Holy Land- The Footsteps of Jesus
Day 1: Depart point of origin
Day 2: Arrival- Tel Aviv Airport
Upon Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, we meet our guide and driver then proceed to our hotel in Nazareth or Tiberias for dinner & overnight.
Day 3: Nazareth- Cana- Mount Tabor
After breakfast we drive to Nazareth, visit the Grand Basilica of the Annunciation; where the blessed Mother lived and was announced by the Archangel Gabriel “And the word became Flesh” Luke 1:26. After we visit the St. Joseph's Church the home of the Holy Family and the place where Jesus grew up in wisdom. Luke 2:52.(Lunch break). Then we visit Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water to wine at a wedding. Its modest church is a suitable place to reconfirm wedding vows. We will then drive to Mount Tabor, the Mount of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). From the top of the mountain there is a wonderful panoramic view which extends from Mt. Hermon in the north to the hills of Samaria in the south. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4:Sea of Galilee
After breakfast we gather on the Mount of Beatitudes by the Sea of Galilee overlooking the Jordan Valley. Then we will visit the church of Multiplication (Tabgha). Afterwards we continue to the Primacy of Peter where Jesus commanded Peter to “Feed my sheep”. (Lunch break). We then proceed to Capernaum to see the remains of an early church, the ruins of Peter’s house, and the ancient synagogue. Later we enjoy a private boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Back to our hotel for dinner & overnight.
Day 5: Stella Maris - Caesarea
Today we drive to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Mt. Carmel, to visit the Carmelite church Stella Maris. Then we visit the ruins of the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima which was built by King Herod and later became the seat o of the Roman governors like Pontius Pilate who sat in judgment for Jesus Christ and sentenced him to be crucified. Proceed to Jerusalem for dinner & overnight.
Day 6: Bethlehem-Shepherd's field-Ein Kerem
After breakfast we visit Bethlehem and kneel at the place of the birth of Christ in the Grotto of the Nativity. We visit also the Shepherd’s Field where the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds, on that first Christmas Eve and announced the birth of the Savior (Lk. 2: 8-18 ). Then we drive to the hill country to the "city of Judah” which today is called Ein Karem. Here we visit the Church of the Visitation, which by tradition is built over the house of Zacharias, where the Virgin Mary came to visit her cousin Elisabeth (Lk. 1:39-80). We will also visit the place where John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, was born. Back to the hotel for dinner & overnight.
Day 7: Mount of Olives- Gethsemane- Mount Zion- St. Peter in Gallicantu
We begin this day after breakfast driving to the top of the Mount of Olives, for a majestic view over all of ancient and modern Jerusalem, the center of the biblical world. the Pater Noster Church and the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Jesus wept) before walking down the “Palm Sunday Road” to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony) where Christ prayed on the night of His betrayal (Luke 22:40-46). Next, we drive to the Upper Room, and the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion. After we will visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (Palace of Caiaphas). Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Bethany-Qumran- Baptismal Site ( Jordan River) - Jericho
After breakfast we visit Bethany, the town where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Then we continue to Jericho, celebrate Mass and view the Mount of Temptation; the place where our Lord spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Afterwards we visit the Qasr El-Yahud; baptismal site on the Jordan River, which the Vatican recognizes as the authentic site of the baptism. There we renew our baptismal vows. We then drive to visit Qumran the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found and then to the Dead Sea where we can float on the mineral rich waters. Back to our Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Old City- Via Dolorosa- Holy Sepulchre- Judgment Hall- St. Anne- Pool of Bethesda
Today is a walking tour within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been crippled for 38 years (John 5:2-9), and the Church of St. Anne where there is an opportunity to sing a hymn before walking along the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) from Pilate’s Judgment Hall to the empty tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Free afternoon in the Old City. Dinner & Overnight at our Hotel.
Day 10: Departure
this is a suggested sample itinerary we will be glad to customize a program that meets your specific need, requirements and budget.
