Holy Land Pilgrimage

ITINERARY

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Day 1: Sep 15 (Fri) – Departure from USA to Tel Aviv

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Day 2: Sep 16 (Sat) – 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: Sep 17 (Sun) – 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 archeological 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 in Nazareth. (B, D)

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Day 4: Sep 18 (Mon) – Tabor - Sea of Galilee

After breakfast we will start the day with a visit to Mt. 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. In the afternoon we will enjoy a boat ride on the Sea f 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 in Nazareth. (B, D)

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Day 5: Sep 19 (Tue) – Jericho - Dead Sea - Bethlehem

After breakfast we check out from out hotel and depart to visit Jericho where to see the Mt. 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. Later 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 archeological remains inscribed into the list in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will also have a dramatic ascent by cable car to Masada Mountain top and see the remains of fortifications, Roman ramp, waterworks, synagogue and palaces. In the afternoon, we will have some time for a dip in the salty and healing waters on the Dead Sea. Transfer to our hotel in Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D) 

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Day 6: Sep 20 (Wed) – Bethlehem - Shepherd's Field - Ein Karem

Today we will visit Bethlehem and shepherd's Field. In Bethlehem we visit one of the oldest churches in Christianity, the Church of the 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. In the afternoon we will drive to the little town of Ein Karen, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. We will visit the church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight at Bethlehem. (B, D)

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Day 7: Sep 21 (Thu) – Mount of Olives - Mt. Zion

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 will walk down the Road of Palm Sunday to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus endured his Agony. 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 feel into eternal sleep. We will then visit the church of St. Peter of Gallicantu. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D)

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Day 8: Sep 22 (Fri) - Via Dolorosa - Ecce Homo - St Anne - Waling Wall

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. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D)

Day 9: Sep 23 (Sat) Departure back to USA or ATHENs (option tour)

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Greece Option Tour

Day 10: Sep 23 (Sat) Arrival in Athens.

Welcome to Athens the birthplace of Western Civilization, the Capital of Greece! upon arrival at Athens International Airport, you will be meet by your English-speaking escort. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel depending on the arrival time. Dinning is open until 8:30 pm.

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Day 11: Sep 24 (Sun) Athens

Athens is a city of memorable contrasts. The past and the present of Athens unfolds before your eyes while we drive around the city's highlight spots and monuments like the Temple of Zeus, the Old Stadium, syntagma Square, the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, the Academy, the Library, and the National Gardens. On the natural fortress of the Acropolis, reinforced by the hand of man, stand the Propylaea, the temple of the Winged Victory, Erechteion with the Porch of the Caryatids and, towering over all, and the majestic Parthenon. A few meters away from the Acropolis entrance and the Ancient Theatre of Dionysos, the Acropolis Museum. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Day 12: Sep 25 (Mon) Athens

Drive through the rolling plain of Boeotia, renowned in antiquity for its grain fields and cattle, and through the city of Thebes birthplace to the tragic King Oedipus and to the divine hero Hercules. Was we pass by the Catalia Spring, situated in the ravine where the contestants to the Pythian Games, pilgrims seeking consult with the Oracle and even Phythia herself cleansed themselves and quenched their thirst, we will reach the archeological site. Delphi is one of the mot sacred places of Greece perched on the high slopes of Mount Parnassus, indeed its cultural richness designated it as a World Heritage site from UNESCO. Delphi served as the religious and spiritual enter of ancient civilization that contributed to the cultural development of the entire country. On our way back to Athens, we will pass by the lively traditional village of Arachova, a cosmopolitan winter destination perched on the south slopes of Mount Parnassus, know for its traditional wool rugs, gourmet foods and local wine. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Day 13: Sep 26 (Tue) Athens - USA

After breakfast, transfer to the Athens International Airport for the flight back to USA. (B)

End of Tour Services.