How to Time Your Trip to Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the site of much Biblical drama, and holds a revered place in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Although the sacred texts have been written, you'll soon discover that the drama hasn't ended.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel Clothes
• Foreign Language Phrase Books
• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Travel Guides
• Airline Tickets To Jerusalem
• Travel Services
• Cameras
• Film
• Maps
• Cameras

General Considerations

1. Plan your trip for spring or fall if possible; they're the most pleasant seasons in Jerusalem. Summers are hot and dry, and winters tend to be cool and rainy. The average July high is 87 degrees F; the average January low is 41 degrees F.

2. Check up on festivals, attractions and live performances. Also visit your local library for more information about the city.

3. Take care of your flight, transportation and accommodations.

4. Check the weather forecast shortly before leaving.

Attractions and Seasonal Events

5. Ascend the walled Old City. This historical center around the Temple Mount - where Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son and Mohammed ascended to heaven - is not to be missed.

6. Be sure to see the Dome of the Rock mosque and the museum just south of the Old City, the Western Wall from the Jewish Second Temple Period, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many believe the church stands on the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. The painful route Jesus took while carrying his cross is now called Via Dolorosa.

7. Explore the rest of Jerusalem. Outside the Old City you'll find mostly Arab East Jerusalem and commercial West Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives (the site of Jesus' ascension) and the Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem.

8. Experience the Liturgica Festival of Choral Music by visiting in December and January.

9. Enjoy world-class performing arts at the Israel Festival from late May to mid-June. Some shows are free, including jazz and kids' shows.

10. Examine some of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the renowned National Israel Museum. There are also displays on the history, art and numismatics of this part of the world.

11. See more of this fascinating country. Popular destinations are Masada, the Dead Sea and Eilat. Israel's excellent bus system will take you almost anywhere you want to go.

[viewmyviews]

on 11/4/2008 http://www.viewmyviews.com

on 11/22/2005 Keep an eye on what's going on in Israel and the rest of the Middle East. If you're buying tickets more than 10 months in advance, try to get refundable ones, as the political situation can change at any moment.