Surrounded by fertile plains and blessed with natural springs, ancient Corinth was a powerful city-state with two harbours, making it one of the richest cities of the era. In the Roman period, the city was a major colony. Corinth was a place of religious variety, with the worship of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, local deities, and cult heroes. Today, the ancient city lies in ruins.
Paul’s Ministry
Corinth was important in the missionary activity of the apostle Paul. There, he met and worked with the Jewish tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla, and he began preaching in the synagogue every Sabbath trying to persuade Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:1-4). But the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive. Nevertheless, he founded Christian assemblies there.
After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. – Acts 18:1-4 (NKJV)
Temple of Apollo
The site today is dominated by the imposing Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest and most important temples in Greece. It had 6 columns on each narrow side and 15 columns on each long side, with each Doric monolith column over 7m high. At present, only 7 columns remain standing.
Fountain of Glauce
The Fountain of Glauce, a water supply installation, consisted of four reservoirs and four draw basins. According to Greek narratives, Princess of Corinth, Glauce was to be married to Jason who abandoned his wife Medea who spread poison to the veil of Glauce. When Glauce put it on, it took fire and Glauce threw herself into the fountain in a vain attempt to put out the fire. Hence, the fountain was named after her.
Bema
Most of the other surviving buildings date from the 1st century CE in the Roman era. The Agora was once surrounded by public buildings, small temples, shops, and the famous bema where officials gave public addresses and heard legal cases. The Bible tells us that the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the bema for judgement by Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12-17).
Discover Greece with 3 Nights Iconic Aegean Cruise (Limited Seats Available)
Join us and visit and explore the places where Paul preached to the ancient Greeks in our Discover Greece and Aegean Cruise Tour.
Tour dates: 12 Mar 2023, Sunday – 22 Mar 2023, Wednesday
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The 3-night all-inclusive cruise aboard Celestyal Olympia is an affordable way to island hop and see the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. It is a hectic and busy cruise, with ports of call at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos and Santorini, but it is perfect for sampling the various islands, history, and culture. Their specially designed shore excursions are central to the Celestyal experience.
Patmos – Visit to St John’s Monastery and Grotto of Apocalypse
Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. See the Cave or Grotto of the Apocalypse where Apostle John is said to have received a vision from Jesus. Next, walk along picturesque alleyways winding up to the Monastery of St John and see the Byzantine Church of St John adorned with important frescoes from several periods of history.
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. – Revelation 1:9 (NKJV)
Kusadasi – Visit to Ephesus
Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, is a fabulous open air archaeological wonder. Wander through the Agora, the magnificent and restored Library of Celsius, the marble-paved Main Street of Curetes, the Great Theatre and the excellently preserved Terrace Houses.
Santorini – Visit to Oia Village
Santorini, with its soaring landscapes and whitewashed houses, is described as one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Oia Village is perched on the rim of the Caldera, the remains of a volcanic eruption. Stroll the marble-paved alleys, visit the adorable shops, and capture the moments on camera.
Discover Greece with 3 Nights Iconic Aegean Cruise
Join us and tour across the endless blue seas and extraordinary mountain ranges of Greece, on foot and aboard the Aegean Cruise.
Tour dates: 12 Mar 2023, Sunday – 22 Mar 2023, Wednesday
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For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Greece is blessed with an exceptionally beautiful nature and striking landscape. Greece has a long history and innumerable stunning monuments to prove it. It was in Ancient Greece that philosophy has its roots, where democracy was born, where theatre came to life, and it was home to both the ancient and the modern Olympic Games.
UNESCO world heritage sites
Greece offers the world over 100 outstanding archaeological sites, with theatres, public assembly buildings, temples, public markets, revealing a history exceeding 5,000 years. Greece is home to some very interesting UNESCO world heritage sites: the beautiful monasteries in Meteora, the amazing Acropolis in Athens, the Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki and the many archaeological sites scattered all over the country.
Greek Islands
The thought of Greece conjures up images of the islands and the splendid beaches. Santorini is probably the most famous island in all of Greece. Greece has also some incredibly beautiful sunsets and crystal blue waters. Aboard the Aegean Cruise is one of the best ways to explore the different islands at every port.
