‘WHERE’ You Return To [v273]

NOVEMBER 2021

Tourists say they return to a city to ‘deepen’ their connection with the culture. So, is there a city that travelers deem ‘most important’ to RETURN to?

INTRODUCTION
In the past few decades, travel has increased ‘astronomically’, and there are cities that travelers always want to RETURN TO. What is it that makes people realize that they ‘NEED’ TO GO BACK?

Some of the reasons cited by the travel advice ‘experts’ why people return to a city they have already visited are:

– Cities change
– You change
– You’re not a ‘tourist’ anymore
– Less ’trepidation’
– Different travel ‘partners’
– Different seasons
– Already have done the ‘famous’ sites
– Explore more in-depth/authenticity
– Revisit old ‘favorites’
– Experience something different
– Go ‘off the beaten path’
– Quality over quantity
– You know what to expect
– Expectations are more ‘realistic’
– Not as much ‘pressure’
– Notice the ‘details’
– Nostalgia
– It’s impossible to see everything in one trip
– Because you ‘love’ it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q9w6v_e9dA

[ VIDEO: “Rick Steves’ European Travel Tips and Tricks” – Trailer (Full episode in the “Articles” section below) ]

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<<< SUMMARY >>>
The following is a collection of ‘snippets’ from the post that aims to give you the overall ‘jest’ of this post. [ 10-15 Minute Read ].
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REASONS TO ‘RETURN’ TO A CITY
‘Avid’ travelers are always on a mission to check something off their ‘bucket list’, to get another stamp in their passports, or add another city to their count, are always obsessed with the idea of the ‘new’. They visit certain cities, have an amazing time, and pointedly refuse to return because there are many other cities to go experience.

Now, the need to go somewhere new is not a ‘bad’ thing—the opportunity to see somewhere new that one has not seen before makes sense—being in the search of fresh exciting experiences. BUT, there is SO MUCH to be said for returning to the ‘familiar’! Travel should be all about experiences rather than some ‘checklist’ of cities one has to visit. The thing is, it is safe to say that so many cities offer so MUCH MORE than one can experience over the space of a short vacation.

CITIES CHANGE
People, food, fashion trends, and little shops on the main street downtown all probably have changed (depending on how long it’s been since your last trip). So, one can’t necessarily revisit a place with the expectation that everything will be just as you left it, or you will be sorely disappointed. But by returning to a city however many months or years (or even decades) later, one allows themselves to see the evolution of an entirely new ‘subculture’ and a place can change so drastically that it may feel totally ‘brand new’.

YOU CHANGE
So not only has the place changed, but maybe you’ve changed, too. A city can seem completely different when you are looking at it with ‘fresh’ eyes.

[ How interesting would it be to revisit a place you used to go to as a kid, now as an adult—or what about bringing your own children to that place? ]

YOU’RE NOT A ‘TOURIST’ ANYMORE
When one visits a new city for the first time, there’s always a slightly confused ‘phase’ to go through—to work out how to get from the airport, find out how the public transport works, and get one’s ‘bearings’. So, when one goes back to a city for the second time, they bypass all of that. They already know how to buy a ‘metro’ ticket, how late the buses run, and you don’t always have to keep getting one’s map out to find their way around. One also knows where to find that bakery that does the best croissants, or that hidden-away restaurant that stays open late.

Now, of course, one is not going to want to go to ‘exactly’ the same places twice, but having that basic local knowledge means you already have a few old favorites and don’t have to waste so much time on logistical details.

LESS ’TREPIDATION’
So many times we find ourselves scrambling to fulfill our sightseeing list that the highlights of our trip are overshadowed by stress. This is the time to take a break from tourist attractions!

Now that you can navigate around town—and give recommendations rather than receive them—you have the opportunity to make a ‘home-base’ in the city and visit other cities around it.

DIFFERENT TRAVEL ‘PARTNERS’
Now that you’re the ‘expert’ on that city, you can be a ‘tour guide’. You’re in the perfect position to take your spouse, best friend, or parent back and show them around.

DIFFERENT SEASONS
The same city can feel like a different place with a change of season. One can watch the Bastille Day parade and sunbathe on a beach along the Seine in July, then go back to see the Christmas lights and drink mulled wine in December—two totally different experiences in the same city. Changing seasons will mean that one can concentrate on different areas and aspects of the city.

ALREADY HAVE DONE THE ‘FAMOUS’ SITES
Of course, there is no reason one would take a trip to Cairo without visiting the Pyramids, go to Rome and miss out the Colosseum, or avoid the Louvre and Eiffel Tower on a trip to Paris. But, most big-name sights are popular for good reason—they usually are one-of-a-kind.

EXPLORE MORE IN-DEPTH/AUTHENTICITY
Revisiting your travels is good for you because it allows you to feel a level of ‘comfortability’ that you probably didn’t have the first time you were there. You know your way around a little better and can even avoid some of the major tourist areas or attractions. Some people try to “live like a local” while being there. They go to the farmer’s market, prepare a meal in their apartment, or spend the day having a lazy picnic. None of that involves long museum lines and trying to get just the right photo.

REVISIT OLD ‘FAVORITES’
Having the opportunity to revisit old favorites is one of the best reasons to head back to a place you’ve already been. The coffee shop with the life changing espresso, the church with the gorgeous stained glass, the incredible history museum—you get to go back and enjoy those things again—and in more ‘depth’.

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT
One can discover those hidden ‘gems’ that make this place unique; you may not have had time to see them before, but can on o second trip there. It’s not often you get the chance to explore one particular place in depth. Branch out from chain coffee shops or safe-bet hotels and let yourself find lesser-known beauties.

GO ‘OFF THE BEATEN PATH’
Since one doesn’t have any pressure to visit the super touristy sites you have seen already, you can head a bit more off the beaten path and discover a bit more about this country you’ve been to before.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
When you revisit a city, one learns to appreciate quality over quantity.
Some travelers dream of joining the “Travelers’ Century Club” (visiting 100 countries), but that’s NOT what travel is about. It REALLY DOESN’T matter how many cities you have been to.

YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
Sometimes showing up in a new city is a lot of ‘work’. You have to figure out a new transit system, learn a few words of the local language, adapt to new customs, and fit into a new culture. Depending on the city, this can be really exhausting and challenging.

EXPECTATIONS ARE MORE ‘REALISTIC’
The first time one visits a place, they create expectations that are usually not based in reality. They are trying to build a picture of a place they have never visited.

NOT AS MUCH ‘PRESSURE’
So, on your second (or third visit), there’s absolutely no ‘pressure’ to rush around and do all of the things you’re ‘supposed’ to do. You don’t have to hit up every hot spot and stand in line for hours to experience that really ‘popular’ spot. Now you can just enjoy the city.

NOTICE THE ‘DETAILS’
Even though you know what to expect, you also know when you revisit a city that there’s so much more to discover. Chances are you haven’t turned over every ‘rock’ even if you say you’ve “done” it already. (even in the city you have lived there for over half of your life, there’s always so much more to see).

NOSTALGIA
Regardless of your travel style or dreams, all wanderlusts seem to have one thing in common: a never-ending bucket list of places yet to visit. It might be hard to imagine giving up a potential new destination for revisiting a past one, but satisfying a longing to go back to an old favorite can be so fulfilling.

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVERYTHING IN ONE TRIP
You can never see everything the first time around so it’s always worth returning to discover more. Revisiting a destination lets you journey deeper into its ‘heart’.

BECAUSE YOU ‘LOVE’ IT!
You fell in love with a place from the moment you stepped off the plane, and although it may not be your hometown or the place you grew up, you still can’t help but feel more comfortable there than anywhere else in the world.

RETURNING IS ‘POPULAR’!
People often hesitate every time they have returned to a city that they have visited before and wonder whether it is going to be a “waste of time” and they should be going somewhere new and add to the list of places they have been. However, when they do make a return visit, most people say that they not only ‘connect’ more deeply with the place, but they also learn more about THEMSELVES! Nelson Mandela once said that, “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

Back in 2013, at a time when people are being celebrated for crossing cities off their list at record speed, a study was conducted to poll how many people tend to repeat a trip. It found that 85% reported choosing to revisit a city!

So, what makes a place so meaningful and compelling? Well, some travel experts had some interesting comments about what people experience when they return to a city…

MOST ‘VISITED’ CITIES
Award-winning travel writer and photographer Anietra Hamper is passionate about travel. The following are her comments about her top 14 most visited cities in the world—which attract over 50% of all travelers (more than 72 million visitors each year)—to inspire other travelers to visit.

[ Note: I put her list into the order of the most visitors to the least, according to a 2018 “Euromonitor International” ranking of most visited cities. Here’s the link to the entire top 100 cities list that Hamper’s top 14 comes from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_international_visitors (This list also has a list ranked by if the visitor stayed overnight at least one night, which is a bit different) ]:

1. Hong Kong, China
2. Bangkok, Thailand
3. London, England
4. Macau, China
5. Singapore, Republic of Singapore
6. Paris, France
7. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
8. New York City, USA
9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
10. Istanbul, Turkey
11. Delhi, India
12. Antalya, Turkey
16. Rome, Italy
17. Tokyo, Japan

MOST ‘IMPORTANT’ CITY?
Well, the most ‘visited’ or ‘popular’ cities are not necessarily the more “influential” or “important.”

Now, people don’t usually visit a city because of its “importance,” but its influence can sometimes change world events.

The management consultancy firm A.T. Kearney tries to answer with its annual “Global Cities Report” (https://www.kearney.com/global-cities/2019). The report looks at which global cities “are improving in their competitiveness and what factors are driving that success.” It examines dozens of variables, which are then subdivided into categories: business activity, culture, human capital, political engagement, and information exchange. Scores in these categories are then added together to create a ranking.

In 2019, Kearney’s list was spread all around the world, though Europe dominates the list. Notably, the top five cities on the list have maintained their exact rankings from 2018.

So, to provide a bit of ‘suspense’, I have listed their top 21 cities in descending order:

21. Boston, USA
20. Amsterdam, Netherlands
19. Shanghai, China
18. Moscow, Russia
17. Toronto, Canada
16. Melbourne, Australia
15. Madrid, Spain
14. Berlin, Germany
13. Seoul, South Korea
12. Brussels, Belgium
11. Sydney, Australia
10. Washington, D.C., USA
9. Beijing, China
8. Chicago, Illinois
7. Los Angeles, USA
6. Singapore, Malaysia
5. Hong Kong, China
4. Tokyo, Japan
3. Paris, France
2. London, UK
1. New York City, USA

JERUSALEM (#61)
Now, I am definitely NOT a ‘financial’ expert like the people at A.T. Kearney—not even in the same ‘ballpark’—but I TOTALLY DISAGREE with them on New York being the MOST ‘IMPORTANT’ city in the world. Why? Well, because it IS NOWHERE in biblical prophecy as being at all ‘important’ in the “End Times”—however, JERUSALEM IS!

JERUSALEM’S HISTORY
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. [ Most believe that Jericho, on the West Bank in the Middle East, is the oldest ‘continuously’ inhabited city—with Damascus and Jerusalem not far behind. Jericho also has available a variety of ancient sites like the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by the Devil, the area believed to be where Moses’ tomb is located (Nabi Musa), and home to the oldest-known protective wall in the world—the Wall of Jericho—which at one point measured almost 12 feet high and was built around 8,000 BC (which today are a pile of stones that fell after the Israelites marched around the city in about 1400 BC (Joshua 6:1-27) ]…

A SPECIAL ‘LOCATION’
Most cities have a special ‘location’ or ‘site’ within the city that everyone that wants to visit. Here’s a list of the ones in the most visited cities (According to “PlanetWare”)…

Now, the top sites to visit IN JERUSALEM are the Temple Mount/Western Wall, the Mount of Olives, and the Garden Tomb.

JERUSALEM IN BIBLICAL PROPHECY
During 1996 there were celebrations in Jerusalem to mark the 3,000th anniversary of King David’s founding of his capital city.

Jerusalem is undoubtedly sacred in the OT period. Unlike any other city, God endorsed David’s choice of Jerusalem and established Solomon’s temple as the place where “His name dwelt” (1 Kings 8:29); Mount Zion, the mountain on which the temple was built, became a symbol of God’s dwelling among His people.

So, after 1967, with Israeli control over the holy places, and the Temple Mount in particular, the fundamentalist Jews believe that the destiny and future of Judaism and of the Jewish people is the rebuilding of the Temple up where the Dome of the Rock mosque is and start animal sacrifices again. So, the Book of Revelation, says that the Antichrist will come into Jerusalem from the outside and occupy Jerusalem, sitting in a temple of God, claim to be God, and stop the Jewish sacrifices.

So, what precisely is the significance of Jerusalem in God’s purposes? Should the events of 1948 (the birth of the state of Israel) and 1967 (the unification of Jerusalem under Jewish rule) be seen as instances of fulfilled prophecy?

‘WHERE’ JESUS WILL RETURN
Even though Jerusalem is #61 on the “most visited” list—and nowhere to be found on the “most important” list—this is ‘WHERE’ Jesus WILL BE RETURNING to earth in His Second Coming, to ‘end’ the Great Tribulation, and to set up His Kingdom to reign for 1,000 years! (and He will be returning to one of the top-visited sites, the Mount of Olives).

MOUNT OF OLIVES
Archaeological excavations here have uncovered a settlement on the Mount of Olives that dates back more than 4,000 years.

It is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It separates the most holy place, the Temple Mount, from the Judean Desert to the East. It is also called the “Mount of Anointment,” the hill owes both of its names to its olive groves, and it hosts the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed just before He was crucified. [ It was there that an angel comforted Him. During Jesus’ life, as He ministered to the multitudes, He would often retreat to pray on the Mount as well (Luke 21:37, Luke 22: 39) ].

It is also the oldest active Jewish burial site in the world, with some of the greatest Jewish leaders, prophets and rabbis have been buried on Mt. Olives. It is the ‘home’ to more than 150,000 Jewish graves.

TEMPLE MOUNT
Lauded by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, this is the site where Abraham (father of all three monotheistic faiths) is said to have offered his son, Isaac, up as a sacrifice to God, where Solomon built the First Temple for the Ark of the Covenant, and where the Dome of the Rock is (Beneath the golden dome is the sacred stone that both Jews and Muslims believe to be the location where Abraham offered his son up to God.)

The “Western Wall” of the Mount is the surviving retaining wall of Jerusalem’s First Temple. Commonly called the “Wailing Wall”—due to the people’s laments for the loss of the temple in AD 70—it is now the holiest site in Judaism and has been a place of pilgrimage for the Jewish people since the Ottoman era.

SECOND COMING
Jesus is NOT coming back to London, New York, Rome, or any other ‘popular’ city. Jesus is going to return to JERUSALEM. However, His coming, this time, will not be difficult to discern. It will be sudden and, for many, unexpected (Matthew 24:44; Mark 13:36), and His return will not be in secret (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The prophet Malachi also wrote a powerful description of Jesus’ Second Coming as Judge and King (Malachi 3:1-4). Christians would do well to pay attention to what is ‘happening’ in Jerusalem, because it is a ‘time-clock’ for events of the Last Days and Jesus’ Second Coming. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming” [ Matthew 24:42 ].

To emphasize the importance of the Second Coming of Jesus, it is referenced in the Old Testament 1,500 times, and in one of every 25 verses in the New Testament. I’m thinking that God wants us to know how ‘IMPORTANT’ this is!

WRAP UP

RETURNING TO A CITY IS VERY ‘POPULAR’
Returning to a city one has already visited is becoming more popular—but why? Wouldn’t going to a new city be more ‘exciting’?

Well, people say that visiting a city again presents a ‘challenge’, is educational, expands their perspective, allows them to be themselves, teaches them to be more appreciative, allows them to build new relationships and, in some instances, allows them to ‘escape’ their daily realities.

JESUS WILL ‘RETURN’ TO JERUSALEM
Talking about ‘escape’ the Bible says that Jesus is going to ‘RETURN’ to earth to ‘rescue’ the believer and ‘judge’ the unbeliever. The believer WILL ‘escape’ the horrendous time of the coming Tribulation!

The ‘problems’ we see happening around us today will be AMPLIFIED ‘EXPONENTIALLY’ and the “Great Tribulation” will be a HORRENDOUS period of time where worldwide hardships, disasters, famine, war, pain, and suffering will affect ALL of creation. Only Jesus’ Second Coming will stop a TOTAL EXTERMINATION of mankind: “And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” [ Matthew 24:22 ].

BE A ‘WATCHMAN’
The Bible is filled with prophecies about Jesus’ Second Coming, and He commanded us to watch for Him (Mark 13:35-37). Our ‘generation’ is also expected to recognize the “signs of the times.” But do we? Do YOU recognize the signs of the times?

Unfortunately, a large number of people are not ‘watching’ for Jesus—they’re ‘asleep’ when it comes to the “End Times,” even though Jesus warned us about it.

CULTIVATING A SENSE OF ‘SPIRITUAL’ URGENCY
In the Bible, King David tells us that, “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more” [ Psalm 103:15-16 ]. Hmmm… I’m thinking that this should ‘encourage’ EVERY ONE OF US to a ‘sense of urgency’!

We all have a tendency of putting things off that we know we should be doing this can be physically (regular exercise), mentally (expanding our knowledge), and spiritually (reading the Bible and praying). Since we are ‘creatures of comfort’, we sometimes lack an urgency to do something and put it off for ‘another day’.

The thing is, the Bible is VERY ‘DIRECT’ in telling us that, compared to ‘eternity’, life is VERY ‘short’ so don’t be ‘complacent’ in one’s desire to be ‘reconciled’ to God. The Bible also tells us not to wait for ‘tomorrow’ since we have it in our power to act today and that we are NOT ‘assured’ of tomorrow! “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you” [ Proverbs 3:28 ].

ESCAPE THE ‘END TIMES’!
The thing is you DON’T have to remain on earth during the worst days in human history! Jesus has promised that He will come and ‘RESCUE’ His people!

As I have mentioned, the time is late. Even scientists said a few years ago that the “Doomsday Clock” is just “two minutes” before the symbolic “Apocalypse”—known in the Bible as the “Tribulation.”

BECOME “BORN AGAIN”
The best thing an individual can do to equip themselves for future events, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, is to be BORN AGAIN! Jesus told Nicodemus that he wouldn’t see or enter the Kingdom of God unless he was “born again of the water and the Spirit” [ John 3:5b ].

‘PREPARE’ FOR JESUS’ RETURN!
There will be a ‘Traveler’ from Heaven (Jesus), that WILL BE ‘RETURNING’ to this earth to ‘rescue’ believers and ‘judge’ unbelievers. If I have convinced you of those things within this post—and the multiple other cited posts—I BEG YOU to ‘PREPARE’ for His coming!

It WILL change your ETERNITY!!!

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ALL THE ‘DETAILS’
The following is a comprehensive presentation of the topic that follows the ‘headings’ laid out in the Summary.
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The first time you visit a place, there’s usually a reason why you wanted to visit in the first place. So one sets out to ‘conquer’ these reasons as soon as they can when they arrive in the city. The thing is, sometimes because of unforeseen circumstance, one doesn’t get to all of the places they planned. So, they actually NEED to go back to ‘finish’ the original ‘wish list’. Then, by returning, one can focus on properly experiencing that place at a much slower and much ‘deeper’ pace. One can experience the destination more like a local and with less pressure/guilt for not rushing around to ‘see the sights’.

The truth is that travel is ALWAYS ‘NEW’. A trip is a moment in time that’s decided by more than just a destination—it is shaped by the company one keeps, and where they are in their lives. No matter where one goes, every trip is its own experience, and revisiting the places one loved is a chance to get to know them better, or in some ways, even at all.

Even though most people like to discover new places, they often say that the second-time trips have been more relaxed, more spontaneous, and more enjoyable. Going back to a place lets one ‘dig’ a bit deeper and uncover another ‘layer’ of the place. (Even if one has lived in a city for years, they will never see everything.)

There are plenty of occasions when one has just left a place that they very much enjoyed—not because they were ready but because they needed to head home, back to their job, family, and ‘life’. One will then wonder what opportunities they missed, what special foods they didn’t experience, and what people they didn’t get to meet.

Travel is a deeply personal experience and can move each of us in different ways. If you find yourself booking your vacation to the same destination year after year, you’re not alone! Many people love to visit the same places because it left an impression on them and it became a special destination full of memories.

One might have wanted to visit a particular landmark, or experience an activity but weather conditions didn’t cooperate. Also, sometimes a place is so ‘rich’ in history, one simply can’t see it all in one trip, so they go back year after year. Most never regret revisiting a city, and these trips actually tend to turn out MUCH MORE memorable!

Sometimes natural disasters significantly change a city, and the reconstruction has created a more vibrant city.

Witnessing cultural and architectural developments are other reasons for choosing to revisit a city.

YOU CHANGE
So not only has the place changed, but maybe you’ve changed, too. A city can seem completely different when you are looking at it with ‘fresh’ eyes.

[ How interesting would it be to revisit a place you used to go to as a kid, now as an adult—or what about bringing your own children to that place? ]

The cities people go back to tend to be ones they really enjoyed the first time around. However, you can also look at it the other way and give the ones you weren’t so keen on another chance. Maybe a life ‘situation’ made it hard to enjoy the first trip and going back at another time of year or steering clear of all of the touristy spots would make the experience completely different. Bad weather, bad choices, or just bad luck can all turn you against a destination, but maybe will be different a second time.

We are all constantly changing and evolving, and our traveling ’style’ evolves over time, too. So, even if you didn’t like a destination the first time around, you might find yourself loving it 5, 10, or even MANY decades later!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTQyNdmk1dk

[ “6 Amazing Places to Revisit in Your 60s” – Sixty and Me ]

Maybe you visited a couple times when you were younger or it was a favorite family vacation spot that you haven’t seen in a while. Whatever has kept you away and for however long, it’s always good to go see how the place you once frequented has changed. Often times, you might be surprised by the fun atmosphere, activities, or sites that are now available so give yourself the freedom to check it out.

Sometimes there are cities that one backpacked in their 20s and had to stay in a hostile and eat ‘rice and beans’ that they would like to revisit later in life when they can afford a hotel and experience the food and night life.

Sometimes as you grow and evolve your travel ‘style’ does do, too. Perhaps site-seeing and historical buildings weren’t your thing when you first visited a place, but now you couldn’t imagine a better way to spend your travel time. Or maybe you always liked to be on the go but now you’d like to relax with a coffee at a sidewalk café for some people watching. Keeping those things in mind, perhaps it is time to experience the same place in a whole different light.

The second (or more) times one goes back to a city, they find that they get a lot more tips from the locals about the things they missed the last time. People love to talk about their home cities, try to help people find what they are looking for, and share their own favorite places. Sometimes on the first trip, one often get tips from locals—whether that’s a taxi driver or a waiter—that one doesn’t get chance to check out. So, going back, gives one the opportunity to experience those things.

You have more time to get to meet the ‘locals’ more time to do other things than seeing the sights means having more time to interact with the people who live in the destination and this can be one of the most fun ways to properly experience a city.

Some places lure you back time and again so you won’t have a to-do travel list anymore. Now you can truly relax without the need for a stressful itinerary. You can be familiar with town and how to get around—plus you can give recommendations for those who are new! Before you know it, that special destination is like your home-away-from-home.

The more time one spends somewhere, the less of a ‘tourist’ they become.

Now that you can navigate around town—and give recommendations rather than receive them—you have the opportunity to make a ‘home-base’ in the city and visit other cities around it.

If one of your main reasons for traveling is to understand a different culture, then revisiting places is one practice you need to get comfortable with. Slowly immersing yourself in that particular culture can make it easier for you to be accustomed to how things work that you won’t need to constantly rely on travel guides to pull through.

It can be really fun to experience them with a new person and get to show off a little bit of local expertise, and convincing someone who previously disliked the city, how awesome it really is.

Even a change of weather can change the experience. One can spend a sunny day exploring parks and cafés and museums on a rainy day. At the height of summer—with all the sunshine—one can do some mountain biking and relaxing hikes. However, in the winter with all the snow—one can do some downhill skiing and snowmobiling.

Many cities are also transformed for special events like festivals or national days at certain times of the year, too. A visit to Edinburgh over Hogmanay, New York on Independence Day, or Mexico City for the Day of the Dead would be completely different to being there at any other time of the year.

[ Most Popular Festivals Worldwide: Burning Man; Carnival; Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Show; La Tomatina; Mardi Gras; Did De Los Muertos; King’s Day; Krampusnacht; Songkran; St. Patrick’s Festival ].

Each season can bring its own adventures.

So, it’s understandable that on a first trip to a new city one would want to visit the most famous attractions. Unfortunately though, they usually come with high price tags and long lines to wait in. So there’s something nice about repeat visits when one has already done the big-named sites and can concentrate on exploring the off-the-beaten-path aspects of the city. It can be that ‘specialty’ tour, obscure museum, or just wandering around different city districts to see what you stumble across. Then, there’s no need to feel bad about spending an entire trip doing nothing but ‘relaxing’ since you did all the ‘popular’ sites the first time.

It also allows you to immerse yourself in the culture. It can be hard to immerse yourself in the culture if you are running through multiple places in a week or two. By returning several times, one can get to know a place much better and make some friends. I sit, and people watch because I have the time. One tends to pick up more of the language if they are there multiple times as well.

Try to find accommodation you can cook in. This will ‘force’ you to grocery shop. Try to understand what a local’s daily life is like.

We humans are creatures of habit. While breaking out of your comfort zone is so important, returning to a place that you love stimulates a sense of belonging that is both nostalgic and comforting. That complete sense of overwhelming foreignness That accompanies new destinations is removed, and a more relaxed state allows you to soak in your surroundings from a place of ease. It’s amazing what a difference it can make when you’re not calculating the exchange rate for the first time, or navigating the public transport system like a ‘lost puppy’.

Use your second visit to discover a local pub, a hole-in-the-wall eatery, or a park with a beautiful view. Indulge in some of your favorite things, whether that be hikes out in the countryside, shopping at a flea market, or checking out the ‘club’ scene.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
When you revisit a city, one learns to appreciate quality over quantity. Some travelers dream of joining the “Travelers’ Century Club” (visiting 100 countries), but that’s NOT what travel is about. It REALLY DOESN’T matter how many cities you have been to.

By revisiting a city one has already been to, one learns to appreciate the quality of travel, not just the quantity. You know what it means to travel more deeply and actually spend time getting to ‘know’ a place. You still have the opportunity to do new things and discover new places, just in a country whose passport stamp you already have.

So, it can also be really nice to revisit a country we’ve been to and just be comfortable from the get-go. It makes the transition so much easier and allows you to get right to exploring. It also helps you to come prepared (like bringing your old “Oyster Card” transport pass back to London).

Having expectations are fine but they can fundamentally change how you experience a place as it can leave you overly impressed or disappointed, depending on how high or low said expectations were to begin with.

Know that it’s okay to not love every place you travel. In fact, you may hate a city or two the first visit. However, consider you first trip there and the circumstances it was under. Was there economic or political trouble at the time, or maybe even just the wrong travel partner? Give this trip another chance with an open mind, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

So, the place you visit doesn’t have to live up to this idea you’ve created in your head and it can just be exactly what it is and there’s no better way to experience a place than to just take it for what it is.

One can ‘slow down’. When they get to a new city, there’s always an urgency about everything they want to see and do before they have to go. But when they are somewhere familiar, they don’t have to move so quickly. They can slow their pace and really enjoy a more local ‘taste’ of life. Instead of burying their head in a guidebook and running from attraction to attraction, they can take the time to sit in a town square and just people watch, making the trip very relaxing.

When one throws the expectations ‘out of the window’, one gives themselves more free time and there’s nothing for it but to relax and actually enjoy the time. Half the stress we face on holiday is stress we place on ourselves. So, revisiting a place can sometimes be the best way to avoid one of those ‘holidays you need a holiday to recover from’.

It’s happened even to be best of us, you visit a place your friend lives in and you’re so busy with the sights you have to see that you somehow end up never getting to see your friends in the city. Or perhaps you even arrived with friends in the city and some friends aren’t as into soaking up the sights as you are, if everyone has their way, you’ll no doubt end up not spending as much time together as you’d like. Revisiting a place means you can just chill and have more fun with your friends on your travels.

One starts to uncover some of the destinations ‘top secret’ spots. It usually takes a couple of visits to uncover some of the city’s finest and most exciting spots. Then they start to notice little ‘details’ you’d missed before—the kind of detail that despite their relatively ‘little size’ somehow manages to take over and positively shape one’s memories of the places they have visited.

Once one has done the big tourist attractions, they can get a real ‘feel’ for the people and culture, and gain a ‘real’ understanding of what it might be like to live there.

Whether it was big life event or just a small moment that made a certain place memorable, treat yourself to trip back to relive that point in time.

If you’re returning to a city because you loved it so much the first time, you can start a tradition such as photo in specific spot. You can also reread your old diaries, journals or blog posts to reminisce.

People fall in love with the places they have been because they become ‘emotionally attached’ for one reason or another. Maybe it was that amazing dinner you had or it was the way the sun set over the mountains. Or maybe it was a rainy evening spent listening to a favorite playlist while preparing some simple foods as a breeze blew through the open terrace doors.

We all have some level of “FOMO” (fear of missing out), and I think that is why many of us continue to go to new places. However, going back to the areas one has fallen in love with. Usually they give one joy and peace. It can feel like going to one’s ‘second home’.

You also will be more receptive to enjoying yourself if your travels include a place you know you love. It could be a feeling the place invoked in you or a welcoming interaction with locals you remember.

Then again, sometimes, the slower one experiences a city, the ‘richer’ the experience. Expand your knowledge and familiarity with this city/surrounding area. Learn the language more fluently. Make deeper connections. Finding—or making—a home-away-from-home can be so rewarding.

So, a lot can be said for exploring new places. But sometimes you want to go back to a place that people have been to before. Revisiting your travels is good for you for so many reasons and it’s something that we’ve started doing more and more. If you know and love a place, and you had a lot of fun the last time, why not go there again, right? That’s not to say you shouldn’t “branch out” and have completely new experiences, but even revisiting your travels will provide entirely new memories.

There are many reasons to go back to the places you love, including cultural immersion and emotional attachment. But there’s also the food and perhaps a new city around the area you would like to learn about. One goal as travelers shouldn’t be about putting as many pins into a wall map as possible, gaining a broader understanding and appreciation for the people of this world—and sometimes that means revisiting a place multiple times. Each time you visit it leaves a lasting impression within you, and hopefully you bring something to give in return like conscientiousness, compassion, and open-mindedness.

The argument for revisiting a destination comes down to ‘deepening’ your connection with the local culture. First visits will find you standing in line at main tourist attractions and knocking off any ‘must-see’ items in your guidebook. But, by the time you’ve eaten the quintessential meal, taken that iconic photo and sauntered down the main avenue, it is time to fly home. Not until a second or third visit does a destination begin to ‘blossom’ for the visitor.

Travel enthusiasts typically want to visit as many different parts of the world as they can. However, some destinations are just so ‘special’ that even the most adventurous travelers want to return again and again!

So, what makes a place so meaningful and compelling? Well, some travel experts had some interesting comments about what people experience when they return to a city.

Anthony Berklich, founder of the luxury travel platform, “Inspired Citizen” said, “When on our first visit, we tend to see major points or hot-spots that other visitors see—not necessarily delving deep into the place to familiarize [ourselves] with the side locals might be seeing. You can literally unwrap more layers of a particular place with a second or third visit—and feel like you really know it when you finally depart.”

An added bonus of revisits also seems to be minimal stress in trip planning. Kari Cruz, a Communication and Travel Expert at “Bespoke Travel,” explains that “The comfort of having conquered the destination can add ease and excitement to what may otherwise feel like an overwhelming time planning something new.”

Nancy Schretter, managing editor of the “Family Travel Network” said, “I think many destinations become repeat destinations because travelers develop an emotional attachment to these spots through amazing experiences they’ve had there―often with family and friends. As the bond grows deeper, vacationers simply can’t imagine not coming back.”

Travel consultant and writer Lisa Vogele said that, “One of my clients traveled to Ireland to visit her ancestors’ farm. She met current-day occupants who then proceeded to spend hours with her and her daughter, sharing what they knew about the farm’s previous owners. She enjoyed her experience so much, she returned to visit other parts of Ireland where other family lines resided.”

Alex Reynolds, travel blogger at “Lost With Purpose” says that, “For me, the destinations that draw me back are the ones where I feel a connection with the place or the culture, a need to explore more and dive beneath the surface,” said. “Beautiful tourist sights are well and good, but it’s the welcome you get from the local people that leaves a true lasting impression. I can finish checking a bucket list of sights, but I can never stop learning about people and their cultures.”

Molly McCorkle, senior editor of “AHotelLife.com” said that, “People will go back to the same place to see friends and to be with their communities. Tulum, Ibiza, Burning Man, Mykonos… all beautiful places that the community also helps to build and evolve with a conscious approach. They’re easy to get hooked on.”

Lisa Vogele expands Molly’s comment by saying, “A major draw can be a deep, historical interest in a particular period or subject of a country―the Renaissance in Italy, the royal family in England, or recreations of historical events.”

Travel writer and photographer Michael Luongo said, “A country like Italy is just ‘wow! It has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So you also have places that are rich in cultural heritage, archaeological heritage―and just a few miles from wherever you were the last trip, you can explore something completely different.”

Writer Alice Boyes says that, “My spouse is like this, and likes returning to places and doing the same nature walks we’ve done previously.”

Max Hartshorne, editor of the travel website “GoNOMAD.com” adds, “New Zealand, where I’ve been four times, is very out of the way, but I’d go back there any time. It’s so special and so one-of-a-kind, even the animals and fauna are unique.”

April Merenda, president and co-founder of “Gutsy Women Travel” said that, “We have a great percentage of clients that repeat destinations, and the number one spot is Italy, number two is France and number three is Spain. I believe gastronomy plays an important factor, as well as culture and the ‘wow’ aspect of so much to see and do that multiple visits are necessary. These destinations appeal to all the senses.”

Again, Nancy Schretter says that “There’s something about coming back to a place you know you’ll love. If certain vacationers had a great time at a destination, they want to return because they’re confident they’ll have a good time. They’ve discovered certain activities, restaurants and experiences they’ll enjoy there. If the place continues to make them happy, they’re likely to return again and again.” There’s also comfort, safety and less risk in familiar places.”

Max Hartshorne says that, “I value and continue to travel to these familiar places because I know exactly what I’ll find when I get off the ferry… The predictability is a draw. That same little downtown may have a few new shops, but it’s still basically the same. The lake, the man in the ferry boat who takes us across, all of them are deliciously familiar.”

Alice Boyes says that, “An advantage of repeat destinations is that you’ve typically done the tourist traps on your first trip, and can focus more on relaxation or exploring less touristy neighborhoods. For this reason, repeat trips often involve less waiting in line and less dealing with crowds.”

“Lonely Planet” travel writer David Else says that, “For all travelers, I’d recommend returning to destinations because it’s a great opportunity to see the parts of town or parts of a country you missed the first time, maybe get to more obscure areas beyond the highlights, and get a deeper appreciation of the people, culture or landscape you’ve come to see.”

Nancy Schretter says that, “Some travel destinations become long-standing family traditions. Parents take their children to a particular beach, dude ranch or destination for summer vacations, and as a family, they make treasured memories there.”

Schretter continues: “When the children grow up and have kids of their own, they want to share this destination with their own children. These can often turn into multigenerational vacations, as grandparents enjoy seeing the destination again through their grandchildren’s eyes.” Schretter adds that, “At smaller properties, vacationers may be returning to a place ‘where everyone knows your name. Coming back to the destination is like coming home.”

Special treatment is another plus for returning to a city. Nancy Schretter notes that, “Some resorts and vacation properties go out of their way for return guests. They learn their preferences, what they enjoy, and the staff goes out of their way to make them feel special. There may be some extra perks involved as well.” She adds that, “Certain vacation spots and destinations have such a wide range of activities that they can keep all ages and interests happy. This can make them a popular repeat travel destination―particularly for multigenerational families, families with kids ranging from little ones to teens, or groups of friends. Destinations like this are often constantly adding new attractions and restaurants as well. This broad range of activities and experiences also allows vacationers to enjoy ‘old favorites’ but also try something new on their next visit. That way, no one gets bored.”

Michael Luongo noted that people like to visit major cities repeatedly for similar reasons. “Buenos Aires for example is a city that many people go back to because there’s always something vibrant and always something changing, whether that’s the art scene, the nightlife, the restaurant scene.”

He added that a major city also often offers easy access to different adventures around the country. “Maybe I’m going to do a weekend again in Buenos Aires, but then can I go skiing around there? Or hiking? What other destinations can I do―wine country, mountain country, beaches? So it’s about a place that has a large city that always has something new, but that city is always easily accessible to a different interior that gives you those experiences.”

The following is Hamper’s comments on each of the MOST ‘VISITED’ cities:

#1: HONG KONG

Hong Kong is one of the most famous cities in the world. It has remained so for more than a decade and continues to attract travelers. With an estimated 29.2 million visitors a year, the city has a stronghold over other cities in the world when it comes to attracting travelers. Hong Kong is a convenient holiday destination, and its shopping, especially for bargains, is unmatched.

Hong Kong is one of the most popular cities in the world, but it is also one of the most expensive places to travel if you plan to stay in the heart of the city. If you stay just beyond the main tourist areas in places like Jordan or Kowloon, you can find slightly less expensive accommodations.

Some of the other reasons travelers flock to Hong Kong include: an easy public transportation system, so there is no need to drive; massive theme parks; 24-hour dining; the world’s largest skyscrapers; bargain shopping for high-end goods; and beaches and mountains that are quickly accessed just outside the city.

Hong Kong also holds fascination for unusual finds that are just plain interesting, like a 24-karat solid gold toilet inside a Hong Kong jewelry company and a beautiful tunnel of pink flowers located inside the Un Chau Estate public housing complex.

#2: BANGKOK

The bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand is one of the top tourist cities in the world, with nearly 24.1 million visitors a year. The city is usually the first stopping point for anyone touring through Thailand. Bangkok has an exciting mix of packed subways, huge skyscrapers, temples, historic architecture, lavish gardens, palaces, and almost nightly sporting events, like kickboxing, that draw thousands of fans.

Bangkok has a lively atmosphere, even during the daylight hours. Travelers on a budget can find cheap entertainment, shopping bargains, and low-cost accommodations especially in the area of Khao San Road.

Travelers with unlimited budgets can find everything on the opposite end of the spectrum, from luxury hotels to extravagant shopping at high-end stores at the Siam Paragon Mall.

The city is also popular for more traditional experiences, like the floating markets and Thai massage parlors where you can get an hour of relaxation for less than $10 dollars.

#3: LONDON

There is never a lack of intrigue or interest in London as a destination which makes it one of the most touristic cities in the world. The Royal intrigue is one of its main draws, as thousands of tourists descend on Buckingham Palace to get a brush with the British monarchy.

Millions of tourists visit London each year and tour the top attractions, like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Part of what makes London such a treat to visit is its public transport system, which makes it easy to get from one place to another without a car. With so much to see, it is easy to stay mobile in London to visit popular landmarks in a single day, like the Tower Bridge and the Skydeck at The Shard 800 feet above the city.

