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 en route.  The day's highlight will be an afternoon visit to the Basilica of the 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 may renew their wedding vows. 

Day 4 The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
Some of today's many 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 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, the heart of the Old Testamentt
Jesus broke the taboo of religious and racial segregation by going through Samaria. The Samaritan Jews near Nablus were ostracised by the Jews of the Jerusalem-based Judean Kingdom, and as a result, they would travel to the Galilee via the Jordan Valley 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 one Samaritan village, atop Mount Gerizim, you can enjoy spectacular views. 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 it. 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, and the City of David excavations. Around noon we drive to the town of Beit Sahur where 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 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 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 explore the Cardo where 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. And 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 in Christian tradition. In the town of Bethany, home of Martha and Mary, Lazarus was raised from the dead. Further east off the Roman road that Jesus walked is Wadi Kelt gorge, site of the fifth-century 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 will be time for a swim in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. 

Day 9 The Visitation
In the morning see a model of Jerusalem as it appeared at the time of Jesus. Nearby is the village of Ein Kerem, where St John the Baptist was born. Celebrate Mass in the Church of the Visitation where Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and spoke the Magnificat. Free afternoon. 

Day 10 Tel Aviv - Rome - Assisi
Depart from the Holy Land for our flight to Rome. Transfer by motor coach to the peaceful hamlet of Assisi. Relax and settle into your hotel. Dinner and overnight. 

Day 11 Assisi
After breakfast we celebrate Mass at the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis which still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life and where we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit these two saints' tombs before dinner and retiring for the evening. 

Day 12 Assisi - Loreto - Rome
Our next stop is the Eternal City. Transfer to our first class hotel. Dinner and overnight. 

Day 13 Rome
After breakfast, we leave for a tour of Christian Rome. Our tour includes Rome's three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine containing a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. The Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?", the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the Catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight. 

Day 14 Rome (Papal Audience at the Vatican)
After breakfast we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Visit St Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St Peter's Basilica is the grandest of the world's churches. View such historical treasures as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced Christ’s side and numerous papal tombs. We also see Michelangelo’s restored mural of the Last Judgement on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, his Pieta, and the four mighty columns supporting the magnificent dome. In the afternoon take time to visit the Vatican Garden, Library and Museum to see awe-inspring relics and works of art donated throughout the centuries as tributes of faith. Dinner and overnight in Rome. 

Day 15 Rome - USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA.  Ciao Roma! 

Your Trip Includes:
Flight from New York /Tel Aviv / Rome/ New York
 8 nights at 4-star hotels in Israel:
    3 nights  Jordan River Hotel, Tiberias 
    5 nights   Notre Dame or Shalom Hotel, Jerusalem
    5 nights   at 4-star hotels in Italy 
    2 nights:  Hotel Giotto, Assisi 
    3 nights:  Michelangelo Hotel, Rome 
  Breakfast and dinner daily 
  Transfers by deluxe motor coach
  Mass daily
  Papal Audience
Luggage handling
Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
 
Not Included: Not Included: Lunches in Italy. Tips ($6 per day). Airport tax of $85. Travel insurance at $99. Items of a personal nature.