Tel Aviv · Caesarea · Stella Maris · Nazareth · Cana · Tiberias · Mt. Tabor · Jericho · Jordan River · Jerusalem · Ein Karem · Temple Model · Bethlehem · Mt. Of Olives · Gethsemane · Mt. Zion · Western Wall · Bethany · Dead Sea · Via Dolorosa · Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and television host who has devoted his life to inspiring people to live a bold, contagious faith.
Recipient of the Papal Benemerenti Medal, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput calls Chris "one of the most engaging defenders of the Christian faith on the scene today." Chris's live seminars reach more than 85,000 people per year. His reality TV show, videos, and radio spots reach millions of people, and his educational initiatives are turning the tide in the Church. He authored the Chosen Confirmation program which has already formed more than 500,000 teens.
A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Chris is also the founder and president of Real Life Catholic, a non-profit which operates as the headquarters for Chris's various initiatives.
Above all, Chris is proud to be the husband to his wife Natalie, father to their six children, and most recently - a first time grandfather.
Your trip includes
- Roundtrip Airfare
- *
- Airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Hotel accommodations (or similar) in double occupancy
- ~ 3 nights: June 12 - 15: Magdala Center or Galei Kinnereth, Tiberias
- ~ 5 nights: June 15 - 20: Hotel Leonardo Plaza, Jerusalem
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily
- Wine and Mineral Water with Dinners
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Free Wi-Fi on motor coach
- Free Bottles of Water on motor coach throughout
- Assistance of a professional local Catholic Guide
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Luggage handling (at Hotels - 1 piece per person)
- Tips to Hotel Staff, Restaurants, and Luggage Handlers
- Catholic Priest, Mass daily & Spiritual activities
Not Included
- Tips to your Guide & Driver
Itinerary
Day 1, Sunday, June 11: Depart for the Holy Land
Make your way to your local airport where you will board your overnight flight. Your meals are served on board.
Day 2, Monday, June 12: Arrive in Tel Aviv - Tiberias
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, you will be met by your 206 Tours Representative and transfer to the Magdala Center Hotel. You will have some free time to spend at your own leisure. In the evening, you will attend Mass, followed by dinner at the hotel. Return to your room for a restful night's sleep.
Day 3, Tuesday, June 13: Tiberias - Cana - Nazareth - Caesarea - Haifa - Tiberias
Theme: The Annunciation
This morning, after breakfast, you will start the day by visiting Cana where you will go to the Franciscan Wedding Church. Couples will have the opportunity to participate in the ceremony of renewing their Wedding Vows, led by your Spiritual Director. Your next visit will be to Nazareth, where you will visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph, and Mary's Well. From there, you will walk the pilgrimage trail into the Church of the Annunciation to celebrate the Liturgy, and then a quick tour, including the Archeological Garden where you will see the 1st century remains of houses from the time of Christ. You will also visit the Museum where we see inscriptions left by pilgrims venerating the Virgin Mary, including the 2nd century A.D. inscription showing Xeria Maria 'Ave Maria', considered to be the oldest venerating signs of the Blessed Virgin. Following lunch, it is on to Caesarea, which was once the ancient capital of the Roman province. The tour will start by viewing the impressive archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine city that once dominated the region. It was at Caesarea that Peter came to understand that the "Good News" was not for Jews only, but for the whole world. Here, He baptized the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, and his family. It was from Caesarea that Paul set sail for Rome, an event that eventually brought Christianity to the World. Continue north to Haifa to visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery dedicated to Our Lady of Mt Carmel and located over the cave where Elijah lived. Return to Tiberias, located near the Sea of Galilee, for a wonderful dinner and overnight.
*For the Wedding Vows taking place in Cana: Each couple will receive a "Special" Certificate to commemorate the ceremony.
