We have an Israel Palestine Territories tour signed up with Intrepid Tours. I was reading the itinerary and the only Palestine tour they have is to Nazareth to visit holy sites. I am not religious but was a catholic as a child. I am wondering if this tour is for us.
I want to know the Palestinians and their struggles. Eat in a home, spend money there, pay for a guide. I want to know more about the situation. Anyone have any experience with what we want to do?
Thanks in advance
That seems strange, because Nazareth is not in Palestine. It's considered Israel. I think the best option for what you are looking for is in Bethlehem. There are many tour guides and operators there because of the close proximity to Jerusalem and of course the historical importance of Bethlehem. It is easy to cross over, although you can't take an Israeli rental car into the West Bank. A taxi can pick you up or your guide can, if they have a vehicle. It's considered very safe and tourist-friendly. Another interesting place to visit would be Hebron. But please only go with a guide, because there are constant issues between police and residents and even visitors. A friend had people shouting at their tour group. You just need someone who can read the local situation at the time, to be most careful.
And you could also just stay in Jerusalem and get much of what you're looking for. There are many Palestinians living and working there.
My sister did a tour with Green Olive Tours several years ago that went into Bethlehem and gave information on the situation. I believe they have options that cover different cities that may interest you.
Nazareth is the capital & largest city in the Northern District of Israel. Unless you or someone you know has a connection to a family or organization in the part of Israel you wish to visit, you might have a challenge finding an invitation to a home for a meal. I just googled "Tours of Nazareth" and came up with many entries.
More information about Nazareth. Very interesting.
Nazareth is an interesting city but it is in Israel. It is however a largely Arab city. Beyond the religious sights, I’d recommend wandering through the market.
I expect the one Palestine tour you’ll go on is Bethlehem. We were on a small bus tour to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and had to switch vehicles at the border to a bumpy car that rattled us quickly to the Bethlehem holy sites and to a restaurant for lunch. Not a lot of time to go off-piste and explore further, but it was fascinating/horrifying seeing the wall between the West Bank & Israel.
I am curious Linsfo in learning more of your interest in visiting the Palestinian Territories. If it is trying to understand more of their daily lives within the context of the Palestinian/Israeli conflicts perhaps contacting Beyond Borders might allow you a more enriched perspective than perhaps restricting visits to Nazareth and Bethlehem.
linsfo,
I looked at the Intrepid Tours website and, although the tours look interesting, based on your specific interests as stated in your post, it occurred to me that these tours may not be what you're looking for.
Although Nazareth is in Israel, about 70% of the population is Muslim and it's known as the "Arab Capital of Israel" (per Wikipedia).
The religious sites located there would be Muslim and Christian; note that "Christian" in this context would include the significant number of "Arab Christians" living in Nazareth, and the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation is located in Nazareth but, in my opinion (I've been to the Basilica), would probably be of most interest to those interested in Christian religious matters).
A couple of years ago, Rick Steves did a special on Arab-Israeli issues, which might be of interest in helping you decide what tour would best meet your specific interests.
CuriousTraveler......not sure if your post was in response to my previous one..... I merely suggested that if linsfo had a deeper interest beyond sacred sights that perhaps Beyond Borders Tours might offer more of what they are looking for. I’m well aware of Nazareth and Bethlehem as well as Abu Dis, Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, and Gaza having spent time there as well .........it’s a different experience.
Chris,
No, my post was not intended to respond to your previous one, my post was focusing on the original poster's statement of what they're looking for. I think your suggestion to the OP makes sense, given the specific interests stated by the OP.
