Jerusalem & Holy City

At the southern edge of the Temple Mount, the Davidson Archaeological Park preserves streets, stairways, ritual baths, shops, and monumental stones from the final centuries of the Second Temple period. Walk where pilgrims once approached the Temple, see the remains of the great stairways, and explore the archaeology of Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic Jerusalem. The visit can be paired with the Western Wall, Jewish Quarter, or City of David. The site tells the story of Jerusalem at its busiest: a city of pilgrims, markets, ritual preparation, imperial rule, and a temple that stood at the centre of Jewish life.

Castel National Park stands on the ridge above the main road linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In 1948, control of this hill was central to the battle for access to Jerusalem during the siege of the city. The site combines a Crusader-era fortress with trenches, memorials, and views that make the strategic importance of the hill immediately clear. A guided visit can place the events of 1948 within the larger story of Jerusalem, the British Mandate, and Israel’s independence. The story of Castel shows how one steep hill became central to the fate of Jerusalem, when keeping a single road open meant food, water, connection, and survival for a besieged city.

The Tower of David stands beside Jaffa Gate, at the meeting point of Jerusalem’s Old City walls, markets, quarters, and main historical routes. The museum traces Jerusalem’s story through the city’s many rulers, faiths, communities, and transformations. A guided visit can serve as a strong introduction to the Old City before exploring its streets, churches, synagogues, mosques, and archaeological sites. The story of the Tower of David is the story of Jerusalem itself: no single ruler, faith, or community owns its past, yet each has left a lasting claim on the city’s stones and memory.

The Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem offers a focused introduction to Islamic art, culture, science, and craftsmanship across many regions and centuries. Its collection includes ceramics, metalwork, textiles, jewellery, manuscripts, weapons, and scientific instruments. The museum also holds the rare collection of clocks assembled by Sir David Salomons, including works associated with the French royal clockmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. The story told through the collection is one of exchange rather than separation, with artistic styles, scientific ideas, materials, and skilled craftspeople moving across the Islamic world and between East and West.

Visit the Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally associated with the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This is one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage sites. A private walk can include the Via Dolorosa, the Church of Saint Anne, the Pools of Bethesda, the Ethiopian and Coptic chapels, and the busy lanes surrounding the church. It can focus on the Gospels, Christian pilgrimage, the church’s architecture, or the communities that share it. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also the story of Christian communities that have prayed, negotiated, protected, and sometimes competed over the same sacred space for centuries.

Explore Israel’s wine country with David Perlmutter on a full-day private tour through the Judean Hills. The Judean Hills, west and south of Jerusalem, are one of Israel’s oldest wine-growing areas. Vineyards have been part of this landscape since biblical times, and ancient wine presses, terraces, and archaeological sites can still be found among the hills. In recent decades, the region has become home to some of Israel’s most respected wineries, from established estates to small family-run producers. This day is an introduction to the wines, people, landscapes, and stories of the Judean Hills. We will visit selected wineries, taste local wines, and learn about the region’s long connection to grape growing and winemaking. Along the way, there will be time to enjoy the countryside, stop for lunch, and take in the views. Each tour is planned around the group’s interests, the season, and winery availability. Whether you know wine well or simply enjoy good food, beautiful landscapes, and local stories, this is a relaxed day out in a part of Israel many visitors never get to see. Best for: • Wine lovers of all levels, from curious drinkers to experienced collectors • Couples, adult private groups, and small groups of friends • First-time visitors looking to spend a full day beyond Jerusalem, in a landscape they might not otherwise see • Returning visitors to Israel who want a slower, more specialised day • Kosher-observant travellers. A fully kosher winery route can be arranged Before you go: • No designated driver is needed. David drives • Wear comfortable shoes for walking in vineyards and around wineries • Bring a sun hat and water. The Judean Hills can be hot in summer • Expect a modest amount of walking at each winery • The day includes several wine tastings, so it is worth pacing yourself. David will guide the tastings. Included: • Full-day private guiding with David Perlmutter • Private off-road transport from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv • Two or three winery visits, arranged in advance • Tasting fees at the scheduled wineries • Lunch arrangements, with the meal paid separately Not included: • Lunch. David will arrange the restaurant; payment is made directly • Wine purchases at the wineries • Accommodation before or after the tour Other options: • A half-day Judean Hills tour is also available for travellers with less time. It lasts three to four hours and includes one or two wineries. • Longer wine trips can also be planned, including the Galilee and Golan, Negev boutique wineries, or a north-to-south wine journey. Ask for a custom quote.