Begin our journey to The Holy Land, with meals and beverages served on board our flight.

On arrival in Tel Aviv we will be met and transferred to our hotel on the Mediterranean coast.  Dinner will be served at the hotel.  D

After breakfast we leave for Caesarea Maritima to view the impressive archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine city that once dominated the region. Here, God revealed to Peter the Good News was for the whole world.  From Caesarea Paul set sail for Rome for his future trial and martyrdom.  We then drive to Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation and visit the Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. Continue to the fascinating Archeological Park in Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalen.  Here we will see the first century synagogue, the Magdala Stone and parts of the ancient town.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel on the Sea of Galilee.   B | D

The day starts with Holy Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of the Sermon on the Mount.   Then to Tabgha where Jesus fed the 5,000 and The Church of the Primacy of Peter where Jesus told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” On to Capernaum where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue dated to the time of Jesus and the church built over the site of Peter’s home. After enjoying a lunch of St Peter Fish, we head north to Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mt Hermon, where Jesus told St. Peter “You are the Rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Dinner and overnight at our hotel. B | L | D

We start the day a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee followed by a visit to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory.  Mass will be at the Basilica designed to represent the three tents Peter, James and John wished to erect. We then drive down the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, to view the Mt of Temptation and see an example of a Sycamore Tree up which Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus.  After lunch, we will go down to the Baptismal site on the River Jordan where John the Baptist lived, taught and baptized in the desert wilderness. After renewing our baptismal vows, we will drive up to Jerusalem to our hotel for dinner and overnight. B | D

Begin the day with a visit to the caves at the Shepherds’ Field which still have soot marks of the fires the shepherds lit to keep warm.    After, we go to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where will descend to the Grotto of the Nativity; here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.   After Mass at the Church of St. Catherine and the Grotto of St Jerome, we visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Back to our hotel for dinner before we head back to the Old City for the “Night Spectacular” at the Tower of David.  The Citadel is the backdrop for a telling of the history of Jerusalem using lights and music.  It takes about 45 minutes and after we can enjoy free time around the Jaffa Gate ice cream shops, coffee shops, stores, etc. 

At a set time we return to the hotel.  B | D

In the morning we will visit the incredible ruins of King Herod’s Judean Desert fortress of Masada.  It was here the Jewish patriots made their last stand in the face of the Roman army, in 73 A.D.  After, we drive to the desert oasis of Ein Gedi.  Here we will experience the incredible natural beauty of the Judean desert.  We’ll hike up a beautiful stream bed with waterfalls and pools to swim in.  We will then visit the Dead Sea where you will have the incredible experience of floating in this unique body of water.  B | D

We ascend Mount of Olives to visit the Pater Noster shrine where Jesus taught His disciples The Lord’s Prayer. Walking down the Palm Sunday Road we stop at the beautiful Dominus Flevit Church - “The Lord wept.”  We arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations to pray at the “Rock of Agony,” identified as the place where Jesus prayed on the night of His arrest.  From there, we visit Peter in Gallicantu, “Crowing Rooster,” church built over the site of the house of the High Priest Caiaphas and commemorating Peter’s denial of Jesus. After we celebrate Mass, we visit the Upper Room.  Return to Hotel. B | D

This morning we start the day at St Anne’s Church, the birthplace of Our Lady’s mother.  We will also learn about the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic.  The we will then begin the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) sat the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. The Stations of the Cross lead through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Here is the site of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ. Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  After lunch, we visit the Temple Mount; first the steps of the Southern Wall to ponder the Presentation of Jesus and the healing of the blind man, and then the most holy site in Judaism, the Western Wall.  Back to our hotel for a Farewell Dinner.  B | D

TRANSFER to AIRPORT for DEPARTURE.