13-DAY HOLY LAND & GREECE

PILGRIMAGE

ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Embark on a profound 13-day Catholic pilgrimage, traversing the sacred lands of the Holy Land and Greece. Begin in Jerusalem, where the echoes of biblical narratives resonate through the cobblestone streets of the Old City. Visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, and Nazareth, his hometown.

Then, journey to Greece, the cradle of Western civilization and Christianity. Explore Athens, where ancient ruins stand as a testament to the glory of ancient Greece and the birth of democracy. Visit the Acropolis, home to the iconic Parthenon, and walk in the footsteps of Apostle Paul at Mars Hill and the Areopagus.

Throughout your journey, engage in Mass, prayer, and reflection at sacred sites, led by knowledgeable guides who illuminate the profound significance of each location. Deepen your faith, connect with fellow pilgrims, and carry the blessings of this transformative journey back home, forever enriched by the timeless legacy of these holy lands.

On pilgrimages offer a complete itinerary that includes round-trip airfare, first-class hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, day-to-day transportation, daily Masses, and more under Nativity’s excellent organization, leadership, and knowledgeable, professional local tour guides.

ITINERARY

Today: Your pilgrimage begins as you depart on your overnight flight to Athens. Meals and drinks are served during your flight.

Today: Upon arrival, you will meet your tour guide and driver. We will take a panoramic tour of the city and transfer you to your hotel.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We will go to the port of Piraeus to board our cruise ship that will take us through the incredible Greek islands. Our first stop will be the island of Mykonos, which is filled with whitewashed houses and beautiful views. We will have free time to explore the island and watch the incredible multicolored sunset.

Tonight: We will return to the ship for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Today: You will arrive at Kusadasi, Turkey and begin your tour of Ephesus, Through paved streets of marble, you can admire the masterpieces of ancient architecture, such as the Magnesia Gate, the Celso Library, and the great amphitheater. We will also visit the Virgin Mary’s house, where she spent her last days. Afterward, we will depart for Patmos. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time to explore this quiet island where St. John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation. The cave where he once lived is now the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The abbot Christodoulou founded the monastery of St. John in the second century. The museum holds several priceless icons and manuscripts. We depart from Patmos.

Tonight: We will return to the ship for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Today: We will travel to Heraklion, Crete to visit Knossos, once the capital of the Minoíca civilization. We will tour the excavations of King Minos’s Palace and its surroundings. We will  then return to the ship to continue our journey to Santorini. Upon arrival, we will board small boats to reach the Island and ascend by cable car. You will have free time to explore on your own.

Tonight: We will return to the ship for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Today: We will return to Athens and disembark at the port of Piraeus, where we will meet with our tour guide and driver and prodeed to Corinth. We will tour the canal and ancient Corinth, where we’ll see the Agora, where St. Paul preached. Afterward, we will return to Athens to visit the Parthenon, the Acropolis, Mars Hills, and the Agora (old market). Afterward, we will explore the Plaka district for the remainder of the afternoon.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We will transfer to the airport and board our flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, you will meet your tour guide, board your touring vehicle, and continue to Jaffa City, celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s Church. We will then travel along the coast to Caesarea Maritima, where the Romans kept Paul prisoner. We will visit the Roman ruins before continuing to Stella Maris Monastery, and then to Tiberias for the evening.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to reach Capernaum, where we’ll see the ancient synagogue and the house of St. Peter. Next, we will visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. We’ll then continue  to Tabgha, where the miracle of the multiplication occurred. We will continue to the Church of Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus said to Peter, “You are the rock upon which I will build my Church.” We will celebrate Mass before continuing to Caesarea Philippi.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We will go to Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine. At the Wedding Church, couples may renew their marriage vows and receive a renewal certificate from the church. We will continue to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. We will celebrate Mass and visit Mary’s Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. We will continue towards Mount Tabor and visit the Church of the Transfiguration. Afterward, we will continue to Bethlehem.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We begin with a panoramic tour of the city of Jerusalem, a key site for the three main religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Afterward, we will go to the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. We will have mass here and continue to Shepherds’ Field, where the angels announced the birth of Christ. We continue to the town of Ein Karem, the birthplace of Saint John the Baptist. We will stop at the Church of the Visitation, where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and proclaimed the Magnificat.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We retrace the last steps of Jesus, as we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross. Once we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we will celebrate Mass before continuing to St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parent’s Saints Joachim and Anne. You will walk past the Ecce Homo where Pontius Pilate proclaimed, “Behold the man!” before continuing to the Wailing Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. The rest of the day is free to visit other Holy Sites, shop, or just relax at your hotel.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We begin the day in Bethany, where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. After visiting the Lazarus Church and Tomb, we will go to the Mount of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route. We’ll stop at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We’ll then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane and view the Rock of Agony, where Jesus prayed before his arrest. Next, we will visit the Pater Noster Church and the Chapel of the Ascension, before continuing to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. We will also see the Mount of Temptation, where Satan tempted Jesus as he fasted for 40 days. Afterward, we’ll have time for a swim (or float) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing qualities. Afterward, you will have the rest of the day to explore independently.

Tonight: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: You will transfer to the airport this morning to catch your return flight home.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Round-trip airfare

All airport taxes and fuel surcharges

First-class hotels (prices based on double occupancy)

Land transportation

Breakfast and dinner

Sightseeing/admissions fees

Daily Masses

Professional local guides

Printed promotional brochures and marketing materials

Medical Protection Plan

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Trip cancellation insurance (strongly recommended)

Passport & visa costs
(note: your passport must be current up to 6 months after your return date)

Tips for the tour manager, guides, and driver

Personal items/expenses (hotel extras, laundry, phone calls, etc.)

TRAVEL PROTECTION

 

Although travel insurance is optional, it is highly recommended. Be prepared for unforeseen events that can leave you to cancel your trip, or worse, with out-of-pocket expenses! We have partnered with Trawick Insurance to offer you coverage for the unexpected. Buy it now upon registration to get “cancel for any reason.” There are 2 options for travel insurance:

  1. Buy directly online through our website after submitting the application
  2. Buy insurance from your own insurance company.
TRAVEL INSURANCE

PLAN A TRIP

 

Booking your spiritual journey with Nativity Pilgrimage relieves you of all the hassles. There is no need to worry about the logistics such as flights, hotels, guides and timing. Invite your parish, family & friends and let Nativity do the rest! When you choose Nativity Pilgrimage you won’t have to worry about the details; hotels, flights, Mass venues, language and cultural barriers or marketing materials.

Our team is always available to ensure the process is simple and seamless. We provide comprehensive support, process all reservations, handle all accounting, invoicing and payment processing, issue travel documents and answer any questions that come up during the process.

We will walk you through all of your options for each itinerary and our expert team will make sure we create the pilgrimage of a lifetime.

LETS START PLANNING

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