Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our overnight flight to Israel. Meals and drinks served aloft.

 

Day 2 Jan. 27: Arrive Tel Aviv
After arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we will be met by our local guide who will arrange the schedules of our visits and make the scripture come alive as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Drive to our hotel in Jerusalem.

 

Day 3 Jan. 28: Tel Aviv / Tiberias
This morning, leave Tel Aviv for Tiberias. Drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, capital of the ancient Roman Procurators of Judea where St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader's Moat, and the Byzantine Churches. Continue to the sparkling port city of Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Continue to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle �] changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we'll invite couples to renew their marriage vows before driving on to Tiberias, our home for the next three nights.

 

Day 4 Jan. 29: Tiberias
Following breakfast, drive to Nazareth where we will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Then take an excursion to the summit of Mt. Tabor to visit the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.

 

Day 5 Jan. 30: Tiberias
This morning enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Jesus during His ministry. After visiting the synagogue where He taught, drive to Tabgha �] site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Then visit the chapel which commemorates the primacy of Peter. Next, drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes to visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount.

 

Day 6 Jan. 31: Tiberias / Jerusalem
This morning we will drive to the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River where we will renew our baptismal vows. Continue south through the Jordan River Valley to Jericho, the oldest known city in the Western world. From the top of the ancient "tel", we'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain, the Qarantal and the Mount of Temptation. Continue up to Jerusalem, our home for the next five nights.

 

Day 7 Feb. 1: Jerusalem
This morning enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda and the Chapel of Flagellation. We will then carry a wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. In the afternoon we will proceed to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Dormition Abbey and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times.

 

Day 8 Feb. 2: Jerusalem
Drive to Bethlehem to visit the Nativity Church which was built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the traditional Grotto of Jesus' birth. Also tour the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome, the Church of St. Catherine, the Milk Grotto, and the Shepherd�fs Fields. Then visit Bethlehem University for a visit and lunch with the faculty and students followed by some free time for shopping in Bethlehem. In the afternoon we will drive to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church where Mary proclaimed her famous "Magnificat."

 

Day 9 Feb. 3: Jerusalem
This morning, drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Pater Noster, Ascension, and then walk the "Palm Sunday Road" to Dominus Flevit, where Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon we will drive to visit Emmaus and Abu Ghosh.

 

Day 10 Feb. 4: Jerusalem
Proceed to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha & Lazarus and the Tomb of Lazarus. Then drive through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This evening we will enjoy a farewell Middle Eastern dinner.

 

Day 11 Feb. 5: Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / U.S.A.
Today our Holy Land pilgrimage comes to an end. We will transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for our return flight home.