Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we will transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Already we can feel the heart of this land enchanting us, as we visit the sites of the Bible and share the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Transfer to the Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (D)

Drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea where Peter baptized Cornelius (Acts 10:24). Visit the Roman theater, the aqueduct, and Herodion Port. Continue on to Haifa to see the magnifi cent panoramic view from the top of the mountain at Mukraka, the location of Elijah’s altar. Here Elijah confronted the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18). Continue to the Sea of Galilee via the Valley of Armageddon. Continue up the mountains to Nazareth, boyhood town of Jesus. Visit the Church of Annunciation (Luke 2:46) where Mass will be celebrated. Visit the Church of Mary’s Well. Then on to Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle (John 2:1). Here couples can renew their marriage vows. Afterwards drive to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a boat ride from Tiberias across the Sea of Galilee to the village of Capernaum. Visit the ruins of St. Peter’s House where Jesus stayed while He was preaching in the local synagogue.Visit the second century syna- gogue and from there proceed to Tabgha. Here we will visit the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy (John 21:15) where Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection. Next we visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes Mark 6:44). Proceed to the Mt. of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1). Mass will be celebrated there. Then trav- el to Caesarea Phillip where St. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:13). Jesus replied that Peter was the rock on which the church would be built. Our next stop is the site of Magdala, ancient town of Mary Magdalene. We visit the Synagogue dating back to the time of Jesus. In it, you will see a carving with the old- est depiction to be found of a 7-branched menorah. The site also includes remains of mosaic floors, a mikveh (ritual bath), marketplace, shops and a warehouse. Near- by, we visit the beautiful modern prayer center – “Duc in Altum” (“Launch into the deep” Luke 5:4) – dedicated to the public life of Jesus. Through striking architecture and inspiring art work, the building’s atrium and chapels depict Jesus’ transformative public encounters, with an emphasis on the women of the Gospels and all women of faith throughout the ages. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

This morning we leave the Sea of Galilee for Yardenit, baptismal site on the Jordan River. Here you can renew your Baptismal Covenant. Proceeding on to Mt. Tabor, site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2), we will ascend the mountain to the Church of the Transfiguration where Mass will be celebrated. Continue to the old Roman city of Beit Shean to visit the impressive ruins. Drive along the Gilboa mountain range to Prophet Gideon’s Spring and onto the Tel of Jezreel, the location of queen Jezebel summer palace where we hear about the site’s intimate connection with Old Testament events. From here we venture south towards the holy city of Jerusalem. Dinner & overnight in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Visit the Model of Ancient Jerusalem to see how it was in the Lord’s day, then on to the Old city. We will enter through St. Stephen’s Gate to St. Ann’s Church, birthplace of our Blessed Lady. See the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the lame man (John 5:2). We will continue onto the Via Dolorosa ‘The Way of the Cross” (Luke 23:1). We will process carrying a wooden cross (starting at Pilate’s Judgment Hall and stopping to pray at each station) all the way “to Calvary and the Tomb” at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We will celebrate Mass. We will stand at the Western Wall, ascend Temple Mount to the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque, winding our way through the ancient cobblestone alleyways amidst the colorful bazaars. Time permitting. In the afternoon, drive to nearby Bethlehem of Judea (The House of Bread), birthplace of Jesus (Matthew 2:1). Visit the Church of the Nativity, on the site of the Manger where Joseph came with Mary and where the Wisemen came to worship the King of Kings. We will see the Milk Grotto and the Cave of St. Jerome, where the 3rd century saint translated the Latin Vulgate. Celebrate Mass. Afterwards we will stand on Shepherds Field, where the Angel proclaimed the Good News “Jesus Is Born” (Luke 2:8). As we depart we will visit the Tomb of the Matriarch Rachel — mother of Joseph of the Old Testament. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Leave Jerusalem via Bethany to visit Lazarus Tomb (John 11:43) where we will celebrate Mass. Continue to the Dead Sea (deepest point on earth), to visit the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and on to Masada. Ascend to the top for a magnificent view of the desert. We will have time for a swim in the Dead Sea, visit Ein Gedi, and return to Jerusalem via the Judean Wilderness. (B,D)

