• Home
  • Contact
  • Work with Me
  • Start a Blog
  • Shop
↑
  • About
    • About Me
      • About Jess
      • Yearly Roundups
      • 101 in 1001 Goals
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Destinations
    • USA
    • Worldwide
  • Resources
    • Travel
    • Blogging
      • how to start a travel blog
      • tips for new bloggers
      • write me a guest post!
  • Work With Me
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • About
    • About Me
      • About Jess
      • Yearly Roundups
      • 101 in 1001 Goals
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Destinations
    • USA
    • Worldwide
  • Resources
    • Travel
    • Blogging
      • how to start a travel blog
      • tips for new bloggers
      • write me a guest post!
  • Work With Me
  • Subscribe

A Passion and A Passport

Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5

  • About
    • About Me
      • About Jess
      • Yearly Roundups
      • 101 in 1001 Goals
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Destinations
    • USA
    • Worldwide
  • Resources
    • Travel
    • Blogging
      • how to start a travel blog
      • tips for new bloggers
      • write me a guest post!
  • Work With Me
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
You are here: Home / middle east / Experiencing Life As It Was Lived 3,000 Years Ago in Neot Kedumim

Experiencing Life As It Was Lived 3,000 Years Ago in Neot Kedumim

last Updated: February 16, 2018
israel

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Pin it 0
Tweet 0
Share 0

Exploring Biblical Israel in Neot Kedumim

After 6 hours in the airport, including a plane delay of about an hour of so, 12+ hours on the plane, all I wanted to do was change out of my clothes.  (Into new clothes of course.)

Besides the fact that I had been wearing the same top and leggings for these 20 or so hours, I was stuck in my teeny tiny something of a seat on the plane, only stretching my legs every few hours or so.  I hadn’t brushed my teeth in what felt like a few days (gross, I know), feeling this way due to dozing in and out of sleep throughout the duration of the flight.  This was my longest flight to date, and I was unaware of it’s effects on my body.

We sat on a bus for what seemed like hours.  [I later learned that these so-called “hours” I’m complaining about were only 10 minutes…] We were all utterly exhausted, and at this point, after being awake for over 24 hours, not including the time difference, it was completely understandable that we all felt [and looked] like walking zombies.  I shouldn’t complain that much, as I was accepted into Birthright and given this amazing opportunity free of charge.

A little more bus time, and then we were surprisingly greeted with this:

We had arrived at Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, the only nature preserve attempting to re-create the physical setting of the Bible in the world.

625 acres of this.  625 acres!  Now that is a lot of land!  Thanks to Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, who allocated [a lot of] land for the project.

 

A Little History About Neot Kedumim

This idea to set up a place so magical dates back to the 1920’s, first conjured by Russian immigrants.  After 40+ years of hard work and determination, the project finally took off in 1964.

In order for this idea to come to life, thousands of tons of soil had to be trucked in and spread upon the land.  Reservoirs had to be dug.  Terraces were restored.  Wine presses and ritual baths were reconstructed.  And plants of great variety were planted around.

Basically, a lifetime of work to make this dream a reality.

Our Day 3,000 Years Ago

We passed by olive trees, pomegranates, and other fauna.  Which, to be honest, I cannot remember.  Most likely from my lack of sleep.

We were able to watch the remarkably skilled scribe demonstrate the ancient art of writing scrolls. We learned how the ink and parchment are prepared before each and every writing takes place. We also had the privilege of hearing him read from a 200-year-old Torah, while he gave explanations about sacred relics.  The scribe was super friendly and made sure our experience was not only beneficial but fun.

After watching the impeccably detailed work of the scribe, and looking at the 200 year old Torah, we had the chance to make our own traditional spice mixture. Using mortars and pestles, we made our own Zatar, a green spice made from grinding dried hysopp plants. It kind of reminded me of oregano. It smelled delicious, just like pizza!
[But the little baggies we were given for storage sure did look like little dime baggies to most of us. Instead of getting question after question for the remainder of our trip, our spices ended up somewhere in the middle of the preserve…]

 

 
We visited an ancient olive tree, and learned how olive oil is made was a huge stone press.  Olive oil is one of the Seven Species of the Land of Israel.  I wish I could put it on everything in sight, I just love it that much.

