Day 1 
- Depart Chicago O'Hare
Day 2
- Arrival in Tel Aviv
- Jaffa & Bat Yam
Day 3
- Caesarea
- Mt. Carmel
- Nazareth
- Galilee
Day 4
- Cana
- Nazareth
- Caesarea Philippi*
Day 5
- Sea of Galilee Boat Ride
- Capernaum
- Tabgha
- Mount of Beatitudes 
- Mt. Tabor
Day 6
- Jordan River
- Jericho
- Qumran
- Dead Sea
- Jerusalem
Day 7
- Bethlehem
Day 8
- Mt. Olives
- Gethsemane
- Kidron Valley
Day 9
- Old City
- Temple Area
- Christian Shrines
Day 10
- New City
- Museum
- Model
- Ein Karem
- Emmaus & Bethany
Day 11
- Return to U.S.A.
 
 
 

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LEGEND: (M = Aircraft Meals / B = Breakfast / D = Dinner)


Day 01: Monday, February 9th: Depart U.S.A.
Depart United States for Tel Aviv. If you are flying with the group, your international flight departs from O’Hare International Airport. Other departure cities available for an additional price. (M)

Day 02: Tuesday, February 10th: Arrival in Israel. Tel Aviv, Jaffa & Bat Yam.
After a short layover in Europe, we arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Clear Israeli immigrations and customs formalities and follow our escort’s umbrella to the "Groups Assembly Exit". A thanksgiving Mass is planned (for a safe voyage) at St. Peter’s Church in the historical port town of Jaffa. This church commemorates the place where St. Peter gave his farewell speech before departing for Rome. The last place where St. Peter lived in the Holy Land is just around the corner. Transfer to the hotel in the Tel Aviv area for a welcome dinner and overnight. Relax tonight as you adjust to Israel’s time zone. (M, D)

Day 03: Wednesday, February 11th: Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Galilee
Depart for Caesarea, the old capital of the Roman Province. See Roman and Crusader ruins, and the harbour from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome. Continue on to Haifa where we visit Mount Carmel (Holy Mass) and enjoy panoramic views of the port, River Kishon, the Mediterranean and Haifa. Afterwards we travel to the shores of the Sea of Galilee for your three night stay in Galilee. (B,D)

Day 04: Thursday, February 12th: Cana, Nazareth & *Caesarea Philippi
Day starts with a visit to Cana, scene of Jesus’ first miracle (turning water into wine). Visit the Church of the Wedding Feast. Continue onto Nazareth and visit the Basilica of Annunciation where Holy Mass is celebrated. Visit the Church of St. Joseph’s Workshop. * Afterwards, if conditions are favorable and time allows, we can travel to beautiful Caesarea Philippi. (B, D)

 
 

Day 05: Friday, February 13th: Sea of Galilee Boat Ride, Capernaum, Tabgha, Beatitudes and Mt. Tabor
Take the memorable boat ride on the Sea Galilee (also known as the Lake of Genesareth or Sea of Tiberias) and then travel to Capernaum; there we see the ancient synagogue of Capernaum, and St. Peter's house which was later converted into a church where Holy Mass is celebrated. By the shore we visit Tabgha with the Church of Peter's Primacy and the famous ancient mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes. A memorable fish lunch follows (included - St. Peter’s Fish). Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount is remembered. Visit Mt. Tabor this afternoon, site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Saturday, February 14th: Jordan River, Jericho, Qumran, Dead Sea and Jerusalem.
If conditions are favorable, we will be able to travel to the real site of Jesus’ Baptism by the Jordan River (normally not accessible). Otherwise we will visit a tourist center to see and touch the waters of the Jordan. Afterwards drive to Jericho via the Jordan Valley by the excavations of the oldest city in the world (Holy Mass celebrated at a parish in Jericho). View the Mt. of Temptations. Visit Qumran (where the Essene enclave was) and see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden. Dip in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. End the day in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight hotel. (B, D)


Day 07: Sunday, February 15th: Bethlehem
Travel to Bethlehem and see the Church of the Nativity and below it, the cave-stable of Jesus' birth. Holy Mass is celebrated here. Afterwards we divide into small groups to share lunch at the homes of local Christian families. After lunch we drive to the town of Beit Sahour where we find the Shepherd's Fields, inhabited by Christians for hundreds of years. Return to Jerusalem where this evening we make a traditional solemn entry (pending confirmation) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Monday, February 16th: Mt Olives, Gethsemane and Kidron Valley
This morning we drive up to the Mount of Olives for a wonderful view of Jerusalem. See the Place of Ascension and the Pater Noster Church (site where the “Our Father” prayer was first taught), and walk the Palm Sunday way. At the foot of the hill see the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees and the Church of All Nations (with the rock where Jesus prayed in agony). Holy Mass is celebrated here. We drive down to the Kidron Valley and see the Pool of Siloam, and St. Peter in Gallicantu (where St. Peter denied Jesus) built over the palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest. (B, D)

