Bethlehem University Foundation
Holy Land Pilgrimage
Walk Where Jesus Walked!
Group Leader: Her Excellency, Vicki Downey, DGCHS
February 18 - 27, 2023
BUF021823
Bethlehem University Foundation
Holy Land Pilgrimage
Walk Where Jesus Walked!
Group Leader:
Her Excellency, Vicki Downey, DGCHS
February 18 - 27, 2023
BUF021823
Tel Aviv · Caesarea · Stella Maris (Haifa) · Nazareth · Tiberias · Cana · Jordan River· Mt. Tabor · Jericho · Jerusalem · Bethany · Dead Sea · Mt. Of Olives · Gethsemane · Mt. Zion · Western Wall
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Tel Aviv · Caesarea · Stella Maris (Haifa) · Nazareth · Tiberias · Cana · Jordan River· Mt. Tabor · Jericho · Jerusalem · Bethany · Dead Sea · Mt. Of Olives · Gethsemane · Mt. Zion · Western Wall
Make your way through the Holy Land to experience Him, follow in His footsteps, and see Him in the works He performed - your footsteps will become His. Celebrate Mass in the very places where these miraculous gifts became pages in the Gospel. See where He was back then, and feel how He is still there today!
Any questions? Contact Us:
Piernha
Account Manager
- [email protected]
- Live chat
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from or your departure city
- Airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Hotel accommodations (or similar) in double occupancy
- ~ 3 nights: February 19 – 22: Magdala Center, Tiberias
- ~ 5 nights: February 22 – 27: David Citadel, Jerusalem
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily
- Wine, Soda, and mineral water with lunches and dinners
- Unlimited bottled water on the Bus
- Wi-Fi on the Bus
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Whisper headsets where needed
- Assistance of a professional local Christian guide(s)
- Special Tour and Events at Bethlehem University
- Farewell Dinner at Notre Dame Rooftop with two (2) glasses of Wine
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Masses daily & Spiritual activities
- Tips to Hotel Staff, Restaurants, and Porters (except Jerusalem)
- Flight bag & Portfolio of all travel documents
Centrally located hotels or similar
Magdala Center
TiberiasDavid Citadel
JerusalemNot included
- Tips to your Guide & Driver
Optional
Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday – February 18th - Depart for the Holy Land
Make your way to your local where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals are served on board.
Day 2: Sunday – February 19th - Arrive in Tel Aviv - Tiberias
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, make your way to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage. Proceed to the Arrival’s Hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Transfer to Magdala Center Hotel in Tiberias to check-in. Enjoy a Welcome Wine Reception, followed by dinner, at the hotel before retiring for the evening.
Day 3: Monday – February 20th – Tiberias – Caesarea – Stella Maris (Haifa) – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias
Theme: The Annunciation
Depart Tiberias to Caesarea Marittima, one of the three largest ports in the Roman world, next to Alexandria and Piraeus "Athens", which were built by Herod the Great between 21 B.C. and 9 B.C. It was in Caesarea where St. Peter baptized the first gentile convert Cornelius, and where St. Paul gave his defense of the church. From here, we will see the Roman Theatre, Herod's Palace, view the Hippodrome, and the harbor from where St. Paul sailed on his journeys. Continue north to Haifa, located on Mt Carmel, where we will visit the Carmelite Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Mt Carmel, and pray at the cave which Elijah the prophet took refuge. Continue on to Nazareth for lunch, and then visit the Church of the Annunciation. Visit the museum and archaeological garden where we can see the remains of Nazareth at time of Christ, as well as St. Joseph's workshop - which is now known as St. Joseph's Church. Within the Church of the Annunciation, you will make our way down to the Grotto to see the remains of the house of the Blessed Mother, and where the Angel of the Lord announced the good news to Mary. Celebrate Mass in this Church, and then continue on to Cana. It was here that Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine. During your visit at the Wedding Church, married couples will have the chance to take part in the ceremony and renew their wedding vows. From there, we continue back to Tiberias, located on Sea of Galilee, for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Tuesday – February 21st – Tiberias: Sea of Galilee
Theme: The Ministry of Christ in Galilee
