Jerusalem Day Trip

A trip to Jerusalem is mandatory if you are visiting Israel. Only about an hour by bus from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem is perfect for a day trip. I have been to Jerusalem many times before, so there are very few things that I have not experienced in the city. There are mainstays that I always love seeing again such as the Kotel(Western Wall), Old City, Ben Yehuda St, and the Mahane Yehuda Market(the Shuk). When you are arrive in Jerusalem by bus you can walk straight down Jaffa Road to the Mahane Yehuda Market, or the Shuk as everyone else calls it. If you are a market junkie, this is a must stop place for you. You can spend a good chunk of your day sampling the amazing array of fruits, pastries, sweets, breads, fish, meat, and other amazing food that the market has to offer. Within the market itself and surrounding the market there are an array of restaurants that range from Italian, cafes, Shawarma/falafel stands, and bourekas stands that use the bounty the market makes available to them. Besides food, the area around the market offers an array of Judaica shops, and souvenir shops. For all that the Shuk offers, it is a unique location within Jerusalem and I highly suggest it to anyone who is visiting Jerusalem. In my opinion it is one of the most unique markets in the world. Ben Yehuda St is another place not to miss if you are visiting Jerusalem. Cafes and shops line the pedestrian boulevard which is packed with locals and tourists. For the visitor who likes to shop, Ben Yehuda is a must stop. The Old City is the focal point of Jerusalem and the main area of tourist, and religious activity in the city. Christians, Muslims, and Jews flock to the Old City to visit its religious sites which include the Temple Mount, The Kotel, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The old streets, vendors, and beautiful architecture are magnificent. I never get bored walking down the streets of the Old City. You can feel the history of the city by walking its narrow streets. It is a magical place that everyone should get to experience. There is obviously more that Jerusalem has to offer besides what I saw on this trip. Yad Vashem, Mt Herzl, the Israel Museum, Emek Refaim, and other neighborhoods. Jerusalem is a world class city that every visitor should experience. Enjoy!