In The Footsteps of Paul
Greece is also home to the noteworthy route that Apostle Paul took to spread the word of God in a time when polytheism was practised. This route comprises of places such as Kavala (Neapolis), Philippi, Thessaloniki, Veria, Athens, and Corinth.
Discover Greece with 3 Nights Iconic Aegean Cruise
Join us and tour across the endless blue seas and extraordinary mountain ranges of Greece, on foot and aboard the Aegean Cruise.
Tour dates: 12 Mar 2023, Sunday – 22 Mar 2023, Wednesday
Click here for tour details. Register today!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
“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.
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You will surely see the Western Wall when you visit the Old City of Jerusalem. The Western Wall is the only remains of the retaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount, the site of the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem, held to be the most significant site in the world for the Jewish people.
To celebrate the arrival of Shabbat, there is always a large crowd at sunset on Friday. The Western Wall Plaza is a popular site for bar mitzvahs which are usually held on Shabbat or on Monday and Thursday mornings. This is an excellent time to visit as the area is lively with families singing and dancing as they approach.
Western Wall Tunnel Tour
The part visible to all at the Western Wall Plaza is a small section (70m) of a much larger, mostly underground wall that stretches almost 500m long. Its greatness is truly awed when you descend underground to the Western Wall Tunnels. Walking through the tunnels, it is possible to see an ancient aqueduct, water pits, old cisterns, and Second Temple-era homes. You also get to touch the original and special stones from various periods. Many of these building stones are huge. The largest of these is the Western Stone, measuring up to 13m long and weighing over 500 tonnes.
If you are interested in a deeper look at the history of the Western Wall and Temple Mount, then this tour is worth 75 minutes of your time.
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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!
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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.
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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”.
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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.
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Israel may be a tiny country in the Middle East region, but it has many interesting facts. Here is our list of 10 remarkable facts.
Fact #1
Israel is the only country to have revised a dead language and made it the national language. Eliezer Ben Yehuda developed a modern Hebrew vocabulary, combining brand new and ancient Hebrew words. Hebrew became the official language of the Jews in 1922, a testament to the hard work and success of Ben Yehuda and his fellow Zionist pioneers in spreading the language.
Fact #2
The Mount of Olives is the oldest continuously used cemetery in the world. Many Jewish people since biblical times have requested to be buried here, hoping to be first in line when the Messiah comes on the Mount of Olives. Many ancient monumental Jewish tombs line the hillside.
Fact #3
Israel is one of the few countries in the world that has a mandatory military service requirement for women. Women have served in the Israel Defense Forces since its establishment in 1948. Today, women make up about 40% of conscript soldiers and 25% of the office corps.
Fact #4
Scientists in Israel managed to grow fresh dates from 6th century seeds found at Masada and Qumran. Hannah, one of the Qumran trees, was pollinated by Methuselah, a 2,000-year-old seed found in excavations in Masada and grew dates, a type that has not been tasted since the times of Jesus and the Maccabees.
Fact #5
In Israel, a meal without a salad is not a meal. You can find Israelis eating Israeli salad for breakfast or dinner or as a side dish for lunch. Traditional Israeli salad is made from fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and onion. Israeli salad goes well with some of the best Israeli foods such as shakshuka, in a pita together with falafel, sabich or any other street food, or as a side during a picnic or BBQ.
Fact #6
Israel Postal Company receives letters from around the world and from people of all religious denominations that are addressed to God or Jesus. Israel Post keeps the letters in a department until they are placed once a year, ahead of Rosh Hashanah, into the cracks of the Western Wall.
Fact #7
Israel has five out of seven natural erosion craters in the world. Ramon Crater in the Negev desert is the world’s largest, measuring 40km long, about 2 to 10km wide and up to 500m deep. Ramon Crater forms Israel’s largest national park, a place for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
Fact #8
The glue on Israeli postage stamps is kosher. These stamps are certified kosher by the chief rabbis of Israel.
Fact #9
Israel is the biggest junction in the world for migratory birds. Every spring and fall, over half a billion birds touch down at Israel’s nature reserve and marshes to rest and refuel. People from around the globe flock to Israel to see a high diversity of feathered species from desert birds to wetland fliers to migrating flocks.
