HOLY LAND CATHOLIC TOURS

Category: Europe tours

Holy Land Catholic Tour - In the Footsteps of Jesus Christ

Caesare, Haifa, Nazareth, Cana, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes, Cesare Phillippi, Mount Tabor Transfiguration, Jerusalem, Bethlehem,
Mount of Olives, Qumran, Massada, Dead Sea, Bethany....

11 DAYS TOUR
SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 FLIGHT TO ISRAEL

Departure from your gateway city, overnight flight to Israel, Tel Aviv.

Day 2 JAFFA - CEASAREA - HAIFA

After good breakfast we are on our way to nourish our soul. We will be driving along the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Jaffa and visit the House of Simon the Tanner where Peter lived (Acts 9; 43) It is also here that Centurion Cornelius was shown to send for Peter (Acts 10). FromHoly Land - Croses here we proceed to the crusader port city of Ceasarea and the Roman capital of Israel. Here, we will see the archaeological ruins of the Roman amphitheatre from the days of King Herod. Our next stop is in Haifa, and on to Mount Carmel, we will visit Carmelite Monastery, Chapel of the Holy Family and Elijah’s cave where we celebrate the Holy Mass. Overnight and dinner is in our hotel on the Sea of Galilee it the city Tiberias.

Day 3 NAZARETH - CANA

We will leave our hotel and drive for the Church of the Miracle of Cana where JesuCana Wedding Churchs performed His first miracle changing water into wine at the request of His Mother (John 2:1-10). In this little town we will have the renewal of marriage vows and the blessing of families. We will continue on to the nearby town of Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus and the place where he spent the first 30 years of His life. We will pray in the Church of Saint Joseph and the Basilica of the Annunciation where the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary from God and proclaimed: “Rejoice O highly favored daughter" (Luke 1:26-28). We will have Mass here in the Grotto. A short walk through old Nazareth brings us to Mary’s Well where The Blessed Mother drew water daily for her family and then visit the Synagogue Church. To the left of the doorway is a door leading down to the synagogue which Jesus is said to have attended. We will return to Tiberias in time to relax by the Sea of Galilee perhaps record your memories of the day or whatever you choose. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias .

Day 4 MT. OF BEATITUDES - TABGHA - CAPERNAUM

After breakfast we literally trace the footsteps of Jesus as He began His public ministry. Our first stop of the day is the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount, and then on toEntrance to Capernaum... the Church of Tabgha where the mosaic floor tells the story of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. In this area Jesus chose Peter, Andrew, James, John and Phillip as disciples; He fed the five thousand; He preached the Sermon on the Mount; and He performed miracles of healing. Next we embark on a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee in a boat that is a replica of the ones used during the time of Jesus (Matt. 14:22-27) and see the Bible unfold before our eyes. We enjoy a traditional lunch of St. Peter’s Fish (included) and then make our way to Capernaum to see the house of Peter and the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached and cured the possessed man as well as performing other miracles. At Saint Peter’s Primacy we will celebrate Mass overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This is the spot where Jesus fed the Apostles after the Resurrection. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias.

Day 5 CESAREA PHILIPPI - MT. TABOR - JERUSALEM

Today we make our way to Banias (also called Cesarea Phillippi), the source of the River Jordan, where Jesus revealed Himself to Simon and changed his name after having asked him: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matt 16:13-20). Simon acknowledged Jesus Mt. Taboras the Messiah, whereupon Jesus blessed him and changed his name to Peter (the Rock) saying: “and upon this rock I will build my church”. This afternoon we travel to Mount Tabor. Located to the west of the Sea of Galilee, the mountain is believed to be the most likely site of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. It’s a steep but short drive up to the top where the Church of the Transfiguration is located. The church, overlooking the Galilean countryside, was built by the Franciscans in 1924 over the ruins of a Byzantine church dating back to the fifth or sixth century. We will celebrate Mass here today. Our pilgrimage continues to Jerusalem. Dinner at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 6 JERUSALEM - BETHLEHEM - EIN KAREM

We begin our day with a visit to Dormition Abbey where Mary was laid to rest. We then proceed to the Upper Room and the Chapel of the Last Supper. Next we visit Bethlehem, where we enter the Church Bethlehemof the Nativity, (Luke 2:1, 3-7), the oldest in the country, built over the stable where Jesus was born. We also see the Shepherds field where one of the most sacred places is found. It is where the Angel of the Lord visited the shepherds and informed them of Jesus' birth. We will enter the Milk Grotto, a serene grotto just a few minutes walk from Manger Square in Bethlehem. Tradition has it that the Holy Family took refuge here during the slaughter of the innocents before their flight in to Egypt. Tradition also says that while Mary was nursing the baby Jesus a drop of milk fell to the ground turning it white. Both Christians and Muslims revere this site and expectant mothers often take scrapings from the milk-white wall of the grotto to ensure a safe birth. After lunch we travel the short distance to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist and celebrate Mass in the Franciscan Church of Saint John the Baptist. Nearby at the top of a small hill is the Church of the Visitation where Mary journeyed to see her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56). Ein Karem has become known as a haven for artists, musicians and architects. Return to Notre Dame hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 MOUNT OF OLIVES - OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

