Day 1: Tel Aviv / Nazareth (D)

Today: On arrival in Tel-Aviv proceed through Passport Control, meet our private airport assistant, and claim our luggage. Our group will meet straight forward with our guide.

Depends on arrival time to Tel-Aviv, if its early morning, we stop in Mount Carmel or Caesarea. 

Evening: Proceed to our hotel in Nazareth.

 

Day 2: Mt Tabor – Cana – Nazareth (B/D)

Today: Drive to Mount Tabor (The site of the Transfiguration) and then to Cana of Galilee to visit the wedding Church (Mass) where Jesus performed the first of his signs, changing water to wine. Continue drive to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation starting with the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church then we will visit the house of the Holy Family underneath the Church of St. Joseph.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Nazareth

 

Day 3: Tiberias- Beatitudes - Tabgha - Capernaum- Sea of Galilee (B/D)

Today: This morning we drive to the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, continue to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic of the loaves and fishes with which he feed the Five Thousand. Visit the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy and then go to visit Capernaum to see the house of St. Peter and the Synagogue where Jesus preached. 

One of today's highlights is a Boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.  

Evening: Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Nazareth

 

Day 4: Jericho – Qumran – Dead Sea (B/D)

Today: After breakfast, you will drive along the Jordan Valley. Visit the Jordan River to renew our baptism vows. Drive down the Jordan Valley and we stop at the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. We will visit the excavations of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. On the way, back there is time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties.

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem or Jerusalem.

 

Day 5: Ain Karem - Bethlehem (B/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ein Karem to visit St. John the Baptist Church and Church of Visitation (Magnificat) where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth. Afterwards, drive back to Bethlehem to visit the Shepherds Field, the site where the star appeared to the shepherds which lead them to the manger where baby Jesus was born. Proceed to Milk Grotto. Visit also the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, and the Manger Square.

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem or Jerusalem.

 

Day 6: Jerusalem - The Passion of Jesus' last hours (B/D)

Today:  We enter the Old city Jerusalem to visit the Dome of the Rock, El-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall and the Jewish quarter and the Cardo, St. Anna Church for the visit of the Pool of Bethesda. We continue to the Judgment Hall known as the Antonia Fortress where he was led to be condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. At that place we start walking the Via Dolorosa through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice, stopping at each of the fourteen stations of the cross until we reach the church of Holy Sepulchre. Visit Calvary and the empty Tomb of our Lord and the different sections of the church. 

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem or Jerusalem.

 

Day 7: Jerusalem Mt. Of Olives (B/D)

Today: After breakfast, we drive to the top of Mt. Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area. Visit the Church of Pater Nostre where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, and then we walk on the Palm Sunday road to the church of Dominus Flevit, where our Lord wept over the city. Continue our walk on the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethsemane. At Gethsemane is the Rock of Agony where Jesus uttered his last prayer. Spend some time in reflection and meditation inside the church.

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem or Jerusalem.

 

Day 8: Departure Day (B)

Today: departure from Tel Aviv and fly back