“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.” Psalm 91:12 (NIV)
In 2005, a team of researchers first tried to germinate a 2,000-year-old seed found in 1963 by archaeologists from the ancient fortress of Masada.
It sprouted and the researchers named this Judean date palm Methuselah, after the oldest man in the Bible who lived to the age of 969 (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah is a father. It has been successfully pollinated with another date palm, which is producing offspring.
Date palms once flourished in the valley from the Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. They were an important source of food, shelter, and medicine. Over the centuries, the Judean palm was decimated by years of war and foreign conquest. Some 800 years ago, the Crusaders destroyed the last remaining specimens, rendering the plant extinct.
The seeds of Judean date palm turned out to have remarkable longevity. Over the following years, the scientists were also successful at growing six more trees from seeds found mostly from Masada or Qumran where the world-renowned Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed. Scientists pointed out that the Dead Sea, being the lowest point on Earth, has a special thick atmospheric layer that protect the seeds from harmful cosmic radiation.
You can see these amazing Judean date palms at Arava Institute Research Park in Kibbutz Ketura.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
In 1999, Wakf bulldozers illegally ascended the Temple Mount and surreptitiously removed 9,000 tons of ancient soil, laden with countless invaluable artifacts, without proper archaeological care, and dumped close to 400 truckloads of it all as “garbage” in the Kidron Valley.
Two archaeologists realised that this dumped soil is a potential treasure-trove of archaeological information about the Temple Mount. In 2004, they founded the Temple Mount Sifting Project which has grown into the world’s largest communal antiquities salvage effort, attracting hundreds of thousands of volunteers and tourists from across the globe, and unearthing over half a million valuable finds.
Every bucket of earth that is sifted contains fragments of pottery, glass vessels, metal objects, bones, worked stones and mosaic tesserae stones, spanning from the First Temple period to the present. Every stone has a historical meaning and background. They might have been used in the Temple, in the streets of ancient Jerusalem, the same stones that probably kings and prophets had walked on.
“For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.” Psalms 102:14, NIV
The Temple Mount Sifting Project is a splendid way to experience the work of an archaeologist while helping find artifacts that continue to shape the understanding of the history of this ancient and holy place. The opportunity to search through piles of history is surreal. Every bucket is filled with potential and the anticipation of what will be found is exciting for every participant. Each find made is exhilarating, whether small or large. For the geologists and archaeologists, the hard work of cataloguing is just beginning. For the tourists, it is fun, educational, and relaxing – dump each bucket onto a wood-framed screen mounted on plastic stands, rinse off any soil with water from a garden hose, and then pluck out anything of potential importance. A great way to spend an hour or two!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Do you know that the City of David is older than the Old City of Jerusalem? In fact, it’s considered the birthplace of Jerusalem, the place where King David built his kingdom.
City of David
The entrance of the City of David is decorated with a harp, closely associated with David who took a harp and played with his hand to calm King Saul from his bad moods (1 Samuel 16:23).
“And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.” -1 Samuel 16:23 (NKJV)
Descending the stairs into the Large Stone Structure, the possible remains of King David’s palace or the Jebusite fortress that David captured. The foundations are visible at the top of the massive Stepped Stone Structure, believed to have served as a retaining wall for the palace or the fortress.
At the bottom of the massive wall is the House of Ahiel (based on the finding of a potsherd with the name Ahiel), a four-room house designed with a kitchen, storerooms, residential rooms, and a place for the cattle. In one room, a limestone toilet seat was embedded in the plaster floor, with a cesspit beneath it. The house had a central courtyard that was open to let in light since there were no windows in the house.
Hezekiah’s Tunnel
The Hezekiah’s Tunnel was first designed to bring water from the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool, as documented in the famous paleo-Hebrew inscription that was etched into the tunnel wall, describing the excavators, working from opposite ends, calling to each other near the completion of the project. Visitors get to wade through this tunnel. It is wet, dark, and exhilarating! If this dark and winding tunnel is too daunting, an adjacent Canaanite tunnel provides a well-lit and dry-shod alternative. Both tunnels lead to the ancient Siloam Pool, said to be the place where Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth (John 9).
