Holy Land Pilgrimage with Istanbul Experience

ITINERARY

Day 1 - MAR 25 (SAT): Departure from LOS ANGELES to TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

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Day 2 - MAR 26 (SUN): ARRIVAL - NAZARETH

Upon arrival to the Holy Land, we will be greeted by our tour guide. Then we board on our bus that will take us to Galilee. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (D)

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Day 3 – MAR 27 (MON): CAESAREA – NAZARETH - CANA

Start the day with a visit to Caesarea Maritima. Caesarea Maritima was once the capital of the Roman province. Here we will see the impressive archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine Empires that once dominated the city. 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), the first gentile converted to Christianity according to Acts 10. We will then depart for Nazareth, we will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and view the Blessed Cave, where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. View Mary and Joseph’s House and carpentry shop where Jesus spent 30 years of his life. Then we continue to Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Day 4 - MAR 28 (TUE): SEA OF GALILEE

After breakfast we will start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Afterwards we will visit Capernaum, the town of Jesus which is the center of his ministry where he performed many miracles. Visit the House of St. Peter and the ruins of the ancient Synagogue where Jesus preached. Stop at Tabgha, the Primacy of St. Peter and visit the Church of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the site of the multiplication miracle, and the Mt. of Beatitudes. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Day 5 - MAR 29 (WED): TABOR - JERICHO - BAPTISMAL SITE – DEAD SEA

After breakfast we check out from our hotel and depart to visit Tabor. Enjoy the spectacular view of upper Galilee, where Jesus transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John, and upon which stands the Church of Transfiguration. Then we depart to visit Jericho where to see the Mt. of Temptation, the Sycamore tree and visit Tel Jericho, where the city stood at the time of Joshua. We will then stop at Beth Arabah, the baptismal site on the Jordan river. Transfer to our hotel at the shores of the Dead Sea. In the afternoon we will have some time for a dip in the salty and healing waters on the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Day 6 - MAR 30 (THU): MASADA – FREE AFTERNOON AT DEAD SEA

In the morning we will depart for Masada where we will visit the fortress built by King Herod the Great and made famous by the Zealots in 73/74 AD with the standoff against the Romans. In the fortress, we will see the archaeological remains inscribed into the list in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will also have a dramatic ascent by cable car to Masada mountaintop and see the remains of fortifications. Roman ramp, waterworks, synagogue and palaces. Back to hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Day 7 - MAR 31 (FRI): MOUNT OF OLIVES – BETHLEHEM – SHEPHERDS’ FIELD

After breakfast we will be visiting Mount of Olives, and the Chapel of the Ascension from which Jesus returned to his Father, then the Pater Noster Church where our Lord taught his disciples how to pray. Then we walk down the Road of Palm Sunday to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus endured his Agony. In the afternoon we will visit Bethlehem and Shepherd’s Field. In Bethlehem we visit one of the oldest churches in Christianity, the Church of Nativity, built over the birthplace of our Lord. We will also see St. Catherine’s built over the tomb of St. Jerome. Surrounding Bethlehem are the Shepherd’s Fields, where the shepherds saw the angels who heralded Jesus’ humble birth. Dinner and overnight. (B, D).   

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Day 8 – APR 01 (SAT): VIA DOLOROSA - ECCE HOMO - ST ANNE - WAILING WALL – MOUNT ZION

Early in the morning we will follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulcher Church. Then visit the Church of Ecce Homo. From there we will visit the Church of St. Anne the birthplace of Mary, and Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic. Then we continue to visit the Wailing Wall the most important Jewish site in Jerusalem. Afterwards continue to Mount Zion and the Upper Room where Jesus instituted the Eucharist & the Priesthood, situated over the tomb of David and next to the church of Dormition, where our Mary fell into eternal sleep. We will then visit the church of St. Peter of Gallicantu. Dinner and overnight. (B. D)

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Day 9- APR 02 (SUN): EIN KAREM – PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS

In the morning we will drive to the little town of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. We will visit the Church of the Visitation. Back to the Old City of Jerusalem where we will take part in Palm Sunday celebrations. The meeting will be St. Anne’s Church. On to Mt. of Olives. Back to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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DAY 10 - APR 03 (MON): TEL AVIV – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul. Arrive the same day. Welcome to Istanbul! Meet with your English-speaking escort and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight (B,D) 

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DAY 11 - APR 04 (TUE): FULL DAY TOUR OF INSTANBUL

Visits include monuments of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empire, the Roman Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) is a truly awe inspiring, 1,400 years old Byzantine cathedral which houses mosaics, relics and iron work. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque – Camii) built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Hippodrome (At Meydani) the backdrop of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life. The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

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DAY 12 – APR 05 (WED): FULL DAY TOUR BOSPHORUS TOUR

First visit is to Egyptian Bazaar which is from 17^th century. Next, we embark on a cruise along the Bosporus, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. Winding between wooded hills, it is lined with mosques, castle, 19^th century mansions, picturesque villages and extravagant baroque places of the late Ottoman Sultans. After the lunch break, we continue by driving across the first Bosporus bridge and head for the summit of Camlica Hill, which affords panoramic views of Istanbul, Marmara Sea, Princes’ Islands. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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DAY 13 – APR 06 (THU): After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to USA. (B)