Excerpts are taken from-
COOK’S
HANDBOOK FOR EGYPT, THE NILE,
AND THE DESERT.1897
Introductory.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS.
SEASON FOR EASTERN TOURS.
ANY time from November to May may be selected. Travellers who are intending to visit Palestine as well as Egypt, cannot do better than select November, December, January, or February for their Nile journey, and March, April, or May, the most genial months of the year, for Palestine. If this is inconvenient the months of October and November are considered by many travellers to be very favourable for Palestine travelling, in which case the Nile trip might be made on the return journey in December.
BENEFITS OF ASSOCIATED TRAVEL.
Apart from the question of expense, travelling in the East, either alone or with only one or two companions, is not desirable. In Egypt, up the Nile, and through the Desert, the mode of life, language, and customs of the country are altogether different from anything to which the European traveller has been accustomed; and there is no doubt that the pleasure of a tour is enhanced by being associated with a party of friends or acquaintances. Moreover, as a question of expense, it will often happen that certain costs which would have to be borne by a single traveller would not be any greater for a party.
MONEY.
Travellers are recommended to carry funds required whilst travelling, in Circular Notes, issued by THOS. COOK & SON, as these afford great security, and can be cashed readily. Circular Notes are issued for sums of £20 and upwards (in notes of £20, £10, and £5 each), and Letters of Credit for sums of £100 and upwards.
Foreign Moneys can be obtained from the Head Office and principal branches of THOS. COOK & SON, who, having branch offices and correspondents in all parts of the East, are in a position to offer special facilities to travellers for the arrangement of all matters connected with Foreign Banking and Exchange.
The Egyptian coinage, the basis of which is the Egyptian pound, has been recently revised. The coins are—100, 50, 25 piastres in gold. 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 piastres in silver. 5, 2, 1, millièmes in nickel.
The Egyptian pound is divided into 100 piastres of 10 millièmeseach, or 1,000 millièmes, and is worth 20s. 6d., or nearly 26 fcs. The pound being divided into 100 piastres—a piastre tariff is worth 2 1/2d. The piastre being divided into 10 millièmes the millième is thus worth 1/4d. £1 sterling = 97 1/2 P. T. Napoleon, gold piece of 20 francs = 77 6/40 P.T.
WEIGHTS.
Okieh = 1.3206 ounce. Rottle = .99049 lb. Oke = 2.7513 lbs. Cantar or 100 Rottles or 36 Okes = 99.0492 lbs.
Inches.
Diraa Baladi (town) = 22.8350. Diraa Mimari for building, etc. = 29.5281. Kassabah = 3.88 yards = 139 7663
MEASURES OF SURFACE.
Feddan, the unit of measure for land = 333 1/3 sq. kassabahs= 1.03808 acre. Square Pic.—This measure is generally used for the measuring of building sites, gardens, and other small plots of ground, and is equal to about 6 square feet and 7 inches.
DRY MEASURE.
The Ardeb is used as the unit in all transactions in grain, etc, and is equal to 5.44739 bushels. The approximate weight of the Ardeb is as follows:— Wheat, 315 rottles; beans, 320 rottles; barley, 250 rottles; maize, 315 rottles; cotton seed, 270.
PASSPORTS,
With Turkish visa, are absolutely necessary for visiting Turkish dominions; and they are useful in order to procure admission to certain places of interest, to obtain letters from the Poste Restante, and to establish identity whenever required. THOS. COOK & SON will obtain passports with the necessary visas of foreign ambassadors or consuls. The total cost, including visa of the Turkish Consul, is 8s. 6d.
CUSTOMS.
The Custom House examination at Egyptian ports is somewhat strict, but carried out with politeness. Cigars are liable to a duty of 75 per cent. on their value. Fire arms are admitted with difficulty, and the importation of cartridges is prohibited. The exportation of antiquities is forbidden without a special permit from the Antiquity department, and luggage is liable to be examined when the traveller leaves the country.
DRESS.
