DESTINATION

ITINERARY
MARCH 2, 2023 – U.S.A.: Depart from U.S.A. for Israel.

MARCH 3, 2023 – TEL AVIV: Upon our arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met by our guide who will accompany us throughout our journey. Tel Aviv where we will take a driving sightseeing tour of this most modern of Israeli cities. Lunch on your own. Thereafter we visit JOPPA which was also the home of Tabitha (or Dorcas) who was raised from the dead by Peter. It was also here that Peter learned that God was interested in the salvation of the Gentiles. We transfer to our hotel in for dinner & overnight. (Dinner)

MARCH 4, 2023 – AKKO / BAHAI GARDENS / HAFIA: After breakfast at the hotel, we will checkout from the hotel. Our first visit to Akko is a city that has been shaped by the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British. Today it is home to a brilliantly coexistent mixed population of Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Old City of Akko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest ports in the world. Lunch is at the local restaurant. Later, we make our way north to Mares (Star of the Sea), Continue to Muhraqa, where the Carmelite Monastery of St. Elijah marks the place where the prophet Elijah set up his altar and triumphed over the false prophets of Ba’al. Finally, we enjoy a stop to view the Bahai Gardens on Mount Carmel in Haifa, the most holy site of the Bahai faith. this beautiful terrace of the Bahai Gardens is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. we arrive in Haifa for check in, dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 5, 2023 – TABOR / NAZARETH / CANA: After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Mt. Tabor, where Jesus was transformed before Peter, James and John and they experienced a sign of his glory before witnessing His passion and death. (Luke 9:28-36). We continue to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus played as a child, learned a trade, and grew to manhood. We visit the Church of St. Gabriel, Mary’s Well and the Basilica of the Annunciation, followed by Mass. After lunch we continue to Cana where we invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Afterwards we return to our hotel in Hafia for dinner & overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 6, 2023 – SEA OF GALILEE SITES: After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our day by walking from the Mt. of Beatitudes to Capernaum where Peter lived and where Jesus began his public ministry (Matt 4:13). We spend some time walking about the excavation of this town so familiar to Jesus. After visiting Capernaum, our motor coach will take us to what is known as “Peter’s Primacy,” the site where, after His resurrection, Jesus met with his disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” (John 21:9). We enjoy St. Peters Fish meal then we visit Tabgha to see the Church of the Loaves and the Fishes, commemorating where Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 people (Matt 14:15-21). We return to the Sea of Galilee where we visit the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz and see an ancient boat, known as the “Jesus Boat,” in this modern museum. Next, we go down to the shore, where we board our boat for a private cruise on the Sea of Galilee, recalling the various incidents of Christ’s encounters with His disciples here. Afterwards we return to our hotel in Hafia for dinner & overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 7, 2023 – JERICHO / BAPTISMAL SITE / DEAD SEA / BETRHANY / JERUSALEM: After breakfast, today we will leave the beautiful Galilee area and drive down the Jordan Valley. Our first visit is Qasr Al-Yahud baptismal site, this site holds the oldest and most ancient tradition for being the place of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Matthew, 3: 13-17). Next, we visit the city of Jericho, which Jesus also visited with His disciples (Mark 10:46-52). Here we view the Mt. of Temptation now home to a Greek Orthodox Monastery from a distance and to see the traditional sycamore tree of Zacchaeus. Lunch is at the local restaurant. We will have an opportunity to "float" in the salty Dead Sea water. We make our way to Jerusalem Back on our motor coach, we climb the mountain to the Holy City of Jerusalem . We drive to Bethany which gives us an opportunity to visit the traditional tomb of Lazarus. Back on our motor coach and drive to Jerusalem for check-in, dinner and overnight (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 8, 2023 – SHEPHERDS‘ FIELD / BETHLEHEM: After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Shepherds’ Field where we visit the Shepherds’ Cave. Next we visit Bethlehem, beginning at Manger Square which stands in front of one of the oldest of Christian churches, the Church of the Nativity. Bending low so as to enter through the Door of Humility, we enter the Church and descend into the Grotto of the Nativity. Beneath the Altar, a 14 pointed Silver Star marks the exact spot surrounded by the Latin inscription: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). After lunch, we visit a local shop where we can buy gifts. We return to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and the rest of the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 9, 2023 – MT. OLIVES / ST. PETER IN GALICANTU / MT. ZION: After breakfast at the hotel, we begin today at the Chapel of the Ascension which according to tradition is the site where Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after resurrection. We visit Bethpage, the traditional starting point of the Palm Sunday procession and follow the path that Jesus took that day. We see the Pater Noster Shrine, commemorating the ‘Our Father’ in languages from around the world. Then we come to the place where Jesus wept over the city. It is known as Dominus Flevit (Latin for “The Lord wept”). We continue on to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony, known as Church of All Nations. We take some time for prayer and reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Garden contains trees, the roots of which go back to the time of Jesus. After lunch, we cross the Kidron Valley where Jesus was led up to the Palace of Caiaphas for his first interrogation by the High Priest. The site is known as St. Peter in Galicantu (“crowing rooster”). We continue on to Mt. Zion, we visit the Upper Room, commemorating the Last Supper and Pentecost, and the Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 10, 2023 – VIA DOLOROSA, HOLY SEPULCHRE / WESTERN WALL / OLD CITY: After breakfast, we gather at the Antonia Palace to walk the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross. We conclude at the site of Calvary, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here we will visit the Tomb of Jesus and call to mind the empty tomb. We celebrate Mass at one of the chapels at Holy Sepulchre church and then lunch at the local restaurant. This afternoon we visit the Western or Wailing Wall of the Temple, and view the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock from the distance and then move to St. Stephen’s Gate and the Church of St. Anne. We visit the Pool at Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic. The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner this evening is at our hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 11, 2023 – EIN KAREM / THEV ROAD TO EMMAUS: TEL AVIV: After breakfast, this morning we board the bus to visit the city of Ein Karem, the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist. It was here that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, visited Elizabeth her cousin, following the news that she was with child. There we will visit the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Lunch is at the local restaurant. Then we will continue on to Emmaus. It was on the road to Emmaus that Jesus appeared to two of His disciples following His resurrection and revealed Himself in the breaking of the bread [Luke 24:13-35]. We celebrate the final Mass of our pilgrimage at the Benedictine Monastery in Abu Ghosh. We return to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and the rest of the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

MARCH 12, 2023 – JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / U.S.A.: TEL AVIV: After breakfast, checkout. We enjoy some free time in the old city for last minute sites. Transfer to airport for your flight back home. (Breakfast)