Jerusalem, Israel

destination • experience • outdoors

Gethsemane

The Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives is just West of the Temple Mount, on the other side of the Kidron Valley. This beautiful and reflective place is where the Bible tells us Jesus would go to pray when visiting the bustling city of Jerusalem. The ancient olive trees there are probably not the exact same as in his time (those were cut down by the Romans during the siege of Jerusalem), but they may very well be descendants that grew up from the stumps left behind.

Israel, IL

destination • experience • outdoors

Herodion National Park

Here you’ll find the palace-fortress built by Herod the Great and later used by rebels during the first Jewish revolt against Rome. You can climb to the top of the fortress for a commanding view of the surrounding country, explore the ruins in it’s midst, and even descend into its underground cisterns as you exit toward the recently discovered tomb of Herod himself.

Bet Shemesh, Jerusalem District

destination • experience • outdoors

Khirbet Qeiyafa

These recently excavated ruins on a hill overlooking the Valley of Elah date from the time of King David and are believed to be the remains of a fortified city built by him to defend this strategic point. It’s a bit of a hike to get up there, but nothing too strenuous—and it’s well worth the reward of getting to explore a 3000-year-old city.

Jerusalem District, Israel

destination • experience • outdoors

Valley of Elah

This gorgeous valley is the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath, and it may even be the “valley of the shadow of death” he had in mind when he wrote Psalm 23. Just East of the road is a stream bed that runs through the valley, perhaps the very same one David chose his stone from in 1 Samuel 17:40. From here, you can hike up the northern hill that Saul’s army would have camped upon to the site of a ruined palace that dates from the time of David.