London is also revered for its neighborhoods and famous markets, like the Borough Market, operating since the 13th Century, and the Camden Market, with small vendor stalls selling food and local goods.

#4: MACAU

Macau in southern China has become one of the most visited cities in the world, especially among the rich. There are several reasons for this: First, because Macau has become a thriving investment metropolis, the people traveling for business are also spending time in the city, connecting with the locals and enjoying the more pleasure-filled side of things like shopping, sightseeing, and sports car racing.

The other reasons Macau is popular is because of its culture. Its small footprint of nearly 12 square miles is a multicultural mecca, with a blend of Asian natives and European influences in the people, shops, and local food. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town is a prime example.

Macau is also famous for its beautiful beaches and urban gardens like Casa Garden and Sun Yat Sen Park.

#5: SINGAPORE

The small Asian country of Singapore attracts travelers year-round, and its popularity is growing. The island of Singapore has a stunning blend of historic culture with old buildings nestled in among large skyscrapers. There is a charm between the old and the new in the way that small neighborhood shopping districts exist between the mega luxury shopping malls that Singapore is known for.

The beauty of Singapore is another reason people visit. The Supertrees in the vertical gardens and the artistic green displays in Gardens by the Bay have a wow factor as they light up the city. Singapore is known for its vast amount of green space, with urban gardens like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Orchid Garden, and the Cloud Forest.

Besides a visually beautiful location and so many things to do, Singapore is a clean and safe city, which gives it high appeal for travelers.

#6: PARIS

Paris, France remains one of the most loved cities to visit in the world because it is an iconic destination for grand life events, like milestone vacations, engagements, celebrations, and honeymoons. It is also an easy place to visit for quick getaways, with regular flight schedules and tours available.

Many travelers enjoy Paris for the art and go to see the galleries and museums, like the Louvre Museum and the Musee d’Orsay. Some travelers go to Paris because it is a bucket-list destination for many people. They want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe in person.

Paris is notoriously a city of romance, so many marriage proposals happen frequently in Paris, and honeymooners enjoy vacationing with a romantic cruise down the Seine River.

#7: DUBAI

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is synonymous with luxury lifestyles. While Dubai is a large global business center, people enjoy vacationing among the rich and the attractions that cater to them. Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and it’s where tourists find some other attractions that are among the largest in the world, like the shopping malls and aquarium.

Dubai’s grandiose fantasy atmosphere is what travelers want to experience. From over-the-top luxury hotels and resorts to the urban green space like the Dubai Miracle Garden, the sights, sounds, colors and other sensory experiences in Dubai are unlike any other destination.

Dubai’s nightlife and world-famous beaches are also draws for visitors, who come to enjoy kicking back among the natural and man-made beauty of this extravagant city.

#8: NEW YOUR CITY

There are so many elements that make New York City one of the best cities in the world. The city and the Statue of Liberty that travelers see as they arrive is symbolic of the culture and freedom that America stands for. The Big Apple is the financial hub of the United States, with Wall Street and international businesses.

Most people visit New York City just to be a part of the city scene. It is where people go to make dreams come true, with experiences like seeing a Broadway show, watching the famous ball drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and taking part as a spectator watching the elaborate floats go by in the Thanksgiving Day parade.

New York City is where things happen, and travelers enjoy having a taste of that excitement.

#9: KUALA LUMPUR

The capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur welcomes about 13 million visitors a year. It is a city with museums and ties to its culture in places like the Old Market Square, yet it is balanced by the edgy architecture of the Petronas Twin Towers and mega shopping malls. The city is always “on,” so you can find a nightlife scene anytime of the day as you take in meeting the locals, dining, and watching sporting events.

The appeal of Kuala Lumpur is in part because of its ultra-modern city but also for the natural beauty that surrounds it. There are popular attractions that highlight the wildlife of the region, from the Aquaria aquarium and the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park to the KL Butterfly Park. There are also many elaborate urban parks throughout the city and around the River of Life waterfront.

#10: ISTANBUL

One of the most famous cities in the world is Istanbul, Turkey, so it makes sense that people want to visit. The city is filled with historic mosques and palaces surrounded by cafés, shops, and chic hotels. The relaxed vibe in Istanbul attracts a crowd that enjoys afternoons hanging out and sipping tea or uncovering a vintage find at a local thrift store.

Visitors enjoy uncovering the historic and modern mix in local neighborhoods. The historic Sultanahmet District and the touristic Istiklal Caddesi area are two examples. Istanbul is also popular because of its elegant scenery. The artistic architecture of the homes along the Bosphorus Strait is one of the most picturesque sites in Turkey.

#11: DELHI (AGRA)

India is such a big country and is so popular with tourists that several of its main cities are among the most visited cities in the world, including Delhi. One of the reasons Delhi is popular is because it is close to a number of other top experiences in India, so it is a convenient base.

Delhi has many religious landmarks that attract tourists, like the Swaminarayan Akshardham and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Delhi is known for its markets, selling inexpensive wares and street food, where tourists enjoy finding nice bargains.

Delhi is only a few hours from Agra, where vacationers can take a day trip so see the Taj Mahal.

#12: ANTALYA

The Mediterranean Sea sitting against the backdrop of beautiful Antalya, Turkey makes it a desired vacation spot for travelers. From the beautiful sand beaches and warm weather to the waterfalls, cliffs, and sunsets, it is a perfect vacation.

Lara and Konyaalti beaches are the most popular and are easily identified by the many luxury resorts that line the coast. History buffs visit Antalya to explore the ruins of the Aspendos, an ancient city dating back to AD 16. The town is a mix of mosques, ruins, cafés and an old town square where locals congregate.

#16: ROME

Rome is one of those destinations that sits on many travelers’ must-see someday lists. The culture of Rome and its historic architecture are its main draws. The Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi fountain, and the Vatican usually top the list of things vacationers want to check off their list.

Besides the famous cultural sites, visitors head to Rome for its famous homemade Italian food, from fried artichokes to homemade pasta. Tourists like to try authentic Italian cuisine and feel like a local. The monuments and artwork throughout Rome are also a draw for visitors who want to step inside some of the oldest museums in the world.

#17: TOKYO

The metropolis of Tokyo in Japan is one of the most exciting cities in the world, which is why millions of tourists go there every year. As host of the 2020 Olympics, Japan’s appeal will grow even more. What makes Japan so popular is the whirlwind of eye-popping attractions, from ancient temples and Anime to the Tokyo Skytree broadcast tower.

Tokyo has the world’s most famous and biggest fish markets, and exquisite and artful sushi. Japanese culture is colorful and playful, and that is reflected in Tokyo’s parks, museums, and malls. Tourists are attracted to the opportunity to learn more about traditional Japanese culture with experiences like trying on kimonos.

MOST ‘IMPORTANT’ CITY?
Well, the most ‘visited’ or ‘popular’ cities are not necessarily the more “influential” or “important.”

Now, people don’t usually visit a city because of its “importance,” but its influence can sometimes change world events.

In 2019, Kearney’s list was spread all around the world, though Europe dominates the list. Notably, the top five cities on the list have maintained their exact rankings from 2018.

So, to provide a bit of ‘suspense’, I have listed their top 21 cities in descending order:

[ NOTE: In another study—which was based on the GDP of each city—the ranking looked like this: #1: New York; #2: Tokyo; #3: Los Angeles; #4: London; #5: Shanghai; #6: Beijing; #7: Paris; #8: Chicago; #9: Guangzhou; #10: Shenzhen ].

So, notice that the most ‘visited’ cities by travelers were not the most ‘important’ ones—though a few of them made the list:

– Hong Kong was THE MOST VISITED and was 5th most important
– London was the 3rd most visited and was the 2nd most important
– Singapore was the 5th most visited and was 6th most important
– Paris was the 6th most visited and was 3rd most important
– New York City was the 8th most visited, however, it was THE MOST IMPORTANT city in the world!
– Tokyo was the 17th most visited, but was the 4th most important city!

Now, the Kearney people said that it’s no surprise that New York City, home of Wall Street and the United Nations, is viewed as the world’s most important city (maintaining its top spot for the second year in a row).

They also mention that the vibrancy of the world’s most “competitive” cities—places such as London, New York, Singapore, and San Francisco—is no happy coincidence. With a focus on human capital, thoughtful municipal policies, smart corporate investment, and a commitment to building a technology pathway into the future, these cities have become bustling, global hubs that attract people and businesses alike.

BUT, their continued dominance is not a given. The report revealed a world in flux, with several top cities at crucial junctures. Will they continue to lead on the global stage? Or are they at risk of losing talent and investment to rising players? North America and Europe are still wrestling with political uncertainty and rising nationalism, which is raising questions about the long-range prospects. At the same time, the strength of China’s economy and improved openness in the Middle East are propelling cities in these emerging regions toward greater prominence on the global stage.

The Highlights from the 2019 Global Cities report were:

– New York, London, and Paris maintain their decade-long dominance as the top three cities in the Global Cities Index.

– London’s steady performance brings it to the very top of the Global Cities Outlook. San Francisco drops from first to third as challenger cities outpace the California tech hub in personal well-being and foreign investment.

– Predictions about the impact of Brexit have yet to materialize, but performance across leading European cities has nevertheless stalled.

– The leading cities continue to outperform the rest of the cities in attracting and retaining qualified talent.

– This year’s results suggest the potential of a transformative shift, with up-and-coming cities gaining momentum in many areas.

– Once again, China proves this point as its urban areas continue to improve their livability, become more citizen-centric, and close in on the world’s leading cities.

For millennia, Jerusalem has been an important city, often commanding the attention of much of the world, and the city figures prominently in both biblical history and biblical prophecy. Jerusalem is central to many important events in the Bible.

The city of Jerusalem is situated on the edge of one of the highest tablelands in Israel, south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles east of the Mediterranean Sea and about twenty-four miles west of the Jordan River. Its situation, lined on two sides by deep ravines, provides a natural defense for the city. Jerusalem is called by various names in Scripture: “Salem,” “Ariel,” “Jebus,” the “city of God,” the “holy city,” the “city of David,” and “Zion.” Jerusalem itself means “possession of peace.”

For Jews, Jerusalem is not just a significant physical place in both past and present Jewish history, but is equally important as a religious concept that transcends time. The area itself had been traversed by the first Jew, Abraham (c1800 BC), during his wanderings throughout “the Promised Land.” According to tradition, the place where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac—but was commanded by God not to do so—was the spot on which Jerusalem was later built.

After the Israelites had gone to Egypt to avoid a famine—and then being enslaved—it was Jerusalem that David chose as his capital (c1000 BC). Thus it was a key part of the first kingdom of Israel.

Jerusalem also became the religious hub, for it was there that David’s son, Solomon, built the Temple, the national center of worship (c950 BC). The heads of all Israelite households were enjoined to make a pilgrimage there three times a year to gather together for their three major festivals.

Such was the city’s importance in biblical times, that those who could not manage the journey there were advised to at least pray towards Jerusalem, in which case their prayer would be heard as if they were present. To this day, all synagogues face Jerusalem, so that their prayers are directed there in accordance with that tradition. When Jerusalem was destroyed—by the Babylonians in 586 BC—many of the inhabitants were carried off to Babylon. [ The sense of acute religious loss was expressed by adding a day of commemoration to the Jewish calendar (“Tisha B’Av”), which is still observed. ]

After the end of the Babylonian Captivity, in 520 BC, the Second Temple was built.

In 332 BC, Jerusalem came under Greek rule and was increasingly Hellenized. The desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV sparked off the Maccabean rising of 167 BC.

Under the Maccabees and the Hasmoneans, the town expanded westward on to Mount Zion. In 63 BC, it passed into Roman control, and in 37 BC, Herod became king of the Jews.

He rebuilt and embellished the temple platform and equipped the city with palaces, a citadel, theater, hippodrome, an agora, and other buildings on the Hellenistic and Roman models. After his death in 4 BC, Jerusalem became the city of the high priests under Roman procurators.

From AD 41 to 44, it was ruled by Agrippa I, who extended the city northward, building the Third (North) Wall. In AD 70 Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus, and then again by Emperor Hadrian, in AD 132, who banned Jews from the city and renamed Jerusalem Aelia Capitolina.

Jerusalem became a Christian city in AD 326, when Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena built a number of churches. This era came to an end when Jerusalem was captured by the Persians in AD 614.

It was recovered by the Byzantines in AD 627, but in AD 638 it was conquered by the armies of Islam. Thereafter, the Umayyad Caliphs built the Dome of the Rock and the El-Aqsa Mosque.

A further period of Christian rule began in 1099 with the conquest of the city by the Crusaders, who built many churches, palaces, and hospices. Islam returned to Jerusalem, however, when Saladin captured the city in AD 1187, and it remained in Muslim hands under the Mamelukes (1291-1517) and the Ottomans (1519-1917), who built the present town walls (1537).

In the 19th century, the Christian powers of Europe, which had supported the Turkish Sultan against the Egyptian ruler Ibrahim Pasha, gained increasing influence from 1840 onwards, and built churches, schools, hospitals, and orphanages. The Pope re-established the Latin Patriarchate, which had originally been founded in AD 1099, but was dissolved in AD 1291.

Jews had begun returning to live in Jerusalem in significant numbers since the 13th century. In 1267, Rabbi Moshe Ben Nachman Ramban (Nachmanides) founded a synagogue. In 1488, Jews from Egypt settled in Jerusalem, and they were followed by Sephardic Jews from Spain who offered refuge from the Spanish Inquisition by the Ottoman Sultan.

In December 1917, British forces under General Allenby entered the city, and on July 1, 1920, it became the seat of the British High Commissioner in the mandated territory of Palestine.

The United Nations resolved, in 1947, that Palestine should be divided between the Arabs and the Jews and that Jerusalem should be internationalized. After the end of the British Mandate in 1948, Israeli and Jordanian forces fought for control of the city, and it was partitioned under a ceasefire agreement in 1949.

In 1950, the Israelis made West Jerusalem the capital of their state, and after the Six-Day War of 1967, they annexed East Jerusalem. There was further trouble in 1980, when the Israelis declared Jerusalem, including the Arab Old City, to be the “eternal capital of Israel.”

The Jews were in exile for the next 2,000 years, but kept Jerusalem’s memory intact as the symbol of national unity. As Psalm 137 declared: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.” So, every Passover, Jews say, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

Then, when the state of Israel was ‘BORN’ in 1948, it was natural that Jerusalem should be restored as the country’s capital.

Over the centuries Jerusalem has also taken on a redemptive significance, based on its root meaning, “City of peace” (“ir shalom”), with the hope that it becomes a place of harmony for all peoples and the capital of a world at one with itself.

Jerusalem, though, is more than just a historic place for Christians: it is also a metaphor for all that Christians yearn for in this world and the next. It also represents the creation of a new earth. While the real Jerusalem was where the drama of redemption was enacted, another Jerusalem will be ‘built’ (the Millennium/the “New Jerusalem”). [ View this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post for more details about these:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/mankinds-destiny-v247/ ].

Jerusalem became the capital of Israel by decree of King David over 3,000 years ago, and it’s remained Israel’s capital ever since. Other nations have conquered and settled in the land of Israel, but no one has ever declared Jerusalem their capital. Over the past two thousand years, even during times of occupation and persecution, a Jewish community has resided in Jerusalem and maintained it as their eternal capital.

Hong Kong:
Star Ferry; Victoria Peak; Tian Tan Buddha Statue

Bangkok:
Grand Palace; Wat Pho; Wat Arun

London:
Buckingham Palace; Tower of London; Parliament

Macau:
Ruins of St. Paul’s; Senado Square; A-Ma Temple

Singapore:
Marina Bay Sands; Gardens by the Bay; Singapore Zoo

Paris:
Eiffel Tower; Musée du Louvre; Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Dubai:
Burj Khalifa; Dubai Mall; Dubai Museum

New York City:
Statue of Liberty; Central Park; Rockefeller Center

Kuala Lumpur:
Petronas Twin Towers; KLCC Park; Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Istanbul:
Hagia Sophia Mosque; Topkapi Palace; Basilica Cistern

Delhi (Agra):
Taj Mahal; Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb; The Red Fort

Antalya:
Old Town and Harbor; Yivli Minare; Hadrian’s Gate

Rome:
The Colosseum; Vatican City; The Pantheon

Tokyo:
The Imperial Palace; Ginza District; Sensō-ji Temple

Now, the top sites to visit IN JERUSALEM are the Temple Mount/Western Wall, the Mount of Olives, and the Garden Tomb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BanxqagThQI

[ “A Tour of the Incredible Old City of Jerusalem” – Gabriel Morris ]

JERUSALEM IN BIBLICAL PROPHECY
During 1996 there were celebrations in Jerusalem to mark the 3,000th anniversary of King David’s founding of his capital city.

This was also affirmed by Jesus: Jerusalem was “the city of the Great King” (Matthew 5:35) and the temple was truly God’s ‘house’ (Mark 11:17; John 2:16). Speaking to the Samaritan woman He affirmed Jerusalem’s centrality (John 4:22); yet He also said, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father” [ John 4:21 ]. What precisely was the nature of the change He foresaw? Was Jesus simply making a positive point (that God’s Spirit would be known everywhere)? Or was He also making a negative point, namely that Jerusalem’s previously unique role had now ceased?

Well, God promised to gather the Jewish people back to their homeland—and after 2,011 years, that happened in 1948 (129-63 BC: Jewish independence under Hasmonean monarchy; 63 BC: Jerusalem captured by Roman general, Pompey).

[ FYI: Roman Rule (63-4 BC): Herod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel;
Temple in Jerusalem refurbished; 20-33 AD: Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth; 66 AD: Jewish revolt against the Romans; 70 AD: Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple; 73 AD: Last stand of Jews at Masada ].

In the words of the prophetic writer Randall Price, “Jerusalem is now set to become God’s stage for the final drama.” The city of Jerusalem is THE world’s most ‘SIGNIFICANT’ city. It is mentioned in the Bible 811 times. Now, that might not sound such a big deal to you until you know that the second most mentioned city in the Bible is Babylon, and it’s only mentioned 200 times.

Once you realize how prominent Jerusalem is, you will see it everywhere in the news. Almost every place you turn there’s something being said about Jerusalem

Now, there are several main reasons why Jerusalem is so important and why it is such a constant subject even in the secular news. First of all, Jerusalem is a “central city.” Jerusalem is the center of Israel in the same way that your heart is the center of your body. No city on earth has captured the world’s attention throughout all the centuries. Like the city of Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel put it this way: “Thus says the Lord God: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her” [ Ezekiel 5:5 ].

[ Note: When you open the Book of Daniel or the Book of Revelation and read them, there’s absolutely no question that the stage is the ancient land of Israel, with the capital of Jerusalem. ]

So, Jerusalem is the center of man’s hopes and God’s purposes. God loves Jerusalem and Satan hates Jerusalem. The nations are drawn to Jerusalem and one day Jesus will return to Jerusalem and reign over the city. Indeed, the destiny of the world is tied to the future of Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is a ‘chosen’ city. Jerusalem was chosen specifically by God for her role in the history of Israel in the life of Jesus and in the events of His return. “If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name” [ 1 Kings 8:44 ]. In Deuteronomy, chapter 12, we are told five times that God chose Jerusalem for His name.

“‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel’” [ 2 Chronicles 6:5-6 ].

Jerusalem belongs to God as no other city ever has or ever will. There’s a biblical sense in which Jerusalem is eternal it will never die Jerusalem is God’s own unique eternal city. That fact more than any other explains the wonder of the holy city.

[ Note: Now, this is only the beginning. The everlasting capital city of Jesus throughout eternity will be Jerusalem. In the Bible, it is called the “New Jerusalem.” The earthly Jerusalem—to which Jesus will return and from where he will reign a thousand years—is the prelude to another Jerusalem, a city whose foundations and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). The Bible goes on to say that the New Jerusalem will come out of Heaven from God (Revelation 20 and 21), which will be an eternal city, lasting forever and ever! ].

In June 1967, at the conclusion of the Six-Day War, the Israelis found themselves, for the first time in over 2,000 years, in control of the Old City of Jerusalem. Jews could go to the wall and pray. There was this euphoric sense of victory and even survival after this war, from just a Jewish point of view, from an Israeli point of view.

Christians, however, laud and applaud the Jewish sovereignty, but they understood this as the beginning of the end, as a potential fulfillment of Bible prophecy, because in fact every scenario that you can read about in the prophets, from the Book of Revelation back to the Book of Daniel, implies that in the last days Jerusalem would be ruled and controlled by a sovereign Jewish population. Now, in fact, this was true again!

Jerusalem is God’s prophetic ‘bellwether’. God’s plan ‘hangs’ on its fate. Jerusalem, as the spiritual heart of Israel, matters. Jerusalem is God’s holy city, from ancient past, even in its conflicted present. However, for its biblical future, it will be ‘CLIMATICALLY’ IMPORTANT! (The “Seven Seal” judgments, the “Trumpet” judgments, and the “Bowl” judgments).

Jerusalem is ALL about prophecy—and, most certainly, it is about the “End Times.” Jesus said that He will return and “dwell in the midst” of Jerusalem, and it will be finally transformed into “a city of peace.” Jerusalem was the city in which Jesus was treated horrendously but, one day, there will be great ‘reverence’ for Him in that city.

Jesus’ disciples were keenly interested in the future (as many are today). Near the end of Jesus’ life, His disciples approached Him privately on the Mount of Olives (which overlooks the magnificent temple in Jerusalem), and asked Him about what was to come.

Earlier that day—while they had looked with awe at the huge stones and beautiful workmanship of the temple—Jesus had shocked them with this prophecy: “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down” [ Matthew 24:2 ].

So, when they got Him alone, they followed up on what He said about the Temple. They asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” [ Matthew 24:3 ].

There on the Mount of Olives, Jesus answered their questions with one of the pivotal prophecies of the Bible. Because of the location, this message has come to be known as the “Olivet Discourse” (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21). Jesus laid out a series of events that would occur before His return:

– Religious deception (Matthew 24:4-5)
– Wars and rumors of war (Matthew 24:6-7)
– Famines (Matthew 24:7)
– Pestilences (Matthew 24:7)
– Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7)
– Persecution of Christ’s followers (Matthew 24:9-10)
– Lawlessness (Matthew 24:12)
– The good news of the Kingdom of God will be preached (Matthew 24:14)
– Jerusalem will be surrounded with armies and the “abomination of desolation” will be set up (Matthew 24:5; Luke 21:20)
– Great Tribulation will threaten the existence of humanity (Matthew 24:21-22).
– Signs in the heavens (Matthew 24:29)

Prophetically, the ‘Messiah’ (Jesus) was said that He would return to the same location from which He previously left the earth—the Mount of Olives: “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the East, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward” [ Zechariah 14:3-4 ].

As the disciples were watching Jesus ascend into Heaven, angels said to them: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey” [ Acts 1:11-12 ].

Previously, Jesus had said that, “After the Tribulation” would come signs in the heavens and then He would return to the earth with the great sound of a trumpet (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 11:15).

In the book of Revelation, it describes how the nations will be deceived into gathering at Armageddon to prepare for “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14-16). From this site northwest of Jerusalem, they will travel to the Valley of Jehoshaphat in the vicinity of Jerusalem itself (Joel 3:2; Zechariah 14:2).

That is where the returning Jesus Christ will swiftly and decisively defeat the combined armies of the earth (Revelation 19:11-21).

The thing is, when the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God chose the Church to accomplish His ‘mission’. However, soon this “Church age” will end with the Rapture of true believers.

BUT, God still loves His “chosen people,” the Jews, and He still wants to redeem them. [ That’s what the Tribulation is all about. See this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” for more details on this:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

All this causes the Jews to finally accept Jesus as their Savior. Then, after all this occurs, Jesus will return in glory and God’s Kingdom, and reign during a thousand-year reign of peace—all ‘BASED’ in Jerusalem!

MOUNT OF OLIVES

Archaeological excavations here have uncovered a settlement on the Mount of Olives that dates back more than 4,000 years.

The Mount of Olives holds particular interest to religious pilgrim travelers to Jerusalem, but even the non-believer can appreciate the spectacular Old City panoramas from the peak.

It was first known as a place of prayer. King David ascended to the Mount of Olives, barefoot, in prayer, while attempting to escape the rage of his son Absalom. Those in his company also wept (1 Samuel 15:30).

The prophets Zechariah and Ezekiel prophesied from here future judgment on Israel, as well as the future restoration and the regathering of the exiles. Additionally, Zechariah describes the Mount of Olives as the exact place where the Messiah would return:

“Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward” [ Zechariah 14:1-4 ].

A few other ‘major’ Messianic prophecies have also been fulfilled on the Mount of Olives:

Triumphal Entry:
Jesus officially presented Himself to Israel as the Messiah (on the very day prophecy predicted) when He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (Psalm 118:22, 25-26; Daniel 9:25; Zechariah 9:9, 16; Matthew 21).

Betrayal and Abandonment:
On the same slope where His disciples had hailed Jesus as Messiah four days earlier, Judas betrayed Him and all of them abandoned Him (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31; John 17:12).

In the week leading up to the Cross, Jesus visited the Mount of Olives three times. In the first instance, He came down Mount of Olives and entered Jerusalem on a donkey, as foretold by Zechariah the Prophet.

The second time He could be found in the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. He was explaining to them the days to come. Finally, He visited Mount of Olives one last time that week, on the night He was betrayed. Now, let’s take a closer look at each one of these visits.

The first visit is recorded in Luke 19:28-39. As Jesus moved towards the Temple Mount, crowds of Jewish people greeted Him with a proclamation:

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” [ Luke 19:38 ]. These words were not random. It is the official messianic greeting based on the words of Psalm 118:26.

Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophet Zechariah, which said the Messiah would arrive on a humble donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

During the second visit, Jesus answered His disciples’ questions about the end of days. It is one of the clearest passages of eschatology in the Gospels. Meaning, it gives a detailed picture of the tribulation and Second Coming of Jesus (Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36).

This discourse simultaneously describes the immediate future, while also pointing to Jesus’ second coming.

The dramatic events of that week culminate in the events of the Passion. In anticipation of His arrest and betrayal, Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives to pray one last time. He returns to the place where King David fled from his son Absalom, where King Solomon worshipped idols, where the prophets Ezekiel and Zechariah prophesied, and where Jesus Himself prayed, taught, and prophesied. He chose this hill for His final moments before being betrayed.

After leaving the Second Temple for the final time and pronouncing judgment against Jerusalem, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives with His disciples and explained prophecies that detailed His Second Coming (Matthew 24-25).

Then, after His resurrection, Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples (Matthew 28:16-20) and He ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12).

God’s plan for Israel is not finished. The Scriptures assure us that one day, Jesus the Messiah will put an end to all strife in conflict and will rule from Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-5).

The Mount of Olives represents an everlasting hope that Jesus, our Savior, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

He defeated death and will one day rule from Jerusalem, bringing peace to this Holy City and to the World.

The very place where King David hung his head in defeat, where Jesus wept and was betrayed, He also ascended to be with the Father and will come back in glory. We have the assurance that we too one day will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20) and enjoy eternity with Him forever and ever (John 3:16; John 5:24; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:46).

Today, visitors from around the world visit the Mount of Olives to see where Jesus walked and prayed, and to look over the city, and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCNO8AfYyVI

A major highlight here for history fans is the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, at the southern end of the Western Wall Plaza, where archaeologists have unearthed fascinating remnants of old Jerusalem.

The Western Wall Tunnels, which take you under the city back to the level of the original city, are also a very popular tourist activity.

Also, it is the world’s largest man-made platform. It is almost 140 acres in size (that would be approximately 24 football fields). It’s an enormous area!

Well, the MOST IMPORTANT thing—for the Christian—is whether or not the Third Temple needs to exist for Jesus to come back in His Second Coming.

Now, for some Jews, they read Malachi 3:1 (“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple”) and say that their “Messiah” needs to come first and then build the Temple. However, other Jewish scholars say that the Temple must already exist for their “Messiah” to “come to his Temple.”

With the Jews being back in the Land of Israel, they are actively preparing the utensils, have built a golden Menorah, have built the altar, are breeding a ‘perfect’ Red Heifer, have selected the “High Priest,” and retraining all the other priests to do the sacrifices.

Now, because of the volatile political climate, some are saying that the Jews should just be praying for their “Messiah” to come so He can lead that generation in building the Third Temple. All the orthodox Jews are eagerly awaiting the day that the Third Temple will become a “House of Prayer for all nations” (Isiah 56:7)—right in the ‘center’ of Jerusalem.

So, for the Christian, Jesus spoke of the “abomination of desolation” in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15-16), referencing a future event (mentioned in Daniel 9:27), that the Antichrist will ’stand’ in the Third Temple and proclaim he is ‘god’.

Now, the Bible says that the desecration of the Temple will happen at the halfway ‘point’ of the Tribulation (Three-and-one-half years after the Antichrist makes a treaty with the people of Israel that, most likely, is to ‘protect’ them from any attacks by their Middle East neighbors).

For me—and MANY biblical scholars—believe that part of the treaty that the Antichrist will make with Israel will include the ‘authority’ to start their animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount. We also believe that the treaty ‘begins’ the “Tribulation.”

[ Note: The Temple Institute says that, since they have all the ‘construction plans’ for the Temple already completed, it would take less that a year to complete it. Watch this video for a ‘walk thru’ of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2IkxmwkayM

For the “pre-tribulation” believer—as I am—when one sees the Temple being constructed, one can be sure the “End Times” ARE ‘indeed’ upon them, the Antichrist will be reigning, and the Church will already have BEEN ‘RAPTURED’.

HOWEVER, there will STILL BE TIME for people to come to Christ for their salvation! It just will be much ‘tougher’ then than it is now to do so. [ Consider reading the horrendous things people in the “Great Tribulation” will have to ‘deal’ with in this previous “Life’s Depp Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

Secondly, all the nations will gather into Jerusalem for the battle of the ages, called “Armageddon.” (The thing is, God will protect half of the city which will go into exile—probably Petra.)

[ For more details about the possibility of the Jewish people being ‘protected’ during the Great Tribulation, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

“Apokalupsis” is the Greek word used to describe the Second Coming of Jesus. It carries the basic meaning of “revelation,“ “visible disclosure,“ “unveiling,“ and “removing the cover“ from something that is hidden.

This is the moment the world has been waiting for since the beginning of time!!!

[ A quick overview of the “Second Coming”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obw5cTD-XUs&list=PLbE_MYjGeeTAVEyK-p4fG9Gb1nK3sMoh9&index=11

The time of this battle at Jerusalem is when Israel is being regathered and restored. That is clear from the book of Joel:

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land” [ Joel 3:1-2 ].

The reason for the battle is given in verse two. It is because the nations have divided up God’s land—and that is happening now. Governments are pressuring Israel to make peace by trading off parcels of the Promised Land.

The Valley of Jehoshaphat is also called the Kidron Valley, which lies between Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. The valley runs down to the Dead Sea.

God has promised salvation for the ‘remnant’ of Israel. Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved” [ Romans 9:27 ]. The Apostle Paul also was a bit more detailed later in Romans:

“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob’; ‘and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins’” [ Romans 11:25-27 ].

So, then, a final number will turn to God in Christ, in the land of Israel.

“For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord God, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings” [ Ezekiel 20:40 ].

God will prove Himself faithful with final events in Jerusalem.

If God would forsake the Jews, after making unconditional promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants, then how could Christians, with their faith in the Jewish Messiah, have confidence in Him to complete what He began in their lives?

BUT, because God IS trustworthy, because He will not give up on Israel even though they have resisted Him, we have assurance for our salvation.

So then, be ‘READY’ to meet the ‘King’:

“So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place… Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” [ Mark 13:29-30,33 ].

WRAP UP

RETURNING TO A CITY IS VERY ‘POPULAR’
Returning to a city one has already visited is becoming more popular—but why? Wouldn’t going to a new city be more ‘exciting’?

Cities Are Challenging
Visiting a new city is a ‘challenge’. It might be enormous, it could be difficult to navigate, and you might not speak the language. If ever there was a place where new challenges and experiences are around every ‘corner’, a big city is the perfect place indeed. A city will offer it all to you, so no matter how you choose to challenge yourself, you can do so in a city.

Cities Are Educational
When you travel to a new place, one of the aims for people is to learn something new. You will be able to discover history and culture, geography and sociology, and you just might ‘pick up’ a new language and learn how to cook something delicious. There are so many things to learn that when you arrive in a new city, it can almost feel overwhelming. However, don’t worry, all you need to do is take a deep breath and look around for learning possibilities. You will easily find them at the ‘level’ you want to experience.

Cities Expand Your Perspective
When you live in one place for your whole life, your perspective on the world might be fairly small. Even if you watch the TV news or read about what’s happening elsewhere in the world online or in the newspapers, it’s not the same as experiencing it first-hand. That’s why traveling to a big, new city is important. You will get to meet people from all different walks of life, from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries. You can truly get insight into what the world is like and finally get an understanding that not everyone’s way of life is the same as yours. This kind of new perspective will make you a happier, more tolerant person with fresh ideas and a new perspective.

Cities Let You Be Yourself
When you’re away from home in a place that offers opportunities on every street and through every doorway (if you’re looking for them, that is) you can completely be who you want to be and do what you want to do. If you aren’t sure of where your life is heading before, the city will give you the chance to find out. You’ll see things, hear things, learn things that will make you a more well-rounded person, and you’ll be able to truly take the time to listen to what your own heart is telling you about yourself. You might even find a new career path or decide on a cultural change. Your lifestyle may not have been as you wanted it to be, but in a city, you can finally be happy because you’re not alone in your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. It is an exciting challenge to your ‘inner’ self.

Cities Allow You To Appreciate Life
A big city can make you appreciate the life you already have. It can make you realize that when you go home after your travels, you can be grateful for your ’situation’ and try to make it better for those around you. Sometimes traveling or moving away for a while is the only way to get this kind of perspective. If you realize that there truly is no place like home, then you can return refreshed and happy.

Cities Build Relationships
If you go traveling with someone else, or with your entire family or a large friendship group, you could find that your relationships strengthen through your shared experiences. Family trips are particularly important, with multigenerational getaways to exciting new places giving everyone a renewed appreciation for each member of the family. It’s not often that we get to spend ‘quality’ time with our parents, grandparents, kids, or siblings, so taking a fascinating trip to a big city that can be explored and enjoyed together is something that no one will ever forget.

Cities Let You Escape
Sometimes things go wrong in our lives and heading off to a city for a day, a week, a month, or more if you need it can be a good way to ‘release’ those bad feelings and help you to find your happiness once more. Being able to step away from what is upsetting you and getting to a good enough distance to look back and assess the issues can help a lot, making you calmer and less stressed out so that when you return you can deal with whatever is hurting you more productively. Traveling to a new city can be good for you and can help you ‘unwind’. Cities allow you to escape and to sometimes ‘heal’.

[ For more details about how ‘horrendous’ the Tribulation will be, view this previous “Life’s Depp thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

Unfortunately, a large number of people are not ‘watching’ for Jesus—they’re ‘asleep’ when it comes to the “End Times,” even though Jesus warned us about it.

So, why do I say the world is “asleep”? Well, because right now, there is a ‘flood’ of signs that have never before been happening all at the same time. Here’s just a few from 2020:

– COVID-19
– Global Riots
– Global Depression
– Huge Unemployment
– Swarms of Locusts
– Wars

[ FYI: For more details on being a “watchman,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-a-watchman-v250/ ].

Many generations of Christians lived and died without witnessing a single ‘sign’ of Jesus’ Second Coming. However, our ‘generation’ is witness to ALL OF THEM! Those signs include:

– Israel is back in the land
– Israeli’s control Jerusalem
– Geometric increase in travel and knowledge
– Exponential increases in natural disasters
– Most deaths in the past century
– Israel surrounded by enemies
– Israel’s exceedingly great army
– Rise of “God and Magog” alliance (Primarily Russia, Iran, and Turkey)
– Rise of a united Europe
– Rise of global government
– Apostasy in the church
– Denial of the signs
– Gospel is being preached throughout the world (Primarily via the Internet)

Given all these signs, you can be certain of one thing: Jesus IS coming, and I believe that OUR ‘GENERATION’ will witness His return!

[ For more details on this being the last ‘generation’ before Jesus’ Second Coming, consider reading this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/last-generation-v249/ ].

In 1969, Billy Graham wrote, “We see the storm clouds gathering and events taking place that herald the second coming of Jesus Christ.”

Now, we cannot know the exact day and hour of Jesus’ return. He stated point-blank: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” [ Matthew 24:36 ]. However, since the previous 10 signs I mentioned above—and many others Jesus provided throughout the Gospels—are happening more frequently and with increasing intensity, the believer can know that they are now living in the ‘season’ of Jesus’ return! “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” [ Matthew 24:33 ].

Many say that the Coronavirus is God’s “wake-up call” to those who have been sleeping. It sets the stage for the rapture of the Church, the arrival of the Antichrist, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. SO, make sure you are NOT ‘ASLEEP’!

When Jesus talked about His Second Coming (in Matthew 24), He described that just before He came, there would be ‘signs’ that would include wars, food shortages, earthquakes, pestilences, increase of lawlessness, persecution of His disciples, and the ‘anguish’ of nations—with people fainting out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the earth (Matthew 24:7, 8, 12; Luke 21:10, 11, 25, 26).

As I discussed in December 2019’s post, if heeding warnings were critical for tens of thousands of people who escaped the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980 (Details: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-a-watchman-v250/), how much more vital it is for us to act now to receive God’s protection from worldwide destruction that is prophesied for the “End Times”!

The way to heed Jesus’ warning is, not by fleeing to literal mountains or by escaping to some other area of the earth, but by ‘turning’ to the true God, REPENTING of your sins, and BELIEVING that Jesus is your Savior!

James is a bit more ‘direct’ telling us that we are but “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” and that it is actually ‘sinful’ when one “knows the right thing to do and fails to do it” [ James 4:14c, 17 ]. Our days are ‘numbered’! (Essentially, James compared our lives to the liquid we see for just a second coming out of a spray bottle. The time that the tiny mist ‘exists’ is your life compared to eternity!)

[ FYI: For more details about cultivating a sense of ‘urgency’, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/a-sense-of-urgency-v269/ ].

ESCAPE THE ‘END TIMES’!
The thing is you DON’T have to remain on earth during the worst days in human history! Jesus has promised that He will come and ‘RESCUE’ His people!

[ FYI: For more details about what scientists are saying about the “Doomsday Clock,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

The end time ‘signs’ prophesied in the Bible, that we can see today, agree with those scientists! The ‘end’ IS near!

Since no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus’ return (“Second Coming”), He told us to be ready—all the time (i.e. the “Ten Virgins” parable)—so that we escape the TERRIBLE things that are coming… soon! We should always be watching and be in ‘right standing’ (saved) with God [ Have accepted Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior ].

In the book of Revelation (Chapter 6), the first “Seal” judgment introduces us to the Antichrist, you will solve the Middle East peace problem with a seven-year treaty with Israel.

