A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Catholic)

Day 1: Welcome to the Holy Land

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Meet and greet by the Holiday Travel representative and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 2: On to Galilee

We start by visiting the port city of Jaffa, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. See the house of Simon the Tanner and St. Peter’s Church. We then drive along the coast to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar. Continue to Haifa to view the golden-domed Bahá’í Temple and its beautiful Persian gardens. Proceed to the “Horns of Carmel” (Muhraka), the site where Elijah slaughtered the false prophets. Then drive toward the Sea of Galilee. Continue through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the site of the biblical Armageddon. Finally, drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 3: Around the Lake

Today, follow His steps. Start with a visit to Capernaum on the north shore, where Jesus spent most of His ministry and chose His first disciples. Visit the synagogue located on a spot where Jesus once preached. Next is Tabgha, just north of Tiberias, the site of Christ’s miracle of feeding the 5,000, where the Church of Multiplication’s mosaic floor depicts a basket with loaves and two fishes. Then, visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ most famous sermon. Your next stop is Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Visit the Church of the Transfiguration atop the mount and enjoy a moment for contemplation. End the day with a memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of the fishing boats used at the time of Jesus. Return to Tiberias. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 4: Up to Jerusalem

Today, travel to Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine. Here, visit the Wedding Church, where married couples can renew their vows. Continue to Nazareth, where Jesus spent His childhood. Visit the Church of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well, where the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to the Son of God, and Joseph’s Workshop. From here, drive south to visit the biblical landscape reserve of Neot Kedumim, and participate in Israel’s reforestation program by planting a tree. Then, continue through the Judean Hills en route to Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 5: Jerusalem, the Eternal City

After breakfast, begin your pilgrimage in Jerusalem. Ascend the Mount of Olives to marvel at the spectacular view of the Holy City of Jerusalem and visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Continue downhill to Pater Noster, the traditional site of Christ’s teaching of the Lord’s Prayer, and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. Cross the Kidron Valley and visit Mount Zion, including the Room of the Last Supper and the Tomb of King David. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6: The Old City

Today is dedicated to the Old City of Jerusalem. Enter by the Jaffa Gate and visit the Tower of David Museum. Continue through the Jewish Quarter, arrive at the Wailing Wall, and follow His steps along the Via Dolorosa. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha, traditionally regarded as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Church was built in the 4th century by order of Emperor Constantine I. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7: The New City

Today, explore the New City of Jerusalem. Drive by the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) and visit the Israel Museum. See the model of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple and learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book. Visit Yad Vashem, the Memorial to the Holocaust, and later travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.