| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
No one will ever be able to pinpoint what makes Jerusalem so special. The mountains, the wind, the extraordinary light may be part of its appeal. Three thousand years ago, King David, the warrior-psalmist of the Bible, made Jerusalem his capital. Perhaps he saw the poetry of the place as it was then. The Gihon Spring flowed through a paradise of gardens nestled at the foot of the Kidron Valley. From there a long narrow ridge rose steeply northward, filled with stone houses perched precariously on its sides. At the top of the ridge, seemingly hanging in the heavens, was the threshing floor of Araunah, which David purchased as the site of the Temple his son, Solomon, would one day build. Overlooking everything were the vast groves of the Mount of Olives, an ocean of silver leaves shimmering in the sun and wind, the source of the city's wealth; over the ridge of the Mount of Olives, the sun rose each day. From its crest, the view opened onto the desert, stretching over barren mountains and down steep wadis eastward to the Dead Sea. Into this wilderness, with great ceremony, the scapegoat was released each year, carrying with it Jerusalem's sins. For more than 1,000 years after the time of King David, Jerusalem was the physical as well as the spiritual capital of the Jewish world. Jews longed for the splendid Jerusalem of King Solomon, for the Jerusalem of the great prophets, for the ruined Jerusalem of the Babylonian Captivity, for the modest Jerusalem of the early Second T
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | Jerusalem is a city rich in history. King David ruled it 3,000 years ago, Jesus walked in its streets 2,000 years ago and over half a century ago it became the capital of modern Israel. Jerusalem’s history has been a tumultuous and bloody one. Over the centuries, the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamaluks, Ottomans, and British all fought for her, ruled over her, and eventually lost her. One of the best ways to get a grip on the dizzying change of rulers in Jerusalem is to visit the Time Elevator , a simulated ride through the city’s history, narrated by Fiddler on the Roof star, Chaim Topol. This is a fun introduction for children and those wanting a framework for further understanding Jerusalem’s past. But history is all around you in the layers of Jerusalem, which go deep, with ruins from different time periods lodged on top of each other. Excavations in the City of David (the oldest part of the city, which dates back to 1,800 BCE) have revealed 25 strata of settlement. Of course, Jerusalem is an archaeologist’s paradise. Relics discovered before 1948 are housed in the Rockerfeller Museum, and those excavated post-1948 are housed in the Israel Museum’s Samuel Bronfman Archaeology Wing, which has rooms dealing with prehistory, the Canaanites, Israelites, the Second Temple period, the Romans, and Byzantines. The story of Jerusalem as a capital begins in 1,000 BCE when King David proclaimed it
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| When To Go (Source: Fodors) | Top | There is no bad time to visit in terms of weather. Jerusalem has low humidity year-round. There are seldom any rainy days at all from May through September, but some travelers prefer to risk rain and come in the cooler, less expensive season of November through March. In winter, snow falls occasionally in the northern and central hills. In April, May, September, and October, the weather is generally sunny but not uncomfortably hot. March and April have the added attraction of a lush countryside painted with vivid wildflowers. During school holidays, particularly in July and August, Israelis themselves take vacations; accommodations and attractions get very crowded, and surcharges are often added to hotel rates. Hotel prices also jump during the Passover and Sukkoth holiday periods (early April and late September-early October, respectively), and services and commerce are sharply curtailed; many Israelis simply go away for Passover. Reservations for this busy week should be booked at least four months in advance, and plane reservations six months to a year in advance. Some hotels require full board—paying for all meals as part of the room price—for the week of Passover.
