Visiting Bethlehem’s Church of Nativity?

December 24, 2018 By
The star marks the traditional location of Jesus’ birth in the basement of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Photo Credit: BiblePlaces.com/Todd Bolen

Over the last several years, the number of visitors at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem have grown to unmanageable sizes. This growth has caused many visitors to the church to leave before actually getting to visit the basement, the most desired destination in the church.

As a result of the growing numbers of disappointed travelers, The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Tourism is developing a reservation app that is supposed to help reduce the wait time at the church.

For a more complete report on this development, see this article.

Filed Under: Bethlehem, Good News from Israel, Highlights, Israel Tourism News, Know Before You Go, Things to See/Do, Travel Tips, Trip Prep

Are You a Windsurfer?

December 21, 2018 By

Are you a windsurfer? Interested in learning to windsurf? Let Discipleship Travel LLC arrange a windsurfing package for you in New Caledonia.

Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific. It is not only a nature lover’s paradise but also for watersports enthusiasts.

Windsurfing is one of the of the most popular sports in Nouméa, the French Territory’s capital. In fact, an international windsurfing competition called the Nouméa Dream Cup has been organized, attracting participants from across the globe.


Filed Under: Advertising, Options, Pacific, Things to See/Do, Travel Tips

Rosh HaShana 2018

September 9, 2018 By

The following video is from the Western Wall, sometimes identified as the Wailing Wall. The Western Wall is considered by many Jews to be the among the holiest places in the world because of it’s proximity to the last temple. The Western Wall itself was not part of the Temple, rather it is a retaining wall that supports the platform upon which the Temple stood.

It is tradition for Jews to gather at the Western Wall to celebrate Rosh HaShana, or the Jewish New Year.

Filed Under: Highlights, Israel News, Jerusalem, Things to See/Do

Holy Sepulchre Closed for 2nd Day

February 26, 2018 By

Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a regular tourist stop for most Christians visiting Jerusalem, has been closed for two days (from noon Sunday through Monday, so far) in protest of the Israeli government’s claim that the Church owes several million dollars in tax debt. The leaders of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer opted to close their church building to tourists on Monday in solidarity.

The government insists it is not taxing church activities, which have historically been exempt from taxes. What is in dispute is whether church properties that are commercial and not specifically for religious use should be taxed. The government says yes. The church says no. Jerusalem’s mayor claims the tax debt is 650 million shekels, which is over $186,000,000.

At the time of this writing, church officials remain uncertain how long the church will be closed to tourists.

See the Arutz-7 article here and the ABCNews article here.

Priests pray at the Thirteenth Station of the Cross: The Stone of Anointment in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (Photo: ©2006 Craig A. Dunning)
Priests pray at the Thirteenth Station of the Cross: The Stone of Anointment in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (Photo: ©2006 Craig A. Dunning)
Filed Under: Israel News, Israel Tourism News, Israel Travel, Jerusalem, Know Before You Go, Things to See/Do

Top 12 New Fruits and Vegetables Developed in Israel

August 12, 2017 By

Nano watermelons in the Jerusalem Market, Mahane Yehuda.
Nano watermelons in the Jerusalem Market, Mahane Yehuda.

Since the first half of the 20th century, Israeli agricultural wizards have been partnering with Mother Nature to bring new fruit and vegetable varieties to the global market, from vividly colored squash to seedless peppers.

Touchpoint Israel provides an interesting article on new fruits and vegetables developed in Israel. Read more …

Filed Under: food, Good News from Israel, Highlights, Israel News, Israeli Technology, Photos, Shopping, Things to See/Do