After breakfast, enjoy a boat ride on the beautiful and scenic Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1). Upon docking, have the opportunity to view the remains of the boat dating back to the time of Jesus. Following the Sea of Galilee, continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus proclaimed His great Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49). Near the Mount is Tabgha, one of Jesus' miracle sites. At Tabgha, Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 people from five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:10-17). In Tabgha is St. Peter's Primacy, where Jesus bestowed church leadership upon Peter (John 21:9). Continue to visit the birthplace of Mary Magdalene in Magdala. During the time of Jesus, this village was a prosperous fishing village that exported fish and garum (a fish sauce reduction popular in Roman cooking). Your day concludes at Capernaum, the launching place of Jesus' ministry. In Capernaum, see the Synagogue where Jesus taught (Mark 1:21-29) and gave His sermon on the Bread of Life. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Wednesday – February 22nd – Mount Tabor – Jericho – Jordan River - Jerusalem
Theme: The Transfiguration
After breakfast, drive to the site of the Transfiguration, Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:1-50). Here you will have some time to reflect on Christ's Humanity and Divinity. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration. Continue south towards the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world (Joshua 6:12-25). In Jericho, you get to view the exact location of the Mount of Temptation. Here is where the Devil tempted Jesus during his forty-day fast (Luke 4:1). Following the visit to this mountain, continue to Jesus' baptismal site on the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17). Following time for Prayer and reflection at the Jordan River, continue to Jerusalem to check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Thursday – February 23rd – Jerusalem: Bethlehem
Theme: The Visitation and Nativity
This morning, enjoy breakfast before we start our day in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Have the opportunity to view Shepherd's Fields (Luke 2:8). In the caves, you can see the soot marks of fires that shepherds lit to keep warm. The tour concludes at the Manger Square, which stands in front of the Church of the Nativity. As you enter the Church, you will proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity which, marks the spot of Our Savior's birth (Matthew 2:1-18). Beneath the altar, there is a silver star and a Latin inscription that states: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Then we drive to Bethlehem University where we learn about the mission of the largest Catholic University in the Middle East. Enjoy lunch prepared by students at the catering school and then meet some of the students to hear about their lives as students and have the opportunity to ask some questions. There will also be a tour of the University campus. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Friday – February 24th – Jerusalem: Mount of Olives – Gethsemane – Mt. Zion (Upper Room) – Western Wall
Theme: Early Years in Jerusalem & the Wilderness
After breakfast, you will make your way to the Mount of Olives, where you will be able to take in the beautiful, panoramic view of Jerusalem. Historically, the Mount of Olives was a mandatory transit point for Jesus during many iconic moments. Visit the Pater Noster Shrine where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer (Pater Noster) (Luke 11:1-4). You will have the opportunity to stop at Dominus Flevit, the Church that commemorates where Jesus wept for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Continue to Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus brought His disciples here to pray the night before He was crucified (Luke 22:29-53). The Garden still contains trees with roots that date back to the time of Jesus. Your next stop, the Church of All Nations, is built over the "Rock of Agony". Jesus prayed here alone on the night of His arrest. Take time to Pray and reflect on Christ's agony that He experienced. You will have the opportunity to visit the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Jewish Temple after it was destroyed in 70 A.D. Continue with a visit to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas (Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu). This Church commemorates where Jesus was examined and eventually imprisoned before the Council in Jerusalem. It also commemorates Peter's Denial of Christ (John 18:15-18), Peters' repentance, and Jesus' forgiveness of Peter. You will also visit the Upper Room on Mt. Zion. The Upper Room is where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) and where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His Death and Resurrection (Mark 16:14). Also, visit the nearby Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Tradition tells us that this is the Church where Mary, the Mother of Jesus, fell asleep. At the end of this prayerful day, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Saturday – February 25th – Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulchre
Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden
This morning you will have a very early wake-up to begin the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress, the spot where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-19:16). Following His condemnation, He was taken (on the Road to Calvary) to His place of Crucifixion. Reflect upon the Stations of the Cross, as you travel through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Luke 23:26-33). This sacred destination is the site of Calvary (Jesus' crucifixion place) and His tomb (Luke 23: 50-55). Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Following Mass, we will return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast. Continue your day with a visit to the Church of St. Anne's, the home of Jesus' maternal grandparents (Anne and Joachim); and the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the cripple man (John 5:1-9). This afternoon, enjoy a revisit to the Old City. Following this visit, return to the hotel to enjoy dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 9: Sunday – February 26th – Special “Local” Mass - Temple Model – Ein Karem
Theme: The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection
We start the day by joining local parishioners in Jerusalem and attend Mass at St. Saviour Monastery, Jerusalem. This is a Parish Church and the headquarters of the Franciscan order in the Holy Land. Following Mass, we will visit a model of the Second Temple as it was in the time of Jesus. Following this visit, you will take a short drive to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. It is known that there are two churches in Ein Karem, representing the two homes of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The first is in a valley where the birth of St. John the Baptist is commemorated (Luke 1:39-80) in the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The second is on a hill where Elizabeth spent five months in seclusion (Luke 1:24) at the Church of the Visitation. You will have a chance to visit both of these churches and have the opportunity to pray the Mystery of the Rosary as you walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. In the afternoon drive down to the Jordan River where the Baptism of Christ is remembered.
Day 10: Monday – February 27th – Return Home
This morning, you will have breakfast, and then you will have a free day to spend at your own leisure in the city. We will meet in the early evening for a Special “Farewell Dinner” Reception at the famous “Wine and Cheese” Restaurant on top of the Notre Dame Center. Then you will make your way down to the lobby where we will board the motor coach and transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for return flight(s) home. *Return flights to the US departs between 11:30 P.M. and 12:40 A.M.
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.
Book your trip now
$400 Deposit is due at the time of Registration
Dates
Select airport
Booking
Options & Upgrades
*All pricing is per person
Single Supplement / Solo Traveler Upon Request
Business Class Trans-Atlantic (One-Way) Upon Request
Business Class Trans-Atlantic (Round-Trip) Upon Request
Options and upgrades
*All pricing is per person
Single Supplement / Solo Traveler Upon Request
Business Class Trans-Atlantic (One-Way) Upon Request
Business Class Trans-Atlantic (Round-Trip) Upon Request
About Your Trip
- Tel Aviv
- Caesarea
- Nazareth
- Cana
- Tiberias
- Sea of Galilee
- Jordan River
- Mt. Tabor
- Jerusalem
- Gethsemane
- Ein Karem
- Bethlehem
- Qumran
- Dead Sea
- Mt. Zion
- Holy Sepulchre
The Holy Land - In the Footsteps of Jesus:
If you desire to draw closer to Jesus of Nazareth, come, as we follow in His footsteps. Each day of your pilgrimage you will have time to renew and affirm your faith; to pray and reflect. The Scriptures will come alive as you visit Our Lord's homeland. You will be inspired by the natural beauty of the landscape, in addition to its rich historical heritage It is an encounter that has changed the lives of many pilgrims, an act of faith and prayer. Pilgrims have been traveling to the Holy Land for hundreds of years, and as part of your pilgrimage, we include many of the rich traditions that have evolved over time. The maxim at the entrance to the Church of the Nativity says: "We are hoping that: If you enter here as a tourist, you would exit as a pilgrim. If you enter here as a pilgrim, you would exit as a holier one." We pray that same will occur when you join 206 Tours pilgrimage.
We promise to do all within our power to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us, please note should any problems arise during your trip you should first contact your local emergency contact in your destination country or the 206 Tours.
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