10 DAYS IN  THE HOLY LAND

DAY 1 - DEPART USA

Gather for departure on  overnight flight to Israel.    Dinner and a movie on board.                 

DAY 2 - ISRAEL - HAIFA TO NAZARETH

Breakfast on board before we arrive in Tel Aviv.  After Passport Control and Customs, continue north along the Mediterranean Sea coast to Caesarea Maritime.  Here where St.Paul was imprisoned for 2 years and where the first gentiles were baptized, we read The Word.  Continue north to celebrate Mass on Mount Carmel and enjoy lunch with the Carmelites at Stella Maris before going to Nazareth and check into our hotel.    

 DAY 3 - NAZARETH, CANA, MOUNT TABOR

Walk across the street to celebrate Mass where The Word Became Flesh at the Church of the Annunciation before returning to Casa Nova for breakfast.  We return to  St. Joseph’s carpenter shop, the Franciscan Museum, and the Church of the Annunciation and walk through the market of Nazareth to the well where Mary often went to draw water and the Synagogue where Jesus taught. 

            Drive north a few miles to Cana to renew the wedding vows of our couples before continuing  to Mount Tabor.  Have time to mediate on The Transfiguration where Jesus revealed  His Glory. 

 DAY 4 - CAPERNAUM, TABGHA, BEATITUDES, SEA OF GALILEE, JORDAN BAPTISMAL

After breakfast, drive down to Capernaum  where Jesus called St. Peter and many of the other apostles.  Visit the Synagogue where He healed and taught before we go to the Primacy where He confirmed St. Peter’s mandate after His resurrection, and to Tabgha where he fed the 5000.  Celebrate Mass on the Mount of Beatitudes before we enjoy  lunch with the Italian Sisters overlooking the Sea of Galilee. 

            We’ll take a boat across the lake, recalling Jesus when He calmed the storm and called Peter to walk on water to Him.  Before returning to Nazareth, we’ll stop at the Jordan Baptismal site to renew our baptismal promises.    

DAY 5 - JORDAN RIFT TO JERICHO AND BETHLEHEM

After breakfast, drive south along the Jordan Rift to Jericho.  See the Mount of Temptations where Jesus was led after his baptism in the Jordan River.  See the excavations of one of the oldest cities in the world and maybe ride a camel before we continue up the Wadi Qelt, stopping to pray at The Valley of the Shadow of Death and then going on to Bethlehem to enjoy lunch at Casa Nova.  In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born and then visit and celebrate Mass in Shepherd’s Field.   Continue to Jerusalem and check into our hotel.

DAY 6 - JERUSALEM:  MOUNT OF OLIVES,  VIA DOLORES, HOLY SEPULCHER

After breakfast, we begin on top of the Mount of Olives at the Ascension Mosque and walk down to  Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over the city.  Continue walking down to Gethsemane to celebrate Mass on the rock where Jesus agonized.  In the afternoon, we’ll walk and pray the Via Dolorosa up through the streets of the Old City to the Holy Sepulcher and complete our day with the Franciscans in prayer and Benediction.

DAY 7 - JERUSALEM:  UPPER ROOM,  PETER IN GALLICANTU, EIN KARIM

After breakfast,  we’ll drive around the Old City to Mount Zion and visit the  Upper Room where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit came on the apostles.  Continue down to St. Peter in Gallicantu to experience where Peter denied our Lord and where Jesus was held overnight by Caiphus. 

            In the afternoon, we’ll see a Model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus before going to Ein Karim to celebrate Mass where Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Stop to pray where St. John the Baptist was born before returning to Jerusalem.

 DAY 8 - MASSADA, QUMRAN, BETHANY

After breakfast, a day to relax and learn.  We’ll drive south to Massada, and ascend the cable car to Herod’s fortress overlooking the Dead Sea.  After lunch, have time to experience ‘floating’ in the Dead Sea if you wish and stop at Qumran to learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls.

            We’ll stop to visit Lazarus’ Tomb in Bethany on our return and celebrate Mass in the place of the home of  Mary, Martha and Lazarus. 

DAY 9 - FREE DAY:  WESTERN WALL.  HOLY SEPULCHER

Mass at the Tomb of Our Lord  in the Holy Sepulcher before enjoying A free day to return to special holy places.   Maybe visit the Western Wall in the Old City (Heidi will help you get there.  It’s easy walking from our hotel) or  do a little shopping.  We’ll enjoy our farewell dinner  before packing up.

DAY 10 - DEPARTURE TO USA

Bid a farewell  to the Holy Land as we depart  for home with many memories to

Give Thanks and Remember

Price depends on time of year and  hotel choice.   Call for rates for your group.