Day by day itinerary

Depart Toronto  on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv, dinner and breakfast served on board

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

Arrive in the Holy Land – Mediterranean Sea Shore

“And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” (Acts 10:13-16)

Early evening, arrive at Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport. You will be met and assisted by your agent. Board your touring bus and if early enough we can take the scenic tour through Tel Aviv to Jaffa – Biblical Joppa – the oldest port in the world. Jonah set sail for Tar shish from Jaffa but was swallowed by a large fish. Jaffa was also the home of Tabitha, who was raised from the dead by Peter. Peter had his vision here while lodging in the home of Simon the Tanner. Visit Old Jaffa and the artist colony there. It will be possible to have Mass at the Church of St. Peter in Jaffa. If early enough, we might have the possibility to have mass at the St. Peter’s Church. Take a short trip north to Nethanya for check-in at hotel. Tonight’s location is on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Welcome dinner with wine. (Dinner)

Caesarea – Mt. Carmel – Megiddo – Sea of Galilee

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa and send for Simon whose surname is Peter” (Acts 10:1‑6)

This morning will be your first experience with an unforgettable and delightful Israeli breakfast buffet. After breakfast, we drive along the scenic Mediterranean, stopping at Caesarea by the Sea, site of a flourishing early Christian community, where the ruins of Turkish, Crusader and Roman Civilizations are still visible. St. Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to Rome for trial. It was here, also, that St. Peter baptized the first Gentiles. Your visit includes the Theater, newly-excavated Palace, Hippodrome, and the Harbor. Continue to Mt. Carmel to visit the location of Elijah’s grotto where he asked for the coming of rain after defeating the prophets of Baal. The place is marked by a shrine and a monastery. Celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Muhraqa): (“Stella Maris”). Mass: Choose God. Enjoy the breathtaking view from atop Mt. Carmel. This afternoon we drive to Megiddo, on the plain of Armageddon – the prophetic site of the final battle. Then, we continue to the unforgettable Sea of Galilee on the way we stop at Mt. Arbel Cliff, which affords a view over the Lake of Galilee and the main sites of Jesus’ ministry. Then, we continue to the unforgettable Sea of Galilee for hotel check-in and dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Around the Sea of Galilee – Upper Galilee – Jordan River

“… He gave the power to become the children of God …” (Matt. 5:1-12).

After breakfast, celebrate Mass at the Church of the Multiplication (Tabgha): Sacraments of Initiation. At Tabgha, Jesus challenged his disciples to feed a crowd of 5,000 in the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. Then, we will enjoy a morning 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. It was here that Jesus found Matthew and called him to discipleship. Jesus worked many of His miracles in Capernaum. Here, the excellent condition of a 2nd century synagogue undoubtedly, enclosed the sacred sanctuary in which Jesus taught and preached. Here we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Most Scripture scholars recognize the home of Peter’s mother-in-law in the remains of a church near the shore, dedicated to his honor. Visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus offered His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and visit the Church of the Primacy.

“… When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit …” (Mt 5:1-12).

Independent lunch. (perhaps try delicious St. Peter’s Fish)

This afternoon we visit Chorazin and Bethsaida. There were condemned by Jesus for their lack of faith (Matt. 11:20-4). This site appears to be the one mentioned by Eusebius and Jerome in the 4th century, but from the 8th century Chorazin was identified with Kursi on the far side of the lake. Then, we continue north to explore the upper regions of Israel to the foot of Mount Hermon, overlooking Syria and the Road to Damascus, where Jesus appeared to Paul. We will travel to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked his disciples and each one of us, “who do you say that I am?” Here Jesus acknowledges Peter’s act of faith in his true identity (Mt. 16:13-20). The day will climax at the River Jordan. (Mark 1:9-11). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tiberias. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cana – Nazareth – Mt. Tabor – Jordan Valley – Jericho – Jerusalem

“… Lord, it is good for us to be here …” (Luke 9:33).

