Daily Itinerary for the 02 January 2024
Day 1 – Depart Washington
Depart Washington Dulles Airport for your flight to Tel Aviv connecting through Frankfurt.

Day 2 – Arrive Tel Aviv
Arrive in Tel Aviv. Meet coach and guide, and transfer to 4 star Manger Square Hotel (or similar) in Bethlehem, for 2 nights with dinner & breakfast.

Day 3 – Nazareth & Cana
After breakfast we visit the birthplace of Jesus. In Bethlehem, you will have the opportunity to view the Shepherd’s Fields (Luke 2:8). In the caves of these fields, you are still able to see the soot marks of fires that shepherds lit to keep warm. The tour concludes at the Manger Square, which stands in front of the Church of the Nativity. As you enter the Church, you will proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Our Savior’s birth (Matthew 2:1-18). Beneath the altar, there is a silverstar and a Latin inscription that states: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Following Mass in this Sacred space we will take a short drive to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. It is known that there are two churches in Ein Karem, representing the two homes of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The first is in a valley where the birth of St. John the Baptist is commemorated (Luke 1:39-80) in the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The second is on a hill where Elizabeth spent five months in seclusion (Luke 1:24) at the Church of the Visitation. You will have a chance to visit both of these churches and have the opportunity to pray the Mystery of the Rosary as you walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation.

Day 4 – Dead Sea
Morning drive by the Inn of the Good Samaritan, to the Dead Sea. Time to relax or float on the water near where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found at Qumran. Break for an opportunity to enjoy lunch. Afternoon drive into Jericho, see the Mount of Temptation, and the Sycamore tree of Zacchaeus. Drive to Nazareth, and stay at the 4 Legacy Hotel (or similar) for 3 nights with breakfast and dinner.

Day 5 – Nazareth
Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, see the Cave–home of the Holy Family, Joseph’s workshop, and Mary’s Well. Depart for Cana and visit the church of the Wedding Feast – site of Jesus’ first miracle. Renewal of Wedding Vows for married couples on the trip. Lunch. Afternoon drive to Mount Tabor. Ascend by taxi to the Church of the Transfiguration, and view the Valley of Armageddon. Return to hotel for dinner.

Day 6 – Sea of Galilee
Morning Mass on the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Hear the full reading of the great Sermon on the Mount. Visit Capernaum – where we see the old Synagogue and the excavations of Peter’s house. Visit the site of the multiplication of the Loaves & Fish at Tabgha, and the church of the Primacy of Peter on the lake-shore. Enjoy lunch on the shore of the Sea of Galilee then take a Boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, with relevant Bible readings. Return by coach to the hotel and enjoy dinner.

Day 7 - Bethany & Tomb of Lazarus
Drive across the Jezreel Valley to Emmaus, where Jesus appeared after His Resurrection. Lunch. Continue to Bethany for Mass, and visit the Tomb of Lazarus. Continue on to Jerusalem and check in to the St. George Hotel, located beside the ancient walls of the old town for 4 nights with breakfast and dinner.

Day 8 - Jerusalem
Drive to the Mount of Olives for group photo, and view the Old City. Visit the Ascension Dome, Pater Noster church, Dominus Flevit, Assumption church and Grotto and the Garden of Gethsemane. After lunch, visit church of St Peter in Gallicantu – church of the Cock-Crow, and see the dungeon where Jesus was held on Holy Thursday night. Walk around Mount Zion and visit the church of the Dormition, Tomb of David, and Room of the Last Supper. Evening Holy Hour in the Garden of Gethsemane. Return to hotel for dinner.

Day 9 - Via Dolorosa
Early morning Mass in the Holy Sepulchre. Return to hotel for breakfast. Morning in the Old City of Jerusalem. Visit church of St Anne and Pool of Bethesda. Walk the Via Dolorosa to the church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Rock of Calvary. Afternoon free in Jerusalem. Dinner at hotel.

Day 10 - Jerusalem
After breakfast we will have some free time to enjoy the old city of Jerusalem, before returning to the hotel for Lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Western Wall & continue on to Yad Vashem – Holocaust Memorial. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 11 - Farewell to Holy Land
Early morning transfer to Tel Aviv for your flight to Washington Dulles connecting through Vienna