HALLELUJAH Nighttime Presentation
Not to be missed is “Hallelujah”, a spectacular multi-sensory night show displayed on the ancient walls of the City of David, telling the story of the rebirth of ancient Jerusalem, under the open night sky.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
The Garden of Gethsemane is a remarkably beautiful garden, across the Kidron Valley on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus went with His disciples to pray after the Last Supper just before He was betrayed and arrested (Mark 14:32-41).
“Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” – Mark 14:32 (NKJV)
What is the meaning of Gethsemane?
The name “Gethsemane” is made up of two Hebrew/Aramaic words “Gat Shemanei” which means “olive press”, suggesting that the garden was an olive grove complete with an olive press where harvested olives were processed, crushed and the olive oil extracted.
Today, the garden has manicured and tended flower beds surrounding a protected area that includes eight magnificent ancient olive trees, with some said to be at least 900 years old, still producing olives.
Adjacent to the garden is the Basilica of the Agony, also known as the Church of All Nations, that enshrines a slab of rock where Jesus is believed to have been praying before His arrest. The church was constructed with support from 12 different nations, thus the name “the Church of All Nations”.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
The Dung Gate is one of the gates in the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, built in the 16th century by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Until the end of Ottoman Rule, the gate was merely a tiny doorway in the wall for pedestrians and pack animals to pass through. It was enlarged by the Jordanians who controlled the Old City between 1948 and 1967. After the Old City of Jerusalem was reclaimed by Israel paratroopers in the Six-Day War, the gate was restored.
How did the Dung Gate get its name?
The Dung Gate is first mentioned in Nehemiah 2:13 where the prophet examined the walls of Jerusalem which had been broken down and its gates which had been destroyed by fire. The gate is so named because of all the scattered rubbish and soil dumped out into the Valley of Hinnom below, each time Jerusalem was destroyed. When the First Jewish Temple was still in place, all the garbage and ash from sacrifices were taken out of the city through this gate into the valley to be burned.
“After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates.” – Nehemiah 2:13 (NLT)
Today, the Dung Gate is the main entry to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and Davidson Centre, home to archaeological finds and displays from the First and Second Temple periods. The Dung Gate is the most convenient of the Old City of Jerusalem’s seven gates for visiting the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
“ …a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey…” (Deuteronomy 8:8, NKJV)
The olives trees in Israel have been around for centuries. It is mentioned many times in the Bible, indicating the great significance of the olive tree in biblical times. It is one of the seven species in the Land of Israel. The olive tree is extremely symbolic for the Jewish people. An olive branch stands on either side of the seven-branched menorah in the emblem of both the State and the Israel Defense Forces. The dove that returned to Noah’s ark carried an olive branch in its mouth to symbolise the end of the flood and the return of life to earth. Today, the olive branch is an international symbol of peace.
Olive oil has been more than just a food to the cultures of the Mediterranean region. It has been used for lighting, cooking, medicinal purposes, and moisturising skin. The oil of its fruit has anointed the noblest heads throughout history. Olive wreaths have also been given out to crown victorious athletes of sport as well as victorious generals of war.
The olive tree is among the oldest known of cultivated trees in the world. It can grow up to 6m high. Its trunk is thick and twisted with a silvery foliage. It has long roots that penetrate down to the deep, damp layers of the soil, making it capable of surviving through Israel’s dry summers. Its flowers appear in late April and during May. Olive trees start providing fruit when six years old and over. Its fruit grows during the summer, remaining green until November when it ripens, and its colour becomes purple black. It contains a high ratio of oil and is rich in Vitamin A.
In Israel, olive trees grow wild and are also cultivated. They are known to live longer than most other fruit trees. Some of the ancient trees now growing in the Galilee and the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem are thought to be at least 900 years old and beyond. Olives are now one of the most important fruits grown in Israel, with olive plantations in the mountains of the Galilee, on the coastal plain, and in the mountains of Samaria and Ephraim. While wild olives are reproduced from seeds, cultivated olives are planted using shoots that grown at the base of another olive tree. Psalm 128:3 uses this imagery in comparing children to olive shoots around the table.
Where can I buy Olive Oil products?
Today, many people recognise the health benefits of a diet rich in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and at the same time, are embracing a revival in the culture of bath and body products that use olive oil and oil extracts as their primary ingredients.