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There By Air Ben Gurion International Airport ( TLV ) ( +972 0 3 971 0000/ http://www.ben-gurion-airport.com/ ) is 30 miles and about a 45 minute taxi ride from Jerusalem. Air Canada ( +1 800 776 3000/ http://www.aircanada.ca ) Air France ( +1 800 871 1366/ http://www.airfrance.com ) British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297/ http://www.british-airways.com ) Continental ( +1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com ) Delta ( +1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com ) El Al ( +1 800 223 6700/ http://www.elal.co.il ) Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com ) United ( +1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com ) Arkia Israeli Airlines ( +972 3 690 3712 ) By Car The Ayalon Highway is a freeway from Holon to Herzliya. The Cross Israel Highway ( Hwy 6 ) is a toll-way that runs North to South. Avis ( +1 800 831 2847; +972 3 977 3200/ http://www.avis.com ) Budget ( +1 800 527 0700; 972 1 700 70 4141/ http://www.budget.com ) Eldan ( +972 3 565 4545/ http://www.eldan.co.il ) Enterprise ( +1 800 325 8007/ http://www.enterprise.com ) Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131; +972 8 977 7777/ http://www.hertz.com ) Getting Around By Bus Dan Transportation public bus ( + 972 3 639 4444 ) Egged Bus Company public bus ( +972 3 694 8888 ) Kavim Public Transportation ( +972 3 557 0600 ) Metropoline ( +972 1 222 5900 ) By Train Carmelit Subway
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | In Jerusalem, nightlife is modest compared to the bright lights, big city, trance, and dance culture of brasher Tel Aviv. A Jerusalem evening out is likely to involve food, a coffee shop, and promenading around, enjoying both the fairytale like atmosphere of the city at night and the hive of human activity. For listings of all events in English, buy the Friday edition of either the Jerusalem Post or Ha’aretz-Herald Tribune International . There are often lectures, workshops, or performances geared specifically towards English speakers. Also look out for Israeli folk dance events. There are possibilities to both watch a show and to participate in a class. The municipality has invested USD2.5 million in illuminating the walls of the Old City, plus some 50 other buildings of note including churches, museums, the Western Wall Plaza, and other key sites. A walk around Jerusalem at night is recommended to take in the magic (and highly recommended if you want a romantic evening). To view Jerusalem at its twinkling best, try standing at the bridge by the Cinematheque or on the Haas Promenade (Tayelet) . Music and Performance The alleys off Zion Square, such as Yoel Salomon, are peppered with coffee and dessert places–and the odd bar. Tmol Shilshom , a literary café in this area, is a charming place for coffee and cake. The premises are the former home of Israeli writer S.Y. Agnon. There are frequent readings (in both Hebrew and English) and English p
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| Getting Around (Source: Frommers) | Top | Here are some of the most important destinations, and the buses that take you there: Abu Tor (and Railroad Station): 6, 7, 8, 21, 30, 48 American Colony (East Jerusalem): 23, 27 Bet Ha-Karem: 6, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27 Damascus Gate (Old City): 27 East Jerusalem: 23, 27, 99 Ein Kerem: 17 German Colony (South Jerusalem): 4, 14, 18, 24 Ge'ula Quarter: 3, 9, 39 Hadassah Hospital: 27 Israel Museum: 9, 17, 24 Jaffa Gate (Old City): 3, 19, 20, 30, 80, 99 Jewish Quarter (Old City): 1, 38 King George V Avenue 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 31, 48 Mount Scopus: 9, 23, 26, 28 Mount Zion: 38 Railroad Station 6, 7, 8, 21, 30, 48 Yad VaShem: 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27, 39, 40, 99 Zion Square: 6, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21 Bus drivers make change, sell single and multiple tickets and passes, and speak English. A single full-fare city bus ticket costs NIS 5.50 ($1.20). But if you ask the driver for a kartisiya (that's kahr-tee- see -yah), he'll sell you a pass good for 20 trips, plus one extra trip for free. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can use up a kartisiya. The pass is punched each time you board a bus. If two of you are traveling together, just tell the bus driver "pamayim" (twice) as you hand him the kartisiya, and he'll punch two fares. Students pay reduced fares and can buy a special discount kartisiya as well. If you pay for a normal, single fare, keep the receipt the driver gives you until you
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