Holy Land Tours

A 10 Day Catholic Journey to the Holy Land

with Options to Egypt & Rome

Your Specialized Itinerary
via Alitalia Airlines

DAY 1 – DEPART NORTH AMERICA
Our journey begins as we depart on our trans-Atlantic flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served aloft.

DAY 2 – ROME / TEL AVIV / JAFFA / BAT YAM
On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, we will met by our representative and begin our pilgrimage with a short tour of Tel Aviv, the commercial center of Israel including the world's oldest port city of Jaffa. It was here that the prophet Jonah boarded a ship bound for Tarshish. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Bat Yam. (Old Jaffa).

DAY 3 – CAESAREA / HAIFA / TIBERIAS
After our delicious Israeli buffet breakfast, we drive along the coastal road to the Crusader port city of Caesarea, and the Roman capital of Israel. Here we view the archeological ruins of the Roman Amphitheater from the days of King Herod and Paul's imprisonment. Thence to Haifa to see the beautiful panoramic view from the Bahai Persian Gardens. See the Stella Maris Church (Opportunity for Mass). Afterwards we ascend to Mount Carmel to visit the Carmelite Monastery, the Chapel of the Holy Family and Elijah's Cave. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 4 – TIBERIAS / CANA / NAZARETH / MOUNT TABOR
We visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His Mother. On to Nazareth to the Basilica of the Annunciation. (Opportunity for Mass in the Blessed Cave where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary). We then view Mary and Joseph's House and Carpentry Shop where Jesus spent 30 years of His Life. In the afternoon we ascend Mount Tabor, with its spectacular views of the Upper Galilee, where Jesus was Transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John, and upon which now stands the Church of the Transfiguration. Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 – TABGHA / CAPERNAUM / MAGDALA / MOUNT OF BEATITUDES / SEA OF GALILEE / RIVER JORDAN / JERUSALEM
Today our sightseeing begins as we pass through Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. Stop at Tabgha, and visit the Church of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, traditional site of the Multiplication Miracle. Then to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, wherein lies the Rock of Mensa Christi where Jesus conferred on Peter to be the 1st Pope. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus proclaimed His Sermon on the Mount. (Opportunity for Mass at the Chapel). Then the short journey to Capernaum, the center of Jesus' Ministry and where He performed many miracles. Visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached, and see the remains of the House of Peter. We board our boat and cross the Sea of Galilee and travel south for a stop at Yardenit on the River Jordan to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus. Continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 – JERUSALEM / BETHLEHEM / MOUNT OF OLIVES
Today we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Opportunity for Mass), built over the Stable where Jesus was born. We visit Shepherds Field at the Chapel of the Angels, and afterwards we will have an opportunity to shop for genuine olive wood religious articles. Stop at Rachel's Tomb on the road back to Jerusalem. In the afternoon, we ascend to the Mount of Olives and marvel at the spectacular view of Jerusalem. We descend on foot via the Church of the Pater Noster, the Chapel of the Ascension, from which place Jesus returned to His Father and the Church of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the destiny of the city. Thence to the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus endured His agony. Descend across the Kidron Valley to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where the Apostle denied Christ three time. Continue to Mount Zion, just outside the city walls to visit the Room of the Last Supper, King David's Tomb and the Church of the Dormition, from which place the Blessed Mother was assumed into Heaven. Our day terminates with a beautiful panoramic view of the City of David. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 – OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM / EIN KAREM
We enter the old city via the Zion Gate and visit the Western Wall (Wailing), the Holiest Shrine of the Jews, and the Dome of the Rock and El Aksa Mosque, Holy Shrine of the Moslem World. Our walking tour continues to the Pool of Bethesda, St. Anne's Church (Birthplace of Mary), the Chapel of Flagellation, Ecce Homo Arch ("Behold the Man"), and on to the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, culminating in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, incorporating both Calvary and the Resurrection Tomb. (Opportunity for Mass). In the afternoon we take a short drive to the birthplace of John the Baptist and site of the Visitation. Then we examine the model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple, drive past Israel's Parliament, the Knesset to visit the Shrine of the Book which houses the Dead Sea scrolls. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 – MASSADA / DEAD SEA / QUMRAN / JERICHO / BETHANY
Descend from Jerusalem past the Inn of the Good Samaritan, along the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to the imposing sight of Massada, the last outpost of 967 Jewish zealots who committed mass suicide, rather than surrender to the Romans in 70 A.D. Then to the Dead Sea and Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We continue to Jericho, the world's oldest city and view the famous walls that came tumbling down. Close by we visit what tradition says is the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted and finally to Bethany, site of the House of Mary and Lazarus' Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 9 – JERUSALEM / ROME
Day without a planned program. Time to collect your thoughts; indulge your whims. Revisit the places of most interest to you personally. Perhaps return inside the walls of the Old City where last minute shopping and bargaining is a must. Afternoon transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our late afternoon flight to Rome. Dinner will be served aloft. Upon arrival at Rome airport we will be met and transferred to our hotel.

