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Star Street
We’ll head out to explore the Old City of Bethlehem for fresh air and fresh knowledge.
We’ll walk through the city on which Joseph and Mary took to approach the Grotto of the Nativity; Star Street.
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While our eyes wander this old city we’ll let our feet take us to the Bethlehem Icon Centre.
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Al Bad Museum
We’ll continue to the old entrance of Bethlehem City and explore another type of Hosh: The Syrian Quarter and admire its ancient brick building on a narrow winding street.
Also located in the Old City is the Al Badd Museum for Olive Oil Production; a traditional building that dates back to the 18th–19th century. As we enter the Museum we step into history. We’ll grasp all the ethnographic and archaeological artefacts that feature the process of oil production.
*Opening hours: 08:00-14:30 Monday through Saturday
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As we continue our journey we’ll stroll to the city square in the center of Bethlehem, known as Manger Square. Here we’ll take a short stop to savour traditional Bethlehem coffee.
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Church of the Nativity
This journey continues to the Nativity Church. It is one of the oldest, standing churches in the world built in the Byzantine time, 5th century. We’ll enter the Basilica through the main entrance also known as “The door of humility,”there we’ll notice the original floor of the first church of Constantine from 326 AD. We’ll find ourselves proceeding to steps that take us down to the grotto; experiencing the spot where Jesus was born from Virgin Mary.
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After this experience we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at Afteem Restaurant. The crisp of the falafel and creamy texture of humus with a salad made up of fresh, local vegetables will give us a boost to continue our day.
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Following lunch we’ll walk to Milk Grotto Street and admire the Church of Milk Grotto. This is where Virgin Mary was feeding baby Jesus and a drop of milk fell on the ground and turned the stones all to white.
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Beit Sahour
We’ll then ride to the historic town of Beit Sahour. Its name means “Place of the Night Watch.” This is in reference to the Shepherds who kept watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8). Churches mark the sites of Shepherds Field, the Field of Ruth and the Well of the Lady.
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At the end of our day we’ll visit Shepherd’s Field. Here the Angel of the Lord appeared before shepherds bringing them good tidings of the Birth of Jesus. And they joined with a multitude of heavenly hosts, the Angel sang ‘Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth, Peace among men.’