Day 4, Wednesday, June 14: Tiberias - Banias - Capernaum - Tabgha - Peter's Primacy
Theme: The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
After breakfast, we will begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. After this, we will view the remains of a boat that dates back to the time of Jesus, found buried in mud. We will then travel north to visit Caesarea Philippi, also known as Banias. It was here that Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah and where Jesus told St. Peter, "You are the Rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church." Banias is also the source of the River Jordan. Continue to Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the Church built over the site of Peter's home. We will celebrate the Liturgy here, and then stop for lunch before we arrive at the Mt. of Beatitude, the scene of Jesus' great Sermon on the Mount. Nearby is Tabgha, where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 and onto the site known as "Peter's Primacy". Here, after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter to "feed my lambs; feed my sheep." [John 21:9]. Then we will see the Sower Cove, located midway between Tabgha and Capernaum, where Jesus was pushed out on a boat by the crowd and taught from the parable of sower. Our last visit will be the remains of the fishing village of Magdala (Aramaic for "elegant"). During the time of Jesus it was a thriving place that exported dried fish and garum (a fish sauce reduction popular in Roman cooking). Excavations done by the Franciscans in the 1970s revealed the residential area of the village and the docks where the fishing boats would unload the fish caught in the Sea of Galilee. In 2009 a chance discovery revealed a 1st Century synagogue at the entrance to the village from the West. It is also assumed that Mary Magdalene was born here. Then walk to the nearby "Valley of the Doves", to see "the Jesus Trail", and the ancient road that was walked by our Lord. End the day at Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 5, Thursday, June 15: Mt. Tabor - Jericho - Jordan River - Jerusalem
Theme: The Transfiguration
Today, after breakfast, we drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ's Humanity and Divinity. Celebrating Mass here will be a good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. Drive down the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where we view the Mt. of Temptation, and an example of a Sycamore Tree. Visit the Baptismal site on the Jordan River, and have the opportunity to renew your own baptism (pending weather conditions). We will continue on our way to Jerusalem, where you will check-in to the historically famous King David Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6, Friday, June 16: Jerusalem - Temple Model - Ein Karem - Shepherd's Fields - Jerusalem
Theme: The Visitation and Nativity
Today we will begin by travel along the Valley of Elah, where the famous encounter between David and Goliath has taken place, before continuing on to the Israel Museum which houses the temple to which Jesus was Presented (Luke 2:22). Your group will visit a model of the Second Temple, as it was in the time of Jesus, as well as viewing the Shrine of the Book (where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display). After lunch we will make a short drive taking us to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the Church. This will be followed by a stop to the Shepherds Fields in Bethlehem. The caves have soot marks of the fires that shepherd's lit to keep warm while watching over their flocks. Return drive back to your Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 7, Saturday, June 17: Jerusalem - Bethlehem - Jerusalem
Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden
We will start the day with an early breakfast, and then make our way to Bethlehem. Visit Manger Square, which stands in front of one of the oldest Christian Churches, the Church of the Nativity. Enter the Church and make your way down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus' birth. Just beneath the Altar, there is a silver star with the Latin inscription: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.) We will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Nativity and then return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.
Day 8, Sunday, June 18: Jerusalem - Bethany - Mt. of Olives - Mt. Zion - Jerusalem
Theme: Early Years in Jerusalem & the Wilderness
We will start the day with visit to Bethany, where Lazarus was raised from the dead. Drive to the Mount of Olives, where we will take in the panoramic view of Jerusalem. Then to the Pater Noster Shrine, where Jesus taught His disciples the Pater Noster - The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). Walking down the Palm Sunday Road, we will stop at the beautiful little Church, Dominus Flevit - "The Lord wept." It was here that Jesus wept over Jerusalem [Luke 19:41]. Celebrate Mass and then make our way to Gethsemane to reflect on Jesus' final night (Luke 22: 29 - 53). The Garden contains trees, the roots of which go back to the time of Jesus. Visit the Church of All Nations and pray at the "Rock of Agony," a section of bedrock identified as the place where Jesus prayed alone in the garden on the night of His arrest. We will then visit the Church of the Assumption, and then make our way to Mt. Zion, overlooking the Kidron Valley. From Gethsemane, Jesus was taken as a prisoner to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where He was interrogated and imprisoned. Now called ST. Peter in Gallicantu ("Crowing Rooster"), this beautiful Church also commemorates Peter's denial of Chris (Luke 22: 33 - 34), his repentance and then being forgiven by Jesus. The steps leading down to this Church was also a project funded by the Equestrian Order. We will make a stop for lunch and then continue on to Mt. Zion, the Upper Room (Matthew 26: 17 - 30) where we commemorate the Last Supper. Nearby is King David's Tomb, and the Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9, Monday, June 19: Jerusalem - Via Dolorosa - Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Temple Mount - St Anne's Church - Final "Full" Day in Jerusalem
Theme: The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection
Today will be an early morning, as we will depart the Hotel at 5:30 A.M. and make our way to begin the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress. This is 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. Your group will reflect upon the Stations of the Cross as you travel through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Luke 23: 26-33). This Sacred destination is the site of Calvary (Jesus' crucifixion place) and, His tomb (Luke 23: 50-55). Your group will be celebrating Mass here at the Tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Return to your Hotel for breakfast and a little free time. Then continue to the Western Wall, the Holiest site to Jews. After, we make our way over to Temple Mount, also known as the Dome of the Rock, or Haram al Sharif. Then conclude with a visit to the Church of St. Anne's, the home of Jesus' maternal grandparents (Anne and Joachim). Nearby, we enter the Old City to see the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1 - 9), which supplied the water for the Temple, and where Jesus healed the crippled man. You will have the remainder of the day free to spend at your own leisure. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10, Tuesday, June 20: Jerusalem - Return Home
Following breakfast at the hotel, check out and board the bus for our final day of touring. Visit the Israel Museum, then attend Mass in Jerusalem. Enjoy some free time visiting the Old City. Return to the hotel for dinner, then transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for return flights home.
Day 11, Wednesday, June 21: Arrive Home
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.