Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfarefrom your airport
- Airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Accomodations at first class hotels: (or similar)
- Tour Escort throughout
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Farewell Dinner at Notre Dame rooftop
- Wine and Mineral Water included with dinners
- Unlimited bottled water on the bus during sightseeing
- Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Free Wi-Fi on motor coach
- Whisper Headsets
- Assistance of Christian guide throughout
- Sightseeing and visits as per itinerary
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Not included
- Lunches and beverages unless mentioned, personal items, tips to driver and tour escort.
Itinerary
Day 1: February 17, 2022 - Thursday | Depart Newark
Board your flight for the start of your journey to Tel Aviv, with complimentary meals and beverages served on board.
Day 2, Fri, Feb 18 - Friday | Arrive Tel Aviv – Transfer to Galilee
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, you will be met by the 206 Tours representative and transfer to your hotel in Galilee. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 3: February 19, 2022 - Saturday | Caesarea - Stella Maris - Nazareth - Galilee
Theme: The Annunciation
This morning after breakfast leave for Caesarea, which was once the ancient capital of the Roman province. Here you view 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. After enjoying the view of the bay of Acco, drive to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child. At Nazareth visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: February 20, 2022 - Sunday | Tiberias: Sea of Galilee
Theme: The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
After breakfast we start with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. After this, see the remains of a boat that dates back to the time of Jesus, found buried in mud. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, 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]. A short drive away is 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. In the late afternoon visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His mother [John 2:1-11]. Here visit the Franciscan Chapel where those who wish to may renew their wedding vows. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 5: February 21, 2022 - Monday | Jordan River - Mt. Tabor – Jericho – Jordan River - Jerusalem
Theme: The Transfiguration
Today, after breakfast, drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity. 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 Mt Temptation and an example of a Sycamore Tree. Visit the Baptismal site on the Jordan River then to Jerusalem, where you check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: February 22, 2022 - Tuesday | Jerusalem: Temple Model - Ein Karem - Bethlehem
Theme: The Visitation and Nativity
Begin the day with a visit to the Second Temple scale model for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. A short drive takes us to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the Church that commemorates his memory. Pray the Mystery of the Rosary on the walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. In the afternoon visit Bethlehem to see the cave at the Shepherds’ Field. The caves have soot marks of the fires that shepherd’s lit to keep warm while watching over their flocks. In the afternoon we will depart to Bethlehem, beginning at Manger Square, which stands in front of one of the oldest of Christian Churches, the Church of the Nativity. Enter the Church and down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus’ birth. 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.) After Mass we will return to the hotel in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: February 23, 2022 - Wednesday | Bethany - Dead Sea
Theme: Early Years in Jerusalem & the Wilderness
This morning drive down the Jordan Valley to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Afterwards there may be time for a dip in the Dead Sea for those who want to. Drive through the Judean Wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days fasting, and it is in this area that John the Baptist lived and baptized Christ. Then to Bethany where He raised Lazarus from the dead. Celebrate Mass here before returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: February 24, 2022 - Thursday | Jerusalem: Mt. Of Olives - Gethsemane - Mt. Zion - Western Wall
Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden
From the Mount of Olives 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 stop at the beautiful little Church, Dominus Flevit - “The Lord wept.” It was here that Jesus wept over Jerusalem [Luke 19:41]. At Gethsemane reflect on Jesus’ final night. The Garden contains trees, the roots of which go back to the time of Jesus. Visit the Church of All Nations to 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. Visit the Western Wall, to see all that remains of the Temple compound that dates to the time of Jesus. From here we will continue to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where He was interrogated and imprisoned. Now called Peter in Gallicantu (“crowing rooster”), this beautiful Church also commemorates Peter’s Denial of Christ, his repentance and then being forgiven by Jesus. After Mass we will go up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, which commemorates the Last Supper. Nearby is the Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 9: February 25, 2022 - Friday | Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa - Holy Sepulchre
Theme: The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection
This morning we start the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. From there He was taken through the city to be crucified. The Stations of the Cross lead, through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here is the site of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ. Mass will be in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After breakfast visit the Church of St Anne’s, the Pool of Bethesda and the Sisters of Zion. This afternoon there will be time to revisit the Old City. Dinner and Overnight.
Day 10: February 26, 2022 - Saturday | Return home
Prepare for your departure to the airport and your flights home with memories for the lifetime.