DAY 1: DEPART
Depart en route to Tel Aviv with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
DAY 2: TEL AVIV / CARMEL / TIBERIAS
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we are met by our Catholic Travel Centre guide and make our way north to Mt. Carmel and the Chapel of Stella Mares (Star of the Sea), where we celebrate Mass. We arrive in Tiberias for dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 3: TIBERIAS: CAPERNAUM AND SEA OF GALILEE SITES
This morning we begin with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We will visit a replica of a fishing boat from the time of Christ. Our visit continues with Capernaum, the Heptapegon (Peter’s Primacy), followed by a visit to Tabgha where we celebrate Mass. We ascend by motorcoach to the Mt. of Beatitudes to gain a panoramic vista of the Sea of Galilee. We continue to the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows, then a visit to Bethsaida. We return to Galilee for the evening. (B, D)
DAY 4: TIBERIAS / NAZARETH / CANA / MT. TABOR / JERUSALEM
We make our way to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation for Mass, then continue to St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. Then to Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast. where we invite couples to renew their wedding vows. Our next stop is the site of the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor. We arrive in Jerusalem for the evening. (B, D)
DAY 5: JERUSALEM: OLD CITY, MOUNT OF OLIVES & MT. ZION
We begin today entering through Stephen’s Gate, with a 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 proceed to the Chapel of the Flagellation (where Our Lord was scourged), then carry the cross as we follow the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross). After the Stations, we return to the Ecce Homo Arch and Lithostrotos, where we celebrate Mass.
We begin this afternoon with a ride to Mt. Scopus and to the Mt. of Olives, where we gain a panoramic view of the old City of Jerusalem. We visit the Ascension Mosque, Pater Noster (commemorating the “Our Father”), Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem), and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. After lunch on our own, we continue onto the Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu (where Peter denied Christ), the House of Caiphas, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady, and the Upper Room, commemorating the Last Supper. (B, D)
DAY 6: JERUSALEM – CHURCH OF HOLY SEPULCHRE, BETHLEHEM, EIN KAREM & CHURCH OF VISITATION
We begin this morning with Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Then we make our way to Bethlehem, visiting first Shepherds’ Field, followed by the Church of the Nativity, St. Jerome’s Chapel, and St. Catherine’s Church. We will allow extra time for shopping in Bethlehem. Returning, we stop in Ein Karem where we visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. The balance of the day is at leisure to browse in the local markets. You may wish to include a group visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum, telling the story of the Holocaust and serving as a sober reminder of man’s inhumanity to man. (B, D)
DAY 7: JERUSALEM: JERICHO, QUMRAN, DEAD SEA & OLD CITY
This morning we stop in Jericho to view the Mt. of Temptations from a distance and to see the traditional Zaccheus site. This city was the site of Joshua’s first dramatic conquest. From a distance, we view the Mt. of Temptation, now home to a Greek Orthodox Monastery. Our next stop is Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We stop to view the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Then it is back up to Jerusalem, stopping in Bethany, site of the resurrection of Lazarus. Here we celebrate the final Mass of our pilgrimage. We have some time at leisure in Jerusalem. (B, D)
DAY 8: JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / RETURN
We transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for our return flight to the USA.
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.