HOWEVER, 3-1/2 years into that treaty, the Antichrist will ‘break’ it and require EVERYONE to worship him as ‘god’. In addition to that, he will require EVERYONE to take his “Mark,” which allows one to buy and sell. The thing is, the Bible says that if one does take the “Mark,” you will go to Hell (Revelation 14:9-10). However, if you do not take the Mark, the Antichrist will kill you! (Revelation 20:4). Basically a NO-WIN situation at that time.

But that is JUST THE ’START’ of it! If you think the violence in the streets today is bad, it will not even compare to what will then happen. The second “Seal” judgment will ‘remove’ peace from the earth, and there will be a spirit of violence and mender that the world has never seen before. The ‘base’ nature of man (utterly wicked) will be unbridled—affecting EVERY community on the earth!

If that wasn’t enough, the third “Seal” judgment will make food will be so scarce and expensive, that it will take a person’s ENTIRE daily wage to just have enough food for ONE DAY! There will be WORLDWIDE scarcity!

To ratchet it up even one more ‘notch’—are you kidding me—the fourth “Seal” judgment will remove all ‘restraints’ such that 1/4 of the earth’s population will be killed by either the “sword, hunger, by death, or even by the animals, since God will ‘lift’ the fear of man from them (and because of the worldwide food scarcer, humans will be a ‘food supply’ for them)! A ‘TERRIFYING’ period of time on the earth that ALL HELL ‘BREAKS LOOSE’!!!

HOWEVER, there IS a way—RIGHT NOW—to miss that coming ‘situation’! Become a ‘child’ of God and become “BORN AGAIN.”

Protestant preacher Allen Parr gave this analogy for why one should prepare and find about what is going to happen in the “End Times”:

“Well, let me put it to you like this. One of the things that I love to do is I love to watch a good sporting event. And so often I’m not home to be able to watch it. So I record the event in hopes of being able to watch it later. And so I’m looking forward to getting home.

I don’t know who won. I’m looking forward to the suspense the thrill of a last minute shot or a last-second game buzzer beater or something like that. But every so often somebody spoils it for me and tells me who won the game before I actually get a chance to watch it. Now, on one hand, I‘m disappointed because I‘m robbed of the opportunity to see how this game actually played out. On the other hand, if my team won, I‘m happy, because that relieves all the stress, all the worry, all the doubt, and all the anxiety, that I would experience if I was watching that game. Well, in the same way, whenever you and I already know who wins in the end [ Jesus ], it can take away all sorts of anxiety in this life, whenever we’re facing different battles. Because we already know in the end who wins the war, that’s the reason why we want to study end time events. It gives us assurance that we know that God is in control.”

The glorious, comforting truth is that those who humble themselves and accept God’s offer of salvation will find Him gracious. Fittingly, the last words of the Bible, “the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen,” are an expression of God’s grace toward fallen humanity. The Lord of glory, as He promised in Scripture, offers Heaven to those who, in light of His certain return, accept His gracious invitation and return to Him.

So, get your spiritual ‘house’ in order TODAY! Repent of your sins, ask God for forgiveness, and then ‘turn away’ from those sins. Nothing on this earth is worth losing your soul for all eternity!

[ For more details about becoming “born again,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/knowing-assurance-v243/ ].

It WILL change your ETERNITY!!!

[ FYI: For more details about ‘preparing’ for your eternity, view these previous “Life’s Depp Thoughts” posts:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/are-you-prepared-v210/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/blessed-hope-v245/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-only-way-v253/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/got-your-attention-yet-v255/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/a-yes-for-everyone-v259/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/learning-to-t-r-u-s-t-v263/ ].

[ Excerpts by: Will Martin; Libertine; Nikki Vargas; Caroline Bologna; Jonathan Romain; Robesonian; David Jeremiah; The FIRM Staff; Wayne Stiles; Diana Butler Bass; Zondervan; Mike Bennett; James Tabor; Dr. Peter Walker; Blog and the City ]

RELATED POSTS:

“‘WHAT’ Have You Done Lately?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/what-have-you-done-lately-v272/

“It’s ‘WHO’ You Know”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/its-who-you-know-v271/

“What Really ‘Matters’?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/what-really-matters-v270/

“A Sense Of ‘Urgency’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/a-sense-of-urgency-v269/

“Gaining A Deep ‘Understanding’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/gaining-a-deep-understanding-v264/

“Learning To ‘T.R.U.S.T.’”
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/learning-to-t-r-u-s-t-v263/

“Persistently ‘P.U.S.H.’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/persistently-p-u-s-h-v261/

“A ‘Yes’ For Everyone”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/a-yes-for-everyone-v259/

“Love ‘Letter’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/love-letter-v258/

“Got Your ‘Attention’ Yet?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/got-your-attention-yet-v255/

“Two ‘Choices’, One Way”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/two-choices-one-way-v254/

“The Only ‘Way’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-only-way-v253/

“Are You ‘Blind’?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/are-you-blind-v252/

“Being A ‘Watchman’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-a-watchman-v250/

“Last ‘Generation’?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/last-generation-v249/

“Mankind’s ‘Destiny’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/mankinds-destiny-v247/

“‘Final’ Tribulation”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/

“‘Blessed’ Hope”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/blessed-hope-v245/

“‘Benefits’ Of Assurance”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/benefits-of-assurance-v244/

“Knowing ‘Assurance’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/knowing-assurance-v243/

“It Will ‘Cost’ You”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/it-will-cost-you-v233/

“The Greatest ‘Gift’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-greatest-gift-v226/

“A ‘Place’ To Retire”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/a-place-to-retire-v221/

“New ‘Identity’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/new-identity-v220/

“‘Saved’ From Death”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/saved-from-death-v219/

“Greatest ‘Comeback’ Ever”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/greatest-comeback-ever-v217/

“Are You ‘Prepared’?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/are-you-prepared-v210/

“Be a ‘Light’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/be-a-light-v190/

“In His ‘Grip’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/in-his-grip-v161/

“‘Communication’ With God”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/%e2%80%98communication%e2%80%99-with-god-v152/

‘PRAYER’ OF REPENTANCE
In the Bible, there is a parable that Jesus told about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying the the Temple. He notes that the tax collector didn’t even dare to lift his eyes toward Heaven as he prayed. Instead he “beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’”—and Jesus said that the tax collector “went home justified,” he had been “born again” and ‘reconciled’ by God. (Luke 18:9-14).

If you are ‘sensing’ something like that right now, let me strongly encourage you to HUMBLE YOURSELF, CRY OUT to God, and PLEAD for Him to mercifully ‘SAVE’ YOU! None of us have a ‘claim’ on our salvation, nor do we have any ‘works’ that would cause us to deserve it or earn it—it is purely a gift of Divine grace—and all any of us can do is ask. So, CONFESS YOUR SINS and acknowledge to God that you have no hope for Heaven apart from what He provides through Jesus. [ See Psalm 51 ].

There is no ‘formula’ or certain words for this. So just talk to God, in your own words—He knows your ‘heart’. If you are genuinely sincere, and God does respond to your plea, one will usually have a sense of joy and peace.

Jesus said, “He that comes to Me, I will not cast out” [ John 6:37 ].

[ FYI: This is a great sermon on the “Call to Repentance” by John MacArthur from his book “The Gospel According to Jesus”: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-22/the-call-to-repentance (Transcript: http://www.spiritedesign.com/TheCallToRepentance-JohnMacArthur(Jul-27-2019).pdf) ].

[ NOTE: If you have ‘tasted the kindness of the Lord’, please e-mail me—I would love to CELEBRATE with you, and help you get started on your ‘journey’ with Jesus! ].

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RESOURCES
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Rick Steves Travel Books and Guides”
(Halfway down the page)

Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent 4 months a year traveling in Europe. He shares travel tips and insights in his extremely helpful travel guides and books.

[ Ilana ]

Article: https://lifewellcruised.com/rick-steves-travel-quotes-travel-books-that-will-inspire-you/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore Hong Kong”
By: Insight Guides

INSIGHT GUIDES EXPLORE HONG KONG

Let us guide you on every step of your travels…
Focused travel guides featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Discover the best of Hong Kong with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like Disneyland, Wan Chai, the Central District, Hollywood Road and Southside to discovering cultural gems, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Victoria Peak and Lamma Island the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to Hong Kong.

FEATURES OF THIS TRAVEL GUIDE TO HONG KONG:
– Over 18 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s culture, and learn all about the city’s rich history with walks covering areas from Sai Ying Pun to Fortress Hill
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: Central District, Western District, Causeway Bay and Happy Valley, Hollywood Road, Lan Kwai Fong, Wyndham Street and SoHo, Wan Chai, Victoria Peak, Southside, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, Lantau, Hong Kong Disneyland, Lamma, Western New Territories, Shenzen, Macau, Tapia and Coloane.

Looking for a comprehensive guide to China? Check out Insight Guides China for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Travel-Guide/dp/1789191890/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore Bangkok”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore Bangkok

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries.

Discover the best of Bangkok with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Arun Ratchavararam, to discovering cultural gems, including the towering spires and stupas at Wat Pho, the blissful waterfall at Erawan National Park or the sky high flavours in Silom, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to Thailand.

Features of this travel guide to Bangkok:
– 18 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Thailand’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour maps: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– Covers: Rattanakosin; Wat Arun and Wat Pho; Thonburi; The Old City; Dusit; Chinatown; Pathumwan; Silom; Banglamphu; Chatuchak; Nonthaburi and Ko Kret; West of Bangkok; Kanchanaburi; Samut Prakan; Ayutthaya; Phetchaburi; Hua Hin; Pattaya

Looking for a comprehensive guide to Thailand? Check out Insight Guides Thailand for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Bangkok-Travel-ebook/dp/B082MTPWF2/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore London”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore London

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Part of our UEFA Euro 2020 guidebook series. If you’re planning to visit Wembley Stadium in London to watch Euro 2020 matches, then this pocket guidebook provides all the information you need to make the most of your trip, from ready-made itineraries to help you explore the city when you’re not at the game, to essential advice about getting around.

Discover the best of London with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like Big Ben, Tower of London and Tower Bridge, to discovering cultural gems, including Soho’s cutting edge bars and clubs, a literary pilgrimage through Holborn and Bloomsbury and the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to London.

Features of this travel guide to London:
– 20 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in London’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: The Big Sights; National Galleries; Covent Garden and Soho; Piccadilly and Mayfair; Marylebone; Regent’s Park; Bloomsbury; Holborn and The Inns of Court; The City; The South Bank; Tate to Tate; Hyde Park; South Kensington and Knightsbridge; Chelsea; Hamsptead; Notting Hill; East London; Routemaster Bus Trip; Greenwich; Kew

Looking for a comprehensive guide to England? Check out Insight Guides England for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-London-Travel/dp/1789191491/

—————-
“Insight City Guide Hong Kong: Macau & Guangzhou”
By: Tom Le Bas

The Hong Kong Insight City Guide combines insightful writing and lavish full-color photography with a portable format, emphasizing practical information to prepare you for your travels. Inside this guidebook, you will find: Magazine-style instant orientation such as money-saving tips, activities for kids, free attractions, website addresses, and insider advice. Expert evaluations of the must-see sites such as Star Ferry, Sai Kung Country Park, and the Wong Tai Sin Temple, illustrated with 4-color, full-bleed photos and an emphasis on practical information. A bonus take-it-with-you mini restaurant guide and city map. An 8-12 page street atlas and street listings at the back of the guide provides a grid-referenced index to local streets. Special two-page spreads spotlighting particular topics of interest, such as museums and religious buildings, with captioned photos and floor plans. Appropriate destinations such as Central District, Shenzhen and Macau, included on a detailed map.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-City-Guide-Hong-Kong/dp/9812582460/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore Singapore”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore Singapore

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Discover the best of Singapore with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like the Civic District, the Museum District and Marina Bay, to discovering cultural gems, including a music or theatre performance at the Esplanade, explore the city’s eclectic cultures at the Paranakan Museum and a wondrous walk in the National Orchid Garden, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to this unique city.

Features of this travel guide to Singapore:
– 18 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Singapore’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: Civic District; Museum District; Marina Bay; Singapore River; Central Business District; Chinatown; Orchard Road; Botanic Gardens and Tanglin Village; Kampong Glam; Little India; Sentosa; Southern Islands; Western Singapore; Southern Singapore; Katong and The East Coast; Changi; Bukit Timah Nature Reserve; Mandai

Looking for a comprehensive guide to Southeast Asia? Check out Insight Guides Southeast Asia for a detailed and entertaining look at all the region has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Singapore/dp/1786719843/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore Paris”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore Paris

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Discover the best of Paris with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees and the Louvre, to discovering cultural gems, including boating in the Tuileries, dining at some of the city’s best restaurants in the 7th, and shopping at the boutiques of the Marais and Bastille, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to Ville de Lumiere.

Features of this travel guide to Paris:
– 20 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Paris’ rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: The Islands; Louvre and Tuileries; The 7th; Champs-Elysees and Grands Boulevards; Beaubourg and Les Halles; Marais and Bastille; The Latin Quarter; St-Germain; Montmartre; Trocadero; Pere Lachaise; Northeast Paris; Bercy and Vincennes; Western Paris; La Defense; Malmaison; Versailles; Fontainebleau; Giverny; Disneyland Paris

Looking for a comprehensive guide to France? Check out Insight Guides France for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Paris-Travel/dp/1789191475/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore Dubai”
By: Insight Guides

Unlike anywhere else on earth, Dubai is a dazzling, glamorous desert metropolis with and ever-changing cityscape. Find your way around with Insight Guide Explore Dubai, a brand new title and the ideal pocket companion for your trip: a full-colour guide containing 14 easy-to-follow routes around the Emirate and its neighbours.

Inside Explore Dubai:
Discover the cutting-edge architecture of Sheikh Zayed Road and the traditional charms of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

Experience a cruise across the Creek and excursions into the desert
Insight’s trademark cultural coverage sets the routes in context, with introductions to Dubai’s cuisine, entertainment options, superlative shopping and key historical dates.
Our recommended places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route, with even more suggestions in the directory section, which also contains a wealth of useful practical information including a range of carefully selected accommodation to suit all budgets.
Pull-out map with useful plotted routes.
Evocative photography captures Dubai’s unique attractions

About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years’ experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travellers’ needs. Insight Guides’ unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

‘Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.’ – Wanderlust Magazine

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Dubai/dp/1786715341/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore New York”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore New York

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Discover the best of New York with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like Central Park, the Empire State building and Times Square, to discovering cultural gems, like taking in a Broadway show on the Great White Way, a shopping spree on Fifth Avenue and more art than you can see in a lifetime at the big five: the Met, MoMA, Whitney, Guggenheim and Frick, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to this unrivalled city.

Features of this travel guide to New York:
– 18 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in New York’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: Fifth Avenue; Times Square to Herald Square; Museum of Modern Art; United Nations and Midtown East; Central Park; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Upper East Side Museums; Upper West Side; Harlem; The Cloisters; Flatiron, SoFi, Union Square, and Chelsea; Greenwich Village; Soho and Tribeca; East Village and Lower East Side; Lower Manhattan; Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; Brooklyn; The Bronx

Looking for a comprehensive guide to the USA? Check out Insight Guides USA for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Travel-Guide/dp/1789190991/

—————-
“Insight Guides Explore Kuala Lumpur”
By: Insight Guides

A vibrant modern city that stands under watchful gaze of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur is a well of culture. Insight Guide Explore Kuala Lumpur is a brand new title, which is the ideal pocket companion for your trip: a full-colour guide containing the best routes around this city. Inside Explore Kuala Lumpur:

Discover the most vibrant and cultural areas of this fascinating city with a series of carefully planned routes.

Experience the 88 floors of the impressive Petronas Towers, the hustle and bustle of Bukit Bintang and the iconic Merdeka Square.

Insight’s trademark cultural coverage sets the routes in context, with introductions on Malaysia’s cuisine, entertainment options, a wealth of activities on offer and key historical dates.

Our recommended places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route, with even more suggestions in the directory section, which also contains a wealth of useful practical information, including a range of carefully selected accommodation to suit all budgets.

Pull-out map with useful plotted routes.

Evocative photography captures the stunning scenery of the city.

About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years’ experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-colour print guidebooks and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travellers’ needs. Insight Guides’ unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

‘Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.’ – Wanderlust Magazine

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Kuala-Lumpur/dp/1786716003/

—————-
“Insight Guides: Istanbul Smart Guide”
by Apa

Paperback. Pub Date: 2011-2-1 Pages: 128 Publisher: Insight Guides A brand new title with the AZ Smart Guide format that allows you to find your way around the book with ease and plan your trip according to your very own personal taste Special. chapters and the med headings cover over 400 things to see and do from architecture. hamams. bazaars. museums and hotels. to fashion. nightlife. restaurants. shopping. mosques and much more. allowing you to set your own priorities for a truly tailor-made and individual travel experience . The front-cover flap highlights all the top attractions and pinpoints exactly where to find these within the guide. for quick and easy reference at a glance. This handy-sized guide helps you explore the best of the city. from the famed sights of Sultanahmet and the Bazaar Quarter to the modern hubs of Taksim and Tophane. plus up and coming nightlife destination.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Istanbul-Smart-Guide/dp/9812823107/

—————-
“Insight Guides Pocket India”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Pocket Guide India

Let us guide you on every step of your travels…
The definitive pocket-sized travel guide, now with free app and eBook.

Compact, concise and packed full of essential information about where to go and what to do, this is the ideal on-the-move travel guide for exploring India. From top tourist attractions like the Taj Mahal, Kerala’s backwaters and the Golden Temple, to cultural gems, including a once in a lifetime trip to Ajmer, trekking the rugged terrain in Ladakh and exploring Ranthambore, home to the Rajbut ruins and wild tigers, plan your perfect trip with this practical, all-in-one travel guide.

Features of this travel guide to India:
– Inspirational itineraries: discover the best destinations, sights and excursions, highlighted with stunning photography
– Historical and cultural insights: delve into the country’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Practical full-colour map: with every major attraction highlighted, the pull-out map makes on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: from transport to tipping, we’ve got you covered
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: Dehli; The North; Rajasthan; The West; The East; The South

Looking for a more detailed guide to India? Check out Insight Guides India for a comprehensive and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Pocket-India-Travel/dp/178919928X/

—————-
“Insight Guides Pocket Turkey”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Pocket Guide Turkey

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
The definitive pocket-sized travel guide, now with free app and eBook.

Compact, concise and packed full of essential information about where to go and what to do, this is an ideal on-the-move guide for exploring Turkey. From top tourist attractions like Aspendos, the Blue Mosque and Nemrut Dagi, to cultural gems, including Hagia Sophia, one of the wonders of the world, the irresistible travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the gorgeous pine-clad hills and white-sand beaches of Oludeniz, plan your perfect trip with this practical, all-in-one travel guide.

Features of this travel guide to Turkey:
– Inspirational itineraries: discover the best destinations, sights and excursions, highlighted with stunning photography
– Historical and cultural insights: delve into the country’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Practical full-colour map: with every major attraction highlighted, the pull-out map makes on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: from transport to tipping, we’ve got you covered
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: Istanbul; Around Istanbul; The Aegean Coast; Mediterranean Coast; Central Anatolia; The East

Looking for an even bigger guide to Turkey? Check out Insight Guides Turkey for a comprehensive and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Pocket-Turkey-Travel/dp/178919167X/

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“Insight Guides Explore Rome”
By: Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore Rome

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Part of our UEFA Euro 2020 guidebook series. If you’re planning to visit Stadio Olimpico in Rome to watch Euro 2020 matches, then this pocket guidebook provides all the information you need to make the most of your trip, from ready-made itineraries to help you explore the city when you’re not at the game, to essential advice about getting around.

Discover the best of Rome with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, to discovering cultural gems, including the spectacular mosaics of Santa Maria in Trastevere, boating in the beautiful Giardino del Lago and the unmissable ceiling at the Sistine Chapel, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to Rome.

Features of this travel guide to Rome:
– 17 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Rome’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: Capitoline Hill and Roman Forum; The Colosseum; Piazza Navona to Campo De’ Fiori; Ara Pacis to the Pantheon; Spanish Steps, Tridente and Trevi Fountain; Quirinale, Barberini and Via Veneto; Villa Borghese to Piazza del Popolo; The Vatican; Castel Sant’Angelo to the Gianicolo; Jewish Quarter and Trastevere; Aventino and Testaccio; San Giovanni and Esquilino; Diocletian Complex and Monti; The Appian Way; Tivoli’s villas; Castelli Romani; Ostia Antica

Looking for a comprehensive guide to Italy? Check out Insight Guides Italy for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Travel-Guide/dp/1789191637/

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“Insight Guides Explore Tokyo”
by Insight Guides

Insight Guides Explore Tokyo

Travel made easy. Ask local experts.
Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.

Get Olympic ready with this innovative guide to Tokyo that features over 16 ready-made walking routes. With a free eBook and pull-out map, it’s the perfect tool for travellers wishing to explore Tokyo on foot during their 2020 Olympic adventure.

Discover the best of Tokyo with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don’t miss out on must-see, top attractions like the Imperial Palace, Ginza District and Senso-ji, to discovering cultural gems, including the peaceful grounds of Meiji-jingu, the unmissable Toyosu Fish Market and a fascinating trip to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to Tokyo.

Features of this travel guide to Tokyo:
– 16 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way
– Local highlights: discover the area’s top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery
– Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Tokyo’s rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
– Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings
– Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
– Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation
– The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet
– Covers: The Imperial Palace and around; Marunouchi and Ginza; Rappongi and Akasaka; Aoyama and Harajuku; Shibuya and Ebisu; Shinjuku; Yanaka and Ueno; Ikebukuro and Mejirodai; Asakusa; Fukagawa and Ryogoku; Tsukudajima and Toyosu; Odaiba; Kawagoe; Kamakura and Enoshima; Hakone; Nikko

Looking for a comprehensive guide to Japan? Check out Insight Guides Japan for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.

https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guides-Explore-Tokyo-Travel/dp/1789191513/

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“Dateline Jerusalem: An Eyewitness Account of Prophecies Unfolding in the Middle East”
By: Chris Mitchell

History’s final chapter will be written in Jerusalem. When an Iranian president thunders a murderous threat or an obscure Turkish drunkard has a dream in Mecca or a Jewish couple from Brooklyn lands at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, these events might seem disconnected. But they’re not. In Dateline Jerusalem, CBN News correspondent Chris Mitchell connects the dots and unveils Jerusalem as the epicenter and crossroads of the spiritual, political, and, yes, supernatural worlds. Jerusalem’s powerful draw has always transcended simple economics, military strategy, and religious affiliation.

In our own time, as the Arab Spring threatens to become an Islamic Winter, one commentator warns: “The Arab Spring doesn’t lead to democracy, it leads to Jerusalem.” Indeed, the fragile peace of Israel is in new peril as violent Islamic factions take control of surrounding governments. Yet Muslims are converting to Christianity in record numbers. Dateline Jerusalem untangles and chronicles all this through the riveting narrative of a Christian reporter in the upheaval of the modern Fertile Crescent.

We live in a world where we cannot afford to be ill informed. What happens in the strategic Middle East, Israel, and Jerusalem is critical. It matters to you. Today’s news might focus on Washington, New York, London, or Moscow, but history’s final chapter will be written in Jerusalem.

https://www.amazon.com/Dateline-Jerusalem-Eyewitness-Prophecies-Unfolding/dp/B00ECFH5Q6/

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“Israel in Bible Prophecy: Past, Present & Future”
By: David Reagan

Dr. David Reagan presents an overview of Bible prophecy concerning the Jewish people. He shows how four prophecies were fulfilled before the beginning of the 20th Century and how seven others were fulfilled in whole or in part during the process of that century. He then presents the myriad of prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled between now and the end of the Lord’s millennial reign. He concludes the book by explaining how the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish people are relevant to Christians today and should serve as a source of great encouragement to them.

https://www.amazon.com/Israel-Bible-Prophecy-Present-Future/dp/0945593287/

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“Israel Tour 2019: Garden of Gethsemene”

Visit the Garden of Gethsemene as Tim Moore takes you on a tour of Israel focusing upon sites related to the life of Jesus and to His Second Coming.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrr-a0Nb-Fg

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“The New Temple and the Second Coming: The Prophecy That Points to Christ’s Return in Your Generation”
By: Grant R. Jeffrey

An array of new archaeological finds and revealing discoveries in the ancient city hidden beneath Jerusalem lead to a stunning conclusion: The generation alive today will witness the return of Christ.

The evidence–uncovered by prophecy expert Grant R. Jeffrey–is breathtaking: Jewish authorities are preparing to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Quietly they have recovered lost artifacts from the ancient Temple and have recreated sacred worship vessels. The new Sanhedrin, now reconvened in Israel, is training Levite priests to reinstitute animal sacrifice. These remarkable developments have far-reaching prophetic significance.

In this book you will examine the biblical prophecies and research data that together solve end-times mysteries, including:
·The search for lost Temple treasures
·Revealing discoveries in underground Jerusalem
·The process of recreating sacred Temple vessels
·Unexpected clues revealed in the Copper Scroll and the Ezekiel Tablets
·The latest plans for rebuilding the Temple

Join Dr. Jeffrey as he uncovers answers to questions that have perplexed students of prophecy for centuries. Answers that point to the unmistakable conclusion that this is truly the last generation.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Temple-Second-Coming-Generation/dp/1400071070/

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“Jesus and the Third Temple: The Complete Guide to the Ancient History and Secret Rituals of the Red Heifer Ceremony”
By: Robert Reiland

Why Building the Third Temple in Jerusalem is a Jewish Right and a Christian Imperative!
This book is of vital importance to Christians and Jews who question the urgency of building the Third Temple in Jerusalem. It answers the most critical WHY, WHERE, WHEN, and HOW questions by revealing the most important untold secret of the Holy Land. King Solomon’s Temple helped shape Christianity as we know it today.

Sharing this ancient secret is imperative for Christians. This is because our present-day understanding of this sacred site is largely based on the limited knowledge of those who once lived and worked outside its walls. Even though they cherished it as the holiest site of their nation, their misperceptions have endured until now.

With Jesus and the Third Temple, you are transported back in time to bear silent witness to the ancient sanctification and purification rites of God’s Chosen People. This was a time when they – and they alone – worshiped their God upon the hallowed grounds of the Temple Mount.

There, you will learn ancient secrets that have survived time, cataclysm, conquest, and change. Secrets are shared only with those deemed worthy to enter the Kodesh Ha-Kodeshim so as to be schooled in the curriculum of the sacred. There, you will learn what they and few today already know. God’s Divine Presence, Shekhinah, actually dwelled in the Tabernacle, Solomon’s Temple, and the Second Temple.

https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Third-Temple-Complete-Ceremony/dp/1597720364

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“Beginning from Jerusalem: Christianity in the Making, Volume 2”
By: James D. G. Dunn

The second volume in the magisterial Christianity in the Making trilogy, Beginning from Jerusalem covers the early formation of the Christian faith from 30 to 70 CE. After outlining the quest for the historical church (parallel to the quest for the historical Jesus) and reviewing the sources, James Dunn follows the course of the movement stemming from Jesus “beginning from Jerusalem.”

Dunn opens with a close analysis of what can be said of the earliest Jerusalem community, the Hellenists, the mission of Peter, and the emergence of Paul. Then he focuses solely on Paul―the chronology of his life and mission, his understanding of his call as apostle, and the character of the churches that he founded. The third part traces the final days and literary legacies of the three principal figures of first-generation Christianity: Paul, Peter, and James, the brother of Jesus. Each section includes detailed interaction with the vast wealth of secondary literature on the many subjects covered.

https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Jerusalem-Christianity-Making-2/dp/0802878008/

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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem: How the Ancient City Ignited Our Modern World”
By: James Carroll

“Provocative… the book brims with splendid insights.” — Los Angeles Times

Jerusalem: the ancient City on a Hill, a place central to three major religions, a transcendent fantasy that ignites religious fervor unlike anywhere else on earth. James Carroll’s urgent, masterly Jerusalem, Jerusalem uncovers the history of the city and explores how it came to define culture in both the Middle East and America.

Carroll shows how the New World was shaped by obsessions with Jerusalem, from Christopher Columbus’s search for a westward route to the city, to the fascination felt by American presidents from Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan. Heavenly Jerusalem defines the American imagination — and always the earthly city smolders. Jerusalem fever, inextricably tied to Christian fervor, is the deadly — unnamed — third party to the Israeli-Palestinian wars. Understanding this fever is the key that unlocks world history, and the diagnosis that gives us our best chance to reimagine peace.

“I dare you to read this book and see Jerusalem, or yourself, the same way.” — Bernard Avishai, author of The Hebrew Republic

“So provocative and illuminating that it should not be overlooked by anyone who cares about the future of Jerusalem.” — Jewish Journal

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Ancient-Ignited-Modern-World/dp/0547747624/

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“Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World’s Most Contested City”
By: Andrew Lawler

A sweeping history of the hidden world below the Holy City—a saga of biblical treasures, intrepid explorers, and political upheaval

“These untold stories of archeological digs near and under Jerusalem’s sacred sites convey all the colorful and violent and contentious history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict … A compulsive read” —Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize—winning historian and author of The Outlier

In 1863, a French senator arrived in Jerusalem hoping to unearth relics dating to biblical times. Digging deep underground, he discovered an ancient grave that, he claimed, belonged to an Old Testament queen. News of his find ricocheted around the world, evoking awe and envy alike, and inspiring others to explore Jerusalem’s storied past.

In the century and a half since the Frenchman broke ground, Jerusalem has drawn a global cast of fortune seekers and missionaries, archaeologists and zealots, all of them eager to extract the biblical past from beneath the city’s streets and shrines. Their efforts have had profound effects, not only on our understanding of Jerusalem’s history, but on its hotly disputed present. The quest to retrieve ancient Jewish heritage has sparked bloody riots and thwarted international peace agreements. It has served as a cudgel, a way to stake a claim to the most contested city on the planet. Today, the earth below Jerusalem remains a battleground in the struggle to control the city above.

Under Jerusalem takes readers into the tombs, tunnels, and trenches of the Holy City. It brings to life the indelible characters who have investigated this subterranean landscape. With clarity and verve, acclaimed journalist Andrew Lawler reveals how their pursuit has not only defined the conflict over modern Jerusalem, but could provide a map for two peoples and three faiths to peacefully coexist.

https://www.amazon.com/Under-Jerusalem-Buried-History-Contested/dp/0385546858/

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“Signs Of The Second Coming: 11 Reasons Jesus Will Return in Our Lifetime”
By: Britt Gillette

Did you know the Bible contains more prophecies about the Second Coming of Jesus than it does the First? In fact, the Bible says specific signs will appear prior to His return, and Jesus Himself commanded us to look for those signs. In Signs of the Second Coming, you’ll learn about the signs Moses, Jesus, and the Old Testament prophets said to look for. Signs such as: • The Jewish people back in the land of Israel • The Jewish people back in control of Jerusalem • And the worldwide spread of the Gospel More importantly, you’ll learn that almost all of the signs the prophets said to look for are present right now… Could ours be the generation of His return? Study the signs for yourself and decide if our generation is destined to witness one of the greatest events in all of history – the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

https://www.amazon.com/Signs-Second-Coming-Reasons-Lifetime/dp/1500792780/

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“The Second Coming: Signs of Christ’s Return and the End of the Age”
By: John MacArthur

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 14:3 ESV

Jesus Christ was very clear: One day He will return-and none of us knows when. Vocal fanatics claim to know the details of the Second Coming, causing many Christians to all but ignore the good news that Jesus is coming again. Yet God’s own Word commands us to know the signs of the times, to remain watchful, and to be ready-whenever Christ comes.

This book is a straightforward, in-depth exploration of the key biblical texts regarding the Second Coming; most notably, Christ’s longest and most important eschatological message, the Olivet Discourse. As you study what the Word of God says about these matters, it will stir in your heart an earnest longing for Christ’s return-as well as a certainty about how to live expectantly until He comes again.

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Coming-Signs-Christs-Return/dp/158134757X/

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“Jesus Is Coming!”
By: John MacArthur

“Danger ahead.”

That’s the ominous road sign confronting the human race as we speed toward the future. While much is uncertain about what’s coming, one thing is clear: There will be a day, possibly not long from now, when mankind will endure violence, destruction, chaos, and judgment on a worldwide scale. A few will experience salvation, peace, and triumph—but most will be doomed. And for people in both groups, the same event will prove decisive: the return of Jesus.

That’s the starting point for John MacArthur’s prophetic study from Matthew 24. Jesus Is Coming! answers questions like:

– Why will Jesus return?
– Is there a way to know when He’ll return?
– Where will Christians be when He comes?
– What role will Christians have in end-time events?

The answers you discover could make a profound difference in how you live the rest of your life.

[ Nine messages ]

https://www.gty.org/library/topical-series-library/252/jesus-is-coming

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“Jerusalem Rising: The City of Peace Reawakens”
By: Doug Hershey

Documented Proof of the Prophetic Promises of God Revealed

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Zechariah foretold that the once-revered city of Jerusalem would again shake off its dust and be revived in peace and security. He predicted it would not only become a center of thriving life and seat of international influence but also the place where God himself will return to dwell.

This stunning new photo-comparison book and follow-up to Israel Rising documents the long-awaited and ongoing restoration of a city “set in the center of the nations” (Ezekiel 5:5). From its famed walls and gates to the beloved Old City and the new city rising up around it, view some of the oldest photos of Jerusalem ever taken (starting in the 1840s) and see them re-created from the same perspective today―some for the first time ever.

Author Doug Hershey and adventure-travel photographer Edden Ram gained exclusive access to storied vantage points to reshoot the exact angles of these stunning and seldom-seen historical photos. The result is an awe-inspiring and groundbreaking collection that will captivate hearts and reveal the accuracy of the prophet’s words. The book also features fascinating insights into Jerusalem’s first photographers and firsthand accounts from pilgrims, locals, and would-be conquerors that capture the longing and desire for this treasured city, spanning almost 2,000 years.

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Rising-Reawakens-Ancient-Prophecy/dp/1496453905/

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“Where Do We Go from Here?: How Tomorrow’s Prophecies Foreshadow Today’s Problems”
By: Dr. David Jeremiah

Today’s headlines shout of modern plagues, social tensions, economic crises, and rampant depression. Many are asking, what day is it on God’s prophetic calendar? Trusted Bible teacher and Pastor, Dr. David Jeremiah opens up the Word of God to reveal what it has to say about the days we are living in.

Sharing how prophecies and wisdom from centuries ago still speak the truth today and point the way forward for tomorrow. Whether one is new to biblical prophecy or a longtime student of the Bible, this timely message will encourage and recalibrate us to the mission of God in our daily lives. Journey with Dr. Jeremiah back to the Bible to find out, Where Do We Go from Here?

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Here-Tomorrows-Prophecies-Foreshadow/dp/078522419X/

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“Jerusalem”

Filmed for the first time in 3D for IMAX® and giant screen theaters, JERUSALEM is an awe-inspiring and intimate portrait (The Washington Post) of one of the world s most beloved cities.

Discover why this tiny piece of land is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims through the experiences of three young Jerusalemite women as they celebrate the city s vibrant holiday traditions. Join world-renowned archaeologist, Dr. Jodi Magness, as she explores underground tunnels and ancient ruins to solve some of the city s greatest mysteries.

Find out why, after thousands of years, Jerusalem and the Holy Land continue to stir the imagination of billions of people. Unprecedented access to the city’s holiest sites, as well as rare and breathtaking aerial footage combine to make JERUSALEM a mesmerizing vision (The Boston Globe).

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Blu-ray-Benedict-Cumberbatch-Narrator/dp/B015GSWWEM/

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“Jerusalem: Center of the World”
Andrew Goldberg (Director)

This documentary tells the story of the worlds most incredible city, capturing the rich mosaic of the city’s Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities. Covering a history of over 4,000 years, the film explores the founding of the city; the birth and convergence of the worlds three major monotheistic religions; and the key events in Jerusalem’s history as described in the varied religious sacred books.

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Center-World/dp/B001Q7JM32/

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“The Gates of Jerusalem: A History of the Holy City”
Narrated By Richard Kiley (Actor), Rick Ray (Director), Phil Cooke (Director)

Jerusalem is the city where Christian history began and where many believe it will end. This program insights to events that are to take place in Jerusalem. Of the eight gates surrounding the Old City, the Golden Gate is being faithfully watched continuously by Christians, Muslims and the Jews. Millions around the world believe it holds the key to the future of history. For the Jewish faithful the Golden Gate symbolizes the entry for their Messiah and the beginning of a Messianic age. For Christians, this gate promises the second coming of their Savior, Jesus Christ. For Muslims, the Golden Gate will someday be part of the last judgment of man at the end of history. These spiritual gateways will play a vital role in Israel’s past, present, and perhaps future.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-Jerusalem-History-Holy-City/dp/B0000CBXYQ/

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“Secrets of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites”
By: National Geographic

Secrets of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites takes us on a journey into one of the most sacred places on Earth dating back to biblical times. It is the most hotly contested piece of real estate on the planet and its name alone is enough to spark riots across the Middle East. Known as the Temple Mount to Jews and Christians and as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, it is so sacred to all three religions that followers willingly die for it.

https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Secrets-Jerusalems-Holiest/dp/B000KJU1EQ/

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“Temple, Cross, and the Empty Tomb: From Jerusalem to Calvary”
By: Dave Stotts

In a style all his own, Dave Stotts―host and editor of Drive Thru History―speeds through the ancient world of the Bible, delivering a fast-paced encounter with the people, places, and events that have shaped our world and the Christian faith. Recommended family entertainment by The Dove Foundation, Stotts’ Drive Thru History series includes on-location explorations, plus loads of animations and narration that’s definitely “outside the classroom.” From the events of Holy Week, to the temple’s construction, to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, you will experience a visually exciting journey through the land of the Bible, revealing the history and culture behind the stories of Scripture. The video also includes a PDF for each episode containing discussion questions designed for groups and families. Temple, Cross, and the Empty Tomb includes: Episode 1: Mount Moriah, Temple Mount, Al Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock, Western Wall, Stoning of St. Stephen Episode 2: City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, Pool of Bethesda, Kidron Valley, Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane Episode 3: Prophecies, Caiaphas, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

https://www.amazon.com/Temple-Cross-Empty-Tomb-Jerusalem/dp/0310397189

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“Jerusalem, the Covenant City”
By: Lance Lambert

This program is scripted from the open and unapologetic perspective of the producers that the land of Jerusalem and Israel is an irrevocable gift of God to the Jewish people. Agree or disagree, you will find this program superbly produced and its arguments challenging.

Jerusalem is unique among all the cities in the world. There is no other city which has an eternal destiny, and there is no other city which has had its history written in advance. The ancient prophets of Israel predicted many significant events in Jerusalems history, hundreds and even thousands of years before they happened, and with stunning accuracy. These predictions include many events that are being fulfilled in our own generation, and there are still many more to be fulfilled in the future.

Part 1 of Jerusalem, the Covenant City traces past prophetic history of the Holy City. Part 2 explores what the Bible has to say about Jerusalems present and future destiny. We discover that, as we move into the third millennium of the Christian Era, the destiny of the whole world hinges upon the destiny of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel. This documentary will bring you a message of challenge and hope that you will not easily forget.

