Bethlehem tourism – Private tour to Bethlehem from Jerusalem – Bethlehem travel guide
Visiting the Ancient city of Bethlehem with a private Bethlehem tour from Jerusalem is certainly a must for tourists. The City of Bethlehem better known as the birthplace of King David and Jesus is an important city for Christianity. Bethlehem is located in the area under the control of the Palestinian Authority, about 10km south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 25,000 mostly dedicated to the Bethlehem Tourism Industry.
Bethlehem highlights:
-Church of the Nativity
-Manger Square
-Milk Grotto
-Shepherd’s Field (Beit Sahour)
Special offer: take a 4 hours private tour of Bethlehem from Jerusalem
Price:$550
A full-day private tour of Bethlehem and Jericho: $800
Included, a private coach with a driver + a Local Palestinian guide.
Visiting Bethlehem Dating to the 1400s BCE
As will probably be mentioned by your private Bethlehem tour guide, the earliest known mention of the ancient city of Bethlehem was in the Amarna correspondence of 1350–1330 BCE during its habitation by the Canaanites. The Canaanites were people who lived in the land of Canaan, an area which, according to ancient texts, may have included parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
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The Hebrew Bible identifies Bethlehem, as the hometown of King David.
Then the Gospels of Matthew and Luke identify ancient Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. Emperor Hadrian destroyed it after the Bar Kokhba revolt and was rebuilt with the help of Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. They commissioned the building of the Great Church of Nativity in 327 CE on the site of the place of Jesus’ birth.
Bethlehem tourism – No longer the “little town” of Bethlehem Christmas Carols
Today the city of Bethlehem is with a Muslim majority but is home to a large Christian community. As mentioned above Bethlehem tourism is very important. Flocks of tourists visit the ancient city In coordination with the authorities, come on the Holy Land Tour with a private Bethlehem tour guide from Jerusalem itself to visit this important town along with a Jerusalem half day tour.
Bethlehem Church of Nativity – Bethlehem Tour from Jerusalem
Visiting The Nativity Church in Bethlehem is a necessary stop on any Christian Pilgrimage ordering Holy Land Israel tour packages. Technically it is located on Palestinian Authority Territory, about fifteen minutes from Jerusalem. The tourists are brought to a checkpoint from where they are assisted by Palestinian tour guides on their visit of the church. At the end of the visit they are brought back to the same point for the return to Jerusalem.
City of Bethlehem Christmas Season
Being the most important time of the year for pilgrimages, Bethlehem tourism dresses itself for Christmas with beautiful decorations. The peak day is December 24th, when Christians come to celebrate Midnight Mass at the Church of Nativity, as they have done for close to 2,000 years.
Christmas rites are held in Bethlehem on three different dates: December 25 is the traditional date by the Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations, but Greek, Coptic and Syrian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6 and Armenian Orthodox Christians on January 19. Most Christmas processions pass through Manger Square, the plaza outside the Basilica of the Nativity. Roman Catholic services take place in St. Catherine’s Church and Protestants often hold services at Shepherds’ Fields.
There are several hotels in Bethlehem and may handicraft workshops in town that cater to these pilgrims. Perfect Israel tours for senior citizens
Many denominations
Almost every Christian denomination, such as Lutheran, Syriac, Catholic and Orthodox, is present here and the city positively hums with activity, its winding streets packed with tourists scrambling around trying to keep up with their local guides.
There is much to see visiting Bethlehem, such as the lively Old City, the Bazaar, and the ancient churches across the town.
Accompanied by a private Bethlehem tour guide, many tourists visiting the ancient city also come to find street art shopping and souvenirs to take back home.
Check out our Jerusalem tour guide price for more info on great packages for your exciting tour In Bethlehem Tour from Jerusalem.