 

 

Want to learn how to operate an authentic olives press?  Learn to write on parchment like a Torah scribe with a quill pen?  Herd some sheep?  Go on the Wedding Trail?  You can do it all here.


This picturesque landscape really takes the visitor out of the present day and transports them to biblical times, the closest thing possible to time travel.

How to Get There: Neot Kedumim is located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, only a 10 minute drive from the Ben Gurion International Airport.  This makes it a great spot to go upon arrival or right before take off.

Neot Kedumim is open Sunday-Thursday 8:30am -4pm.Friday 8:30am-1pm. Closed Saturday. 

Prices: Entrance for the self guided tour, including the map and an explanation leaflet is 25 NIS per person (students, soldiers and elderly: 20 NIS). Guided tours must be arranged in advance and can be done in Hebrew, English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, and Russian. The price is 700-800 NIS for groups of up to 20 and the tours run approximately three hours.


What a unique landscape.  If you are going to Israel and want to experience life as it was lived  3,000 years ago, this is the place to go.


Did you enjoy this post? If so, please consider sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or via Email. Also, I’d love to keep sending you updates about my adventures around the world, so please subscribe to A Passion and A Passport via RSS or by email!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Pin it 0
Tweet 0
Share 0

Filed Under: middle east Tagged With: israel

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Creative nomad says

    February 28, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    Amazing!!! I so want to do this! its going on the bucket list. The writing scrolls thing looked way cool!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      March 2, 2013 at 10:41 pm

      it was so fascinating! I highly recommend it!!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ayelet - All Colores says

    March 4, 2013 at 6:31 am

    I hear you about long flights! And Taglit is such a great opportunity. Someone once told me registration closes fast because so many people want to apply – so glad you got in 🙂 The day you're describing sounds really fun. What an interesting way to start your trip in Israel!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      March 9, 2013 at 6:18 am

      I was so thankful I got in- my rabbi actually helped us with the application process, and made some phone calls 😉 Neot Kedumim was a great way to start our trip- so much history, right away! couldnt take it all in after that long flight!

      Reply

hey there

Hi, I’m Jess. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips.

About 101 in 1001 Contact

love to travel?

Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more!

No spam, only fun!

About International USA California Itinerary Planning Resources Travel Shop

Favorite Travels

A Charming Day Trip from Mérida to Izamal, Yucatan: Mexico’s Magical Yellow City

Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Portugal

Everything You Need to Know About Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Portugal

The Best Tulum Itinerary: Mexico’s Popular Boho Chic Beach Town

A Perfect 10 Days in Portugal: The Best Portugal Itinerary You’ll Ever Find

Travel Recaps

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22

Start a Blog!

for only $3.95/month! Save Now

Guide to San Francisco

We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations!

All First Timers Guide Things to Do What/where to Eat Sweets and Treats Jess’s Itinerary

You may also love...

Israel is Incredible: A Journey through Instagram
Floating at the Lowest Point on Earth: The Dead Sea
Sunrise at Mount Masada: A Bright and Cheery Photo Essay

Subscribe To The Newsletter

FOR TRAVEL INSPO and FUN

No spam, only fun!

Favorite Destinations

California. California
Greece. Greece
Mexico. Mexico
Hawaii. Hawaii
A Passion And A Passport Logo

About

  • About Jessica
  • 101 in 1001 Goals
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Resources

  • How to Plan a Trip
  • Fave Travel Companies
  • Shop My Faves
  • Start a Blog

Destinations

  • World Travel
  • USA Travel
  • California
  • BLOG

California

  • San Francisco
  • Northern California
  • Southern California
  • Central Coast
©2023, A Passion and A Passport. About Work With Me Privacy Policy Back To Top
Design by Pixel Me Designs