Catholic Group Tour

DURATION:	8 Days / 7 Nights
PRICE:	From USD1,299.00 PER PERSON based on twin share half board

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND FOR CATHOLIC PARTICIPANTS CELEBRATING 3 HOLY MASSES

Suggested tailor made itinerary for small Group to follow in footsteps of the Bible…

MONDAY - MUCHRAKA · NAZARETH · CANA · TIBERIAS

After breakfast drive north to the direction of Haifa to visit the Carmelite Monastery in Muchraka. It is on this summit that the dramatic battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place. Drive to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation erected over the grotto where according to tradition, the archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Christ. Nearby, visit the Church of St. Joseph. For Catholic Participants, CELEBRATE MASS IN NAZARETH. For other denominations, use this time to explore around the area. On to Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle, at the request of His mother. Couples will have the chance to renew their marriage vows. Begin the drive to Tiberias to check into hotel for dinner and overnight.

TUESDAY - MT OF BEATITUDES • CAPERNAUM • TABGHA • BOAT RIDE • MT. TABOR

After breakfast drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Proceed to Capernaum where Christ went to live after He left Nazareth. See the ruins of an ancient synagogue, one of the earliest and best preserved of the Galilean synagogues. On to the church built over the ruins of what was believed as the house of St. Peter. Proceed to Tabgha and visit the Benedictine Church of the Multiplication and Church of St. Peter’s Primacy. After which take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee as Jesus and the apostles did. In the afternoon, drive up to Mt. Tabor where according to tradition the miracle of the Transfiguration of Christ took place. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

WEDNESDAY - JORDAN RIVER · JERICHO · DEAD SEA · JERUSALEM

After breakfast drive to Yardenit, a traditional baptismal site on the Jordan River for the renewal of baptismal vows. Drive along the Jordan Valley and through the desert to Jericho, believed to be the oldest city. Proceed to the Dead Sea which is also called “Sea of Salt” and is the lowest spot on the surface of the globe. Here you can experience floating and swimming in these waters which have amazing healing powers. Drive up to Jerusalem and check into hotel for dinner and overnight.

THURSDAY - BETHLEHEM · EIN KAREM · WAILING WALL

After breakfast drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity built over the tomb of St. Geronimo. In the grotto under the altar, see the silver star which marks the place of Jesus’ birth. Next door to the Church of the Nativity is the Roman Catholic church of St. Catherine. It is in this church that Christmas midnight mass is celebrated and relayed throughout the world via satellite. Visit the Shepherd’s Field where angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. For Catholic Participants, CELEBRATE MASS IN BETHLEHEM. For other denominations, time for shopping for Olive Wood or enjoy a coffee in Manger Square. Continue to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. A slow and uphill climb to the Church of the Visitation where Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth who greeted the future mother of Jesus with the words “blessed art thou among women”. Mary responded with the “Magnificat”, a song of praise to the Lord. On to the Old City of Jerusalem to visit the holiest site of the Jewish nation, the Western Wall. Drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

FRIDAY - MOUNT OF OLIVES · OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

After breakfast we drive up the Mount of Olives stopping at the Church of the Ascension then the Church of Pater Noster where we will see different translations of the Lord’s Prayer. Walk along the Palm Sunday Road passing by the Franciscan Church of the Dominus Flevit, where the Lord wept and shed a tear for the city of Jerusalem. We continue on the Palm Sunday Road ending at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, enter the old city of Jerusalem stopping first at the Church of St. Anne and the pool of Bethesda. Continue walking along the Via Dolorosa, also called the “Way of the Cross”. There are fourteen stations along the route each commemorating an event along Jesus’ route to crucifixion. End up at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

SATURDAY - MT. ZION · ISRAEL MUSEUM · EMMAUS-TEL AVIV

After breakfast For Catholic participants, CELEBRATE MASS AT NOTRE DAME. Other Denominations to visit the beautiful Garden Tomb – time for prayer and reflection.
Continuethe room of the Last Supper, King David’s Tomb and the Church of Dormition, where the Blessed Virgin Mary fell into eternal sleep. Continue on to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of the house of high priest Caiaphas. It is on this site that Peter denied Jesus three times. Visit the Israel Museum to see the Jerusalem Model as well as the Dead Sea scrolls. On to Emmaus in Abu Gosh, where you will find a tiny Romanesque Crusader city built in 1142 atop three Roman cisterns. Continue to Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.

INCLUSIONS:

The above tour packages include the following:

Meet and assistance at the airport upon arrival
Sharing transfers to and from airport
Seven nights accommodation at First Class hotels on Half board basis
English Speaking guide for 6 tour days
Air conditioned coach
Entrance fees according to itinerary

The above mentioned does not include:

Any airline tickets
Travel Insurance
Any personal expenses
Passport, visa and border crossing fees if applicable
Visa
Taxes
Additional meals and drinks
Tips

Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

PRICE FROM USD1,299.00 PER PERSON BASED ON TWIN SHARE

BASED ON FOUR STAR ACCOMMODATION:
Metropolitan Hotel Tel Aviv or similar
Rimonim Mineral Hotel, Tiberias or similar
Rimonim Hotel Jerusalem or similar

Exciting options to Petra and Jordan also on offer!

SUNDAY - ARRIVAL · TEL AVIV