Holy Land 

Tel Aviv, Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Cana, Nazareth, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, the Jordan River, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Ein Karem & more.

Day 1:  USA / THE HOLY LAND

Today we depart the United States on our flight to The Holy Land, arriving in Tel Aviv the following day. 

Day 2:  TEL AVIV / CAESAREA MARITIMA / MT. CARMEL /HAIFA 
This morning we arrive in Tel Aviv.  We drive north along the Mediterranean coast to visit Caesarea Maritima, built by King Herod just a decade before the birth of Jesus. We continue on to the Sea of Galilee. 

Day 3:  TIBERIAS / CANA / NAZARETH 
Following breakfast, we arrive in Nazareth where Jesus spent his childhood. Here we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation.  

Day 4:  MOUNT OF BEATITUDES / TABGHA / CAPERNAUM
Our day of sightseeing begins with a drive to the Mount of Beatitudes, where we retell the Sermon on the Mount while overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee. Following Mass, we visit Tabgha where in the church’s mosaic floor the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is commemorated. 

Day 5:  MOUNT TABOR / JORDAN RIVER / JERICHO / JERUSALEM
Today we leave Galilee for our journey to Judea through Samaria. En route we ascend Mount Tabor; the Mount of Transfiguration. 

Day 6:  JERUSALEM / BETHLEHEM / MOUNT OF OLIVES
Our day begins with a short drive to Shepherds Field with its caves that were typical of the stables of Jesus’ time. Following Mass, we continue our tour of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.  

Day 7: JERUSALEM / MOUNT ZION
Early this morning we visit St. Anne’s Church as well as the adjacent, open air Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed a miracle cure and the infirm have sought healing for centuries. One of Jerusalem’s landmarks, the Dormition Abbey represents Mary having passed into eternal life, asleep, in grand Byzantine décor. We also visit King David’s tomb. 

Day 8: BETHANY / QUMRAN / THE DEAD SEA
Following breakfast, our day begins with a visit to Bethany to see the home of Mary and Martha. Our day concludes with some beach time at the Dead Sea – the absolute lowest point on Earth where the salty water is so buoyant that sinking is IMPOSSIBLE. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: JERUSALEM / EIN KAREM / TEL AVIV 
This morning we will visit the Israeli Museum and see its model of the Second Temple as it was in the time of Jesus, and the “Shrine of the Book”, with its Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.  Late afternoon we return to Jerusalem for this evening’s “Farewell Dinner” at a local restaurant. 
Day 10:  USA
This morning we arrive back home in the USA.