Deeb G. Dides
Local Expert, Professional Tour Guide
These tailor made tours are each customized to explore further this fascinating land and the world's oldest travel destinations.
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Jericho and the Deadsea
An early start driving down the Judean desert through Wadi Qilt to visit the beautiful St. George Monastry. Continue along the ancient Jerusalem-Jericho road to visit the remains of the oldest city in the world, and the church monastery of Temptation overlooking the Jordan valley.
Drive to Hisham's palace a desert castle containing some of the finest representations of Umayyad period architectural and artistic styles.
From there we break for lunch at the Dead Sea and enjoy a relaxing float in the waters of the lowest, saltiest body of water on earth.
End the day visiting Nabi Musa a desert mosque that celebrates the tradition of prophet Moses burial site before heading back to Jerusalem.
Hebron Through the Judean Desert
Drive into the Judean desert to the Orthodox monastery of Mar Saba, perched in a gorge with its beautiful chapels (limited access for women).
Then visit the magnificent Herodian fortress, an extraordinary fortified palace built by King Herod on part artificial hill overlooking Bethlehem Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.
We continue to Hebron city to the Tombs of the Patriarchs. The Herodian phase of the Tomb of the Patriarchs is one of the most impressive buildings of the ancient world. The interior consists of additions by the Byzantine, early Muslim, Crusader and late Mamluk.
Before leaving the city we stop looking at the Hebron glass produced as part of a flourishing art industry established in the city during the Roman rule in Palestine. Hebron's Old City still contains a quarter named the "Glass-Blower Quarter" and the Hebron glass continues to serve as a tourist attraction for the city.
Ancient Samaria
On the way we visit Taybeh where according to the Bible Jesus, after Lazarus' resurrection, would have retired with his disciples. There we visit remains of a 5th century church, known today as St. George's before we taste the local Taybeh beer from the first Palestinian brewery.
Continue to Nablus, beautifully situated between the Gerizim and Ebal mountains and stop at Jacob's Well where Jesus met with the Samaritan woman. Shechem (traditionally associated with Nablus) first appears in the Bible in Genesis which records how Abraham reached the "great tree of Moreh" at Shechem and offered sacrifice nearby.
We proceed to the Old City for a walking tour through the markets visiting an old soap factory and the beautifully restored Turkish baths, and a taste of the local sweets the city is renowned for.
From there we continue to explore the heart of Samaria and the present day town of Sebastia with its outstanding ruins that dominate the hillside comprising remains from six successive cultures dating back to the Canaanites, Israelites, Hellenistic, Herodian, Roman and Byzantine. The remains of a temple built over the Omride palace at the summit of the acropolis and the basilica church believed to be the burial place of the head of John the Baptist.
Jerusalem and Bethlehem
We begin at the top of the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, then stroll down the Mount to the Garden of Gethsemane pausing at the lovely chapel of Dominus Flevit.
Continue to the Jaffa Gate and begin the walking tour through the city. Wander the Old City markets to the Western Wall and the Dome of Rock Sanctuary. Walk the Via Dolorosa passing the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre the ancient site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
For the second part of the tour we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and walk the city streets for a glimpse at the local olive wood industry and a taste of the local food. End the day at the Shepherds' fields before returning back to Jerusalem.
Nazareth and Sea of Galilee
We drive to the city of Nazareth in the hill country of Galilee and the home town of Jesue to visit the churuch of the Annunciation. Then through Cana, the scene of the wedding feast, where Jesus performs his first of the miracles and taste the celebrated Cana wedding wine.
Continue our way to the Sea of Galilee, rich in memories of the three years of Jesus' ministry we begin with a visit to the ruins of Capernaum a flourishing border town and the second home of Jesus because of the frequency with which Jesus visited it and the mighty works he did there.
Next we visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish and the Chapel of the Primacy at Tabgha and stroll the shoreline of the lake to enjoy the beauty of its settings. We stop at the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of the Sermon on the Mount and make our way to our last stop at the River Jordan and the tradition of the baptism.