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Covenant-City/dp/B0002US52I/

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“Jerusalem: A Biblical and Historical Case for the Jewish Capital”
By: Jay Sekulow

In his new book, New York Times bestselling author Jay Sekulow presents a political and historical rationale for the existence of Israel as a sovereign nation.

The State of Israel and its very right to exist is a lynchpin issue not only in the Middle-East, but is a critical issue to the world at large. Whether it is the blatant and stated desire of ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, or the more subtle but equally insidious aim to delegitimize Israel’s existence through efforts at UNESCO, the goal is the same-to get rid of Israel.

Here is the book that defends, Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation. As Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, Jay Sekulow has fought with Israel hand-in-hand in some of Israel’s most strategic, international battles. Now, he has pulled together the definitive and comprehensive look at Israel-one of the world’s most controversial nations- and its importance to us as Americans and as a key focal point to the future of the world.

He looks at the legal case for its prominence, as well as the historical and political rationale for its existence as a sovereign nation and homeland for Jews today, and encourages readers to stand with him against the hatred, lies, and efforts to delegitimize one of the world’s oldest nations.

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Biblical-Historical-Jewish-Capital/dp/1640880771/

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“Touring Israel, A Prophetic Journey, Prophecy Revealed”
By: Noah Hutchings and Ken Klein

Travel through the hallowed land where Christ walked. Join Ken Klein and Dr. Noah Hitchings as they walk in the footsteps of all the Biblical legends. This DVD will take you to all the sacred places of Israel. You will be transported, making you feel you are actually there.

https://www.amazon.com/Touring-Prophetic-Journey-Prophecy-Revealed/dp/B005PA34HG/

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“Jerusalem in Prophecy”
By: Randall Price

Jerusalem has an incredible future in store, and it’s at the very center of Bible prophecy. This book, by the author of The Stones Cry Out and Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls, reveals what will happen, who the key players will be, and what signs reveal we’re drawing close.

https://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Prophecy-Randall-Price/dp/1565077830/

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“The Final Countdown Tribulation Rising Vol.1”
By: Billy Crone

This book, The Final Countdown: Tribulation Rising Vol.1 The Jewish People & the Antichrist gives you a multitude of prophetic signs concerning the Jewish People and their unfortunate ties with the Antichrist that will occur in the Last Days showing us just how close the Return of Jesus Christ truly is. Such amazing prophetic signs include: The Jewish People & their Eternal Covenants, Past Prophecies, Return to the Land, Rebirth as a Nation, Recapture of Jerusalem, Currency & Language, Renewal of the Land, Being a Light unto the World, Military Exploits, Conflict in the World, Amazing Resources, Rebuilt Temple, Spiritual State, and Global Anti-Semitism. Like it or not, we are headed for The Final Countdown and signs of the 7-year Tribulation are Rising all around us! It’s time to wake up! Time is running out! The Final Countdown: Tribulation Rising Vol.1 The Jewish People & the Antichrist is one book you need to get today and read now! Why? Because tomorrow may be too late!

https://www.amazon.com/Final-Countdown-Tribulation-Rising-Vol-1/dp/1948766256/

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SPECIAL ‘GENERAL’ RESOURCE

“ApologetiX Songbook”
(An interactive PDF)

It features the lyrics to every song on every CD and every “download” from 1993-2020

Special features:
– indexed by title, original song, original artist, subject, and Bible verse
– each song’s page has icons showing what albums it appears on
– each song’s page has a commentary from lyricist J. Jackson
– each album’s page includes liner notes and track listing
– print any pages you like or use for slides in church
– photos from ApologetiX’s debut concert in 1992
– discography of out-of-print cassettes
– downloadable in PDF format

New features in this edition:
– all song commentaries from J. Jackson updated and expanded
– also indexed by year when original song spoofed was a hit
– J.’s original handwritten rough lyrics to 40 ApX classics
– scads of photos from ApX 25th-anniversary concerts
– list of 40 ApX parodies most likely to be redone
– over 200 new parodies and journal entries
– list of the first ApX concerts in each state
– six new full-length feature articles
– DVD discography and synopses
– never-before-seen rare photos
– lyrics for over 700 parodies
– over 1000 pages!

Interactive features:
– click on any page number in indexes or TOC to go to that page
– click on any album icon to go to its liner notes and track listings
– click on any song title on an album page to go to that song

Note: This e-book is a download-only and doesn’t include sheet music.

The songbook is available for a donation of $50 or more. After we receive your donation, we’ll send you a follow-up email with the link.

Get the Songbook for a donation:
http://www.apologetix.com/store/store.php#songbook

Songbook Demo Video: https://rumble.com/vfazhl-apologetix-songbook-2020-demo.html

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“THE SEARCH FOR MEANING” WEBSITE

This site presents discussions on the 12 most commonly asked questions about the Christian faith.

The 12 discussions are accessed by the “tabs” at the bottom of the page. The tabs are numbered 1-12. Roll your mouse over them and you will see the question displayed at the right. Click on the number to select that question.

Within each question (i.e. tabs 1-12), there are subtopics (or dialogues) to select that appear as smaller tabs underneath the numbered tabs. Roll your mouse over them and the title of these topics is also displayed to the right. Click on the open rectangle to select that dialogue.

For each question (1-12), a link to related resources and an optional flowchart is provided. To access this material, click on the respective words, “Related Resources” or “Options Flowchart.”

To play a more detailed discussion of the subject, between two people, select the desired dialogue and click on “Play Audio Dialogue.”

In the upper right-hand corner of the page, there is an icon that looks like binoculars looking at a question mark. Click on this icon to return to the homepage.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Related Resources” page, there is an icon that looks like some books. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the resources for all of the questions. There also are additional “appendices” for most of the questions.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Flowchart” page, there is an icon that looks like an Org chart. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the flowcharts.

http://4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q1_d1_1of10.html

[ Content by: Bill Kraftson and Lamar Smith; Website by Mark Besh ]

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“FRUITS OF THE BEATITUDES” WEB SITE
(The ATTITUDES of Jesus that produce the CHARACTER of Jesus)

CLICK ON THE LINK to view:
http://fruitsofthebeatitudes.org/

FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/FruitsOfTheBeatitudes/

[ Mark Besh ]

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[ P.S.: If you would like to investigate further what it means to “believe,” visit the following link:
http://www.4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q10_d4_1of10.html ].

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ARTICLES
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A few of my favorite travel advice ‘experts’:

– Rick Steves (“Rick Steves’ Europe”):
https://www.ricksteves.com/

– Samantha Brown (“Places To Love”):
https://samantha-brown.com/

– Globe Trekker (Christina Chang, Megan McCormick):
https://tv.lonelyplanet.com/tv/globe-trekker/17/

– Josh Gates (“Expedition Unknown”):
https://www.discovery.com/shows/expedition-unknown

– Robert Rose (“Raw Travel”):
https://rawtravel.tv/

– Rudy Maxa (“Rudy Maxa’s World”):
https://rudymaxasworld.com/

– Christine van Blokland (“Curious Traveler”):
https://www.pbs.org/show/curious-traveler/

– Burt Wolf (“Travels & Traditions”):
http://www.burtwolf.com/

– Joseph Rosendo (“Travelscope”):
https://www.pbs.org/show/joseph-rosendos-travelscope/

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“Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in…

Jerusalem: https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/jerusalem-isr-jr-j.htm

[ PlanetWare ]

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“Rick Steves’ European Travel Tips and Tricks”

Rick Steves European Travel Talk | Rick Steves shares the essential skills for smart European travel: itinerary planning, venturing off the beaten path, packing light, avoiding crowds (and thieves), transportation tips, finding hotels and restaurants, and much more. In this practical lecture, Rick shares lessons from a lifetime of travel so others can learn from his experience and travel smarter.

[ Rick Steves ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5qTSoMjYhE

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“The 100 Most Popular City Destinations”

[ Has a great infographic! ]

The pandemic has grounded many of us, but it can’t curb human wanderlust.

Cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok, and London have led city destination rankings for years, but movement within the ranks below them—revealed in the above infographic—help to highlight the intriguing travel trends happening before COVID-19.

With data from Euromonitor International’s 2019 travel report, we can uncover where travelers are likely headed once their passports are useful again. Pulling data from 400 cities, collected into mid-2019, the report encompasses millions of international travelers who stayed at their destination longer than 24 hours.

Here’s a closer look at where travelers are likely to touch down in post-pandemic life.

Not-So-Lonely At the Top
Although the top of this list has remained fairly stable in terms of rank in recent years, two cities have seen an impressive influx of travelers.

Paris and Istanbul both made significant gains between 2017 and 2019 with 20.6% and 37.2% growth in visitors respectively:

Note that only one North American city, New York City, is found in this top 10. As well, Asian cities account for half of the leading group, with two of the top 10 cities are located in China. Although Hong Kong leads the top 100 list, political turmoil led to a marked decline of international visitors of 4.2% from 2017 to 2019.

The largest rank changes in the top 10 were made by Macau and Istanbul, but the rise was subtle. Both cities gained two spots each between 2013 and 2018, though each had sizable traveler growth rates, with Macau growing by 19.0%.

Rank City Country Arrivals (Millions) 5yr Rank Change Growth (’17-19)
1 Hong Kong China (SAR) 29.26 — -4.2%
2 Bangkok Thailand 24.17 — 15.1%
3 London United Kingdom 19.23 — -1.4%
4 Macau China (SAR) 18.93 2 19.0%
5 Singapore Singapore 18.55 -1 12.2%
6 Paris France 17.56 -1 20.6%
7 Dubai UAE 15.92 — 3.4%
8 New York City US 13.60 1 7.0%
9 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 13.43 1 9.6%
10 Istanbul Turkey 13.43 2 37.2%

[ Showing 1 to 10 of 100 entries ]

It’s also worth noting that based on the data collected into 2019, London was projected to continue its downward trend, bringing it to 5th spot—mostly due to complications brought on by Brexit and associated visa restrictions.

Trending: Indian and Japanese Cities Take Flight
Most of the dramatic shifts in city travel patterns are happening below the top 10. Asian hot spots are gaining steam and swiftly making their way up the top 100 rankings, signaling a shift in global preferences before lockdowns began.

Take Japan for instance. The five Japanese cities in the top 100 rose by 352 places collectively since 2013. The country’s top city destinations have had an average traveler growth rate of 17.8% from 2017 to 2019. In light of Japan’s impeccable containment of COVID-19, that trend may be compounded in coming years.

Japan’s dramatic rise in the ranks is echoed by India. India’s seven cities in the top 100 have risen 229 places — with a huge average growth rate of 44.6% from 2017 to 2019. Some of that growth is the result of lifestyle tourism, particularly in the case of Delhi, which saw its traveler rate grow by 49.6% since 2017.

Prior to the pandemic, Delhi was expected to continue that steady growth and experience a leap in rank, which currently sits at 11.

With health and wellness tourism on the rise, India has gained noteworthy attention for its yoga retreats and Ayurveda practices. Delhi’s connectivity to important locations across North India has boosted inbound arrivals to the city.

— Euromonitor International

Where in the World? Asia and Europe
Asia continues to lead all other regions, followed by Europe.

Since 2013, the number of Asian cities in the top 100 has grown from 34 to 43. Asian outbound travel has also seen a surge, spurring a rise in travel campaigns from Europe and the Americas that target Asian travelers on social media platforms like WeChat.

Why the Ranking Matters: In Travel, They Trust
Before the pandemic, tourism was considered a leading and resilient economic sector.

In 2019, 1.5 billion people traveled internationally. By 2030, that number could grow to 1.8 billion—and many cities could become increasingly reliant on tourist dollars.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, cities like Macau, Cancun, Marrakech, and Las Vegas are all heavily dependent on direct tourism and travel contributions to their respective GDPs. As of 2018, more than 50% of Macau’s GDP was derived directly from tourism, while almost half of Cancun’s GDP relies on travelers.

Countries like India and the Philippines are also particularly reliant on travel. India has a related job-to-tourist ratio of two jobs for every tourist and the Philippines has a ratio of one job per tourist.

By 2030, there could be 1.8 billion tourists – just over one in five persons in the world–traveling around the globe.

— United Nations World Tourism Organization

Where to Next? Wheels Up
Millions of travelers don’t lie — the siren call of cities is undeniable. In turn, those tourists have become a major lifeforce for many of these destinations, and a boon for the international travel industry.

The pandemic has thrown these dynamics off course, with much of the world grinding to a halt since early 2020. However, it’s only a matter of time before the world opens back up again.

Although travel may look very different in the future, wanderlust doesn’t simply disappear. In fact, frustrated travelers — including digital nomads and remote workers — may have all the more reason to run away.

[ Therese Wood ]

Article: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-100-most-popular-city-destinations/

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25 TIPS TO EXPLORE AND VISIT A CITY

Ever wandered around a city dazed and lost? These tips will help you explore and visit a city to the max; whether you are new or not!

Feeling dazed and lost around a city is normal for newbies to a place – that was us on our first trip together to New York City. We spent the first day literally wandering around and getting lost, staring at the bright lights and receiving puzzled looks for the fast paced New Yorkers leaping past us. For our next city break we were much better prepared so I thought I would share with you some tips on exploring a new city.

Contents hide
How to explore and visit a city
Visit a local market
Sleep before you arrive
Learn basic words and phrases
People watching
Embrace your inner tourist
Talk to the locals
Take a cooking class
Eat where the locals eat
Walk
Comfort
Drink
Moisturise
Don’t over plan
Plan an extra day
Get up
Photograph it
Relax
Follow bloggers
Try a city bus
Bring a day bag
See it from high
Free Walking Tours
Get Lost
Get a map
UNESCO sites

How to explore and visit a city

Visit a local market
Find out where the local markets are either before arriving or ask at the hotel and get going. You can learn so much about place by visiting the local market, trying the local food and just watching the locals. It can also get you off the beaten track a bit.

Sleep before you arrive
If you are taking a long flight, try and sleep on the flight so that you can get going straight away once you’ve arrived at the city. Also, email your hotel ahead of arrival to try and check in early if you are arriving before 2pm

Learn basic words and phrases
If you are heading somewhere that speaks a different language then learn or at least make a note on your phone of basic words and phrases you may need to use. When we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, it took us some time to figure out how to ask the lady at the reception desk where we could get food from at that late hour. I think she thought we were asking for a rest room not a restaurant…

People watching
A fave of mine, when we arrive at a new city (particularly a hot one), it has become a norm of ours to head to a local bar or pub (or cafe if it’s before noon…sometimes), get a seat either outside or one facing the window and just watch the world go by. Obviously we don’t spend hours doing this but you can learn a lot by taking time before dinner to just relax, drink and watch.

Embrace your inner tourist
Whether you are visiting a city on a trip or your moving somewhere permanently, there is nothing wrong with being a tourist and visiting the tourist traps. There are some bloggers, travellers and travel writers out there who will shun off tourist spots and focus on exploring the places less explored. Yeah that is great and we do try and see the less obvious attractions too but actually visiting the Colosseum in Rome, the Great Wall in China and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran is what makes trips to these places so amazing. Don’t shy away from those busy attractions, there is always a reason those places are busy!

Talk to the locals
Alongside visiting those tourist spots, try and talk to locals to get their point of view for interesting things to do in that city. You may find hidden gems or an amazing restaurant – if you do, please share these with us in the comments below!

Take a cooking class
If you are in a city for a while, try your hand at a cooking course. Many courses include trips to local stores or markets whilst also giving you the skills to make and try the local dish. Plus, you can chat and socialise with other travellers and locals; learning more about their way of life and culture.

Eat where the locals eat
Avoid restaurants with tour buses nearby and picture menus, instead visit the restaurants down alleyways or around the corner from popular areas or ask locals where they would recommend. If a local would eat there then it will no doubt be good!

Walk
When visiting a city, especially if it isn’t too big, try and find as many opportunities as you can to walk to and from places. It is in these moments where you really get to enjoy and explore what a city has to offer and may even find some great restaurants, bars and attractions along the way.

Comfort
This may sound obvious but wear comfortable shoes and clothes! You will be walking a lot so pack clothes that are appropriate for your travel.

Drink
Not that type of drink… well not all day at least. But staying hydrated is of course important all the time, but especially important when walking around a city.

Don’t over plan
Before leaving, use blogs, youtube and trip advisor to plan what you want to see and do and work out which attractions are near one another. But don’t expect to see the Top 20 things to do in NYC in just 4 days…it won’t happen. Prioritise and make yourself a rough plan.

Plan an extra day
If time and money permits, try and plan an extra day. You will always realise there is something else you want to explore and see and that extra day will give you a chance to explore at your own pace and find time to relax.

Get up
In honesty, we are guilty of being those people who have occasional lie ins during our trip and end up missing something we wanted to see. Not anymore I tell you! When travelling for long periods of time then lying in at times is fine but if you are only in a city for a few days then get yourself up bright and early! Aim to leave by 8am so you can make the most of your day and don’t you dare head back to your hotel until at least 10pm.

Photograph it
Make sure you take photos of your adventures whilst you enjoy them. They make for great memories and we would love to see them so do share them on Instagram! That being said, take the photographs for you and not for Facebook… I know I have annoyed many a friends by uploading day by day piccies of our travels and as much as I may love to stalk my friends travels abroad, not everyone loves hundreds of pictures filling up their news feed.

Relax
You are on holiday and no matter how much you want to see, you must find time to relax! Whether its taking time for a shopping trip, heading to a show or visiting a spa; find time to unwind. Calum and I will spend all day exploring but then settle in a restaurant and/or bar in the evening, have a few drinks and chat about the day.

Follow bloggers
OK so this one may be biased but I wouldn’t have seen and done half as much as I have done in new cities if it wasn’t for the advise given from travel bloggers. Have a search online and see which bloggers have been to your chosen city and use their advise! Of course feel free to subscribe to Creative Travel Guide but also check out Alex in Wanderland, migrationology.com, Camels and Chocolate, Never Ending footsteps, Practical Wanderlust and the list goes on. These are the bloggers who have helped me with our travel plans. – Thanks!

Try a city bus
If you are short on time, then hop on a city bus. These are great for getting around a new city, showing you all the attractions and giving you the chance to hop off and explore at your own pace.

Bring a day bag
You will be exploring the city most of the day so make sure you bring a large enough bag to carry essentials (water, camera, purse, phone, map, hotel keys, umbrella etc).

See it from high
Every city has a tall building in it somewhere. Find it and go up it! Not only is the experience itself a great one but the view can give you a whole new prospective on a city. The Eiffel Tower showed me how massive Paris actually is whilst the Sky Bar’s of Bangkok offer a different way of life to that on ground level.

Free Walking Tours
Many cities around the world offer some form of free walking tours. Have a google and sign up so you can see the city whilst mingling with locals.

Get Lost
So I know I complained about getting lost at the beginning of this blog but sometimes getting lost in a new city can be just what you need. Whilst in Tokyo we found ourselves lost and ended up somehow inside a gaming company that Calum loves and whilst in Paris, we found an adorable boutique restaurant that had cheap(ish) wine and beer.

Either download a map on your phone, ask at your hotel or nab one from a tourist stand but make sure you have a map. Exploring a new city can be tiring especially when you walk 30 minutes in the wrong direction – not that we are talking from experience!

UNESCO sites
From my experience, UNESCO sites are always interesting and worth a visit. If your chosen city has any UNESCO sites, try to find some time to visit them.

These are some tips that we use to get use to and explore a new city.

[ Creative Travel Guide ]

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“5 reasons why it’s always worth revisiting a destination”

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”

This quote from American writer and filmmaker Susan Sontag is true for most travelers. So many places, so little time, right? But what do we mean by “everywhere”? Once we’ve been somewhere, does it get crossed off the list? Most people would say yes, but I don’t think it should be.

I admit, I myself have hesitated every time I’ve returned to old travel destinations. I wonder whether it’s a waste of time – shouldn’t I instead be adding to the list of places that I’ve seen?

But every time I do make a return visit, I not only connect more deeply with the place I’m in, I also learn more about myself. If you’re avoiding a place simply because you’ve already been, allow me to change your mind.

See how much you’ve grown
Nelson Mandela once said “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered”.

This couldn’t be more applicable to my return to Thailand. This country is a hotbed of young backpackers whose intention is often to party, recklessly ride motorbikes and collect a backpack full of pants patterned with elephants. I know, because I was one of them. Second time around, I was hesitant to return to a place I identified as merely a hedonist’s paradise.

I instead sought to understand culture, to connect with locals, to explore street food instead of simply desperately feed my hangovers. Looking for all this plus the space for reflection – yeah basically Eat, Pray, Love, I know – I found in Thailand a perfect environment in which to explore a new version of myself. First of all, it was patronizing of me to think that I’d be disappointed. There was beauty in how simply and effortlessly Thailand molded itself around the new me.

beach ThailandSeeking serenity in Thailand
Yet as well as learning that destinations can and will continue to surprise you, Thailand provided a mirror in which I could see how much I had evolved. I walked past bars I’d danced at till the early hours, this time on my way to a yoga class. By jumping back to this place full of memories, I could reflect on and appreciate how I’d changed.

READ MORE: 10 THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM TRAVELLING TO 75 COUNTRIES

For the unique feeling of being both at home and on an adventure
I have a strong connection with Hanoi, and when I’m there I can’t help but smile as I wander down the same alleys in the Old Quarter, notice the same lady selling banh mi (a delicious Vietnamese sandwich), and stop into the same restaurant for lunch (always the vegetarian vermicelli noodles and a fresh coconut).

We humans are creatures of habit. And while breaking out of your comfort zone is so important, returning to a place that you love stimulates a sense of belonging that is both nostalgic and comforting. That complete sense of overwhelming foreignness which accompanies new destinations is removed, and a more relaxed state allows you to soak in your surroundings from a place of ease. It’s amazing what a difference it can make when you’re not calculating the exchange rate for the first time, or navigating the public transport system like a lost puppy.

Vietnam road tripTaken on one of my many trips to Vietnam
I urge you return to a café that you know has the best coffee in town, and enjoy ordering that latte you know was so delicious last time (I use this example because there is a café in Antigua, Guatemala, where I plan to do exactly that). Already having key phrases learnt in the language, knowing what local dish to order instead of staring blankly at a confusing menu; it all allows you to let out a mental sigh of relief. While exploring foreign lands there is a lot to deal with, so easing the pressure on some of those logistical details provides space for you to really appreciate where you are.

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE

The world is changing, fast. Be part of the journey
Colombia has a unique place in my heart, but it hasn’t always had the best reputation. Due to civil unrest in the 1980s and 90s, tourism took a hit as outsiders weren’t sure about their safety. Even in 2013, friends and family warned me to take care.

Predictably, outsiders’ perceptions and the reality were starkly different. Safety was a consideration, but in no way dented the striking beauty of the country and its people. And since the backpacker trail was still developing, I could find hostels that lacked wifi and electricity, which though hell for some, was heaven for me. I turned into a Colombia Ambassador (ask my friends, I wouldn’t shut up about it).

Colombia Tayrona National Park hikingHiking in Colombia’s Tayrona National Park
Only two years later I returned, and so much had changed. This country is stunning, and the tourism industry is responding accordingly. It deserves to have a reputation based on its beauty rather than its tumultuous past, and it made me feel proud to see its growth. To see the world changing in front of your eyes is a wonderful, unique perspective to have, especially where change is happening fast.

So get to those destinations that are in transition, that are rising out of difficult times. Not only will they benefit more from your tourist dollars, they will also be more appreciative of the chance to show the best of their country, and when you return you’ll get to witness a unique perspective of this constantly evolving world.

VISIT BEAUTIFUL COLOMBIA ON A SMALL GROUP TOUR WITH INTREPID

Guatape, ColombiaGuatape, Colombia
Go beyond the obvious
The first time we visit a place it’s fairly mandatory that we go and tick off the must-see spots. Second time round you can dig a little deeper, have more freedom to wander aimlessly, discover what’s outside the tourist areas and be more authentic with your travel experience.

This happened to me most noticeably in Chiang Mai, Thailand. First time around, I visited Wat Doi Suthep, the city’s most popular Buddhist temple, with crowds of other tourists on a muggy afternoon. When I returned a few years later, I was armed with knowledge. I knew how to get there – I didn’t need to fumble my way armed with a Lonely Planet and a puzzled expression. So I decided to do it completely independently. Instead of taking a time-consuming bus or a pricey taxi, I rented a scooter. At 4:30am, free from the fear of getting lost, I set off in the chilly pre-dawn, zooming through empty streets, and rode up the winding, hilly road to the temple. My confidence and experience meant that I was rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise, with not crowds for company, but Buddhist monks doing their morning prayers.

JUST GO: AN ESSAY ON THE ART OF SPONTANEITY

Don’t let fear rule you
When I first visited Hanoi I had such an amazing experience, met such incredible people, that I was afraid to return. I thought there was no way it could meet my expectations, and I was scared to ruin the glimmering memories I held dear. But why live a life of fear? I returned, and I had just as good a time – I made more friends, I visited new places, tried new bars and cafes, and both understood and appreciated the city more than I had before.

One final quote, I promise. The Dalai Lama wisely said: “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before”. But remember that everywhere is somewhere you haven’t been before. Colombia this year is different to the Colombia of last year, and that applies the world over. But more importantly, who you are this year, is different to who you were last year. A true traveler can revisit a place over and over and see it in a new light, identify new magic, allow it to reveal more about themselves.

Give it a go, see for yourself.

[ Jen Welch ]

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“6 Amazing Places to Revisit in Your 60s | Senior Travel Tips”

Here are six amazing places to revisit now that you’re in your 60s. Visit Sixty and Me to learn more:
https://sixtyandme.com/6-amazing-places-to-revisit-in-your-60s-senior-travel-tips/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTQyNdmk1dk

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“7 PLACES I’D LIKE TO TRAVEL BACK TO”

Have you ever gone somewhere and realized you had to go back. No matter if you were there for 8 weeks or just one night, you need to go back to relive the splendor and magic of the city. When I made my travel bucket list, I knew that I had to go back to some of the places I’d already crossed off my list.

I decided to skip the USA for this list and just focus on destinations outside of America.
Here are 7 places I’d like to travel back to:

1. Paris
I cried the day we left Paris I wanted to stay so bad. I just want to sit around, drinking wine, eating cheese and bread and watch the Eiffel tower light up.

2. London
I was really fortunate to have been in London 6 separate times, each a fairly lengthy stay. My parents were professors and taught a study abroad program over there. Even though I’ve seen everything 3 times, there’s always something new to discover.

3. Santorini
I only spent 12 hours in Santorini last summer. It was speedy tourism at it’s finest. The island off the coast of Greece was absolutely breathtaking with white roofs and the blue, clear sea.

4. Amsterdam
The people were kind and generous, the atmosphere was cool and fun, the scenery was beautiful, and the food was delicious. If I were to ever live in Europe, I would consider moving here.

5. Prague
Prague feels like you’ve stepped inside a faraway time, or maybe even a fairytale. Everything is picturesque and ornate.

6. Jamaica
I was astounded by the beauty of the beaches coupled with the lush greenery. I also really enjoyed their culture. For a country that is so poor they seem like incredibly happy people.

7. Brussels
I loved all the cities I stayed in within Belgium. Brussels was bustling with history, art, and people.

In reality, I could go back to everywhere I’ve been. But I’ll stick with these for now. What’s one place you’d like to go back to?

[ Helene ]

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“8 Tips to Remember When You Revisit A City”

When you travel you leave a little bit of yourself behind in every place you go. Sometimes you don’t have the best time and you decide to never return, but more often than not you fall in love with those cities and countries and vow to return as soon as possible.

However, places change over time. You can’t expect every revisit to be just as great as the first. You can’t always expect to do the same things, either. What would be the fun in just repeating everything you did last time? Take it from someone who’s been to London multiple times: each trip was completely different than the last, but I managed to still visit the sights that I love and experience new things each time!

If you decide to one day revisit to your beloved cities, here’s a few tips and tricks to make your return even better:

1. Use The Guidebook
You’re not any less cool for checking out a tourist attraction. There’s a reason these places are popular with travelers, and most of the time they’re really freaking cool! If you missed out on seeing a main attraction the first time around, go for it the second. Nobody is going to think less of you for seeing Versailles or taking a day to wander around a museum that you forgot to visit. I’ve strolled up and down Oxford Street more times than I can count simply because I like it. I don’t care if there are tourists on every corner, I still like to window shop!

2. Switch Up Your Accommodations
Try staying somewhere different each time. Stay at a different hostel, splurge for a high-end hotel, or even use Airbnb to live in a flat or a house. Pick a different neighborhood of the city, too. Where you stay during your trip can really influence the type of experiences that you have. For instance, the first time I was in London, I stayed in a hotel in the middle of the city, the second time I lived in a dorm 20 minutes outside of London in the suburbs (I’m looking at you Harrow) and most recently, I took over my boyfriend’s flat. Even though it sounds simple, each accommodation changed the way I saw and interacted with the city.

3. Change Seasons
I know its hard to plan to travel around certain time periods, but if you can, go during a different season! Every city magically transforms during the holidays, and each country blooms beautifully in the spring. With each new season comes new activities, so there’s everything from holiday markets in the winter and Halloween bashes in the fall, to picnic lunches in the summer and flower shows in the spring. If you’re used to heading out in the summer, try for a winter vacation instead. Switch up the seasons and there’ll be tons of new stuff to explore!

4. Revisit Those Old Stomping Grounds
If there’s a spot you fell in love with on your first trip, whether that be a park or a bar, go back! Traveling is about doing whatever you want and making memories along the way, and there’s nothing wrong with revisiting some of your favorite spots. For me, that spot is a pub I always went to when I studied abroad. Going back after being gone for a year was totally different, but I still made sure to pop in, have a pint, and recall all my favorite memories. Give yourself a little time to let it all soak in and remember why you love that place so much.

5. Make Your Own Traditions
Whether it’s catching a show, having a night out on the town, or grabbing dinner at a cool restaurant, you should start to make your own travel traditions. This way, you can make it a point to take time out of your travel itinerary to enjoy the things you love most. It gives you something to look forward to each time you return. Every time I go to Cardiff I grab some chips from my favorite fish & chip shop and eat them by the bay. It’s something really small, but it’s become my own little tradition and I wouldn’t want to have a trip without it.

6. Travel With Different People
Bring a friend with you on your next journey because each trip you take is different depending on the people you travel with. Granted, this can go both ways (i.e.: terrible people could lead to having a terrible time) but it doesn’t hurt to bring a trusted travel buddy along for the ride. Even in your everyday,not-galavanting-around-the-world life, people can influence your experiences. Having another person decide to take a left instead of a right can completely change your entire trip, especially if it leads to places you never thought to find before. Similarly, meet a local! They know more than you ever could and they’ll likely introduce you to a whole new side of the city.

7. Just Explore!
Honestly, this is easier said than done. A lot of times I find myself just wanting to fall back into a typical routine, but that gets real old real fast. Go out there and wander around. Get lost. Do something completely different. Like I mentioned above, its nice to revisit things that you love, but you also have to make sure each trip is like a new adventure, and the best way to do that is by delving into the unfamiliar. As long as you feel comfortable enough to put down the trusty guidebook and let go a little, exploring should be easy. Who knows? You might even stumble upon something amazing.

8. Don’t Force It
At the end of the day, your entire trip comes down to your own personal experience. Don’t force yourself to do things that you’re not feeling up to doing. If you want to spend your entire journey going back to the same old places, than that is perfectly ok! It doesn’t matter if you’re keeping up with your routine or finding new places to explore, just follow your natural instincts and do what makes you the happiest!

[ Bri Wink ]

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“9 Destinations You Wouldn’t Think to Visit — But Should”

lassic cities like Paris or New York secure a spot on most travelers’ bucket lists, and though there are a number of off-the-radar destinations that also merit a visit, they often get tossed aside in favor of the typical tourist draws. These often overlooked cities rival their more popular counterparts in charm and exploration opportunities, and offer a healthy balance of beauty and massive crowds. Get there before the masses.

Isla del Sol, Bolivia
Crisscrossed by ancient Incan trails through its terraced hills, and fringed by the jagged peaks of the Cordillera Real, the mystical Isla del Sol is a highlight of any Bolivian itinerary. The largest of over forty islands that populate the tranquil azure waters of Lake Titicaca, Isla del Sol is home to several traditional Aymara communities. The Island of the Sun has earned deep respect in the Andean world as the birthplace of the Incan dynasty and the creation of the sun and moon. Take it easy on the first couple days if you’re reaching Isla del Sol from Bolivia’s urban cores, as the altitude may take its toll. But once you’re acclimated, take a boat out to island hop and discover archaeological ruins, sandy beaches, and hikes to sublime sunset spots.

Lamu, Kenya
Kenya conjures images of wild safaris, elephant spotting, and camera-touting tourists bumping along in jeeps. But head to the coast of this African nation and you’ll find a beachy paradise that is woefully under-recognized. Lamu archipelago embodies the phrase “pole pole” — go slowly. Idyllic beaches meet a bustling town of maze-like alleys and ornate doors. One of the oldest Swahili settlements in East Africa, Lamu was once an important trade port bridging Europe, India, and the Middle East. Dodge ambling donkeys in narrow alleys and take a traditional Swahili dhow boat out for a spin under the stars. There’s a whole lot to love in this island gem.

Ghent, Belgium
Often overlooked by the swan-filled canals and quaint cobbled lanes of Bruges, the proudly Flemish Ghent is one of Belgium’s oldest cities, and an equally cozy destination. Bikeable and intimate, Ghent boasts a vibrant atmosphere due to its bustling student population. The Graslei along the River Leie is where students unite after a day of classes, either on charming cafe terraces or dangling their feet above the waters, engrossed in chatter. Modern day developments blend with historic elements, as accessory shops and hotels don centuries-old facades of gabled guild houses. Though Ghent is anchored by a fine collection of museums that explore the city’s arts and history, its most precious crown jewel remains the highly influential Adoration of the Mystic Lamb — oak panels of masterful paint strokes completed by the van Eyck brothers in the 15th century housed inside the Gothic St. Bavo’s Cathedral.

Taipei, Taiwan
This Taiwanese gem can’t be touted enough. The streets are littered with countless shopfronts, interspersed by ornate Taoist temples and pockets of green throughout with welcoming park benches. A favorite local activity is conquering the steep concrete steps of Elephant Mountain and greeting dusk as it descends upon the skyline, embellished by the iconic skyscraper glittering in the distance, Taipei 101. In the heart of Taipei’s nightlife, explore more than a dozen night markets scattered across the city are where locals congregate to dine, feasting on signature bowls of fatty and flavorful braised pork rice and piping hot beef noodle soup.

Kotor, Montenegro
Overlooked by the cruise ship crowds who head straight to neighboring Dubrovnik, Kotor is a hidden paradise of medieval Venetian architecture and lakeside relaxation backed by towering mountains. Stroll along waterside promenades or take a boat out to discovery monasteries floating on serene blue water. For those who prefer relaxation over fighting the crowds of more popular Aegean destinations, quaint villages lining the water and offer peaceful retreats from the chaos.

Mai Chau, Vietnam
Surprisingly bypassed by foreign visitors in favor of Sapa, the idyllic valley of Mai Chau is backed by a range of rugged karst mountains. Some of the traditional stilt houses of the locals who inhabit Mai Chau have been converted into rustic homestays, where visitors have the opportunity to experience warm hospitality and revel in home cooked farm to fork meals. Spend your days relaxing and cycling through the flat emerald rice fields, speckled by the conical hats of women who tend to their crop. A mere 85 miles southwest from Hanoi, the calm and largely unspoiled valley feels a world away from Hanoi’s chaotic sea of motorbikes.

St. John’s, Canada
Nestled snugly in a harbor of Canada’s eastern stretches, St. John’s is Newfoundland’s largest city and capital, though distinct for its refreshingly small town vibes. In its heyday, St. John’s harbor welcomed ships from the far corners of the globe as a flourishing trading port. Though traffic is calmer these days, the vibrant waterfront remains the city’s social hub, where artists and students frequent the chic restaurants and lively bars of George Street for a night of pints and live folk music. Saunter through the hilly streets of St. John’s whimsical downtown, an enclave of low rise jelly-bean-colored Victorian houses. Then embark on scenic coastal hikes up to Signal Hill for sweeping panoramas of St. John’s and the enveloping Atlantic Ocean.

Xi’An, China
As the terminus of the Silk Road, and former imperial capital of China throughout a number of dynasties, Xi’an brims with relics that reveal the chapters of the nation’s long standing history. An afternoon of cycling along the Ming-era City Walls, and navigating the narrow lanes of the Muslim Quarter, as well as a day trip to witness the burial site of the Terracotta Warriors will enthrall any historian. Budget enough time for a side trip to Mount Huashan, one of China’s most sacred mountains, where daredevils embark on a plank walk across thin wooden slats bolted to the side of the peak some 7,000 feet in the air.

Siargao Island, Philippines
First discovered by a group of passionate surfers because of its year-round swell, Siargao Island is now quickly gaining popularity through word of mouth and is referred to by the community as the Surf Capital of the Philippines. A teardrop-shaped island of natural beauty and tranquility, Siargao Island is speckled with blindingly white sand beaches, dramatic coves and forests of coconut palms that stretch into forever. There are many days of laid back hammock sitting and beach bumming to be had here. Spend your mornings witnessing the sky turn shades of dusty rose during sunrise from Cloud 9 Pier, and observe from its wooden boardwalk the experts who carve the waves at Cloud 9 below, the island’s most famous surf break.

[ Vivian Chung ]

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“Top 10 Must-Visit Cities Around the World”

If you’re planning an around-the-world trip, you need to take a look at our must-visit cities list.

[ WatchMojo ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQVdvGRkfKs

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“10 Underrated Trips to Take with Your Best Friends”

hile the big cities of the world like Paris, New York, and Rome often get all the glory, there’s plenty of culture, history, and culinary delights to uncover in some of the world’s lesser-known destinations. Armed with good company, share with your best friends the experience of sleeping in a desert, indulging in a spa retreat, or walking along deserted beaches as you explore the world’s most underrated destinations together.

Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA
A mellow beach town on the scenic Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach is a magnet for lazy beachgoers and passionate outdoor photographers who come to capture the 235-foot Haystack Rock that juts out from the ocean floor. Start your days perusing the chic boutiques and local art galleries on the town’s main thoroughfare, Hemlock Street. Then go for leisurely walks on the wide beach, taking in its salty sea air. Visit in June for the annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, which transforms the town into an outdoor party with live music and a raging bonfire. Rent a cottage for you and your friends, or stay in one of the charming B&B’s with oceanfront views.

Taipei, Taiwan
Tackle Taipei’s impressive food scene with your BFFs by perusing the stalls at one of the bustling night markets that dot Taiwan’s friendly capital. Eating out on a daily basis is common practice for locals here, as gorging on street eats is both tasty and cheap. Between slurpable bowls of beef noodles, crispy scallion pancakes, and plates of pungent tofu, eating all of Taipei is a worthwhile goal. Work off the calories by hiking Elephant Mountain, a short and sweet one-mile-long set of stone steps that reveal the city’s iconic skyline.

