Holy Land Trip - 2009

Itinerary

Monday, April 13

Departure from JFK airport on our nonstop flight to TelAviv

Tuesday, April 14

We arrive in TelAviv and drive north to the Sea of Galilee where we will be staying the next four nights.  All our rooms overlook the Sea and the breathtaking view of the lake and, if you are up early, you will enjoy the sunrise over  the lake!

Wednesday, 4/15: 

The day begins with mass on the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum, the town of Peter and the headquarters of Jesus during his three-year ministry.  We will visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the Primacy of Peter.  Later in the day, weather permitting, we will take a boat and spend some time on the Sea of Galilee and then visit Kursi, where the demoniac was cured.

Thursday: 

Today we will take a short drive to the town of Cana to renew wedding vows, and then continue on the Nazareth for mass in the village where Jesus spent his childhood.  Nearby is the village of Nain where the widow’s son was raised from the dead, and Mount Tabor, site of the Transfiguration.   Remember, today begins Passover for the Jewish people! 

Friday: 

The Mediterrean coast is our destination for today, including the charming city of Akko and the Crusader fortresses, as well as the Roman city of Caesarea, famed for its aqueduct, amphitheater and ruins of the harbor. 

Saturday:

We will depart from the Gailee region and stop at the River Jordan to renew our baptismal promises.  The Bet Shean archeological site will be on our way as we travel south to Jerusalem.  We arrive in the Holy City of Jerusalem late in the day and settle into our rooms at Notre Dame Guest Center, right outside the New Gate of the Old City. 

Sunday: We will join the Catholic parish at Shepherd’s Field for their celebration of Sunday Mass, and have a chance to visit with the people afterwards.  The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem will be our next stop and afford an opportunity to venerate the birthplace of Jesus, the “Star of Bethlehem.”  Remember, today is Easter Sunday for the Orthodox Christians!  Overnight Jerusalem

Monday: 

Our day begins around dawn when we will celebrate the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa.  We conclude our prayer at the Holy Sepulchre where we will celebrate mass.  We will visit Mount Zion and Dormition Abbey, the Cenacle and the “Tomb of David”  before our walk to the Wailing Wall.  Later in the afternoon we will stop for prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Overnight  Jerusalem.

Tuesday:

We will celebrate mass in the little town of Emmaus, scene of the resurrection appearance to the disciples “on the way.”  Later in the morning we will visit Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and the site of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.  We will have a free afternoon to be on our own – for a rest, walk the ramparts/walls of the Old City, or activity of your own choice.  Overnight  Jerusalem.

Wednesday: 

Our last day in Israel/Palestine will take us down through the Judean Wilderness to the oldest city in the world, Jericho, and then further south to the Dead Sea and Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Don’t forget to bring your swimming suit and take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the lowest lake on the planet!  We will then drive the length of the country to Eilat on the Red Sea and at Aqaba enter the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  We will be staying in Petra this evening.  Overnight  Jordan.

Thursday: 

Early in the morning we visit Petra, the “Lost City of Stone” and one of the seven wonders of the world (2007).  We will travel up to the capital city of Jordan, Amman for our final overnight.  Overnight Amman.

Friday: 

Time permitting we will visit Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the holy land before he died, and the village of Madaba, famed for the medieval mosaic map of Palestine.  Our plane leaves from Amman airport and our nonstop flight to JFK airport.

COST:  $3499 per person; $500 single supplement (these are very limited)

Cost includes:  All accommodations, breakfast and dinner (beverages extra at dinner); Transportation and transfers, air and ground; All Guiding and Entrance fees