Ever planned a family vacation? If you have, then I'm sure you'll agree that it's no easy task, especially when kids' satisfaction is a priority. Finding the right destination that can provide a child-friendly atmosphere and a great deal of engagement for little ones may be daunting, since there are few cities that can provide this. The good news is that the ancient city of Jerusalem can come to your rescue in this regard.
A Jerusalem vacation is like taking the young ones centuries back in time, and replaying those historic biblical events before their eyes. The city is richly blessed with centuries of beautiful history and traditions that are guaranteed to captivate your kids. But before you hop on that plane in your quest for the ultimate child-friendly vacation experience, here are a few tips that will be beneficial:
Find the perfect hotel
The first thing to consider when planning a vacation is the hotel reservation. As a matter of fact, you should make hotel reservations before booking your flight. The city is home to a wealth of beautiful Jerusalem hotels, which means you have a lot of options at your disposal when choosing the one most suitable for you. That being said, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. So in order to save you the stress of choosing, I would personally recommend any of the four Dan Jerusalem hotels. The Dan hotels offer unparalleled hospitality and highly satisfactory customer service. You haven't visited Jerusalem if you haven't been to the Dan hotels.
The Dan group comprise four Jerusalem hotels, including the King David Jerusalem Hotel – the well-known among all hotels in Jerusalem. For many tourists, the King Hotel is often chosen as a meeting point of the Old City and dynamic New Jerusalem. If what you seek is a hotel that is situated in unique atmosphere nearby to Jerusalem's top tourist attractions, then the Dan Boutique Hotel is your best bet.
The Dan Panorama Jerusalem, on the other hand, would be ideal for people who wish to discover both the Old City and the modern Jerusalem's fascinating attractions. Last but not least is the Dan Jerusalem Hotel, which is superbly placed on the slopes of Mount Scopus with an exceptional view of the famous historic skyline of the Jerusalem. Dan Hotel offers a luxury hospitality facilities that blends an idyllic environment with fine service.
Credit: Dan Jerusalem Hotel
Take a peek into the past
Jerusalem, though not rich in minerals, is richly blessed with beautiful history and culture. As a matter of fact, you can't have the complete Jerusalem experience without visiting the museums. It is the home of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. You should have a comprehensive plan for a tour of this magnificent city if you really want to relive the past.
You will learn a great deal about the 4,000-year history of the city from the Tower of David. You may ask your guide about a tour of the holiest Christian site in the world – The Church of the Holy Sepulchre – which is said to be the place of the death and burial of Christ.
The Bible Lands museums are not to be left out; they contain artifacts that help your kids delve into the ancient histories. The botanical gardens, the Bible Zoo, the Israel Museum...the city is filled with beautiful and interesting places to visit. Personally, I recommend the time elevator for parents who intend to educate their children (five years old and above) about the history of Jerusalem in about an hour. This machine exposes the child to the progression of Jerusalem from bible days to modern times.
Take part in the festivities
Jerusalem never runs out of activities to enthrall the kids. There are various festivals like the Jerusalem Light Festival in the Old City and the Hebrew Book Festival, which both take place in June. The month of August is also occupied with about five festivals: The Israel Museum Kite Festival, Children's Film Festival, Chutzot Hayotzer Art Festival, International Puppet Festival and the Jerusalem Theater End of Summer Festival, which lasts throughout the month. And don't forget the Passover feast (Pesach)! This makes Jerusalem the perfect spot for your summer holidays, preferably in mid-June. This way your kids can have maximum and uninterrupted fun.
Parks for the kids
Parks are a cool place to hang out to get away from all the noise. Jerusalem has an excellent selection of parks that are guaranteed to be simply fascinating for the family. Some of the parks that are a must-visit include;
Sacher Park - This is an ideal location for picnics, and also provides ample space to be used as a playground for the kids. There are various facilities like basketball courts, tennis courts, a bike path and a skateboarding area.
San Simon Park - This has a serene atmosphere for those who want some alone time with the kids. The park has a bicycle path, an enclosed dog park, playground facility and table-tennis tables. It is the perfect getaway spot, with facilities to help kids positively channel their enthusiasm.