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A Taste of Israel: Masada & Jerusalem

a view of a desert landscape from a high point

With only 2 1/2 days in Israel, it was tough to decide what to see on my first visit. I’d originally planned to spend most of my first full day in Israel seeing the sights in Jerusalem, but made the tough decision to spend the morning visiting Masada instead. I figured on my next visit it would be far easier to get an in-depth tour of Jerusalem than find a large group tour to Masada that I enjoyed.

a large piece of rock on a table

I’ve been familiar with the story of the 1,000 Jewish settlers who lived on the mountain and withstood the Roman seige for months before finally taking their own lives to avoid becoming slaves. But as noble and inspiring hearing that story was, being there atop the mountain and seeing the ramp the Romans built across the gorge was even more so.

a landscape with a road and mountains

We took the cable car up since by 10AM the morning was already quite warm.

a view of a rocky mountain from a window

Before the siege of Masada, it had been the location of one King Herod’s palaces and offered amazing views of the Dead Sea and surrounding countryside.

a view of a desert landscape from a high point

As well as the remnants of King Herod’s luxury. Including an impressive bathhouse with heated floors.

a stone wall with a stone structure

But seeing the ramp that finally breeched the walls was incredibly moving. The effort that was made to take out 1,000 people…

a group of people standing on a ledge overlooking a desert landscape

We wound up hiking down the mountain in only 40 seconds. It was warm, but we made it.

a view of a desert landscape

And I got a kick out of the fact there was a McDonald’s in the food court.

a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant

Late afternoon we arrived in Jerusalem, stopping first at Mt Scopus, to get a view of the city at sunset.

a woman standing on a stone wall with a city in the background

Even more amazing, to me, was the view 20 yds over on the opposite ridge. Jerusalem had been green and verdant. Immediately over the other side of the ridge was harsh desert as far as the eye could see.

a tree and stone wall

We entered Jerusalem by the Jaffa gate. It was already late, but there was time to go through the old market place with it’s ancient cobblestones.

a couple of people walking on a stone sidewalk

Visit the Church of the Holy Sepluchre.

a group of people standing in front of a stone building

Go by the Western Wall which was incredibly moving.

a group of people sitting in chairs outside a stone wall with Western Wall in the background

Visit an ancient restored Roman street.

a person walking next to a stone building

And get a glimpse of a wall dating back to King Solomon’s times. I’d grown up reading the Old and New Testament and seeing something that ancient and historic was the highlight for me.

a stone wall with a map on it

a woman standing next to a fence

Ideally next time I’ll have far more than two days to visit and can really see a lot of Jerusalem. In the meantime, it was amazing enough that I’m already eager to go back!

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8 Comments

  1. Good to visit Israel but everyone should take the time go and visit the palestinian to see hiw tgese peopke are treated??the occupation,the road blocks,the savage settlers,go and have a look at the ugly face if Israel.

  2. Which tour company did you go with on the Masada Tour? Would you recommend it? I will be in Tel Aviv in a couple of days

    1. I was fortunate enough to be traveling with a friend, so don’t have a tour group to recommend, but definitely worth going!!

  3. When I visited Masada, we simply drove from Jerusalem. It was a very easy drive. I enjoyed seeing the location separate from a large tour group.

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