It is always desirable in travelling to dispense with unnecessary luggage, at the same time it is necessary to be well supplied, especially if the journey is to be prolonged for months. For gentlemen, light tweed suits, and a flannel suit, with a suit of darker material for wearing on particular occasions, this latter is of course not absolutely necessary, but when attending divine service, or making any special visit, it is usual to wear garments of this kind. Woollen stockings and strong boots, flannel or cotton shirts, slippers, and light shoes, a mackintosh, white umbrella lined with green, felt hats, or “helmets” with puggeries. Ladies are recommended to take a good woollen costume, not heavy; one or two of light texture; and a serviceable dark silk. Among the Miscellaneous Articles which it may be found advantageous to take, may be mentioned, leather drinking-cup and a pocket filter, leather straps, small strong writing case, with writing materials, a ball of twine, a good serviceable pocket-knife, green spectacles, or veil, if the eyes are at all weak; needles, thread, tape, buttons, soap, pocket-compass, and other similar articles which will suggest themselves to every traveller. Any special “hobby” that the traveller may have should be provided for before starting, such as sketching blocks, botanical presses; provision should be made beforehand, if the traveller intends to prosecute geological or entomological researches, etc. A good field or opera-glass should be taken.
HEALTH, DIET, ETC. CLIMATE, .—RULES FOR HEALTH.
In Egypt,one of the most healthy countries in the world, but few need be followed. In winter it is quite unnecessary to make any change in the way of living, for every one can eat and drink what he is accustomed to in Europe. In summer, on the contrary, it is better to be chary of wines or spirits, as they inflame the blood and cause the great heat of the sun to be more acutely felt. With some persons, fish, eggs, and unboiled milk do not agree, but this is not often the case. Fruit and green vegetables are strongly to be recommended; beef is seldom so good as mutton. Most of the fish of the Nile are very poor, the bultih and the chisher are the best. It is not desirable to bathe in the Nile on account of dangerous under-currents. The Turkish bath, to be had in Cairo or Alexandria, leaves a most delightful sensation, but one must be careful of draughts, and dress accordingly, especially in winter, after enjoying it. The dry air and mild winter, which is like a fine English spring, are peculiarly favourable to persons suffering from weakness of the lungs. At night it is very cold, and one must arrange accordingly. Fever seldom appears, dyspepsia, diarrhœa, and dysentery are the chief illnesses to which strangers are subject, and which they must guard against in their diet, etc. The most simple remedy for the first of these maladies is to drink a glass of Nile water fasting. If this produces no relief, abstain from wine at dinner. In obstinate cases take Epsom salts, which may be had at the apothecaries’ shops in Alexandria and Cairo, under the name of sale amaro. *
DIARRHŒA may sometimes be guarded against by keeping the abdomen warm; the usual remedies applied at home may be resorted to here; concentrated tincture of camphor, arrowroot, rice-water, etc., may be taken, while fruit, meat, and all fatty substances should be abstained from.
HEADACHE is generally the result of exposure to the glaring sun. A warm bath, and then cold compresses, are the best remedies. It is always well in the East to protect the neck and head with a good broad-brimmed hat and flowing puggerie, assunstrokes are not uncommon.
OPHTHALMIA is exceedingly prevalent in Egypt. Some consider that it is produced by the fine-dust sand wafted from the deserts and the glare of the sun. It is more probable, however, that it is to be attributed to other causes, such as damp night air in a dry climate, or by germs of the diseases conveyed to the eyes by flies. It is most prevalent during the floods of the Nile, and in places where the effluvium is offensive. The first remedy to apply is constant washing of the eyes with Nile water; if this is not successful, zinc lotion must be resorted to, or a solution of nitrate of silver.All travellers will do well to take special precautions to avoid exposure to damp or cold night air. If any MEDICINES are taken, the traveller should select those to which he is accustomed. In addition it may be well to call attention to the following- Quinine; the best thing for intermittent fever. Zinc Eye wash. Lamplough’s Pyretic Saline, or Eno’s Fruit Salt. A roll of Sticking Plaister. A bottle of Dr. Collis Browne’s Chlorodyne. A pot of Cold-cream. Eau-de-Cologne, Brandy, And any specialty that the traveller may be in the habit of using, such as Bunter’s Nervine, for tooth-ache, etc. * European p’ ysicians may be found in Alexandria, Cairo, Suez, Port Said, Luxor, Assouan, and on board COOK’S Nile steamers.
POSTAGE.
