12-DAY HOLY LAND & ROME

Today: You will start by celebrating Mass in Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. At the Wedding Church, couples may renew their wedding vows and receive a renewal certificate from the church. Afterward, we will go to Nazareth, where we visit The Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well, and the old market. Finally, you will visit the Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor before returning to Tiberias.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Tiberias.

Today: Your day begins on the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount. Next, you will continue to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of multiplication. Next, you will see the Church of Peter’s Primacy, where the Miraculous Fishing occurred. Afterward, you’ll continue to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and started his ministry. This afternoon, you will celebrate Mass on the Sea of Galilee while onboard a boat, as was done in the time of Jesus. Next, you will continue to Bethlehem for the evening.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Bethlehem.

Today: We start the day by remembering our baptism as we visit the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows. Next, drive down the Jordan Valley to the oasis town of Jericho, the world’s oldest city, and view the Mt. of Temptation, where Satan tempted Jesus as he fasted.  Next, we will explore the excavations of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. in 1947.  On the way back, we will stop for a swim (or float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. Continue to Bethlehem for the evening.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Bethlehem.

Today: Your first stop will be at Shepherds’ Field, where you will celebrate Mass at the Chapel. Next, you will visit the Nativity Church, the birthplace of Jesus. This afternoon, you will go to Ein Karem, the home of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and proclaimed the ‘Magnificat.’

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Bethlehem.

Today: Your day begins on the Mt. of Olives at The Pater Noster Church, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples. Afterward, you will walk the Palm Sunday route, stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In the Garden of Gethsemane, you will see The Rock of Agony, where Jesus prayed before his arrest. After celebrating Mass at the Church of All Nations, you will stop at the Chapel of the Ascension and continue to the hill of Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem. You’ll visit the Dormition Church, the Upper Room, and finally, the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied our Lord three times.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Bethlehem.

Today: You will retrace the last steps of Jesus as you walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City, praying the Stations of the Cross. Next, you will arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. After Mass, you will continue to St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parent, Saints Joachim and Anne. You will walk past the Ecce Homo on your way to the Wailing Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. The rest of the day, you are free to visit other Holy Sites, shop, or relax at your hotel.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Bethlehem.

Today: You will travel to Tel Aviv airport and depart for Rome. Upon arrival, you will board your touring vehicle for a panoramic tour of the “Eternal City.” We will stop for lunch before continuing to relax and settle in at your hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore and enjoy the splendor of Rome.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Rome.

Today: In the morning, we begin by attending a papal audience with Pope Francis. After the audience, we’ll visit the Vatican Museums to see centuries of beautiful artwork and artifacts. See the artwork of Michelangelo, such as the Pieta, and then visit the Sistine Chapel. We will explore St. Peter’s Basilica and the Tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Sebastian’s Chapel. We will continue to the Church of St. Peter’s Chains, which contains Michelangelo’s statue of Moses. Finally, you will visit the Roman Forum, the Arch of Titus, and the Coliseum.  As we drive through Rome, take in the sites on the way back to your hotel.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Rome.

Today: We begin our day by traveling to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome’s largest church dedicated to the Blessed Mother. It even contains a relic from the manger. Next, we will visit the Scala Sancta, the stairs Christ climbed to stand before Pontius Pilate. Nearby, we will see the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which was once the residence for popes and where Pope Innocent III permitted St. Francis to begin the Franciscan Order. Next, we will visit the Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where the body of St. Paul is buried. It is Rome’s second-largest Basilica after St. Peter’s and one of the five largest in the world.  Next, we tour the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, where tradition says Saint Peter had a vision of the risen Christ while fleeing persecution in Rome. Finally, we will visit the catacombs of St. Callixtus, which are among the greatest in Rome.  Early martyrs and popes of the early church are buried here.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Rome.

Today: We’ll transfer to the airport this morning to catch our return flight home.