You will leave Jerusalem and travel south to nearby Bethlehem. This was the hometown of King David’s father, and the place where Christ was born to Mary and Joseph. Then, you will cross Manger Square surrounded by the Mosque of Omar, the Palestinian Peace Center, and perhaps the oldest functioning church in the world, the Church of the Nativity. The Byzantine church was originally constructed in the fourth century and later expanded during the sixth century. We will be able to still see part of the original mosaic floor through an opening in the present basilica floor.

You will enter the Basilica of the Nativity through a low doorway the “Door of Humility,” on the walls there are faint golden mosaics and 30 of the 44 pink limestone columns in the nave of the church are adorned with decorations from the Crusader period. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where it is believed that Jesus was born. A silver star in the grotto is engraved with the Latin phrase “Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.” Also in the church are the Chapel of the Manger and the Alter of the Adoration of the Magi (the three wise men).

You will exit the basilica passing the Armenian Chapel of the Kings and continue on to the adjacent Church of Saint Catherine. From there we descend to grottos which are connected to those beneath the Church of the Nativity. These ancient caves hold several tombs and chapels including the Chapel of the Innocent dedicated to the babies killed under Herod (Matt. 2:16); the Chapel of Joseph and the Tomb of Jerome. There is also the grotto where Jerome worked for many years translating the Hebrew Bible to Latin. Then, you will experience a special visit to the Franciscan church which houses the Milk Grotto. Here Mary nursed Jesus and a drop of her milk fell to the ground turning the grotto white.

The final stop is to see Shepherds Field. Here the Bible tells us that an angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep by night and told them that a savior had been born in nearby Bethlehem. Today a tent-shaped chapel stands here, the chapel was designed by renowned architect Antonio Berluzzi and is decorated with scenes from the life of Christ. You will leave Shepherd Field and make your way back towards Jerusalem past the Field of Ruth. Here Ruth, the great-grandmother of King David, worked in the fields of Boaz.

Pick-up Times:

• 7:00 am in Herzliya
• 7:15 am in Tel-Aviv
• 8:30 am in Jerusalem
   

Tour Ends:

• 1:00 pm the tour ends in Jerusalem
  All times are approximate

See all available pickup hotels, please click “book now” and choose the desired date and city

The prices for this tour vary by departure city:

• Jerusalem $72.00
• Tel Aviv $90.00
• Herzliya $110.00

PLEASE NOTE:

If you would like to be dropped off at different locations other than the cities listed above there is an additional payment of $65 per person which can be booked online with your ticket reservation.

• Vehicle changes are required for transfer of pick up to avoid traffic and delay.

• This tour is subject to Palestinian Authority regulations.

• The Palestinian guide joins the group at the border post.

• A change of vehicle may be required for entry into Palestinian Authority territory.

• What to bring and wear: Passport, modest dress, water, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat.

• Age: 4+

• No refunds will be provided for no-shows or cancellations on the day of travel
• Cancellations are accepted 24 hours or more before tour begins.
• Cancellations will incur a 4% commission fee if booked by credit card or Paypal.