For Egypt, which is included in the General Postal Union, mails are made up in London for Port Said, Alexandria, Cairo, Suez, etc., via Brindisi, every Friday evening. For Alexandria, Cairo, Port Said, Suez, etc., by French packet, via Marseilles, every Tuesday night.For Smyrna, via Constantinople, daily.For Smyrna, via Marseilles, every Thursday evening.For Jaffa and Syria (and Jerusalem if specially addressed),by Austrian mail, via Brindisi, leaving London every Tuesday morning (post letters on Monday). Letters by Brindisi to Cairo and Alexandria take six days in transit. There are daily mails from Alexandria to Cairo, Suez, Ismailia, and Port Said. Letters for Upper Egypt are forwarded daily. For the Syrian Coast and Palestine, the French mails take from ten to twelve days. To most of the above-named places letters can be registered at a charge of 2d. Money Orders are issued for Alexandria, Suez, Smyrna, and Constantinople at the following rates—not exceeding £2, sixpence; not exceeding £6, one shilling; not exceeding £10, one-and-sixpence. The Postage for letters within Egypt is 5 millièmes; to other countries in the Postal Union, 10 millièmes; Foreign Post Cards, 5 millièmes. The times of despatching letters from Egypt will be best ascertained in Egypt, etc., where they are posted. The departure of Mails from Cairo, Alexandria, etc., via Brindisi, is dependent on the arrival of the London Mails at Port Said from Suez, special notices of which are given at the British Post Offices. A weekly mail list is published and sent to THOS. COOK & SON’S Offices and to the Hotels, showing days of arrival and departure, with the latest time for posting, etc. The Egyptian Post Office Guide, published twice yearly in English, French, and Arabic, affords complete information as to the postal service in Egypt.
BACKSHEESH.
Everywhere, from morning till night, the traveller will be tormented with applications for backsheesh, which has been called the alpha and omega of Eastern travel. It is the first word an infant is taught to lisp; it will probably be the first Arabic word the traveller will hear on arriving in Egypt, and the last as he leaves it. The word simply means “a gift,” but is applied generally to gratuity or fee, and is expected no less by the naked children who swarm around the traveller when he arrives in a village, than by the officials of many public institutions. If each traveller would make it a rule never to give backsheesh, except for some positive service rendered, worth the sum given, he would confer a boon upon the people and upon future travellers. It should be remembered also that to most applicants a piastre or two represents an enormous sum.
TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS OF THOS.
COOK AND SON.
The Travelling Coupons issued by THOS. COOK & SON are now so well known and universally used, that it is unnecessary here to enter into particulars about them. Suffice it to say that they have been found to be advantageous to all European travellers, and in the East, where travelling is under greater difficulties in every respect, their system is indispensable to those who are unable to grapple with the obstacles presented by not being acquainted with Oriental languages, and with havingto deal with dragomans and others, whose demands are invariably exorbitant.
THOS. COOK & SON have made such arrangements in the East, that the most inexperienced travellers may avail themselves of them without fear of not being able to get on as well as in the beaten Continental routes. They issue tickets for individuals, or for small or large parties, and every season they organize parties who travel under the personal superintendence of one of their admirable staff of conductors. It will be only necessary here to indicate some of the arrangements which they have successfully carried out in past seasons, and will be improved as each fresh season ensues. Every year they publish a pamphlet (price 6d.), giving details of their Personally-Conducted and Independent Eastern Tours, and to this the traveller is referred, as the cost of a tour varies according to circumstances, and general arrangements are liable to variation. Any person or persons contemplating a Tour to Egypt, with extension to Palestine and elsewhere or not, should make out a programme, or name the places they wish to visit, and
THOS. COOK & SON will send them, without delay, a quotation which will be as low as it is possible the journey can be accomplished for with comfort.
