The plain of Jericho presents several points of interest; but those who intend making the journey from Jericho to the ford of Jordan, the Dead Sea, and Mâr Sâbâ in a single day will have little time for digressions.
History. The ancient Jericho lay by the springs at the foot of the hill of Karantel, that is to the W. of modern Jericho, and to the N. of the Jericho of the Roman period. The Israelitish town (Josh, v, vi) at first belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, afterwards to the kingdom of Israel. The town was of considerable size and enclosed by walls, and the vegetation was very rich. It is sometimes called the 'city of palms', and down to the 7th cent, of our era date-palms were common, though they have now almost entirely disappeared.
Riders from Jerusalem to Jericho take 6 hrs., the Jordan, I 1/2hr., the Dead Sea, 1 hr. 20 min., Mâr Sâbâ, 5 hrs., Jerusalem, 3 hrs. (or to Bethlehem, about 2 3/4 hrs.)- — Carriage Road from Jerusalem to Jericho (carr. in 5 hrs.)- Driving is practicable also to the Jordan and the Dead Sea, except in wet weather when the final stage becomes too soft. In this case, donkeys may be hired at Jericho. A Carriage for the whole trip costs 50-60 fr. — A small Steamer, belonging to the government, has recently been placed on the Dead Sea.
1. FROM TIBERIAS TO KHAN MINYEH .
2. FROM KHAN MINYEH TO TELL HUM.
3. FROM TELL HUM TO SAFED .
From Safed to Meirón and Kafr Bir'im.
From Safed to Tibnin, Sidon, and Tyre.
1. FROM SAFED TO TIBNÎN, about 7hrs. To 'Ain ez-Zeitûn
2. FROM TIBNÎN TO KAL'AT ESH-SHAKIF (and Sidon)
3. FROM TIBNÎN TO TYRE,
4. FROM SAFED TO TYRE VIA YATIR
Route 21. From Safed to Damascus.
a. By Bâniâs.
From Safed to Bâniâs 9 hrs., thence to Damascus 13 ½ hrs. — The journey from Tiberias to Bâniâs may be accomplished in two days if a point beyond Safed be reached on the first day. From Safed the traveller may either descend the valley and regain the direct route from Khân Jubb Yûsef (p. 375) to ‘Ain Melláha, or take the far more interesting route across the mountains towards the N., which we now describe.