Israel

Nazareth, located in Israel’s Galilee region not only has over a dozen important Christian sites, but as Israel’s largest Arab city, has some fascinating cultural sites and experiences to savor. The Pope came to Israel in early 2009, and Nazareth was one of the areas given big government grants to improve its tourism infrastructure for this. As a result, Nazareth has been given a push back onto Israel’s tourism map – and with its importance as the childhood home of Jesus, as the largest Arab city in Israel, and its stunning location right in the middle of the Lower Galilee, it’s a fascinating place.

Religious pilgrims have been travelling to Jerusalem for centuries, yet you don’t have to share their zeal in order to appreciate this city’s profound cultural and historical significance. Plan on seeing the major sights, but also leave plenty of time to walk through the streets and simply immerse yourself in the daily life of such an ancient and revered place.This holy city which is located in Judean Mountains is the place from where three major religions in the world namely Judaism, Islam, and Christianity originated.

Were you thrilled by the Hollywood movie, ‘The Mummy Returns’ and its mysterious backdrop of rock-cut tombs somewhere in the middle east? Those were not just movie-sets, but a UNESCO recognised World Heritage Site- the ruins of an ancient city- Petra in Jordan. Petra enjoys a fortress-like protection by the towering rocks around it. It has an entrance from the east, barely 10 feet wide, called the Siq, which was formed of a crevice in the sandstone rocks. The first structure from this side is the Treasury building, created by modifying a cliff.