Olea Essence from the Sea of Galilee has an offering of olive oil and olive-based skincare that is eco-responsible and fully natural. You can check out this collection of products at Rock Gifts & Book Centre at The Star Vista #02-07 or visit their website https://rockonline.sg/collections/olea-essence
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
There are several stories about the mysterious Zedekiah’s Cave, a 5-acre underground limestone rock quarry under the Old City of Jerusalem. The stones for Solomon’s temple may have been hewn from this cavern, which is why the site is sometimes called Solomon’s Quarries. By Jewish tradition, it is the cave through which King Zedekiah snuck out of Jerusalem, escaping the Babylonians, hence its name Zedekiah’s Cave. Herod the Great used this quarry for his numerous construction projects including the renovation of the Second Temple.
The stones quarried from the cave are known as Melekh stone which is a high-quality type of limestone which had been used to craft many of the magnificent buildings in Jerusalem since biblical times. Suleiman the Magnificent apparently mined the quarry to build the present-day city walls. The cave was later sealed to prevent enemy attacks and its existence forgotten.
The cave was rediscovered in 1854 when an American missionary named James Turner Barclay discovered the entrance after his dog ran into a small opening that had been revealed by heavy rainfall. In the 1880s, a German religious cult moved into the cave but was eventually evacuated by the German Consul in Jerusalem after many fell ill from living in the damp conditions. The Freemasons believed that King Solomon was the Grand Master, and they regarded this cavern as the ideal location to hold their first ceremony in 1868. The Freemasons of Israel continue to hold an annual ceremony in it every year. The last known use of the quarry was for the building of the clock tower that once stood above the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem.
At first, Zedekiah’s Cave was a small, natural cave. It became a quarry, possibly the largest quarry of Jerusalem in antiquity, and a large space was created following the many quarrying operations carried out there for centuries. After the narrow entrance, the cave slopes down into a vast auditorium-like chamber that leads into many “galleries” carved out by ancient stonecutters. At the back of the cave is a tiny spring known as “Zedekiah’s Tears” in keeping with the tragic story of the blinded king who shed upon losing his kingdom and seeing his sons executed by the Babylonians.
Today, the cave is a major venue for concerts and cultural performances throughout the year. The concert area inside the cave provides a unique experience for both artists and audiences with its exceptional acoustics.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
The Cardo Maximus
The Cardo Maximus or simply the Cardo was Jerusalem’s main street during the Roman and Byzantine times. It was the north-south thoroughfare running from the Damascus Gate through the middle of the city to the Zion Gate. It was the commercial avenue of Jerusalem for almost 500 years.
In the 2nd century, the Roman Emperor Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman polis called Aelia Capitolina and added the Cardo in the north of the city. In the 6th century, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I extended the Cardo further south to the area of today’s Jewish Quarter, thus linking the two main churches of Byzantine Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Nea Church. In the 12th century, the Crusaders built a bazaar along part of the road.
Excavations in the Jewish Quarter have revealed a portion of the Cardo exactly as depicted in the famous 6th century Madaba Map, the oldest surviving detailed cartographic depiction of Jerusalem. The Byzantine map portrays the Jerusalem’s Cardo as a colonnaded Roman-style road. The Cardo was an exceptionally wide boulevard with a central lane, open to the sky, for the passage of carriages and animals. The original roadway was flanked on both sides with colonnaded, covered walkways that fronted on market stalls.
The exposed southern section of the road, 4m below the present-day street level, reveals the Byzantine Cardo level. Archaeologists have uncovered beautiful limestone columns, intricately carved Corinthian-styled capitals and large flagstones that paved the street. Part of the Cardo has been restored to show how the stalls and shops would have been in the ancient times. The shopping section of the Cardo is beneath a beautifully vaulted ceiling and modern stores are housed in the ancient Crusader shops that line the Cardo. Today, visitors can stroll through the Cardo just like the residents of Jerusalem used to in the 6th century.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Israelis, Palestinians, Egyptian Arabs, Greek and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries all claim hummus as “their own dish”. No one really knows for sure the origin of hummus.
