Holyland Tour

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, our Israeli host assists us with customs and immigration, along with the transfer of our luggage. We then board a motor coach, meet our guide, and drive along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Time permitting, we take a walking tour of Joppa/Jaffa, the ancient seaport mentioned in the biblical narrative of Jonah and the whale, and in the story of Solomon’s import of the cedars of Lebanon, Simon the tanner and Peter. Tonight, we have our first Mass in the Holy Land. Dinner is at our hotel.

After breakfast, we board our coach and drive north up the coast to Caesarea Maritima, built by King Herod the Great in 22 B.C. It was here that Pontius Pilate lived and where the Gospel was first brought to the Gentiles. We visit the Roman Theater, the Roman Aqueduct, and the Herodian Port. We drive by Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and stop at Mount Precipice, where the Nazarenes wanted to throw Jesus off the cliff (Luke 4:16-30). We continue to Megiddo, the Chariot City for Solomon and Ahab. Later, we check into a kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee our home for the next four nights.

After a breakfast buffet, we begin with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, where we stop to see the 2000-year-old Jesus boat. Continuing, we drive around the Sea of Galilee, passing by Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. We enter the 2,000-year-old remains of Capernaum (Lk. 4:31-37) and stand in what is left of the synagogue in which our Lord ministered. We also see Peter’s house. We visit Tabgha, commemorating the feeding of the 5,000 (Lk. 9); Mensa Christi, where the Lord appeared to the disciples after the resurrection (Jn. 21); and the Church of Peter’s Primacy. We end the day with Mass and time for reflection on the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.

We drive to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here that Jesus asked his disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and began to explain to them that he must go to Jerusalem (Mt 16:13-23) and be crucified. We take time here to reflect on the passage in the Bible. Next, we visit Tel Dan, where the tribe of Dan lived; it was originally called Laish. Dan introduced idolatry into the land of Israel, and it was here where King Jeroboam set up a high place of worship to a golden calf (1 Kings 12:25-33). We pause to reflect on the significance of the Road to Damascus. In the Golan Heights, we recall the scene of bitter fighting during the Six Day War and the Valley of the Tears. We also enjoy the view of the snowcapped peak of Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in the Middle East. At Gamla, we view the remains of a 1st-century town and synagogue, where Jesus likely preached, enjoy the beautiful waterfall, and marvel at the large vultures and eagles soaring above us. This evening we have dinner at a winery.

This morning, we depart for Nazareth, where we visit the Church of the Annunciation, see Mary’s well, and walk through Nazareth Village. We have Mass this morning at the Church of Annunciation. This afternoon is an opportunity for a renewal of vows as we explore Cana.

We pass through the Judean Wilderness driving by Jericho en route to Qumran. We drive to Qasr al Yahud, the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and we reflect on the clouds parting and the voice reigning down “this is my son with whom I am well pleased.” Before arriving at our hotel, we stop at the mountain fortress of Masada to remember the last stand of the Zealots against the Romans. We continue to the Dead Sea, where we have a chance to swim and float in the Dead Sea. We overnight tonight near the Dead Sea.

We begin today at En Gedi, where we relive one of David’s historic encounters with King Saul. We continue to Jerusalem and drive to the top of the Mount of Olives, where we enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Old City and Temple Mount. Then, it’s a short walk down along the Palm Sunday Way to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed, while the disciples slept. We have Mass at the Grotto of the Apostles.

We enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate and walk along parts of the Via Dolorosa past Zion Monastery as we begin to visit the stations of the cross. We continue to Ecce Homo (site of Jesus’ scourging). We see authentic Roman pavement at the Antonia Fortification. Following visits to Saint Anne’s Church and the Pool of Bethesda, a walk is planned through the colorful Arab Bazaar, where the sounds and smells of the Middle East come alive. We walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where we end our day. Mass is tentatively planned at St. Anne’s.

Today is devoted to Bethlehem, where we see the Shepherd’s Fields and explore Bethlehem, including a visit to the Church of the Nativity. We have Mass at the Milk Grotto. Later, we visit Olive wood carvers and have an opportunity to purchase some to bring home. If possible, an event will be planned in the afternoon to enjoy fellowship with local Christians.

We begin our final day in the Holy Land with a visit at the Western (Wailing) Wall, Judaism’s most holy site. We visit the Israel Museum to see the exhibitions and a scale model of old Jerusalem. We have a free afternoon in the city center to explore on our own and visit the shops. This evening, we have a farewell dinner at our hotel and reflect on all we have seen.

We rise early for breakfast and transfer to Tel Aviv for our return flight home.