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 2000 years.

Should you chose to give your pilgrimage a central theme, some of our departures can be centered around Feasts days. Pilgrims have been traveling to the Holy Land for hundreds of years, and 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 - Tiberias 
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 Tiberias, which overlooks the Galilee. Dinner and overnight. 

Day 3 Up to Galilee
We travel up the coast heading for the Galilee visiting Caesarea and Mukhraka en route. An afternoon visit to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well. Later we stop at Cana, the village of Jesus'' first miracle; here couples may renew their wedding vows. 

Day 4 The ministry of Christ in the Galilee
Some of today's highlights are a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the synagogue and St Peter's house, a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic of the loaves and fishes, and to 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 Mount 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 by the Jews of the Judean Kingdom, and as a result, they would travel to the Galilee via the Jordan Valley to avoid contact with the 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 a 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 a local priest will welcome you and talk about the village and its inhabitants and the Christian faith that has sustained them for 2000 years. In this village is a church built over an ancient stable similar to the one 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 4000 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, and the City of David excavations. Around noon we drive to the town of Beit Sahur where Shepherd's Fields is located, inhabited by Christians for hundreds of years. Lunch has been arranged with some of the local families in their homes. After lunch we visit the site that commemorates 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 Caiaphas. From prison Jesus was taken to Judgment Hall and then led through the city to be crucified. Today we retrace these last hours of Jesus. As we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice. Finally we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. In the afternoon we visit the Cardo and many buildings dating to the time of the Moslem Conquest and Crusader era. We also 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 in Christian tradition. In the town of Bethany, home of Martha and Mary, Lazarus was raised from the dead. Further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus walked is Wadi Kelt gorge, site of the Monastery of St George. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world, before driving to the Dead Sea to see 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, renowned for its healing properties. 

Day 9 The Visitation
In the morning, see a model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Nearby is the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist. Celebrate Mass in the Church of Visitation where Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 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:
  3 nights: Carmel Jordan River, Tiberias or Marriott,
       Nazareth
  5 nights: Notre Dame or Olive Tree, 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: Tips to guide. Hotel staff & driver ($6 per day). Airport tax of $85. Travel insurance at $99. Items of a personal nature.