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The
Holy Land, Rome & Assisi
a 15 day journey
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1 - New York - Tel Aviv
Begin your spiritual journey with an evening departure from New York's JFK
Airport or from your hometown, for the overnight flights to Tel Aviv.
Day 2 - Tel Aviv - Overnight on the Mediterranean Coast
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Exit terminal at the sign marked "groups" and
meet your local guide who will escort you to our hotel in on the coast. Dinner
and overnight.
Day 3 - Up to the Galilee
We travel via the coast to Caesarea, where St. Paul was held prisoner by the Romans.
Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins. Drive through the Carmel Mountains heading
for the Galilee. Visit the Shrine of Stella Maris in Haifa and Mukhraka en
route. In the afternoon, we will proceed to Sepphoris, birthplace of Ann the
Mother of Mary. Sepphoris was the regional city at the time of Jesus. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Tiberias.
Day 4 - The ministry of Christ in the Galilee
Some of today's highlights are a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to
Capernaum to see the synagogue and St Peter's house, a visit to the
Mount of the
Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the
splendid mosaic of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter's
Primacy where Peter was told " Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." There will be an
unforgettable Mass on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Afternoon visit to
Mount
Tabor, the scene of the Transfiguration. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tiberias.
Day 5 - Cana, Nazareth, Jordan Valley
In the morning, we drive to Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle; here
couples may renew their wedding vows. Continue to the Basilica of Annunciation
in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well. Continue to
Nazareth Village. This is an excavated village dating from around 1 AD. The
excavations have carefully renovated the synagogue and houses to give a unique
insight into village life and agriculture, as it would have been at the time of
Jesus. Drive down the Jordan Valley and head towards Jerusalem. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 6 - Introduction to Jerusalem:
Mount of Olives - Kidron Valley - Mount Zion
On the first day we present an overview of Jerusalem for a better understanding
of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area. This includes a
dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with
4000 years of history. From this vantage point see much of what makes Jerusalem
such a unique city to the three major religions - Islam, Judaism and
Christianity; the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, and the
City of David
excavations. Around noon we drive to the town of Beit Sahur where Shepherd's
Fields is located, inhabited by Christians for hundreds of years. Lunch has been
arranged with some of the local families in their homes. After lunch we visit
the site that commemorates Shepherd's Fields, then visit the Church of the
Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 7 - Jerusalem - The Passion of Jesus' last hours
At Gethsemane is the Rock of Agony where Jesus uttered His last prayer. After
the betrayal by Judas, He was held prisoner at the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas. From prison Jesus was taken to
Judgment Hall and then led through the
city to be crucified. Today we retrace these last hours 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.
Finally we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. In the afternoon
we visit the Cardo and many buildings dating to the time of the Moslem Conquest
and Crusader era. We also visit the Wailing Wall area. Dinner and overnight at
the hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 8 - The Wilderness: Bethany - Jericho - Qumran - Dead Sea
The desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. In the town of
Bethany, home of Martha and Mary, Lazarus was raised from the dead. At the oasis
town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world, before
driving to the Dead Sea to see the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls
were hidden. On the way back there is time for a swim in the mineral- rich
waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 9 - The Visitation
In the morning, see a model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus.
Nearby is the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist.
Celebrate Mass in the Church of Visitation where Mary visited her cousin,
Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificant'. Free afternoon. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 10 - Jerusalem - Tel Aviv - Rome - Assisi
Depart from the Holy Land for our flight to Rome. Transfer by motor coach to the
peaceful hamlet of Assisi. Relax and settle into your hotel. Dinner and
overnight.
Day 11 - Assisi
Mass at the tomb of St Francis; explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St
Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s when
St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica
are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may
kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to
rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis
spent most of his life and where we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose
bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval
streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a
view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the
saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares
followed the
teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit
these two saints' tombs before dinner and retiring for the evening.
Day 12 - Assisi - Sienna - Rome
First stop is Siena, birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine and Italy's
loveliest medieval city. Here we will stroll the Piazza del Campo, one of
Italy's finest squares, celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, and visit the
Basilica
of St Francis, containing miraculous consecrated hosts that have remained intact
since 1730.View the incorrupt head of St Catherine, the mystical bride of
Christ, at St Dominic's Basilica. Our next stop is the Eternal City. Transfer to
our first class hotel. This evening before dinner and time permitting you may
relax or explore the city independently. Your tour escort will suggest some
sights or walks for you to enjoy. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 13 - Rome (Papal Audience at the Vatican)
After breakfast we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience
and
Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Visit St Peter's Basilica, built
on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to
the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the
world, St Peter's Basilica is the grandest of the world's churches. View such
historical treasures as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced
Christ's side and numerous papal tombs. We also see Michelangelo's restored
mural of the Last Judgment on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, his Pieta, and
the four mighty columns supporting the magnificent dome. In the afternoon take
time to visit the Vatican Garden, Library and Museum to see awe-inspiring relics
and works of art donated throughout the centuries as tributes of faith. Dinner
and overnight in Rome.
Day 14 - Rome
This morning we leave for a tour entitled "Christian Rome". Our focus will be on
Rome's three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine containing a relic from the manger of the infant
Jesus. The Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes
prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses
the remains of St Paul under its main altar. We will also see the ancient
Baths
of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?" the remains of
imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the Catacombs of St Callixtus where
the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Afternoon is free for
shopping or individual activities. Later enjoy farewell dinner.
Day 15 - Rome - USA
Transfer to the airport for the return flights to the USA.
Tour Features
- Round trip airfare from New York
- Accommodations in Superior Tourist and/or First Class Hotel, twin-bedded rooms with private
facilities
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Transfers between airport and lodging with porterage at
hotels
- Multi-lingual Tour Escorts
- Sightseeing as specified in itinerary
- Welcome Packet / Document Portfolio
- Daily Mass and all spiritual activities coordinated
Pricing
| Pilgrimage # |
2007 Dates TBA |
Price |
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Questions? Call (800) 715-6670
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$100.00 per person.
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