Israel: A Journey of Faith

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Travel to the Holy Land on an inspirational journey that visits some of the most ancient sites in the world.

Day 2: Tel Aviv, Israel – Tour Begins

Your tour begins in Tel Aviv, a bustling city brimming with culture and history, situated on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Tel Aviv – Jaffa – Caesarea – Acre – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias

Journey to the ancient port city of Jaffa for a leisurely stroll through the winding alleys of the historic area. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new covenant (Acts 10) by St. Peter; and where Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial (Acts 23). Stop in Acre, an ancient crusader city and UNESCO World Heritage site. In Nazareth, Jesus boyhood home (Matthew 2:23), visit the Church of the Annunciation and the place where Josephs home and workshop were as well as the site of the fresh water spring used by the Holy Family. Your day continues with a visit to Cana, the site of Our Lords first miracle. Arrive in Tiberias for a 2-night stay.

Day 4: Sea of Galilee-Capernaum-Golan Heights-Caesarea Philippi-Tiberias

Cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a replica of the boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). Nearby Tabgha is the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the five thousand. Visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). In Capernaum, Jesus performed many miracles and it was the center of Jesus ministry in Galilee. Visit the synagogue that stands on the site where Jesus taught and reflect on his teaching and preaching of the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:13, 23). Visit the Chapel of the Primacy where Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21) on three occasions. Get a taste of the local flavor when you enjoy lunch at a communal settlement, known as a kibbutz, in the Golan Heights. Visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus traveled with His disciples and near where Peter made his great confession to Jesus, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Your day ends at the River Jordan at the Yardenit Baptismal site.

Day 5: Tiberias – Tel Megiddo – Bethlehem – Jerusalem

Visit Tel Megiddo (Armageddon), the site of the final battle before the coming of the Messiah. In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus (Luke 2), enter the Church of the Nativity, the oldest continuously functioning church in the world. View the cave where Jesus was born. Stop at Shepherds Field, where the angels appeared on that first Christmas night, spreading good tidings of great joy for all the people. Later, arrive in one of the holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem.

Day 6: Jerusalem – Mount Zion – Ein Karem

Your time in Jerusalem begins with a visit to the Mount of Olives. Afterwards, visit the Church of the Pater Noster, built on the traditional site where Christ taught the Lord’s Prayer; its name refers to the Our Father prayer. Continue to the Church of All Nations, built over the rock on which Our Lord prayed the night before He was crucified. Nearby is the Tomb of the Virgin Mary and the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Christs betrayal by Judas. Travel to Mount Zion and stand in the Upper Room, near the traditional site of the Last Supper (Mark 14). Then, continue to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place to which Mary traveled to share her good news with Elizabeth.

Day 7: Jerusalem

Today you are free to explore the city on your own. Perhaps youll choose to take an optional excursion to the Dead Sea to discover where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found; visit Masada; and perhaps even float on the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 8: Jerusalem

Your day begins at St. Stephens Gate where St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death. Continue to the Church of St. Anne, marking the place where the parents of the Blessed Mother lived. Visit the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic. Then, follow the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, walked by Our Lord on the way to His crucifixion; pass by the Ecce Homo Arch, the site where Pontius Pilate presented Our Lord to the crowds. Next, visit the Western Wall of the Temple before stopping at the Garden Tomb, the possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and site of the resurrection of Jesus. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers to celebrate the end of this unforgettable and holy experience.

Day 9: Jerusalem – Tour Ends