Holy Land

Depart for your flights to Tel Aviv. Dinner on-board, relax, and anticipate your arrival the next day.

 

We are greeted upon arrival by our Representative who will accompany us throughout the pilgrimage. We then transfer to our hotel for a welcome dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Bethlehem (Dinner)

 

On our first day in the Holy Land, we present an overview for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area and what makes it such a unique area to the three major religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist and to the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the ‘Magnificat’. In the afternoon we drive to the Shepherd’s Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Here, we have Mass in the St. Jerome Chapel. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Bethlehem (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

After breakfast, we head to Caesarea by the Sea to visit the Roman Crusader remains before we continue to Haifa. Upon arrival in Haifa, we will visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery with the Madonna of Mt Carmel. Next, we stop at the Baha’i Gardens, which includes a staircase of nineteen terraces extending all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. Continue to our hotel in Nazareth. Overnight: Tiberias (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Day 5: Annunciation / Synagogue of Nazareth / Mt. Precipice / Cana

Today we visit Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child. Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the Grotto of the Annunciation. Visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. Continue to the synagogue of Nazareth. We’ll take a beautiful view from the top of Mt. Precipice, also known as Mount of Precipitation, or Mount of the Leap of the Lord. It’s believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus (Luke 4:29 Luke 4:30) In the afternoon, visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His mother [John 2:1-11]. Then, visit the Franciscan chapel where those who wish to can perform the renewal of their wedding vows.

Overnight: Tiberias (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Today we will take boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the synagogue and St Peter’s house, continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter’s Primacy where Peter was told “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” Next, we head the Magdala Center, the village of Mary Magdalene, where we visit the newly built church on site and the newly excavated ruins.

Overnight: Tiberias (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

This morning, we ascend the Golan Heights and visit the Banias Spring that rises from under a cave and is one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here near Banias at ancient Caesarea Philippi where Peter made his confession of faith in Jesus. Next, we drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity, good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection.

Overnight: Tiberias (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Today we will depart Galilee and follow the Jordan River south from the Sea of Galilee through its fertile valley to Jericho where we will visit the ruins of the ancient city which was conquered by Joshua. While in Jericho, we will also view the Mt. of Temptation, the place of Jesus’ temptation by the devil and stop at a Sycamore tree which will help us recall Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Then proceed to the Jordan River which we will visit to recall Our Lord’s Baptism by St. John, and to renew our baptismal vows. On the way back there is time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties.

Overnight: Jerusalem (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

We begin our day with a visit to the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed, continue to the church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. Next, we walk the Palm Sunday Road, stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Then to Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed His last prayer before his arrest. Here, we will have Mass.

Overnight: Jerusalem (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Today, we journey to Mount Zion, beginning with a visit to Dormition Abbey, the traditional site of Mary’s Assumption into heaven. We then enter the Cenacle, the Upper Room where Jesus shared the Last Supper and celebrate Mass in this sacred space. Next, we visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, marking the place where Peter denied Jesus three times. Our day concludes at the Wailing Wall, a deeply significant site of prayer and reflection. In the evening, we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Jerusalem (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

The Way of The Cross: After breakfast, we head to Jerusalem, beginning at St. Anne’s Church, the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary, before continuing to Ecce Homo, where Pontius Pilate proclaimed, “Behold the man.” We then retrace Jesus’ final steps along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), walking through the bustling markets of the Old City while praying the Stations of the Cross at each shrine. As we reflect on His sacrifice, our journey leads us to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We then visit the Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where we will meet the Patriarch of Jerusalem. We conclude our time in Jerusalem with Mass in the Crusader Chapel before returning to our hotel. Tonight, we will have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Jerusalem (Breakfast, Dinner)

 

Today we bid farewell to the Holy Land and will return with memories and keepsakes that will last a lifetime.

                                                                       

   *Depending on time of arrival