Pilgrimage Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Tel Aviv
Depart Cork via London Heathrow to Tel Aviv. On arrival we meet our guide and driver at the airport and transfer to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 - Sea of Galilee
Following breakfast at our hotel we head to the Sea of Galilee and start the day with an unforgettable boat trip followed by a visit to Magdala the ancient city on its shore. We visit the beautiful Church “Duc in Altum” and celebrate Mass in the Boat Chapel here. Afterwards visits to Capernaum “The Town of Jesus” to see the house of St Peter and visit the Synagogue then continue to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter the place is also known as Mensa Christi a beautiful location near the Sea of Galilee. Proceed to Tabgha - the site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. We visit the Mount of Beatitudes - Site of the Sermon of the Mount. On our return journey to Nazareth, we stop at Cana where we will visit the Wedding Church, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, turning the water to wine. Couples on the pilgrimage may renew their marriage vows here. In the lower level of the church, we see artifacts from the site before having an opportunity nearby to taste and purchase some wine. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Nazareth
After breakfast we will spend part of the day 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 altar are the Latin words “Here the Word was made flesh”. Adjacent to the Basilica is the St. Joseph Church built over the site of Joseph’s workshop and the house of the Holy Family which we will visit. A short walk from the Basilica is Mary’s Well. Here you have an opportunity to draw water from the same well as the Virgin Mary. After some time for lunch, we drive to Mount Tabor and ascend the mountain by taxi to visit the church of the Transfiguration where Jesus was transfigured and spoke to Moses and Elijah. Enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding countryside including the Valley of Armageddon. and return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.

Day 4. - Jordan & Jericho
Breakfast at hotel. Check out and drive via the Jordan valley to a point on the banks of the Jordan River near Bethany Beyond the Jordan where Jesus was baptized. Continue to Jericho the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. This territory belongs to the ancient city of Palestine, was built near the Jordan River 9,000 years before Christ. In addition to being the oldest, Jericho is the lowest city in the world as it is situated at an altitude of 258 m below sea level. We will stop at the sycamore tree associated with Zacchaeus, view the Mount of Temptation, the historic Walls of Jericho, Continue through the Jordan Valley and onwards to Jerusalem. On arrival enjoy the world-famous panoramic view of old and new Jerusalem. Visit the place of the Ascension, The Pater Noster Church and Dominus Flevit – celebrate Mass here. Afterwards visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Check into hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Bethlehem
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Bethlehem (10 km) and visit the Church of the Nativity here you can see the birthplace of Jesus, and the Holy Manger as well as the chapels of St Joseph, St Jerome, the Holy Innocents located within the Church of St Catherine. Visit the nearby Milk Grotto Visit the Shepherd’s Fields and celebrate Mass here. Return to Jerusalem for dinner at hotel.

Day 6 - Jerusalem
Breakfast at hotel. Afterwards drive to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu or “cock’s crow” and celebrate Mass here this is where Peter denied Jesus three times. Afterwards we see the dungeon where Jesus was held the night of Holy Thursday. Onwards to visit the Tomb of King David on Mount Zion, the Upper Room (Place of The Last Supper) and the Dormition Abbey. Continue to Ein Karem – Birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Visit the Church of St. John and the Church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. After dinner, an optional opportunity for a Holy Hour at the Rock of the Agony in the Church of All Nations. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 7 - Holy Sepulchre
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Jaffa Gate. Enter the Old City. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre including Calvary and the Tomb of Christ, celebrate Mass in the Chapel of the Apparition. Drive to St. Stephen’s Gate. Visit the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda. Continue to the Chapels of Flagellation and Condemnation, onwards past Lithostrotos, walk along the Via Dolorosa. Continue through the Jewish Quarter through the Cardo to the Temple Area. Visit the Western Wall. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 - Dead Sea
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Bethany and celebrate Mass at the Church of St Lazarus followed by a visit to the Tomb of Lazarus. Drive through the Wilderness of Judea before bypassing the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Proceed along the shores of the Dead Sea. Visit Qumran the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956. Afterwards we get the wonderful opportunity to take a dip in the Dead Sea (you don’t have to be a swimmer because you cannot sink!). Finally, we return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 - Depart
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport in time for return flight to Cork via London.