Catholic Holy Land Itinerary (10 Days / 9 Nights)

DAY 1

Arrival in Israel

Our guide will meet and assist the group at airport

Overnight and Dinner in a Mediterranean sea-side Leonardo Beach Hotel Tel Aviv

 

DAY 2: Herod's Capital City and the Way of the Sea

Caesarea on the Sea (the Roman capital of King Herod and Pontius Pilate; travels of Peter and Paul), with stops at Roman theatre, Crusader city via new excavation area (including hippodrome) and Roman aqueduct

Muqrakah on Mt. Carmel (the confrontation of Elijah and the prophets of Baal). Megiddo (Israel vs. the Canaanites); see the gate, the Bronze Age temples and high place, stables, exit via the water system

Visit Nazareth (boyhood home of Jesus): Church of the Annunciation (with remains of the ancient village) and the Greek Orthodox Church of Mary’s Well (St. Gabriel’s; the village spring; Christianity in the Middle East today).

Overnight and Dinner: Sea of Galilee Hotel Tiberias

 

DAY 3: Jesus' Ministry around the Sea of Galilee

A bus stop for a view over the lake and orientation

Gergesene demoniac site (Kursi-entrance; early Christians in the Land of Israel)

Bethsaida (new excavations; hometown of Peter and John)

Capernaum (Jesus’ home base for ministry)

Peter Primacy (the resurrection appearance of Jesus by the Sea)

Church of the Multiplication (Heptapaegon)

Chorazin (the traveling ministry of Jesus)

Church of Beatitudes

Jesus’ boat museum at Ginnosar

Boat ride to Tiberias

Overnight and Dinner Sea of Galillee Hotel Tiberias

 

DAY 4: Jesus' Withdrawal to Caesarea of Philip

The Golan Heights visit – Road to Damascus (View of Quneitra; Paul’s vision of Jesus),

Caesarea Philippi: caves and new excavation area (Jesus’ question to the disciples, “Who do men say that I am?”)

Tel Dan (site of one of the golden calves; religious compromise in ancient Israel).

Hazor (battle of Joshua)

Optional baptism in Jordan River

Overnight and Dinner Sea of Galilee Tiberias

 

DAY 5: Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem

Begin your day in Beth Shean; see the stadium,  the theater, and the main excavation area; learn about Saul, Jonathan and city life in the Roman world

Drive along Jordan Valley, visit Jericho

Stop at Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were written

Map marking, Jerusalem preparation

Drive to the Dead Sea for overnight and dinner Hod Hotel

 

DAY 6: Essenes, Zealots, and Messianic Expectations

Time to float on the Dead Sea waters

Visit Masada (cable car up and down; Zealots’ last stand)

Up to Jerusalem

Stop for a view over the Desert of Judea (Wadi Qilt near St. George’s monastery Jesus’ temptation; Jesus’ last trip to Jerusalem)

Panorama over Jerusalem from the south (Haas Promenade)

Bethlehem: Church of the Nativity and Grotto and St. Catherine’s Church (birthplace of Jesus)

Overnight and Dinner Jerusalem at Ibis

 

DAY 7: Jesus' Ministry in the Temple

Temple Mount

Western or Wailing Wall, the Wall Tunnel

The south-west Temple Mount Excavations (the Jewish Temple; the conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities of his day)

City of David

Jerusalem in the time of King David

Citadel Museum (entrance; Upper Palace of Herod)

Jaffa Gate

The Bazaars

Second Temple Model at the Israel Museum, (model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus) the Dead Sea scrolls display at the Museum

Overnight and Dinner Jerusalem at Ibis Jerusalem City Center Hotel

 

DAY 8: Jesus' Passover and Trials

Mt. Zion (the Upper City of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus)

Essene Quarter, Early Judeo-Christian synagogue (Tomb of David)

Last Supper Room (Cenacle; Jesus’ last Passover with the disciples; Passover and the Christian faith)

St. Peter Gallicantu (possible house of Caiaphas)

Jewish Quarter: Sephardic synagogues, Herodian Quarter excavations (Wohl Archaeological Museum; homes of the wealthy in Jesus’ Jerusalem)

Burnt House (evidence of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans)

Broad Wall (Hezekiah and Isaiah), and Cardo

Overnight and Dinner Jerusalem at Ibis Jerusalem City Center Hotel

 

DAY 9: The Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension

Mt. of Olives

Bethany (Lazarus tomb)

Chapel of the Ascension (the ascension of Jesus)

Eleona Church (Pater Noster; Jesus’ end-times prophecy)

Dominus Flevit

Garden of Gethsemane

Stephen’s Gate

Pools of Bethesda (Jesus’ healing of the sick man)

Via Dolorosa (Jesus carries the cross)

Flagellation Chapel

Sisters of Zion

Holy Sepulchre

Garden Tomb

Overnight and Dinner Jerusalem at Ibis Jerusalem City Center Hotel

 

DAY 10: Departure

Transfer to airport

Departure