Holyland Tour with Fr. Dave Howell, September 15-26, 2019
Itinerary
Day 1, Sunday, Sep 15: Detroit / Tel Aviv: flight
Leave from Detroit Metro Airport for your overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Enjoy meals and movies in-flight.
Day 2, Monday, Sep 16: Arrival:Tel Aviv to Galilee
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv board our deluxe motorcoach and head north driving along the coast towards Galilee, with a brief stop at the Ancient Roman Aqueducts at Caesarea Maritima (time permitting). Check in and Dinner at the Hotel (D)
Day 3, Tuesday, Sep 17: Galilee: Sea of Galilee, Mt Beatitude, Cana & Nazareth
Today, after breakfast, start the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given for mass. After Lunch drive to Nazareth, 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, Wednesday, Sep 18: Galilee: Capernaum, Tiberias & Magadela
Visit Capernaum to see the synagogue and St. Peter's house. Then, go to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. In the afternoon we visit Caesarea Philippi, location of the testimony of St. Peter and where Jesus told him “You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church.” After a lunch stop, head to Magdala Archaeology Park. Return to the hotel for Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 5, Thursday, Sep 19: Galilee: Mt. Tabor, Jordan River & Shechem
After Breakfast take a drive to Mount Tabor. The site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity, good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. Mass here will be at the Basilica designed to represent 3 tents. Lunch will be served at the Monastery prepared by the Monks who live there. This afternoon visit the Jordan River. Check in to hotel for Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6, Friday, Sep 20: Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa, Mt Zion, Tomb of David, St Peter Gallicantu & The upper room
Early in the morning we retrace 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 proceed to the Cenacle for a visit to the Upper Room, the scene of the Last Supper. We end the day with Mass at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Him thrice. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 7, Saturday, Sep 21: Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Shepherds Field and Ein Karem
This morning, we have Mass and visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. After Lunch we head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and to the Church of the Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 8, Sunday, Sep 22: Jerusalem: St. Anne’s, Qumran & The Dead Sea
After Mass at St. Anne’s Church visit the Pools of Bethesda. We head toward Qumran (quick photo stop) and the Dead Sea. A picnic lunch will be provided. This evening enjoy a bountiful Farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 9, Monday, Sep 23: Jerusalem: Pater Noster, Mt Olives, Gethsemane, Dead Sea Scroll Museum
We begin our day on the Mt of Olives with a visit to the Pater Noster with the Lord’s Prayer in many languages. Walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Gethsemane, Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. After Lunch view the Dead Sea scrolls at the Shrine of the Scrolls Museum, then head over to the Israel Museum to see the Second Temple a scale model for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. Enjoy Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10, Tuesday, Sep 24: Jerusalem: Holy Sepulcher & the Western Wall
Start our day with morning Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and a walking tour of the old city ending at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. After Lunch enjoy the rest of the day at leisure (B, L, D)
Day 11, Wednesday, Sep 25: Jerusalem: Bethany & Jericho
We begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. After Mass at 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. This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel. A late evening departure (B, L ,D)
Day 12, Thursday, Sep 26: Tel Aviv / Home or extension to Petra: flight home
Transfer to the airport to take your flight home. (B)
Day 12, CONT. Sep 26: (Petra Extension $1299.00 per person DBL. Occ.)
This morning we leave Jerusalem and drive to the Allenby Bridge, crossing the border into Jordan. We’ll visit the Jordan Baptismal site, re-consecrated by Pope John Paul II on his visit in 2000. Continue to Petra for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 13, Friday, Sep 27: Petra
Full day at “The Rose – Red City” of Petra which from 300 BC was inhabited by Nabateans. Here you may enjoy a horse ride if you so wish (optional). 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, Saturday, Sep 28: Amman
We leave Petra and drive north to Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land. From there we can see the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Judean hills beyond. We will also see 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 and continue to Amman for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 15, Sunday, Sep 29: 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.