The holy land

We have our classic itineraries that correspond with the general aspects of each orientation, which also includes the major site, but for you it will be more that special.

8 days biblical tour

Despription

After arriving at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you will be welcomed by our local English-speaking guide who will escort you throughout your stay in the Holy Land and make the scripture come alive as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We will then drive to your selected hotel in Jerusalem, your home for the next five nights, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner

After a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the summit of the Mount of Olives for a spectacular view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. We will then visit the Church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension. Afterwards, we will proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent His last hours among the ancient olive grove, and the Church of All Nations, where tradition holds that He prayed on the night of His betrayal. Following this, we will drive through the Kedron Valley to see the Tombs of Absalom, Zacharia and James, and visit Hezekiah’s Tunnel.
We will then proceed to enter the Old City of Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and walk to the holiest shrine of the Jewish people, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of Herod’s temple. On the Temple Mount we will see the Mosque of Omar, which is above the site of the scene of Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. From the Temple area, we will make our way to the Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the man who had been ill for 38 years. We will walk along the Via Dolorosa to Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Arch of the Ecce Home (Behold the Man), where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate. We will then continue through the Old City bazaars to the traditional site of Jesus’s death and resurrection, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Later in the afternoon, we will enjoy a peaceful visit to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for quiet reflection worship and communion before returning to our hotel.

This morning we will travel to Bethlehem, birthplace of King David and Our Lord and see Rachel’s Tomb, one of the most sacred shrines in the Holy Land for Jews. We will also visit the Church of the Nativity, the grotto where Jesus was born, and the Field of Boaz and Ruth. Afterwards, we will return to Jerusalem and drive to Mount Zion and visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu on the site of Caiaphas’ House, the Room of the Last Supper, the Tomb of King David, as well as Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Following this we will return to our hotel.

Today we will drive around the Walls of the Old City to Bethany, site of the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, where we will visit the Tomb of Lazarus. Our drive then takes us through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) to Masada. An exciting ascent by cable car takes us to this last stronghold of the Jewish zealots in their war against the Romans in 73 A.D. Here we will visit Herod’s many palaces, the excavations and fortifications. We will then continue to Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and see the ruins of the buildings of the Essene community. Following this, there will be a unique opportunity to float on the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.
After lunch, we will drive to ancient Jericho, the oldest known city in the Western World, where we’ll stop by a sycamore tree and recall the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. From there we will head to the site of Old Testament Jericho (Tel es-Sultan), Elisha’s Spring, and see an Orthodox Monastery very near the site of Jesus’ Temptation in the desert. A drive through the winding mountain roads will take us back to Jerusalem

This morning we will enter the restored Jewish Quarter and walk along the excavated Cardo, once the main street of ancient Jerusalem. We will tour the Herodian Mansions, a complex of villas from 2,000 years ago. Then we will proceed to the Israel Museum to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus, as well as the Shrine of the Book, which houses an exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will conclude the day with a visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial dedicated to the Jewish Holocaust. We will walk through this astounding and deeply moving museum and visit the Children’s Memorial and the Hall of Remembrance, inscribed with six million names

Today we leave Jerusalem and travel to Tiberias, driving through the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean, where we’ll explore the extraordinary excavations of an ancient Roman city. Our drive continues to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to visit the Baptismal Site at the River Jordan. We will visit a place specially prepared for those who wish to be baptized in the River Jordan. Afterwards, we will enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and see a perfectly intact 2,000-year-old boat recently uncovered on the seashore. Our drive will then take us to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during His ministry. After visiting the synagogue where He taught, we will proceed to Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of the Primacy of Peter. We will conclude the day by driving up to the Mount of Beatitudes to visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount.

After breakfast, we will head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed His first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, couples will have the opportunity to renew their marriage vows. We will then drive to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well. In the afternoon, we will travel through the Hula Valley and past Hazor, a Canaanite city rebuilt by King Solomon to command the Golan Heights. From here, we will ascend the Golan Heights and cross the Hatzbani River to Dan and Banias (ancient Caesarea Philippi) at the foot of Mount Hermon. Our descent will bring us to Kursi, where Jesus cast out evil spirits from a possessed man, before returning to our hotel.

This morning we will leave for Tel Aviv and tour the sparkling port city of Haifa on the way. We will drive to the top of Mount Carmel, home of the Prophets Elijah and EIisha, for a scenic view of the city and port. We will then continue through the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo, where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. From here, we will travel along the Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea, the capital of the Roman Procurators, where we will see the Roman Theater, the Crusaders’ Moat, and the Byzantine churches. Our last stop will be Old Jaffa, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, before proceeding to the airport in for your return flight home.