Hummus is a creamy dip typically made with a blend of chickpeas and tahini, a paste made of ground sesame seeds, and then olive oil, salt, lemon juice and garlic are all added on top. Chickpeas were known to be cultivated in the Mediterranean. They were one of the earliest crops and people in the Middle East have eaten chickpeas since ancient times.
Different culture has their own twist on the hummus recipe and their own way to indulge in hummus. In Israel, fresh hummus is smooth and fluffy, made with a lot of tahini. Israel locals “wipe” hummus with fresh pita. Hummus in Israel is not an appetizer; it is usually a meal on its own.
Tourists to Israel know that no visit is complete without eating plenty of hummus. Hummus is eaten almost daily – you will find it in most of the Israeli sandwiches and pitas. The important part of hummus is using good quality ingredients and making it from scratch, resulting in a wholesome hummus that is rich in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fibre and potassium. It is a delicious dip that is enjoyed by all cultures.
While we wait to travel to Israel soon to enjoy the good, fresh hummus, we can treat ourselves to a hearty hummus meal at Pita Bakery, Israeli cuisine at Miznon Singapore or “hummus in the pan” at Dewgather Café. Perhaps you can try to make homemade hummus on your own. For those who have it convenient and quick, you can find ready-made hummus in our supermarkets. Bon Appetite!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Jerusalem’s Oldest and Largest Outdoor Market
If you are a market person, a visit to Mahane Yehuda is a must. The lively atmosphere is filled with the scent of fresh falafel and the sound of more than 250 haggling merchants, selling everything from aromatic spices to souvenirs. You can do all your shopping here whether it’s for Israeli cheese, halva, pastries, fresh and dried fruits, and gifts. Just about anything you can think of.
It is especially nice to come to the market just before a Jewish holiday such as Passover or Rosh Hashanah. The hustle and bustle of this vibrant marketplace is electrifying. You can feel the holiday is in the air. It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon moving from food stall to food stall, noshing your way through the market.
The market dates to the Ottoman period. An empty lot, it was developed by local peasants who brought produce to sell in this central location. Slowly the open grounds were turned into an organized market. The peasants took it upon themselves to build their own shops and storage facilities. Over the years, the market expanded and continued to develop. Today, it is a bustling marketplace and a neighbourhood that intertwines food, drinks, music, and shopping. It has also become a yuppie hub with designer boutiques and top chef restaurants. Mahane Yehuda simply represents the heart of Jerusalem, integrating the old and new.
No matter when you visit, the market is crowded. Be prepared for extremely heavy crowds on Fridays when Jerusalem residents are stocking up for the Sabbath. The market is open from Sunday morning through Friday afternoon. It’s free to explore. Come and lose yourself to all the colours, scents, and sounds of the Mahane Yehuda Market.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Have you ever wondered what bible gardens are and what took place in them? Gardens of the Bible were places of loveliness, sanctuary and sustenance. It is referred to as a place of shelter, recognised as a place of provision of food and seen as a place for quiet retreat. It is also a setting to meet with friends.
Israel has some of the best landscaped gardens with a biblical theme. These gardens feature cultivated collections of plants that are mentioned in the Bible. Some of these biblical gardens also display objects to illustrate biblical stories or to demonstrate how people lived in biblical times.
1. Neot Kedumim
Take a journey to the world’s only biblical landscape nature – Neot Kedumim, spread across 625 acres of restored land. The reserve is a remarkable place for the family and especially people wanting to get a glimpse into the landscape of ancient Israel, as reflected in the Bible.
To create the biblical park, thousands of tons of soil were trucked in, reservoirs were built to catch runoff rainwater, ancient terraces, wine presses and ritual baths were restored, and hundreds of varieties of trees and plants were cultivated. You can find the seven species – olives, wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, dates and grapes. You can see plants and trees, water and agricultural fittings such as cisterns, oil presses, wine presses and threshing floors as they were thousands of years ago. This amazing biblical reserve won an Israel Prize in 1994 as a model of restoration ecology. The park also offers additional activities such as tree planting and sheep herding.
2. Nazareth Biblical Village
Go back in time to the first century to witness first-hand daily life at the Nazareth Biblical Village in the Galilean city where Jesus once lived and walked. This open-air museum provides a 3D experience focused on showing examples Jesus used in His teaching. The Village is the ideal place for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience where the crossroads of first century and present meet. It makes a biblical first century come alive for visitors.
