11 Days – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

DAY 1: DEPART USA
Depart for Tel Aviv with complimentary meals and Beverages served on board your international flight.

Day 2: ARRIVE TEL AVIV-TRANSFER TO HERZLIA
On arrival in Tel Aviv airport you will meet your guide and Proceed to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Galilee/Nazareth.

DAY 3: CAESAREA – MUHRAQA -CARMEL-TIBERIAS
We depart for Caesarea, where St. Peter baptized the first Gentile convert (Cornelius) and where St. Paul was imprisoned. Then we proceed to Mt. Carmel and celebrate mass at the Chapel of Stella Mares. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 4: TIBERIAS- SEA OF GALILEE- CAPERNAUM- BEATITUDES
We begin with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We then visit Capernaum, where Jesus began his ministry. We then continue on to Peter Primary the location where Jesus appeared to his apostles and miracle of the fishes. Visit Tabagha to commemorate the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes. Tour the Mt. of Beatitudes and gain a panoramic visit of the Sea of Galilee. We continue to the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River where Christians may renew their baptismal vows. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5 and 6: TIBERIAS- CANA- MT.TABOR- NAZARETH- JERUSALEM
We depart for Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast. Here we celebrate mass and invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Then we drive to Mt.Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. We continue to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. We then continue to St. Joseph’s Workshop, and Mary’s Well. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 7: JERUSALEM-MT. OF OLIVES- BETHANY
We ascend the Mt. of Olives, where we gain a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem. We visit Bethany the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. It is here where you will tour the Chapel of Ascension. We arrive at Pater Noster, the location where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord Prayer (Our Father) and Church of Dominus Flavit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem). We descend the Mt. of Olives to the Church of All Nations and celebrate mass. After lunch, we continue the Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu (where Peter denied Christ), the House of Caiphas, and the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady, We visit the Upper Room, commemorating the Last Supper. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 8: JERUSALEM-EXCURSION TO BETHLEHEM-EIN KAREMCHURCH OF VISITATION
We depart Hotel and visit the Shepherds’ Field. Visit the Church of the Nativity, and St. Jerome’s Chapel. We celebrate mass at the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria which is one of the parish churches for Bethlehem’s jubilee of merci doors for Catholics as Pope Francis declared it. We will allow extra time for souvenir shopping in Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 9: JERUSALEM-THE OLD CITY
We rise before dawn and enter Jerusalem through Stephen’s Gate. We proceed to the Chapel of the Flagellation (where Our Lord was scourged), then as a group you can choose to carry a cross as we follow the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) praying the rosary at each station along the route. We complete the Stations and enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we celebrate mass. We visit to the Church of St. Anne, marking the place of birth of the Blessed Mother, visiting as well the nearby Pools of Bethesda. We then have free time for shopping or visit other sites in the Old City. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 10: JERUSALEM – EXCURSION TO QUMRAN

We depart for Masada. On our way, we visit Jericho to view the Mt. of Temptations from a distance. This city was the site of Joshua’s first dramatic conquest. We view the Mt. of Temptation, home to a Greek Orthodox Monastery. We also visit Qumran (site of the Dead Sea Scrolls), and the Dead Sea for an optional swim (bring your swimsuit). Arriving in Masada, we ascend by cable car to view the site. Return to Bethlehem for our farewell dinner at a local.

Day 11: RETURN USA
This morning we transfer to Tel Aviv airport for our return flight to the USA.