To travel to Bethlehem is to truly visit the birthplace of Christianity. The city is the famed birthplace of Jesus and King David. On your one day tour, you will travel by air conditioned bus, retracing the events relating to the nativity, only a few short miles from Jerusalem. As you travel Bethlehem, you will be transported to some of the most religious sites in the word.

Your tour guide will visit the Church of Nativity, one of the oldest and still used churches in the world. This is the location where Jesus was born to Mary, in the Grotto of Nativity, a crypt beneath the church. The exact location of his birth is marked with a 14-pointed silver star on the crypt floor. Directly adjacent to the church you will visit Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Close by you will also find the Milk Grotto where Mary nursed baby Jesus as they took refuge when escaping to Egypt. It is said that Mary spilled drops of milk while nursing, turning the cavern milky white.

Rachel’s Tomb is the second most visited site on your Bethlehem tour. It is the burial site of the biblical matriarch wife of Jacob, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Most importantly, it is holy to all three faiths of Israel. Because of this, the tomb is protected by the highest level of security, with only visitors via Egged bus tours being granted complete access. Take advantage of this opportunity when on your Bethlehem day tour.

On this organized trip, you will also travel eastward through the Christian village of Beit Sahour to Shepherds’ Fields, the location where it is claimed the shepherds saw the Star of Nativity. In the fields grow olive trees, some dating back 2,000 years. Found below ground is the Church of the Shepherds’, a cave which was once used by the shepherds. It was later excavated and rebuilt by the Monastery of Saint Savva to be visible above ground.

Your guided city tour will direct you to the centre of Bethlehem, where you will find the old city. It consists of eight quarters with the total population of approximately 50,000 people. This is the perfect opportunity to take in some shopping when on your tour of Bethlehem.

A time to visit Bethlehem is during the traditional Christian midnight mass held on Christmas eve in St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, next to the Church of Nativity. Thousands gather here and in Manger Square to watch the procession of priests and listen to the sermon. Lights adorn the square while nativity scenes are erected. In addition to the traditional western Christmas celebrations, the Greek Orthodox celebrate on January 6 and Armenian celebrate on January 19.

Whether you decide to embark on a full day or half day tour, a trip to Bethlehem is an exciting excursion when visiting Israel. When visiting any of the holy sites on Bethlehem tours, be sure to dress in modest attire, covering shoulders and knees at all times.