Pilgrimage to The Holy Land & Rome

DAY 1

USA – ITALY

DAY 2

ROME
Arrival at FCO Airport, meeting with an English-speaking Tour Manager, pick-up by bus and transfer to the center of Rome to start a Half-Day city tour with an English-speaking local guide to visit St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran Basilicas. Then transfer to the Hotel for accommodation, dinner and overnight. (D)

DAY 3

ROME
Breakfast. In the morning transfer to the Vatican for the Papal Audience (on Wednesdays only). In the afternoon half-day city tour with an English-speaking local guide to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel included). Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B,D)

DAY 4

ROME / ASSISI / ROME (192 KMS)
Breakfast. This morning early departure to Assisi for a full-day excursion. We will visit St. Claire, St. Francis and St. Mary of the Angel’s Basilicas with an English-speaking local guide. Rest of the day at leisure in Assisi. Return to Rome. Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B,D)

DAY 5

ROME
Breakfast. Today full-day of visit of Rome with an English-speaking local guide. In the morning panoramic visit of Imperial Rome. In the afternoon walking tour through the beautiful Squares of Rome: Navona Square, Spanish Steps, the Fountain of Trevi etc. Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B,D)

DAY 6

ROME / TEL AVIV /TIBERIAS OR NAZARETH
Breakfast. At proper time pick up by private bus and transfer to FCO Airport and board your flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, meeting and assistance by our representative at the Airport and transfer to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7

CANA – NAZARETH – HAIFA
After breakfast, leave to Cana of Galilee: the place of the first miracle of Jesus. Continue to Nazareth and start a walking tour from Mary’s Fountain till the Basilica of the Annunciation for a visit to Mary’s House, the Upper Basilica, the Museum and the Church of the Holy Family.

In the afternoon, leave to Haifa, capital of the industry and the major port. Ascend to Mount Carmel passing by the Persian Gardens of the Bahai sect. Visit the Church of Stella Maris, the birthplace of the Carmelite Order which contains a natural grotto of the Prophet Elijah. Back to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8

THE SEA OF GALILEE – MOUNT TABOR – RIVER JORDAN
After breakfast, leave to Mount of Beatitudes to recall the Sermon of the Mountain. Continue to Tabgha (Heptapegon) for a visit to the Church of the Multiplication of Fish and Loaves, admiring the well conserved Byzantine mosaic from the fifth century. Then visit the small chapel of the Primacy of St. Peter before heading to Capernaum, the Town of Jesus for a detailed visit of its ruins: the remains

of the House of Peter, the “Insula Sacra” and the White Synagogue. Then, you will experience a boat ride crossing along the Sea of Galilee.

In the afternoon, ascend to Mount Tabor and visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration, built of on the ruins of two earlier sanctuaries: Byzantine and Crusader. Descend and continue to River Jordan where we will have the opportunity to renew your baptismal vows. Back to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9

TIBERIAS – QUMRAN – DEAD SEA – JERICHO – JERUSALEM
After breakfast, leave Tiberias through the Jordan Valley and travel southwards to Qumran to visit the ruins of the Essenes Monastery and view the Caves of the Scrolls. Transfer then to the Dead Sea for a possible bath in its salty waters. Continue to Jericho, considered as the oldest city in the world for a visit to Tel El-Sultan, the site of the biblical Jericho and view of Mount of Temptation.

In the afternoon, drive through the Judaean Desert, passing by the Good Samaritan Inn to Jerusalem for a first contact with the Holy City from the top of Mount Scopus. Arrive to your selected hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10

MOUNT OF OLIVES AND MOUNT ZION
After breakfast, drive to Mount of Olives for a visit to the Ascension Chapel and then to Pater Noster Church. Walk down to the small Chapel of Dominus Flevit and enjoy a panoramic view of the Holy City with all its major shrines. Continue to the Garden of Gethsemane for a visit to the Church of Agony (called also of All Nations) and Mary’s Tomb in the Josaphat Valley.

In the afternoon, explore Mount of Zion: St. Peter in Gallicantu, David’s Tomb, the Last Supper Room (The Cenacle) and the Dormition Abbey. Then entering Zion’s Gate, walk through the Cardo Maximum and the Jewish Quarter to the Wailing Wall. Back to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11

NEW CITY – EIN KAREM – BETHLEHEM
After breakfast, an orientation tour through the New City of Jerusalem, passing by the Knesset (the Parliament) and the Hebrew University to the Israel Museum for a visit the Model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple. (possible visit also to the Shrine of the Book which hosts most of the Dead Sea Scrolls and findings). Continue then to Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist for a visit to the Church that recalls his birth and the one of the Visitation.

In the afternoon, drive to Bethlehem for a detailed visit to the Basilica of the Nativity: the Grotto of Nativity, the Manger, St. Catherine Church, St. Joseph and St. Jerome Chapels. Continue to the

village of Beit Sahour to visit the Shepherds’ Field with the natural grottos and the remains of the Byzantine churches and monasteries. Back to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight

DAY 12

OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM
After breakfast, transfer to the Lions’ Gate and enter the Old City for a visit to St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Continue then walking through the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher for a detailed visit to Mount Calvary, the Holy Tomb and St. Helen Chapel.

In the afternoon, free time for rest and/or personal activities. It could be dedicated to walk one more time through the narrow streets of the Old City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 13

JERUSALEM – BEN GURION AIRPORT
After breakfast and at a time previously indicated, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport to board your flight back home.