Day 1 New York, NY
We depart on our international flight to Tel Aviv's Ben
Gurion Airport. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
Day 2 Galilee
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we are met by our
Tour Escort and transferred to our hotel in the Galilee. Enjoy some free time to
freshen up before dinner. Overnight in the Galilee area. (D)
Day 3 Galilee
Our exploration of the Holy Land begins with visits to
Christian sites along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus taught and
performed miracles here. We visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, where, according to
tradition, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon is commemorated in
the Church of the Beatitudes, built overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We continue
to Tabgha, site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. A
mosaic commemorating this miracle is located near the altar at Tabgha. We also
visit Capernaum and the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Later we proceed to the
Church of the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor and the Jordan River, site of Jesus'
baptism. We enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee and visit Ginnosar where we see
a fisherman's boat that dates to Jesus' time. Dinner and overnight are in the
Galilee area. (B, D)
Day 4 Jerusalem
Today we travel to Nazareth in the Lower Galilee, the
place where Jesus grew up and lived most of his life. We visit the Church of the
Annunciation, built over the Grotto of the Annunciation, the place where early
Christian tradition says that the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary. We continue to
Joseph's carpentry workshop and then to Cana, site of the wedding feast. At
Mount Carmel we stop at the Carmelite Monastery at the Muhraka, site of Elijah's
altar and celebrate Mass at Stella Maris Church. Paintings in the church dome
depict Old Testament stories, including one of Elijah being swept up to heaven
in a fiery chariot. We continue to Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea to discover
the ancient Crusader and Roman town, its aqueduct and theater. Dinner and
overnight are in Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 5 Jerusalem
We spend the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting
St. Anne's Church, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the
Ecce Homo Arch. We continue through the Bazaar to the Via Dolorosa which winds
through the streets of Old Jerusalem and commemorates the path that Jesus walked
on his way to the crucifixion. We visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
containing the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. Later we head
to Bethlehem for an inspiring visit to the Church of the Nativity (subject to
availability). While returning to Jerusalem we view Shepherd's Field and
Rachel's Tomb. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem. (B. D)
Day 6 Jerusalem
Our destination for today is the Dead Sea region, the
lowest point on earth. We drive to Masada, the fortress where Jewish Zealots
held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing death over surrender. We
continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King
Saul. This afternoon we can opt to "float" on the Dead Sea. On our way back to
Jerusalem, we view the caves of Qumran where, in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were
discovered. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 7 Jerusalem Today we participate in a full day tour of
Jerusalem including the Mt. of Olives, Mt. Scopus, the Garden of Gethsemane and
the Basilica of Agony. We continue to the Kidron Valley and to Mt. Zion, site of
the Last Supper room and David's tomb. We visit a model of Jerusalem during the
Second Temple period as well as the Shrine of the Book, with the famous Dead Sea
Scrolls, at the Israel Museum. We drive to the village of Ein Kerem, birthplace
of St. John the Baptist. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner before
transferring to the airport for our return flight to a New York area airport.
(B, D)
Day 8 New York, NY
We arrive in a New York area airport early this morning.
ROME
EXTENSION
Day 1 - Rome
Transfer to the
airport for our flight to Rome. Upon arrival we
are met and transferred to
the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight. (B,
D)
Day 2 - Rome
Today “Imperial” Rome, including the
Catacombs, the Appian Way, St. Peter in Chains, the Colosseum, and Circus
Maximus. Visit the three major basilicas
St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran,
and St. Paul Outside the Walls. (B, D)
Day 3 -
Rome
Vatican City, Papal Audience (if available). Vatican Museums
and the Sistine Chapel, visit St. Peter's Basilica, pray at the tomb of Pope
John Paul II. the
remainder of the day at leisure. (B, D)
Day 4 -
New York, NY
We depart for the airport for our return flight,
arriving the same day. (B)