Completed

This departure has ended. Registration is closed.

★ Hosted by Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F.
Catholic Pilgrimage · 11 Days · Holy Land

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. Michael Alello

Join Fr. Michael Alello on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This trip will visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee and more!

Dates
April 7-17, 2026
Departs New Orleans
Duration
11 Days
Trip code 26JA04HLMA
From
$5,695
The Pilgrimage

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Join Fr. Michael Alello on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Visit the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, the Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Tabor, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and more!

Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F.
Your Host

Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F.

Pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery, and Chaplain of Catholic High School

Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F., is a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. He also serves as dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery and chaplain of Catholic High School. His ministry spans parish leadership, Catholic education, sacramental life, and pastoral formation. Through preaching, teaching, and pilgrimage leadership, he helps Catholics connect the Church’s history and sacred places with a deeper practice of faith at home.

View profile
Know Before You Go

What's included

✓ Included

  • ✓Five star deluxe hotels for 9 nights- Scots Hotel at the Sea of Galilee, Milos Hotel at the Dead Sea, The Orient in Jerusalem
  • ✓Service charges and hotel taxes
  • ✓Buffet breakfast daily
  • ✓6 restaurant lunches-beverages may be purchased at lunch
  • ✓3 hotel dinners at the hotels – beverages may be purchased at dinner including an introduction to Israeli wines and dinner at Scots Hotel
  • ✓Farewell dinner with wine
  • ✓All transfers with a private A/C motor coach as per itinerary
  • ✓Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
  • ✓Sightseeing tours as per itinerary
  • ✓Entrance fees are included to sites specifically listed (outside view means no entrance is included)
  • ✓Luggage handling at hotels (one piece per person in/out)
  • ✓Confirmation of private Mass
  • ✓Whisper sets
  • ✓Water on the bus

× Not included

  • ×Personal expenses
  • ×Medical and Travel Insurance
  • ×Church donations of $2.00- $5.00 per Mass
  • ×Any items not explicitly mentioned in the list of inclusions
  • ×Beverages at meals, unless otherwise noted
  • ×ETA-IL Travel Authorization

See the official trip information for gratuities, shipping and handling, payment fees, and any optional-extension charges.

Day by Day

Your pilgrimage, mapped out

Tap any day to explore. Meals: B breakfast · L lunch · D dinner.
Day 1April 7, 2026
DEPART USA
+

Depart the USA on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv from New Orleans. We are happy to quote individual business-class airfare or premium economy for you once you have completed the online trip registration process. Be sure to apply online for your Israeli Travel Authorization.

Day 2April 8, 2026
ARRIVAL TEL AVIV– SEA OF GALILEE
+

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we pass through Immigration and Customs, collect our luggage in baggage claim, and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Here we will be met by our English-speaking Christian Tour Guide, who will accompany our group throughout our trip to the Holy Land. Mass will be celebrated at Duc in Altum (TBC) at Magdala Center. Open buffet dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Scots Hotel at the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias.

D
Day 3April 9, 2026
NAZARETH – CANA – NAIM
+

After our buffet breakfast, which is included each morning, we visit the Church of Annunciation, where we celebrate Mass. Continue with a visit to St. Joseph Church. Our next stop is Cana of Galilee, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, where couples will have an opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Please bring your wedding rings for this special occasion. 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. Reservations will be made at Magdalena restaurant for dinner. Overnight at the Scots Hotel at the Sea of Galilee.

BL
Day 4April 10, 2026
CAESAREA PHILIPPI – MT. TABOR – WINERY STOP
+

After breakfast, we depart for Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus taught His important teaching on how He would build His Church (Matthew 16). We enjoy a Druze lunch today. We stop at a local winery to taste excellent Israeli wines. Continue to Mt. Tabor, where we celebrate Mass at the Church of Transfiguration. A group dinner reservation will be made at a local restaurant, with all meal costs to be paid individually. Overnight at the Scots Hotel at the Sea of Galilee.

