巴勒斯坦自治區玩樂指南

The territories consist of the West Bank, a hilly area between the Jordan Valley and the Mediterranean plain, and the Gaza Strip on the coast. Bethlehem, a few kilometres south of Jerusalem, is built around the Church of the Nativity, a UNESCO-listed basilica over the grotto traditionally held to be the birthplace of Jesus, with Manger Square before it.

Narrow stone streets and markets run below, and the hills around hold monasteries such as Mar Saba and the village of Beit Sahour. Hebron, high in the Judean hills, has an old town of Ottoman and Mamluk stone buildings, glassblowing and pottery workshops, and the Ibrahimi Mosque, built above the traditional tomb of Abraham. Jericho, in the Jordan Valley, is among the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth.

Musakhan, roast chicken with sumac, onions and olive oil on flatbread, and maqluba, an upturned dish of rice and vegetables, are favourites, and sweet knafeh is served warm with syrup. Olive oil and za'atar are staples, and the olive harvest falls in October and November. Spring covers the hills with wildflowers, and the winter is cool and wet at altitude.