Israel: Pilgrimage To The Holy Land

Travel to the Holy Land on an inspirational journey that visits some of the most ancient sites in the world.

Your tour begins in Tel Aviv, a bustling city brimming with culture and history, situated on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a buffet dinner at your hotel. Today dinner will be included.

All your included meals will take place at the hotel and will all be served buffet-style. In order to comply with local Jewish and Islamic dietary rules, breakfast buffets in Israel feature ample choice of fruit and vegetables, eggs and dairy products as well as smoked salmon or herring.

Your full day of visits begins with a walking tour of the walled city and Roman ruins of Caesarea. It was here that St. Peter converted the first pagan, Centurion Cornelius, to become a Christian, and where St. Paul was imprisoned for two years. Travel to Mount Tabor, the site of Our Lord's Transfiguration. Your day continues with a visit to Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle, at a wedding feast. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the First Miracle, where you can opt to renew your marriage vows. Arrive in Tiberias for a 2-night stay. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

The optional Cana Wedding Vows Renewal must be pre-booked a minimum of 60 days prior to departure. Couples must bring a copy of their marriage certificate. If travelling in a group without a Priest, we cannot guarantee the renewal of the wedding vows, in which case you will be refunded.

This morning, travel to nearby Tabgha and visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes, built to commemorate the miraculous feeding of five thousand. Stop at the Mount of Beatitudes for a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes. Continue to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, where Our Lord appeared to the apostles after His resurrection. In Capernaum, visit the church built over the ruins of St. Peter's house. Finally, visit Yardenit, the Jordan River baptismal site where you may opt to renew your baptismal vows. Later this afternoon, take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where many of the Apostles were fishermen and where Our Lord preached. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

The optional Yardenit Baptismal Renewal must be pre-booked a minimum of 60 days prior to departure. If travelling in a group without a Priest, we cannot guarantee the renewal of the baptismal vows as a local Priest may not be available to perform the ceremony, in which case you will be refunded.

In Nazareth, visit the Church of the Annunciation. Proceed to Bethlehem and enjoy a stop at Shepherds' Field, where the Angels appeared on the first Christmas night. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Nativity, built on the birth site of Our Lord. Later, arrive in one of the holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem for a 4-night stay. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Time will be allotted while in Bethlehem for entry into the Nativity Grotto. There is often a wait time that can exceed 2 - 3 hours; therefore, you must be prepared to stand in line for the entire time.

Your visit to Jerusalem begins with a stop at the Church of the Pater Noster ("Our Father"), built on the traditional site where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer. Afterwards, reflect at the Church of All Nations, built over the rock on which Our Lord prayed the night before He was crucified. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Christ's betrayal by Judas. Next, visit the Hall of the Last Supper. Pause at Caiaphas' Palace – known today as St. Peter in Gallicantu – where St. Peter once denied Our Lord in one of its courts. This afternoon, travel to Ein Karem to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, built over the Grotto of his birthplace, and celebrate Mass. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

The day is yours to explore the city on your own. Perhaps you'll choose to take an optional excursion to Jericho and Qumran, including a chance to float on the Dead Sea. No matter how you spend your day, gather in the evening with your fellow travelers to celebrate Mass. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

This morning, immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of Jerusalem's Old City. Follow in the footsteps of Our Lord today as you visit the Church of St. Anne, marking the place where the parents of the Blessed Mother lived. Pause for a moment of devotion close to St. Stephen's Gate, where the first Christian martyr was stoned to death. Continue to the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic, and see the Ecce Homo Arch, the site where Pontius Pilate presented Our Lord to the crowds. Walk through the Muslim, Christian and Jewish quarters to the Western Wall of the Temple. Then, follow the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, walked by Our Lord on the way to His crucifixion. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Jerusalem, before toasting to the end of your spiritual journey during a buffet farewell dinner at your hotel. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many pleasant memories. Today breakfast will be included.