The Holy Land
Suggested Itineraries
Israel & Palestine
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Israel, Palestine, & JordanDAY MEALS ACTIVITY (Subject to change)
1 Depart for Israel 2 BD Arrive in Tel Aviv, travel to Tiberias 3 BD Take a day trip to Mt. Tabor, Cana, and Nazareth 4 BD Travel along the Sea of Galilee and explore Capernaum 5 BD Visit the Shepherd's Field in Bethlehem, pray at the Churches of the Nativity and the Visitation 6 BD Visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Upper Room 7 BD Walk in the footsteps of Jesus' Passion on the Via Dolorosa, pray at the Churches of the Holy Sepulchre and St. Anne's, visit the Wailing Wall, spend free time in Jerusalem 8 BD Travel to Bethany where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived, visit the River Jordan, and float in the Dead Sea 9 BD Travel to Jordan, visit the site of Christ's Baptism and Mount Nebo, travel to Petra 10 BD Take a horse-ride through the ancient city of Petra, travel to Amman 11 BD Travel to Jerash and visit its Grecco-Roman ruins, Return to Amman to explore the capital of Jordan 12 B Depart Amman for home |
Significant Feast Days
Jan 8 - Baptism of the Lord
Mar 25 - Solemnity of the Annunciation
Holy Week
Easter
May 31 - Feast of the Visitation
Jun 24 - Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist
Dec 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Mar 25 - Solemnity of the Annunciation
Holy Week
Easter
May 31 - Feast of the Visitation
Jun 24 - Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist
Dec 25 - Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
10 -Day Pilgrimage
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DAY 1: Home - Tel Aviv (U.S. Departures) Depart home for Israel DAY 2: Tel Aviv & Tiberias Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Travel through customs and meet your guide who will accompany you throughout your pilgrimage. Board your coach bus for the trip to your hotel in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel in Tiberias. 
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DAY 3: Mt. Tabor, Cana, & Nazareth
This morning, travel to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration. After your visit, drive to Cana, the village where Jesus performed his first miracle of changing water into wine. Celebrate Mass at the chapel in Cana, where couples may renew their wedding vows. This afternoon, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well and the Old Market. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Tiberias. |
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DAY 4: Sea of Galilee & Capernaum Traveling along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, your day starts at Capernaum where Jesus lived and started his ministry. You will see the remnants of Peter’s mother-in-law's house and the old synagogue where Jesus preached. You will then proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes, the location of the Sermon of the Mount, to celebrate Mass. Drive onto Tabgha where the miracle of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves took place. Close by are the Church of Peter’s Primacy and the location of the Miraculous Fishing. Here is where Christ told his disciples to cast their net and catch the large quantity of fish. This is also where he proclaimed to Peter “Upon this Rock I will build my Church”. Then, take a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee as was done in the time of Jesus. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Tiberias. |
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DAY 5: Haifa, Nablus, & Bethlehem
Begin the day with a morning visit to Haifa. Spend time in the Stella Maris Shrine, the Carmelite Church of Our Lady of the Sea. Outside, follow the steep path down to Elijah's Cave the place where the prophet Elijah found refuge before his encounter with the prophets of Baal. The day continues with a visit to the Bahai Gardens. Weather permitting, walk down the picturesque terraces. Take time for unforgettable pictures in this scenic eden. After lunch, save room for dessert! As you travel on to Bethlehem, make a stop in Nablus, where you will want to sample the city's famous kanafeh, a traditional Palestinian dessert made with cheese and soaked in sweet syrup. See Jacob's Well before you continue on to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight. |
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DAY 6: Bethlehem & Ein Karem
Begin the day in Bethlehem and visit the Shepherds' Field where the angels announced the birth of the Christ Child. Then, visit the Church of the Nativity that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Mass will be held in Bethlehem at St. Catherine of Alexandra or the Shepherds' Field Chapel. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, and take time to shop in Bethlehem. After lunch, drive to the Village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Step inside the Church of the Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. Conclude the day with a visit to the Israeli Museum, the new home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Bethlehem. |
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DAY 7: Jerusalem
Make a morning pilgrimage to the Mount of Olives. This includes a dramatic view of the Old City, revealing 4,000 years of history. Visit the Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples, then walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see The Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of all Nations. In the afternoon, drive to the hill of Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, dominated by the Church of the Dormition. Visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper and end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Christ three times. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Bethlehem. |
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DAY 8: Bethany, Jordan Valley & the Dead Sea
This morning we drive to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and the Tomb of Lazarus. Drive down the Jordan Valley and stop at the oasis town of Jericho, where we will visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world. View the Mount of Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. Renew your Baptismal Vows at the River Jordan, at the site of Jesus's Baptism. Visit the excavations of ancient Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. After a busy day, there is time for a relaxing swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich water of the Dead Sea renowned for its healing properties. Rejuvenated, return to Bethlehem where you will enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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DAY 9: Jerusalem & The Passion of Our Lord Retrace the last steps of Jesus, as you walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross. Reflect on the greatness of Christ's sacrifice. Finally, arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. At St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, stop for a short prayer. Pass the Ecce Home where Pontius Pilate proclaimed “Behold the man." Continue on to the Wailing Wall, the most holy place for Jews. The rest of the day is open for visits to other Holy Sites, shopping, or resting at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Bethlehem. |
DAY 10: Depart for home
Depart Tel Aviv on your return flight home.
Mass will be celebrated daily, except on air travel days.
Depart Tel Aviv on your return flight home.
Mass will be celebrated daily, except on air travel days.