Sedona, Arizona, USA
Nestled among striking red-rock buttes and wedged between steep canyon walls, Sedona is a destination for spiritual journeys. Roughly 120 miles north of Phoenix, this desert town is believed to be the site of a number of vortexes, and spiritual seekers and healers from all over come to tap into the energy. Visit Mii Amo with your best friends, a destination spa at the foot of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon where the Earth’s energy is highly concentrated, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual healing.

Arequipa, Peru
Peru’s second largest city sits at a dizzying height of 7,710 feet, ringed by three visually-striking snow-capped volcanoes. Its UNESCO-listed historic city center, or Plaza de Armas, features pretty facades carved from white volcanic rock, and the centerpiece of the square is unquestioningly the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, which began construction in 1540. Arequipa’s close proximity to Peru’s breathtaking outdoors makes this an ideal jumping off point for hiking the Colca Canyon where you can spot Andean condors take flight.

Strasbourg, France
Charming Strasbourg on the French-German border is a rich cultural center in the heart of Alsace, some 300 miles east of Paris. Its storied medieval past gives this destination a dreamy, old world vibe, but as the seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg also embodies a modern identity. Traipse the twisting alleyways of La Petite France, a neighborhood of whimsical crooked houses lining a network of waterways, then tour the glass European Parliament for a modern look at the city.

Pilsen, Czech Republic
Often overlooked in favor of the romantic Czech capital of Prague, Pilsen proves a deserving destination for all beer lovers. The internationally-adored Pilsner was invented in Western Bohemia’s largest city in 1842, and a tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery is a must if you and your friends share a love of lager. Then, visit Pilsen’s only beer spa, where you can soak in the local brew, followed by a relaxing massage, and rejuvenating steam bath.

Ambergris Caye, Belize
Looking for that tropical getaway with your friends, but don’t want to break the bank? Head for Belize’s Ambergris Caye, an isolated piece of paradise that’s perfect for improving your tan with a drink in hand. Spend your days alternating between lounging on the beach and snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef. Charter a sailboat to take you around the island for the day, and at night sip mojitos at
Palmilla Restaurant.

Tofino, Canada
Free-spirited Tofino sits on a peninsula of Vancouver Island, off the western coast of Canada. While summertime visitors to Tofino enjoy kayaking off its rugged coastline and whale watching in pristine Clayoquot Sound, this remote fishing village is actually Canada’s premier surfing destination, and attracts those with a penchant for riding the waves. After, chow down on fish tacos from the original Tacofino food truck, its mouthwatering combination of tempura ling cod and chipotle mayo the reason for its many outposts on mainland British Columbia’s Vancouver today.

Kauai, Hawaii, USA
In the shadows of ever popular Oahu and Maui, the Hawaiian island of Kauai makes for a more idyllic getaway if you and your best friends are looking to commune with nature. The wild and rugged island, one of Hawaii’s least crowded, is composed of a variety of mesmerizing landscapes — lush tropical valleys, deep chasms, and dramatic sea cliffs on the Nāpali Coast so picture perfect that it was featured in Jurassic Park. For active souls, there’s plenty of outdoor adventures to participate in on land or in the sea. Explore sea caves, swim with sea turtles in impossibly turquoise waters, or perfect your tan on the island’s secluded beaches.

Wadi Rum, Jordan
For a quintessential desert experience with your best friends, head to Wadi Rum, some 186 miles south of the Jordanian capital of Amman. Characterized by striking red sands and towering granite and sandstone peaks that reach heights of 2600 feet, the arid Wadi Rum is a highlight of any journey to the Middle East. Avid rock climbers gravitate towards the mountains here, but for a more laid back experience, tour the open desert in a four wheel drive, or camel trek the very region where much of Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Budget enough time to sleep under the starry sky at a Bedouin Camp and revel in the tranquility of those desert nights.

[ Vivian Chung ]

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“Literal Translations of Cities Around the World”

We can all name a number of major cities in countries throughout the world, such as Vienna, Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi, but did you know that many of these places carry hidden meanings and historic references?

Although there is no clear number, there are around 7,106 living languages currently spoken around the world. The way we communicate is truly fascinating and the names we give to objects, other people and places equally so. That’s why we decided to take a look at a major city in 191 countries around the world to find out their literal translation.

Hover over the map below to see literal translations of cities around the world.
Scroll within the magnifying box to zoom in and out.

Article: https://www.onthegotours.com/literal-translations-of-cities/

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“European Travel Skills”

Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide | In this first of three shows covering travel skills and tips, we’ll visit the Netherlands and Germany to learn about transportation by train and car within Europe, changing money, and settling in upon arrival. How well you’re able to enjoy the delights of Europe

[ Rick Steves ]

– Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0UCZkPqbA
– Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZPjdzZ_9bQ
– Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd6tgY681e4

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“Thrifty 50 Travel Tips”

Tour members reading their Pocket London guidebook on the train, England
By Rick Steves
The economy may be wobbly, but our travel dreams are still strong — for good reason. Europe is every bit as magical as ever, and no recession can change that. What matters is how well you manage your travel budget, and how you use those skills to create a better trip. Playing your cards right, and spending less will lower the barrier that separates you and the culture you’ve traveled so far to experience.

To help you keep your dream trip affordable, here are 50 thrifty ways to stretch your travel dollar in Europe…

A B&B offers double the warmth and cultural intimacy for half the price of a hotel. You’ll find them in most countries if you know the local word: Husrom is Norwegian for sobe which is Slovenian for Gästezimmer which is German for rooms in a private home.

Avoid touristy restaurants with “We speak English” signs and multilingual menus. Those that are filled with locals serve better food for less money. I look for a short, handwritten menu in the local language only. Go with the daily specials.

Fly open-jaws — that’s into one city and out of another. Save time and money by avoiding a needless costly return to your starting point. When considering the beginning and end points of a long trip, try to start in mild countries (such as England) and work into the places with greater culture shock (such as Turkey). This way you’ll minimize stress, and save countries offering the cheapest shopping — and greatest health risks — for the end of your trip.

Travel off-season — generally October through April in Europe. You’ll get cheaper airfare, find more budget rooms, spend less time in lines, and meet more Europeans than tourists. Big cities such as London, Paris and Rome are interesting any time of year.

Family-run businesses offer the best values because they employ family members to get around Europe’s costly labor regulations. In mom-and-pop shops you’re more likely to be served by people who care about their reputation and their customers.

Picnics save money. Ten dollars buy a fine picnic lunch for two anywhere in Europe. Stock your hotel room with drinks and munchies upon arrival. You can pass train rides enjoyably over a picnic meal. Many grocery stores have elegant deli sections. Know the metric system for buying produce. In Italy 100 grams (about a quarter pound) is a unit in itself called an etto.

Eat with the season. Germans go crazy for the white asparagus. Italians lap up the porcini mushrooms. And Spaniards gobble their snails (caracoles) — but only when waiters announce that they’re fresh today. You’ll get more taste for less money throughout Europe by ordering what’s in season.

Use a guidebook. Guidebooks are $20 tools for $3,000 experiences. Saving money by not buying one is penny-wise and pound-foolish. An up-to-date guidebook pays for itself on your first day in Europe.

Use ATMs rather than travelers checks. You’ll get your cash cheaper and faster. While ATMs give the best possible rates, they do come with transaction fees. Minimize these fees by making fewer and larger withdrawals. Store the cash safely in your money belt.

Stay in touch cheaply by dialing direct. International phone cards with PIN numbers are sold at newsstands throughout Europe. They offer calls to the US for ten cents a minute — a huge savings over the $3/minute rates offered by the big American services.

Cars are worthless and costly headaches in big cities. Pick up your rental car after the first big city and drop it off before the final big city of your trip. Paying $20 a day to store a $40 a day car while touring a city is an expensive mistake.

Do your shopping mostly in the cheaper countries where gifts are more interesting and your shopping dollar stretches the farthest. The difference is huge: For the cost of a pewter Viking ship in Oslo, you can buy an actual boat in Turkey.

Look up friends, relatives, and contacts. Assume you are interesting and charming and enjoy local hospitality with gusto. This works best if you actually are interesting and charming. Bring a show-and-tell Ziploc baggie filled with photos of your family, house, and hometown.

Adapt to European tastes. Cultural chameleons drink tea in England, beer in Prague, red wine in France, and white wine on the Rhine. They eat fish in Portugal and reindeer in Norway. Going with the local specialties gets you the best quality and service for the best price.

Look for consolidator tickets for overseas flights. Consolidator or “discount” air tickets are perfectly legitimate. By putting up with a few minor drawbacks (no changes allowed and no frequent flier miles given) you can save hundreds of dollars. Student agencies are not limited to students and offer some great airfares.

Don’t let frequent flier miles cloud your judgment. Choose a plane ticket, car rental, hotel or tour according to the best value for your trip, not in hopes of scoring a few extra miles.

Know your railpass options. Railpasses can offer big savings — if you’re traveling a lot. For short trips, point-to-point tickets are cheaper.

Second-class train cars get there just as fast as first-class ones. Throughout Europe first-class tickets cost about 50 percent more than second-class. The difference in comfort is usually minimal — it’s not like first versus coach on a plane. The vast majority of Europeans don’t travel in first class unless someone else is paying for it.

Buses, while often slower, are cheaper than trains — especially in Britain, home of Europe’s most expensive train system. For instance, traveling from London to Edinburgh could cost $145 by train or only $45 by bus.

Groups save by driving. Four people sharing a car generally travel much cheaper than four individuals buying four railpasses. And don’t worry about gas costs. Even at $6 a gallon, you’ll find cars get great mileage and distances between sights are short. A single two-hour train ticket can cost you the price of a full tank of gas.

Park carefully. Thieves recognize and target tourist cars. Judge the safety of a lot by how it twinkles. Broken glass means thieves like this spot. Paying to park in a garage with an attendant can be a good investment.

In many northern countries, train-ticket holders get discounts on bikes rented at the station. And in many cases you can rent a bike in one town and drop it at another for no extra charge.

Pay with cash, not credit cards. While credit cards get you a good exchange rate, many places offering Europe’s best deals — from craft shops to bed & breakfasts — accept only cash.

When changing cash, avoid exchange bureaus that don’t show both the buying and selling rate. By seeing both rates you can derive the profit margin — which should be within 5 percent. Places showing only the selling rate are hiding something… an obscene profit margin.

Wear a money belt. You’ll save money by not losing it. Thieves target Americans not because they’re mean but because they’re smart. They know we’re the ones with the good stuff in our purses and wallets. Assume beggars are pickpockets. Be wary of commotions in crowds and fake police who ask to see your wallet. When you know the scams, they’re almost entertaining.

Students, families, and seniors should ask for discounts. But be warned: Because the US doesn’t reciprocate, many countries don’t give their standard senior citizen discounts to Americans.

In any transaction, understand all fees and expenses. Ask to have bills itemized. Assume you’ll be short-changed. Always ask how much. Do your own arithmetic and don’t let the cashier rush you. Smile but be savvy. You’ll save lots of money.

Travel with a partner to share and save. A single hotel room often costs nearly the same as a double. And by splitting taxis, chores, guidebooks, and picnics couples save both time and money.

Buy your maps in Europe at half the price you’d pay in America. And you’ll find a wider selection.

Communicate online rather than by mailing postcards. For the cost of a postcard and a stamp you can be online in a cybercafé for about 15 minutes. Many libraries, hotels and hostels offer free Internet access.

Europe’s 2,000 hostels offer countless cheap dorm beds. A hostel membership pays for itself in four nights. And it’s not limited to youths. In fact, those over 55 get a discount on a hostel card. Using the hostel’s kitchen, you can cook for the price of groceries — a great savings for traveling families.

Take advantage of department stores anywhere in Europe for cheap folk art, souvenirs, and post cards. Local shoppers eat cheaply at department store cafeterias and restaurants. Savvy travelers can too.

While notorious for ripping off tourists, flea markets can offer some great deals. Prices are soft, so haggle.

Consider using a budget airline to connect distant cities. Europe’s highly competitive no-frills airlines — such as Ryanair and Virgin Air — can often get you from one city to another faster and cheaper than the train. You generally book the flights yourself by phone or on the Web. Beware though: Cheap airlines often use small airports located far from town, which can cost a little extra time and money.

Hike in the Alps. Even if you pay for a lift ticket to get you quickly into the high country, the glories of the Alps are one of Europe’s great values. The Alps are littered with helicopter-supplied mountain huts offering cheap beds and menu prices that don’t go up with the altitude.

Know your hotel’s cancellation policy and keep track of what you reserved. No shows are generally charged one night. If you won’t make it, cancel long in advance. Reconfirm all hotel reservations two days in advance. Even a fine hotel can mess up a booking. Arriving and finding no room can become a huge and costly headache.

Avoid travel agent and tourist office room-finding services. They charge a fee and generally offer only the highest-priced rooms with no discounts. For the best accommodations values, use a guidebook, shop around, and go direct.

Find rooms on the fly, and check business hotels for off-peak deals. Brussels and the Scandinavian capitals, which cater to business travelers, offer deep discounts to travelers who arrive without reservations when business traffic is slow. During summer and weekends year-round, you can get a fancy business hotel room at a cheap one-star hotel price. It’s not unusual to score a $300 double for $100.

Throughout Europe, budget chain hotels rent rooms at B&B prices. Since these cookie-cutter rooms cost the same for singles, couples, or even a family of four, they offer the greatest savings for traveling families.

Be smart about hotel choices. A three-star place (with room service and a 24-hour reception desk) is a bad value for a budget traveler who’s satisfied with one-star services. Lavish lobbies can hide crummy rooms. See, smell, and hear the room before accepting it. If you’re interested in sleeping, choosing a view room overlooking a noisy square is a mistake. Opting for the shower and toilet down the hall can save you $30 a night.

Ask for a deal on your hotel room. You’ll have the best chance of getting a discount if business is slow. Go direct (a room-finding service costs the hotel a booking fee), offer to pay in cash, or stay at least three nights.

Pack the room. The more people you put in a hotel room, the cheaper it gets per person. A quad is only a little more expensive than a double.

Avoid hotel breakfasts. While convenient, these are rarely a good value. If breakfast is optional, increase the character and lower the price by joining the local crowd at the corner café for your coffee and croissant.

Throughout southern Europe, drinks are cheaper at the bar than at a table. The table price can be a great value if you’ll linger and enjoy the view. But those just tossing down a quick drink do it at the bar for about half price.

Every country has early bird and “Blue Plate” specials. Know the lingo, learn your options, and you can dine well with savvy locals anywhere in Europe for under $15.

Don’t overtip. Only Americans tip 15 to 20 percent in Europe. We even tip when it’s already included or not expected. Ask locals (who are customers rather than employees of a restaurant) for advice.

To save money in restaurants, couples can order a side salad and split an entree. To save more, request tap water instead of mineral water, drink the house wine, and skip desserts.

Make the most of public transit. Many single tickets are actually good for round-trip, transfers, or an hour of travel. Three rides generally cost more than a day pass. Airports almost always have cheap and convenient public transit connections to the town center.

Museum passes can save time and money. The Paris Museum pass, for example, pays for itself in three visits and saves you hours by letting you skip the long lines and scoot right into each sight. Also, with some passes, you’ll pop painlessly into sights that might otherwise not be worth the expense.

If you get sick, see a doctor sooner rather than later. While it seems stressful to get medical help, visiting a clinic in Europe is actually an inexpensive and interesting experience. Any hotel or tourist office can point you in the right direction. You’ll be diagnosed, have the proper medicine prescribed, and be on the mend sooner in your trip.

[ Rick Steves ]

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“Before You Go Checklist”

Assorted travel documents
Well before you leave, make sure your moneybelt has all the essentials it’ll need — most importantly a passport valid for at least six months after your return date.
By Rick Steves
Quite a few things are worth arranging while you’re still at home — lining up these details well ahead of time is a big part of having a smooth trip.

Get a proper guidebook. If traveling with one of mine, check for recent changes at your destinations on this site’s guidebook updates pages.

Make sure your passport is valid. If it’s due to expire within six months of your ticketed date of return, you need to renew it. Allow up to six weeks to renew or get a passport.

Book your international flights.

Figure out your main form of transportation in Europe: Get a rail pass, rent a car, and/or book flights within Europe. You can generally buy rail tickets as you travel, but it can be smart to reserve seats on certain trains before you leave.

If you’ll be renting a car, check the expiration date on your driver’s license and renew it if needed. Consider getting an International Driving Permit, which is required in some countries.

Make reservations well in advance, especially during peak season, for accommodations, popular restaurants, major sights, and local guides.

Do your homework if you want to buy travel insurance. Compare the cost of the insurance to the cost of your potential loss. Check whether your existing insurance (health, homeowners, or renters) covers you and your possessions overseas.

Call your bank. Alert them that you’ll be using your debit and credit cards in Europe. Ask about transaction fees, and get the PIN for your credit card. In most cases you don’t need to bring European currency for your trip; you can withdraw local cash at ATMs in Europe. Note your bank’s emergency phone number in the US (but not its 800 number) to call collect if you have a problem.

If you’re bringing the kids, make sure you have the right paperwork, including passports, and, if applicable, letter of consent to travel without both parents and documentation for adopted children.

Make backup copies of important travel documents, including your itinerary.

Students should carry a valid school-issued ID (or consider an International Student Identity Card) to take advantage of discounts throughout Europe.

Get smart about your smartphone. Sign up for an international plan to reduce your costs, and plan to rely on Wi-Fi. Follow common-sense safety precautions to protect your phone and its data.

Download any apps you’ll use on the road (maps, translators, transit schedules, and Rick Steves Audio Europe — with free audio tours of major sights and hours of travel interviews). If you like to watch videos (TV shows or movies) during downtime, download these in advance, as you probably won’t be able to use streaming services overseas.

Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get safety updates about your destination and to help loved ones get in touch with you in case of emergency.

Take care of any medical needs. Visit your doctor for a checkup, and see your dentist if you have any work that needs to be done. If you use prescription drugs, stock up before your trip, and pack along the prescription, plus one for contact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

Attend to your household needs. Cancel your newspapers, hold your mail delivery, and prepay your bills.

Make a list of valuables that you’re bringing (such as electronics). Include serial numbers, makes, and models, and take photos of your items to serve as a record for the police and your insurance company should anything be stolen.

Check airline carry-on restrictions. The Transportation Security Administration’s website has an up-to-date list of what you can bring on the plane with you…and what you must check.

[ Rick Steves ]

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“Travel guru Rick Steves shares 10 tips to save you money, time, and stress when you’re on vacation”

No one wants to be stressed out when they’re on vacation. But between budgeting your trip, staying on top of a tight itinerary, and trying to make the most of your experience when you finally arrive, it can often be hard for travelers to be fully invested.

If anyone knows how to deal with those feelings, it’s Rick Steves. The longtime travel writer and host of “Rick Steves’ Europe” has more than 40 years of experience under his belt, and his company has led 30,000 travelers on elaborate European vacations.

There are simple things you can do to make the most out of your trip, Steves told Business Insider, from packing as light as possible to eating family-style meals to maximize the variety dishes you can try.

While some of his advice might put travelers out of their comfort zones, he said it’s worth it if it helps you see the world differently and celebrate other cultures.

“A lot of people don’t know the joy of travel until they do it,” Steves told us.

Here are 10 of Steves’ best pieces of travel advice for those looking to save money, time, and stress on their next vacation.

Bring an up-to-date guidebook
tourist berlin germany guidebook
Adam Berry/Getty Images
It’s always smart to pack a guidebook to give you recommendations for local activities, hotels, food, and nightlife. But you’d better make sure your guidebook is up to date.

“I am amazed by the many otherwise smart people who base the trip of a lifetime on a borrowed copy of a three-year-old guidebook,” Steves told Business Insider. “The money they save in the bookstore is wasted the first day of their trip, searching for buses that no longer run and restaurants that have long since closed. Guidebooks are $25 tools for $4,000 experiences.”

Pack light
woman backpacking travel alone mountains hiking
Shutterstock
You may think it’s impossible to pack light. After all, you’re going to Europe for two weeks, and you’ll need plenty of changes of clothes. But there’s a difference between items you’ll need and items you’ll want.

“You’ll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags, ‘Every year, I pack heavier,'” Steves said. “You can’t travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two.”

Steves said his company has taken tens of thousands of people of all ages and styles on tours through Europe, and they allow them to bring only one carry-on bag. That’s it.

“For many, this is a radical concept,” he said. “But they manage, and they’re glad they did.”

He added that after you enjoy that “sweet mobility and freedom,” you’ll never go any other way.

Choose overnight stays that will enrich your trip
hotel mallorca spain
Flickr Creative Commons/Mikael F
When you’re traveling, you may initially feel more comfortable staying at a hotel chain that you’re familiar with back home. Steves’ advice? It’s better to branch out and try a local accommodation.

“No matter where you go — whether a bustling city like Paris or a midsize destination like Siena — the neighborhood and hotel you choose help shape your experience,” he said. Plus, you might save money.

“In many cases, the less you spend the more you experience,” he said. “You can get transplanted American niceties, but you’re going to pay American prices, plus shipping, for them. And that’s not why you travel to the rest of the world beyond our borders.”

Spend money to save money — but also prioritize what you spend money on
taxi china
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
You may be a budget traveler and aim to save as much money as you can while you’re on a trip.

But time is money, as Steves agrees.

“People sometimes focus on saving money while forgetting that their time is equally valuable, and limited,” he said. “If it will save you a half hour, hop in a taxi. Considering the value of your time, even if taking a taxi costs you and your travel partner $5 more than bus tickets, it’s a good investment.”

Speaking of spending money, when someone says they can’t afford to travel, Steves says to think again.

“It’s a choice,” he said, and all about priorities. “Some people can’t afford to go to Europe and they spend more on a sofa than I do on a trip,” he said. “Buy a used car instead of a new car, and you’ve got enough money for three months in Europe.”

Avoid lines
louvre paris line queue
Getty Images
Almost any popular tourist destination is bound to have a never-ending line, which can really eat into your travel time. But, with a little planning, Steves said, you can prevent this.

“As far as I’m concerned, there are two IQs for travelers: those who queue and those who don’t,” he said.

“These days, thanks to crowdsourcing, it seems everyone is packing into the same bucket-list sights, forcing many of these overwhelmed favorite stops to offer or require skip-the-line timed reservations.”

He said this is the key to not wasting time in line and, instead, waltzing right in.

“Take advantage of this fast and easy alternative to standing in needless lines,” he said. “With the right information, you can avoid nearly every line that tourists suffer through — and any good up-to-date guidebook will show you how.”

Adapt your tastes by becoming a ‘cultural chameleon’
tourist traveler sightseeing italy
Marco Secchi/Getty Images
When you immerse yourself in a culture, you’ll have a different experience than someone who just skims the surface, if at all.

“Cultural chameleons drink tea in England, beer in Prague, red wine in France, and white wine on the Rhine,” Steves said. “They eat fish in Portugal and reindeer in Norway.”

He said that going with the local specialties gets you the best quality and service for the best price. “And you’ll win the respect of the locals,” he said.

Eat family-style meals
tapas
Jasper Juinen/Getty Images
Speaking of food, don’t you hate it when everything on the menu looks appealing but you can choose only one thing? Steves has a solution.

“Whenever possible, I order family-style so I can eat my way through more of the menu,” he said. “Often, my travel partner and I will order one high-risk and one low-risk dish — and at worst, we’ll split the edible one. Or we order a little buffet of appetizers or first courses — they’re filling, less expensive and more typically local than entrees.”

Although not every type of cuisine lends itself to this kind of eating, Steves said you can simply ask for a small extra plate and double your enjoyment by sharing.

Make saying ‘yes’ into a habit
man hiking waterfall washington state nature park
Christian Giaffrey / Shutterstock
When you’re traveling, lots of unexpected opportunities may arise, and, initially, it might be easier to dismiss them than accept them. Steves suggests embracing them.

“Pledge every morning on your trip to do something entirely different that day — and when you’re invited to experience something out of the ordinary, just say ‘yes,'” he said. “You’ll be surprised how many things you will enjoy that you didn’t expect to. Meet people. Create adventure.”

Put down your phone and be in the moment
Woman taking photo tourist
Angela Franklin/Unsplash
You may hear of people taking a digital detox or putting their phone into airplane mode so they can enjoy the present moment more. Steve said it’s a good idea.

“I’ve noticed, in our social-media age, that many travelers are more keen on documenting where they are than actually experiencing it,” he said. “Sure, you need a photo. But after you take the photo, stow your phone and actually be in the moment.”

He also recommends that you have your travel partner do the same, so you can savor the moment together.

It’s OK if you don’t see everything — be confident that you’ll return
friends traveling
Westend61/Getty
If you feel overwhelmed when you’re traveling — How can I possibly see everything? — the answer is you don’t have to.

“You can’t see it all, especially in one trip, and that’s a blessing,” Steves said. “Enjoy seeing what you can and be thankful you have important experiences left over to enjoy on your next adventure.”

[ Natalia Lusinski ]

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“Visit The Most Beautiful Places In The World”

There are many beautiful places on this earth that you should visit. Whether you are a nature lover and enjoy outdoor activities, you prefer to indulge in a museum, or you want to experience the special atmosphere in an unknown country. But, with so many places to visit, where do you start? Where are the most beautiful places in the world to visit? To make your vacation planning a little easier, here are some of the most beautiful places in the world for you. more…]

Article: https://engineeringdiscoveries.com/visit-the-most-beautiful-places-in-the-world/

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“Why We Travel”

In times of crisis and challenge, we ask ourselves: What is the true value of travel? Is it just hedonism…or something more powerful? After a lifetime of exploring Europe — and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration — Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special episode is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel.

[ Rick Steves ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9bprJ6V_4c

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“Making the Most of Your Trip”

By Rick Steves
On the road, I get out of my comfort zone and meet people I’d never encounter at home. In Europe, I’m immersed in a place where people do things — and see things — differently. That’s what distinguishes cultures, and it’s what makes travel exhilarating. By being open to differences and staying flexible, I have a better time in Europe — and so will you. Be mentally braced for some surprises, good and bad. Much of the success of your trip will depend on the attitude you pack.

Expect problems, and tackle them creatively. Travel is exciting and rewarding because it requires you to ad-lib, to be imaginative and spontaneous while conquering surprise challenges. Make an art out of taking the unexpected in stride. Relax — you’re on the other side of the world playing games in a friend’s backyard. Be a good sport, enjoy the uncertainty, and frolic in the pits.

No trip is without its disappointments: If your must-see cathedral isn’t covered with scaffolding, or your must-visit museum isn’t closed for restoration, your favorite artist’s masterpiece is out on loan — probably to the US.

Many of my readers’ richest travel experiences were the result of seemingly terrible mishaps: the lost passport in Slovenia, having to find a doctor in Ireland, the blowout in Portugal, or the moped accident on Corfu.

Most of the time, the worst result is a missed museum or two, and maybe a blown budget for the week. But you may well make some friends and stack up some fond memories. This is the essence of travel that you’ll enjoy long after your journal is shelved and your photos are archived in your mind.

Head off screwups before they happen. You make a rental-car reservation six weeks early, have everything in careful order, show up to pick up your car…and it’s not there. The rental agency’s fault? Sure. But if you’d called a day ahead to confirm — even though you shouldn’t have had to — you could have avoided that annoying hiccup in your travel plans. Double-checking things along the way will minimize the chances of having your trip marred by other people’s mistakes.

Don’t be a creative worrier. Some travelers actively cultivate pretrip anxiety, coming up with all kinds of reasons to be stressed. The news is always full of air-controller strikes, train wrecks, terrorist threats, small problems turning into large problems, and old problems becoming new again…and yet millions of people travel to Europe every year and enjoy fun, richly rewarding trips. Expect things to go wrong at some point — no one’s trip is ever perfectly smooth — but don’t sweat stuff that hasn’t happened (and is very unlikely to happen) to you. And don’t underestimate yourself — chances are, you’ve managed to handle tougher problems than whatever your trip might throw at you.

Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. Smart travelers spend a little extra to polish off the rough edges of a trip. Some sights charge a small fee to prebook a time slot for your visit, but those few euros are good value for the time saved in line — and the certainty of knowing you’ll get in. Faster trains cost a bit more, but are worth taking if it means you’re not arriving at the next town just as most sights are closing for the evening. A late-night taxi ride that gets you into bed a half-hour sooner than the night bus is a smart splurge, and a midday crosstown taxi or bus can allow you to pack in one more memorable experience before dinner (and perhaps save your legs for walking the next day).

Be militantly friendly — Attila had a lousy trip. Every summer — when Europe’s at its hottest and most crowded — I watch tourists and locals clash. Sometimes it’s the result of the tourist’s mistake; sometimes it’s the local’s fault…and often it’s a simple misunderstanding made worse by linguistic and cultural barriers. Either way, many tourists leave soured — but needlessly so.

Don’t let one unpleasant interaction ruin a travel day that’s otherwise full of exciting new sights, sounds, and flavors. When I catch a Spanish merchant shortchanging me, I correct the bill, smile, and say “Adiós.” If a French hotel receptionist gets angry with your question, wait, smile, and try again. Assume that it’s a misunderstanding. With a focus on solving (instead of “winning”) any dispute you may find yourself in, you’ll be on your way faster — and with your good mood intact.

Turning the other cheek is essential to anyone riding Europe’s magic carousel. If you slap back, the ride is over. The militantly friendly and stubbornly optimistic can spin forever.

Ask questions. If you’re too proud to ask questions, your dignity will stay nicely intact…until you hop the wrong train, order the dish you didn’t want, or lead your travel partner in circles searching for that one gelato place. Many tourists are too timid to ask questions, even to prevent mistakes that can cost precious time and money. Local sources are a wealth of information — use them. Most people are happy to help a traveler. Hurdle the language barrier. Use a paper and pencil, your phone, charades, or whatever it takes to be understood. Don’t be afraid to butcher the language.

Ask questions — or be lost. If you are lost, get help. Perceive friendliness and you’ll find it.

Make yourself an extrovert, even if you’re not. The meek may inherit the earth, but they make lousy travelers. Be a catalyst for adventure and excitement. Meet people. Don’t wait passively for cultural experiences — reach out and make them happen. The American casual-and-friendly social style is charming to Europeans who are raised to respect social formalities. While our slap-on-the-back friendliness can be overplayed and obnoxious, it can also be a great asset for the American interested in meeting Europeans. Consider that cultural trait a plus. Enjoy it. Take advantage of it.

Every town in Europe has an amazing open-air market. If you’re like me, you might feel a little awkward — you don’t speak the language, you’re not good with the metric system, you just want to buy one apple and two carrots, the coins are new to you, and there’s a long line of locals. Hold your ground. You’re not a gawky tourist who is out of your league; you’re one in a thousand-year-long line of hungry travelers. You’re legit. Stop looking at it as if you were on a stage, get out there, and risk making mistakes. Connect.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to make meaningful contact with local people. When an opportunity presents itself, I jump on it. Driving by a random cheese festival in Sicily? Stop the car, get out, and eat cheese. Hiking through England’s Lake District and popping into a pub for a drink? Don’t sit alone at a table — take a spot at the bar, where locals hang out to talk. Dinnertime in Mostar, Bosnia? Turn away from the cutesy Old Town and be the first American tourist to take a seat in a new eatery.

Accept that today’s Europe is changing. Europe is a complex, mixed bag of the very old, the very new, and everything in between. Hoping for an everything-in-its-place, fairy-tale land, romantic tourists grope for Europe’s past while finding themselves among a living civilization grasping for its future.

This presents us with a sometimes painful dose of truth. Europe can be crowded, tense, seedy, polluted, industrialized, and, increasingly, hamburgerized. Hans Christian Andersen’s statue has four-letter words scrawled across its base. Amsterdam’s sex shops and McDonald’s share the same streetlamp. In Paris, armies of street vendors bait tourists with knock-off purses and light-up Eiffel Towers. Drunk punks do their best to repulse you as you climb to St. Patrick’s grave in Ireland, and mountains of trash make their way into the Mediterranean Sea. A 12-year-old boy in Denmark smokes a cigarette like he was born with it in his mouth. On town squares, tattooed violinists play Vivaldi while statue-mime Napoleons jerk into action at the drop of a coin.

Cherish the cultural diversity — your Dublin B&B host is as likely to be Polish as he is Irish. Europe is a society of 400 million people just like us, sorting through social challenges and dealing with them in creative ways. Contemporary Europe is alive and in motion. Keep up!

Savor the differences. Eating habits, volume levels, and all kinds of other new cultural norms can be an adjustment. Feel privileged to walk the vibrant streets of Europe as a student — not as a judge. Be open-minded. Absorb, accept, and learn.

If you can think positively, travel smartly, adapt well, and connect with the culture, you’ll have a truly rich European trip.

[ Rick Steves ]

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“22 TIPS FOR EXPLORING A NEW CITY LIKE A LOCAL”

Today we are sharing tips exploring a new city like a local including ways for exploring a new city along and how to plan a city break. Planning a city break can be tricky so these are the things to know before you visit a new city, so you can get to know where the local hidden gems are, where the best food is and what to spend your days going. Have fun planning a trip to a new city with these how to plan a city vacation tips and let us know where you are heading to in the comments below!

00:00 TIPS FOR EXPLORING A NEW CITY
00:33 VISIT A LOCAL MARKET
00:56 SLEEP BEFORE
01:25 LEARN THE LANGUAGE
01:41 PEOPLE WATCH
02:03 EMBRACE YOUR INNER TOURIST
02:55 TALK TO THE LOCALS
03:29 TAKE A COOKING CLASS
03:57 EAT WHERE THE LOCALS EAT
04:34 WALK THE CITY
04:59 BE COMFORTABLE
05:11 KEEP HYDRATED
05:36 DON’T OVERPLAN
06:01 PLAN AN EXTRA DAY
06:42 GET UP EARLY
07:19 PHOTOGRAPH IT
08:01 MAKE SURE TO RELAX
08:24 FOLLOW BLOGGERS
08:53 SIGHTSEEING BUS
09:22 SEE IT FROM ABOVE
09:55 FREE WALKING TOURS
10:14 USE A MAP
10:33 GET LOST
10:47 OUTRO

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4p942P0gMc

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“10 Trips That Will Change Your Life”

If you’re here, you probably already subscribe to the belief that travel broadens the mind, makes us more creative, and can boost our health and happiness. Despite travel’s well-known benefits, there are still some trips that manage to go the extra mile and become singular experiences that stick with you for a lifetime. If you seek to come home from your travels a different person, here are 10 trips that will change your life.

Discover Europe’s Capital Cities on a Solo Vacation
Traveling solo is liberating. Unencumbered by the needs of others, you can do whatever you please, whenever you like. Book a cooking class or a walking tour with a group to find your feet – or dip in and out of company when you feel the need. Wake up at dawn or stay up late with other night owls. But relish the chance to do your own thing: savor a Parisian museum, eat Sachertorte in a Viennese coffee house, island hop in Stockholm, or contemplate the two-thousand-year history of London. You’ll learn as much about yourself as you will the places you visit – and that’s a game changer.

Hike the Inca Trail
Part physical challenge, part spiritual journey, those that hike the Inca trail will never forget the moment they stand at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, with that iconic view before them. Machu Picchu has intrigued visitors since Hiram Bingham uncovered its ruins from the encroaching jungle over a century ago. In the intervening years, many have put forward theories as to the original purpose of this iconic Inca archaeological site. Was it a storehouse, university or Royal retreat? As you explore the grassy paths between its stone rooms, you can ponder the question for yourself.

Witness the Power of Victoria Falls
Nature is at her most formidable where Zimbabwe meets Zambia. Every day hundreds of thousands of tons of water cascade over a rocky precipice and squeezes through the narrow gorge below. Victoria Falls’ nickname is “the smoke that thunders,” and after getting close, you’ll know why. Once you’ve hiked the paths overlooking the falls make your way to the bridge that joins the two countries. In the middle you’ll find a bungee jump. Put aside reason and face your fears as you jump into the abyss. If you can do this, you can do anything!

Rail Across Australia
A trip by rail across the vast deserts of Australia is a reminder of just how insignificant we really are. The epic Ghan takes 54 hours to cross the country from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the tropical north. Break your 1851 mile journey at Alice Springs. From there, take a detour to visit Uluru, the monolith revered by the Anangu people as the birthplace of their ancestors. Hop back aboard and make your way to the Top End. It’s the jumping off point for trips to Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks, which offer world-class scenery.

See Venice from the Water
Eschew touristy gondolas and hop on the vaporetti ferries like Venetians do. As you bob on the lapping waters of the world’s most famous lagoon, gaze up at centuries-old mansions that are slowly sinking into the mud. There’s arguably no place more romantic. But you’ll only find it if you step off the well-beaten tourist trail. Ditch the crowds and high prices of St Mark’s Square and dive instead into backstreet neighborhoods and lesser-known islands. Seek out centuries-old bacaro, join the passeggiata, and dine in locally-owned trattorias.

Discover Beijing’s Forbidden City
The scale of Beijing’s Forbidden City is impressive. Spanning almost a thousand separate buildings and nearly 9000 rooms, this sprawling complex has to be seen to be believed. As you pass through courtyard after courtyard, you’ll get a sense of the place that was once home to the Imperial Court. Construction began in 1405 on what was to be the most important palace in China from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. It took 14 years to complete, despite a workforce of over a million people. Over the centuries, 24 emperors resided here until the last abdicated in 1912.

Stay at an Ashram in India
Offering yoga, meditation, prayer sessions, and more, India’s ashrams have been a magnet for spiritual travelers for years. It might seem a cliché to head off in search of enlightenment and inner peace, but for some, it’s an essential retreat from the pressures of everyday life. Detox your body as well as your soul and return home energized and ready for anything.

Dive Belize’s Blue Hole
Seen from the air, the dark ultramarine circle that marks the Blue Hole is jaw-dropping. To see it from below, you need to be an experienced diver. Since French explorer, scientist, and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau introduced it to a global audience in 1971, it has become one of the world’s great bucket list dives. Close up, this collapsed sea cave is dark and forbidding, containing huge stalactites and a wealth of marine life that includes parrotfish and sharks.

Contemplate Life in Kyoto
Whatever time of year you visit, build in some time for reflection and meditation as you stroll along the Philosopher’s Path in the former capital, Kyoto. Leading from the Silver Pavilion, Ginkakuji, to the neighborhood of Nanzenji, it takes its name from Nishida Kitaro who lost himself in his thought here as he walked to work at Kyoto University.

Gaze at the Northern Lights
The word “awesome” is bandied about carelessly, used to describe anything that makes us happy. Shouldn’t we reserve it for the truly amazing sights that quite literally make us stop and marvel at nature’s majesty? Worthy of the epithet is the sight of the Northern Lights. Even a fleeting glimpse of those dancing green and purple curtains in the sky will stay in the memory for a lifetime. If you are lucky enough to catch them above the iceberg strewn lagoon and beach of Jökulsárlón in Iceland you are witnessing something truly magical.

[ Julia Hammond ]

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“5 Adventurous Cities No One Else is Visiting”

Are you the kind of person who likes to explore the road less traveled? Are you also the type to crave an abundance of exciting activities to choose from when on vacation? If so, then you might want to consider a new destination rather than the one your friends talk amicably about. Here are five adventurous cities no one else is visiting — yet.

