Israel - Catholic Pilgrimage
8 Full Sightseeing Days - 9 Nights

Tour Includes:

• Escorted by Professional Tour Director
• Choice of Deluxe, Superior First-Class or First Class Hotels
• Breakfast & Dinner Daily
• Comprehensive Sightseeing
• Transfers, Porterage and Entrance Fees
• Deluxe Document Case
• USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - En Route to Israel

Enjoy complimentary meals and beverages en route to Israel.

Day 2 - Ben Gurion International Airport - Joppa - Walking Tour - Tel-Aviv

Upon arrival to Ben Gurion International Airport, meet your guide and driver and get your first glimpse of Israel! On the way to your hotel, stop at ancient Joppa (Jonah 1:3) - Jaffa - the oldest known port city. It was from this port that Jonah set sail for Tarshish and where Peter, the Apostle, had his rooftop experience at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:8). This evening, enjoy a short walking tour of Tel-Aviv. Dinner and overnight in Tel-Aviv.

Day 3 - Tel-Aviv - Caesarea Maritima - Stella Maris - Mass - Acco - Tiberias

Today travel north along the coast to Caesarea Maritima (Acts 25:4) to see the Roman Theater where Paul stood before King Agrippa. Walk along the newly excavated harbor, from where Paul sailed to Rome, and view the archeological remains of where he was imprisoned. Also, view the fortress and another one of Herod's engineering masterpieces - an aqueduct. Continue along the coast and ascend to Stella Maris, a Carmelite monastery on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Below the altar of this beautiful church is "Elijah's Cave," where the Old Testament prophet is believed to have lived. While visiting Stella Maris celebrate Mass. Proceed north to the Mediterranean port city of Acco (ancient Acre) where you’ll visit the remains of the Crusaders' subterranean complex and browse along the narrow streets of this charming fishing village. As the sun sets, cross the Galilean hills and descend to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Boat Ride - Jesus Boat - Capernaum - Church of the Primacy - Tabgha - Mass - Mount of the Beatitudes - Dan - Caesarea Philippi - Druze Village - Golan Heights - Kfar Charuv

Begin the day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee (Mat. 14:25). Dock at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar where the remains of an ancient fishing boat dating from the time of Jesus - aptly nicknamed the Jesus Boat - can be seen. Stop along the water’s edge at Capernaum (John 6:24) - the center of Jesus’ preaching - the Church of the Primacy (John 21:15-17) with the Mensa Christi upon which Jesus shared meals with His disciples, and Tabgha (John 6:1) - the traditional site which commemorates the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves. Celebrate Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes (Mat. 5), where Jesus spoke before the multitudes. This afternoon, continue north to the ancient city of Dan (Judges 18:1-2, 7, 28-29). It is here where in 1993 archaeologists discovered a stone inscription which refers to the "House of David" - the first ancient reference to King David apart from the Bible. Nearby is ancient Ceasarea Philippi (Mat. 16:13-18) - today known as Banias. Situated at the foot of Mount Hermon, it’s a source of the Jordan River and also the site where Peter made his ringing confession to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God!" Enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Hermon at a nearby druze village - it’s simply breathtaking! Drive south along the strategic Golan Heights past the deserted landmark of Kuneitra - once the chief Syrian city of the Golan - to Kfar Charuv, a kibbutz located on the rim of the Golan Heights overlooking the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias. Bring your camera; the view is spectacular! Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5 - Cana - Sepphoris - Nazareth Village - Mary’s Well - Mass - Church of the Annunciation - Church of St. Joseph - Synagogue Church - Precipice - Yardenit - Galilee Experience

