14-DAY HOLY LAND & ROME

Today: We start the day at Caesarea Maritima, take a glimpse of the ancient remains of Herod’s. Proceed to Deir Al-Muhraqa Carmelite Monastery where we celebrate Mass, it is famous as the site of the Sacrifice of Elijah the Prophet, the Episode is dramatically recounted in the Bible (I Kgs. 18). Continue to visit Stella Maris Monastery on Mt. Carmel and then to Haifa City. Drive towards Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

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

Today: We start by celebrating Mass at Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. Here couples may renew their wedding vows and certificate of renewal can be requested from the church. We then go to Nazareth where we visit The Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well and the old market. We also visit Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration. Return to Tiberias.

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

Today: We go to visit Mount of Beatitudes (the location of Sermon on the Mount). Tabgha, the site where the miracle of the multiplication of fish and bread took place. Close by, is the Church of Peter’s Primacy the location of the Miraculous Fishing. Continue to Capernaum where Jesus lived, and started his ministry. In the afternoon, Mass will be celebrated on the Boat, on the Sea of Galilee, as was done in the time of Jesus. Drive towards Bethlehem.

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

Today: In Bethlehem we visit the Shepherd’s Fields, celebrate Mass here. We also visit the Church of the Nativity that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. In the afternoon, we go to Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and to the Church of the Visitation, where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the ‘Magnificat.’

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

Today: We visit the Mt. of Olives and The Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples. We walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see The Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. Mass will be here at the Church of all Nations. We make a stop at the Chapel of the Ascension, located on the site where Jesus ascended into Heaven after his resurrection. This afternoon, we drive to the hill of Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem. It is dominated by the Church of the Dormition. The location is identified in Christian tradition as the place where the Virgin Mary died or “fell asleep”, as the name suggests. End our day at St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied our Lord thrice.

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

Today: We visit Bethany, the site where Lazarus lived with his sisters Martha and Maria. After visiting Lazarus church, continue to the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows. Drive down the Jordan Valley and stop at the oasis town of Jericho. This day we will have Mass either in Bethany or in Jericho. We will continue our visit to the excavations of the oldest city in the world. We view the Mt. of Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. We will visit the excavations of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. On the way back, there is time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. Return to Bethlehem.

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

Today: Travel to airport and depart for Rome. Arrive, board our coach bus transfer to San Paul Outside the walls. Some free time for lunch, then we meet the guide and visit the Basilica, where we also celebrate Mass.

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

Today: Attend a public papal audience. Visit 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 in its entire splendor. It is built over St. Peter’s tomb. Visit the Tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Sebastian’s Chapel. Travel to the Church of St. Peter’s Chains, which contains the statue of Moses by Michelangelo. Visit the Roman Forum, Arch of Titus, and then proceed to tour the Coliseum. Visit Tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Sebastian’s Chapel. Then we celebrate Mass.

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

Today: Visit the catacombs of St. Callistus, then continue to Chruch of San Peter in Chains Roman Forum. Arch of Titus. Colosseum. Break for lunch. In the afternoon, Basilica of St. John Lateran, Scala Santa, and the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Here we celebrate Mass.  Balance of the afternoon free time at the Trevi Fountain.

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

Today: We travel to Assisi, the birth place of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, site of the “Porciuncula”. The Convent of St Damian, the Basilica of St. Francis where his tomb is. The Basilica of St. Clare. Return to Rome.

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

Today: This morning we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.