Revered by Judaism, Islam and Christianity, Israel is a land that has seen the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Arabs, Mamluks and English pass through... In short, it is one of the most historic places in the world. Promised land, land of religions, so small at the centre of all attention, so precious that it ignites passions: Israel and the Palestinian Territories form a complex nebula. To get off the main tourist roads, you can, by finding a serious agency, discover the Palestinian Territories, its mythical cities and its welcoming population
Palestine, a land to discover
The Palestinian Territories offer a lot to see, both in Arab cities and in the hills of the West Bank. There are also, and above all, exciting people to meet. Some visits are easily possible, even for individuals, and it would be a shame not to visit a land that has so much to offer. So do not hesitate for a second and let yourself be enchanted by the many cultural and religious sites such as Ramallah, which houses the mausoleum of Yasser Arafat, Jericho and the Tell Sultan archaeological site or the Umayyad palace of Hisham, Bethlehem and the Basilica of the Nativity.
The West Bank, warm and welcoming
The West Bank (West Bank for English speakers) constitutes the largest part of the Palestinian Territories. In these Arab lands, the atmosphere is radically different from that elsewhere in Israel. Here, no great museums and few essential monuments, but the warmth and hospitality of the population. And finding an agency that offers alternative tourism, closer to Palestinians and their daily difficulties, is not difficult. As a Western tourist, you will normally be little affected by the daily traffic restrictions that affect the local population. And the experience will be unforgettable.
Bethlehem, high place of pilgrimage
Bethlehem, the city of Christ's birth, is a high place of Christianity and pilgrimages. King David is also said to have been born in Bethlehem, so it is also a holy city for Jews. Here, you will marvel at the imposing Basilica of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the cave of the Nativity, pilgrims kneel down to embrace the place where the Child Jesus is said to have been. And other visits are not to be missed: from the Church of Saint Catherine to Rachel's tomb, the "Milk Cave", the Omar Mosque or the museums
Jericho, the oldest city in the world
Over the past fifteen years, Jericho has once again become a quiet city and tourism is gradually developing. Located east of Jerusalem, in the Jordan Valley and north of the Dead Sea, the site of Jericho was occupied nearly 8,000 years BC. The city claims to be the oldest city in the world. Jericho's most prestigious sites are Hisham Palace, Tell es-Sultan (formerly Jericho) and Monastery of Mount of Temptation (accessible by foot or cable car). Several other important sites are to be visited in the area: the baptism of Christ, the monastery of St. George of Koziba, the tomb of the prophet Moses and Qumran
Ramallah, the sweetness of life
Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian Territories, has a certain sweetness of life. The city centre is located in Al-Manarah Square, the square where the Lions statue stands. 100 m away, we discover the souk, with its mountains of vegetables, clothes, watches, toys, mobile phones, carpets... and the typical animation of the Arab bazaars. From Al-Manarah Square, Al-Ra'eesy Street is used to reach the old city of Ramallah. This one looks like a quite quiet village, with many houses dating back to the Ottoman period. La Mouqata'a and the mausoleum of Yasser Arafat are located northeast of the city centre.
