In the Footsteps of Jesus
"Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122)

The Holy Land - 10 day Pilgrimage and Study Tour
including Nazareth ~ Sea of Galilee ~ Jerusalem ~ Bethlehem ~ Emmaus

from $1,795 (from New York) Experience a personal encounter with Jesus in the mystical land of His Life, Death, and Resurrection. While near the Sea of Galilee, in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the Gospels will come to life as you walk, pray, and celebrate the Eucharist in the places held most sacred to Christians. Visit the sites where Jesus performed His miracles. Carry the cross and trace His last steps before crucifixion, as you walk down the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Once you become a pilgrim to the Holy Land, you will never read or hear the Scriptures in the same way again. Your faith will be renewed.

ITINERARY

Day 1> Depart USA
...witness to all the nations...(Matthew 24:14)

Day 2> Arrive in the Land of the Bible
...follow me (John 10:27)
This afternoon arrive at Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport, and soon you will be on your way to the unforgettable Sea of Galilee.
Overnight at your hotel in Tiberias.

Day 3> Around the Sea of Galilee - Upper Galilee (Caesarea Philippi) - Jordan River
...He Gave the power to become the children of God"...(Matt. 5:1-12 Kingdom Charter).
This morning's boat ride on the Sea of Galilee will be among your favorite memories.
Arrive at the ancient city of Capernaum, where Jesus started His Ministry. At Tabgha Jesus challenged his disciples to feed a crowd of 5000 in the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. Visit the Church of Primacy. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes.
Travel to the magnificent waterfalls of Banyas (Caesarea Philippi), where Jesus received Peter's act of faith in his Messiahship, called him The Rock and promised him the keys of the Kingdom. The day will climax at the River Jordan where there will be the opportunity for renewal of baptismal promises. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 4> Cana - Nazareth - Megiddo - Mt. Tabor
...The Word became flesh...(John 1:14)
Drive to Cana where Jesus performed the first of His miracles. Couples will have an opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Then, continue to Nazareth, the village in which Jesus grew up and lived most of his life. Celebrate Mass at the Grotto of the Annunciation. Drive to the foot of Mt. Tabor. Visit the site of the Transfiguration. Time is taken for private meditation and reflection.
Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5> Samaria/Jericho/Wadi Qelt/Jerusalem
...going up to Jerusalem...(Mark 10:32)
Today's bus journey is filled with variety and excitement. Leave the Sea of Galilee and drive along the valley of Jezreel and via Jenin to Joseph's Well. Continue to Samaria, then drive along the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Visit Elisha’s fountain, and view the Mountain of Temptation. See Wadi Qelt, the rocky hillside dotted with monasteries, built into the stone usually on Byzantine foundations. At dusk, you will arrive in the Holy City of Jerusalem for your five-night stay.
Overnight at your hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 6> New City - Ein Karem/Holy Land Model/Israel Museum - PM/Bethlehem and Shepherd's Field
...Blessed are you among women...(Luke 1:42)
Drive to Ein Karem, home of Elizabeth, and the location of the Church of the Visitation. Proceed to Yad Vashem, memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Museum, Childrens’ Pavilion and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous. Visit the Israel Museum which contains the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed in a beautiful building simulating the caves. See the scale model of first century Jerusalem and explore Jerusalem during the Herodian period immediately prior to and during the life of Jesus.
...And he pitched his tent among us...”(Isaiah 9:1-6 The Prince of Peace).
Drive to the hills of Bethlehem. Mass will be celebrated in Shepherd's Field or at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.  After Mass visit the traditional birthplace of the Nativity. Here He was born! Let us kneel down, let us bow our heads and raise our hearts full of admiration and gratitude before this sublime mystery of love!
Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7> AM/City of David/Temple Mount -PM/Mt. Olives/Mt. Zion
...Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and him whom you have sent, Jesus Christ (John 17:3) ~ Do this in memory of me... (Luke 22:19).
Begin your day with a Liturgy at the Franciscan Church of the Cenacle on Mt. Zion. After Mass, visit the Upper Room, site of the Last Supper and descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Then visit the Dormition Abbey and continue to explore the City of David, will lead us to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount where you will pray and visit the excavations.
...He saw the city and wept over it...(Luke 19:41).
Drive to the Mount of Olives. The summit offers a magnificent view of the Old City. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Shrine of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Dominus Flavit (The Lord Wept). Follow Jesus’ Palm Sunday route along Hosanna Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Agony.
Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8> AM/ Via Dolorosa - PM/Emmaus
...Christ became obedient for us unto death ...(“Passion” John 18:1-19:42).
Drive to the Old City and enter through St. Stephen’s Gate. Carry the Cross and retrace Jesus’ last steps before His Crucifixion down the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Holy Sepulchre.
…Lord, stay with us, for it is toward evening…(Luke 24:29)
Visit the site of Emmaus where Jesus first appeared after the Resurrection.
Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9> Wilderness of Judea - Masada/Dead Sea/Qumran
...He led them out as far as Bethany... (Luke 24:50).
Celebrate Mass at the Church of Gethsemane. Drive to Bethany, where Martha, Mary and Lazarus welcomed Jesus in their home. Continue to the Judean Wilderness where you shall take a cable car ride to the ruins of Herod's palace-fortress atop Masada. This afternoon, swim in the Dead Sea. Visit Qumran, where the hidden library of the Essenes, the Dead Sea Scrolls (currently displayed at the Israel Museum) were found in 1947. Explore the relationship of their teachings to those of John the Baptist and Jesus. On your return to Jerusalem a stop will be made at the "Inn of the Good Samaritian."
Farewell mid-eastern dinner at a restaurant in Jerusalem.
Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10> Return to the USA

