Holy Land (Catholic)
Discover Holy Land
- 10 days / 8 nights
- November 27th - December 6th, 2023
- Israel
Day 1. Nov 27th, 2023 – Depart from our home countries on our international flight. Overnight on board.
Day 2. Nov 28th, 2023: Ben Gurion Airport • Tiberias/Galilee
Arrival, we will meet our representative at the airport, and transfer to our hotel in Tiberias. Day at leisure to start exploring this new and wonderful country on your own: ISRAEL, “The Promised Land.”
Day 3. Nov 29th, 2023: Tiberias • Caesarea Maritima • Haifa • Acre
Breakfast. We will travel along the Mediterranean Sea promenade to reach Jaffa, an ancient port in Israel where Simon Peter had his “Vision” and visited Simon the Tanner. Today, it’s an artist’s neighborhood with many art galleries and cafes. We will visit St. Peter’s Church. From there, we will have a panoramic tour of Tel Aviv, seeing its main attractions: the Peace Tower, Rabin Square, and the main avenues. Continuing along the coast, we’ll reach Caesarea Maritima, an ancient Roman capital, where we’ll see the Roman Amphitheater, the Crusader Fortress Wall, and the Roman Aqueduct. Continuing to Haifa, we’ll ascend Mount Carmel to visit Stella Maris Church (where the Cave of the Prophet Elijah is located). We’ll also admire the Bahai Temple and its Persian Gardens, enjoying a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the port. We’ll continue to Acre, the Crusader’s capital, where we’ll visit the medieval fortresses. Afterward, we’ll head to Tiberias in Galilee. (Eucharistic celebration at the Church of St. Peter in Jaffa or at the Stella Maris Church at the chosen time). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4. Nov 30th, 2023: Nazareth • Mount of Precipice • Magdala • Boat Ride • Cana of Galilee
Breakfast. In the morning, we will visit the city of Nazareth, including the Church of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Carpentry, and the Virgin’s Fountain. We will continue to the Mount of Precipice, where we’ll admire a beautiful panoramic view of Nazareth and its surroundings. Next, we’ll visit Magdala, where we’ll see the remains of the village and its synagogue, and we’ll visit the modern church. The day will begin with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We’ll end the day with a visit to Cana of Galilee, where the first Miracle of Jesus took place (Eucharistic celebration at the Church of Cana in Galilee, or at the Basilica of the Annunciation, or at the Church of St. Joseph, or at the Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, as chosen). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5. Dec 1st, 2023: Jesus Boat • Domus Galilaeae • Mount Beatitudes • Tabgha • Capernaum
Breakfast. We will depart to visit the Yigal Alon Museum at the entrance of Kibbutz Ginosar, where a boat from the time of Jesus is displayed. Next, we will visit Domus Galilaeae, designated by local traditions as “the place of the trees of the blessings.” Later, we’ll visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where the “Sermon on the Mount” took place, Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and Capernaum, where St. Peter’s House and the ruins of the ancient synagogue are located (Eucharistic celebration at the Church of St. Peter in Capernaum, or at the Chapel of the Primacy, or at the Mount of Beatitudes). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6. Dec 2nd, 2023: Jordan River • Jericho • Dead Sea • Jerusalem
Breakfast. Departure to the Jordan River, remembering the baptism of Jesus. We will continue through the Jordan Valley towards the Dead Sea. We will visit Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, and take a cable car ride to the Mount of Temptation. We will then descend to the lowest point on earth, 400 meters below sea level. You will have free time to bathe in the famous mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. Afterward, we will ascend to Jerusalem, the city of peace and the birthplace of the three major monotheistic religions (Eucharistic celebration at the different chosen sites). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7. Dec 3rd, 2023: Jerusalem • Israel Museum • Ein Karem • Bethlehem
Breakfast. We will start the day by visiting the Israel Museum, where the Model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and the Shrine of the Book are located. Next, we will head to Ein Karem, where we will visit the Church of St. John the Baptist (Benedictus) and the Church of the Visitation (Magnificat). Afterward, we’ll travel to Bethlehem, where we will visit the Basilica of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, the Grotto of St. Jerome, and the Shepherds’ Field (Eucharistic celebration at the Church of St. John or the Church of the Visitation or at one of the altars in the Basilica of the Nativity or at the Shepherds’ Field, as chosen). We will return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8. Dec 4th, 2023: Jerusalem • Mount of Olives • Mount Zion