HOTEL COUPONS are issued not only for the countries passed through in reaching the East, but in the East also, and at such a rate as to ensure economy with every comfort. The advantages of taking Hotel Coupons may be briefly summed up as follows:—
I. Time, expense, annoyance and ultimate dissatisfaction,are saved by going to a well-recommended Hotel.II. It is a great drawback to pleasure to arrive in a Foreign town beset by porters, and commissionaires, and rabble, a perfect stranger, and without any definite idea where to go. III. Letters from home or telegrams may be found upon arrival at the Hotel, or at the Offices of THOS. COOK & SON, thus saving trouble or expense in sending for them to the Post Office. IV. The charges are all fixed, thus obviating the chance of imposition, and the disagreeable task of having to drive a bargain at each stopping place. V. The charges being fixed at the lowest sum to ensure good accommodation at one uniform rate, the tourist is enabled to count the cost of his tour before starting. VI. Travellers with coupons, bespeaking accommodation by letter or telegraph, are always provided for even in the busiest seasons if they inform the hotel-keeper that they have coupons.
ROUTES FROM LONDON TO THE EAST.
In connection with Eastern Tours, the routes from Londonmay be classified under two heads, as follows:—(1) ROUTES FOR INDEPENDENT TOURS.
Individuals, in small or large parties, can be provided forby any route they may select, either from London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Switzerland, the South of France or Italy. Travellers from any point can have tickets to travel when they please and how they please, with hotel coupons for days, weeks, or months. Taking London as the starting-point for the East, the following amongst other routes can be provided for:— London to Paris, Dover, and Calais, Folkestone, and Boulogne, Newhaven, and Dieppe; London to Brussels, by Calais, Ostend, Antwerp, or Flushing. Paris to Italy by Mont Cenis, St. Gotthard, or by Marseilles, Cannes, Nice, Mentone, and Genoa. Paris to Italy by Geneva or Bale, through Switzerland and by any Alpine road. Paris to Brussels, Cologne and up the Rhine to Heidelberg, Strasburg, Bale, and over the Splügen or St. Gotthard to Milan, or from the Rhine to Munich, and over the Brenner toVerona and through Italy. Italy may be traversed in going out or in returning, and travellers may tarry as long as they like in any Italian city. All steamers from France or Italy are available. From Marseilles the Messageries Maritimes may be taken to Alexandria. From Genoa, Leghorn, Naples, or Venice and Brindisi, the Rubattino steamers to either Alexandria or Port Said. From Marseilles, Venice, or Brindisi, the steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental line to Port Said. From Trieste and Brindisi, the Austrian Lloyds, which encompass the circle ofthe Levant. On the Syrian Coast, a choice of Austrian, French, Russian, or Egyptian steamers is offered. Thus the entire steamboat accommodations of Italy, France, and the Levant are offered for selection, and tickets can also be issued to go through Algiers, Sicily, and other islands of the Mediterranean, in connection with Palestine, Egypt, the Nile and the Desert. The long sea routes to Egypt are:— From London by the Peninsular and Oriental, Orient, and British India Steamers. From Liverpool by the Bibby, Moss, Anchor, City, Clan, Henderson, etc., lines. From Manchester by the Prince Line. From Southampton by the North German Lloyds
ROUTES OF PERSONALLY-CONDUCTED
TOURS.
For long tours, combining Egypt, Palestine, and Syria, the usual course is to cross the English Channel by either the Calais route (the shortest sea passage), or by Dieppe (the shortest distance to Paris). From Paris direct to Turin by the Mont Cenis Tunnel, and from Turin by Bologna and Ancona to Brindisi or via Paris and Marseilles; thence by steamer to Alexandria; after visiting Lower Egypt or going up the Nile, cross the Land of Goshen to Ismailia, and thence on to Port Said by the newly constructed narrow gauge railway; from Port Said to Jaffa and land there; make the tour of Palestine, etc., and re-embark on steamer at Beyrout for Constantinople; thence to Athens, and complete the tour of the Mediterranean and Adriatic by landing at Trieste; returning through Italy by Venice, Milan, and Turin, and back to Paris and London. Whilst this is the general course of the conductors, many modifications, extensions, or abridgments may be made to suit the convenience and meet the wishes of the travellers, but in all cases of Personally-Conducted Tours it is necessary to define the route the conductor will take, and those who keep with him will fare the best, as all baggage, omnibus, and other incidental charges are paid by him; but if any leave him, it is not possible to control these expenses, and the travellers must then take their own course and pay the extras. Tickets can be provided for travelling by any line of railway or steamboat.
.