This morning journey to Cana (John 2:1-11), the site of Jesus’ first miracle - the transformation of water into wine at the Wedding Feast and where you may renew your own marriage vows. Continue across the Galilean hills to visit the recently excavated city of Sepphoris - the capital of Galilee in Herod’s time and traditional birthplace of the Blessed Mother. View the “Mona Lisa” of Israel - said to be the most beautiful mosaic in the country! Nearby, a special treat awaits you at Nazareth Village - a re-creation of a Galilean village as Jesus would have experienced it 2,000 years ago! A winding path leads you through a working farm past a cistern, winepress and stone quarries. As you walk, donkeys work the fields while sheep graze in the distance. It will be an adventure remembered long after your photographs fade! Just around the corner, walk through present day Nazareth (Mat. 2:19-23), the boyhood home of Jesus where we visit Mary’s Well the traditional place where Gabriel announced the Incarnation. Celebrate Mass in the Grotto of the Church of the Annunciation. Visit the Church of St. Joseph consecrated over the cave that is said to be Joseph’s workshop. It contains remnants of a cistern and storage pits which many believe date from the time of Jesus. Then, walk through the narrow alleyways of the old marketplace to the Synagogue Church believed to be built on the ruins of the former synagogue where Jesus attended. Departing Nazareth, make a brief stop at the traditional Precipice (Luke 4:28-30), believed to be where the mob took Jesus with the intention of throwing Him from the cliff. Conclude your day with a stop at Yardenit, a baptismal site built where the Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordan River. This evening, enjoy the Galilee Experience, a multi-media show which depicts the Galilee region’s history throughout the ages. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 6 - Mount Tabor - Mass - Ein Harod - Beit She’an - Judean Wilderness - Model City - Shrine of the Book - Jerusalem

Today, experience a special treat as you ascend Mt. Tabor (Matt. 17:1-2) - the traditional site of Christ's transfiguration - and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Transfiguration. On a clear day from this vantage point, you can see the entire Jezreel Valley spread out before you! This afternoon, drive south to Ein Harod (Gideon Springs – Judges 7), where God reduced Gideon's army to a few valiant men who later defeated the Midianites. And, nearby is Beit She’an (I Sam. 31:10), an amazing archaeological site where painstaking excavations and reconstruction are ongoing. This city, one of the Decapolis league, is remembered as the place where the Philistines hung the bodies of Saul and his son, Jonathan, upon the city walls. Continue south along the Jordan Valley and then ascend through the Judean Wilderness overlooking the 'Valley of the Shadow of Death' which David sang about in Psalm 23 to Jerusalem. Once in Jerusalem, visit the grounds of the Israel Museum to view the scale Model City – a depiction of Jerusalem at the time of Christ - and the Shrine of the Book, which houses many original manuscripts, copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Monastery of the Cross. Conclude the day with a stellar view of Jerusalem - “The Golden City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7 - Ein Karem - Mt. Zion - House of Caiaphas - Dormition of the Virgin Mary - Upper Room - Tomb of King David - Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity - Shepherds’ Fields - Mass - Ben Yehuda Street - Illuminated Walls of the Old City

This morning visit Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to see the Church of the Visitation. From here, travel to Mt. Zion and the House of Caiaphas (John 18:12) – the high priest of Jerusalem. Tradition holds that it is here where Jesus was tried and beaten late into the night. Descend deep into the pit where Jesus was kept until morning when He was led away to Pilate. Nearby, visit Dormition of the Virgin Mary where it is believed that the Virgin Mary fell into “eternal sleep.” Next, walk to the traditional Upper Room (Mark 14:12) and the commemorative Tomb of King David. This afternoon, subject to security conditions, travel south to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 & Luke 2:1) birthplace of Jesus and King David. Your visit will include the Church of the Nativity - the holiest site of Christendom - the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome and Shepherds’ Fields where Mass will be celebrated as you reflect on the joyful announcement of Christ’s birth. Before returning to Jerusalem, visit an olive wood factory and take time to shop for that special piece! This evening, after dinner, is a special night out! Explore more of the city, browse the many shops and enjoy a drink or ice cream at one of the many sidewalk cafes on Ben Yehuda Street, a pedestrian mall in the heart of New Jerusalem. Complete the perfect evening with a drive around the illuminated walls of the Old City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 - Mount of Olives - Church of the Ascension - Church of the Pater Noster - Dominus Flevit - Garden of Gethsemane - Private Garden - Mass - Jewish Quarter - Cardo - Wohl Archeological Museum - Southern Excavations - Western Wall - Rabbinic Tunnel - Pool of Bethesda

