Jerusalem is so dense with history, it's hard to know where to start. Fortunately, we've winnowed down the myriad offerings into a select selection of our favorite spots.
Unsurprisingly, the most popular spots in the Old City of Jerusalem are its holy sites. Christians have flocked to the Mount of Olives and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (which is said to contain the tomb of Jesus) for centuries, while the Dome of the Rock is a holy highlight for Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. Bring your prayers to the Western Wall – also known as the Wailing Wall – where you can tuck them among the thousands stuck in the cracks of the ancient foundation.
The old city has some newer offerings too. Don't miss a visit to the Israel Museum, where you can come face to face with the original Dead Sea Scrolls, or peruse the extensive art collections. The Yad Vashem serves as Israel's somber memorial to the Holocaust, perched on the Mount of Remembrance.
A dip (or float) in the salty waters of the Dead Sea is a perfect antidote to the everpresent heat and sand. And for those seeking a restorative experience, the Ein Gedi Spa, on the shores of the Dead Sea offers thermo-mineral hot springs that claim to have healing powers. If hot springs in the middle east aren't your thing, the spa also features resting rooms, massages, mud baths, a bathing beach and a refreshingly freshwater pool.
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