Israel: A Journey of Faith

Your tour begins in Tel Aviv, a bustling city brimming with culture and history, situated on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline.

Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a buffet dinner at your hotel. (D) Stay: Leonardo City Tower Hotel , Ramat Gan

Your full day of visits begins with a walking tour of the ancient port city of Caesarea, an important center for early Christians. Tread in the footsteps of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert to the new covenant (Acts 10) by St. Peter, and see where Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial (Acts 23).

Visit Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Spend time at the place where Joseph's home and workshop were - Church of the Annunciation - as well as the site of the freshwater spring used by the Holy Family. Your day continues with a visit to Cana – Church of the First Miracle - the site of Our Lord's first miracle, where Jesus transformed water into wine (John 2:1-11).

Later this afternoon, sail the Sea of Galilee aboard a boat similar to what Jesus would have sailed. Arrive in Tiberias for a 2-night stay. (B/D) Stay: Leonardo Tiberias Hotel (2 Nights)

Step into another time at the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7). Continue to nearby Tabgha to the Church of the Fish and the Loaves and pause for a moment of quiet prayer at the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the five thousand. Spend time in Capernaum, the center of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where Jesus performed many miracles, such as expelling demons and curing the sick.

Visit the site where Jesus taught and reflect on his teaching and preaching of the gospel (Matthew 4:13, 23). Stand where Peter stood when he professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21) on 3 occasions. Take in the verdant scenery of the Golan Heights en route to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus traveled with His disciples and near where Peter made his great confession to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Stop at the River Jordan at the Yardenit Baptismal site where you may opt to renew your Baptismal vows. (B/D)

Visit Tel Megiddo (Armageddon), the site of the final battle before the coming of the Messiah. In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus (Luke 2), enter the Church of the Nativity and pause for a moment of reflection close to the cave where Jesus was born. Stop at Shepherds' Field, where the angels appeared on that first Christmas night spreading good tidings of great joy for all the people.

Later, arrive in one of the holiest cities in the world: Jerusalem for a 4-night stay. (B/D) Stay: Dan Jerusalem Hotel (4 Nights)

Your time in Jerusalem begins with a visit to the Western Wall of the Temple, Judaism's holiest site. Traverse the Old City on foot to the Church of St. Anne and the nearby Pools of Bethesda and pause for a moment of devotion where Jesus healed the paralytic. View Lion's Gate where tradition holds that Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death. Pass by the Ecce Homo Arch (Behold the Man), the site where Pontius Pilate presented Our Lord to the crowds. Travel the Way of the Cross – the Via Dolorosa – walked by Our Lord on the way to His crucifixion. (B/D)

Today you are free to explore the city on your own. Perhaps you'll choose to take an optional excursion to the Dead Sea. Explore the remains of Masada, the mountaintop fortress site of the resistance of the Zealots during the first Jewish-Roman War as well as Qumran, the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Pause for lunch and perhaps even float on the salty waters of the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem. (B/D)

Your day begins with a visit to the Mount of Olives and the nearby Church of the Pater Noster – the site where, according to tradition, Christ taught the Lord's Prayer. Pause for a moment of devotion at the Church of All Nations, built over the rock on which Jesus is believed to have prayed in agony the night before He was crucified. Take a moment to reflect among the olive trees of the Garden of Gethsemane – the site of Christ's betrayal by Judas.

Travel to Mount Zion and stand in the Upper Room, near the traditional site of the Last Supper (Mark 14). “He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:6). Your day concludes with a visit to the Garden Tomb, the possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and the resurrection of Jesus where you may opt to share Holy Communion with your group. Celebrate the end of spiritual journey during a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B/D)

Say goodbye to Israel as your tour comes to a close today. (B)