Today is a very special day as you retrace the steps of Jesus near the time of His crucifixion. First, ascend to the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:8) and stop at the Church of the Ascension - a chapel commemorating Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Nearby, visit the Church of the Pater Noster (Matt. 6:9-13) which is built over a grotto where it is believed Christ taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer. Today, the Lord’s Prayer - in 60 languages - encircles the courtyard. From atop the Mount of Olives enjoy the spectacular view before walking down the ‘Palm Sunday Road’ to the tear-shaped church of Dominus Flevit (Luke 19:41-44), where tradition holds that Jesus wept over Jerusalem - His beloved city. Your leisurely stroll continues to the Garden of Gethsemane (Mat. 26:36) with its ancient olive trees where the Bible states Christ prayed until His sweat turned to blood. The gardener will unlock the gate allowing you to enter a Private Garden of the olive grove for a time for reflection and prayer before entering the Church of All Nations where Mass will be celebrated. Nearby, enter the Old City through the Zion Gate and stroll through the restored Jewish Quarter to the ancient Cardo, the marketplace and heart of ancient Jerusalem. Pass a remnant of Nehemiah's Wall on your way to the Wohl Archeological Museum where you’ll view the remains of excavated mansions and villas dating from the time of Jesus. Around the corner is a fantastic photo op of the Temple Mount and Western Wall - be sure to have your camera ready! Next, descend to the Southern Excavations where you gain a better understanding of the Second Temple compound before standing on the stairs that Jesus would have used to ascend to the Temple. Visit the Western Wall – the only visible remnant of the Second Temple – also known as the Wailing Wall. For it is here that the Jews lament the destruction of their Temple and pray for the coming of their Messiah. Subject to availability; walk through the excavated Rabbinic Tunnel system by which means the priests traveled from their homes to the Temple. Inside, view ancient passages, arches, and cisterns as you walk on roman pavement stones over 2,000 years old! Upon exiting, stop for a visit at the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9 - Qumran - Masada - Ein Gedi - Dead Sea Swim

A fun day begins with the excavated ruins of Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Then, travel along the shoreline of the Dead Sea passing the lunar-like landscape to reach Masada, King Herod the Great's fortress/palace built in the midst of the desert. First learn the story of the Jewish zealots who chose death atop Masada in 73 AD rather than becoming slaves to their Roman conquerors. Then it’s off to the summit by cable car to view the exquisitely restored archeological remains of the palace complex. This afternoon view Ein Gedi (I Sam. 23:29) - David's Waterfall and the myriad of caves that became David’s refuge from Saul. Then it’s time to ‘kick back’ and relax. Take time to enjoy a Dead Sea Swim and experience the unique buoyancy of the highly therapeutic Dead Sea waters. Try it; it's indescribable! Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10 - St. Stephen’s Gate - Chapel of Judgment and Condemnation - Chapel of Flagellation - Pilate’s Judgment Hall - Lithostrotos - Arch of Ecce Homo - Via Dolorosa • Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Mass - Leisure Time - Farewell Dinner

This last day will be truly special as it begins by entering the Old City through St. Stephen’s Gate - also known as the Lion’s Gate. First, stop at the Chapel of Judgment and Condemnation and the Chapel of Flagellation (Mt. 27:27-30). These two chapels, in the same courtyard, begin the Via Dolorosa and represent Station II. Continue your walk to Pilate’s Judgment Hall - Lithostrotos, also known as 'The Pavement' (John 19:1-19). In this courtyard, as lots were cast for His garments, Jesus was stripped, beaten, and later led away to be crucified. Retrace Jesus' final steps - view the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) and continue the stations of the cross, following the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (John 19:38) where a final Mass will be celebrated. Hearts will be forever changed by this incredible experience! This afternoon, enjoy leisure time. Choose to explore the fascinating “souk” (marketplace) where you can bargain to your heart’s content as you shop for those unique souvenirs to bring home, return to your favorite site, or simply relax at your hotel. Tonight celebrate a farewell dinner followed by overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 11 - Ben Gurion International Airport - En Route Home OR Choose An Extension

This morning it's time to say “Shalom” to the Land you have come to love! Transfer motorcoach to Ben Gurion International Airport. While en route - treasure your memories of the fellowship and Biblical sites you’ve experienced - Memories that will last a lifetime!