ROUTES FROM AMERICA TO THE EAST
All the very best routes are under the arrangements of THOS. COOK & SON. There is not a line of steamships crossing the Atlantic by which they do not secure passages, and from Liverpool, Glasgow, and Southampton, etc., they have connection with the best railroad service of the United Kingdom. They can offer to American travellers Pullman cars by day or night, or the better class of select compartment carriages. If Americans wish to go to the East by the Western Route, tickets can be issued either by San Francisco, Vancouver, Japan, China, and India to Egypt, or by the route of New Zealand, Australia, Ceylon, and India. Tickets to return to America by the southern course of the Atlantic, from Gibraltar direct to New York, without returning through Europe, can be issued, or arrangements made for visiting Scandinavia either before or after the Palestine tour.
COOK’S Steamer Service of each season begins in November,and Nile trips may precede or follow trips to Palestine, as most convenient to the travellers who wish to embrace the two objects in one visit to the East. The trips by the regular First Class Tourist Steamers to the First Cataract and back occupy twenty days, and seven more are allowed for trips to the Second Cataract. COOK’S Mail Steamers, leaving Cairo twice weekly, enable those who wish to visit both the First and Second Cataracts to do so in less time than the First Class Tourist Steamers.
DAHABEAHS can be secured on the best terms for all whodesire them. Dragomans and other necessary servants and food supplies are carefully selected and provided. The offices of THOS. COOK & SON (EGYPT), LIMITED, at Cairo, near Shepheard’s Hotel, afford excellent facilities for the management of this business. Early application at the offices of the Company is necessary to secure the best boats and the best men. The following is an epitome of COOK’S Nile Services; for fuller particulars travellers are referred to the Pamphlet Programme, containing plans of Steamers and Dahabeahs,etc., which is published in the month of August of each year:—
INDEPENDENT PARTIES
To include horse, dragoman, tent, food, sleeping accommodation at hotels, convents, and private houses. No outside contractors are employed, all the details of THOS. COOK & SON’S arrangements are carried out by their own thoroughly qualified salaried staff. Parties in any numbers can select any of the following or other Itineraries, and travel independently of any other parties, having their own dragomans and camp servants. The scale of charges will be regulated by the numbers, from two to ten persons; ten and upwards being the numbers for which the lowest uniform charges are made. Quotations of fares will be given when the numbers are made up and the routes to and through Palestine are determined upon, or tickets can be furnished to travel by any line of Atlantic and Mediterranean Steamers, and by any route over the European continent, and it will be to the interest of travellers to take through tickets from America, England, or elsewhere to Palestine. The long experience of THOS. COOK & SON in organizing Palestine Tours enables them to offer every possible facility to every description of traveler. They have the best and most reliable dragomans in the country at their disposal, and the best stock of camp equipment. The food while in camp is ample and of the best quality, and is served in a manner equal to a first-class continental hotel. The journey from Jaffa to Jerusalem, or vice versa, may be made either by railway in 4 1/2 hours, by horse, resting for one night en route if desired, or by ordinary carriage, or by a superior description of landau in one day. Carriages can go to Bethlehem, Hebron, and as far as the Samaritan’s Inn on the Jericho Road.
PALESTINE ITINERARIES.
We commence with the shortest of our tours, and extend the arrangement to the longest, embracing the Desert and the country east of the Jordan.
FIRST ITINERARY.
For a Twelve Days’ Tour in Judea.
First Day.—Travel from Jaffa to Ramleh (three hours’ ride), via Yasur and Beit Dejan. Carriages can go through to Jerusalem in one day, but horses take two days, or visitors can travel by train from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
Second Day.—Ride from Ramleh to Jerusalem (eight hours), via the Valley of Ajalon, Kirjath-Jearim, Kolonieh (the traditional Emmaus).
Third Fourth, and Fifth Days.—To be spent in and about Jerusalem.
Sixth Day.—From Jerusalem to Mar-Saba (seven hours’ ride), via Rachel’s Tomb, Solomon’s Pools, Etam, Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field, Field of Boaz, and over the hills of the Wilderness of Judea; encamp in the Kedron Valley.
Seventh Day.—Proceed from Mar-Saba to Jericho (eight hours’ ride) through the Wilderness of Judea, to the Dead Sea, Jordan, and the site of Gilgal.
Eighth Day.—Travel from Jericho to Jerusalem (six hours’ ride), via the Brook Cherith, site of the Samaritan Inn, Enshemesh, Bethany, and the Mount of Olives. The road has been very much improved.