This morning we enter the Old City of Jerusalem for our walking tour of this holy city. We begin at the Convent of the Sisters of Zion where we can see part of the pavement (the Lithostroto) in the courtyard of the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate. Markings on the stones clearly show evidence of the “Kings Game” played by the Roman Legionnaires (John 19:13). make our way to the Western Wall, Judaism’s most important site. Nearby we also find the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man. We ascend the Mount of Olives to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Jerusalem's Old City and the Judean desert. Visit the Church of the Ascension, (Matt. 28:16, 18-20), The Church of Pater Noster and then make our way down the Palm Sunday walk, pausing at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, (Luke 19:41-44), and end at the serene Garden of Gethsemane. A small but peaceful retreat, the garden is believed to be the place where Jesus prayed the night of His arrest. The ancient olive trees are enclosed in a grove located adjacent to the Church of All Nations. The facade of the Basilica of the Agony, is impressive with its glittering golden mosaics, that face the northeastern wall of Jerusalem’s Old City. We’ll have time to pray and reflect at the foot of the Altar where a large rock is exposed. The Rock of Agony, is believed to be where Jesus prayed and wept the evening of His betrayal.

Day 8 OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

Our day begins as we celebrate Mass in the Church of St. Anne (traditional birthplace of Mary). Later we’ll see pilgrims from all over the world crowding the timeless stone streets of the Villa Dolorosa, as we walk the Way of the Cross. This is the ancient route Jesus is believed to have walked through the Old City with His Cross. Each site along the trail is marked, most with small chapels, and the final stations are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was believed to have been crucified, buried and rose from the dead. Inside the church, gilded gold lanterns and incense holders hang from the darkness of the ancient ceilings, while candles flicker in the many chapels owned by a multitude of sects and Religious Orders.

Day 9 EXCURSION TO MASSADA - DEAD SEA - QUMRAN

Early morning takes us to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we celebrate Mass inside the empty tomb as a special highlight of our pilgrimage. From here we’ll travel to Massada, where Herod had built a fortress to protect himself in case of rebellion. It was used by the last remnantsMasada - Israel of the Jews after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The view from the top is incredible and we will be able to take the cable car up unless you are really into fitness---then you can hike! Then we travel to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered hidden in a cave. Our day ends at Ein Gedi to enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for those who wish. At 1200 feet below sea level, it is the lowest spot on earth. Return to Jerusalem.

Day 10 BETHANY - JERUSALEM

Our final day begins with a visit to the Church of St Peter in Galicantu where Peter denied Christ three times. The church is built on the site of the house of the high priest Caiaphas. This is where Jesus spent the night in the dungeon after His arrest. We will celebrate Mass here. After Mass we will have time to visit the Church of Saint Lazarus in Bethany. We have the afternoon free: perhaps to return to some of the holy sites we have visited for further prayer and mediation or take a walk through the Cardo, the ancient market place. Time to do some last minute shopping before packing later tonight. Or just stop in one of local cafes for tea. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 11 DEPARTURE HOME: ISRAEL - USA

Early morning transfer to "Ben Gurion" Tel Aviv International airport for our flight back home - arrival home same day!

SEE ANOTHER VERSION OF HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGES IN 2012 

DATES & RATES:

APRIL 16 - 26, 2012 (rate is based on 20 pilgrims in the group):

• Land only...............................................US$ 1890.00
• Land and air..........please call or e-mail us: info@bluehearttravel.com
• Single room supplement......................US$ 460.00

JUNE 3 - 13, 2012 (rate is based on 20 pilgrims in the group):

• Land only...............................................US$ 1890.00
• Land and air..........please call or e-mail us: info@bluehearttravel.com
• Single room supplement.....................US$ 450.00

NOVEMBER 7 - 17, 2012 (rate is based on 20 pilgrims in the group):

• Land only...............................................US$ 1890.00
• Land and air..........please call or e-mail us: info@bluehearttravel.com
• Single room supplement.....................US$ 450.00

INCLUDES

• Round trip air fares from your departure city/airport 
• Accommodation in double/twin rooms
• Superior first class 4* hotels
• Buffet breakfast and buffet dinner daily
• Christian guide in Israel
• High class air-conditioned coach
• Entrance fees acording the itinerary
• One lunch by the Sea of Galilee - St. Peter's fish
• Porterage of one piece of luggage in/out hotels
• Tips for hotel and restaurant staff
• Daily Holy Mass arrangements

NOT INCLUDED

• Third meal, souvenirs, personal expenses
• Tips for guide and driver
• Travel insurance - strongly recommended
  
  

► Customized itineraries ► English or Spanish speaking Tours ►Tour leader & priest trevel free  
► Accommo in hotels run by religious orders or convent type hotels
►Extension tour to ♦ Lourdes ♦ Rome & Italy ♦ Medjugorje ♦ Poland ♦

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E-MAIL: info@bluehearttravel.com

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Some inspiring photos of Holy land by Blue Heart Travel from the past tours