Go ahead and book. You'll be handed over at a crossing point but the Bethlehem guides are funny and friendly. They'll take you to the shepherds' fields first and show you the shepherds' caves. Then it's up into Bethlehem. They'll give you the chance to look through a craft shop but it has really good quality well-priced local things and there's no pressure to buy. The Church of the Nativity is large with a tiny low door. Beautiful inside. There's a long queue to go downstairs to the birth place of Jesus but they have special permission just to let you go down without waiting in the queue. The manger is down there too. Before they take you back they'll show you the wall. They are not political about it. They'll just let you see it. You then get handed over and taken back to Jerusalem. If you haven't been to an Arab town it might be a surprise. It looks a bit wild but you'll be OK. I teach Arab people at college in the UK so they just look like my students but it might be a bit strange.

Well organized an well timed your. The tour guide was excellent looking after each and everyone in the group( 18 oeople). The visit to the holy site was arranged very well, barely 15 minutes waiting time. Considering that it was a Sunday, when masses are regularly held, it was perfect timing.

We had a nice half day tour at Bethlehem ..saw the two main churches ..however in all the trips we seem to be taken to a souvenir shop before where we are given 30-45 minutes and then we have lesser time at the actual sites ..not sure if the shop stops are needed ...the same thing happened in Jerusalem..