When the ancient Jews traveled north to go to Galilee they went "down" to either Samaria or Galilee, or most anywhere else for that matter. If they were somewhere other than Jerusalem they always spoke of going "up" to Jerusalem. Mostly because Jerusalem is at a higher elevation than almost any other place in that part of the world.

Yes, for me it has always been "up north" and "down south." "Up north" is where all those yankees live. "Down South" is the place to be. :-)