$999 Special: Holy Land Pilgrimage to the Christmas Tree Lighting in Bethlehem | Nov 28, 2023
We invite you to join us for a Holy Land Pilgrimage to the Christmas Tree Lighting in Bethlehem starting at $999 on November 28, 2023, Ground Only, Airfare not included. You will see the Church of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, the Cave of St. Jerome, the Church of Milk Grotto, Shepherds' Field, the Mount of Olives, the Church of Pater Noster, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of Dominus Flevit, the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations), Ein Karem, the Church of the Visitation, the Church of St. John the Baptist, Caesarea, Haifa, Mount Carmel, the Church of Elijah, Nazareth, the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph's Church, Cana, the Franciscan Church of the Wedding Feast, Nablus (ancient Samaria), Mount Ebal, Mount Garizim, Jacob's Well, "Lighting of Christmas Tree" ceremony, and much more!
What's Included
- First Class Hotels
- Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
- Entrance and Program Fees
- Guided Tours
- Taxes and Hotel Gratuities
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 Tuesday, November 28, 2022 - DEPART THE USA
Fights are on your own.
Day 2 Wednesday, November 29, 2022 TEL AVIV / BETHLEHEM
Arrive at the Tel Aviv airport and make your way to your hotel in Bethlehem for your six-night stay. *Transfers available for an additional fee.
Day 3 Thursday, November 30, 2022 - BETHLEHEM / SHEPHERDS' FIELD / MOUNT OF OLIVES / GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE / EIN KAREM
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 travel by bus down to Shepherds’ Field, where the shepherds wondered at the angels’ announcement of Jesus’ birth. We drive toward 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 travel to Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John the Baptist before returning to our hotel.
Day 4 Friday, December 1, 2022 - CAESAREA / HAIFA / MOUNT CARMEL / NAZARETH / CANA
Today, we drive toward the Mediterranean Coast and stop in Caesarea to see the aqueduct. Next, head 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.
Day 5 Saturday, December 2, 2022- SAMARIA / JACOB'S WELL / CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
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 a leisurely afternoon to rest and pack. After early dinner, we join Catholics from around the world and with the local Catholic community in the Holy Land to participate in the annual “Lighting of Christmas Tree” ceremony.
Day 6 Sunday, December 3, 2022- SEA OF GALILEE / MOUNT OF BEATITUDES / CAPERNAUM
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, drive to the Mount of Beatitudes and then to Capernaum to see the ancient synagogue and the remains of St. Peter’s House. Proceed to Tabgha (The Church of the Multiplication) and then return to our hotel in Bethlehem.
Day 7 Monday, December 4, 2022- BETHANY / JERICHO / RIVER JORDAN / DEAD SEA
Today, we drive to Bethany to visit the Franciscan Church and the tomb of Lazarus. Continue down to Jericho to view the 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.
Day 8 Tuesday, December 5, 2022- VIA DOLOROSA / CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER / WAILING WALL / MOUNT ZION
and stop at the Stations of the Cross until we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 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 is not included. Transfer to airport for overnight flight home available for an additional fee.
Day 9 Wednesday, December 6, 2022- RETURN TO USA
RETURN TO USA
Departure Dates
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Tuesday, November 28, 2023From $999