Despription

On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our Franciscan priest guide or Catholic guide who will accompany you throughout your pilgrimage in the Holy Land. You will travel by bus to our hotel in Tiberias, located directly on the Sea of Galilee, check in, and enjoy dinner together

After a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Nazareth with a stop in Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle during the wedding feast. Here, couples who wish to do so can renew their wedding vows before a priest. We then continue on to Nazareth for Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation. We’ll also visit the home of the Holy Family at the site of St. Joseph’s Church, which is very close to the Basilica. A short walk will take us to the Crusader church built on the site of the synagogue in Nazareth where Jesus read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
In the afternoon we will travel to Sepphoris, the former capital of Galilee and the traditional site of the birthplace of the parents of Mary, Joachim and Anna, and the probable location where Joseph and Jesus would have likely practiced the family business. After a lunch break, we will ascend Mount Tabor, where Jesus took Peter, James and John and was gloriously transfigured in their sight before returning to Tiberias.

This morning we drive to the Mount of Beatitudes, which overlooks the Sea of Galilee. In this scenic setting, where Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount, we will celebrate Mass. Afterwards we will reach a site along the water named Tabgha (Seven Springs). There, our first stop will be the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Next, we will visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter, where Our Lord bestowed upon Peter the role of leadership of the Church. Here we will pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, followed by a prayerful walk to Capernaum, known as the Second City of Jesus, where we will see the ruins of the 2nd-century Synagogue (John: 6). Here our Lord called some of the apostles in Capernaum, taught the Good News of our Redemption, and cured many people of their afflictions. On the site of the ancient village of Magdala a new facility is being built for pilgrims; we will visit this site made famous by its Gospel resident, Mary of Magdala.
After lunch in a restaurant serving St. Peter’s Fish, we will drive to the shores of the Sea of Galilee where we will enjoy a peaceful boat ride, remembering the scripture passages of Jesus and His apostles on this lake. The day will conclude with a drive back to our hotel in Tiberias.

After breakfast, we will follow the Jordan River south from the Sea of Galilee through its fertile valley. Near Jericho, we will stop on the bank of the Jordan River to recall Our Lord’s Baptism by St. John. Those who wish may renew their own Baptismal Promises. Then we’ll stop by a sycamore tree to recall the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. From there we will travel to the site of Old Testament Jericho (Tel es-Sultan), Elisha’s Spring and visit an Orthodox Monastery very near the site of Jesus’ Temptation in the desert.
On the drive to Jerusalem, we will stop for Mass at Bethany, home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus before checking into our hotel.

Today, after traveling a short distance south of Jerusalem, we will arrive in Bethlehem. We begin with a visit in the countryside of the Shepherds’ Fields to recall the Angels’ glad tidings to the shepherds. Within the town of Bethlehem, we will go to venerate the Holy Grotto of the Nativity and attend Mass, and view the Manger and the Grotto of St. Jerome. We also will see the Franciscan church of St. Catherine, scene of Bethlehem’s Christmas Midnight Mass.
This afternoon we will drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Visitation Church, where we will praise God with the Magnificat, before returning to our hotel.

This morning we will drive to the summit of the Mount of Olives for a spectacular view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem and stand where Jesus did. We will also visit the Chapel of the Ascension and the Church of Pater Noster (commemorating the Our Father prayer). During our walk on the Palm Sunday Road, we will visit the chapel of Dominus Flevit. There, too, we will enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem. We will then continue down the road to the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Basilica of the Agony and the Tomb of Mary.
This afternoon we will enter the Old City of Jerusalem at St. Stephen’s Gate, where our first stop is the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda. Next, we will follow the Way of the Cross, carrying a wooden cross along the streets and among the markets and shops as Jesus did on His journey to Calvary following the Via Dolorosa. We will then enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and inside, visit Golgotha and complete our devotions at the Sacred Tomb of Jesus. After dinner, around 8 p.m., we will come together in a holy hour in the Garden of Gethsemane (Church of All Nations) on the very spot where Jesus asked His apostles “Could you not stay awake for one hour with me?”

This morning we will make our way to the sacred Jewish Temple area, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), where prayers are offered at these remaining holy stones of the glorious second Temple. Today, the only structures left standing on the Temple Mount are the Moslem Shrines of the Dome of the Rock and el-Aqsa Mosque. We will then drive along the walls of the Old City to Mount Zion and visit the nearby traditional site of the Upper Room, remembering the Last Supper, Easter Sunday night and Pentecost Sunday. Nearby, we will see Dormition Abbey Church that honors the passage of Our Lady from this life to Heaven. This afternoon, we will continue our travels to Emmaus to recall Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the day of His resurrection.

Early this morning we will have Mass at the Tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Following Mass, we will return to our hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, we will drive through the Judean Wilderness to Qumran to visit the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ruins of the buildings of the Essene community. From there, we will proceed to the Dead Sea for a unique opportunity to float in its mineral-rich water. A drive through the winding mountain roads will take us back to Jerusalem. For the rest of the afternoon, you will be free to discover and enjoy this fascinating city on your own.
This evening, a special farewell dinner including wine has been arranged in your honor at a typical Middle Eastern restaurant. Late tonight, we will drive you to the airport for your return flight home.

8 days catholic tour