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Biblical Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Jerusalem ... Bethlehem ... Sea of Galilee ... Nazareth ...

Tiberias ... Caesarea-by-the-Sea ... Masada

10 DAYS: November 6 - November 15, 2023

Program Cost from Chicago

$4,599.00 per person (Based on double occupancy)

$5,998 Single Occupancy

Payment Schedule

$500 per person non-refundable deposit due with reservation
$1,500 per person due on February 1, 2023

Final Tour Payment Due on July 1, 2023

Contact Us

Monday, November 6, 2023 - Chicago: We depart this afternoon from Chicago’s - O’Hare International Airport.

Tuesday, November 7 - Tel Aviv /Jerusalem: Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we’ll meet our professional tour manager and begin our journey to Jerusalem, our home for five nights. We will celebrate mass at the hotel once we get settled. (D)

Wednesday, November 8 - Jerusalem / Dead Sea / Qumran / Masada: Start the day by driving south via the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (1,300 feet below sea level). Among our stops will be Qumran, site of the Essene Community where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and Ein Gedi where a precipitous cliff filled with caves rises some 2,000 feet. It was here that David and his men took refuge from King Saul and here also that David spared Saul’s life. Arrive Masada in the late morning. Our tour will include a visit to the remarkable ruins of the Fortress built by Herod the Great where Jewish zealots made their last stand in revolt against the Roman legions from 70 to 73 A.D. On our return to Jerusalem, there will be time to float in the Dead Sea. Overnight in Jerusalem. (BB, L, D)

Thursday, November 9 - Jerusalem / Model City / Western Wall/ Bethlehem: we’ll visit the Israeli Museum and the Model City depicting Jerusalem as it looked 2000 years ago. We then enter the Western Wall and its tunnels ... one of the most popular tourist sites in Jerusalem. These underground tunnels connect the western wall prayer area to the northwest side of the temple mount. Along its path are remains from the second temple period, as well as structures from later periods. The experience of walking along the tunnels is like taking a time machine back to the time of the second temple. Later, we’ll visit the Cardo, a Byzantine road, roughly the equivalent of an eight-lane highway that ran through the heart of the city. Later tour takes us to Bethlehem where we’ll visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, the cave of Jerome (latin translator of the Bible). Then we will visit the Field of the Shepherds, where we plan to celebrate Mass. Through our visits, input and reflections, we will gain a deeper understanding of the world and circumstances into which the Lord was born. Overnight in Jerusalem. (BB, D)

Friday, November 10 - Jerusalem Mt. Of Olives / Mt. Zion: Our morning begins on the Mount of Olives where we’ll visit the Church of the Pater Noster, the Church of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem according to Luke, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, we cross the Kidron Valley passing the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah, and St. James. On Mount Zion we’ll visit the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ House), and the Upper Room. Overnight in Jerusalem. (BB, D)

Saturday, November 11 - Jerusalem /Jericho: Our morning walking tour of the Old City begins at the Dung Gate. From here we’ll visit the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, St. Stephen’s Gate, and St. Anne’s Crusader Church with the Pool of Bethesda (where Christ healed the crippled man). We then begin the Via Dolorosa - the Way of the Cross. There are fourteen stations along Christendom’s most sacred route - each one marks an event that took place during the last walk before the Crucifixion. Nine of these stations are actually along the Via Dolorosa, including the Chapel of Flagellation, Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man), Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Lithostrotos, and the remaining five are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we plan to celebrate Mass. Later we continue to Jericho. View Mount of Temptation and Zaccheaus’ Sycamore tree. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (BB, L, D)

Sunday, November 12 - Caesarea-By-The-Sea / Mount Carmel / Megiddo / Tiberias: Today, be prepared to travel back at least 2,000 years, where every mile will tell at least one Bible story as we motor along the coastal plain to the Carmel range for a panoramic view of Haifa. Drive on the crest of Mt. Carmel to Muhragen where Elijah engaged in the contest with the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:1-40). From an elevated platform it is possible to see the hills of Nazareth, Mount Tabor, the Mountains of Gilboa, the valley of Jezreel (“Armageddon” in Revelation 16:16), and the hills of Samaria. Later, we are planning to visit the Stella Maris Carmelite Church on Mt. Carmel, where we will celebrate mass. Our journey then takes us to Caesarea-By-The- Sea. This ancient city was built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar and was the capital of the Romans in the Holy Land for nearly 500 years. Caesarea serves as the backdrop for the Book of Acts, including the many visits by the Apostle Paul, his two-year imprisonment, and the commencement of his journey to Rome. We will also visit Solomon’s Chariot city at Megiddo - the site of epic battles that decided the fate of western Asia which dates back to the 15th century BC. Overnight Tiberias. (BB, L, D)

Monday, November 13 - Tiberias - excursion to Mount Tabor, Cana, and Nazareth: Our journey today takes us by the Horns of Hattin-where Saladin defeated the Crusaders en route to Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Later, we continue to Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle and we’ll have the opportunity to renew our wedding vows before continuing on to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Here, we plan to celebrate Mass at the Church of the Annunciation. Overnight in Tiberias. (BB, L, D)

Tuesday, November 14 - Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee: This morning we cruise on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, Jesus’ home for two years and where we’ll celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Church. We then visit the Mount of Beatitudes where we will have devotions, Tabgha, the Church of the Primacy, Chorazin (a curse on Chorazin, and Bethsaida). Following our special lunch on the Sea of Galilee, we’ll continue south through the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean where the Biblical history covers the Canaanites, the Philistines, and the Romans. Later this afternoon, we’ll renew our Baptismal Vows along the Jordan River. Overnight Tiberias. (BB, L, D)

Wednesday, November 15 - Tel Aviv / Chicago: We depart Tel Aviv and begin our journey home. (BB) Buffet Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

* Round trip air from Chicago
* Comprehensive sightseeing
* Professional tour manager in Israel
* Biblical & archaeological experiences
* 4 / 5 Star Hotels throughout
* Meals as outlined in the brochure
* Private air-conditioned motor coach
* All admissions where applicable
* U.S. departure and airport taxes
* Porterage at hotels for 1 bag per person
* Masses and Devotions will be arranged throughout

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