Tour Israel Blog

On the way to the Dead Sea, just past Maale Adumim, stands the believed to be site of the biblical Inn of the Good Samaritan. The site was newly opened in June 2009 and now houses a collection of mosaics – both replicas and originals – that were found in churches, Jewish and Samaritan synagogues. The structure housing the collection was a Turkish guardhouse from the Ottoman period on the road connecting Jericho and Jerusalem.

The parable of the good Samaritan features members of three faiths: Christianity, Jews, and the Samaritan who performed a good deed.

Mosaics art reached its peak in the Byzantine period (3rd to 7th Century CE) when mosaics were the main means of paving religious structures. Great skill was needed to be a mosaic craftsman with particular attention to detail and precision.

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Rollers from Hellenistic period

Guest house, Galilee, Israel

Rosh Pina, a 100-year old village in the Galilee, is well situated to explore the Galilee and Golan areas. The town itself, particularly the cobblestoned area, is charming and offers cafes – like the chocolate cafe located at the top of the hill, boutiques, wine shops, restaurants and even a cinema.

Plan your visit to Israel by using Rosh Pina as your base to travel in the Galilee. Instead of a hotel room, you stay in a studio, cabin or cottage, with food preparation facilities and plenty of space to be very comfortable.

Return from a day of touring to sit in your private garden, swing in a hammock or  barbeque your steaks. Some properties have private swimming pools and jacuzzis.

At Drive-Israel.com we inspect all  properties before suggesting them to you. Properties must meet our standards of excellence.

Contact  your Israel travel expert at Drive-Israel.com – to plan your best trip to Israel!

Galilee, Israel

Galilee, Israel

Souk, Jerusalem, Israel

The area of the Old City of Jerusalem just inside the Jaffa Gate is a bustling lively series of winding twisting cobblestoned streets.

People watching is probably the best sport in town: I stood still for 5 minutes and watched black robed priests, Jewish seminary girls, religious men from the Ethiopian church, Arab shop keepers, European tourists, Hasidic Jewish men with black coats and hats, religious Jewish women with complete head coverings, as well as Arab women with their unique head coverings – a cosmopolitan mix of ethnicities and religions.

Chess, Old City, Jerusalem

The day was glorious – Jerusalem weather at its best: cool, sunny, clear – without the humidity of Tel Aviv.

The shop keepers displayed a complete mix of wares from Jewish ritual objects like prayer shawls, rams horns – or shofar – for the Jewish New Year – kiddush cups,  stones to ward off the evil eye, turquoise beads as good luck amulets, etched leather bags and foot rests and accessories, fish-adorned ceramic ware, hand carved chess sets – what a feast of colors and objects.

Ceramics in Old City souk, Jerusalem

Amulets, Jerusalem, Israel

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Belz Synagogue, Jerusalem

Mark your calendars for the bi-annual Open Houses event that takes place in Jerusalem on Friday, Sept 11 and Saturday,  Sept 12. The event is free and many of the tours do not require pre-registration.

Among the open buildings are the Belz Synagogue, an extremely lavish edifice, that from far looks like the Second Temple. The tour takes place on Friday morning 8AM – 9 AM. Wear modest dress and head coverings for men and women. Registration not required.

Italian Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

The former Italian Hospital, now the offices of the Ministry of Education, is located at 34 Shivtei Yisrael St. Originally built as a private residence in the 1800s by a wealthy banker, the building has gone through many phases and purposes. The tour,  led by an art historian,  takes place on Friday at 10 AM. No registration required, but ID will be checked so arrive no later than 9:30AM.

Bridges for Peace, Jerusalem, Israel

Headquarters of Bridges for Peace, this building was built in 1905 at 7 shaul Adler St, near HaNevi’im. The organization promotes better relationship between Christians and Jews. Biblical scenes adorn the courtyard. Tour is on Friday, 14:00-19:00;  and Saturday, 9:00-14:00.

To mark the publication of his latest book, Mamila/Alrov Quarter – High Tide, Low Tide and Rejuvenation, Jerusalem-based architect David Kroyanker will tour the Mamilla compound with 40 pre-registered guests and talk about the area from the time of the British Mandate and the emergence of the neighborhood from a poor border area to its current affluence. Saturday, 10-12:30.

Mamilla Compound, Jerusalem

The pedestrian mall located at the end of Agron St., opposite the site of the future Waldorf Astoria Hotel, across the street  from the five star David Citadel Hotel and below the newly opened luxury boutique Mamilla Hotel, connects  East and West Jerusalem seamlessly.

Enter the pedestrian walkway from Agron St., walk straight through and exit at Jaffa Gate right by the Old City Arab souk and the Tower of David Museum.

Outdoor sculpture, Jerusalem, Israel

French tourists, scarved Arab Israeli women, tourists from Jordan, black hatted ultra Orthodox Jewish men,  global-looking teens, stroll along the open air store lined street.  Shoppers with bags bearing logos of  international brands  – the newly opened GAP among them – rest and refresh at one of the cafes (all with free WIFI).

Life-size scultpure line the outdoor mall and attract the attention of little kids, hand-holding couples, and even sprinting pedestrians hurrying to the next appointment.

Mamilla Sculptures, Jerusalem

Christ Church, Jerusalem, Israel

A recent visit to Christ Church in the Old City of Jerusalem revealed a  hidden gem located in plain site directly across from the Tower of David Museum and next to the souk (marketplace). The church is situated among flowering gardens with an adjacent guest house, cafe, and small museum explaining the history of the church.

Gardens, Christ Church, Jerusalem

Established in the 1840s by an Anglican missionary called the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst Jews, the church is decorated with Hebrew text and Jewish symbols. Considered the first modern building in the Old City, it intentionally resembles a synagogue. The front of the church – similar to the holy ark found in synagogues -  has Jewish liturgy written across the imposing wooden nave. A  seven branched candelabra is placed as centerpiece. Scripture from the Old Testament, in the original Hebrew, is engraved on the wall. A prayer for the holy ark adorns the front as well.

Interior, Christ Church, Jerusalem, Israel

The organization based their missionary activity on doctrine found in the book of Romans. As  evangelical Christians of their day believed, these society members thought that in order for Jesus to return, first the Jews must be restored to their own land in what was then Turkish occupied Palestine.