THREE DAY EXTENSION TO EGYPT
Pyramids - Sphinx - Old Cairo - SakkaraDay 10: Tel Aviv - Cairo - PM/Tour to the Egyptian Museum
This morning, you will be transferred to Tel Aviv Airport for your continuing flight to Cairo, Egypt.
Your tour will begin with a visit to the most interesting Egyptian Archeological Museum with the fascinating history of the Empire up to the Greek-Roman epoch. Overnight at Ramses Hilton Hotel in Cairo.

Day 11> AM/Tour of the Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza - PM/Tour of Cairo Evening Sound and Light Tour
Visit the Pyramids of Giza, one of the wonders of the ancient world.  The more adventuresome have the opportunity of crawling into the toms of Khufu of Cheops for a first-hand look at the impressive galleries and funeral chambers.  Continue to the Sphinx, the impressive sentinels that stand watch over the necropolis of Giza, and a visit to the Papyrus Institute. Explore the oldest section of the city dating back to the 4th century AD. Visit St. Sergius Coptic Church that is said to have been built over a place where the Holy Family sheltered. Celebrate Mass at the Holy Family Church in Old Cairo. Visit St. George's Convent and visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, over 1000 years old. Stroll through one of the most colorful bazaars of the orient, the "Khan el Khalili".
After dinner you will be transferred to the Pyramids, for the Sound and Light show.
Overnight at Ramses Hilton Hotel in Cairo.

Day 12> Full day at leisure in Cairo - Optional tour to Upper Egypt - Visit the East and the West bank of Luxor
Full day at leisure to enjoy Cairo on your own.
Optional tour to Luxor, additional cost of $395.00 per person. Early morning you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your short flight to Luxor. Visit the great temples of Karnak. See the First Pylon, Second Pylon, Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisk of Hatshepsut, and the Sacred Lake.  You will also visit the Luxor Temple. Continue to visit the Valley of the Kings, including the Tomb of King Tutankhamen, which is small in comparison to those of Ramses VI and Seti I.  You will visit Valley of the Queens and Nobles to see the many colorful tombs along with those depicting the daily Egyptian life. Then, you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your return flight to Cairo.
Overnight at Ramses Hilton Hotel in Cairo.

Day 13> Friday: Cairo - London - USA

FOUR DAY EXTENSION TO ROME - VATICAN CITY - ASSISI

Day 10> Tel Aviv - Rome
Breakfast at your hotel.
Today you will be transferred to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport for your continuing flight to Rome, Italy.
Overnight at your hotel in Rome.

Day 11> AM/Papal Audience - PM/Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
You will be transported into the heart of Christendom for an audience with our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.  Your pilgrimage will be acknowledged during the English language portion. Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.  End your tour in St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's magnificent Pietà, and to take in the awesome architecture and the statuary adorning this largest of all Christian churches. Celebrate Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.
Overnight at hotel in Rome.

Day 12> Tour of Imperial Rome - PM/At Leisure
Celebrate Mass at elegant Basilica of St. Mary Major. Visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral and see of the Archdiocese of Rome. From there, continue on your way to the Holy Stairs. These are said to be the steps on which Christ walked on His way to Pilate's palace.  You can go up on your knees as thousands of pilgrims have done in reverently recalling the sufferings of Christ. Then, our walking tour will continue to visit the ancient Roman Forum. See the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Constantine, and proceed to the Coliseum for a fascinating explanation of its history.
This afternoon is your opportunity to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Rome all on your own! Overnight at hotel in Rome.

Day 13> Full day excursion to Assisi - Visit the Sites of St. Francis & St. Clare
Today, enjoy an excursion to Assisi, one of the high points of any travel experience. Explore the shrines of Saint Francis and see the overwhelming art dedicated to its young friar. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.  It enclosed the shrine of the "Porziuncula" or the Little Portion Chapel around which the first Franciscan community was centered. Continuing, you will visit the Basilica of St. Clare, the first and most important heroine of the Franciscan movement, view her remains and see the Miraculous Crucifix. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Francis.  Tour the Basilica of St. Francis, where the body of the saint is buried.  Here you will marvel at the world-famous Giotto Frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis.
Return to Rome for overnight.

Day 14> Return to the USA