DAY 10 – ROME / NORTH AMERICA
Morning transfer to Da Vinci International Airport for our flight homeward arriving home early evening of the same day. The close of an unforgettable tour, to have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians.

DAY 09 – JERUSALEM / SINAI / CAIRO
Depart by motorcoach across the Sinai to Cairo. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

DAY 10 – CAIRO
Sightseeing tour of the great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. There will be sufficient time for a brief visit to the fantastic Egyptian Museum containing the treasures of King Tutankhamen. Our sightseeing excursion will include the Citadel and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, offering a beautiful view of Cairo and the Nile, the historical dwellings and mosques and the picturesque Khan El Khalili Bazaars.

DAY 11 – CAIRO
Full day at leisure or optional Luxor by air/train – leaving on 10th night. A full day's tour will take us today to the "Heart of Egypt" for visits. Arrive in Luxor, where we visit the Old City of Thebes, with its hundred gates and collection of monuments. Temples of Luxor and Karnak of the Eastern bank of the Nile. After lunch we motorsail across the Nile to the Habu, Rammasseum, the tombs of Tut-Ankh-Amon, Seit, Amen Hoteb II, Ramses VI. Here in the Banks of the Nile, great insights can be gained into the life of Ancient Egypt. Visit the Tomb of Nobles before returning in time for our flight to Cairo.

DAY 12 – CAIRO / ROME
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing. Imperial Rome – to see and learn about the glory and grandeur of the Eternal City. See the Seven Hills, the Roman Forum, Arch of Titus and Arch of Constantine; thence into the Colosseum for an explanation of its history. Stop at Trevi Fountain to throw in our coin and ensure our "Arrivederci Roma." Continue to Church of St. Peter in Chains to see the famous Moses by Michelangelo and the original chains in which St. Peter was brought captive to Rome. Overnight Rome.

DAY 13 – ROME / U.S.A.
Transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

DAY 09 – JERUSALEM / ROME
Day without a planned program. Time to collect your thoughts; indulge your whims. Revisit the places of most interest. The Rockefeller and Hebrew Museums display a wealth of archeological treasure. Return for a last look within the walls of the Old City where bargaining is a must. Afternoon transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our early evening flight to Rome. Dinner aboard your flight. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel.

DAY 10 – ROME
Morning – Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel – see mysterious Vatican City, the Sacred Museum, the Vatican Library and the incredible Sistine Chapel, built to the precise dimensions of the original Temple of Solomon as described in the Bible with its famous Fresco of "Genesis" by Michelangelo.

Afternoon – Catacombs, St. Paul Basilica and Old Appian Way. Motor past Tiberias Island, the Jewish Synagogue, Aventine Hill and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius near St. Paul's Gate. See Basilica of St. Paul, the largest in Rome after St. Peter's. Our next visit is to the catacombs, a maze of tunnels hollowed out where the early Christians persecuted by the Romans had to practice their religious rites and bury their dead. Return to your hotel via the Old Appian Way.

DAY 11 – ROME
Imperial Rome – this morning's delight is to see and learn about the glory and grandeur of the Eternal City. See the Seven Hills, the Roman Forum, Arch of Titus and Arch of Constantine; thence into the Colosseum for an explanation of its history. Stop at Trevi Fountain to throw in our coin and ensure our "Arrivederci Roma". Continue to Church of St. Peter in Chains to see the famous Moses by Michelangelo and the original chains in which St. Peter was brought captive to Rome.

Afternoon at leisure for shopping, browsing, or having an apertif along the sidewalk cafes on the beautiful Via Veneto.

DAY 12 – ROME / U.S.A.
Transfer to the airport for our flight homeward arriving home early evening. The close of an unforgettable tour, to have walked in the footsteps of the Master and the early Christians.

Israel Map

Back to Holy Land Tours

Top of Page