Catholic Holy Land Tour 2009
Thursday 15th – Sunday 25th October 2009
12 days
Price: US$1650 p.p PER TWIN SHARE
(single supplement available upon request)
Day 1 – Wednesday 14th October – Sydney – Tel Aviv
Depart Australia to Tel Aviv
Day 2 –Thursday 15th October - Tel Aviv
On arrival in Tel Aviv we will be met by our local representative and proceed to our hotel on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Dinner
Overnight – Tel Aviv
Day 3 –Friday 16th October
Tel Aviv – Caesarea – Muhraka – Carmel - Tiberias
We depart Tel Aviv to Caesarea, where St. Peter baptized the first Gentile convert (Cornelius) and where St. Paul was imprisoned. Continue to Muhraqa, where the Carmelite Monastery of St. Elijah marks the place where the prophet Elijah set up his altar and triumphed over the false prophets of Ba’al. Then we proceed to Mt. Carmel and the Chapel of Stella Mares. We arrive in Tiberias for dinner and the evening.
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight - Tiberias
Day 4 – Saturday 17th October
Tiberias - Sea of Galilee, Capernaum & Beatitudes
This morning we begin with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, then visit Capernaum, the Heptagon (Peter's Primacy), followed by a visit to Tabgha to commemorate the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes. We ascend by motor coach to the Mt. of Beatitudes to gain a panoramic vista of the Sea of Galilee. Here we celebrate Mass. We continue to the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows, and then return to Tiberias for the balance of the day. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight - Tiberias
Day 5 –Sunday 18th October
Tiberias – Cana – Mt. Tabor – Nazareth – Jerusalem
We depart to Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast. Here we celebrate Mass and invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Then to Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration.
We continue to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation for Mass at the Grotto, then continue to St. Joseph's Workshop, Mary's Well, and, just down the street, the Chapel of Charles de Foucauld at the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth. We arrive in Jerusalem for dinner and the evening,
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight - Jerusalem
Day 6 – Monday 19th October
Jerusalem - Mt. Scopus & Mt. of Olives
We begin this morning with Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, followed by a ride to Mt. Scopus and to the Mt. of Olives, where we gain a panoramic view of the old City of Jerusalem. We visit the Ascension Mosque, Pater Noster (commemorating the "Our Father"), Dominus Flavit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem), and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. After lunch on our own, we continue onto the Church of St. Peter in Gallicanctu (where Peter denied Christ), the House of Caiaphas, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady, and the Upper Room, commemorating the Last Supper. Balance of the day in the Old City, where we will have time to visit the Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount.Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight - Jerusalem
Day 7 –Tuesday 20th October
Jerusalem - Bethlehem, Ein Karem, Church of Visitation
We depart Jerusalem for Bethlehem, celebrating Mass at Shepherds’ Field, and then visiting the Church of the Nativity, St. Jerome's Chapel, and St. Catherine's Church. Returning, we stop in Ein Karem where we visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. The balance of the day is at leisure to browse in the local markets.
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight - Jerusalem
Day 8 –Wednesday 21st October – Jerusalem - The Old City
We begin today entering through Dung Gate, with a visit to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Dome of the Rock & Temple Mount. We visit the Church of St. Anne, marking the place of birth of the Blessed Mother, and we visit the nearby Pools of Bethesda. We visit the Ecce Homo Arch and Lithostrotos, where we celebrate Mass. The balance of the day is at leisure in the Old City.
Tonight we gather for dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight – Jerusalem
Day 9 –Thursday 22nd October - Jerusalem
Day at leisure
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight – Jerusalem
Day 10 –Friday 23rd October
Jerusalem - Excursion to Qumran/Masada and the Dead Sea
We depart early this morning for Masada. On our way, we visit Jericho to view the Mt. of Temptations from a distance and to see the traditional Zaccheus site. This city was the site of Joshua’s first dramatic conquest. From a distance, we view the Mt. of Temptation, now home to a Greek Orthodox Monastery. We also visit Qumran (site of the discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls), the waterfalls of Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea for an optional swim (bring your swimsuit). Arriving in Masada, we ascend by cable car to view the site, and then continue to our Hotel in the Dead Sea for the evening.
Special Sabbath Dinner to be organised if possible (TBC)
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight – Dead Sea
Day 11 –Saturday 24th October - Dead Sea – Jerusalem
This morning we enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea and also enjoy a famous Mud Bath. Then we continue via Beersheva, Ashkelon to Jerusalem to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight – Jerusalem
Day 12 –Sunday 25th October
Via Dolorosa - Depart Tel Aviv for Australia
Spend the morning in Jerusalem for a special tour to the 14 Stations of the Cross and the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of The Holy Sepulcher. The guide will explain the different opinions and versions on the route that Jesus was led and the actual place of crucifixion and burial. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (Place of the Scull) and the Garden Tomb - here we celebrate Mass. In the late afternoon/early evening, transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your international flight back to Australia.
Optional Extra – 3 day tour to Eilat and Petra
upon request
Costs and Inclusions
All prices are in U.S. Dollars
US$1650 PER PERSON PER TWIN SHARE (single supplement available upon request)
AIRFARES - Please also note that while we do not have a solid price for the airfares yet as we are still 12 months out from departure – we are looking at about $2500 per person (approximate and subject to change based on 2009 prices). This again will subject to fuel and taxes at the time of booking.
The above rates are based on the following hotels:
October 15-16-Deborah Hotel - Tel Aviv
October 16-18-Moriah Gardens - Tiberias
October 18-23-Moriah Classic - Jerusalem
October 23-24-Moriah Classic - Dead Sea
October 24-25-Moriah Classic - Jerusalem
Cost Includes:
- Meeting and assistance on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport by Tour Representative
- Porterage at airport and hotels
- 9 full days touring in air-conditioned vehicle
- Transfers on arrival and departure
- Sightseeing with English speaking guide as per your program
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- One dinner in a local restaurant in Jerusalem
Meal Arrangements:
10 nights hotel accommodation at the above-mentioned hotels, on a half board basis. Buffet breakfast and set menu dinner at the hotels except for one night when we have dinner in Jerusalem at a local restaurant.
Not Included:
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Lunches
- Airport taxes, border taxes, visa fees
- Tips to driver, guide, hotel and restaurant staff
Click here for conditions and booking form
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