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Things to Do Near Kirat HaYovel, Jerusalem, Israel

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  • Jerusalem is a pilgrimage city for billions of people around the world--Christians, Jews and Moslems revere the place where so much of their history took place. As one of the most ancient cities in the world, you'll want to take in some of the major religious sites that continue to draw people from around the world like a magnet. The Old City, surrounded by its 16th century wall, contains enough holy places to fill days of touring, but don't forget to enjoy the shuk where you can bargain for Middle Eastern tchatchkes, inhale the aroma of oriental spices and notice the huge variety of people rubbing shoulders and chattering in dozens of languages as you wander through the different quarters.

    Jerusalem is a layered city, with each of its conquerors building on the ruins of the empire that preceeded it, so be prepared for underground experiences that will reveal archaeological treasures from thousands of years ago.

    As King David wrote in the Psalms: "Jerusalem, hills surround her.." Jerusalem is the dividing point between the Judean hills and the desert that slopes down to the Dead Sea.  Be sure to take in one or two of the magnificent vistas over the Temple Mount from either the Mount of Olives to the east or the Haas Promenade from the south. You'll be struck by the extraordinary light that brings everything into sharp focus and makes Jerusalem a photographer's dream.

    The twentieth century brought about development of Jerusalem outside the walls of the Old City and today you'll find a thriving capital city replete with museums that celebrate every facet of Jewish, Islamic and Christian history, art and culture.

    Jerusalem's neighborhoods are architecturally distinct, so you can tell when you leave Talbiyeh with its majestic Arab-style mansions that house consulates and foundation offices, and enter the German Colony that was established by German Christian Templars in the late 19th century and now boasts the city's best selection of cafes, restaurants and jewelery boutiques along its main street.

    Downtown Jerusalem is going through a transitional phase as the Light Rail project becomes a reality (expected start date is April 2011) and merchants struggle to keep going through the construction mess.  But when the building workers go home, entertainment comes to life in the Helena HaMalka Street and Nahlat Shiva areas of downtown. A rival nightlife area is the old train compound south of the Old City at the beginning of Derekh Hebron.  Here you'll find everything from innovative restaurants and cozy bars to experimental music space and open-air concert venues where you can gaze up at the illuminated walls of the Old City.

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