Burqin is located in the very north of Palestine. According to the tradition, Jesus – on his way from Nazareth to Jerusalem – passed by a cave, in which 1 0 men, suffering from leprosy, were locked. The men begged Jesus for help and were cured (cf. Luke 1 1 :1 7-1 9). Today, this miracle is commemorated in the Church of Burqin, which should be a part of any pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Sights Greek-Orthodox Church of the Ten Lepers, 1 founded by Queen Helena in the 4th century CE – one of the oldest churches in the world. The center of the village with historic buildings 2 from the Ottoman period and the restored palace of the Jarrar-family (al-Khoukha), to- day a visitor center. Traditional factories where local oil olive is made 3 into soap. Activities 4 Overnight with local families (homestays) and hikes through the lavish fields around Burqin or along the long-distance hiking trail Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil (the Abraham'sPath). www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pictures/text: S. Plötzgen. Tomb of John the Baptist Ceramic art Archaeological site 3 Sebastia Once a regional capital in the Late Iron Age, Sebastia is a hidden gem, peace- fully sitting on the scenic slopes of the Nablus Hills. Sebastia is worth a visit – for pilgrims and nature lovers alike. Sights 1 The ruins of the Roman acropolis with its majestic Hellenistic fortification towers, the former Temple of Zeus and the Iron Age ruins of the palace of Omri. 2 The 1 2th century Crusader’s church, now a mosque, which is said to host the tomb of John the Baptist – one of Palestine’s less well-known pilgrimage sites. 3 Al-Massouudieh, a former station of the Hejaz rail- way, which once connected Damascus with Acre by the Mediterranean and Medina. Activities An overnight stay in one of the beautifully restored 4 boutique-guesthouses surrounded by olive or- chards and scenic hills. 5 Guided hikes or donkey rides through the lavish green landscape and visiting the ceramic laboratory in the small neighboring village ofNisfJubeil. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pictures/text: S. Plötzgen. Market in Nablus Tel el-Balata Photini Church 4 Nablus Nestled between the slopes of Mt. Ebal and Mt. Garizim on an ancient trade route, Palestine’s second largest city is famous for its sweets, traditional olive oil products and its busy markets. Sights The excavations of the ancient city of Sichem at 1 Tel el-Balata (cf. Acts 7:1 6) – already in ancient times an important trading center. 2 Jacob’s Well (cf. Genesis 33:1 8-20) inside the Greek-Orthodox Photini Church where Jesus met the Samaritan woman (cf. John 4:5-1 5). Mt. Garizim with the Samaritan community and 3 the archaeological excavations. Activities A walk through the seven quarters of the Old 4 City, e.g. to the beautifully restored caravansary Kahn al-Wakala. 5 Visiting the traditional olive oil soap factory in the middle of the Old City or Turkish Bath, the Hamam. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pics/text: S. Plötzgen, Masar Ibrahim. St. George Church 5 Taybeh & Birzeit Meet the Palestinian brewers! If you are after a glass of cold amber proudly brewed in Palestine, Taybeh and Birzeit, just a few kilometers from Ramallah, are your places to go. Activities Beer-tasting in Taybeh, where the same-named brewery 1 is the only one in Palestine brewing according to German purity law. 2 A tour of the Shepherds Brewery, which is specialized in a selection ofdifferent tastes appealing to any mood. Special Occasions The only Oktoberfest in the Middle East, celebrated 3 annually at the Taybeh Brewery and the annual Maftoul (couscous) festival in Birzeit – as a matter of fact, ac- companied by a chilled beer. Sights The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit with changing exhi- 4 bitions on contemporary Palestinian Art. A walk through Taybeh with its olive orchards and the 5 medieval St. George Church. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pictures/text: S. Plötzgen. 6 Ramallah Just 1 5km north of Jerusalem, Ramallah and its twin city al-Bireh are a vital hotspot teeming with a thriving art scene and bustling nightlife. Stroll along streets vitalized by tiny shops and cafés around al-Manara Square and discover the bustling al-Muntazah neighborhood with its trendy bars and drift through the market with its fruits, vegetables and freshly made falafel. Sights The Mahmoud Darwish Museum, dedicated to the 1 famous Palestinian poet. A visit to the seat of government and the mauso- 2 leum of former Palestinian president Yasser Arafat. Excavations of biblical Bethel (cf. Genesis 28) close 3 to the Palestinian village Bittin. Activities 4 A stroll through the city center and enjoying Pales- tine’s bustling nightlife. 5 A hike along the Sufi Trails north of Ramallah or in the nature reserves of Ein Qinya and Ein Samia. A political tour along the Israeli Separation Wall to 6 Qalandia checkpoint and the Qalandia refugee camp, which was founded in 1 949. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, Bilder/Text: S. Plötzgen. Oranges Tree of Life Mosaic in Qasr Hisham Wadi el-Quelt 7 Jericho A ride with the longest cable car below sea-level takes you up to the Mt. of Temptation in minutes. From here, where Jesus is said to have been tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights, the lowest city on earth lies to your feet! Enjoy the stunning panorama of the spring-water-fed oasis with its dates, citron and orange orchards. Sights Tel es-Sultan, the ancient part of Jericho and the mag- 1 nificent, mosaic-paved Omayyad Palace Qasr Hisham. The traditional baptism site of Jesus at the Jordan river, 2 the Monastery of Temptation on the same-named moun- tain, and the ancient sugar mills. Activities Exploring the oasis by bike, on foot, from a horse-drawn 3 carriage or on donkey-back. 4 A walk through the orchards, where you can pick your own oranges and lemons (especially in winter) and squeeze them into a tasty-healthy juice. 5 Hiking through Wadi el-Quelt or a daytrip to nearby al- Auja and the eco-center. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pictures/text: S. Plötzgen. Nabi Musa Mar Saba Monastery Camel "Schuschu" in Nabi Musa 8 Desert One of Palestine’s most amazing landscapes extends between Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho. Along a distance of just 25km, the landscape descends from the Jerusalem Hills over more than 1 200m meters in altitude down to the shore of the Dead Sea and changes from green slopes to a barren rocky desert. Sights 1 The desert monasteries of Mar Saba, not far from Bethlehem and of St. George in Wadi el-Quelt, near Jericho. 2 The Islamic shrine an-Nabi Musa, according to a local tradition the final burial place of Moses. The ruins of the Herodian Hyrcania fortress, half 3 way between Mar Saba and Nabi Musa. Activities Hiking through Wadi el-Quelt, the ancient path 4 between Jericho and Jerusalem (cf. Psalm 23). 5 Hike, camel ride or offroad drive from Mar Saba to Hyrcania and onwards to Nabi Musa. 6 Desert camping and typical Palestinian dishes at Bedouin camps and enjoying sunset and sunrise in the desert. www.holylandoperators.com © Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association, Jerusalem 201 8. [email protected], +972 2 628 31 40, pictures/text: S. Plötzgen. Tomb of Lazarus 9 Bethany On the eastern slope of the Mt. of Olives, lies the Palestinian city of Bethany (al-Eizariya in Arabic). Two key events in Jesus’ life are commemorated in this small town: The revivification of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha and the anointing of Jesus by Mary. Sights 1 The empty tomb of Lazarus (cf. John 1 1 :1 -46), after the Nativity Church the most frequently visited pilgrimage site in the West Bank.