Many people travel to Israel every year to enjoy its architecture, food, atmosphere, and history. Different people come for different reasons, but the bottom line is that Israel is a popular place to visit. Many who travel to Israel go to Jerusalem, and it is easy to see why. This city has all the amazing things that the country has to offer, and is a popular destination all on its own.

Even though you can get caught up in the excitement of what you are going to do and see when you travel to Israel and Jerusalem, one of the first things you need to think about is where you are going to stay. There are a great many hotels and places to stay in Jerusalem, ranging from luxurious to inexpensive.

If you are interested in staying at a historical hotel, there are a few you can look into. The "King David" hotel has a beautiful inside, including a strip in the floor that contains the names of the hundreds of famous and influential people who have stayed there. The entire place s made to make you feel as if you are in a palace. "The American Colony" started as a commune, and over the years became a hotel. This place has a long history that stretches through some very brutal times. The "Jerusalem YMCA" is another that is steeped in history and is more than just a hotel. It is located near the "King David" so if you can, at least go see them when you travel to Israel, even if you can’t stay there. There is much to be learned at these locations.

Since Jerusalem is really a religious city, it makes sense to visit some religious sites. Some of these places are the whole reason many people visit the city.

The Western Wall is Judaism’s most holy site. This is because this wall is all that remains of the second temple, which the Romans burned in 70 A.D. Thousands of people travel to Israel monthly to see the wall and say prayers while next to it or touching it. Before you visit the Western Wall, look up some of the customs that you should observe. There are quite a few, and by ignoring them you could offend a lot of people.

The Temple Mount is another location to see while you are in Jerusalem. One of the most famous things to see here is the Dome of The Rock. This shrine is famous for its huge golden dome that has been seen catching the sunlight in so many photos. In this shrine is the rock where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven. The Muslim’s third holiest site, the al-Aksa Mosque, is located at the Southern end of the Temple Mount. These locations require a fee to enter, but if you can go in, they are well worth it. If you can’t enter, going to at least see the buildings from the outside is a great experience.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is also in Jerusalem, and is where many Christians believe Jesus was originally buried.

Many of these famous places and many others that are not as famous but are amazing none the less can be seen while on day tours of the city. These tours start in the morning, and take you all over the famous parts of the city.

If you are thinking about visiting Jerusalem and Israel, keep in mind that this is a land of great history and splendid sights. There is much to learn and see when you travel to Israel. Your trip will be full of adventure, and you’ll never forget the experiences you had.