Egypt, Israel, Greece & Rome Pilgrimage
Group Coordinator: Trisha Mc Clennan
May 5 – 17, 2019
TM050519
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare
- Airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Accommodations at centrally located First Class Hotels: (or similar)
- ~ 2 nights | May 6 - 8 Athenium Palace, Athens
- ~ 3 nights | May 8 - 11 Sheraton Semiramis, Cairo
- ~ 3 nights | May 11 - 14 Dan Jerusalem, Jerusalem
- ~ 3 nights | May 14-17 Madre Pie, Il Cantico, Rome
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Wine and Water with dinners
- Lunch daily in Egypt and Israel
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Assistance of a professional local Christian guide(s)
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Mass daily & Spiritual activities
Not included
- Beverages not mentioned, Tips to your guide & driver.
Itinerary
May 5, Sat, Depart from the US
Depart for your overnight flights to Egypt.
May 6, Sun, Arrive Athens
You’ll be met upon arrival by your guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
May 7, Mon, Athens
After a nice breakfast at the hotel we will start with a tour of the oldest city in the world, Athens! Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. At the Acropolis, you will see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum, and Propylae. After, you will ascend Mars Hill of where Saint Paul spoke to the Athenians. At this site, Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22). While in this city, you will be able to view the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. It held the focus of a political, commercial, social, religious, and cultural center. As you are in the former political center, proceed for a drive through the city to view the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square. Also, you will have the opportunity to view the University of Athens, the oldest higher education institute in Greece, as well as, the National Library of Greece that holds 4,500 Greek manuscripts.
May 8, Tue, Athens – Cairo
Prepare for your departure to the airport and your flight to Egypt.
May 9, Wed, Cairo
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Today you will enjoy a full-day touring in Cairo. Visit the great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau which is considered one of the World's Seven wonders. Later you’ll visit the Egyptian museum which displays the ancient Egyptian treasures including that of Tut Ankh Amun. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
May 10, Thu, Luxor
You’ll have an early breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Luxor is also known as the open museum due to the abundance of monuments located everywhere. You’ll visit three tombs at the Kings Valley. See the tomb of Tut Ank Amun and the Hatcepsut temple. See the Karnak and Luxor temples. Transfer to the airport for your flights back to Cairo . Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
May 11, Fri, Cairo – Tel Aviv – Jerusalem
Prepare for your departure to the airport and your flights to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
May 12, Sat, Jerusalem – The Old City of Jerusalem
Spend today in the remarkable Old City beginning with a dramatic view of this 3000 year old city sacred to so many. Continue to Mt Zion to view the traditional Tomb of King David. Then enter the walled old city to experience the Four Quarters of the city, Christian, Moslem, Armenian and Jewish. Start at the Cardo located in the center of the Jewish Quarter where you see the ancient Roman road and view the unearthed main thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. Proceed past the Burnt House, destroyed by the Romans during the sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD to the Western Wall - the Kotel, - with the Dome of the Rock in the background. After visiting the Wall proceed to see the Davidson Center for an overview of the rituals of the Temple in ancient times. Walk along the Way of the Cross, a route walked by Pilgrims for hundreds of years to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Here you can see the devotion and prayer, by many different denominations, at the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of Christ. Walk up through the Arab Bazaar to the Jaffa Gate to return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
May 13, Sun, Jerusalem – The New City of Jerusalem
Today’s sightseeing begins with a visit to Yad Vashem - the Jewish people’s memorial to the six million lives lost to the Holocaust. Here you visit the museum, the Children’s Pavilion and walk along the Street of the Righteous, dedicated to the non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust. Next, you drive past the Knesset, Israel's Parliament enroute to your visit to the Israel Museum. Here you will see the fascinating Model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of the Second Temple and the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. A tour of the world class collection at the Bronfman Archaeological wing would cover 10,000 years of human rituals and art in the middle east. From here, it’s on to Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian territory. Here you visit the Church of the Nativity, which rests over the cave where people believe Jesus was born. It was originally built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century and spared destruction by the Persians because of mosaics of the Magi in Zoastrian clothes. Before return to Jerusalem you may want to stop to see the Banksy inspired Wall-Off Hotel with its politically inspired graffiti and exhibit that presents the Palestinian side of the conflict. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem.
May 14, Mon, Jerusalem – Rome
Transfer to the airport for your flights to Rome. Welcome to Rome, also known as, "The Eternal City." Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by your tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax, or explore Rome on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a "Meet and Greet" with your fellow pilgrims and depart for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter's Square as a group, for the Rosary (optional).
May 15, Tue, Rome: St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican Museum – Scavi Tour
This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast before making your way to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter's Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was Our Holy Father, Pope Francis who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago. It is here that you will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned museum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally, you will observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo's Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your Vatican tour is at the tomb of Saint John Paul II. Afterward, you will be transferred to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), where you may enjoy some free time on your own for lunch. Afterward do the Scavi Tour The Vatican Necropolis, or Scavi, located directly beneath St. Peter's Basilica, contains everything from papal tombs to an ancient Roman street and St. Peter's mausoleum. (based on availability and confirmation – the schedule of today may be altered due to confirmation of this tour) Following dinner, feel free to explore the streets of Rome, or return to the hotel for overnight.
May 16, Wed, Rome Papal Audience – Ancient Rome Tour
Today’s itinerary begins with the Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the Audience, there will be free time for lunch, or shop, or mail a postcard from the Vatican Post Office. Later you will enjoy a tour of Ancient Rome, and follow in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators and what was their daily life, sport and culture of ancient Rome. See the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, including the Roman Senate, Arch of Constantine and mystical House of the Vestal Virgins. See the Colosseum with a view that you will long remember! Spend the afternoon at your leisure for independent activities. Your tour escort will be happy to suggest things to do or see!
May 17, Thu, Rome, USA
Theme: The Transfiguration
Prepare for your departure to the airport and your return flights home!
Why buy "With Airfare" from 206 Tours
- 1000’s of flights are being cancelled. 206 Tours will assist getting you to your destination.
- Your transfer will be waiting for you upon arrival, even if your flights are rescheduled.
- In the event your tour is not operating we will refund you all your money back or provide a full credit
- Your seats will be assigned according to your request (most online fares do not include seat assignment appox. $300)
- If you need to travel few days prior or stay few days later, make a stop-over, we will arrange it for you.
If you do not buy Airfare from 206 Tours
- With many flight cancellations and overbookings, we feel that you should know:
If your flight is cancelled - 206 Tours will not be able to assist you. - In order to guarantee your arrival and departure transfer, we need your detailed flight arrival / departure by 45 days prior, Any changes within 45 -3 days prior, additional transfer cost may apply.
- For changes in arrival / departure within 3 days of departure, we will not be able to rebook your transfer and you will need to make your own way to / from hotel or airport at your own cost
- Often times low online fares, do not include seat assignments ($300 approx.). It will be a challenge to get a good seat assigned at the airport.
- If you book your own airfare, travel insurance provided by 206 Tours will not reimburse expenses caused by your flight changes.