Pilgrimage Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Tel Aviv
Make your way to Dublin airport and check-in for Direct flight to Tel Aviv.

Day 2 - Arrive Tel Aviv & Bethlehem
Upon an early morning arrival in Ben-Gurion Airport, pilgrims will be met by their guide before boarding a coach to Bethlehem. On arrival at our hotel we have an opportunity for some breakfast before checking in to our rooms for some rest. After lunch, we will walk the short distance to the nearby Church of the Nativity and celebrate Mass. Here you can visit the birthplace of Jesus, and the Holy Manger as well as the chapels of St Joseph, St Jerome, the Holy Innocents and the Church of St Catherine. Visit the nearby Milk Grotto and take sometime in the Manger Square before dinner back in the Hotel.

Day 3 � Jerusalem
After breakfast we drive to Jerusalem and enter the Old City to the Church of St. Anne and nearby, see the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a man paralysed for over 40 years. Close by we begin the Via Dolorosa and follow the stations of the cross through the markets and narrow streets of the Old City to the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of Calvary (where Jesus was crucified) and His tomb. Here we will celebrate Mass and take some time to reflect upon this sacred site. After lunch, free time in Jerusalem before re-joining our coach to travel to Ein Karem and visit the Churches of the Visitation (where Mary met Elizabeth) & St. John the Baptist before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 4 - Mount of Olives
After breakfast we drive to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where we take our group photo and enjoy the view of the Old City below. We make our way to the highest point on the Mount of Olives to the Ascension Dome that marks the site where Christ ascended into heaven. Continue to visit The Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit, Assumption church and Grotto and the Garden of Gethsemane. In the afternoon we celebrate Mass in the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu or �cock�s crow�, where Peter denied Jesus three times and see the dungeon where Jesus was held the night of Holy Thursday. We walk around Mount Zion and visit the church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tomb of David and the Room of the Last Supper. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5 - Amman & Mount Nebo - Jordan
Morning drive along the Jordan Valley where we will cross the Allenby Bridge into Jordan. We will then continue on to the �City of Mosaics,� Madaba. While in this city, you will visit St. George�s Church, home to a true treasure of Christianity. This Church houses the oldest map of the Holy Land which includes Israel, Palestine, and Southern Egypt. Later, visit Mt. Nebo, the most revered holy sites of Jordan. This mountain was mentioned in Deuteronomy 34, �Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah.� While here, you will tour the Holy site where Moses died and was buried. Following your visit to this Sacred place we will continue on to the �lost� city of Petra and check-in to the superb 4 Petra Guest house.

Day 6 - Petra - Jordan
After breakfast we will explore �lost� city of Petra! This city is located amongst rugged desert canyons and mountains. Enjoy a walking tour of the former capital and trading center. Your first stop will be a visit to the Siq, a mile-long gorge that contains a number of magnificent structures that are carved into the mountains. The walk will culminate with a visit to the Petra Museum. The Museum holds numerous artifacts from the Neolithic period of the Nabataen history. The museum also contains architecture from the Romans as well as, a Byzantine chapel. Spend this afternoon at your own leisure; feel free to shop, relax or rest before retuning to Amman to check in to the 4 Amman Corp Hotel to relax before dinner in the hotel.

Day 7 - Jericho & Bethany
After Breakfast we will transfer back over the Allenby Bridge into Israel and visit Bethany for Mass and visit the tomb of Lazarus. Continue to Qasr el Yahud the Baptismal site of Jesus on the River Jordan, here we can renew our Baptismal Vows. Drive via the Inn of the Good Samaritan to the Dead Sea where we will have the opportunity to relax and float on the water near Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue to Jericho to see the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by the devil, and the Sycamore tree of Zacchaeus. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Nazareth and check into the 4 Hotel Ramada in Nazareth for 4 nights, dinner and breakfast.

Day 8 - Nazareth & Cana
After breakfast we will spend our morning exploring the city where Jesus lived as a child. We make our way to the Basilica of the Annunciation to celebrate Mass. Visiting the lower level of the Basilica we see the remains of Mary�s house and where the Angel Gabriel visited her. Here inscribed on the alter are the Latin words of �Here the Word was made flesh�. Adjacent to the Basilica is the St. Joseph Church, we visit the site of Joseph�s work shop and the house of the Holy Family. A short walk from the Basilica is Mary�s Well here you have the opportunity to draw water from the same well as the Virgin Mary.

After some time for lunch we take the short coach journey to Cana. Here we visit the Wedding Church, the site of Jesus� first miracle, turning the water to wine. Couples on the pilgrimage can take part in the special ceremony to renew their Wedding Vows. In the lower level of the church we see artifacts from the site before having an opportunity to taste and purchase some wine from this sacred site. Return to Nazareth for dinner in our hotel.

Day 9 - Sea of Galilee
This morning we make our way to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum and Tabgha. Take some time to listen to the readings of the great Sermon on the Mount. Continue to Capernaum and see the old Synagogue and the excavations of Peters house. Visit the site of the multiplication of the Loaves & Fish at Tabgha, and the church of the Primacy of Peter.

Enjoy lunch on the shore of the Sea of Galilee before taking a Boat trip on the lake, with relevant Bible readings. Before retuning to the hotel we visit Magdala and the magnificent retreat centre and celebrate Mass in the newly built chapel at the home of Mary Magdalene.

Day 10 - Mount Tabor & River Jordan
After breakfast we drive to Mount Tabor and ascend by taxi for Mass at the church of the Transfiguration where Jesus is transfigured and speaks to Moses and Elijah. Enjoy the view of the Valley of Armageddon. Return to Nazareth for some free time and to prepare for our departure the following morning. Enjoy our final dinner of the Pilgrimage at the hotel.

Day 11 - Depart Tel Aviv
After breakfast before you will hav esome free time before taking our coach to Tel Aviv airport for return direct flight to Dublin.