After breakfast, we drive to Nazareth. En-route we stop at Cana for a visit, where Jesus performed the first of His miracles. Couples will have an opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Proceed to Nazareth, the village in which Jesus grew up and lived most of his life. … The Word became flesh … (John 1:14) Visit the Grotto of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s workshop, and explore the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well, and the Church of the Old Synagogue, which marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. This afternoon, we drive to the foot of Mt. Tabor. At the foot of Mt. Tabor is the little village of Nain. Here, Jesus raised the son of the poor widow from the dead. (Luke 7:11-17). Take a taxi to the top of Mt. Tabor. The elevation provides an utterly commanding view of all of Galilee. It was here that Jesus revealed the wonderful power of presence in communion with saints of the past (Moses and Elijah). This also became immediate evidence of Communion with His Father as well. Visit the site of the Transfiguration. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration. We drive east through the Jezreel Valley to connect with the road south through the Jordan Valley and drive down to Jericho. Visit Jericho, home of Joshua, Elijah’s spring, Jesus’ miracles, and the Mt. of Temptation. Continue to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we will behold majestic Jerusalem, where we will have dinner and stay overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Wilderness of Judea – Qumran and Masada

“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman having came with an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard very costly, and she broke the jar, and poured it over his head.” (Mark 14:3)

After breakfast, drive to Bethany, where Martha, Mary and Lazarus welcomed Jesus in their home. Bethany is also the house of Simon the leper. Here, Jesus was anointed, as if for burial, by a very special woman. We can celebrate Mass here before we continue to the Judean Wilderness back down in the Rift Valley and drive south along the western shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, where you will take a cable car ride to the ruins of Herod’s palace-fortress atop Masada. Here, the Zealots chose mass suicide rather than surrender to the Romans at the time of the fall of Jerusalem. Visit the ruins of the fortifications, reservoirs for water, Herodian palaces, synagogue, Roman temples and baths. After lunch, we visit the Dead Sea, and you will have a panoramic view of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul’s wrath and the locale of the Song of Songs. Later, 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, we pass by the “Inn of the Good Samaritan.” Dinner and overnight are at your hotel in Jerusalem (Breakfast, Dinner)

Mt. of Olives / Mt. Zion & Bethlehem

“… He saw the city and wept over it …” (Luke 19:41).

After breakfast, we drive to the Mount of Olives. The summit offers a magnificent view of the Old City. This visit reminds us of Jesus’ last hours in prayer and anguish as he faced his passion and death. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Shrine of Pater Noster, and the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept). Then, follow Jesus’ Palm Sunday route along Hosanna Road to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Grotto, the Garden, and the Church of the Agony. Then, we continue to visit the Church of the Assumption (burial place of the Virgin Mary and St. Anne’s). We then drive through the Kidron Valley and head towards Mt. Zion, where we will pass the Tombs of Absalom and Zachariah. Visit the Church of St. Peter-in-Gallicantu. This church is built on the site of the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest. Here, Jesus was imprisoned, and Peter denied the Lord three times. Next, we visit the Upper Room, site of the Last Supper and descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Then, visit the Dormition Abbey, built to honor the Assumption of Our Lady. We board our bus again and drive south to the region of Bethlehem passing by Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of the city. We drive to the Shepherd’s Fields where you can read the Biblical account of Ruth, David, and the birth of Jesus. At the Shepherd’s Field, where you will visit some of the caves, which are typical of the stables of that time. We drive up to nearby Bethlehem where we 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! Visit Jerome’s Grotto. We end the day by celebrating Mass: Incarnation Time at the Church of Nativity. You will be given time for shopping in Bethlehem. Return back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Jerusalem Old City

“He has Risen” (Mark 16:6)

Today we explore the City of David, which will lead us to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount where we will pray. Above the Temple foundations, we view the El Aksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Visit the excavation of the Western Wall (Ophel Hill). Walking through the narrow alleyways and streets of Jerusalem seeing the Pinnacle of the Temple (Gate of Hulda – after Pentecost, it was here where the disciples preached and baptized). Just to the north we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church, which has remarkable acoustics and which has been perfectly preserved from the Crusader period. We walk the Via Dolorosa to the convent of the Sisters of Zion to see the Lithostrotos in the chapel of the Flagellation, where Jesus was tried and condemned by Pilate. We walk and pray along the Station of the Cross as we 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. We get together for our farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, we cross to the New City of West Jerusalem, we view a 1:50 scale model of the City of Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Here you can see an original copy of the Book of Isaiah dating from a century before Jesus was born! We continue to the picturesque village of Ein Karem. It is indirectly mentioned in the bible as home of St. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, and the birthplace of their son John the Baptist where also Mary visited Ein Karem on the way to Bethlehem during her pregnancy. She stayed with her kinswoman Elizabeth for 3 months following the visitation by the angel Gabriel in which he announced the future birth of Jesus. We visit the Church of Visitation that is also known as the Church of the Magnificat (Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55), and St. John’s Church. We will recite together the Magnificat (Mary’s praise of God), thanking God for our successful pilgrimage.

After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for flight back home departure.