– Constantine, Algeria
– Dili, East Timor
– Kotor, Montenegro
– Surabaya, Indonesia
– Vaduz, Liechtenstein

[ Bradley O’Neill ]

https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/5-adventurous-cities-no-one-else-is-visiting/XvHyVpKgiwAG5a0w

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“These are the best destinations in the world in 2022, according to National Geographic”

As more people begin to travel across the globe, National Geographic picked the top 25 destinations to visit in the new year.

The magazine outlined five different categories for its ‘Best of World 2022’ list: nature, adventure, sustainability, culture and history.

From hiking up the Rocky Mountains to witnessing sustainability in Chimanimani, Mozambique, National Geographic said this year’s list celebrated a number of World Heritage site to highlight the 50 years of work from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

“Although the pandemic changed when, where, and how we travel, we are eager to unleash our wanderlust—and see what wonders we’ll uncover,” National Geographic said.

‘Makes great stories for years to come’:Travel like an Olympian at these gold medal destinations

Visiting the Caribbean or Europe soon?:CDC warns travelers to avoid destinations with ‘very high’ COVID-19 levels

Here is National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World 2022’ list:

CULTURE
Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan, China
Tin Pan Alley, London
Hokkaido, Japan
Procida, Italy
Atlanta, Georgia

SUSTAINABILITY
Ruhr Valley, Germany
Parque Nacional Yasuni, Ecuador
Łódź, Poland
National Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, Oregon/Washington
Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique

NATURE
Caprivi Strip, Namibia
Northern Minnesota
Lake Baikal, Russia
Belize Maya Forest Reserve
Victoria, Australia

ADVENTURE
Seine River Bike Trail, France
Costa Rica
Nepisiguit Mi’gmaq Trail, New Brunswick, Canada
Palau
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

FAMILY
Danube River Cruise
Lycia, Turkey
Granada, Spain
Bonaire
Eastern Shore, Maryland

[ Asha C. Gilbert ]

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“The 21 most influential cities in the world”

New York City and London are the top two most influential cities in the world, according to management consultancy firm A. T. Kearny’s annual Global Cities Index Results.

The 21 cities below were ranked based off of areas including business activity, culture, human capital, political engagement, and information exchange.
The scores from each category were added together to create the ranking.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Not all major cities are created equal, with some places around the world holding more influence over global business, culture, and politics than others. But what are the world’s most influential cities?

That’s a question that management consultancy firm A.T. Kearney tries to answer with its annual Global Cities Report. The report looks at which global cities “are improving in their competitiveness and what factors are driving that success.”

It examines dozens of variables, which are then subdivided into categories: business activity, culture, human capital, political engagement, and information exchange. Scores in these categories are then added together to create a ranking.

New York and London top the list, with both cities miles ahead of their nearest rivals. The top 21 are spread around the world, though Europe dominates the list. Notably, the top five cities on the list have maintained their exact rankings from 2018.

Check out the world’s most influential cities below.

21. Boston, Massachusetts
According to the 2019 Global Cities Index, Boston improved in both economics and innovation since last year. The New England city rose three spots in the rankings.

20. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Dutch economy was anticipated to grow 2.6% over the course of 2019; Amsterdam moved up two spots in the rankings since 2018.

19. Shanghai, China
Home to the Chinese mainland’s main financial center, Shanghai is also the world’s busiest container port, making it a global hub for all kinds of trade.

18. Moscow, Russia
This capital sits in the largest country in the world. It continues to increase its global footprint and has the world’s most university-sponsored incubators, according to the 2019 Global Cities Index.

17. Toronto, Canada
It may not be as well known as its American neighbors, but Toronto is a globally important city and has North America’s third-largest stock exchange by market capitalization.

16. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne was ranked as the top place for international students by the 2019 Global Cities Index and continues to lead in environmental performance.

15. Madrid, Spain
A major hub for commerce in the Spanish-speaking world, Madrid is Spain’s second-largest industrial center. The city scored highly in the business-activity category in the 2019 Global Cities Index.

14. Berlin, Germany
Berlin still proves to be one of the most influential cities in the world and houses one of the oldest stock exchanges in Germany.

13. Seoul, South Korea
South Korea’s capital continues to hold global importance. It is a major commerce hub and home to major brands, including Samsung.

12. Brussels, Belgium
Politics and bureaucracy dominate the agenda in Belgium’s capital, the home of the European Union. Relatively small compared to many major cities, it punches well above its weight thanks to the EU.

11. Sydney, Australia
According to the rankings, Sydney is the most important city in the southern hemisphere. It is also considered one of the most livable cities in the world.

10. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is home to the United States’ most important political institutions. In addition to American institutions like the White House and the Capitol, the city hosts international institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

9. Beijing, China
The capital and political hub of the world’s second-largest economy is understandably influential. It is also home to more companies in the Global Fortune 500 than any other city.

8. Chicago, Illinois
Trading defines Chicago’s importance as a major international city, with two of the biggest commodity exchanges based there. Agricultural products like wheat, corn, and pork are among the products that are traded on the city’s mercantile exchanges.

7. Los Angeles, California
Home to Hollywood, Los Angeles means showbiz, with movie studios, TV stations, and more. Its West Coast location also makes it a key hub for trade with Asia.

6. Singapore
Singapore’s container port is one of the world’s largest. It is also a major hub for the oil industry.

5. Hong Kong
Formerly controlled by Britain, Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997. It is one of Asia’s biggest financial centers.

4. Tokyo, Japan
In 2018, Bloomberg ranked Japan’s sprawling capital the largest city in the world with 37 million people in its metropolitan area.

3. Paris, France
France’s capital is known for its art, architecture, and fashion. According to the 2019 Global Cities Index, it has the most think tanks in the world.

2. London, UK
Brexit is likely to marginally diminish London’s role as a global center, but for now, it remains the world’s second-most-influential city. Home to Europe’s financial hub in the city, London is tops the rankings when it comes to transparency. Its ranking remains unchanged from 2018.

1. New York City, New York
It’s no surprise that New York City, home of Wall Street and the United Nations, is viewed as the world’s most important city. The city has maintained its top spot for the second year in a row.

[ Will Martin and Libertina Brandt ]

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“These will be the most important cities by 2035”

Cities are the engines of the modern economy. Over half of the world now lives in urban areas, and urbanization continues to shape the trajectory of global growth in unprecedented ways.

However, the most important cities of today may be quite different than those leading the charge in the future. This week’s chart looks forward to 2035, using a report by Oxford Economics to forecast the top 10 cities by measures of economic size, population, and GDP growth rate.

Each map is categorized by one of these metrics—and depending on which one you look at, the leaders vary greatly.

Top 10 cities by projected GDP
The top 10 cities by gross domestic product (GDP) in 2035 will be fairly widespread. Three cities are expected to be in the U.S.—New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The Big Apple’s forecasted $2.5 trillion GDP likely stems from its strong banking and finance sectors.

Top 10 cities projected by GDP
Four cities will be found in China, while London, Paris, and Tokyo are set to round out the last three. Interestingly, Tokyo is the #1 city today, with an estimated $1.6 trillion GDP in 2019.

Altogether, these top 10 cities will contribute an impressive $13.5 trillion in GDP by 2035. Clusters of such metropolitan areas are typically considered megaregions—which account for a large share of global economic activity.

Top 10 cities by future population
Next, it’s clear that top cities by population will follow a distinct global distribution. By 2035, the most highly-populated cities will shift towards the East, with seven cities located in Asia.

Top 10 cities projected by Future Population size
Have you read?
What will transport look like in the city of the future?
What’s the future of the city of London?
How cities will decide the future of sustainability
While Jakarta’s 38 million-strong population is expected to emerge in first place, the city may not retain its status as Indonesia’s capital for much longer. Rising sea levels and poor water infrastructure management mean that Jakarta is rapidly sinking—and the government now plans to pivot the capital to Borneo island.

On the African continent, Kinshasa and Lagos are already among the world’s largest megacities (home to over 10 million people), and will hold top spots by the turn of the century.

Population and demographics can be major assets to a country’s growth. For example, India’s burgeoning working-age demographics will present a unique advantage—and the country is projected to contain several of the fastest growing cities in the coming years.

Top 10 cities by estimated annual GDP growth
When comparing cities based on their pace of economic growth, there are some clear standouts. Average annual GDP growth across cities is 2.6%, but the top 10 surpass this by a fair amount.

The kicker? All of 2035’s major players will be found in Asia: four of the fastest-growing cities will be in mainland China, another four in India, and the last two in Southeast Asia.

Top 10 cities projected by estimated annual GDP Growth
At #1 by 2035 is Bangalore with an expected 8.5% annual growth forecast—its high-quality talent pool makes the city a breeding ground for tech startups. Jakarta makes another appearance, with its projected 5.2% growth at double the city average.

Shanghai finds its way onto all three lists. The commercial capital hosts the world’s busiest port, and one of China’s two major stock exchanges. These sectors could help boost Shanghai’s annual GDP growth to 5% in 2035.

Looking to the future

Of course, any number of variables could impact these 2035 projections, from financial recessions and political uncertainty, to rapid urbanization and technological advances.

But one thing’s certain—in the coming decades, cities are where many of these factors will converge and play out.

[ Note: Article online has some charts ]

Article: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/cities-in-2035/

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“50 of the Best Travelish Shows to Watch When You Can’t Travel”

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, we could only travel so much (no matter how cheap the flights are). So when you inevitably settle down onto the couch, check out one of these shows to transport you to a different place until you can get there in person.

Here are 50 of our favorite travel TV shows:

1. Rick Steves’ Europe
2. Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown
3. The Layover
4. The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
5. Globe Trekker
6. Dark Tourist
7. Conan Without Borders
8. Tales by Light
9. Expedition Unknown
10. The Moaning of Life
11. Planet Earth
12. Long Way Round
13. Long Way Down
14. Epic Drives
15. Top Gear
16. The Grand Tour
17. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
18. Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown
19. Gordon Ramsay’s Uncharted
20. Gordon’s Great Escape
21. Ugly Delicious
22. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
23. Street Food
24. Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern
25. Three Sheets
26. I’ll Have What Phil’s Having
27. Somebody Feed Phil
28. BuzzFeed’s Worth It
29. Booze Traveler
30. Chef’s Table
31. Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
32. The Amazing Race
33. Survivorman
34. An Idiot Abroad
35. Restaurants on the Edge
36. Extreme Engagement
37. House Hunters International
38. Basic Versus Baller: Travel at Any Cost
39. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories
40. Srugim
41. Lost
42. Outlander
43. Downton Abbey
44. Grantchester
45. Trapped
46. The Kettering Incident
47. Top of the Lake
48. Sense8
49. Hawaii 5-0
50. Marco Polo

[ Abbie Mood Lang ]

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“The Oldest Cities in the World”

an you imagine what life was like thousands of years ago? It’s hard to fathom the daily routines that took place, but relics from these ancient civilizations gives us a glimpse into what life was like.

The Middle East claims many of the oldest cities in the world, with plenty of fascinating ancient ruins to satisfy the history buff in all of us. If the beginning of civilization interests you, keep reading. These five cities are among the oldest in the world and the historical significance of each will leave you awestruck.

Varanasi, India
This ancient city in northeastern India on the banks of the Ganges River is not only one of the oldest in the world, but it comes with a treasure trove of insights into ancient Hindu culture. Known as the spiritual capital of India, civilizations have existed here for at least 3,000 years. Legend has it that Lord Shiva founded this city 5,000 years ago, and Varanasi remains an important pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus who come to cleanse themselves in the Holy Ganges River at sunrise and sunset. It’s a moving experience to see and hear holy rituals performed by the Brahmins and watch as pilgrims purify themselves in the holy water. With the background of ancient temples set aglow by the rising and setting sun, other-worldly is the only way to describe this scene.

Athens, Greece
Evidence suggests that the historic capital of Europe had bustling civilizations between the 11th and 7th centuries B.C. Home to Plato and Aristotle, Athens is the epicenter of ancient art and philosophy. It’s also said to be the birthplace of democracy, with far-reaching political influences over the rest of Europe. Piraeus Port boosted this city as a power-player in trade development. Home to several prominent ancient monuments and UNESCO sites (the Parthenon, Acropolis of Athens, and Daphni Monastery, to name a few), the historical significance of this city cannot be overstated.

Aleppo, Syria
There is proof that Aleppo, a city that, sadly, has been ravaged by recent civil war, could be the oldest city on the planet. Signs of civilization have been found dating back 8,000 years. The number of eras this city has seen is apparent in its diverse mix of infrastructure. Ancient monuments like the Citadel of Aleppo, the Great Mosque, and countless other medieval buildings, walls, palaces, hammams, and souks have earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage title. Its location, with the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Euphrates River to the East, secured it a place in early history as a wealthy and prominent trading port. It’s hard to imagine how extraordinarily prosperous Aleppo was in the 16th and 17th centuries when faced with the present-day war that has wreaked havoc on the country. Despite its recent struggles, this city is easily one-of-a-kind, and hopes are high as efforts have begun to rebuild the city.

Byblos, Lebanon
With housing dating back to 5000 B.C., Byblos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The once-humble fishing village grew into a bustling port and became famous for its workers skilled in ship making. The city’s name comes from its most sought-after export, the papyrus tree, which was used to make paper and upon which passages of The Bible were first said to be written! The English word “Bible,” after all, is derived from this city’s name. The origin of our present-day alphabet also stems from this city, as it was partially carved into the stone coffin of King Ahiram around 1200 B.C. It became known as the Phoenician Tablet and was spread throughout the region by local traders. Today, Byblos is composed of a fascinating blend of ancient houses, Bronze Age temples, Persian fortifications, and Byzantine churches. It should come as no surprise that this city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jericho, West Bank
Archeological digs discovered the remains of civilizations from 9,000 B.C. in this area, making Jericho one of the oldest settlements in the Middle East and the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world. Twenty different settlements have been unearthed by archeologists in Jericho, the earliest of which dates back 11,000 years. While Jericho has a hot desert climate, it also has several natural springs in and around the city that have attracted civilizations for thousands of years. Its location in the Jordan Valley, 258 meters below sea level, also makes it the lowest ancient city in the world. The Jericho Tell (aka Settlement Mound) is the site where archeologists found many early remains, including the Mount of Temptation (mentioned in the Bible) and the cliff-side Saint George Monastery – founded in A.D. 480.

[ Fiona Mokry ]

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“Jerusalem: A City Chosen By God | Biblical Context Explained”

The geography of Jerusalem is downright undesirable. And yet with all the negatives, God saw its potential and He chose it to be called His own. It’s the same for us. There’s nothing desirable about us, yet He says, “You’re mine. I want you.”

[ Our Daily Bread ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boMYn54eXQA

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“History of Jerusalem in the Bible”

Jerusalem holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It is mentioned 667 times in the Old Testament and 139 times in the New. Although today the city boasts a population of over 770,000 people, its origins were humble.

In this video from Encountering the Holy Land: A Video Introduction to the History and Geography of the Bible, Carl G. Rasmussen gives a biblical history of the city of Jerusalem.

[ Zondervan ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4pEmQZOy8g

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“History of Jerusalem”

Jerusalem is a city located in modern-day Israel and is considered by many to be one of the holiest places in the world. Jerusalem is a site of major significance for the three largest monotheistic religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and both Israel and Palestine have claimed Jerusalem as a capital city. Because of these strong, age-old associations, bloody conflicts to control the city and sites within it have been waged for thousands of years.

[ Quennie G ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0TGAkr94tU

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“Jerusalem”

Jerusalem takes audiences on an inspiring and breathtaking tour of one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic cities. Destroyed and rebuilt countless times over 5,000 years, Jerusalem’s enduring appeal remains a mystery. What made it so important to so many different cultures? How did it become the center of the world for three major religions? Why does it still matter to us?

[ National Geographic ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYa9VPVAJI8

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“Jerusalem Explained”

Archaeology grad student Nir Ortal explains the brief 3000 year old history of The Temple Mount, one of the most important religious sites in the world.

[ Piled Higher and Deeper (PHD Comics) ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lTT908uY0

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“Why is Jerusalem so important?”

The city is revered by three major faiths but mired in political, as well as religious, disputes. Its status is one of the thorniest issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Kim Vinnell explains.

[ TRT World Now ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ERfrBuQgHo

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“Why Is Jerusalem So Important?”

The city of Jerusalem –
isn’t it amazing that this tiny little city creates such a stir? More wars have been fought at her gates than any other city, even though her name means “City of Peace.” Why this hostility toward Jerusalem? Because she plays a key role in God’s plan today and tomorrow.

• Jerusalem is the nerve center of the world geographically.
• Jerusalem is the salvation center of the world spiritually.
• Jerusalem is the storm center of the world prophetically.
• Jerusalem is the glory center of the world ultimately.
Jerusalem is the city of the past, the present and the future.

1 Jerusalem is the city of the past. This city was the capital of Israel under King David. David’s son Solomon built the first temple, and the Shekinah glory came. Jesus was crucified there as well.

2 Jerusalem is the city of the present. When the Jews formed a nation on May 14, 1948, it was a modern-day miracle. And more specifically, a fulfilled prophecy that set the prophetic clock ticking. Never has a nation been able to maintain its national identity after being scattered for hundreds of years – until Israel!

3 Jerusalem is the city of the future. It is here that world history as we know it will end. Jerusalem with be at the center of the final conflict as the battle of Armageddon rages. The Lord will enter in through the East Gate and establish His kingdom. We are commanded in Scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” God says of the Jewish people, and in effect, the nation Israel, “Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8 NLT). Essentially, He says, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.”

That’s why we stand with the Jewish people and the nation Israel. We bless them and thank God for them.

[ Greg Laurie ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1wBPcBhT80

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“Why Jerusalem matters”

US President Donald Trump is expected to announce plans to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The BBC’s Yolande Knell explains why the city is so important.

[ BBC News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMeyRzKZnO8

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“Why Jerusalem Matters”

Jerusalem is a beautiful, complex and ancient city. We take a look at the history of the occupied holy lands and see what makes this place so important to #Muslims, #Christians, and #Jews?

[ TRT World ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-hF8ztwy8

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“Jerusalem, Israel. Guide Part 1 (Mount of Olives, Garden of Gesthemane)”

We visited Israel on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, and it was really an awesome experience. There is a lot of information in this video, but suffice to say you will never forget a visit to Jerusalem! This is part 1 of 3, where I talk about planning the trip, standing on the Mount of Olives, and visiting the Garden of Gesthemene.

[ Morgan ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxThF7zUsVM

This is the second part of a 3 part “Very unOfficial Guide” to the city of Jerusalem in Israel. In this segment, I visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, (which I said wrong in the video!), to see the sight where Jesus’ cross stood and the tomb in which he was buried. It was a powerful experience.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu_SbbLO7BI

This is the final part of my “Very unOfficial Guide” to visiting some of the most popular sites in Jerusalem. Join us for lunch as we chow down on Falafel and Schwarma, and come with to the famous Wailing Wall.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACb9pSYEDHU

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“JERUSALEM, ISRAEL’S OLD CITY (not what we expected)”

Jerusalem is a place we have known about since before we can remember. It was a surreal experience walking the streets of the Old Town today, but it was also emotionally draining for many reasons. We explored as much as possible in one day including the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Olives, and of course, we ate some delicious local foods. But for some reason, this place wasn’t like we pictured it being.

[ Kara and Nate ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZAHy4JtZo

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“Jerusalem!! Another day of the best city in the world”

Today is Friday, today is another day of the best city in the world. We make a small circle in the center of Jerusalem until Shabbat comes and of course we walk through the Mahane Yehuda market and naturally visit Zion Square and Ben Yehuda Street.

[ Jerusalem Walker ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWy7L552pXI

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“Land of the Bible: The City of David – Ancient, Biblical Jerusalem”

Episode #2 of “Land of the Bible,” on Israel Now News – Episode 192, highlighting the significance of the City of David, site of ancient, Biblical Jerusalem, including the origins of the discovery of the City of David, as well as the location believed to the palace of King David and the royal government center of the Davidic dynasty.

[ Israel Now News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVlsnA8D-GA

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“Drive Thru History: Holy Land with Dave Stotts, Volume 4 Excerpt – Around Jerusalem

Drive Thru History: Holy Land with Dave Stotts – Temple, Cross, and the Empty Tomb. Drive into the history and culture of Scripture on a journey like no other!

Always entertaining and informative tour-guide Dave Stotts will take you on a whirlwind sight-seeing expedition from Jerusalem to Calvary. Drive Thru History #4: Temple, Cross and the Empty Tomb DVD, From Jerusalem to Calvary will bring you to the most famous sites of Jesus’ life.

In a style all his own, Dave Stotts—host and editor of Drive Thru History—speeds through the ancient world of the Bible, delivering a fast-paced encounter with the people, places, and events that have shaped our world and the Christian faith. From the events of Holy Week, to the temple’s construction, to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, you will experience a visually exciting journey through the land of the Bible, revealing the history and culture behind the stories of Scripture. The video also includes a PDF for each episode containing discussion questions designed for groups and families.

Episode 10: Mount Moriah, Temple Mount, Al Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock, Western Wall, Stoning of St. Stephen
Episode 11: City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, Pool of Bethesda, Kidron Valley, Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane
Episode 12: Prophecies, Caiaphas, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Video (Snippet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEWXFRmKBI8

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“The Watchman City of David – June 2016”

Erick Stakelbeck from The Watchman takes a trip back in time explores the City of David where King David walked and the Bible came to life. Join him for this amazing journey.

[ Erick Stakelbeck ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAQURb4O__g

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“Top Ten Holy Land sites in Jerusalem”

The Holy City of Jerusalem, where the Temple once stood is home to hundreds of Christian holy sites associated with the Christian world. After all, it is Jerusalem where Jesus brings his disciples to challenge the Judean status quo, where the Last Supper takes place, and it is here where Jesus is arrested, crucified and resurrected. With countless sites to consider visiting during a Christian Holy Land tour, read our guide for our top ten Holy Land sites in Jerusalem.

1. Church of the Holy Sepulchre
For Christian Pilgrims, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains the two holiest sites in Christianity; the site where Jesus was crucified, at the site known as “Golgotha” or “Calvary,” and Jesus empty tomb, where tradition marks his burial and resurrection. The church was built over ruins of a pagan temple until the conversion of the Emperor Constantine in 312 AD, when his devout mother St. Helena commissioned many churches to be built in Israel. The most important of these was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the largest and perhaps one of the most complex buildings in the world. The church contains the last five Stations of the Cross including the 14th and final station, and is occupied by six different Christian denominations; Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Syriac Orthodox, and Ethiopian churches.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Location: Christian Quarter, Old City

2. Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives is a prominent location mentioned in the Scriptures, first as King David’s escape route during the rebellion of his son, later in the prophets, however it is most known and referred in the New Testament, where Jesus’ taught his pupils, where he wept over Jerusalem (Matthew 26:36-39), and where Jesus ascended in to heaven (acts 1). The Mount of Olives is home to several important churches and holy sites; the Chapel of the Ascension built at the top of Mount of Olives with stunning panoramic views of Jerusalem. Dominus Flevit Church which translates to “The Lord Wept.” The Church of all Nations also known as the Basilica of the Agony, and the adjoining Garden of Gethsemane. The Russian Orthodox Church of Maria Magdalene. The convent of Pater Noster, built where according to tradition Jesus instructed his disciples, and at the foot of the Mount of Olives is the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, also known as the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. The Mount of Olives is also home to The Jewish Cemetery, the oldest continually used cemetery in the world.

Mount of Olives
Location: East of Jerusalem Old City

3. Via Dolorosa
For many Christian pilgrims, the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) is a spiritual highlight when touring Jerusalem. The traditional walk follows the route of Jesus after his condemnation as he carries his cross to be executed in Calvary. Daily guided tours, and tourist on their own can easily follow the route, however if you’re visiting on Friday, you can join the Franciscan monks in procession along the Via Dolorosa. The route is marked by 14 Stations of the Cross, several which are based on the Gospel, and other on pilgrim and local tradition. The walk starts in the Muslim Quarter, the 1st station near HaPrakhim Street, heading west there are eight other stations until you reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where the last five Stations of the Cross are located. Of great interest along the route is the Church of the Flagellation, a Franciscan complex which includes a monastery located in the Muslim Quarter, and is adjacent to the Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross. The site is traditionally marked as the place where the Roman soldiers flogged Jesus after he was convicted and sentenced to death by crucifixion (John 19:17-19).

Via Dolorosa
Location: Via Dolorosa Street, Old City

4. The Garden Tomb
The Garden Tomb is a site discovered in 1867 and is an alternate location of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for some Christians. The Garden contains a rock formation in the shape of a skull, perhaps the one mentioned in the bible as Golgotha or also known as “Calvary.” The Garden Tomb provides a quiet and beautiful ambiance for prayer and reflection. There are places to sit and rest along the Garden, drinking water and pleasant tourist facilities, including provision for the disabled with very good wheelchair access along the entire grounds. The site of Garden Tomb has gained great popularity specially with Evangelical and Protestant Christians.

The Garden Tomb
Location: Jerusalem, outside the Old City walls

5. Mount Zion
Mount Zion is a hill just outside the Old City walls and where many important Gospel events took place; The Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1—17:26), the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples known as the Pentecost to Christians (Acts 2:1-13), two events believed to have taken place on the holy site of the Cenacle. Mount Zion is also home to several important churches including the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, constructed atop the home of the high priest Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57-75), and the Church of the Dormition, which commemorates the “falling asleep” of the Virgin Mary on Mount Zion, as the Church name suggest.

Mount Zion
Location: Jerusalem, outside the Old City walls

6. Christian Quarter
The Christian Quarter inside the Old City walls is situated northwest of the quadrant and is the epicenter of Christianity worldwide home to as many as 40 Christian holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, perhaps the most significant site in all Christianity. Within the maze of alleyways you’ll find the Via Dolorosa, the path in which Jesus walked from his arrest to his Crucifixion, marked by the 14 Stations of the Cross. The Christian Quarter is also home to hundreds of tourist souvenir shops, and a popular place to buy Rosaries, Holy water, religious items and other Holy Land souvenirs. Besides the two main holy sites already mentioned the quarter is also home to the Protestant Christ Church, with a unique museum and popular café. Worth seeing are the frescoes of Queen Sheba visiting Jerusalem at the Ethiopian Monastery, situated in a corner of The Church of the Holy Sepulchre’s courtyard. Visit the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer along the Muristan Road where you can go up to the bell tower for the best view of the Old City. And worth visiting is the oldest church in Jerusalem, the Church of St. John the Baptist off of Christian Quarter Street.

Christian Quarter
Location: Old City, Jerusalem

7. Church of St. John the Baptist
Originally constructed in the 5th century, the Church of St. John the Baptist has an interesting history including being the headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers, where injured Crusaders were cared for during the 1099 siege of Jerusalem. some of the grateful knights after their recovery, remained in Jerusalem and dedicated themselves to the military defense of Jerusalem and welcoming Holy Land pilgrims. The Greek church not to be confused with the Franciscan church on the Mount of Olives can be easily recognized due to its unique silver dome. Although not regularly visited by pilgrims, the church is worth the effort to see it, since it’s the oldest church in Jerusalem and the original “Hospital of St. John,” for which the Knights Hospitallers were named.

Location: Christian Quarter, Old City

8. Church of All Nations
Also known as The Basilica of Agony, is Located atop the Mount of Olives, this Catholic church enshrines a section of bedrock where it is said Jesus prayed before his arrest (Mark 14:32-42). Twelve different nations contributed to the construction of the church, thus the name the “Church of All Nations,” and they are recognized in glass ceiling decorations and mosaics. Don’t miss the remains of the fourth century and Crusader churches which preceded the current structure.

Church of all Nations
Location: Mount of Olives, Jerusalem
9. Chapel of the Ascension
The site of the Chapel of the Ascension is where tradition holds the place where Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. A slab of stone inside the small octagonal chapel may contain one of Jesus footprints. The original site was home to a large Christian church and monastery built by St. Helena lasting until 1187, abandoned by Christians moving to Acre as a result of Sultan Saladin conquering the area. Because Muslims also recognize the Ascension of Jesus, the church was converted into a mosque, however the majority of pilgrims to the site were Christians, and because of this the small Chapel remained in the area.

Chapel of the Ascencion
Location: Mount of Olives, Jerusalem

10. Church of the Dormition Abbey
Also Dormition Abbey, is the traditional site of where the Virgin Mary died – or “fell asleep,” as the name of the church suggests meaning “Eternal sleep.” Situated on a prominent location on Mount Zion, outside the Old City walls, and is a fortress-like structure, with conical roof and towers. Nearby is the bell tower of the Hagia Maria Sion Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. The complex is only one hundred years old, however it was built over stone ruins, and known to be in the general area frequented by the disciples and Jesus during his last days in Jerusalem. Nearby on you’ll also find the Room of the Last Supper, and the Tomb of King David.

Article (For the pics): https://www.holylandtourstravel.com/index.php/christian-holy-land-tours-travel-guide/item/107-top-ten-holy-land-sites-in-jerusalem

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“Untold Archaeology of the Temple Mount — Rare Footage”

Archaeology at the Temple Mount is strictly forbidden. However, over the past hundred years, the Temple Mount went through many renovations, during which archaeologists were able to document incredible findings. These findings and much more we reveal in this video.

We will enter the Temple Mount through the Moors Gate, walk to the Dome of the Rock and examine where the Ark of the Covenant could have stood, see the Golden Gate, and then peak into the archives of the Al-Aqsa mosque to find out what lies underneath it.
So join us for this adventure as we explore the Temple Mount.

[ Sergio & Rhoda ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3W9iX0SnCo

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“The Underground Street of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem”

The modern streets of Jerusalem are no older than the middle ages. So where are the original streets that Jesus would have walked on? Is it possible to find them still today?

In this episode, we descend underground, beneath the modern street of Via Dolorosa, to find the original stones that would have witnessed the events.

[ Sergio & Rhoda ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO3nAAq4LsE

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“Virtual Israel Tour Day 28: Mount of Olives”

Virtual Tour Day 28: Mount of Olives

[ Chris Mitchell ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayvn5of2A9c

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“Walk Through the Old City of Jerusalem”

Tour the Old City of Jerusalem with Dr. David Reagan on the television show Christ in Prophecy!

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zb5fhXZ2YY

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“Mount of Olives – Pilgrimage 6”

Visit the Mount of Olives as Dr. David Reagan takes you on a tour of Israel on the show Christ in Prophecy.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXiQNwGhn2Y

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCNO8AfYyVI

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“Mount Zion”

Tour Mount Zion in Jerusalem and learn of its historic past and glorious future with Dr. David Reagan on the show Christ in Prophecy!

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4-7wmE8ha4

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“Mt. Herzl Cemetery – Pilgrimage 9”

Visit the Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem as Dr. David Reagan takes you on a tour of Israel on the show Christ in Prophecy.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQqiGWDNYAo

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“The Eastern Gate”

What is the biblical significance of Jerusalem’s Eastern Gate? Discover this archaeological treasure with Dr. James Fleming on the show Christ in Prophecy.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc8mlSGyNYg

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“The Galilee – Pilgrimage 3”

Visit The Galilee as Dr. David Reagan takes you on a tour of Israel on the show Christ in Prophecy.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rN58h_ZkGo

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“The Garden Tomb – Pilgrimage 10”

Visit the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem as Dr. David Reagan takes you on a tour of Israel on the show Christ in Prophecy.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6hS6-pOBPA

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“The Old City – Pilgrimage 7”

Visit the Old City of Jerusalem as Dr. David Reagan takes you on a tour of Israel on the show Christ in Prophecy.

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQbliutJlDA

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“The Temple Mount”

Tour the Temple Mount in Jerusalem with Dr. David Reagan on the show Christ in Prophecy!

[ Christ in Prophecy ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tba4u-aLB2s

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“Why Jerusalem’s GARDEN TOMB is so Significant”

Could this be the actual location of the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua of Nazareth? Is there any evidence that this Garden Tomb could be the true Golgotha (Calvary) of the Bible?

Is it possible that this empty tomb, just outside Jerusalem’s Old City Walls, once held the body of Jesus? What does this pilgrimage destination in the heart of Biblical Zion look like in 3D today?

Israel Collective Outreach Coordinator Sammy Lopez shares the fascinating details about this world-famous archaeological location, in this third edition of the Israel Collective apologetic video series The Bible IsRael!

The Israel Collective, an initiative of Christians United for Israel, was founded in 2014 by a team of young Christian leaders dedicated to building vibrant relationships between American Christians and the people of the Holy Land.

[ Israel Collective ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5dXHfrJrhQ

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“Jerusalem: 4000 Years in 5 Minutes”

Jerusalem, a mosaic of different peoples, faiths, and nationalities. Nevertheless, despite this diversity, under the sovereignty of Israel, Jerusalem is a city that works. But has it always been this way?

[ The Jerusalem Center ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mR2W43t6tI

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“7 Days in the Holy Land”

Journey with Franklin Graham and his daughter Cissie, to the land of the Bible. Enjoy this special tour of God’s Word in Israel, as they share some of the greatest stories ever told.

[ Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZQTpnyciDE

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“A Tour of the Incredible Old City of Jerusalem”

Exploring the four quarters of Jerusalem’s historic Old City.

[ Gabriel Morris ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BanxqagThQI

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“City of David Virtual Tour In Ancient Jerusalem”

[ Ariel Fogelman]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yjtpo3Nq58

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“Hidden gems in Jerusalem”

9 amazing unknown sites in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Most tourists visit the Wailing Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

But the Old City of Jerusalem has much more to offer: there are a lot of special, unknown sites. So if you want to see the real Old City, the one that lies off the beaten track, then this video is for you. Here is a list of some of the sites:

Another Wailing Wall (which is arguably holier than the one you know).

An underground water pool dating back 2000 years.

A family that has the longest tradition of tattooing in the world.

Two easy-to-miss lookout points.

And much more…

[ Traveling Israel ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmpq_g0NPro

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“JERUSALEM: EXPLORING THE MOUNT OF OLIVES – FROM TOP TO BOTTOM”

We spent a few hours exploring The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, We started at the top and walked down visiting all major stops along the way. Turns out it was one of the most memorable days of the trip.

[ The Adventurous Blogger ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRVIcZifq0M

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“Jerusalem”

Israel video tour with David Hyman, Israeli professional tour guide. If you get the chance to just wander the Old City of Jerusalem, I guarantee that great things will happen. The city is so diverse and always busy and unexpected. That is what happened to me a couple of weeks ago, on Saturday, March 13 2021 after filming the Damascus gate video. I was wandering the streets aimlessly and decided to check if the church was open, when I arrived I heard the bangs of the sticks held by the ceremonial guards called “Kavas”. I immediately knew that a procession is on its way. Indeed after a few minutes, the first procession arrived escorting the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah. A few minutes later the Greek Orthodox Patriarch arrived, while the church bells were ringing. Patriarch Theophilos III is the current Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Then I walked over to the Austrian Hospice, now operating as a pilgrim guest house in the heart of the Muslim quarter. This is a great place for a break and rest. I recommend that you buy coffee and apple strudel and enjoy the peaceful gardens. When you are done, climb up to the roof for one of the best views of the old city

[ David Hyman ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37SeFiOp8RY

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“Jerusalem by a Local | Travel Tips for Israel | How to Spend a Day in Jerusalem”

Jerusalem local Eyal David takes you through Israel’s biggest city. He shows you places sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, as well as Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

[ Eyal David ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amw6lFT5frs

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“Jerusalem Tips : The 7 Things Every Visitor Should Know”

Jerusalem Old City : 7 Things You Need to Know And The Best Things To Do. In this video hear about the history, reasons for the disputes and conflict, things to do, safety and the significance of Jerusalem to three religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and the important religious sites in and around the Old City.

[ Gary Bembridge ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uer7A6tgm9Y

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“Jerusalem Travel Guide: Everything you need to know”

Jerusalem Travel Guide: Everything you need to know. This is your ULTIMATE Jerusalem Travel guide. Jerusalem is an incredible city filled with beautiful sights, sounds and smells. Today we visited all of the most important sight within the Old City and New. As well we show you where you HAVE to go when your here.

[ TheTravelingClatt ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y3PWfAv2vo

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“Jerusalem Walk”

A walk around the old city of Jerusalem. 3 hours!

[ SZ A ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRPJPU3K0kQ

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“Jerusalem Now Walk” (2021)

A walk around the old city of Jerusalem. Shows street names. (A Total of 3 hours!)

[ SZ A ]

Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R01WgcC1ePk
Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCUuqKhEO5w
Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN8P2h0B5bk
Episode 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDIw5zlUk2Y
Episode 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPHNsISmsH8
Episode 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8ZpLZiHfIY
Episode 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hP2MGPa074

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“Top 20 Facts About The City Of Jerusalem”

The City of Jerusalem has been characterized by conflict amongst nations for years. Also known as Yerushalayim, the holy city, Jerusalem is contested for its holy sites; Israel and Jordan each laid claim to it. Israel controlled the Western portions of it, while Jordan controlled East Jerusalem, until 1967.

The City of Jerusalem which had been divided for long was eventually unified in 1980 and is the Capital of Israel. It stirs up the warmth in the heart of Christians, Muslims and Jews alike. The histories of each of these three religions have their roots in Jerusalem.

Away from its religious history, this city has a lot to offer as you will discover in these Top 20 Facts about the city of Jerusalem. Without a doubt, the City of Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world.

1. The City of Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city
View of Jerusalem from Mt. Olives- by Wayne McLean (Jgritz)- Wikimedia Commons

The City of Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel, its capital. It covers nearly 50 square miles and is a major cultural center with over 70 institutions teaching the arts. Jerusalem’s inhabitants’ number at least 801,000 people.

2. Jerusalem has been conquered more than 40 times
Jerusalem War Cemetery- by Adiel lo- Wikimedia Commons

The City of Jerusalem has had many contenders, each wanting the city for themselves. It is located in a troubled region with wars along the lines of religion, culture, commerce, and politics. This history is quite a tumultuous one.

There have been sixteen wars fought over the city in its history, getting destroyed twice. The city has also been besieged 23 times and under attack 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times. Persians, Romans, the Ottoman Turks, and the British have each at one time conquered Jerusalem.

3. The City of Jerusalem is a center of pilgrimage and an object of devotion for three religions
Temple Mount- by עומר מרקובסקי- Wikimedia Commons

Christians know Jerusalem to be the place where Jesus suffered and also triumphed, while Muslims hold it as the goal of the Prophet Muhammad’s mystic night journey. It is the site of one of Islam’s most sacred shrines.

To the Jews, the City of Jerusalem is the focus of age-old longings, proof of prehistoric splendor and independence and a center of national reawakening.

With Judaism, Christianity and Islam having their roots in the City of Jerusalem, places of worship accommodating the three religions are found within the City.

Jerusalem boasts more than 50 Christian churches, 33 Muslim mosques, and 300 Jewish synagogues in the city. Each of the religions now coexists, and you can find religious sites spanning across all three religions, such as Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Dome of the Rock or Al-Aqsa Mosque, Western Wall, Via Dolorosa and Hurva Synagogue.

4. The City of Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives is the oldest active burial site in the world
Mount Olives- by Nemo- Wikipedia Commons

Some of the greatest Jewish leaders, prophets and rabbis have been buried on Mt. Olives. This makes it the largest and most important Jewish cemetery in the world. Mount of Olives is home to more than 150,000 Jewish graves.

