Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we are welcomed by our Representative then drive to the Judean Hill Country for dinner and overnight.

This morning we visit the gentle lush countryside of Ein Karem, the village where John the Baptist was born. Here we will visit the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John. We then continue to the Church of the Nativity, situated above the traditional Grotto of Jesus birth. After touring the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome, the church of St. Catherine, we will visit the Milk Grotto. Later we head to the shepherd’s field.

This morning, we leave Bethelehm and head to Tiberias. Drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, home of ancient Roman Procurators and capital city of the Roman Province of Palestine Here, St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years. Continue to the sparkling port city of Haifa. Ascend Mt. Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. We then head to Nazareth, home of the Holy Family. Visit Joseph’s Workshop and the Grotto of the Annunciation. Continue to Cana of Galilee, where our Lord performed the first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here we will invite couples to renew their wedding vows. 

This morning we visit Caesarea Philippi, location of the testimony of St. Peter and where Jesus answered him “You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Continue to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Visit the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called his disciples and appeared after his resurrection. Visit Capernaum, home of our Lord during his ministry, recall His many miracles and see the Synagogue where He taught. Then drive up to the Mt. of the Beatitudes for lunch near the site of the Sermon on the Mount. We then visit the nearby village of Magdala before we conclude this day with a scenic boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

This morning we depart Tiberias and travel to the summit of Mt. Tabor at the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus and enjoy a sweeping view of the beautiful Jezreel Valley. Continue to Jericho, the oldest known city in the world. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. After lunch we head to Massada and visit the fortress built by king Harold the great. Then on to Ein Gedi for a swim in the salty, mineral laden and unsinkable waters of the Dead Sea. We then stop at the Jordan River before continuing to our hotel in Bethlehem.

We begin the first day in Jerusalem with a visit to the area of the ancient Jewish temple. Explore excavations of the temple environs, see the steps where Jesus preached and the evidence of the destruction of the temple as Jesus foretold. See the Wailing Wall – the most sacred place in the world for Jews. Proceed to Mt. Zion where we will stand in the Upper Room, very near where Jesus ate the Last Supper with His disciples. Then we will visit the Dormition Abbey where we remember Mary “falling asleep” before her Assumption. Drive to Bethany where Our Lord would stay in the home of His friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus during His visits to Jerusalem.

This morning drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives where we will visit the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer. We also visit the Chapel of the Ascension commemorating the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven. Walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominus Flevit and enjoy a spectacular view of Jerusalem. In the afternoon, we visit the Church of St. Peter in Galicantu at the place where Peter denied Jesus while He was awaiting trial before Sanhedrin. Return that evening to the Church of All Nations on the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus suffered the agony in the garden and was betrayed by Judas.

Today we will walk through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old City, and continue to the Church of St. Anne, the birthplace of Mary, and viewing the Pool of Bethseda, where Jesus healed the crippled. Then follow Jesus on the Way of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to visit the Calvary, where Christ was crucified, the Stone of Anointing, and the empty Tomb of Our Savior which witnesses to our Easter faith in the resurrection.