Fact #10
Israel is number 1 in the world in water recycling. About 90% of the wastewater generated in Israel is recycled and reused mostly for agriculture and trees. About 60% of the domestic drinking water supply in Israel is provided by desalination.
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Passover 2022 begins at sundown Friday, 15 April and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 23 April 2022, that is, the Hebrew calendar dates of Nissan 15-22. Passover or Pesach is an annual weeklong festival commemorating the Biblical story of Exodus where God freed the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
The Story of Exodus
Moses went to Pharaoh and asked that he let the Israelites go free from Egypt. Pharaoh said no, so God sent down 10 plagues to force the king to change his mind. The tenth and final plague was the most drastic: the killing of the firstborn sons by the angel of death. The Israelites were spared from the plague because Moses told them to mark their door posts with lamb’s blood so that the angel of death would pass over them. Thus, the name “Passover”. Pharaoh’s son died from the plague. In his grief, Pharaoh ordered Moses and the Israelites to leave Egypt.
The people were happy but mistrustful of Pharaoh, afraid he would go back on his word again. In their haste to leave Egypt, the Israelites could not let their bread rise and so they brought unleavened bread and followed Moses into the desert. In commemoration of this, Passover is also called the Festival of Unleavened Bread where only flat unleavened bread or “Matzo” is consumed.
Seder
Passover is celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, especially on the first night, when a special family meal called the seder is held. During the seder (meaning “order” in Hebrew), family members eat, pray, drink, sing, discuss current social justice issues and tell stories as prescribed by the Haggadah, the Passover book.
The Sedar plate holds five or six items, each of which symbolizes a part of the Passover story. Parsley symbolises the new spring. Charoset, a sweet mixture of apples and honey, represents the mortar that the Israelite slaves used to construct buildings for Pharaoh. A bitter herb, often horseradish, associates with the bitterness of slavery. A second bitter herb, often Romaine lettuce, is used. A roasted lamb shank bone serves as a visual reminder of the sacrifice that the Israelites offered immediately before leaving Egypt. A roasted or hard-boiled egg represents a sign of new life.
Want to greet your Jewish friends a happy holiday? The greeting for Passover is simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holidays) or “Chag Pesach Sameach!” (Happy Passover Holiday).
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Stay In The Know
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Really, any time of the year is the best time of the year to visit Israel. The weather in Israel is actually quite moderate, so any time is a good time for you to comfortably travel throughout the country, but each season offers advantages.
Visit Israel in the Spring
March to May
Spring is a busy time in Israel with the celebration of Purim in March, the Passover taking up a week in April, the commemoration of Israel Independence Day and Memorial Day as well as the Jewish festival of Shavuot in May. Since so many locals are outside having fun during spring, expect some places to get crowded. Late spring is also a wonderful time to enjoy Israel’s picturesque nature spots, trails and landscapes.
Visit Israel in the Summer
June to August
Although it gets pretty hot during the day in the summer months in Israel, there are still plenty of things that you can do to beat the heat. It is the best time to hit the countless beautiful beaches in Israel, with some of the best beaches located within the vicinity of Tel Aviv. You can consider travelling to the many oases, streams, nature springs, and adventure spots in the high mountains for a breath of fresh air as well as gorgeous views. Scuba diving in the depths of the Red Sea is another great way to spend your summer in Israel.
Visit Israel in the Fall
September to November
The fall in Israel offers moderate temperatures, with warm days and cool nights. It is the time of many festivals, both religious and non-religious. The High Holiday seasons of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot occur between September and October. It can be a special experience for you to see and watch as the festivities and celebrations unfold, especially in Jerusalem. For birdwatchers, you must visit the wetlands of the Hula Valley in November to see the migratory birds.
Visit Israel in the Winter
December to February
If you do not mind wearing a moderately heavy coat and are prepared for some rainy days, it is a nice time to visit Israel in December and January. The crowds of the fall have gone, so you will have more space when you visit the most popular attractions. For those who plan to go skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and sledding, travel up north to Mount Hermon in the northernmost tip of Israel, the only snow-capped mountain of the country. For hikers, late winter is a great time to explore the hills of Judea, Galilee and the Golan Heights that are covered with wildflowers and grass, just bring your rain gear.
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