A full day of leisure to pursue personal interests or shop. (B,D)

Drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of the City and surrounding area. After visiting the place of the Ascension and the Church of Pater Noster (Acts 1:9), we will walk down the hill to Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32), Church of All Nations and visit the Church of the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. See the Kidron Valley, Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James. We continue on to Mt. Zion, to the Church of the Dormition, the Room of the Last Supper (Luke 22: 17) and the King David’s Tomb. Proceed to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, (The Cock Crows) (Mark 14:30). Continue to the Church of the Visitation, the original site of the Magnificat (Luke 1:41), where Mass will be celebrated, Continue to Bin Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Our final stop will be at Emmaus where Jesus appeared to his followers following his Resurrection (Luke 24:30-31). We will then stop for our farewell dinner before we are transferred to the airport. (B,D)

Today our journey ends with good spirit filled memories as we head home. Arrival the same day.

• 7-9 x underwear, socks,
• 2-3 x loose, lightweight trousers or skirts– one full length and one cropped pair would be ideal!
• 3-4 x shorts
• 2 x long, loose shirts
• 4-5 x t-shirts or tops
• 2-3 evening tops
• 1-2 x swimming gear
• 1-2 x sweater or cardigan
• 1-2 x sandals or flip flops
• 1-2 pairs of comfortable walking/running shoes
• 1 x pair of more formal shoes
• 1 rain/wind-proof jacket
• 2-3 sweaters or other colder-weather gear
• sunglasses
• sun hat
• toiletries
• 1 x beach bag
• 1 x day bag
• 1 x evening bag
• Phone, camera and any other electronics needed
• passport and travel docs
• insurance

Specific packing notes for religious sites:
• Cover shoulders: avoid strapless tops, spaghetti straps tops and vests (both men and women)
• Avoid above the knee skirts and shorts (men and women)
• Avoid exposing excessive cleavage, a waist/belly or back
• Do not wear slogans or prints that may be perceived as offensive

• 7-9 x underwear, socks,
• 2-3 x loose, lightweight trousers or skirts– one full length and one cropped pair would be ideal!
• 3-4 x shorts
• 2 x long, loose shirts
• 4-5 x t-shirts or tops
• 2-3 evening tops
• 1-2 x swimming gear
• 1-2 x sweater or cardigan
• 1-2 x sandals or flip flops
• 1-2 pairs of comfortable walking/running shoes
• 1 x pair of more formal shoes
• 1 rain/wind-proof jacket
• 2-3 sweaters or other colder-weather gear
• sunglasses
• sun hat
• toiletries
• 1 x beach bag
• 1 x day bag
• 1 x evening bag
• Phone, camera and any other electronics needed
• passport and travel docs
• insurance

Specific packing notes for religious sites:
• Cover shoulders: avoid strapless tops, spaghetti straps tops and vests (both men and women)
• Avoid above the knee skirts and shorts (men and women)
• Avoid exposing excessive cleavage, a waist/belly or back
• Do not wear slogans or prints that may be perceived as offensive

The Israeli power supply is single-phase 220 volts at 50 Hertz. Most power sockets in Israel have three pinholes, but many of them will work with double-pin European plugs. Visitors who want to use shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may need both transformers (converters) and adapter plugs.

Water. The water in Israel is safe to drink; nevertheless, it is different from what you are used to and people with sensitive stomachs may want to stick to bottled water. Also, Israelis don’t usually put ice in their drinks, so if you want some, ask for kerakh. Keep in mind that not everything in Israel is kosher. Restaurants that are kosher serve either dairy or meat and close on Shabbat. The restaurant should have a Teudat certificate either on the window or available for inspection. Unless the menu or check says otherwise, tips are not included.

Staying Hydrated. The sun is much stronger in Israel than most places even in the U.S. Carrying a water bottle is mandatory, as your body will require much more frequent hydration than you are probably used to, around 2-4 liters of water per day. Israelis often recycle their plastic store-bought bottles of water by refilling them from the tap (which is safe to drink!). If you don’t have a water bottle, we will be making plenty of stops for you to purchase water.