Ninth Day.—Make an excursion to Anathoth, Micmash, Bethel, Geba, Ramah, Gibeah, Nob, and back to Jerusalem (five hours’ ride).
Tenth Day.—An excursion may be made to the birthplace of St.John, El Karain, and Philip’s Fountain.
Eleventh Day.—Travel from Jerusalem to Ramleh (ten hours’ ride), via Neby Samwil, Gibeon, the Two Bethorons, and Gimzo, or the journey may be made by railway.
Twelfth Day.—From Ramleh to Jaffa, via Lydda, Beth Dijon,Yasur (four hours’ ride). The journey the direct way can be made in a day, either by carriages or by tolerably good riders on horseback The descent of nearly 3,000 feet from Jerusalem to the sea is favourable to the rider in that direction, whether by carriage or in the saddle. At Jaffa, the returning traveller is subject to the caprice of winds, waves, and steamboat sailings, which frequently render embarkation a matter of great uncertainty. Nevertheless, it is necessary to be there at the time appointed for sailing.
SECOND ITINERARY.
Combining the Land of Judea with Philistia.
Jaffa to Jerusalem, by carriage or riding-horse, as shown in the First Itinerary (or by train). Make the stay at Jerusalem to correspond with the time required for the following fourteen or fifteen days’ trip.
Sixth Day. — Make an excursion to Neby Samwil (Mizpeh), Gibeon,Ramah, Nob, Tombs of the Kings, back to Jerusalem (5 hours).
Seventh Day.—Make an excursion to Ain Karim (birthplace ofSt. John), Philip’s Fountain, and back to Jerusalem (about five hours).
Eighth Day.—Jerusalem to Jericho, by the Mount of Olives, Bethany, and down the hilly road by the Brook Cherith to the Plains of Jericho, a ride of about six hours. Encamp near the Fountain of Elisha, Jericho (about six hours’ ride), or arrangements can be made to stay at the Jordan Hotel, Jericho.
Ninth Day.—Ride across the plain, about four miles to the Jordan, and from thence to the Dead Sea. After lunch proceed across the plain and through zig-zag mountain passes to Mar-Saba. After viewing the convent, encamp for the night in the valley of the Kedron. Day’s ride about eight hours.
Tenth Day.—Proceed from the camping-ground to Bethlehem, crossing the field “where shepherds watch their flocks by night.” Several hours may be spent in examining the church, grottoes, and other places of interest in the famed historic city, after which proceed to Solomon’s Pools by way of Rachel’s Tomb, and encamp near the upper pool. This is not a heavy day, the ride being but about six hours.
Eleventh Day.—From Solomon’s Pools to Hebron, by the course of the ancient royal road, and through the Valley of Eshcol, passing near to Abraham’s Oak. Encamp at Hebron, and see there all that may beseen of the Cave of Machpèlah.
Twelfth Day.—From Hebron to Beit Jibrin, passing at a short distance from the Caves of Eleutheropolis, which may be partially visited in the day, the ride being not more than about six hours to the camping-ground.
Thirteenth Day.—Pass through the famed Vale of Elah, where the Philistines, with Goliath, defied the armies of Israel, and where David gained his signal victory over the giant. Proceed by Bethshemesh to Gath, and encamp there; a moderate day’s ride of seven to eight hours.
Fourteenth or Fifteenth Day.—Complete the tour from Gath to Jaffa, across the Plain of Sharon, a journey of six to seven hours; wait arrival of steamer at the Jerusalem Hotel, delightfully situated on the eminence overlooking the orange groves and the sea.
THIRD ITINERARY.
Comprising a greater extent of Philistia with the Land of Judea.
This is a tour by carriage or riding-horse from Jaffa to Jerusalem, or by train; camping arrangements from Jerusalem to Jericho, the Jordan, Dead Sea, Mar-Saba, Bethlehem, Solomon’s Pools, Hebron, etc., to Beit Jibrin, same as described in the Second Itinerary, requiring to that point twelve days, and from thence taking the following course:—
Thirteenth Day.— Beit Jibrin to Gaza; passing Ain Lachish and Eglon. Encamp at Gaza and spend Sunday there, if possible so to arrange. Gaza is a considerable city, with schools and other Christian agencies in operation.
