Depart the USA

Arrive Tel Aviv airport and make your way to your hotel in Bethlehem for your six-night stay. *Transfers are available for an additional fee.

This morning, we visit the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site of the birth of Jesus, the Church of St. Catherine and the Cave of St. Jerome. We walk to the Church of Milk Grotto and then by bus down to the Shepherds' Field where the shepherds wondered at the angels' announcement of Jesus' birth. We drive towards Jerusalem and stop on the Mount of Olives to view the Old City and visit the Church of Pater Noster. We will walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane passing by the Church of Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept). Visit the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) and then to Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John the Baptist before returning to our hotel.

Today, we drive towards the Mediterranean Coast and stop in Caesarea to see the Aqueduct. On to Haifa and Mount Carmel to visit the Church of Elijah and then to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, and St. Joseph's Church. On to Cana to visit the Franciscan Church of the Wedding Feast where Jesus performed His first miracle turning water into wine. In the afternoon return to our hotel in Bethlehem.

In the morning, we drive to Nablus (ancient Samaria) and view Mount Ebal and Mount Garizim. We stop at Jacob's Well where Jesus met the Samaritan woman and asked her for water. Return to Bethlehem for last minute shopping and the rest of the afternoon at leisure to rest and pack. After early dinner, we join Catholics from around the world with the local Catholic community in the Holy Land to participate in the annual "Lighting of Christmas Tree" ceremony.

This morning we drive through the Jordan Valley to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee where we will enjoy a boat ride as Jesus and His Disciples did. Jesus spent much of his ministry along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Then to Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum to see the ancient Synagogue and the remains of St. Peter House, On to Tabgha (The Church of the Multiplication). Return to our hotel in Bethlehem.

Today, we drive to Bethany to visit the Franciscan Church and the tomb of Lazarus. Continue down to Jericho to view Mount of Temptation and the ruins of Old Jericho. Continue to the River Jordan where we can renew our baptismal vows. In the afternoon, we spend time at the shores of the Dead Sea where we can experience the salty water before returning back to our hotel.

Early in the morning, we walk "Via Dolorosa" (The Way of Sorrows) and stop at the Stations of the Cross until we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where we will celebrate mass at the Tomb of Christ. Then we return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, we visit the Old City of Jerusalem, the Pools of Bethesda and walk through the narrow streets to the Wailing Wall. Then we stop on Mount Zion and visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus. Time for shopping before returning back to the hotel. *Overnight not included. Transfer to airport for overnight flight home available for an additional fee.

RETURN TO USA