NAZARETH, ISRAEL - (ANS) - Nazareth will always be the Galilean city famously known as the residence of the world's most celebrated figure, Jesus Christ, but over the last five years the city has developed an enviable reputation as a culinary hotspot.

Local residents have been instrumental in redeveloping this Galilean capital, home to Christians and Moslems and Israel's Ministry of Tourism has also allocated some funding in this hilltop city.

The result - a wonderful culinary scene for all appetites. The city boasts wonderful spice shops, sweet stores, cafes and a medley of restaurants offering interesting Arabic fusion foods along with other delicacies.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - (ANS)- Here is the Christmas story as told through the churches in the Holy Land. Christmas here highlights the small but ancient Christian community that has existed in the Holy Land since soon after the days of Jesus' time on earth.

The following is Travelujah's listing of churches significant to the Christmas story and Christianity in the Holy Land as the events appear in scripture.

“To walk where your Savior walked”

ISRAEL - (ANS)- "He said to them, 'Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.'" Mark 1:38

With a heart full of emotion, Valeries Ramirez, 24, looked out over the Sea of Galilee and the Genasseret Valley on the path Jesus likely took from his hometown in Nazareth to meet the residents living in the seaside villages along the Sea of Galilee.

"To walk where your Savior walked - it's a very beautiful experience and something that will change your life," Ramirez said about her visit along a portion of the Gospel Trail, the newly completed 65-kilometer path inaugurated last week by Israel's Ministry of Tourism.

BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK - (ANS)- Each year, as we approach the joyful atmosphere of the Christmas season, hearing and singing the Christmas carols being played on the radio, in the malls and throughout the stores, we can't help but think of Bethlehem - the place of Jesus' birth. But ... this year, don't just think of Bethlehem - BE in Bethlehem! Is there anything better than spending the Christmas season where Christ was born??

Undoubtedly, Bethlehem is singularly important with its historical place in history and people around the world hold a special place for this small city.

The Three Wise Man came here to the humble manger, to worship the little baby Jesus and give him the precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

THE GALILEE, ISRAEL - "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." Genesis 13:17

Eduward has been in Israel for three months, living in Jerusalem and volunteering for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, before he made his first trip to the Galilee.

Like many tourists, the Galilee was not at the top of Eduward's list of things to do. However, after an invitation to walk the newly redeveloped Gospel Trail prompted him to visit, Eduward quickly realized that the Galilee offers much more than he had ever anticipated.

Walking where Jesus walked was an emotional trip and the high point of Eduward's visit to Israel.

BEIT JALA, WEST BANK - Looking for an "off the beaten path" Christmas experience you can only find in the Holy Land?

How about Beit Jala?

Once again, the 19th of December was a special day for the residents of Beit Jala as they joined together to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the city, who lived in one of the caves in Beit Jala.

JERUSALEM - A total of 90,000 tourists are expected to arrive in Israel over the Christmas holiday, a third of which are pilgrims for the Christian holiday, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT).

According to the Ministry of Tourism, during the first half of this year, 1.6 million tourists visited Israel, 60 percent of whom were Christian. IMOT says some 2.1 million Christian tourists will have visited Israel by the end of the year.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL -The Old City of Jerusalem is famous for, among other things, its eight unique gates*, none of which are more impressive than the Damascus Gate.

Built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538 as part of a total revamp of Jerusalem's walls, the Damascus Gate featured a majestic crown-shaped parapet. But during the heavy fighting in and around the Old City during the Six Day War in 1967 the Damascus Gate's "crown" suffered considerable damage.

With so many ancient and biblical sites on their plate, it took Israeli archaeologists over 40 years to get around to it, but this year the Damascus Gate was finally restored to its original glory.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - (ANS)- As most of the Gospel's stories regarding Jesus' last days do, the ascension also took place in Jerusalem and is commemorated with a special chapel on the Mount of Olives. The little known Chapel of the Ascension is a holy site that is believed to mark the place where Jesus ascended into heaven. The small round church, which is also used as a mosque and is facilitated by the Islamic property trust, contains a stone imprinted with the footprints of Jesus when he made the ascent to heaven, according to tradition.

Highlights of the Church of the Ascension in the Holy Land

THE GALILEE, ISRAEL - (ANS)- Israel is the homeland of Jesus of Nazareth and most of His life - birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection - happened right here. Wherever you turn, you find remnants of eras past, bearing silent witness to the beginnings of Christianity. Though of the three Abrahamic religions, the Christian population in Israel is the smallest, but still Israel is indeed home to thriving pockets of Christians.

Scattered throughout Israel, especially in the northern section, the Galilee, are small enclaves of Christians, some even living in their own Christian villages. To lead a Christian life in the land of its birth is truly a unique experience. And, in fact, Israel is the only Middle Eastern country in which the Christian population is actually growing.

18th Annual Festival September 16-18, 2011

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - (ANS)- Israelis continue the Biblical celebrations of the harvest when they observe the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, beginning at sundown Tuesday(June 7, 2011).

Shavuot, which means weeks in Hebrew, is celebrated exactly seven weeks after the first day of Passover. Many people believe that Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mt. Sinai. The scriptures first mention Shavuot in Exodus 32:22: "Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year." The Israelites brought their first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem