A Taste of Israel: Masada & Jerusalem
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.
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.
We took the cable car up since by 10AM the morning was already quite warm.
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.
As well as the remnants of King Herod’s luxury. Including an impressive bathhouse with heated floors.
But seeing the ramp that finally breeched the walls was incredibly moving. The effort that was made to take out 1,000 people…
We wound up hiking down the mountain in only 40 seconds. It was warm, but we made it.
And I got a kick out of the fact there was a McDonald’s in the food court.
Late afternoon we arrived in Jerusalem, stopping first at Mt Scopus, to get a view of the city at sunset.
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.
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.
Visit the Church of the Holy Sepluchre.
Go by the Western Wall which was incredibly moving.
Visit an ancient restored Roman street.
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.
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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Sometimes when you comment, it goes to a blank page and looks like it doesn’t post. It actually does, I promise!
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.
I thought this was a traveler website not an Al Jazeera comment page.
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
I was fortunate enough to be traveling with a friend, so don’t have a tour group to recommend, but definitely worth going!!
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.
I’m so glad you went to Masada and did the hike down. What’s totally impressive is that you wore heels! 🙂
Really appreciate the great photos