The country of Israel forms the backdrop for many scenes in my novels including The Queen’s Handmaid and The Incense Road.

If you have ever contemplated taking a trip to Israel, I would strongly urge you — do it! The days spent walking where Jesus walked and seeing the Bible come to life was nothing I’ve ever experienced.

Caesarea

Herod the Great’s seaport vacation spot, where Paul was held for two years and questioned by Felix and Festus. (Scenes from The Queen’s Handmaid occur here.)

Mount Carmel

Where Elijah called down fire and destroyed the prophets of Baal.

The Jezreel Valley near Megiddo (aka the Valley of Armegeddon)

In the distance is Nazareth, where Jesus grew up overlooking this valley.

Mount of Beatitudes

Tel Dan

Where the Israelites set up altars that displeased God.

Caesarea Philippi

Where Peter first declared Jesus as Messiah. The god Pan was worshipped here, and these sacred caves were sometimes called “the gates of hell.” These caves are also featured in The Incense Road.

Sea of Galilee

Capernaum

A city where Jesus spent a lot of time. Peter’s mother-in-law’s house is reportedly here, as well as the ruins of a synagogue where Jesus likely taught.

Chorazin

The “Moses seat” in a synagogue, where the Scriptures were read.

A mikveh – the ritual purification area for Jewish people.

Beit She’an

One of the ten cities of the Decapolis, with Greek and Roman ruins.

This grid of terracotta was used under hot baths, to bring heat to the water.

The Dead Sea

Through the Wilderness

The Jordan River

Masada

Herod’s mountaintop resort (featured in The Queen’s Handmaid), where eventually the Jewish people made their last stand as Rome invaded and destroyed in 73 AD. The cable car typically ridden to the top was out of service the day we were there, so we climbed the ramp the Romans built to lay siege to the fortress, and then descended the other side via a switchbacking serpentine path that was a little bit scary!

En Gedi

Where David hid in caves from King Saul

Jerusalem

Our first glimpse of Jerusalem, driving in at sunset.

The Mount of Olives

View from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the temple area of Jerusalem.

Garden of Gethsamane

2000 year old olive trees still grow in this garden.

The Western Wall and the Temple Mount

A Bar Mitzvah was going on at the Western Wall on the day we were there. The divider near the bottom of the photo separates men from women.

An odd picture, but one of my favorites. Someone accidentally released a bunch of balloons from the Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall (the little spot of white in the blue sky), and as they rose into the sky above the Mount of Olives, I realized that Jesus’ ascension would likely have been visible from the Temple.

On the Temple Mount, there is a line the Jewish people won’t cross, since the exact location of the temple is unknown, and they don’t want to take a chance of accidentally stepping into the Holy of Holies.

The Eastern Gates, which have been walled up. Likely the gate through which Jesus entered the city on Palm Sunday, and is supposed to enter again upon His return.

The highest corner of the Temple area, perhaps the site of one of Jesus’ temptations.

The Antonia Fortress at the corner of the Temple Mount, likely the site of Jesus’ trial.

The Southern Steps of the Temple Mount

Where Jesus stood and taught.

Bethlehem

There is a Greek Orthodox church on the traditional site of Jesus’ birth.

Model of Jerusalem

This model was really interesting, and helped us get a better sense of the city.

Herodian

Another luxury spot for Herod the Great. His tomb was recently found on this hill, with the remains of his palace.

The Garden Tomb

Tradtiional site of Jesus’ tomb.

Mt. Sinai

One of the most unique “local” experiences I’ve had while traveling the world… Outside the place where we stayed at Mt. Sinai, there was a Bedouin tent village, set up to serve the tourist trade. Late one evening, a young man running a little shop invited me out to his tent “for tea.” That sounded like it might be a bad idea, so I declined. But a few minutes later I ran into another guy in our tour group who had also been invited to their tents. So we said, “I’ll go if you’ll go!” and we were then treated to a couple of hours of entertainment inside their tents, during which I will admit to being taught to belly dance. The next morning, they all wanted to get photos with us. Fun.

Time to Leave

Sunrise from our hotel, on the morning of our departure.