We had a great flight from Rome to Tel Aviv. After a restful night in Tel Aviv, we start of our Holy Land tour at daylight which covers various biblical sites in Israel, Jordan and Turkey.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Tel Aviv (Yafo) was awarded the title ‘Mediterranean Capital of Cool’ by the New York Times. Her architecture, her beautiful beaches, and the free and easy atmosphere explains it all.

Traveling down along Retsif Herbert Samuel Street, the sight of the blue ocean was so inviting but this is only the beginning of our Holy Land tour and the beach was definitely part of the itinerary.

How images in books so often influence our expectations of places. I was expecting to see people in robes, sandals and probably a shepherd’s headwear. I obviously forgot this is modern world Israel.

This collection covers Tel Aviv-Yafo and its surroundings. Jersualem will be covered in the next collection.

Jaffa

Our first destination, St. Peter’s church in Old city of Jaffa.

St. Peter’s church has been a Christian center for over 1000 years. Construction of this present church was completed in 1894. The interior was far from ancient – on the contrary, the altar look radiant.

Jaffa port is 5-min walk from the Church.

The Port is one of the oldest ports in the world and which operated continuously for the past 4,000 years. Unfortunately, it still could not accommodate large steamships. What is currently visible is the remnants of the partially sunken the port.

Chance upon the House of Simon the Tanner along the ally to the Port. The bible made reference to Peter the Apostle and Simon the Tanner ~ “What God has cleansed you must not call common“.

Caesarea National Park

Our next destination – Caesarea National Park.

The Park is located north-east of Tel Aviv, is within Caesarea Maritima. In the 50s and 60s, the ruins of the ancient city were excavated to incorporate Caesarea National Park.

This was the very grounds that Herod the Great began the construction of a deep-sea habour and its amenities to Rome and Augustus. Caesarea Maritima, also known as Caesarea Palestinae. This is the area where Apostle Paul was later imprisoned for two years.

Entry to the Park comes with a free viewing of the History of Caesarea through a cinematic “time travel” video. This is one memorable video not to be missed.

Tel Megiddo National Park

Next destination, Tel Megiddo National Park. Yes, it is “The” Megiddo which Pharaoh Thutmose III laid siege over this City.

These were the very grounds which the Battle of Megiddo in the 15th century BC took place. Pharaoh Thutmose III led his army into battle against the Canaanite coalition which fled to the safety of the city of Megiddo which eventually resulted to the Siege of Megiddo.

Megiddo (Hebrew: מְגִדּוֹ، Arabic: المجیدو‎) is located in the Jezreel Valley, in northern Israel. Though the ancient city is located on a higher plane for its strategical advantage, it is not a mountain but a Tel.

Tel in Hebrew means mount or hill. It refers to prehistoric settlement mounds whereby many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot.

In accordance to the New Testament in Revelation 16:16 of the Christian bible, this impressive site was identified as the site of the final battle between the forces of good and evil at the end of time, known as “Armageddon” of the Book of Revelation.

Excavations has uncovered approximately 26 layers of settlements dating back to the 4th and 3rd millennia BC and possibly much earlier. Tel is a term used to refer to Megiddo is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some tours groups conclude their tour of the National Park through the underground Spring. There will be a stairwell from Mount Megiddo leading to the underground Spring. The stairwell is only for entrance to the Spring. Therefore, best to inform the tour lead very much ahead if you are Claustrophobic and do not intend to go through the Megiddo Spring.

Tips on Megiddo: There will be extremely limited shelter and nowhere to replenish water from this entrance onwards. Items to bring: Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Water and Camera. A backpack is recommended if the visit includes the Megiddo Spring. For more updated information, visit Tel Megiddo National Park website.

Cana Wedding Wine

Final stop before calling it a day at our accommodation at Golan Heights – Cana of Galilee.

According to the Bible, this is the location where Jesus attended a wedding and was told that they ran out of wine. Jesus performed the first miracle turning water into wine.

The Wedding Church at Cana is located in the central part of the town of Kafr Kanna, in the lower Galilee, north Israel. This church is dedicated to weddings. This current church building was built around 1881 and current facade built in 1906.

The Shrine of Our Lord’s first miracle at the Wedding in Cana of Galilee, may look small externally. A level below ground, there are displays of stone jars, an excavated stone vessel and a crypt. Visitors can also look at the excavations through the glass display.

According to the Gospel of St John, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now”.