Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem (must see)

A place of great resonance in Christianity, this beautiful walled garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives, revered since the apostolic period, is the site where – according to the four Gospels of the New Testament – Jesus experienced the agonizing premonition of his passion and death, and where he was arrested the night before his crucifixion. The name "Gethsemane" is derived from Aramaic and means "oil press," likely indicating that the area was once used for pressing olive oil.

Beyond the religious significance, the garden is essentially an urban olive orchard, with eight distinctive ancient trees among others. Carbon dating estimates the eight trees to be over 900 years old (as such, amongst the oldest known to science), having descended from the same parent tree – possibly itself a descendant from the original trees of Christ's time. They still produce fruit but are fenced off so unless you gracefully tip the gatekeeper, you can't go walking among them.

Also be sure to visit the adjacent Church of All Nations on the grounds, also known as the Basilica of the Agony, which holds a section of bedrock believed to be where Jesus prayed before his arrest – but make very sure your knees, shoulders and upper arms are properly covered, preferably with clothing and not just a shawl, or you will be refused entry. Women should avoid wearing shorts of any length.