Day 1 – Depart from Newark Liberty International Airport

Day 2 – Arrive in Tel Aviv, visit Jaffa St. Peter’s Church where we will have Mass, continue to Caesarea Marittima a seaport on the Mediterranean Sea. This was built by Herod the Great as his summer palace and in honor of Caesar Augustus. Caesarea became the home of the Roman procurators, including Pontius Pilate. Peter preached to Cornelius here (Acts 10); Paul spent two years in prison here (Acts 23 & 26); Philip lived here and had four daughters who prophesized (Acts 8:40; 21: 8-9). Dinner and overnight at a hotel on the shores of the Mediterranean. (D)

DAY 3 – After breakfast, we visit Stella Maris, Elijah’s Cave and Mt. Carmel, then on to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation for Mass, we continue to St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s well. Our last stop today is Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast. Here couples are invited to renew their marriage vows. We proceed to Tiberias for dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 4 – This morning we drive to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. We return to the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, the home of St. Peter and the Heptagon (Peter’s Primacy) followed by a visit to Tabgha to commemorate the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Then we ascend by motor coach to the Mt. of Beatitudes with its panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee; here we celebrate Mass. Finally we end our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias. (B, D)

DAY 5 – Breakfast & check out. Today we will leave the beautiful Galilee area and drive down the Jordan Valley, stopping first at Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Later we continue towards, the Qasr Al-Yahud baptismal site. This site holds the oldest and most ancient tradition for being the place of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. We continue to Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We stop to view the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Optional swim in the salty water and lunch on own. Thereafter we arrive in Jericho, being the normal route from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through it several times. We will see the traditional sycamore tree of Zacchaeus & view Mt. Temptation. Finally, we drive to our hotel, check in, dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

DAY 6 – Today we visit Bethlehem; the birthplace of Jesus and part of our tour will include a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity, followed by a visit to the Shepherd’s Field. In the afternoon we visit Ein Karem where we visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 7 – We begin our day by entering the Old City through St. Stephen’s Gate with a visit the Church of St. Anne, marking the birthplace of the Blessed Mother and the nearby Pools of Bethesda; then proceed to the Chapel of the Flagellation (where Our Lord was scourged), and the Ecce Homo Arch and Lithostrotos. Afterwards, we participate in the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) ending with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After lunch on your own, we will have an audience with the Latin Patriarch’s office. The balance of the day will be in the Old City. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B, D)

DAY 8 – After breakfast, we will begin our day with a breathtaking view of the Holy City on the Mt. of Olives, visit the Place of Jesus’ Ascension and the Pater Noster grotto. Afterwards, walk down the Palm Sunday path to Dominus Flevit where He wept over the city. Down at the bottom of Kidron Valley we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church marking the tomb of Mary. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of the arrest of Jesus and taking Him to the house of the High priest Caiaphas. We continue to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby upper room of the Last Supper. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B, D)