Posts by Larri

I’m looking for it and will send it to you. But not on the site—I need your email address.

You need to deal directly with him and not go through Evaneos, which takes its commission. If you'd like, I can share our travel journal with you in a private message.

Hi,

I traveled with Turquoise Travel three years ago and was happy with them. They kept their promises, the prices were competitive, and I could pay everything in cash on-site. I had great contact with Nasrullo.

Larri

Hi Franck,

As always, you hook us from the very first line, and all we can think about is following you to the end of your journey with delight!

Hello,

You’re much more knowledgeable than I am on this topic. For the average French speaker, "Wailing Wall" is the most commonly used term. I’ll grant you that people don’t just come here to wail. I’d noted that it’s the retaining wall of the Second Temple.

As for returning to Israel, given my age and the current events, there’s little chance I’ll go back. I still have so many other countries to see if my health allows it. Thanks for reading, correcting me when necessary, and enriching my post. Best regards, Larri

Epilogue

Throughout our journey in Jordan, we went from one surprise to another: stops to taste local specialties, meals offered, discoveries of places off the beaten track. The attentions were numerous and constant. The choice of restaurants was always judicious, and we won’t forget the wonderful welcome from Ahmad’s family in Madaba, nor the memorable meal they treated us to. In the end, we had an unforgettable experience in a magnificent country. We were particularly touched by the kindness of the Jordanians we met—a sincere kindness that was felt at every moment. We were able to discover the customs and traditions of the country, as well as the hospitality of its people. Throughout the stay, Ahmad was attentive to our desires, often anticipating them. Concerned about our satisfaction, he made sure to gather our impressions after each visit while seeking to improve the experience for his future clients. We also really enjoyed his many anecdotes, whether about his clients or his French-learning days in eastern France. We shared plenty of laughs. On the Israeli side, the welcome felt different. The population seemed less open, and the political context doesn’t help. The tension was palpable in many places. The events that have occurred since have only reinforced my impressions. Despite this, the historical and religious richness of the places we visited, the kindness of our driver, and the erudition of our guide made this short trip unforgettable. Financially, it’s worth noting that four days in Israel cost us as much as ten days in Jordan! In conclusion, don’t hesitate to visit these two beautiful countries. Jordan is stunning, with a unique and particularly pleasant atmosphere. Israel, on the other hand, is steeped in history and offers an exceptional wealth of discoveries. Combining both countries in the same trip was a great decision. Of course, each deserves more time, but that would mean a much larger budget. This approach allowed us to discover their richness and differences in a single journey, and we don’t regret it at all.

Day 14 – End of the trip

To wrap up our journey before catching our flight, we explored Tel Aviv, a very modern city with its seafront, then briefly discovered the bustling Jaffa before flying back to Paris.

View of Tel Aviv



Jaffa

The Clock Tower

The Zodiac Fountain



In the alleys of Jaffa



Sebil Suleiman Fountain

Miscellaneous Photos







The door of St. Peter's Church in Gallicantu



The famous Jaffa Gate

Day 13 – End of the day in Jerusalem’s Old City

We continue our visit with the Lutheran church and the Abbey of the Dormition, where, according to Christian tradition, the Virgin Mary fell into her final sleep before entering eternal life. Then we head to St. James Cathedral, one of the main places of worship for Jerusalem’s Armenian community. The Mosque of Omar:



Afterward, we wander through the narrow streets of the Old City.



Our visit leads us to the Western Wall, a remnant of the retaining wall of the Second Temple esplanade and a sacred site in Judaism. Jews gather here to pray and slip small notes with their wishes or prayers between the stones.





We end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu, a site linked to Peter’s triple denial of Jesus, his last night in custody, and his condemnation to death.



This marks the end of our visit to the holy sites of Christianity (and a bit of other religions), made unforgettable by a passionate and knowledgeable guide.







The Abbey of the Dormition

Site where Christ was allegedly judged and his cell





The Tower of David



We’re exhausted, but above all, fulfilled!

J13 – The Old City of Jerusalem (continued)

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre





The Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre









The tombstone of Christ



Votive lamps offered by different Christian denominations

Day 13 – The Old City of Jerusalem

We walk the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus is said to have taken before his crucifixion, passing through the different stations of the cross.







Without going into too much detail or in any particular order, we discover the Church of St. Anne, associated with the birth of the Virgin Mary, the Pool of Bethesda, the Basilica of Ecce Homo, and the very famous Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses Christ’s tomb.















It’s shared among several Christian communities: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syriac Orthodox. Fun fact—the sharing isn’t always peaceful. It’s based on ancient rules, sometimes leading to surprising situations. Conflicts and disputes between these communities are frequent. We enter this holy site without waiting and can explore it at our leisure, without rushing. Normally, it’s not uncommon to queue for two to three hours just to get in and then have to hurry at each point of interest. During our trip, the ups and downs of Covid turned out to be a blessing for us!