Breakfast. We will head to the Mount of Olives, from where we will have a stunning panoramic view of Jerusalem. We will visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit Church, the Church of All Nations (Gethsemane), and the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. In the afternoon, we will go to Mount Zion, where we will visit the Tomb of King David, the Dormition Abbey, the Cenacle (the Room of the Last Supper), and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (Eucharistic celebration at the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, or at the Basilica of the Agony, or at the Cave of Betrayal, or at the Dormition Abbey, as chosen). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9. Dec 5th, 2023: Western Wall • Temple Mount • Jewish Quarter • Cardo • Via Dolorosa
Breakfast. We will visit the Old City of Jerusalem, starting with the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). If possible, we will ascend to the Temple Mount, where the Omar Mosque and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are located. We will then explore the Jewish Quarter, including the Cardo (the main street in the time of Jesus) and the remains of the ancient Wall. You will have the opportunity to stroll through the famous Oriental Market of the Old City. Later, we will walk along the Via Dolorosa, visiting all the Stations of the Cross, including the Lithostrotos Chapel, the Church of St. Anne (where the Virgin Mary was born), and the Pool of Bethesda (where Jesus healed the paralytic). We will continue along the Via Dolorosa to reach Golgotha, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Eucharistic celebration at the Church of St. Anne, or at one of the altars in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as chosen). Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10. Dec 6th, 2023: Jerusalem • Ben Gurion Airport
Breakfast. Free day to explore Jerusalem on your own. This day will be a great opportunity to experience Jerusalem in its daily life. You can visit “Yaffa” Street in the heart of the city and the largest and most popular market in Jerusalem, the spectacular “Mahane Yehuda Market.” Opportunity to mingle with the locals and enjoy Falafel and Shawarma, typical and traditional dishes of both Israel and Palestine (personalized assistance and suggestions for additional activities during this day). At night, at midnight or even early morning, or at the scheduled time, transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv to take the return flight home. Alternatively, for those continuing their expedition, you will take your flight to our next country.
Our Rates Include:
- Arrival and departure transfers with assistance at the Airport-Hotels-Border.
- 09 days / 08 nights at hotels mentioned.
- 08 buffet breakfasts at hotels mentioned.
- All dinners at hotels or assigned restaurants.
- 07-day tour in Israel according to the itinerary.
- Reflections and talks by Patrick Coffin throughout the Pilgrimage.
- Arrangements of daily private Masses in holy sites (locations are tentative and subject to confirmation).
- Opportunities for prayer and confession.
- Renewal of Marriage vows for couples in Cana.
- Baptismal renewal at Jordan River, the exact site where Jesus was baptized.
- Personalized advice on suggested activities during the days and free time.
- Luxury air-conditioned bus transportation.
- Professional guide throughout the tour.
- Sightseeing and admissions at sites mentioned as per our itinerary.
- Nightly uploads of “Pilgrimage Videos” so friends & family can follow your pilgrimage.
Our Prices Do Not Include:
- Visas in general and airport taxes.
- Medical-Accident-Loss-Service cancellation insurance.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Beverages with all meals.
- Personal extras, and any service not mentioned as included.
- Tips for the guides and bus drivers.
Important Notes:
- Triple rooms consist of 1 double/twin bed + 1 sofa bed.
- If the check-in day falls on a Saturday, hotel check-in will be 2 hours after sunset.
- The included airport transfers are only scheduled during the main group’s arrival and departure days of the tour.
- Passengers are required to purchase travel insurance. La Merca Company LLC is exempt from any responsibility related to passengers’ health, personal safety, service cancellation costs, luggage damage or loss, and other expenses or inconveniences that may arise. We also recommend insurance that covers costs and damages caused by COVID.
Suggested Tips:
- Guide: USD 4.00 per passenger per day.
- Driver: USD 3.00 per passenger per day.
Payment Schedule:
- Deposit of $500 per person due upon registration.
- Second payment: $1,000 additional due September 30th, 2023.
- Final Payment: Remainder of balance due on or before October 27th, 2023.
- Late bookings after 60 days require payment in full by zelle or credit card at time of booking.
- All payments made with a credit card will have an additional charge of 3.9%.
Cancellation Policy:
- 90 to 61 days before departure date……………………..$500.00
- 60 to 31 days before departure date………………..…..$1,500.00
- 30 days to 1 day before departure or no show……..no refund.
GALLERY / PHOTOS
$4,989 / per person
double or triple occupancy
*Single supplement: $ 965
**These rates are for group tours only.
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