1.  The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth 
2.  The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem 
3.  The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem 

At each Church, the pilgrim is to say the Lord’s Prayer, Rosary and Glory Be to the Father.  By completing these holy acts, each pilgrim visiting the Holy Land in the Jubilee Year will receive a plenary indulgence. 

If you desire a closer walk with Jesus of Nazareth, come with us as we follow in His footsteps.  A journey to the Holy Land is much more than a sight-seeing tour; each day of your pilgrimage you will have time to renew and affirm your faith; to pray and reflect.  Scriptures will come to life as you visit Our Lord’s home land.  You will be awed and inspired by the lush greenery and natural beauty of the landscape, in addition to its rich historical heritage.  It is an encounter that has changed the lives of many pilgrims. It is an act of faith and prayer.  We select the best airline, first class hotels and insist on the best possible service from our professional catholic guides. 206 Tours will create a pilgrimage experience you will never forget. 

For those who would like to, we can also arrange for you to visit the " living Church " in the Holy Land; to meet the Christians of the Holy Land.  Visits to Parishes and lunches with local families will give you insight into the Christian way of life and traditions existing in the Holy Land for 2,000 years. 

Should you chose to give your pilgrimage a central theme, some our departures are centered around Feasts days.  Pilgrims have traveled to the Holy Land for hundreds of years, as part of your pilgrimage, we include many of the rich traditions that have evolved over time.  Some distinctive features of a pilgrimage with 206 Tours are: 

Holy Hour at Gethsemane
Mass at Holy Shrines 
Solemn Entry to the Holy Sepulcher
High Mass at the Tomb
Way of the Cross 
Catholic guide in the Holy Land
Franciscan certificate of pilgrimage
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Mass and time for reflection on Mt Tabor
All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. St Jerome said, “It is no great praise to have seen Jerusalem, but it is very great praise to have offered pious and devout prayers within its walls.” 

Below is an outline of what you will experience
on your Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Day 2 Tel Aviv - Netanya 
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.  Exit terminal at the sign marked "groups” and meet your local guide who will escort you to our hotel in Netanya, which overlooks the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.  Dinner and overnight in the Netanya/Galilee area. 

Day 3 Up to Galilee
We travel up the coast heading for Galilee visiting Caesarea and Mukhraka enroute.  The highlight of the day will be an afternoon visit to the Basilica  of Annunciation in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well.  On the way to our hotel in Tiberias we stop at Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle; here, those who wish to can renew their wedding vows. 

Day 4 The ministry of Christ in the Galilee
The morning will be spent evoking the important teachings that Christ gave around the Sea of Galilee and its beautiful setting. There are many highlights such as a  boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum and see the synagogue and St. Peter's house, visits to Mt. Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given;  to Tabgha to see the mosaic of the loaves and Fishes, and the nearby Church of Peter's Primacy where Peter was told " Feed my lambs,  Feed my sheep". There will be an unforgettable  Mass on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Afternoon visit to Mt Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration. 

Day 5 Samaria, Jesus in the land at the heart of the Old Testament
Jesus broke the taboo of religious and racial segregation by going through Samaria. The Samaritan Jews near Nablus were ostracized and avoided by the Jews of the Judean Kingdom, and as a result, they traveled to Galilee via the Jordan Valley route to avoid contact with Samaritans. The story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, which we will visit, is a poignant metaphor for reconciliation and humanity. Today, the region is alive with traditions that are thousands of years old. In the Samaritan village, atop Mt Gerizim you can enjoy a spectacular view and witness an ancient community whose rituals and traditions have changed little since the time of Christ. In the Christian village of Taybeh you will be welcomed by  the local priest who will talk about the village and its inhabitants and the Christian faith that has sustained them for 2,000 years. In this village is a church built over an ancient stable similar to that in which Jesus was born. Overnight in Jerusalem. 

Day 6 Introduction to Jerusalem: Mt. Olives- Kidron Valley -
Mt. Zion 
On the first day we present an overview of Jerusalem for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area.  This includes a dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4,000 years of history. From this vantage point see much of what makes Jerusalem such a unique city to the three major religions - Islam, Judaism and Christianity;  the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, the City of David excavations.  Afternoon:  Bethlehem and surroundings Around noon we drive to the town of Beit Sahur where the Shepherd's Fields are located; inhabited by Christians for hundreds of years.  A  lunch has been arranged with some of the local families in their homes.  After lunch we visit the site that commemorates the Shepherd's Fields, then visit the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. 
 
Day 7 Jerusalem - The Passion of Jesus' last hours
At Gethsemane is the ' rock of agony' where Jesus uttered His last prayer.  After the betrayal by Judas, He was held prisoner at the palace of the High Priest Caiphas. From prison, Jesus was taken to Judgment Hall then led through the city to be crucified. Today we retrace these last hours of Jesus.  As we walk along the Via Dolorosa, through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the enormity of His sacrifice.  Finally arriving at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. In the afternoon we explore this ancient city that has been built and rebuilt seven times.  At the Cardo one can discern the Roman layout of the ancient city and view many buildings dating to the time of the Moslem conquest and Crusader era.  Walking through the bustling bazaars and alleyways, notice the distinct character of each of the four quarters of the Old City.  We visit the Wailing wall and the Mosques. 

Day 8 The Wilderness: Bethany - Wadi Qelt - Jericho - Qumran -  Dead Sea
The desert east of Jerusalem is rich with Christian tradition.  The town of Bethany, was home to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus who was raised from the dead.  Further east,  just off the Roman road that Jesus walked is Wadi Kelt gorge,  home of  the Monastery of St George. This site evokes the Monastic tradition of prayer and fasting that thousands of monks, since the 5th century and continues today, preserve the example of John the Baptist and Jesus' 40 day fast. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world, before driving to the Dead Sea and the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden. On the way back there is time for a swim in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea, renown for its healing properties. 

Day 9 The Visitation
In the morning, see the model of Jerusalem as it appeared during the time of Jesus.  Nearby is the village of Ein Karem, where John the Baptist was born.  Celebrate Mass in the Church of Visitation where Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth and proclaimed her Magnificant.  Free afternoon. 

Day 10 Jerusalem  -  USA
Transfer to the airport, filled with cherished memories for your return flight to the USA.

 
Your Trip Includes:
   Round trip flight from New York to Tel Aviv
   8  nights at 4-star hotels or similar:
         1 night    Blue Bay Hotel, Netanya
         2 nights  Jordan River, Tiberias
         5 nights Notre Dame or Shalom Hotel, Jerusalem
   Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
   Transfers by deluxe motor coach
   Guided tours by professional Catholic guide
   Porterage at hotels and airport in Israel
   Mass daily
   Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Not Included: Lunch.  Tips to guides & driver ($5 per day).  Airport tax of $85. Travel insurance at $99. Items of a personal nature.