If you are interested in history and culture then Jerusalem is the ideal holiday destination for you. This is the ancient capital city of Israel and is a spiritual centre for several major faiths including the Jews and Christians. There are a number of extremely important religious sites and monuments here including the Dome of the Rock. This holy city is separated into three main areas, the West, Arab East and the Old City.

The Old City

This area of Jerusalem is surrounding by a vast, ancient wall and is one of the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are endless opportunities here to observe and learn about the religious heritage of many different nations. This is a very busy area and as well as many people living their day-to-day lives there are lots of tourists, visitors and religious events happening all year round. You will find it very difficult to get anywhere near the Old City during key times of the year such as Christmas and Easter. If you would rather avoid the crowds then late summer and early autumn are better times to visit.

Top Sights

There are plenty of both old and new attractions in Jerusalem. The Arab East and West Jerusalem has seen a lot of modern development in that last few decades and now there are plenty of new shopping and dining areas. The Time Elevator attraction can take you on an enjoyable simulator style ride through the history of Jerusalem and the Biblical Zoo has a number of animal exhibits that children will enjoy. You can also see the Garden Tomb, said to be the actual site of the resurrection in the Christian faith. Another important Christian site is Bethlehem which is just a short drive from Jerusalem. You may also enjoy visiting other top attractions including the Church of St. Anne and the Ammunition Hill Memorial.

Hotels

Jerusalem has a range of hotels, guesthouses and hostels. It can get very heavily booked up during key religious festivals so if you are travelling at these times it is important to book well in advance. If you want to experience a bit of luxury during your stay the King David Hotel offers a number of modern conveniences including a concierge desk, health club, swimming pool, hair salon, coffee shop and free onsite parking. Rooms are air conditioned and many have balconies with some great views out over Jerusalem city. The King David can also offer some wheelchair accessible rooms. The Harmony Hotel is more affordable and is a modern establishment which offers air conditioning, complementary breakfasts and dry cleaning/laundry services. There is also a 24hr front desk and currency exchange service. Rooms come complete with televisions, internet access, refrigerators and private bathrooms.