Day 1 New York, NY We depart on our international flight to Tel Aviv's Ben
Gurion Airport. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
Day 2 Galilee We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where we are met by our tour
escort and transferred to our hotel in the Galilee. Enjoy some free time before
dinner. Overnight in the Galilee area. (D)
Day 3 Galilee Our exploration of the Holy Land begins with visits to
Christian sites along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus taught and
performed miracles here. We visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, where, according to
tradition, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon is commemorated in
the Church of the Beatitudes, built overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We continue
to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. A mosaic commemorating
this miracle is located near the altar at Tabgha. We also visit Capernaum and
the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Later we proceed to the Church of the
Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor and the Jordan River, site of Jesus' baptism. We
enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee and visit Ginnosar where we see a
fisherman's boat that dates to Christ's time. Dinner and overnight in the
Galilee area. (B, D)
Day 4 Jerusalem Today we travel to Nazareth in the Lower Galilee, the place
where Jesus grew up and lived most of his life. We visit the Church of the
Annunciation, built over the Grotto of the Annunciation, the place where early
Christian tradition says that the angel Gabriel spoke to the Blessed Mother. We
continue to Joseph's carpentry workshop and then to Cana, site of the wedding
feast. On Mount Carmel we stop at the Carmelite Monastery at the Muhraka, site
of Elijah's altar, and celebrate Mass at Stella Maris Church. Paintings in the
church dome depict Old Testament stories, including one of Elijah being swept up
to heaven in a fiery chariot. We continue to Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea
to discover the ancient Crusader and Roman town, its aqueduct and theater.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 5 Jerusalem We spend the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting St.
Anne's Church, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce
Homo Arch. We continue through the Bazaar to the Via Dolorosa, which winds
through the streets of Old Jerusalem and commemorates the path that Jesus walked
on his way to the crucifixion. We visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
containing the tomb, where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. Later we
head to Bethlehem for an inspiring visit to the Church of the Nativity (subject
to availability). While returning to Jerusalem, we view Shepherd's Field and
Rachel's Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 6 Jerusalem Our destination for today is the Dead Sea region, the lowest
point on earth. We drive to Masada, the fortress where Jewish Zealots held off
the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing death over surrender. We continue
to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. This
afternoon we can opt to "float" on the Dead Sea. On our way back to Jerusalem,
we view the caves of Qumran where, in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were
discovered. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 7 Jerusalem Today we participate in a full-day tour of Jerusalem
including the Mt. of Olives, Mt. Scopus, the Garden of Gethsemane and the
Basilica of Agony. We continue to the Kidron Valley and to Mt. Zion, site of the
Last Supper room, and David's tomb. We visit a model of Jerusalem during the
Second Temple period as well as the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum. We
drive to the village of Ein Kerem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist. This
evening we enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 8 Rome After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome.
Upon arrival in the "Eternal City" we are met by our tour escort and transfer to
the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for individual exploration.
Dinner and overnight are in Rome. (B, D)
Day 9 Rome After breakfast we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of "Imperial"
Rome, including the Catacombs, the Appian Way, St. Peter in Chains, the
Colosseum, and Circus Maximus. We also visit the three major basilicas in Rome
including 1600 year old St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, Cathedral of the city
of Rome and St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the burial place of St. Paul.
Dinner and overnight are in Rome. (B, D)
Day 10 Rome After breakfast we depart for Vatican City, to attend a Papal
Audience (if available). In the afternoon, we visit the splendid Vatican Museums
with their world-renowned art collections and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel,
adorned with Michelangelo's frescoes. We conclude our visit with a tour of the
awe inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, including time to pray at the tomb of Pope
John Paul II. We have the remainder of the day to explore the wonders of Rome on
our own. Dinner and overnight are in Rome. (B, D)
Day 11 New York, NY We depart for Rome's Fiumicino Airport for our return
flight, arriving the same day. (B)