BL
Day 5April 11, 2026
SEA OF GALILEE
+

This morning, we enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and see the “Jesus Boat,” which dates back to the time of Jesus. Continue our day with a visit to the beautiful Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus taught his followers. After a lunch of St. Peter’s Fish, we depart for Capernaum, home to Peter and one of the first towns where the gospel was preached. Here we celebrate Mass. 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. Tonight we will enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at the Scots hotel. Overnight at the Scots hotel. (B.L. Wine tasting and Dinner)

BLD
Day 6April 12, 2026
BAPTISMAL SITE ON THE RIVER JORDAN – THE DEAD SEA
+

This morning, we head for Qasar El Yehud, the wilderness part of the Jordan River, thought to be the authentic place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. We check into our hotel at the Dead Sea for a relaxing overnight with an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea or enjoy a Spa treatment. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit. Dinner and overnight at the Milos Hotel, Dead Sea.

BLD
Day 7April 13, 2026
MASADA – JERUSALEM
+

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast at our hotel by the Dead Sea, with time to relax in the morning before checking out. The next stop is Masada, the historic hilltop fortress. Mass will be celebrated. We arrive in Jerusalem in the afternoon and check into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure to try the local food scene in Jerusalem. Overnight at the Hotel Orient.

BL
Day 8April 14, 2026
BETHLEHEM
+

Today we spend the day Bethlehem and start with a visit to Shepherds’ Field and Grotto, where the Angel appeared along with a multitude of the heavenly host announcing the birth of the Savior (Lk 2:8-20). We visit the Milk Grotto before we break for our included lunch. This afternoon we will visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity – the birthplace of Christ. Bending low as we enter through the Door of Humility, we enter the Church and descend into the Grotto of Nativity. Beneath the Altar, a 14-pointed Silver Star marks the exact spot surrounded by the Latin inscription: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here, Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). We see the Church of St. Catherine next door and celebrate Mass in St. Jerome’s Grotto. Overnight at Hotel Orient in Jerusalem with dinner at leisure.

BL
Day 9April 15, 2026
JERUSALEM: MT. OF OLIVES – MT. ZION
+

Today, we visit the Mt. of Olives. We explore Ascension Chapel and visit the Church of Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. Marvel at the panoramic view from the Mt. of Olives–seeing the eternal golden city. We walk along Palm Sunday Road, stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city. Continue along the Jewish Cemetery with a view over the Eastern Gate. We visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Virgin, and the Basilica of Agony, where we celebrate Mass. After lunch on our own, we drive to Mt. Zion, where we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Upper Room, and Dormition Abbey. Dinner reservations will be made at DeJa Vu. Overnight in Jerusalem at Hotel Orient.

B
Day 10April 16, 2026
THE HOLY CITY: VIA DOLOROSA – WAILING WALL – ST. ANNE’S CHURCH – EIN KAREM
+

We begin the day early by praying the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, concluding with a Solemn Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We return to the hotel for breakfast before departing for the Wailing Wall, the holiest site for the Jewish People, and walk the Western Wall Tunnels. See the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, sacred places for Muslims. We also visit St. Anne’s Church and see the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the Paralytic. Proceed to Ein Karem, where we visit the Church of Visitation and St. John’s Grotto. Tonight, before our farewell dinner, we visit the newly painted Pentacoast. Enjoy farewell dinner in the Wine and Cheese Rooftop restaurant at the Notre Dame Hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem at Hotel Orient. (B. Special dinner with wine)

BD
Day 11April 17, 2026
ARRIVAL IN THE USA
+

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home.

B
Pricing

Choose how you travel

Most popular
Land Only
$5,695per person

Land Only. Main trip package.

Solo Room (Additional Charge)
$1,795additional

Solo Room (Additional Charge). Additional supplement.

ETA Required
Confirm requirements with Select for this destination.
Deposit
A deposit of $500.00 per person should accompany your registration by December 28, 2025.
Final Payment
Final payment is due by February 6, 2026.
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid through October 17, 2026.
Pilgrimage Information

Everything else for this trip

🛡️

Travel Protection

Protect your investment against cancellation, illness and disruption.

Learn more →
📄

Terms & Conditions

Deposit, payment, cancellation and responsibility terms for this trip.

Learn more →
🛂

Visas & Entry

Passport, visa and destination entry requirements.

Learn more →
🧭

Know Before You Go

Packing, weather, electrical and on-the-ground practicalities.

Learn more →
💡

Two-Minute Travel Tips

Short, practical videos to help you make the most of your pilgrimage.

Learn more →
❓

FAQ

Registration, payments, lodging, walking, mobility and more.

Learn more →

This pilgrimage has ended

Completed

This departure has ended. Registration is closed.