A Journey Of The Spirit: Walking Holidays In The Holy Land

Every year, thousands of historians and devotees travel to the Holy Land as a sign of devotion or merely to garner a deeper understanding of the seat of three major religions. Bordered by Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the terrain of the Holy Land offers so much diversity it is the perfect destination for walking holidays. Within this small region you can find green valleys and forests, craggy mountains, sandy hills, deserts, beaches, and waterfalls. Add to that an architecture of major historical and spiritual significance and a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and you have one of the most fascinating places in the world. Jerusalem, Jericho, Nazareth, and Bethlehem are only some of the towns you could be visiting on your walking holidays in the Holy Land.

A visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is certainly a must during your walking holidays in the Holy Land. The church, which houses an underground crypt reported to be the exact birthplace of Jesus Christ, is one of the oldest operating Christian churches in the world, and is of immeasurable significance to the Christian world. The church was built by Constantine, in 325 AD, destroyed and rebuilt in the 6th century, and renovated in the 11th century. Tourism in this area is quite active so there are plenty of shops to explore, as well as numerous restaurants offering authentic Palestinian, and foreign, cuisine.

Wadi Qelt, a valley running east to west from the border of Jersualem to that of Jericho across the Judean Desert, is another great place for your walking holidays. The valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including hyraxes, ibexes, gazelles, and plant life indigenous to the area. The valley is also the site of the Greek Orthodox Monastery Saint George, and the Wadi Qelt synagogue, the oldest Jewish synagogue in the world.

Further on is Ein Gedi, an oasis of Israel just west of the Dead Sea. The hillside fortress of Masada and the caves of Qunram are both just a short distance away, as is the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve - which features even more plants and animals, more than 200 species of birds, as well as several sites of archeological significance, including the Chalcolithic Temple of Ein Gedi.??

To the north, the rocky terrain turns into the lush greenery of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) is not only visually stunning, but was the site of several pivotal events in the story of Christ. These include the calming of the storm where Jesus walked on water, and where he preached to the people who would come from leagues away to hear his sermons. It is just outside the town of Nazareth, where Jesus Christ reputedly spent his childhood.

Jerusalem is also filled with sites of historical and spiritual significance, including the Dome of the Rock, the Old City, the Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Truly, the Holy Land is the ultimate destination for walking holidays that are visually exciting, intellectually stimulating, and spiritually fulfilling.

About the Author:
Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on walking holidays to see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 200 guided group walking holidays in over 60 different countries.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/A-Journey-Of-The-Spirit--Walking-Holidays-In-The-Holy-Land/4466819

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