Fourteenth Day—Of actual travel, take the course by Askelon, Migdal Gad, and camp at Ashdod for the night.
Fifteenth Day.—Completing the tour by Ekron to Jaffa, passing en route the Jews’ model farm and colony. This tour will occupy a out 15 days, giving four or five days at Jerusalem
FOURTH ITINERARY.
First of the Tours going North of Jerusalem.
First and Second Days.—Jaffa to Jerusalem by carriage or riding-horse, or railway, as in the three previous tours, or by train. Stay at Jerusalem to be governed by the sailing of steamers and the time required for travelling after leaving the holy city.
Tenth Day.—Proceed from Jerusalem to Ram Allah, via Nob, Gibeah, Ramah, Beerath, Bethel. Encamp in the valley or on the high land of Singel. A day’s ride of about seven hours.
Eleventh Day.—Pass over the valley and gentle slopes of Shiloh, and from thence to the great and fruitful plain of Beulah; call at Jacob’s Well, and then ride through the interesting valley, on the sides of which rise the mountain ranges of Ebal and Gerizim. Near the entrance to the valley is the reputed tomb of Joseph, where his remain were buried after being brought up from the land of Egypt. Encamp at Nablous, the ancient Shechem, the home of all that remains of the sect of Samaritans, where old copies of the Pentateuch are sacredly kept in a poor little building occupied as their “Temple” The ride of the day about eight hours.
Twelfth Day.—To Samaria and back to Nablous. Visit the ruins on the top of Mount Gerizim (six hours’ ride).
Thirteenth or Fourteenth Day—Will be occupied in going from Nablous to Jaffa. The ride occupies ten hours. The road between Nablous and Jaffa has been “improved” after the Turkish fashion, and is available for carriages in fine weather.
FIFTH ITINERARY.
Including all of the Fourth, and extending to the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, and Carmel.For five days the route and travel the same as the Fourth Itinerary, and then pursuing the northerly course to Samaria and other places as shown below:—
Twelfth Day.—Leave Nablous by well-watered and well-cultivated grounds and orchards in the direction of Samaria, the site of the site of the Ivory Palace of Ahab. Interesting ruins of a Crusader’s Temple, associated with legends of the tombs of John the Baptist, Elizabeth, and others of scriptural associations. Beautiful slopes on the northern side of the hill, and a rich plain with broken granite columns lying about in all directions. Pass near to the village of Dothan, where Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelitish merchants, and halt for the night at Jenin, after a ride of about eight hours.
Thirteenth Day.—Leaving Jenin, enter on the great plain of Esdraelon, pass by Jezreel, the Fountain of Gideon, Shunem, and other interesting localities, to the foot of Mount Tabor, and encamp there, at a short distance from Nain and Endor. A day’s ride of about sevenhours.
Fourteenth Day.—Travel from Mount Tabor to Tiberias, and halt for the night on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where a day or more may be spent at the discretion of the travellers. The journey from Tabor to Tiberias need not exceed about five hours.
Fifteenth Day.—Visit Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, Magdala, and back to Tiberias (seven hours).
Sixteenth Day.—Ascend from the shores of the lake, by the Mount of Beatitudes, to Kenna or Cana of Galilee, to Nazareth, a journey of about six hours. Contrive, if possible, to spend Sunday at this deeply interesting, historical village, where ancient sites are the subjects of contention between Greek and Latin Christians, and where a beautiful edifice has been erected for Protestant worship.
Seventeenth Day.—To be spent at Nazareth.
Eighteenth Day.—Travel from Nazareth to Carmel, crossing the River Kishon, and passing near to the place of sacrifice. Caîfa, at foot of Mount Carmel, is being rapidly brought under cultivation by a colony of Germans, who have built an hotel and a number of cottages. Here a day or two may be pleasantly spent if the travelling and steamer arrangements are carefully calculated. The Austrian Lloyd’s steamers call at Caîfa on their passage both ways between Alexandria and Beyrout. The tour should be arranged to harmonise with the steamboat service, which is fortnightly both ways, or the journey may be continued in two days to Jaffa, via Tautura (Dara) Caesarea, and the River Anjeb.
Caesarea
