SanghaToday Blog

There are many people who dream of taking a tour to Israel. The culture and history of this area tend to draw people to a time and place of long-ago. There are so many things to see and experiences to have in the Holy Land. People who visit here return home, claiming that they have been changed forever. For Christians and people of strong religious faith, the trip will be worthwhile just because of the spiritual experiences.

One of the ways that Israel travel can change your life is the rest you will experience while there. Israel has an exciting life night and many thrilling activities, but there are many places here where one can relax and experience peace and rest. For example, the Dead Sea is known for its amazing healing, therapeutic and beautifying abilities. Cleopatra, one of the world’s most beautiful women, built her cosmetic factories right near this unusual body of water. People visiting the Dead Sea can swim here and actually rub the mud on their skin. The mud in the Dead Sea is chalk full of minerals that have the ability to heal skin conditions and also relax and rejuvenate skin tones. The buoyancy of the water also helps to make it a fun and relaxing experience.

Another great way to experience the best of the Holy Land is to get back to nature. One of the places you might want to consider visiting is Eilat. Although it’s a small town, it is a combination of sea and desert, making it an ideal place to enjoy a vacation. It rarely rains and the temperature stays above 70 degrees, even in the winter. There is no end of things to do - from deep sea diving to sailing to bird watching to a trek in the desert – it’s all in Eilat. The Red Sea makes it especially fun to do water sports in Eilat and people enjoy swimming with the dolphins. Relaxing, having fun, and enjoying nature’s best are all a part of visiting Eilat.

Of course, no trip to the Holy Land is complete without a visit to some of the holy sites. Just in Jerusalem, one can see and experience the sights and sounds of Bible times. The culture of some parts of Israel has remained intact and anyone visiting the country will feel like he or she has stepped into another time period. It is reported that there are 1204 synagogues, 158 churches and 73 mosques within Jerusalem.

Christians are interested in Jerusalem for many reasons and they especially enjoy Christian Holy Land tours. Of course, many of the Old Testament stories center around Jerusalem, especially in regards to those about David, Solomon, and the temple there. In addition to this, Christians are also attracted to Jerusalem because of the life and ministry of Jesus. He came to Jerusalem shortly after his birth and later, cleansed the temple there. He performed many miracles around this area and was crucified in Jerusalem, in Golgotha. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion, is located in Jerusalem, along with the Western Wall, where Jews gather to pray and weep before their God. Here is where the Mount of Olives is located, where Jesus ascended back into heaven after his resurrection. Many people are moved as they visit these places, remembering Bible stories they have known since they were children.

There are so many things about Israel that can change a person’s life that one cannot begin to scratch the surface. It’s truly an overwhelming visit considering the nature, the history, the culture and the people. That is why so many people return after taking their first trip to the Holy Land. Their lives were changed and they realize all of the things they missed the first time or they want to see and experience the same things all over again. To walk where Jesus walked and to pray where he prayed will be an experience you will never forget. It is well said: ‘Israel is where heaven and earth meet’Israel is where heaven and earth meet.’