Israel and the Palestinian territories have been the stomping ground of dozens of peoples over as many centuries—the layers of civilization date back to ancient Jericho, which, at 10,000 years, is the oldest known city in the world. As the sun sets over Jerusalem, the remnants of fallen civilizations and startling architectural achievements shine with the city’s famous gold. The hilltop fortress of Masada served as a Jewish refuge, Herod’s citadel, and the site of mass suicide in the face of Roman conquest. Petra, carved into the red cliffs of Jordan, is the country’s mystical treasure. On the Mediterranean Coast, Caesarea, Herod’s first-century city, is remarkably intact; to the south are the hidden caves and tombs of Beit Guvrin. Nimrod’s Fortress, an impressive crusader castle in the Golan Heights, features a secret passageway, winding stone stairways, and a magnificent view. Other highlights include Beit She’an, a mound with twenty archaeologically distinct layers, and Tzippori, which boasts exquisite mosaics, a synagogue, and an amphitheater. Fortress walls surround the Crusader city of Akko, while long, damp Templars’ tunnels burrow beneath.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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