Holyland Tour with Fr. Dave Howell, May 7 - 18, 2024
Itinerary
Day 1, Tuesday, May 7: Flight Departs: Detroit / Tel Aviv: flight
Leave from Detroit Metro Airport for your overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Enjoy meals and movies in-flight.
Day 2, Wednesday, May 8: Arrival: Tel Aviv to Galilee
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv board our deluxe motor coach and head north driving along the coast towards Tiberius. Check in and Dinner at the Hotel. (D)
Day 3, Thursday, May 9: Galilee: Magdala Archeological Park, Nazareth, Cana
In the morning we will visit Magdala Archeological Park and celebrate Liturgy in the boat chapel. After lunch, visit the Basilica on the Annunciation, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child. Later we visit Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle at the request of his mother. There, visit the Franciscan chapel where those who wish to, can renew their wedding vows. Before returning to hotel in Galilee for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 4, Friday, May 10: Galilee: Sea of Galilee, Mt Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha
Today, after breakfast, start the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Next, visit the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, also the site of today’s Liturgy. Visit Capernaum then Tabgha, to see the splendid mosaic of the miracle of the loaves and fishes and the Church of the Primacy of Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 5, Saturday, May 11: Galilee: Mt Tabor, Shechem, Jordan River
Drive to Mount Tabor the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity. Today’s Liturgy is at the Basilica. This afternoon after a picnic lunch in Gideon Spring we'll continue our drive through the Jordan Valley and proceed to Shechem, the site of Jacob’s Well on through the Judean hills to Jerusalem. Check in to hotel for Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6, Sunday, May 12: Pater Noster, Mt Olives, Gethsemane, Church of All Nations, Ein Karem
We begin our day with a drive up to Mt of Olives with a visit to the Pater Noster with the Lord’s Prayer in many languages. As we walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at the Chapel of the Ascension and Dominus Flevit. We will end in Church of All Nations for Liturgy. This is the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ Agony. Here Jesus prayed before his arrest. After lunch head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and Zechariah’s prayer of the “Benedictus’. Then we will walk to the Church of the Visitation, commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary visit to help her cousin, Elizabeth, where she proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. Enjoy Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 7, Monday, May 13: Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Shepherds Field, Dead Sea Scroll & Israel Museum
This morning we go to Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity. Which stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Then, we drive to Shepherd’s field for today’s Liturgy celebration. After Lunch we will view the Dead Sea scrolls at the Shrine of the Scrolls Museum, then head over to the Israel Museum to see a scale model of the Second Temple and an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)
Day 8, Tuesday, May 14: Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Qumran & the Dead Sea
After Liturgy and visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, we can walk to St Anne’s and visit the Pools of Bethesda. Upon finishing our visit, we board our motor coach and head towards Qumran (quick photo stop) and the Dead Sea. A picnic lunch will be provided. Enjoy a soak in the sea or just soak up the view. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 9, Wednesday, May 15: Jerusalem: St. Anne Church, Via Dolorosa & Holy Sepulcher, The Western Wall
Today we start at St. Anne’s church for Liturgy. Then, retracing the last steps of Jesus as we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of his sacrifice. After lunch we will enjoy free evening time in Jerusalem. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10, Thursday, May 16: Jerusalem: Mt Zion, & the Cenacle & Tomb of David, St Peter Gallicantu
We visit Mt. Zion and the Church of the Dormition of Mary, the Cenacle also known as the Upper Room and the scene of the Last Supper After lunch, will have Liturgy at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Him three times. Tonight we have a wine & cheese gathering before our farewell dinner at a local roof top restaurant, overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 11, Friday, May 17: Jerusalem: Bethany & Jericho
We begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. After Liturgy in the Church of St. Lazarus, we head on to Jericho, the desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. Lunch will be in route. Heading further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus 'walked', is Wadi Qelt gorge, site of the Monastery of St. George. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 12, Saturday, May 18: Jordan : Jordan Baptismal site
This morning we leave Jerusalem and drive to the Allenby Bridge, crossing the border into Jordan. We’ll visit the Jordan Baptismal site for Liturgy. Continue to Petra for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 13, Sunday, May 19: Petra: Treasury, Theater & Tombs
Full day at “The Rose – Red City” of Petra which from 300 BC was inhabited by Nabateans. Some scholars believe the Magi came from Petra to see the infant Jesus. We will see the Treasury, carved in the pink stone, and continue past the Roman Theatre, the Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb to the Roman road. Overnight in Petra. (B, L, D)
Day 14, Monday, May 20: Amman:Madaba, Bedawin Dinner
We leave Petra and drive north to Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land. From there we can see the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Judean hills beyond. We will celebrate Liturgy in the modern church built over the remains of Byzantine church with its mosaic floors. From there we travel to the Christian village of Madaba to see the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land, After lunch we will continue to Amman for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 15, Tuesday, May 21: Amman / Home
After breakfast and check out this morning we transfer to Allenby Bridge to cross back into Israel. After border formalities, transfer to Tel Aviv airport for departure flight.