Jesus is said to have ascended to heaven from Mt. Olives. The Mountain also hosts the Garden of Gethsemane, Russian Orthodox Church of Maria Magdalene and the Church of All Nations.

Mt. Olives has been a site of Christian worship since ancient times and is today a major site of pilgrimage for the Eastern Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants.

The mountain has also unfortunately been involved in the territorial dispute between Israel, the Muslim nations as well as the Palestinian- Arabs. It has experienced some violence which Jewish mourners and visitors have had a taste of.

5. The City of Jerusalem is fully walled
Jerusalem city walls- by עומר מרקובסקי- Wikimedia Commons

Real estate in the City of Jerusalem is punctuated with high walls- it’s a fully walled city! The walls are about 2.5 miles long, 40 feet tall, and 8 feet thick. Such a high wall has the prospect for watchtowers. Spread out along the city of Jerusalem’s walls are 34 watchtowers.

The whole city was surrounded by a high wall in ancient times for its protection. You can get into the city via one of the seven gates along with it.

The City of Jerusalem also has a distinct look, thanks to the Municipal law requiring that all structures are covered in Jerusalem stone. This has ensured the preservation of the historical look of the city.

6. The City of Jerusalem has at least 60 museums
Israel Museum- byUtilisateur:Djampa -Wikimedia Commons

The City of Jerusalem boasts more than 60 museums! That sounds like a whole months’ plan should you be a visitor there. There are Art museums, Science museums, history museums and many others.

The famous Dead Sea Scrolls which the oldest Biblical manuscripts ever found are housed in the Israel Museum, and there’s an array of 450,000 photographs and 179 million pages of documents in the Holocaust museum and archive, Yad Vashem. You’ll barely have scratched the surface if you made stops at these two museums.

7. The City of Jerusalem has more than 1,500 public parks and gardens
Sacher Park- by Anatoli Axelrod- Wikimedia Commons

For a city located in a desert area, the City of Jerusalem prides itself in quite some greenery. There are more than 1,500 public parks and gardens in Jerusalem. One can see flora and fauna, as well as just enjoy the greenery in them.

8. Some of the olive trees in Jerusalem are more than 800 years old
Olive tree in Jerusalem- by بدارين- Wikimedia Commons

The Olive tree is written about in the Bible- the Garden of Gethsemane where it is believed that Jesus prayed before his crucifixion has many olive trees. It is also an important component of the Jewish and Israeli culture throughout history.

What is fascinating is that some of these trees are about 900 years or older! The olive tree grows as a small tree or large shrub with oblong, pale, silvery-green leaves, which stay on the tree year-round. Olive tree trunks often become gnarled and twisted into interesting shapes as the tree grows older. If from Jerusalem, the next olive in your drink or the olive oil in your salad may have come from a tree more than twice your age- Jerusalem’s Olive trees are the oldest in the world.

9. The City of Jerusalem hosts more than 26 wineries
Flam Winery- by DYKT Mohigan- Wikimedia Commons

A number of stories in the Bible involve wine drinking, made from wine presses. Modern winemaking processes may be used today, but the wine culture in Israel and Jerusalem is only fortified. The City of Jerusalem holds an annual wine festival, where the more than 26 wineries in and around Jerusalem are free to exhibit.

10. The City of Jerusalem’s Biblical zoo features Bible animals
Tamarin Monkey-by Adrian Pingstone- Wikimedia Commons

The Biblical zoo is located in the Malha neighbourhood in the City of Jerusalem. Famous for its Afro- Asiatic collection of wildlife, the zoo is quite popular. It logged a record 738,000 visitors in 2009.

The Bible has featured some of the animals that can be found in this zoo, hence the novelty. The zoo has also successfully bred endangered species such as the golden lion tamarin monkey. The Biblical zoo is one of Israel’s top attractions.

If visiting the zoo, you could also make a point of visiting the gazelle sanctuary that’s located less than a mile from the Old City Walls. The park is a first in Israel but modelled after the Central Park in New York City and Hampstead Heath in London.

Here you can enjoy the natural beauty, as well as other activities, offered such as tours, workshops and lectures on topics pertaining to nature, planting trees and other donor activities,

11. The City of Jerusalem has an American football stadium
American Football is garnering interest in Israel, but as expected, much more popular in America. It is played at the amateur and international competition levels in Israel.

Israel’s first regulation-sized American football field was opened in 2017 in Jerusalem and was donated by the Kraft family, owners of the New England Patriots.

Located near the Machane Yehuda outdoor market, the sports complex is a multimillion-dollar facility built in partnership between the Krafts, the city of Jerusalem and Israel’s lottery authority.

12. The City of Jerusalem is one of the world’s fastest-growing high- tech hubs in the world
In 2015, Time magazine named the City of Jerusalem one of the world’s fastest-growing hi-tech hubs. This was quite the achievement as Jerusalem had been considered economically and socially outdated, and fundamentally challenged due to its unique geopolitical and social constructs.

2012 saw a growth in startups in cutting- edge sectors such as image processing and virtual reality to around 600 from a mere 200.

13. The City of Jerusalem is a festive city
Hanukkah lights- by Utilisateur:Djampa- Wikimedia Commons

From Purim, Passover, Lag b’omer, Shavuot, Hanukkah, Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas among others, the City of Jerusalem is a great place to be and experience the festivities as the city and homes light up for the various festivals, some traditional, others modern.

Jerusalem hosts more than 30 festivals annually, spanning across religions and disciplines such as art, opera, film, books and wine tasting. The Maccabiah games, for instance, is a sporting event that opens up to many other events at the same time such as jazz festivals and Israeli folk music.

14. The City of Jerusalem’s King David Hotel has international repute
King David Hotel- by Utilisateur:Djampa- Wikimedia Commons

This five-star hotel is the chosen venue for hosting heads of state, dignitaries, and other personalities during their visits to Jerusalem. The King David Hotel has hosted Elizabeth Taylor, Winston Churchill, Prince Charles, Hillary Clinton, and Madonna, among other dignitaries.

15. The City of Jerusalem is the birthplace and home to celebrities
It is with pride that residents of a city identify with celebrities with whom they have similar roots. And rightly so as these celebrities put the City on the map by way of their achievements.

Actress, Oscar winner and filmmaker Natalie Portman, who is of Israeli and American descent were born in Jerusalem.

Novelist Amos Oz and screenwriter Emmy award-winning writer and Director Gideon Raff had their homes in Jerusalem.

16. The City of Jerusalem hosts Israel’s second-largest Pride Parade
Jerusalem 2018 gay parade- by Nettadi- Wikimedia Commons

With more than 25,000 marchers, Jerusalem hosts Israel’s second-largest Pride parade annually. The annual event is a highlight for the city of Jerusalem’s vibrant LGBT community, fighting for their rights and for equality. This vibrant march marks the start of pride month events in Israel and consequently Jerusalem.

17. The City of Jerusalem is a charmer for tourists
Tourists at the weeping wall in Jerusalem- by Gary Bembridge- Wikimedia Commons

Tourism in the City of Jerusalem is a big contributor to its economy. It is one of the major sources of income, with at least 3.5 million tourists visiting the city every year.

With a unique city like Jerusalem, the tourist attraction is predictable- Jerusalem is a city of tradition, religion, and history, but also of modern culture and heritage. Take for instance the fabulous but chaotic Mahane Yehuda Market, that will have locals and tourists alike thronging it, for its variety of food, color, and noise. Tourists have also flocked Jerusalem’s eateries for the best hummus and other local cuisines.

18. The City of Jerusalem prides itself in the Kippah
Colorful Kippah’s on sale- by Laliv Gal- Wikimedia Commons

Dozens of Kippah shops dot the city of Jerusalem, selling an array of them for every occasion. These have evolved from the basic black Kippah to intricately designed ones of different colors.

The Kippah is a skull cap worn by men to as a covering for their heads in reverence to God when praying.

This might be a great souvenir to take back home with you if visiting Jerusalem.

19. The City of Jerusalem has emergency response teams on bikes
With the narrow streets and steep hills of Jerusalem, medical emergency response teams on bikes were god sent. Israel was the first country in the world to deploy a fleet of electronic bikes to congested urban areas. Jerusalem was a beneficiary due to its terrain, and streets that would get congested.

This is a great assurance to have, that an e-bike medical response team could weave through traffic to get to you when in the City of Jerusalem in need of medical aid.

20. The City of Jerusalem was the first to run a light rail
Light train in Jerusalem-by Kenyh Cevarom- Wikimedia Commons

Adding on to its first, Jerusalem was the first city in Israel to operate a light rail. A track runs across the heart of the city, making transport to the various regions in Jerusalem easier. There is a tram that one can catch every ten minutes.

When he visited Jerusalem, Neil Armstrong said of it “I am more excited stepping on these stones than I was stepping on the moon.” The City of Jerusalem is quite a charmer, with its historic and religious sites, natural sites, heritage tourism, adventure tourism, and ecotourism among other noteworthy assets.

Despite its tumultuous past, the City of Jerusalem still offers a lot- a city one deserves to visit at least once in their lifetime.

[ Christine M ]

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“BEST MOMENTS Digital Tour // View of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives: Dome of the Rock, Western Wall”

Today, we ascend to the most famous city in the world: J E R U S A L E M

From a time of reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane to adding our prayers to thousands in the Western Wall, we joined with centuries of history and worshipped God in the land that He loves.

People from all over the world come to walk in the footsteps of Jesus down the Via Delarosa to remember the sacrifice He made to give us life.

“All nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord.” Jeremiah 3:17

[ FIRM Israel ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJwCry4r2rQ

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“Virtual Israel Tour Day 16: Temple Mount Exhibit”

[ CBN News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joU1jAavM5Y

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“Temple Mount: Jews allowed to pray discreetly”

[ 124 News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0kkGzKPNXY

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“Jerusalem: The Covenant City”

A feature-length journey through the prophetic destiny of the incomparable city.

[ Lance Lambert ]

Video: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/30421

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“Jerusalem – A Geographical Prophecy”

Why are so much blood and ink spilled over this place? Dr. David Jeremiah examines the significance of Jerusalem and why we should pray for its peace and prosperity.

[ Dr. David Jeremiah ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bTprCj_DdA

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“Six-Day War Victory Rekindled Hope for the Third Temple”

[ CBN News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz23bHbp9B0

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“IN OUR HANDS: THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM” (DVD)

Seen by hundreds of thousands in sold-out theaters across America, you can get your very own copy of this extraordinary film on DVD and stream it in 4K! For six days, surrounded by enemies—outgunned and outmanned—Israel stood alone and changed history.

Witness the most important prophetic event of our time as you watch Israel’s 55th Paratrooper Brigade reunite the ancient city of Jerusalem.

– See dramatic re-enactments, archival footage, interviews with Six-Day War veterans, and more.
– This DVD includes an exclusive bonus feature: Operation Focus—the story of Israel’s surprise attack during the Six-Day War that decimated the Egyptian Air Force.
– Experience dramatic battle scenes and miraculous story in 4K Ultra HD streaming.

https://www.cbn.com/special/inourhands/inourhands.aspx

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“Is it Time to Rebuild the Third Temple?”

[ CBN News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCFJJ57WUKs

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“Will there be an end times temple in Jerusalem?”

The Bible mentions that some end-times events will occur in a temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15). Second Thessalonians 2:4, speaking of the Antichrist, tells us, “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” Before the end times can occur, a temple must be present for these events to occur in.

There is still the “small” problem of the Islamic Dome of the Rock being on the site where the Jewish temple is supposed to be. Muslims believe this is the place from which Mohammed ascended into heaven, making it the third most sacred of Muslim shrines. For the Jews to take over this place and build a temple upon it would be unthinkable in today’s political climate. But during the tribulation, the building of the Temple will come about, protected by the Antichrist (Daniel 9:24-27).

When we see the Temple being constructed, we can be sure the end times are indeed upon us. The Antichrist will be reigning, the Church will already have been raptured, and the first half of the tribulation will have passed. But there will still be time for people to come to Christ for salvation.

[ Got Questions ]

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“Jerusalem Third Temple: Sanhedrin ‘unintentionally’ paving way to Second Coming – claim”

THE CONSTRUCTION of a Third Holy Temple in Jerusalem will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, a Bible expert has told Express.co.uk.

By SEBASTIAN KETTLEY

Coronavirus shows ‘Jesus is coming back’ claims Christian

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Many Christians believe the return of Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Holy Bible. Among the chief signs of Jesus’ prophesied return is the construction of a Third Holy Temple in Jerusalem, Israel. The Antichrist will supposedly settle in the Temple in the end days.

According to Professor Tom Meyer, a college professor who has memorised 20 books from the Bible, a council of Jewish rabbis known as the Sanhedrin could “unintentionally” set the stage for Jesus’ return.

He said: “Biblically speaking, a third Jewish Temple is a necessity because Biblical prophecy states that the Antichrist will proclaim himself to be the true Christ in the yet-to-be-built Third Jewish Temple.

“Considering this, perhaps the rebirth of the Sanhedrin with its desire to reinstitute animal sacrifices and build the Third Jewish Temple is unintentionally paving the way for the fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the true Jewish Messiah.”

The First Temple of Jerusalem stood until the year 586 BC when it was destroyed by the Babylonians.

Jerusalem Third Temple: Model of Second Temple
Jerusalem Third Temple: Some believe a Third Temple will precede Jesus Christ’s return (Image: GETTY)
Jerusalem Third Temple: The Second Holy Temple

Jerusalem Third Temple: The first and second temples were destroyed (Image: GETTY)
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A Second Temple was raised but it too was destroyed, this time by the Romans in the year 70 CE.

The temple was destroyed in response to a Jewish revolt and fragments of an extension raised by King Herod the Great still stand in Jerusalem.

The so-called Western Wall or Wailing Wall is one of the holiest sites in Judaism.

Professor Meyer said: “The ancient Sanhedrin functioned until the Roman Empire officially dismantled it in the early Byzantine Period – 358 AD.

“There have been several attempts to renew the Sanhedrin in modern history.

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“For example, Napoleon tried to assemble a Sanhedrin around 1800 as did different Rabbis in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Biblically speaking, a third Jewish Temple

Professor Tom Meyer, The Bible Memory Man

“The first serious attempt to revive the Sanhedrin since the birth of Israel in 1948 was made in 2004 by a coalition of Jewish law experts in Tiberias, where the previous Sanhedrin was disbanded by Rome some 1600 years ago.

“Unlike the other attempts to resurrect the Sanhedrin which failed, this current group of 70 scholars and rabbis has been growing in popularity and influence.”

Rumours of a Third Temple being constructed were stoked in 2018 during Jerusalem’s mayoral election.

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Jerusalem Third Temple: The Western Wall

Jerusalem Third Temple: A fragment of the Second Temple remains as the Western Wall (Image: GETTY)
Jerusalem Third Temple: Model of Second Temple

Jerusalem Third Temple: Do you believe in Jesus’ imminent return? (Image: GETTY)
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The leading candidates Ofer Berkovitch and Moshe Lion were encouraged to put the construction of a Third Temple on the agenda.

Professor Meyer said the Sanhedrin are now considering the possibility of raising a new temple.

He said: “Among the topics of discussion at their meetings are the possibility of renewing animal sacrifices according to the Mosaic Law and the possibility of preparing prefabricated stones for a Third Temple that can be quickly assembled on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.”

In his opinion, the assembling of the Sanhedrin is a pre-messianic event worth taking note of.

Article: https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/1273463/Jerusalem-Third-Temple-construction-Sanhedrin-Second-Coming-Jesus-Christ-end-of-the-world

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“Jerusalem third temple ‘fulfills Biblical prophecy’ of the end times”

Biblical conspiracy theories allege the construction of a Third Holy Temple in Jerusalem will herald the end of the world. Jewish eschatology concerning the end times claims the Holy Temple will rise from the ground before prophesied days of the apocalypse. Many evangelists and Christian doomsday preachers believe the Third Temple will appear before the return of Jesus Christ.

Discussions of the end times approaching were sparked in November 2018 in response to a letter penned by the Jewish assembly of rabbis known as the Sanhedrin.

Jerusalem at the time was in the grips of a mayoral election and the Sanhedrin urged both running candidates, Ofer Berkovich and Moshe Lion, to rebuild the temple.

The first two Holy Temples of Jerusalem were constructed on the city’s Temple Mount centuries ago but were destroyed by the Babylonians and the Romans respectively.

The Holy Temple plays a crucial role in Jewish tradition and is a central player in prophecies and tales concerning the apocalypse.

Christian pastor and doomsday preacher Paul Begley has claimed the signs of the end times are coming to fruition.

The Indiana-based preacher said: “The rabbis of the Sanhedrin court are calling both mayor candidates to include in their plans for this city the rebuilding of the third temple.

“Folks, this is as close to Biblical prophecy – I don’t know what else to say.

“That’s how close it’s getting and if you’re a Christian, you’re saying: ‘Wow, the Messiah is coming’

“There’s no doubt about it. Jesus of Nazareth, the saviour of the world, is going to return.”

Pastor Begley enthusiastically claimed we are now living “in the last days”.

According to Irvin Baxter of the EndTime Ministries, the third Holy Temple will be rebuilt in the last seven years of the world’s existence.

There’s no doubt about it. Jesus of Nazareth, the saviour of the world, is going to return

Pastor Paul Begley

The doomsday preacher said this will happen in the first three years of the end times and will be the “most visible sign” of the end times finally arriving.

Mr Baxter said: “As that cornerstone is laid on the Temple Mount, every network on Earth will be televising this incredible event.”

And Rick Brinegar and Dave Robbins of the Endtime Ministries said: “The Bible prophesies, in many places, that a Third Temple will be built in the near future.

“In Matthew 24:1-2, Jesus tells His disciples that the Second Temple would be utterly destroyed.

“From Matthew 24:3 throughout the rest of the chapter, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Second Temple, while He prophesied of events that would occur near the time of His Second Coming.”

In the 2017 book World Empire and the Return of Jesus Christ, author Simon Downing wrote: “Dispensationalism also accommodates into its teaching the belief that the Jews must rebuild their Temple.

“The building of the ‘Third Temple’ is therefore at the heart of Dispensationalism; even though it recognises that the Beast will desecrate it before the coming of Christ and the Millennium.

“Already many Third Temple vessels and artefacts are being prepared for the bloody sacrifices of the animals that will occur in that Temple.”

Claims of biblical prophecy regarding the Third Temple are also linked to Jeremiah 33.

The scripture reads: “Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

“In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.

“In those days Judah shall be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she shall be called: the LORD is our righteousness.’

“For thus says the LORD, ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to prepare sacrifices continually.”

The bible also teaches of the Third Temple returning to Israel in Daniel 9:27.

The scripture reads: “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

Amos, an Old Testament prophet, is also believed to have predicted the rise of a Third Temple in the future.

Amos 9:11 reads: “In that day I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be.”

And Isaiah 2:2-3 reads: “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

“Many peoples will come and say, ’Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.

“He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Dr David R Reagan of the Lamb and Lion Ministries also said: “The Apostle Paul mentions it when he declares that the ‘man of lawlessness’ will profane the temple by entering it and declaring himself to be God – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

“The Third Temple is also mentioned in the book of Revelation when John is told to measure it – a symbolic way of telling him to assess its spiritual condition – Revelation 11:1-2.”

End of the world: The Western Wall in Jerusalem
End of the world: The first two Holy Temples were destroyed by the Babylonians and the Romans (Image: GETTY)
Fears of the world coming to an end were also sparked when a snake was seen slithering out of the Western Wall.

Conspiracists interpreted the snake’s arrival as the third of three unusual signs foretelling the apocalypse – the other two being the birth of a red heifer cow in Israel and fish returning to the Dead Sea.

Pastor Begley said: “Give your life to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is coming soon.

“I’ll be coming back with more. May there be peace in Jerusalem.”

Sheila Mitchell who saw Pastor Begley’s YouTube announcement said: “Let’s get ready our Lord and saviour is coming back, amen.”

And Stephanie Mytrosevich said: “I can’t even begin to express my longing for Christ’s return.”

In his 2017 book, When The Third Temple is Built, author Nicklas Arthur wrote: “What a relief to know that even though there is no Rapture escape we may only super such time as all the saints of history were subject to.

“Some lived and died in relative peace, some suffered deprivations and others were tortured and martyred.

“Most of the prophecy in the book of The Revelation, inclusion the six vials we have reviewed in our chapter six, have been fulfilled in history.

“We are now near the end of the era immediately preceding the Return of Christ for His Millennial Reign.”

There are, however, those who claim the end of the world cannot be predicted from holy scripture.

According to BibleInfo.com, the Bible outright states the date of Jesus’ return is not known.

Matthew 24:36 reads: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Matthew 24:42 later states: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Matthew 24:44 also reads: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

And according to the National Catholic Reporter, the Catholic Pontiff Pope Francis believes the world will come to an end in peace and not total destruction.

In 2014, the head of the Catholic Church said: “God is preparing a new dwelling place and a new Earth where justice will abide, and whose blessedness will answer and surpass all the longings for peace which spring up in the human heart.

“This is where the church is heading. More than a place, it is a state of the soul where our deepest aspirations will be fulfilled with abundance.”

The Pope also said humans will come “face-to-face” with God at the end of it all.

What will happen to the Third Temple in the end days?
According to the Book of Revelation, the Second Coming of Christ will result in the temple’s ultimate destruction.

A great earthquake will split the ground open beneath Jerusalem and mountains and islands will be displaced.

Revelation 6:12-17 reads: “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth made from hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.

“The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

“Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”

What does the Bible say about the end of the world?
No one knows the time or date of the apocalypse but the Bible’s Book of Revelation outlines the events that will unfold at the end times.

The Book of Revelation 1:1-8 reads: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.

“He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this bible prophecy last days, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

[ Sebastian Kettley ]

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“Herod’s Temple: The Temple Jesus Knew” (Full Movie)

Travel back in time to see the Temple the way Jesus and his disciples did over 2,000 years ago.

Jerusalem, rich in historical and Biblical heritage, is the home of the Temple Mount, one of the world’s most recognizable and visited sacred sites. Now, travel back in time to see it the way Jesus and his disciples did over 2,000 years ago. They knew it as Herod’s Temple. We remember it as the Temple Jesus knew. Imagine the scene as Jesus expelled the moneychangers from its outer court and as the veil of the temple leading to its holiest chamber was torn at the time of Christ’s crucifixion. Through the use of beautiful animation, the temple is reconstructed and we are brought within its precincts to identify with the experience of those living in Jesus’ day. We also are confronted with the horror of the fiery destruction of the Temple by the Romans in A.D. 70. Through it all, we come to appreciate the central role of the Temple in the life of first century Jews and Christians.

[ Dean Shipley and Nicholas Veatch ]

Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J83PhBQWiKQ

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“The Coming Temple” (Full Documentary)

Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod’s Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood. But is tradition too strong? We’ll see.

Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTO8YYs29c

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“Virtual Israel Tour Day 61: Rebuilding the Third Temple”

[ CBN News ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thl-i5Lbxp0

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“The Third Holy Temple Plans Have Begun”

This is a walk-through the main sanctuary of the Holy Temple, showcasing decades of research and tens of innovative Halachic solutions to various perplexing issues that were resolved to create fully functional, ready-to-use plans. As the visual tour sweeps through the sanctuary, one can see the menorah, incense altar and showbread table, all of which have already been prepared by the Institute, among 70 other sacred vessels. The presentation was specially released to coincide with the Ninth of Av, the Jewish national day of mourning which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

This is not a ‘virtual’ representation, but a portion of a complete and highly detailed architectural plan which has been prepared for the immediate construction of the Holy Temple. The plan includes all of components that will be used in building: marble, stone, concrete, wood, flooring materials, overlay of gold, etc.

The external view presents the openings, windows, chambers, the outer hall, the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies.

In the first stage we are moving through the hall’s entrance. As we continue we arrive at the golden chains described in Tractate Middot, which the young priests-in-training would climb in order to view the decorative crowns that were placed in unique windows above the entrance to the Sanctuary. The visit continues on to the 38 chambers that surrounded the Sanctuary. The door opens and we find ourselves within the first chamber. We turn left and enter into the Sanctuary. From the right we see the three major vessels of the Sanctuary: The golden altar, the table of the showbread, and the menorah. We also see the curtain with its depiction of the two cherubim.

This curtain is actually a double curtain, that separates between the Holy area (the Sanctuary), and the Holy of Holies. We look up to the ceiling of the Sanctuary, which reaches a height of 40 amot. Near the ceiling are the ‘narrowing windows’ (Kings I 6:4) which direct from the Temple outwards.

Turning behind us, we see the doors of the Sanctuary towards the east, as they are opened each morning by the priests, revealing the blue skies of Jerusalem at sunrise.

From the Sanctuary, we turn back to the chambers and go out to the long passageway known as the ‘mesiba.’ We ascend stairs that lead to the roof of the chambers. We continue moving, encircling the Temple from the north and west, afterwards turning east.

At the end of the passageway stands a special ladder that is used to ascend to the upper level. This level has a very high level of sanctity. One opinion maintains that it is only entered once in seventy years (for maintenance purposes).

In summary, this is a highly-detailed building plan which includes room for further innovation by professionals and craftsmen, including decoration, heating and electric etc. According to the decisions of the steering committee that will be established to oversee the construction of the Third Holy Temple, which can be begun immediately.

The video comes one year after the Temple Institute appealed to its supporters to take part in an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign that raised over $100,000 for the architectural plans. The video was first released to supporters of a current campaign to raise the first kosher Red Heifer in Israel in over 2,000 years. Over the past five years, the organization has released its most ambitious campaigns and poignant videos to reframe the mourning period into one of active preparation for the Third Holy Temple.

Support the Temple Institute’s new Nezer HaKodesh Institute for training Levitical Priests for the Holy Temple: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/th…

Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of The Temple Institute noted: “One third of all Torah commandments pertain to the building of and service in the Holy Temple. Today, we not only mourn the destruction of the two Holy Temples, but also our inability to fulfill one third of the Torah. Over the last three decades, the Temple Institute has done everything in our power to research and prepare for the Third Temple. As world Jewry sits on the ground mourning the first two Temples, we have taken a huge leap towards the rebuilding, by releasing a 3D architectural rendition of the Third Temple”

[ The Temple Institute ]

Video (Walk thru): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2IkxmwkayM

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“The Watchman: Battle for the Temple Mount – March 11, 2014”

On this week’s edition of The Watchman, we sit down with Charles Crismier, author of the new book, “King of the Mountain,” to discuss the ongoing battle over the holist and most disputed piece of real estate on earth: the Temple Mount

[ CBN News – The Watchman ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p8OPjFgj00

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“What is the abomination of desolation?”

What is the abomination of desolation? Will the antichrist defile the end times Temple in Jerusalem? Didn’t Antiochus Epiphanes perform the abomination of desolation in the second century BC?

[ Got Questions ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqjNnncUrQ

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“Jesus Christ will return to Earth”

Dr. David Jeremiah, the founder and host of Turning Point speaks with Dr. John Hull and explains that the Christian’s victory in Christ is an absolute certainty and is the overarching truth in the Book of Revelation.

[ 100Huntley – Interview of Dr. David Jeremiah ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVw-MR4V5_s

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“The Second Coming of Christ Is Not Just an Event, It’s the Central Theme of the Entire Bible”

You have no doubt used one of the “mapping” features available on the internet—Google Maps is perhaps the most commonly used. It enables you to focus in on a particular location in the world, then pull back to see the larger view. You can go from a bird’s–eye view to an airplane’s view to a satellite’s view. Truly amazing!

For example: You find Niagara Falls on Google Maps and, for the first time, you picture it as more than just a massive waterfall. You see its place on the Niagara River that divides Canada and the United States, flowing out of Lake Erie and into Lake Ontario. Who knew?

The Book of Signs: Complete Study Set
Or, when viewing Central Park in New York City, you zoom out and for the first time realize that Central Park is in Manhattan, which is surrounded by water on three sides. New York City is surrounded by water? Who knew?

Or maybe you’re inspecting your own neighborhood—as you zoom out, you suddenly see geographic features you never knew were so close by: parks, lakes, great swaths of forest or rough terrain, or miles of rural roads perfect for biking. Who knew you lived in such an interesting place?

I’m sure you know the expression, “We couldn’t see the forest for the trees”—meaning our perspective is so myopic (nearsighted) that we fail to see the big picture. We see our house, our street, and our town—but we don’t see the world. We stand in front of a single tree and admire its uniqueness while failing to see the grandeur of the forest.

The Second Coming Is the Central Theme of All of Scripture
It’s also possible to perceive a variety of biblical “trees” (details) while never gaining a clear picture of the “forest” (the big picture). We have favorite biblical characters and events, even favorite books of the Bible, but not always a clear understanding of God’s big picture—what God is doing from Genesis to Revelation and every step along the way.

When it comes to the Bible, “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus said every “jot” and “tittle” of God’s revelation is important (Matthew 5:18). Following our trees and forest metaphor, that means every tree in Scripture is worth our detailed attention. There is nothing wrong with having favorite characters, events, books, and verses from the Bible. But we also need to understand how they all tie together.

Like a powerful telescope, the Bible is focused on one central theme, beginning at Genesis. Everything in Scripture is written to support that theme: To establish Jesus Christ as the rightful ruler over all of God’s creation. From the very beginning, the Bible has focused on the final chapter and verse of the story. From the very beginning, and all along the way, the writers of Scripture have been writing about—generally or in detail, knowingly or unknowingly—what we call today “the End Times.”

Therefore, the writers of Scripture have prepared the people of God for the climax of world history in which Christ will rule the world for a thousand years from His throne in Jerusalem.

Christ Is at the Beginning, the End, and Every Step in Between
Jesus Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13). That passage stands at the end of world history just as Genesis 3:15 stands at the beginning: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

That verse, enigmatic when read by itself, is the first announcement that a descendant of Eve would come to destroy the serpent, Satan, whose temptations threw the world into ruin. As such, Bible scholars call it the protoevangelium—the first mention of the Gospel in the Bible. God says that the natural enmity between human beings and snakes will stand as a permanent reminder of the enmity between Satan and God—and a promise that the head of the serpent will one day be crushed by the wounded heel of a descendant of Eve (Revelation 12:14–15; 20:2).

That promise of God sets the stage for the rest of Scripture which John, the writer of Revelation, well understood. It was John who wrote that Jesus Christ came into the world “that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). And it was John who saw, in his apocalyptic vision, Satan and his angels being cast down from heaven to earth (Revelation 12:7–9).

So Christ is the Beginning and the End of God’s revelation concerning the beginning and the end of earth as we know it. All of the writers of Scripture contributed part of the story that is focused on the enthronement of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords in the future (Revelation 19:16).

The Book of Signs: A Masterwork on Bible Prophecy
What the Prophets Detail About Christ’s Second Coming
Following the words of God Himself in Genesis 3:15 concerning the future victory of the Messiah over Satan, God’s subsequent writing prophets saw various dimensions of Jesus’ life leading up to His eventual kingship at His Second Coming.

Key prophets. Both Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9) and an unnamed psalmist (Psalm 2:6) foresaw the coming of Christ as a King. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come as a ruler who would bring peace and whose government will never end (Isaiah 9:6–7). Micah also saw the Messiah coming as a “Ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2). Daniel envisioned the Messiah’s future kingdom destroying all other kingdoms of this world (Daniel 2, 7) as well as the final judgment of all humanity (Daniel 12:2–3). Zechariah also wrote about many other facets of Christ’s return to earth and the establishment of His earthly kingdom. Actually, it would be easier to write a short list of prophets who didn’t prophesy about the End Times!

Key passages for the future. The prophet Daniel gave us more than one critical passage for students of the End Times to study. The interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream provides a paradigm for Gentile kingdoms of the world that will be replaced by the kingdom of God’s Messiah (Daniel 2:24–45). Daniel’s prayer for forgiveness for Israel resulted in the vision of “Daniel’s 70 Weeks”—an outline of the time of the Gentiles, the death of the Messiah, the treachery of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel during the Tribulation, and the Antichrist’s final judgment (Daniel 9:20–27). Malachi wrote a powerful description of Christ’s Second Coming as Judge and King (Malachi 3:1–4). Isaiah’s prophecies contain many classic passages concerning Christ and the End Times: universal peace (Isaiah 11), Tribulation troubles (Isaiah 24), Millennial blessings (Isaiah 35), the future glory of Jerusalem (Isaiah 60–62), coming judgment and salvation (Isaiah 63–65), and life under the Messiah’s rule (Isaiah 65:17–24). Ezekiel’s dramatic vision of the valley of dry bones pictures Israel’s restoration (Ezekiel 37). And Zechariah saw multiple visions of the End Times: the blessing of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8), Israel’s mourning at Christ’s Second Coming (Zechariah 12:10–14), and Christ’s return to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14).

Key prophecies of the past. The prophecies concerning Christ’s Second Coming are to be embraced faithfully because they are the last prophecies in a long line of hundreds of prophecies that have already been fulfilled concerning Christ’s first coming. These prophecies and their fulfillment—concerning Christ’s lineage, birth, ministry, death, and resurrection—are well known and serve as guarantees of the prophecies yet to be fulfilled.

Key purposes of God’s writing prophets. A foundational verse concerning the purpose of God’s writing prophets is Amos 3:7: “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” Through His prophets, and later through the New Testament apostles’ writings, God has given those who are spiritually hungry insights into the past, present, and future of His redemptive plan. Central to all His Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is the role of God the Son in restoring humanity and creation to a condition that brings eternal glory to the triune God.

As you read your Bible, relish the forest as well as the trees—the big picture of redemption as well as the details—so you will grow in appreciation for the centrality of Jesus Christ as we approach His Second Coming.

[ David Jeremiah ]

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“The Return and Reign of Jesus Christ”

As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world, is going to return to earth to establish the Kingdom promised to Israel and all those who have trusted in Him. We anticipate the reversing of the Adamic curse and the recreating of the earth to become as He originally intended it. Jesus Christ will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Many of the details of that coming Kingdom and of Christ’s return are given in Scripture. In fact, a major element of Old Testament prophecy is of the coming Kingdom. The prophets frequently foretold the ending of history, the judgment of the nations, and the reign of Messiah, thus fulfilling promises made to David (2 Sam. 7:12) and to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). The Messiah will come not only to conquer the nations who oppose God, but also to redeem Israel and establish the Kingdom into which all believing saints of all the ages will be ushered. Similarly the New Testament is full of statements like the coming of “the Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5) and “It is the last time” (1 John 2:18).

A. The Signs of the Times
Christians have always believed they were living in the time of Christ’s return. However things happening today make it reasonable to believe that His return is close. For example, Ezekiel 39 speaks of the great battle of Armageddon, which will occur at the end of the Tribulation right before the Lord returns to establish His Kingdom. All the nations of the world will be at war yet Christ will defeat them all. Warfare of that magnitude was hard to conceive of until the twentieth century.

Ezekiel 39:1-10 says, “Prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee” (vv. 1-2). That may well be a reference to a Soviet army descending from the north upon Israel. God will almost totally destroy it. Verses 4-5 say, “Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy hordes, and the peoples that are with thee; I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. Thou shalt fall upon the open field; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God.”

Ravenous birds will devour the carcasses of the northern army. In Revelation 19:18-19, a comparative passage in the New Testament, God calls the ravenous birds to come and feed on “the flesh of the kings. and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men” who will have been slain in that great battle.

B. The Setting of the Scene
Zechariah 9-14 foretells the downfall of the nations, the salvation of Israel, and the establishment of the Messiah as King. Chapters 9-14 are divided into two parts: 9-11 deal with the destruction of the nations and the rise of Israel. 12-14 emphasize the spiritual restoration of Israel. And though we see salvation of Israel in the first section also, its main emphasis is on the political scene.

Zechariah was the grandson of Iddo, who had returned to Jerusalem with 43,000 of the children of Israel in 538 B.C. under Zerubbabel following the seventy-year captivity of Israel in Babylon (Ezra 2:64; Neh. 12:4, 6; Zech. 1:1). The former glory of Israel was only a memory. Although the people had begun to rebuild their cities, the work came to a halt in the process. The surrounding nations posed a threat to the Jews, who were unable to defend themselves against an attack. Therefore God encouraged them to rebuild Jerusalem and trust Him to protect them by sending the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.

1. The purpose of Zechariah’s prophecy
Zechariah begins his prophecy of encouragement to Israel, saying, “The Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comforting words…. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts: My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad, and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem” (1:13, 17). Zechariah’s message was a comforting message, like that of Isaiah, who said, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God” (Isa. 40:1). Although the great and glorious city of Jerusalem was in ruins, God would inspire and enable them to restore it. That was the message of the first eight chapters.

The rest of the book focuses on the future. Rather than the immediate rebuilding of Jerusalem in his own time, Zechariah envisions the great restoration of God’s Kingdom in the end times. He takes one giant step from history to the fulfillment of prophecy at the end of the ages. However the two parts of this book are connected with the theme of God’s love for Israel and His faithfulness to fulfill His promise to His people–not only to rebuild Israel historically, but to establish His victorious reign in the end times.

2. The pledge of God’s promise
God’s promise of a temporal restoration of Jerusalem was fulfilled a few decades after Zechariah’s time. But that was only a pledge of what God was planning to do in the end. It was simply a way to prove to His people that He meant to keep His promises. The Jewish person could recall how God restored his capital city and be confident that He would keep His Word in the future. Frequently in the Old Testament when God gave a prophecy regarding the distant future, He also gave a short- term prophecy with an closer historical fulfillment. It served as a signpost to the greater fulfillment in the future. Such a pattern instilled confidence that what was prophesied would surely happen in the future. The historical fulfillment was God’s tangible token of His promise. For example Daniel prophesied about the Antichrist in the end times, and the closer historical fulfillment was a king by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes (cf., 11:21-35). Antiochus was given in the prophecy as a signpost of the Antichrist.

