Tours to Israel » Туры » The Holy Land Through the Eyes of an Intellectual
“The Holy Land Through the Eyes of an Intellectual” with Andrey Bilzho, created by the Mikhail Kozhukhov Travel Club together with Israel2Go.
Jerusalem is one of the oldest and most famous cities on Earth — a sacred city for three religions, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year. Yet a journey to Jerusalem is fascinating not only for its cultural and spiritual heritage. It is also a vibrant, noisy, and colorful city where countless traditions, cultures, and nationalities intertwine. Jerusalem always finds a way to surprise.
In early November, when the intense summer heat finally subsides, we will travel to the Holy Land in the company of writer, artist, and intellectual Andrey Bilzho, who firmly believes that everyone should visit this place at least once.
We will explore not only the major pilgrimage sites, but also the “Bulgakov-style” Jerusalem, searching for mystical parallels between the famous novel and real life. We will visit local homes for a traditional meal and learn the subtleties of kosher cuisine, stroll through ancient vineyards in the company of a winemaker, sample Arab cuisine, relax at the Dead Sea, and wander through eastern bazaars.
Andrey will also introduce us to his friend, art therapist Sasha Galitsky, who has lived in Israel for many years and teaches wood carving in retirement homes. Over a glass of wine, we will talk about life and take part in a workshop during which a new character — and symbol of friendship — named Vangogich will come to life.
Once again, we emphasize that this journey will take place only if the epidemiological situation allows for it. However, you may already reserve your place now in order to receive priority when the group is formed.
Traditional Cuisine in Abu Ghosh and Introduction to the Holy Land
We arrive in Tel Aviv on a morning flight, where we are greeted at the airport by our friend and guide, Boris.
On the way to Jerusalem, we stop for lunch at a small restaurant serving traditional cuisine in the village of Abu Ghosh, nestled in the Judean Hills. Here we will get to know one another, meet Andrey Bilzho, and, of course, discuss the plans for our upcoming journey.
Afterwards, we take a promenade through Armon HaNatziv, whose name in Hebrew means “Governor’s Palace.” Toward evening, we descend to the Western Wall, the sacred place to which thousands of Jews make pilgrimage every year.
Overnight stay at a cozy hotel in the center of Jerusalem.
In the morning, we depart for Bethlehem, the city of the Nativity. In the Basilica of the Nativity, we will reflect on how the coming of Jesus into the world was described by the Evangelist Matthew, Joseph Brodsky, Boris Pasternak, and José Saramago.
Today’s lunch will also be special — a traditional Jewish meal. We will visit friends who carefully preserve the ancient traditions of the Jewish people and taste authentic kosher cuisine.
After lunch, we retrace the sacred path by ascending the Mount of Olives, the highest point in the surroundings of Jerusalem, offering one of the city’s finest panoramas. From there we descend and enter through the Jaffa Gate, making our way toward the palace of Herod — the place where King Herod and Pontius Pilate once met. We will see the house where Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples, visit the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu (“Church of the Cockcrow”), and continue onward toward Golgotha.
We conclude the day in the Old City, where every stone preserves centuries of history. Visits to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Alexander Nevsky Church await us there.
In the evening, we return to the hotel.
The Judean Desert — a land resembling the world at the dawn of creation, a refuge of hermits and a stage for fierce struggles against invaders. It was here that the future King David once hid, and according to tradition, John the Baptist baptized people at the mouth of the Jordan River.
We travel to the traditional site of the Baptism of Jesus on the Jordan River and ascend to the legendary fortress of Masada, a symbol of Israel and the final stronghold of resistance against the Romans.
In the second half of the day, we relax at the Dead Sea. Time to unwind in the spa facilities of one of the seaside hotels while enjoying the healing properties of the mineral-rich waters.
Lunch will also be served by the Dead Sea, and in the evening we return to Jerusalem.
We bid farewell to Jerusalem and head toward Tel Aviv. Along the way, we stop at a winery where wine is still produced from grape varieties cultivated in this land two thousand years ago.
We then continue to Tel Aviv — a city in constant motion, living by its own rhythm and its own rules. We will stroll through the ancient lanes of Jaffa and the modern neighborhoods of Tel Aviv. Afterwards, we will become acquainted with the traditions of an Arab family as we join our friends and gracious hosts, Maysar and Aliya, for lunch in their home.
After lunch, we travel to the small town of Ramat HaSharon, where we meet one of Andrey Bilzho’s longtime friends — art therapist Sasha Galitsky. We will attend his wood sculpture workshop and meet his students, aged from 80 to 100 years old. Conversations there will touch not only on art, but on life itself.
Later, over dinner and a glass of wine, Sasha and Andrey will hold a special joint master class for us. Perhaps a new character will be born there — a fusion of Sasha’s “Van Gogh” and Andrey’s “Petrovich.” We shall call him “Vangogich.” He will remain a reminder of this warm and memorable meeting in Israel.
And now, with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude, we head to the airport.
Until we meet again on future journeys with the Club!