Pre-Selected Dates or Choose Dates for Your Group
The Inclusions:
- Airport Transfers / Roundtrip International Airfare
- 1 Checked Bag and 1 Carry-On Per Person
- Custom Destinations Tour Director
- Deluxe Motorcoaches
- 12 Meals (6 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners, Plus Airline Usually Serves a Meal on Each Flight to and from US)
- 6-Night Hotel Accommodations (Plus 1 Night on Overnight Flight)
- Guided Sightseeing
- Entrance Fees to Sites Visited (As Outlined in the Itinerary)
- Hotel Gratuities
- Fuel Surcharges
- Taxes and Gratuities
The Itinerary:
You are invited on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land!
After years of hearing the Gospels proclaimed at Mass and after years of proclaiming the Creed and partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass, imagine hearing those Gospels proclaimed, celebrating Mass, and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the very places that Jesus was born, baptized, ministered, taught, healed, suffered, died, and rose from the dead.
In accepting the invitation and going on this Pilgrimage, you just may return home with a new understanding of the Bible, Jesus’ land, and his ministry!
Day 1 and 2: Today, transfer to John F. Kennedy International Airport with your Custom Destinations Tour Director for the overnight flight.
Your spiritual pilgrimage will begin as you are welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative.
From there, you will be brought to the hotel in Bethlehem. Enjoy dinner before retiring for the night. (D)
Day 3: Today, journey to Jericho which is considered to be the oldest city in the world. It is here that you will visit the ruins of the ancient city conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:1). From Jericho in the distance, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1). You will be able to visit Qasr el Yahud and recall the baptism of Christ.
Later today, we make our way to Bethlehem to see the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace. This now resides in the world’s oldest functioning church (Matt. 1:18-25).
See St. Catherine’s Church and gaze out over Shepherds’ Field where the angels first proclaimed the Good News. (B, D)
Day 4: After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the Holy Land. Travel to Ein Karem, the village where John the Baptist was born, and the Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth prior to our Lord’s birth (Luke 1:26-40). You will see the Church of St. John. Then, see the Church of the Visitation.
Later in Emmaus, you will see the traditional site where Jesus appeared to two disciples after his resurrection. In addition, visit the Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle as he changed water into wine (John 2). Finally, see Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matt. 2:23). (B, D)
Day 5: Enjoy beautiful Capernaum which is the center of Jesus’ ministry. Visit the synagogue located on site where Jesus taught (Matt. 4:13, 23).
Sail across the Sea of Galilee while reflecting on the Gospel stories of Jesus calming the storm. On the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7), listen to Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. At Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the 5,000, visit the Church of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9:10-17). Take a moment to reflect and pray in the Chapel of the Primacy where Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21).
Later today, continue to Jerusalem for the overnight. (B, D)
Day 6: Today, you will be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Jerusalem (the Golden City) as you stand on the Mount of Olives, the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after his resurrection (Acts 1:9-12).
Visit the Church of Pater Noster before walking the Palm Sunday Road (time permitting) with a brief stop at the tear drop shaped Dominus Flevit Church which was built on the traditional site where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Then, visit the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion (Matt. 26:36-44).
On Mount Zion, see the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was imprisoned the night of his arrest (Matt. 26:57-65). Nearby is the Upper Room. The Upper Room is revered as the location of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26).
Conclude your day by visiting the Church of the Dormition of Mary. (B, D)
Day 7: Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple (including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall). Take a leisurely stroll down the Cardo, the main street of the Old City where modern shops stand among ancient ones.
View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle of healing (John 5:1-31). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne which is renowned for its beautiful acoustics.
At Herod’s Antonia Fortress, see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (B, D)
Day 8: After breakfast, we head to the airport for the flight to the US. Upon landing at JFK, the bus will whisk us back home. The visit to the Holy Land may be over, but your memories will live on. Perhaps you have even gained a new understanding of the Bible, Jesus’ land, and his ministry that you can share with others back home. (B)
* There may be various opportunities to celebrate Mass during this pilgrimage. *
The Cost:
From $3952 p Single, $3272 pp Double