Hi Michel,

After checking, it looks like it’s the Sion Gate! My mistake. You can tell the expert here.

Day 13 – Jerusalem: The Mount of Olives and the Old City surroundings (continued)

After visiting these buildings, we walk along the ramparts to reach the Golden Gate, which is completely walled up, before entering the Old City through the Jaffa Gate.

Day 13 – Jerusalem: The Mount of Olives and the Old City surroundings

The agency provided us with a French-speaking guide for our day visiting the Old City of Jerusalem. The rate was $250 for the day, whether there were two or ten of us: it was expensive for two people, but our guide, Edmond, a Palestinian who speaks perfect French, turned out to be exceptional. He was actually thrilled to have clients—he hadn’t had a single one in two years because of COVID! Highly knowledgeable, he showed us the Mount of Olives, the Old City, and Mount Zion. Before starting, he asked which religion we belonged to so he could tailor his explanations to our interests.

We began the visit at the Mount of Olives with the Church of the Pater Noster, where Christ is said to have taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples. Its unique feature: the prayer is inscribed on the walls in around 170 languages and dialects, making it a truly special place. Interestingly, this site, like three others, is under French diplomatic protection.









The other French national domains are the Church of Saint Anne, the Tomb of the Kings, and the Abbey of Abu Gosh.

Then Edmond took us to a nearby promontory, where we had a stunning view of the Old City walls, the Dome of the Rock (accessible only to Muslims for prayer), the cemeteries of the three religions, the Orthodox Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, and the Catholic Basilica of the Agony (where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest), also known as the Church of All Nations.

J12 – Bethlehem (end); return to Jerusalem

We then visit the Milk Grotto Church, where, according to tradition, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus took refuge to escape the Massacre of the Innocents. There, we discover a rather rare depiction of the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus. According to the same legend, a few drops of the Virgin’s milk are said to have whitened the grotto. Today, the sanctuary is a place of pilgrimage, especially for couples hoping to have a child.





The church is complemented by an ultra-modern chapel.









Finally, we stop at the Shepherds’ Field, another site associated with the birth of Jesus. It was here that the shepherds are said to have learned of Christ’s birth.



On the way back to Jerusalem, our driver shows us the modern city, with a stop in front of the Knesset, the seat of the Israeli Parliament since 1966.

Day 12 – Bethlehem (continued)

The Church of the Nativity:







The Door of Humility





St. Catherine's Church and its cloister:

Day 2 – Hebron and Bethlehem

For our second day in Israel, we head to Hebron to visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs, a site traditionally associated with Abraham’s burial. This monument is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.





After the massacre of 29 Muslim worshippers by a Jewish extremist in 1994, the sanctuary was divided into two parts: one is a mosque, called the Ibrahimi Mosque, and the other a synagogue. Before entering the mosque, we’re asked about our nationality and religion. On the Israeli side, we have to go through several checkpoints and military controls to enter the synagogue. You can see Abraham’s tomb from both sides.



Here, as in the rest of the city, you feel the extreme religious and political tension between Palestinians and Israelis. It weighs heavily on daily life and commercial activity. The souk is desperately empty, and almost all the shops are closed.



We then head to Bethlehem to visit the Basilica of the Nativity, dating back to the 4th century. It’s one of the oldest Christian churches still in use, built on the presumed site of Jesus’ birth.



Its entrance is particularly low, forcing visitors to bow—a symbolic way to show respect for this sacred place.







We’re lucky to be almost alone in this mythical, history-laden place. Normally, you have to queue (sometimes for 2 hours or more), and you can’t linger over the sacred stone. For our part, we have all the time in the world to take it in.

Hi Marriecurry,

Thanks for reading and for your kind comments. It’s really encouraging and I appreciate it. The next part shouldn’t be long in coming. Larri

Day 11 – Jericho (continued)

After the meal, we take a cable car up to the Mount of Temptation, the site where, according to Christian tradition, Christ was tempted by the devil. The monastery, clinging to the mountainside, is impressive.





The chapels are stunning, the atmosphere perfect for reflection, and the view over Jericho is breathtaking.







The monks living there seem as old as the building itself! On the way down, we fly over the ruins of ancient Jericho. They bear witness to human occupation dating back thousands of years.

After checking into our hotel, we enter the Old City of Jerusalem through Herod’s Gate for a first exploration. The streets are quiet and deserted at this hour.

J11 – Jericho We’re finally picked up by a local partner agency that takes us to Jericho, considered one of the oldest cities in the world. Along the way, we visit the beautiful Hisham Palace, famous for its superbly preserved mosaics.











The stunning Tree of Life





The latrines