Day 9: Tuesday, February 17th: Old City, Temple Area, Christian Shrines
Start the day very early, praying the Stations of the Cross as we walk the true Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa), ending up at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus was crucified (Calvary) and buried, and then rose again. Continue with an unforgettable High Mass at the Tomb (pending confirmation). Then visit the Wailing (or Western) Wall, with views of the Al-Aksa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. See the Pool of Bethesda scene of one of Jesus’ healings (the paralytic and the wind-ruffled pool water). Visit the Convent of Zion Sisters and St. Ann’s Church (birthplace of the Virgin Mary). See the site known as David’s tomb and then visit the Caenaculum, the place where the Last Supper occurred as well as the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Leave the old city through the bazaars to the west, by the Jaffa Gate. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 10: Wednesday, February 18th New City, Museum, Model, Ein Karem, Emmaus & Bethany (if times allows)
Drive to the New City, passing the Hebrew University and the Knesset, visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit) and then to the 2nd Model of Old Jerusalem. Drive to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation, site of Elizabeth and Zachariah’s home, where Holy Mass is celebrated. If time allows, we will be able to accomplish the following visits (or both): Drive to Emmaus to see the Franciscan Church and the ruins of the old town. And then visit Bethany, home of Lazarus, Martha & Mary (now a Catholic Church). Back to the hotel for our farewell dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 11: Thursday, February 19th: Return to the U.S.A.
An early morning transfer takes us to the Ben Gurion Airport. Prepare to undergo top security (lengthy) before boarding. Relax on your return flights as we come back to U.S. time. Upon arrival in the U.S., we are processed by U.S. Immigration and US Customs. (B, M)
 

11 - Day Trip Inclusions:

  • Round trip Airfare from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Tel Aviv
    * (Airfare available from other cities for an additional cost)

  • Private Motorcoach in Israel with private driver.

  • Transfers airport – hotel – airport.

  • Baggage Porterage (1 bag per person).

  • Hotel accommodations at first class properties and at the Vatican Pilgrim Mission in Jerusalem.

  • 20 Meals including 9 breakfasts and 9 Dinners, plus 2 lunches (one with local Christian families).

  • Admissions to Featured Visits.

  • Full documentation packet with luggage tags & re-usable wallet.

  • Spiritual program including Masses, Rosaries, Meditations (and more) in unforgettable places.

  • Fr. John Kleinschmidtt as Spiritual Director.

  • Professional Roman Catholic Holy Land Expert (George Sa’id)

  • Juan Landa from Mater Dei Tours as Tour Director.

  • Local hotel taxes, hospitality taxes & service charges.

  • Gratuities for meal servers and housekeepers.

  • Special touch/gifts: Solemn Entry into the Holy Sepulchre. Cross of 5 loaves & 2 fishes. Pilgrimage Certificate from the Latin Custodian (Holy See’s Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land). “Our Father” Prayer in Aramaic (the language of our Lord). If possible, an audience requested with the Latin Patriarch (the Roman Bishop), *pending on his Beatitude’s schedule.
    Does not include:

  • U.S., Europe & Middle East airport, departure and transportation taxes, and ticketing fees approximately $450 per person.

  • Tip for Local Tour Guide/Escort (Suggested: $6-7 a day, per person)

  • Tip for Bus Driver (Suggested: $4 a day, per person)

  • Beverages at some meals.

 Price: $2345.00*
* (Per person, double occupancy. Plus Taxes, Fees & Fuel Surcharges of approximately $449.00 per person)

  • Optional Single Occupancy:  $2795.00 (limited supply)
  • Optional Land Only:  $1799.00 per person based on double room (additional $450.00 for land only single room occupancy)
  • Optional Triple Occupancy:  $2325.00 per person based on triple
  • Optional Travel Guard/AIG insurance: $171.00 per person (ad $10.00 for single occupancy passengers)
  • Deposit of $500 per person is due to secure space (no later than November 07, 2008 or while space lasts)
  • Balance is due on November 28,  2008.

Save $50.00 per person and Register by October 16, 2008

Cancellation Schedule:

  • All Cancellations must be received in writing!
  • 95 days prior to departure or before...................$300.00 per person
  • 94 to 65 days prior to departure.........................$50% of tour cost
  • 64 to 35 days prior to departure ........................$75% of tour cost
  • 34 to 0 days prior to departure .......................No Refunds
  • No Refunds can be made for non-refundable airfare

 

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