Israel Catholic Heritage Tour
A unique and spiritual tour of the Holy Land
Enjoy 6 nights in Israel while you tour the sites where the Ministry of Christ took place! Over several days, you will get to visit the same places important events unfolded such as the first miracle, the Sermon on the Mount, the place where Paul was held prisoner by the Romans, and you'll be able to retrace the last steps of Jesus on Good Friday. Holy Catholic Mass will be delivered daily in special locations during the tour.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Tel Aviv (TLV)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- 1 night in Tel Aviv at the Hotel Metropolitan Tel Aviv, or similar
- Guided tour of Caesarea, Galilee, Haifa, Muhraka, Mount Carmel, Nazareth, and Cana
- 2 nights in Tiberius at the Hotel Golan Tiberias, or similar
- Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
- Guided tour of Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and Mount Tabor
- Guided tour of the Jordan Valley, Jericho, Mount Temptation, Qumran & Bethany, with time to swim in the Dead Sea
- 3 nights in Jerusalem at the Ramada Hotel, or similar
- Guided tour of the Mount of Olives, Rock of Agony, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption of Mary to Heaven, Pater Noster, Chapel of Ascension, Shepherd's Fields, Church of Nativity (Bethlehem)
- Retracing of Jesus' last steps on Good Friday, including the Way of Sorrow, Stations of the Cross, St. Anne's Church & Ecce Homo
- Guided tour of the Western Wall, Mount Zion Gate, Upper Room, Dormition Abbey & Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
- Catholic Holy Mass daily
- Coach services as mentioned in itinerary, in air-conditioned, luxury vehicle
- Government licensed, English-speaking tour guide on the specified touring days
- Breakfast and dinner daily
Please note: passengers are asked to limit their luggage to one medium suitcase and one carry-on in order to be accommodated on the coach.
Modest dress is required for visiting holy sites (no shorts or sleeveless shirts). Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
*Program sequence subject to change and will be confirmed 30 days prior to travel.
Great Ways to Explore
-
Walk among 1,000-year-old trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Take in the magnificent views from Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa.
-
Renew your wedding vows in the village where Jesus performed his first miracle.
-
Tour the site of the first baptism on the Jordan River!
-
Visit St. Anne's Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
Spend 6 nights exploring iconic Biblical sites in Israel! With a focus on the Ministry of Christ, you will visit places such as the site of Jesus' first miracle, Mary's Well, the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water, and many more. Daily holy Catholic Mass will be delivered in specified locations throughout the trip.
Helpful links for travel to Israel:
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Tel Aviv (TLV)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- 1 night in Tel Aviv at the Hotel Metropolitan Tel Aviv, or similar
- Guided tour of Caesarea, Galilee, Haifa, Muhraka, Mount Carmel, Nazareth, and Cana
- 2 nights in Tiberius at the Hotel Golan Tiberias, or similar
- Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
- Guided tour of Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and Mount Tabor
- Guided tour of the Jordan Valley, Jericho, Mount Temptation, Qumran & Bethany, with time to swim in the Dead Sea
- 3 nights in Jerusalem at the Ramada Hotel, or similar
- Guided tour of the Mount of Olives, Rock of Agony, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption of Mary to Heaven, Pater Noster, Chapel of Ascension, Shepherd's Fields, Church of Nativity (Bethlehem)
- Retracing of Jesus' last steps on Good Friday, including the Way of Sorrow, Stations of the Cross, St. Anne's Church & Ecce Homo
- Guided tour of the Western Wall, Mount Zion Gate, Upper Room, Dormition Abbey & Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
- Catholic Holy Mass daily
- Coach services as mentioned in itinerary, in air-conditioned, luxury vehicle
- Government licensed, English-speaking tour guide on the specified touring days
- Breakfast and dinner daily
Please note: passengers are asked to limit their luggage to one medium suitcase and one carry-on in order to be accommodated on the coach.
Modest dress is required for visiting holy sites (no shorts or sleeveless shirts). Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
*Program sequence subject to change and will be confirmed 30 days prior to travel.
-
Walk among 1,000-year-old trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Take in the magnificent views from Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa.
-
Renew your wedding vows in the village where Jesus performed his first miracle.
-
Tour the site of the first baptism on the Jordan River!
-
Visit St. Anne's Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
Spend 6 nights exploring iconic Biblical sites in Israel! With a focus on the Ministry of Christ, you will visit places such as the site of Jesus' first miracle, Mary's Well, the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water, and many more. Daily holy Catholic Mass will be delivered in specified locations throughout the trip.
Helpful links for travel to Israel:
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Tel Aviv!
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and settle into your accommodations. The rest of the evening is yours to spend at leisure.
Transfer to Tel Aviv hotel
Check-in - Hotel Metropolitan Tel-Aviv
The Hotel Metropolitan is in the heart of Tel Aviv. The location of the hotel is within walking distance from major attractions and one block from the Mediterranean Sea. Each of the modern guestrooms is equipped to provide a comfortable stay. Grab a delicious meal at The Metro Cafe, or enjoy a light meal at the lobby bar.
Day 2. Tiberius
After breakfast, you'll begin your first day of touring! The mass today will be held in Cana or Nazareth and you will return to your hotel in Tiberius at the end of the day.
Check-in - Hotel Golan Tiberias
This comfortable, 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Tiberias and is just an 11-minute walk from the beach. Enjoy spectacular views of the lake and Mount Hermon, then relax by the hotel's outdoor pool and hot tub where you can breathe in the spectacular sight of the Sea of Galilee. There is also a health & fitness club, spa, on-site restaurant, and more.
Rooms are equipped with everything a visitor needs for an enjoyable stay, including air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, and more. Another popular nearby attractions to visit is the Hamat Tiberias National Park, as well as the Tomb of Maimonides.
Guided tour of Caesarea, Galilee, Haifa, Muhraka, Mount Carmel, Nazareth & Cana
Travel up the coast to Caesarea, home to the Roman and Crusader ruins where Paul was held prisoner by the Romans. Continue your journey into the Carmel Mountains, heading for the Galilee. Stop in Haifa where you will visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery which houses the Madonna of Mt. Carmel. After time for prayer, continue on to Mukhraka on Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal and where the Carmelite Order began.
The next stop is nearby Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38), where you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary's Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. Then head on to Cana (John 2:1-11; 4:46; 21:2), the village where Jesus performed his first miracle changing water into wine. Pilgrim couples will have a special opportunity to renew their wedding vows during Mass.
Day 3. Tiberius
Today's tour will begin with an exciting trip to Galilee! Mass will be delivered in Capernaum or Mt. Tabor. This evening, you will return to your accommodations in Tiberius.
Guided tour of Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha & Mount Tabor
Visit the holy site of Capernaum (Matthew 4:12-25) to see the synagogue and St. Peter's house, where Jesus would have stayed while ministering in the area. Visit the breathtaking Mount of Beatitudes (Luke 6:12-49) where the Sermon on the Mount was given. There will be an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy of Mt. Beatitudes.
Continue on to Tabgha (Mark 6:30-44) where you will see the splendid mosaic commemorating the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter's Primacy where Peter was told "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep” (John 21:9). In the afternoon, drive to Mt. Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration, where you will have Mass in the beautiful small church atop the mountain.
Day 4. Jerusalem
After breakfast, you'll set out across the Jordan Valley. Mass will be held in Tiberius or Bethany. Tonight, you will settle into your new accommodations in Jerusalem, where you will be staying for the rest of the trip.
Check-in - Ramada by Wyndham Jerusalem
Guided tour of the Jordan Valley, Jericho, Mount Temptation, Qumran & Bethany, with time to swim in the Dead Sea
After breakfast, drive to the Jordan Valley and visit the traditional site of Baptism at Qasr El Yahud, the area of the first baptism on Jordan River and where John baptized Jesus. You'll then reach Jericho, the ancient Canaanite city destroyed by the power of God (Josh. 5-6) and the oldest known inhabited city in the world. It was in Jericho that Jesus encountered Zacchaeus (Lk. 19).
Enjoy a splendid view of Mt. Temptation (Luke 4:1-13), where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. Your next stop is at Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were unearthed. Have time for a swim (or rather a float) in the mineral-rich waters, then proceed to Bethany (John 11:41-44) where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
Day 5. Jerusalem
Begin the day with a trip to the Mt. of Olives then proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane! Mass will be delivered in Gethsemane or Bethlehem. This evening, you will return to Jerusalem.
Guided tour of the Mount of Olives, Rock of Agony, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption of Mary to Heaven, Pater Noster, Chapel of Ascension, Shepherd's Fields, Church of Nativity (Bethlehem)
Begin the day with a visit to the Mount of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit (Luke 19:41), where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Your journey takes you to the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-56), where you will visit the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before being arrested.
Continue on to the Cave of Betrayal and the Cave of Assumption of Mary to Heaven. Visit Pater Noster, where the universality of the Catholic Church is evident in the tiled mosaics of the Lord's Prayer in many languages. Finish the morning’s visits at the Chapel of the Ascension from where Jesus ascended to Heaven.
In the afternoon, drive to Shepherd's Fields (Luke 2:8-20) where the angels announced the birth of Jesus and celebrate Mass. Visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which stands upon the site where Jesus was born. You'll have time to shop before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Day 6. Jerusalem
Today, you'll rise and shine very early for a trip highlight! Mass will be delivered on Mt. Zion or St. Ann and you will return to Jerusalem for your final night in Israel.
Retracing of Jesus' last steps on Good Friday, including the Way of Sorrow, Stations of the Cross, St. Anne's Church & Ecce Homo
As the sun rises, retrace the last steps of Jesus on Good Friday. As you walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) through the Old City, pray along the Stations of the Cross as you walk the same path Jesus took. Visit St. Anne's Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. You will see the Ecce Homo where Pilate proclaimed "Behold the man…” Reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice as you arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for Mass.
Guided tour of the Western Wall, Mount Zion Gate, Upper Room, Dormition Abbey & Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
Visit the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews. After experiencing this site, exit at Mt. Zion gate and visit the Upper Room (John 13:1-30), the location of the Last Supper and the Dormition Abbey where we believe the blessed Mary died. End the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu (John 18:12) where Peter denied Christ three times. This afternoon you will have free time to rest or explore Jerusalem.
Day 7. Depart Israel
Today you'll pack your things, be transferred back to the airport, and head for home!