Pilgrimage Tour in Israel Schedule
Day 1 – arrival –Nazareth- sea of galilee
Hope you had a pleasant flight to Israel. Once landing you will have a warm welcome to holy land. Soon we will start our journey following the steps of the son of god.
As heading to the north of Israel, our first stop will be the city of Nazareth. We will start our visit in the Nazareth village museum. This village shows a traditional village from the time of the bible. From there we will start our visit to the old city starting at St. Gabriel church. We then go through the colorful market into the Church or Annunciation. In the center of the village, there is a house, which by the tradition, is believed to be the house of Mary and Joseph, and place where Mary was announced.
We continue, like Jesus, to the Sea of Galilee. On our way, we can have an amazing lookout from mount of precipice. Then continue to Cana, the wedding church were Jesus made his first miracle.
For the end of this impressive day, we will head for a night rest in Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Day 2 the Sea of Galilee
Following the miracles made by Jesus, we will concentrate today around the area of the Sea of Galilee. First visit is Capernaum, known as the town of Jesus, then continue to mount of beatitudes for an excellent point of view of the whole region. From there we head to Tabgha where the miracle of multiplication occurred. Being on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, we will have a traditional cruise on the lake. In the afternoon, visit the baptismal site of Yardenit in the Jordan river, having an opportunity to baptize.
Heading back to overnight in Tiberias.
Day 3 –Mediterranean Coast
Leaving the area of Sea of Galilee heading towards Caesarea, the roman capital of the holy land. In Caesarea the first gentile was baptized into Christianity and from here Paul sailed to Rome.
We continue towards the south until we reach the old city of Jaffa. Here is where Peter witnessed the revelation that started the separation from Christianity to Judaism.
At the end of the day, we will be heading to Jerusalem for overnight.
Day 4 –Bethlehem and modern Jerusalem
In this day, we will continue following the steps of our Lord in Holy Land. We will be heading to the city of Bethlehem and have a visit to the Church of Nativity and the surrounding sights and landscape of the ancient city.
Coming back to Jerusalem, we will be heading to the Israel museum. Here, we will observe the huge model of ancient Jerusalem and how was life in Jesus times. As well, the Dead Sea Scrolls which are the oldest written version of the old testament founded near Qumran caves. Later on, we will visit the picturesque village of Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born. We will finish our lovely day in visiting the holocaust museum of Yad Vashem.
Back to our hotel
Day 5- Dead Sea and Judea desert .
Driving to the east side of Jerusalem we will begin, our descend, through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea. We have a look at the picturesque monastery of St. John in the desert next to Jericho. We continue towards the Qumran caves an old settlement a home of the famous Essenes. Continue our way south driving to the west shore of the Dead Sea we will reach the Masada the desert fortress standing on a cliff 550 meters high overlooking the Dead sea.
In the afternoon, we will have time to float on the saltiest lake of the world at an altitude of over 400 meters below sea level-the famous Dead Sea. Late in the afternoon will start heading back towards Jerusalem for overnight.
Day 6- old city of Jerusalem
Beginning our day, we will have a spectacular point of view from top of Mt. of Olives to the old city of Jerusalem. Descending towards the old city we"ll visit the tear shaped church of Dominus Flavius witnessing a different view of the old city. Continuing our way down to the old city we will arrive at the Gethsemane church. We will visit the olive trees and the church of agony.
From there we will reach Mt. Zion to visit the last supper room and king David's Tumb. Continuing our tour to the old city heading to the Wailing Wall the most sacred place for the Judaism.
If time allow it you will visit the wailing wall tunnels an archeological excavation under the wailing wall.
Back to the hotel for our last night.
Day 7 old city and departure.
This final day our pilgrimage raises to its peak. We will follow Jesus last way by the Via Dolorosa. The way of the Via Dolorosa ends at the Holy Sepulcher Church. Before entering the church, we will visit the Garden Tumb where archeologists found remains of first century burial caves similar to what the scriptures describe.
Heading towards the airport with lots of good memories from our visit in Israel for our flight back home.
Hope to see you again.
Shalom from Israel