In the same way chapter 9 distinguishes between two conquerors. The first conqueror (vv. 1-8) was the closer historical fulfillment of the second conqueror, who is yet to come (vv. 9-17). The first conqueror’s name is not given in the text but from the circumstances described, he is obviously Alexander the Great. He was an unrighteous pagan used by God to destroy the nations and preserve Israel. He is a human picture of Christ returning to judge the nations and save Israel at the end of the Tribulation. The implication is that if God can do that through a godless human, imagine what He will do in the end times through the divine conqueror when He comes! [more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Article: https://www.gty.org/library/study-guides/164/the-return-and-reign-of-jesus-christ

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“The Second Coming of Christ”
We believe in the second coming of Christ. His return from heaven will be personal, visible and glorious, a blessed hope for which we should constantly watch and pray.1

Before He establishes His kingdom on earth, Jesus will come for His Church, an event commonly referred to as the “Rapture.” At that time the dead in Christ will be raised and living Christians will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.2 In this resurrection, those who have died in Christ will have their redeemed souls and spirits united with a body similar to Christ’s glorified body. Christians living at the time of this event will not die, but will be changed to be like Christ.3 This expectation is a motivation for holy living, as well as a source of comfort.4 No man knows the day or the hour when this will take place.5

After the Rapture of the Church, Christians will be brought before the judgment seat of Christ. He will reward them on the basis of the works they have accomplished.6 This is not a judgment to determine their salvation but a reward for labor on Christ’s behalf.7 The Rapture will also inaugurate a period that the Bible characterizes as the “great day of His wrath,” “the great tribulation” and the “time of Jacob’s trouble.”8 This time of unprecedented difficulty will affect Israel and all nations. Its purpose will be to prepare Israel for her Messiah.9

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return with the hosts of heaven as well as the Church to establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth.10 His Kingdom will last for a thousand years.11 At this Second Coming, the Antichrist will be cast into the Lake of Fire and Satan will be bound for a thousand years. 12 The nations and their representatives will be judged.13 Israel will be restored to her land, never more to be removed.14 Christ will reign with firmness and equity.15 His kingdom will be marked by material and spiritual blessing, since the curse upon the earth will be removed.16

The Messianic kingdom will close with apostasy and rebellion.17 God will crush this uprising in the last battle of the ages and Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire.18 All those who rejected the Word of God will be resurrected.19 They will be judged by Christ and cast into the lake of fire, the place where they will suffer final and everlasting punishment.20

After this judgment there will be a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is the norm.21 There will be a new Jerusalem and the everlasting presence of God among all the redeemed.22

1 Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7
2 1 Corinthians 15:51–54; 1 Thessalonians 4:14
3 1 John 3:2
4 1 John 2:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:18
5 Matt. 24:36; John 6:39
6 Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10
7 1 Corinthians 3:9–15
8 Revelation 6:17; 7:14; Jeremiah 30:7
9 Zechariah 12:2, 3; 14:1–3
10 Revelation 19:7–9, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:15, 16
11 Revelation 20:2, 4–6
12 Revelation 19:20; 20:1–3
13 Joel 3; Matthew 25
14 Amos 9:15; Ezekiel 34:28
15 Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 11:4
16 Romans 8:19-21
17 Revelation 20:7–9
18 Revelation 20:10
19 Revelation 20:11–13
20 Revelation 20:14, 15; Mark 9:48
21 2 Peter 3:13
22 Revelation 21:2, 3; 2:3–5

[ Moody Bible Institute ]

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“JerUSAlem: Armageddon, America, and the Last Days”

Where does America stand in the timeline of biblical prophecy? Why is the United States so tightly tied to the State of Israel? What are the irrefutable signs of the end of the age?

If you know your Bible, you will know that the compass of prophecy always points toward the city of Jerusalem. That is the light that reveals God’s timeline.

And if you are keeping a watchful eye on that volatile city, you will know that we are drawing near to the climax of the ages—the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Are you ready?

[ Living Waters ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5qAC6nP-Og

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“Second Coming Of Christ”

Second Coming of Christ – No One Knows When

The Second Coming of Christ is plagued by many false teachings. Prediction books have even been written picking the exact day of Jesus’ return. These books may sell many copies, but they mislead their readers. There’s one guarantee: As soon as someone predicts the day or time of Jesus Christ’s second coming, that prediction is wrong. Why? Simply, only God the Father knows when it will be — Jesus doesn’t even know. Jesus told His disciples:

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left… Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:36, 40, 42).

Second Coming of Christ – Signs for Keeping Watch
We could just shrug our shoulders and casually wait for the Second Coming of Christ. However, Jesus wants us to “keep watch.” A great way to keep watch is to know what the Bible reveals about upcoming events and compare those to what we see happening today. There are nearly 100 biblical passages discussing the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The key events can be summarized with the acrostic: S – E – C – O – N – D.

S…Sudden. As we saw above, no one but the Father knows when. However, we do know it will take place “as lightning.” Matthew 24:27 says, “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

E…Essential. One of the foundations of the Christian faith is Jesus’ second coming. It is spoken of by Jesus and many others in the Bible. Jesus will physically come again for all His believers and for His final judgment. Unfortunately, some Christian cults teach that Christ “secretly” returned already. As you read what the Bible says about the Second Coming of Jesus, it will be obvious that it hasn’t happened yet.

C…Christ’s Final Judgment. The Bible declares that Jesus will be the final judge of the world (John 5:22, Acts 10:42 and 2 Timothy 4:1). Some of the additional verses describing the second coming, resurrection of the dead, millennium, and final judgment are located in Acts 17:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 and Hebrews 10:27.

O…Obvious. There are over 6 billion people on the planet. God only knows what percentage are truly Christians, but let’s use a conservative number like 10%. If this is true, over 600,000,000 people will vanish from the earth simultaneously according to Matthew 24:40. There will be no mistaking when Christ comes back for His Church!

N…No One Knows When. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said only God the Father knows when. God is outside time. God already knows every prediction regarding Jesus’ return that has ever been or will ever be made. Since Jesus said that no one knows about that day but the Father, NO ONE KNOWS!

Second Coming of Christ – The “D” is for “Doubters”
As we get closer and closer to the Second Coming of Christ, there will be increasing and widespread doubt about whether Jesus even existed. People will also start wondering if God really exists and believers will leave the Christian faith (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, and 2 Peter 2:1-3). Do you think we’re already seeing these signs?

[ All About Jesus Christ ]

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“Ready or Not—Here I Come!, Part 1”

We open our Bibles this morning to Matthew chapter 24, looking again at the signs of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the signs of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I don’t know about your childhood, but my childhood was filled with lots of games. I – when I look back and think of myself as a child, I don’t think of myself in a house, I think of myself outdoors. Maybe that’s because I lived much of my life in Southern California. And we used to play all kinds of outdoor games. And one of the ones that we often played, and you did too, was Hide and Seek. And somebody was “it” and everybody ran and hid and the game was sort of triggered when the person who was “it” said, “Here I come” – what’s the rest? – “ready or not.” You played it, too. Wasn’t a very sophisticated game, but that’s the way it went. “Here I come, ready or not.”

Well, that statement, if referred to the Lord Jesus Christ, has great and profound eschatological implications. And the text in Matthew 24 that we’ll be looking at this morning really could be titled “Here I come, ready or not” because that’s exactly what it teaches. It is a text that deals with the suddenness and the unexpectedness of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re going to be looking at verses 36 through 42 of Matthew 24, and this is really only part one in the message that takes us all the way down through verse 51.

Now, I want you to remember the setting so that you understand where we are in this tremendous gospel and in the life of our Lord. He is only a few hours now from betrayal and execution on the cross. He sits on the Mount of Olives and His disciples approach Him with a very important question that’s on their minds and it’s given us in verse 3. They say, “Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the age?”

They have this feeling inside that the end of the age of man is very near, that the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is coming very soon. They have been led to believe that because He is, after all, the King and He is there. He has done signs and wonders to prove His kingdom power. He has recently denounced the false religious leaders of Israel. He has cleansed out the temple of all of the godless enterprises that were being done in that place. He has also announced that there will come soon a desolation of the whole temple complex, and He even has pronounced the truth that He would come in glory. And all of these things have led them to believe that it must be very, very soon. In fact, Luke 19:11 says they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. I mean it seemed to them that He was there announcing Himself as King, He was there destroying the false religious system that existed in order that He might establish the true spiritual kingdom promised to them by the prophets of old. And so they were filled with anticipation. [more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2373/ready-or-nothere-i-come-part-1

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“Ready or Not—Here I Come!, Part 2”

Sermon: Matthew 24:43–51

I invite you again this morning to open your Bible, if you will, to the 24th chapter of Matthew. We are again this week going back to what is becoming for us a familiar text, this great sermon of our Lord Jesus Christ on His own second coming that occupies chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew’s gospel. We have come now to the section in verse 36 through 51. We began in our last time together to look at these verses, and we’ll conclude that look this morning.

We sang this morning a hymn that indicated that we were looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And all of us as Christians so live in anticipation of His coming. One theologian – I believe it was Oscar Cullmann – said, “The Christian exists in a tension between what is already and what is not yet.” We have already experienced salvation; we have not yet experienced the fullness of salvation, that is, the redemption of our bodies. We have already received the power of the Holy Spirit; we have not yet seen the fullness of that power in bringing us to full glory. We have already received life eternal; we have not yet participated in the resurrection.

And so we are in a sense caught between the already and the not yet, and we live in that tension. Looking back to the cross, looking forward to the second coming, living already in the last days and not yet in the last of the last days. Every believer, then, lives with a sense of what is already true and what is not yet come to pass. We live with that excitement, that thrill, that joy of looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the writer of the Hebrews puts it in these words: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

Yes, already He has borne our sins, but we look for Him because not yet has He come the second time unto full and glorious salvation. Peter puts it this way: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to the abundant mercy hath already begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us.” Yes, already have we been begotten again, but not yet have we entered fully into our inheritance. And 1 John 3 says, “Beloved, it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Yes, we have received Jesus Christ, yet we are not yet like Christ in all ways. [ more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2374/ready-or-nothere-i-come-part-2

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“The Victor Who Returns”

How will this world (as we know it) come to an end. What role will Jesus and His believers have in these events. Listen carefully to this powerful and interesting message by Pastor David Jeremiah as he brings the Bible to life about these end times.

[ David Jeremiah ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymH8iTBKVX0

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“The Second Coming of Christ”

One day you’ll see Jesus face-to-face. Hear Billy Graham explain how Christians should live in the meantime in this 1990 message from Albany, New York.

[ Billy Graham ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_47JL0sLoFE

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“Will Jesus Really Return to Earth? The Second Coming of Christ”

Interview with Timothy Paul Jones, Professor of Leadership, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfSSasNGpBE

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“The Tribulation, the Temple and the Antichrist”

There’s a reason Pastor Billy Crone is one of our favorite guests. He always brings us tremendous information on all of the things happening behind the scenes in Bible prophecy. It’s been 2700 years since the Old Testament prophet Zechariah penned his prophetic perspective on the future. You may not know it, but he wrote about nuclear war, the Tribulation, the battle of Armageddon, and the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ. 2700 years ago!

[ Billy Crone ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL0hkG2HwLM&t=339s

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“The Final Countdown Tribulation Rising: The Jewish People and the AntiChrist”

[ Billy Crone ]

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui9VBLRqBmI
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjBFTbA2LYc
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqvlzqOHInU
Part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsBNC6phR8
Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buueZ93XsI
Part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i2IANCbs6A
Part 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu1SOzu7zFc
Part 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2ZuJ_lnx88

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SONGS
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“ZION”

Verse 1
O daughters of Zion
O Abraham’s sons (Psalm 105:6-9)
Hear the words of your Father (Deut 6:4)
Hear His promise of love (Lev 26:42-45)
I will make you a blessing (Gen 12:3)
Count the stars if you can (Gen 15:5)
You will be a great nation (Gen 12:2)
I will give you this land (Gen 17:8)

Chorus
I will bring you back home (Ez 11:17)
Bring you back home Oh My children (Ez 36:24)
You will no longer roam
Lost and alone in the night (Jer 31:22-23)
There is nothing on earth
that could take you away (Jer 3:18)
Once I gather you under My wings (Isa 11:12)
I will bring you all back home
Again (Zeph 3:20)

Verse 2
Though you’ve wandered like strangers (Jer 5:19)
To the ends of the earth (Isa 41:9)
I will send you a savior (Isa 19:20)
I will finish my work (Isa 46:13)
You have no other shepherd
You have no other lord (Isa 45:5)
Green pastures are waiting
In Zion once more (Isa 49:8-11)

Bridge
So we pray for the peace (Psalm 122:6)
But look to the East
For the Sun rises sudden and fierce (Zech 14:4)
Every prophet and priest
And king in the City (Zech 12:12-13)
Will look on the One they have pierced
We will mourn for the One we have pierced (Zech 12:10-11, Isa 53:5)

Verse 3
But don’t fear O my daughters or sons of Abraham
I will wash you with water (Zech 13:1)
I will offer the Lamb (Isa 53:6-8, Gen 22:8)
Though your sins were like scarlet
They’ll be whiter than snow (Isa 1:18)
I have always been with you
I will never let go (Deut 31:8)

[ Aaron Shust ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j7X_ret3D4

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“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem”

[ Mariano Jose Jimenez ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW1pxP2FMIQ

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“Streets of Jerusalem”

Will Callery feat. Danny Brooks

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKEEM-XBIU

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“Jerusalem”

John saw a city that could not be hidden
John saw the city, oh yes he did
John caught a glimpse of the golden throne
Tell me all about it, go right on
Around the throne he saw the crystal sea
There’s got to be more, what will it be
I want to go, to that city he saw
New Jerusalem

Jerusalem
I want to walk your streets that are golden
And I want to run where the angels have trod
Jerusalem
I want to rest on the banks of your river
In that city, the city of God

John saw the lion lay down by the lamb
I want to know everything about that land
John saw the day but he did not see night
The lamb of God well, he must be the light
And he saw the saints worship the great I am

Crying worthy, worthy is the lamb
I want to go to that city he saw
New Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Sing for the night is over
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna forever
Forever more

Jerusalem
I want to walk your streets that are golden
And I want to run where the angels have trod
Jerusalem
I want to rest on the banks of your river
In that city, the city of God
The city of God
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
The city of God, is the city of God.

[ The Hoppers – “Live From Toronto” album ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2j5uq0rYXA

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“Jerusalem”

Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show, show the way, to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.

The walls will keep you in, the walls will keep you out.
The gates are calling those, who know what it’s about.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show (you will show), show the way (show the way), to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.

Jerusalem is old, Jerusalem is new,
Jerusalem can hold, Moslem, Christian, Jew.

In Jerusalem, Jerusalem all roads lead to you.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem your light is shinning through.
And you will show (you will show), show the way (show the way), to all who see it shine,
That we can live, in peace, in Jerusalem this time.

The markets and the alleys, the temples and the tombs.
A place for all believers, it has so many rooms.

[ Don Mclean ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uecqKAlMZE

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“Jerusalem”

I woke up this morning, and none of the news was good
Death machines were rumblin’ ‘cross the ground where Jesus stood
And the man on my TV told me that it had always been that way
And there was nothing anyone could do or say

And I almost listened to him
Yeah, I almost lost my mind
And I regained my senses again
Looked into my heart to find

That I believe that one fine day all the children of Abraham
Will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem

Well maybe I’m only dreamin’ and maybe I’m just a fool
But I don’t remember learnin’ how to hate in Sunday school
Somewhere along the way I strayed and I never looked back again
But I still find some comfort now and then

Then the storm comes rumblin’ in
And I can’t lay me down
And the drums are drummin’ again
And I can’t stand the sound

But I believe there’ll come a day when the lion and the lamb
Will lie down in peace together in Jerusalem

And there’ll be no barricades then
There’ll be no wire or walls
And we can wash all this blood from our hands
And all this hatred from our souls

And I believe that on that day all the children of Abraham
Will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem

[ Steve Earle ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMWBp14kUqY

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“Shalom Jerusalem”

[ Paul Wilbur ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z25R4-1VM_M

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“Jerusalem Arise”

[ Paul Wilbur ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCmbtNruyNg

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“Jerusalem for Songs of Praise”

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear: o clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariots of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

[ Katherine Jenkins ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x_jgWm0QFA

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“The New Jerusalem”

[ Melody Joy ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HuGpTVSjbU

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“Holy City, New Jerusalem”

Holy city, New Jerusalem
(Thank you Jesus)
Coming down from God out of heaven.
Holy city longing for you
We shall see the king in his glory
(Lord Jesus)

When we enter the gates of that city, (new Jerusalem)
All the saints of God will shout victory
It will be the beginning of a reunion
Thats gonna last throughout eternity

Holy city new Jerusalem
Coming down from God out of heaven,
Holy city longing for you
We shall see the king in his glory
(Hear this saints)

There will be no temple in that city
(the Holy city)
For God and the lamb will be the temple,
There’ll be no day or night, no sun or moon shining bright
For God and the lamb will be the light.

Holy city new Jerusalem
Coming down from God out of heaven
Holy city longing for you
We shall see the king in his glory

Say it again

Holy city new Jerusalem
Coming down from God out of heaven
Holy city longing for you
We shall see the king in his glory

We shall see the king in his glory
We shall see the king in his glory
We shall see the king in his glory

Holy city new Jerusalem
Coming down from God out of heaven
Holy city longing for you
We shall see the king in his glory

We shall see the king in his glory
We shall see the king in his glory
We shall see the king in his glory

[ Charles Johnson and The Revivers ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiTLAPtC1is

*****************************
“The New Jerusalem”

Come and see… the Holy City, Bride of the Lamb
The New Jerusalem… coming down from heaven…
[CH[ I could not see any temple in the city
For the temple is the Lord Almighty and the Lamb
And the City has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it,
For its light, is God’s glory and its lamp is the Lamb x[2]
The people of the world will walk by its light
And the kings of the earth will bring their treasures…
The gates of the city will stand open all day
For in the city there will never be night!
And nothing that’s unclean will come into the city
And nothing that is shameful and no one who lies
The only ones who’ll enter the City of the Lamb
Will be the ones whose names are written in the Book of Life [CH]
Come and the Holy City… Bride of the Lamb! [CH]
I could not see any temple in the city
For the temple is the Lord Almighty and the Lamb
And the City has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it
For its glory is the light of New Jerusalem!

[ Pauline Communications ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn0eY4aS0LY

*****************************
“The Holy City”

Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang,
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And then me thought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was changed;
New earth there seemed to be;
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o’er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna for evermore!

[ Charles Szabo ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWTBka-QYpo

*****************************
“New Jerusalem”

[ Sensational Nightingales ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_TneIJiyS4

*****************************
“We Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem”

“We pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Peace be in your walls and security in your towers
For my companions’ sake
We say peace be to you…”

[ Awaken Generation Music ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g48RKCOeJsw

*****************************
“Jerusalem of Gold” (“Yerushalayim shel Zahav”)
(With English lyrics)

[ Ofra Haza ]

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8gtdDA5x0

*****************************
“Next Year In Jerusalem”

Official song.

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEiM9_Jljlg

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

APOLOGETIX SONGS
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Very Last City”
(Parody of “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses)

Take me now to the very last city
Where they have safe streets and they’re gold and pretty
(Take me home!) Oh, won’t you please take me home
Take me now to the very last city
Where the massive gates have a pearly finish
(Take me home!) Oh, won’t you please take me home

Brand-new Earth and Heaven under His feet
C’mon! Our King says come to Me
I’m preparin’ a place for all the ones who believe
I’ll see you on the other side
It’s waitin’ at the end of the line

The righteous risen Lord showed the way
You gotta – keep pushin’ toward that fortress of faith
You know it’s – it’s all in Revelation – just you wait
You read in all the chapters you’ll find
21 and 22 are sublime

Take me now to the very last city
Where they have safe streets and they’re gold and pretty
Oh, won’t you please take me home, yeah, yeah
Take me now to the very last city
Where the massive gates have a pearly finish
Take – me – home!

After we’re there in the city, past danger
He’ll wipe our tears, so just try to remember
A certain Gentleman from Nazareth decreed
We have another city naked eyes can’t see
Tell me who you’re gonna believe

Take me now to the very last city
Where they have safe streets and they’re gold and pretty
Take — me – home, yeah, yeah
Take me now to the very last city
Where the massive gates have a pearly finish
Oh, won’t you please take me home – oh yeah!

No more delay — no more decay
No more dismay — still more to say

Have to remember this important part
Now we can only enter with an open heart
He said, don’t wait around for any action to start
You just believe and you’ll find
What are you, blind?
He said it all a million times!

Ohhhhhhh!
I wanna go, I’m gonna go
Oh, won’t you please take me home
I wanna see, I wanna be
Oh, won’t you please take me home
Take me now to the very last city
Where they have safe streets and they’re gold and pretty
Take – me — home!
Take me now to the very last city
Where the massive gates have a pearly finish
Oh, won’t you please take me home
Take me now, take me now
Oh, won’t you please take me home
I wanna see, I’m gonna be
Oh, won’t you please take me home
MINI LEAD

I wanna see — where I’m gonna be
Oh — oh, take me home
Take me now to the very last city
Where they have safe streets and they’re gold and pretty
Oh, won’t you please take me home
I wanna go, I — wanna go
Oh, won’t you please take me home
Yeah, baby! Whee!

[ ApologetiX – “Nichey” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XaoPDNDQco

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“Temple Physician”
(Parody of “Pinball Wizard” by The Who)

Ever since I was a young boy I prayed in the synagogue
That somehow the Messiah would rush to save us all
But I ain’t seen nothing like Him in any Jerusalem hall
The deaf, dumb and blind came — the Lord Jesus healed them all

They says He’s got an attitude — He’s not part of the regime
Healin’ all the lepers — although they’re unclean
Breakin’ men’s traditions — that didn’t count at all
The deaf, dumb and blind came — the Lord Jesus healed them all

He’s a temple physician — a pastor to the sick
A temple physician — one touch just does the trick

Why do they think He’s trouble? I don’t know!
Some say He’s no good

And when John the Baptist was havin’ some doubts in jail
He sent people to Christ to ask Him, “Hey, Christ, what’s the deal?”
All Jesus said was, “Relay — everything you saw
The deaf, dumb and blind came — the Lord just healed them all”

The Romans want a very evil king
But God just handed down Israel’s crown to Him

Even Sabbath Day He’s available — Jesus needs no rest
His disciples believe in Him — and we just must confess
If God’s savin’ sick and sinners — maybe we should call
The deaf, dumb and blind came — The Lord Jesus healed them all

[ ApologetiX – “Jesus Christ Morningstar” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piH-OihGwzY

*****************************
“Bathwater”
(Parody of “Backwater” by The Meat Puppets)

When will you wake up to the warning
‘Cause Jesus may come back today
Like the flood of Noah, His appearing
Will surprise the world and happen suddenly

Some think He never came
And they say He won’t come back here but He’s going to just the same
The date’s been prearranged
He’ll be back in a hurry – there are some people who’d better change

And when they say He’s been gone a long time
They laugh and say He’s kinda late
Just when they say there’s peace and safety
Destruction comes on them suddenly

Some think He never came
And they say He won’t come back here but He’s going to just the same
I maybe see a drain
With the bathwater circling – there are some people who’d better change

They are blind to the signs
Now’s the time for you to decide

You’d better wake up to the warning
‘Cause Jesus may be on His way
Though we might not know the day or evening
We’re still one day closer now than yesterday

Some think He never came
And they say He won’t come back here but He’s going to just the same
I maybe see a drain
With the bathwater circling – there are some people who’d better change

[ ApologetiX – “Apoplectic” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_gKoTQb_Y

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“Bible In Hand”
(Parody of “Travelin’ Band” by Creedence Clearwater Revival)

See the Lord in Heaven’s comin’ out of the sky
Well, He said He’d come to get us and He did not lie
You gotta move
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand, yeah
Well, it’s time for Christ to land
Find Him while you can
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Let me do a show and tell
I ain’t gonna go to hell
C’mon, c’mon, won’t you let me tell the truth
You gotta move
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand, yeah
Well, it’s time for Christ to land
Try to understand
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Listen’ to the way to go
Talkin’ to all the lost souls
Come to God through Christ you gotta call His name and listen Gotta move
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand, yeah
Well, it’s time for Christ to land
Try to understand
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand

LEAD
He will come again like a thief in the night
Will you finally recognize Him – will you get that we were right? You gotta move
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Well, it’s time for Christ to land
Find Him while you can
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Whoa!

SECOND LEAD
Whoa! Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Find Him while you’ve still got a chance
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Well, the time is close at hand
Find Him while you can
Prayin’ with a Bible in hand
Whoa!

[ ApologetiX – “The Boys Aren’t Backin’ Down” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA3dfdfB3E8

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“Casket Place”
(Parody of “Basket Case” by Green Day)

Do we have much time to live until we find
A lot of things are happening all at once?
Violent crime explodes – the Lord has many foes
Morality is low – they’re proud about it

Sometimes I think this world’s asleep
Soon we just might be history
It all keeps adding up — I think I’m waking up
I’m not just paranoid — I’m not alone

I went to great lengths – to analyze these things
It’s just like back in Second Timothy now
I read through some more in Matthew 24
To get some signs when God will bring the first round

Sometimes I think this world’s asleep
3:1 through 5, Second Timothy
It all seems bad enough – I think I’m packin’ up
He might just tarry more – He might just come

Oh oh
Last days soon unfold – so you better know God
LEAD

Sometimes I think this world’s asleep
Keep your eyes on the Middle East
The whole scene’s getting rough – I think that backs it up
And I just can’t ignore – the signs I’m shown

[ ApologetiX – “I Know You Are, but What Am I?” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS5JzHdnonI

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“Christ’s Wedding”
(Parody of “White Wedding” by Billy Idol)

They will insist that God’s one true Son
May have been hitched to Mary Magdalene
Hey, use the Scriptures to refute them and
They will resist and choose just what they want
Hey, they resisted God’s Son

Here’s what I’d say to startle them:
“It’s a nice day for Christ’s wedding”
It’s a nice way to startle them

Hey, little Christian, who will the Lord wed?
(Ooh ooh ooh)
Page through the Scriptures, quote your passages
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Read Revelation 19:6–9
Read Revelation chapter 21
Verse 9 and 10 will shock them

Here’s what I’d say to startle them:
“It’s a nice day for Christ’s wedding”
It’s a nice way to startle them! Oh!

Pick it up! Take the Bridegroom’s Word

Hey, little Christian, God’s one true Son
(Ooh ooh ooh)
Gave us a list to do before He comes
(Go into all of the world and tell everyone)
Christ’s been away for so long (So long)
Christ’s wedding day will still come (Still come)
Christ let you know so hold on

Here’s what I’d say to startle them:
“C’mon, it’s a nice day for Christ’s wedding”
It’s a nice way to startle them! Oh!

There is not just one single girl
He marries all men saved from this world
And there’s nothing pure on this earth
But the sovereign Lord loves His church
And He’s comin’ back, so let’s work Startle them!
C’mon, it’s a nice day for Christ’s wedding!
Whoa! It’s a nice way to — startle them!
t’s a nice way to — startle them!
It’s a nice way to — startle them!

[ ApologetiX – “You Can’t Say Euphrates
Without the 80’s” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYj2CYoMHZ8

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“Gimme Pre-Trib”
(Parody of “Gimme Three Steps” by Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Our Lord’s comin’ for us
And there’s a day called the Judgment
But the world ain’t in the mood
Then in walks a man with an un-Christian plan
And he’s a-workin’ for you-know-who
He’s a hateful fellow if you dare to rebel though
‘Cause you’ll die if you do
So it’s a time to prepare if you’re a man who’s scared There just might be an out for you … to say excuse me! Well, there’s several theories for that time
Our Lord takes us like a thief on a spree
‘Cause there’s a pre- and mid- and post-trib Rapture
And folks who like none of these
Oh, take a minute, Christians, and look at First Corinthians In verse 15:52
And then both Thessalonians and in Matthew twenty- Four and Revelation for clues
But won’t you gimme pre-trib, gimme pre-trib Rapture Gimme pre-trib or before
Gimme pre-trib, gimme pre-trib Rapture
And they’ll never see me no more
For sure

LEAD
Well, it’s not clear today when those events take place And we oughta dwell on the Lord
And I tell you: for some, to debate’s more fun
Than to wait for the Lord’s reward
He’ll return for me and them and you
That’s the day I’ll be looking for
And you’ll be hearin’ me singin’ the highest praise
As I’m heading up toward the Lord
But won’t you gimme pre-trib, gimme pre-trib Rapture Gimme pre-trib or before
Gimme pre-trib, gimme pre-trib Rapture
Don’t know when we’re gonna see the Lord
Don’t even act sure

[ ApologetiX – “Hot Potato Soup” album]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-WNlR8_PsY

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“Lightning Flashes”
(Parody of “Lightning Crashes” by Live)

Lightning flashes all over the sky Weather center calls for a storm This ain’t no ordinary sky
The invasion begins
Who thought that God would step in and stop the war? Lightning flashes … an old book of mine
Clearly mentioned all this before
We ain’t supposed to be surprised
But the few who prepared
Are gone now as we face the wrath of God
Ooh, I see Him comin’ back again
Like the lightning comes from east to the west
Faces fallin’ as the Son returns to earth again … I can see Him Lightning flashes … the moment of Christ
This moment He’s been waitin’ for
The angel hosts have arrived!
Pale and paralyzed, we face the Son
But the glory is too bright! Bright!
Ooh, I see Him comin’ back again
Like the lightning comes from east to the west
Voices callin’ out as sinners on the earth confess, “I believe it!” Ooh, I see Him comin’ back again
Like the lightning comes from east to the west
We’re so sorry, but repentence doesn’t work right then, I can see it Ooh, I see Him comin’ back again
Like He told in Matthew’s Gospel back then
Chapter 24 the 27th verse, amen … I believe it

[ ApologetiX – “Ticked” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOpzUnPlMBU

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“The Wonder of Christmas”
(Parody of “I Wish” performed by Stevie Wonder)

Lookin’ back on when Christ was a little Nazareth-headed boy
When the snowy flurries come for Christmas that will be my joy
In the snow we sometimes will forget something
He’s no longer little – that boy’s the King of Kings

Please get out the black book
To find out what they put ’bout Christmastide – ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Seems the first two chapters
Of only Matthew and Luke’s Gospels show that side
Christ’s already changed the water to the wine
In John’s second chapter — don’t get too far behind

That Christmas babe could come back once more
One of these days – and – how very fast He’s grown
That Christmas babe could come back once more
One of these days – and – I’m very glad to know
‘Cause I love Him so
Doo-doo doo-doo doo — doo doo doo doo doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo doo-doo doo – doo doo doo-doo-doo

Brother let me tell you
Cause you’re plainly not some witless churl
Just can’t go around doing anything you want in this whole wide world
Father gives His Son as – you learned in Sunday school
Don’t trade Him for Santa – after church is through

He spoke of resurrection
Frightened them so much they planned His fall (We must destroy!)
He was sentenced to death
No principle offense was found at all
He rose up, returned for – 40 days and nights
But when He was through with that He rose up out of sight

That Christmas babe could come back once more
One of these days – and – verify He’s grown
That Christmas babe could come back once more
One of these days – and – very fast, you know

[ ApologetiX – “Double Take” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJTel_YtHc

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“In Armageddon Valley (Someday)”
(Parody of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” by The Monkees)

The global clock moves down to zero while the armies march along
They surround Israel’s weakened sides; They’re just about to throw their bombs

In Armageddon Valley someday (someday)
Christ’s returning in the air
Rows of thousands that have that have called His name
And no one seems too scared

Jesus displays his power today. He’s got His soldiers on platoon.
They met the Beast who can’t believe he got defeated there so soon

In Armageddon Valley someday (someday)
Fiercest battle in the land
Bible explains about a war like this
And the simple don’t understand

The future comforts those
who know He won their souls
They’re lookin’ forward to this scene
Armageddon day
It isn’t so far away
You need to change your loyalty

Da da ta ta…

In Armageddon Valley someday (someday)
Christ’s returning in the air
In Armageddon Valley someday
Fiercest battle in the land

In Armageddon Valley someday (Armageddon Valley someday)…

[ ApologetiX – “Biblical Graffiti” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK75BbqY6aQ

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DEEP THOUGHTS
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
[ Dalai Lama ]

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
[ Susan Sontag ]

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
[ Mark Twain ]

“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.”
[ Rick Steves ]

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”
[ Hilaire Belloc ]

“And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.”
[ Pico Iyer ]

“If you don’t like a place, maybe you don’t know enough about it… Give a culture the benefit of your open mind.”
[ Rick Steves ]

“Travel has a way of stretching the mind.”
[ Ralph Crawshaw ]

“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.”
[ Benjamin Disraeli ]

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilization, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.”
[ Robert Louis Stevenson ]

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.”
[ Robert Frost ]

“I have a New Year’s tradition. I lay all my travel dreams on the table, sort them out, prioritize, and begin the process of turning those dreams into reality.”
[ Rick Steves ]

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”
[ Robert Louis Stevenson ]

“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.”
[ G.K. Chesterton ]

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
[ Ibn Battuta ]

“Oh the places you’ll go.”
[ Dr. Seuss ]

“To me, understanding people and their lives is what travel is about, no matter where you go.”
[ Rick Steves ]

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
[ Anita Desai ]

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
[ Gustave Flaubert ]

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
[ Marcel Proust ]

“I travel around the world in a way that tries to open my mind and give me empathy and inspire me to come home and make this world a better place.”
[ Rick Steves ]

“Traveling allows you to become so many different versions of yourself.”
[ Author unknown ]

“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves.”
[ Pico Iyer ]

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
[ Anonymous ]

“People don’t take trips — trips take people.”
[ John Steinbeck ]

“Travel – the best way to be lost and found at the same time.”
[ Brenna Smith ]

“Travel teaches toleration.”
[ Benjamin Disraeli ]

“A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles.”
[ Tim Cahill ]

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
[ Martin Buber ]

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”
[ Paul Theroux ]

“You can shake the sand from your shoes, but not from your soul.”
[ Author unknown ]

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
[ St. Augustine of Hippo ]

JERUSALEM

“Jerusalem is a port city on the shore of eternity.”
[ Yehuda Amichai ]

“No city in the world, not even Athens or Rome, ever played as great a role in the life of a nation for so long a time, as Jerusalem has done in the life of the Jewish people.”
[ David Ben-Gurion ]

“Without Jerusalem, the land of Israel is as a body without a soul.”
[ Elhanan Leib Lewinsky ]

“Jerusalem, the center of world interest centuries after other capitals have disappeared; Jerusalem, destined to be completely renewed after Washington, Moscow, Paros and London have joined the other centers of power in the cemetery for dead bodies; Jerusalem, future site of the “holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven.”
[ Arnold Olson ]

“In our time, men have stepped on the moon seeking new Jerusalem in foreign galaxies, but so far the old Jerusalem has not been replaced. She retains an extraordinary hold over the imagination, generating for three hostile faiths, in perfectly interchangeable phrases, the fear as well as the hope of Apocalypse.”
[ Amos Elon ]

“With the political world in utter confusion as it is today; the economic world in a hopeless tangle; suicidal wars being prepared; Palestine looming up as the cockpit of a terrible “holy war,” and world diplomats trying to partition a land that God said cannot be parted without bringing a curse upon the perpetrators (Joel 3:2)—how can we doubt that we stand at the very consummation of the age? Never has it been clearer that now that the movements of the Jews furnish a key with which we may unlock the meaning of world events.”
[ Keith L. Brooks ]

“We are part of a much, much larger scheme. The return of the Jewish people is not just a passing episode that will be wiped out by the force of ignorance and stupidity. The life-force of the friends of the Jewish people around the world, especially the Christian world, is enormous. And this partnership will safeguard the Jewish land, will safeguard Zion, will safeguard the eternal city.”
[ Benjamin Netanyahu ]

“If I speak in heat, I speak in zeal. You ask what I wish: my answer is, a national existence, which we have not. You ask me what I wish: my answer is, the Land of Promise. You ask me what I wish: my answer is, Jerusalem. You ask me what I wish: my answer is, the Temple — all we have forfeited, all we have yearned after, all for which we have fought — our beauteous country, our holy creed, our simple manners, and our ancient customs.”
[ Benjamin Disraeli ]

“From the establishment of the Provisional Government we made the peace, the security and the economic consolidation of Jerusalem our principal care. In the stress of war, when Jerusalem was under siege, we were compelled to establish the seat of Government in Tel Aviv. But for the State of Israel there has always been and always will be one capital only – Jerusalem the Eternal. Thus it was 3,000 years ago—and thus it will be, we believe, until the end of time.”
[ David Ben-Gurion ]

“At the same time, we see it our duty to declare that Jewish Jerusalem is an organic and inseparable part of the State of Israel, as it is an inseparable part of the history and religion of Israel and of the soul of our people. Jerusalem is the very heart of the State of Israel. We feel pride in that Jerusalem is sanctified – also in the eyes of adherents of other faiths, and we freely and willingly are ready to make all the necessary arrangements to enable the adherents of the other faiths to enjoy their religious needs in Jerusalem.”
[ David Ben-Gurion ]

“You ask me to repudiate the Balfour Declaration and to stop (Jewish) immigration. This is not in my power … and it is not my wish. … It is manifestly right that the scattered Jews should have a national centre, and a national home to be re-united, and where else but in Palestine, with which for three thousand years they have been intimately and profoundly associated?]

“We think it will be good for the world, good for the Jews, good for the British Empire, but also good for the Arabs who dwell in Palestine … they shall share in the benefits and progress of Zionism.”
[ Winston Churchill ]

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
My prayer for you shall be
The Messiah long awaited,
Will come to set you free.

Through the years your gates have seen
The nations come in power,
Soon, I soon Jerusalem,
Will come your chosen hour.

In that bright day the world shall know,
What favor God has had,
For trodden-down Jerusalem,
The city now made glad.

O Jerusa lem, Jerusalem,
My all the earth soon see,
The blessings that are longed for
All await for thee.”
[ Author unknown ]

MOUNT OF OLIVES

“As I toiled up the Mount of Olives, in the very footsteps of Christ, panting with the heat and the difficult ascent, I found it utterly impossible to conceive that the Deity, in human form, had walked there before me.”
[ Bayard Taylor ]

TEMPLE MOUNT

“Jesus clearly pointed out to His disciples, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount will continue to be the epicenter of global conflict until His second coming.”
[ Jim Haeffele ]

SECOND COMING

“Bible teaching about the Second Coming of Christ was thought of as “doomsday” preaching. But not anymore. It is the only ray of hope that shines as an ever brightening beam in a darkening world.”
[ Billy Graham ]

————————————————————–

RELATED SCRIPTURE VERSES:

MOUNT OF OLIVES

Zechariah 14:4
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.

Mark 11:1
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples

Matthew 24:3
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”

Matthew 24:1-51
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. …

Matthew 21:1
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Zechariah 14:1-21
Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. …

2 Samuel 15:30
But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.

Acts 1:12
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

John 8:1
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Luke 21:37
And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.

JERUSALEM’S THIRD TEMPLE

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 7 helpful votes
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Revelation 11:1-2
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? …

Matthew 24:15
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

SECOND COMING

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

Hebrews 9:28
So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Titus 2:13 10
Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Matthew 24:36
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

1 Thessalonians 5:2
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…

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“A quick summary of the Christian “Gospel”:
JESUS’ PROPITIATION made our SINS FORGIVEN and IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS to us so that we have GOD’S ACCEPTANCE into His Heaven and receive ETERNAL LIFE.”
[ Mark Besh ]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ’pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

FOCUS VERSES:

“If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name.”
[ 1 Kings 8:44 ]

“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.”
[ Psalm 103:15-16 ]

“Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you.”
[ Proverbs 3:28 ]

“Thus says the Lord God: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.”
[ Ezekiel 5:5 ]

“Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
[ Matthew 24:2 ]

“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
[ Matthew 24:3 ]

“Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
[ Matthew 24:33 ]

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
[ Matthew 24:36 ]

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”
[ Matthew 24:42 ]

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
[ Luke 19:38 ]

“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
[ John 3:3-5 ]

“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.”
[ John 4:21 ]

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.”
[ Acts 1:11-12 ]

“And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved.”
[ Romans 9:27 ]

“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
[ James 4:14-17 ]

Mark

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If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

Disclaimer: All the above jokes & inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright are used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness throughout the world.

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LIFE'S DEEP THOUGHTS