You meet costumed staff and pose next to them. All this deepens your experience and captures it as a photographic memory. You see villagers praying in the period synagogue, milking goats and practising their trades. You visit a reconstructed first century tomb, a watch tower, an olive press, a carpenter shop and a weaver’s room. In spring, you smell the blooming wildflowers. Donkeys and chickens roam about the grounds. In summer, you see grapes being pressed for wine and in the fall, you see the olive harvest.
3. Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden
Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden gives visitors a glimpse into the spiritual, physical and agricultural world of the Jewish people in the land of the Bible. The lovely biblical garden includes an ancient wine press, an olive press, a burial cave, a ritual bath, an agricultural tower, a Galilean-type synagogue and a Bedouin tent. You find a variety of biblical plants and trees as well as reconstructed facilities from biblical times.
The skilled guides of the garden take you through a journey of biblical stories such Ruth and Boaz, spiritual symbolism and the parables of the New Testament. Not to be missed – the biblical meal with Jesus Passover experience, a sumptuous culinary trip to the past. The meal comprises greens, lentils, meat pottage, stuff chicken, dried fruit and Haroset served with grape juice and tabun baked pita.
The site is also home to the Yad Hashmona Country Hotel, surrounded by stunning views of the evergreen Judean Hills and the Mediterranean coastal plain. It is a great place for spiritual rejuvenation during your stay at the hotel. In addition, you can visit the nearby biblical city of Kiriath Jearim known for the house of Abinadab that guarded the Ark of the Covenant from the time of Samuel until the time of David.
Our Lord Jesus says in Song of Songs 8:13 (NLT), “O my darling, lingering in the gardens, your companions are fortunate to hear your voice. Let me hear it, too!”
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Stay In The Know
© All rights reserved copyright 2026 | Licence Number: TA01376 | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure in Jordan this November 2024? Let’s embark on a journey that combines ancient history, natural marvels, and rejuvenation.
Petra: A City Carved in Stone
Petra by Night: A Mesmerizing Experience
As twilight descends, embark on a mystical walk through the Siq, where the narrow gorge comes alive with the soft glow of candlelight, leading you to the heart of Petra. The towering cliffs seem almost alive, their shadows dancing and shifting with the flickering flames. The atmosphere is surreal, enhanced by the cool desert air and the star-studded sky above, making it a truly cherished experience.
Petra: Where Sunlight Unlocks Ancient Secrets
As dawn breaks over the rose-red cliffs, Petra emerges from shadows into brilliance. The Treasury stands boldly; its intricate carvings tell tales of trade, culture, and resilience. Beyond lies a labyrinth—a city of tombs, temples, and dwellings hewn into the rock. Each step uncovers a new marvel, making Petra a true wonder of the world.
Hotel Stay: Movenpick Resort Petra
Retreat to Movenpick Resort Petra, a blend of modern comfort and timeless elegance. From your room, catch glimpses of the surrounding desert. Let the warm hospitality envelop you as you relax and prepare for the next day’s adventures.
Dead Sea: A Haven of Relaxation
Therapeutic Waters and Leisure
After Petra’s historical grandeur, unwind at the Dead Sea, renowned for its therapeutic waters. Float effortlessly on its hypersaline waters, feeling weightless and rejuvenated. Indulge in mud baths, letting the mineral-rich mud work its magic on your skin, leaving it feeling soft and refreshed.
Exploring the Dead Sea Complex and Museum
Visit the Dead Sea Panorama Complex and Museum to uncover the region’s fascinating history. From the observation deck, enjoy panoramic views of the Dead Sea and its stunning surroundings, highlighting the region’s exceptional beauty.
Hotel Stay: Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Relax at Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, a beachfront oasis. Indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments that harness the natural Dead Sea minerals. The infinity pool seamlessly blends with the sea, creating a captivating illusion that merges land and water.
Discover Biblical Jordan Tour 2024
Join us on this incredible journey where timeless history meets natural wonder. With enjoyable hotel stays and unforgettable activities, this trip offers an experience of a lifetime. Book now to uncover the enchanting wonders of Jordan!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece