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Join Fr. Joe Pearce and George Rainone on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Visit the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho and more.
Fr. Joe Pearce, George Rainone, and a Christian Guide will meet your party at the airport and accompany you every step of the way as you walk in the footsteps of Christ. You will visit the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho and more.
George Rainone is a lifelong Catholic with a deep interest in history and genealogy and serves as a lector in his parish community in South Carolina. He has helped lead Select International Tours pilgrims through the Holy Land, bringing a careful appreciation for the historical setting of the faith.
See the official trip information for gratuities, shipping and handling, payment fees, and any optional-extension charges.
Depart Charlotte International Airport on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for domestic add-on flights and upgrades are available upon request.
Upon arrival, we are greeted by our English-speaking Christian tour guide, and assisted with customs and passport control. We depart for our hotel at the Sea of Galilee. En route, we may stop for coffee at the port of Caesarea Maritima before visiting the ancient ruins including the theater, Herod’s Palace, and the Hippodrome, as well as the ports and aqueducts. We continue to Mt. Carmel, passing through the beautiful scenery along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. We take in the breathtaking view of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Phoenicia from the Stella Maris Monastery on top of Mt. Carmel. Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee. (D) The daily program will depend on flight arrival times.
After breakfast, which is included each morning, we visit the Church of Annunciation where we celebrate Mass. Then continue to Mary’s Well and St. Joseph’s Church. After lunch, we stop at Mt. Precipice, where we have a great view of the Jezreel Valley. The angry multitudes wanted to throw Jesus from this mountain after his teaching at the Nazareth Synagogue. According to Luke, the village of Naim (Nain) was one of the cities in Galilee where Jesus toured, accompanied by his 12 apostles in the summer of 29AD (approximate date). During this visit he performed a miracle, bringing back to life the only son of a widow. We see the village of Naim and the Gospel Trail where Jesus and his disciples would have walked. Our next stop is Cana of Galilee, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, where couples have an opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Be sure to bring your wedding rings and dress up for this special occasion. Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee.
Today we explore Magdala Center, followed by a visit to Caesarea Philippi and Banias to see the source of the Jordan River. We continue to Mount Tabor where we celebrate Mass at the Church of Transfiguration. Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee.
We enjoy a morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, followed by a visit to see the “Jesus Boat,” a fishing vessel dating back to the time of Jesus. We continue the day with a visit to the beautiful Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus taught his followers. We celebrate Mass on the hill overlooking the peaceful waters of the Sea of Galilee. We enjoy lunch of St. Peter’s Fish before departing for Capernaum, home to Peter and one of the first towns where the gospel was preached. Next, we visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter, situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Our last stop is the Church of Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. We return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight at the Sea of Galilee.
After breakfast and check-out, we drive to Ein Karem to celebrate Mass at the Church of Visitation and we visit St. John’s Grotto. We continue to Bethlehem for dinner and an overnight.
Following breakfast, we visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Christ, and the Church of St. Catherine next door. We continue to Shepherds’ Field where we celebrate Mass. After lunch, we visit a Christian cooperative store and shop in support of the Christian families in Bethlehem. Tonight, we enjoy meeting the Christians of Bethlehem in their homes for a Sharing the Bread meal. Overnight in Bethlehem. (B.L.Special dinner)
After breakfast, we depart for Qasr al-Yahud in the wilderness part of the Jordan River, thought to be the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Then we continue to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where we celebrate Mass. We see the Mt. of Temptation in the distance and Tel Jericho. After lunch, we drive to the Dead Sea and take a dip in the mineral-filled waters, and we shop for Dead Sea products. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
We start our day on the Mt. of Olives. We explore the Ascension Chapel and we visit the Church of Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. We marvel at the panoramic view from the Mt. of Olives of the eternal golden city. We walk along Palm Sunday Road, stopping at Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over the city. Then we continue along the Jewish cemetery with a view over the Eastern Gate. We visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of Agony, where we celebrate Mass. After lunch, we drive to Mt. Zion where we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Upper Room, and Dormition Abbey. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
We start the day early by praying the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, ending with Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We return to the hotel for breakfast and some rest before visiting the Western Wall, the holiest site for the Jewish people. We see the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, holy sites for Muslims. We visit St. Anne’s Church and see the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the Paralytic. Tonight’s Farewell dinner is at a local restaurant.
We arrive home today following our amazing Holy Land adventure. Lunch and a snack are served on the plane.
Land and Air. Main trip package.
Land Only. Main trip package.
Single Room Supplement. Additional supplement.
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