Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Gus Lloyd

This evening, we depart on an overnight flight from JFK or Newark to TLV. Dinner and breakfast are served on the flight. Quotes for optional add-on flights and upgrades to Business Class and Premium Economy are available upon request. We work with group rates (minimum 10 participants), which do not permit specific seat assignments. If you wish to have a specific seat on the airplane, please purchase your own airline ticket and book land-only travel with us.

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are greeted by our English-speaking, Christian tour manager and assisted to our motor coach. Then, we proceed to our hotel near the Sea of Galilee, check in, unpack, and meet for drinks and dinner in the hotel. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in the Sea of Galilee. (D.) * Today’s itinerary may change depending on flight arrival times

This morning, we drive to Nazareth to explore the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph Church. Celebrate Mass. Then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Next, we drive to Mt. Precipice and enjoy a remarkable view of the Jezreel Valley. At Cana of Galilee, you may choose to renew your wedding vows. Dinner and overnight in the Sea of Galilee.

After breakfast, we enjoy a boat ride on the serene waters of the Sea of Galilee. Then we celebrate Mass at Mt. of Beatitudes, where we have time for prayer and reflection. We proceed to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter and the Church of the Multiplication of Fish and Loaves. After lunch of St. Peter’s Fish we explore Capernaum and see Peter’s House. Then return to our hotel, where we have time to relax and freshen up before dinner at Magdalena Restaurant (TBC), one of the best in Israel. Overnight in the Sea of Galilee. (B.L. Special dinner)

After breakfast this morning, we check out of our hotel. We visit Mt. Tabor to see the Church of the Transfiguration and celebrate Mass. After lunch at a local restaurant and a visit to a winery, we have a visit to the Magdala Center. Dinner and overnight in the Sea of Galilee.

We check out of our hotel at the Sea of Galilee and drive to Mt. Carmel for Mass. En route, we stop for lunch at the Caesarea Maritima port. Check into our beautiful hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps walk through the Old City, which is across the street from the hotel, or relax in the rooftop lounge of the hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem. Dinner is at leisure.

This morning, we visit Bethlehem, where we celebrate Mass. We visit the Church of the Nativity, Shepherds’ Field and the Milk Grotto. After lunch at a local restaurant, we have time to shop in Bethlehem. Tonight we have the opportunity to meet the local Christian families from Bethlehem to break bread with them as we enjoy a home-cooked meal in their homes. Or you may choose to stay in Jerusalem and have dinner on your own at the hotel or a nearby restaurant. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B.L.) *Optional: Sharing the Bread dinner with Christian families $65.00 per person

After breakfast, we visit the Mt. of Olives. See the Ascension Chapel and Pater Noster and enjoy a magnificent view of Jerusalem before we walk down the Palm Sunday Road. We stop to see Dominus Flevit along the way, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Then continue to Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony, where we celebrate Mass. After lunch at our hotel, we explore Mt. Zion, including St. Peter in Gallicantu, Dormition Abbey, and the Upper Room. Overnight in Jerusalem.

We wake up very early this morning to walk the peaceful streets of the Holy City of Jerusalem, praying the Stations of the Cross along the Way of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where we celebrate Holy Mass. After Mass, we return to our hotel for breakfast and to rest. Then visit the Old City of Jerusalem, including St. Anne’s Church, the Pool of Bethesda, Ecce Homo, Judgment Hall, and the Chapel of Flagellation. Enjoy lunch in the Old City. In the afternoon, we visit the Israeli Museum, where we view a model city depicting Jerusalem at the time of King David and see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dinner is at leisure tonight to explore Jerusalem. Your guide will suggest a few local restaurants for you to try. Tonight you may choose to return to the Church of Agony for Holy Hour. Overnight in Jerusalem.

After breakfast, we drive through the Judean Hills to visit the Baptismal Site on the River Jordan. Then continue to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world, where we celebrate Mass and see the famous Sycamore Tree of Zacchaeus, Tel Jericho, and Mt. of Temptation in the near distance. After lunch at a local restaurant, we proceed to the Dead Sea to take a dip before returning to Jerusalem (be sure to bring your bathing suit). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

This morning, we depart for Ein Karem, where we celebrate Mass and visit the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful Pentecost Room at the Notre Dame hotel and have time at leisure before tonight’s farewell dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B. Farewell dinner)*

Arrival in the USA.