Price: $4,600
Included: Flights between GRR/TLV/GRR, accommodations for seven nights, nine meals – some in my favorite restaurants (drinks included in restaurant meals), all tips and gratuities.
Our priest: Father Christopher Derda
Itinerary
Friday, March 8th
Your overnight flight to Tel Aviv.
Saturday, March 9th
On arrival we’ll head straight up to Tiberias. We are staying at the Rimonim Galei Kinnereth, right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner included.
Primacy of Peter – Sea of Galilee
Sunday, March 10th
We begin our pilgrimage with Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Next we’ll visit the spot of the first miracle in Cana. Married couples will have a chance to renew their vows here. We will also stop in Caesarea and visit Mount Carmel. Dinner included.
Where the word became flesh.
Monday, March 11th
Today we sail across the Sea of Galilee. We will visit Capernaum and celebrate Mass in the church built over Peter’s home. Next we will visit the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. From here we will go to Tabgha where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes. We’ll take a short hike down a trail Jesus walked and visit the town of Magdala. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Tiberias. Lunch and dinner included.
Valley of the Doves
Tuesday, March 12th
This morning we head up to Jerusalem. We will stop first at Mount Tabor to celebrate Mass in the Basilica of Transfiguration. We will continue on to Bethlehem to visit Shepherd’s Field and then the Church of the Nativity. Overnight in Jerusalem. We are staying at Notre Dame Center, located just across the street from the Old City. Lunch and dinner included.
Where Christ was born
Wednesday, March 13th
Today we visit the Mount of Olives, including Ascension Chapel and Pater Noster. We will walk Palm Sunday Road to Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, then continue into the Garden of Gethsemane. We will visit the Church of Agony, the Grotto of Gethsemane, and the empty tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After lunch, we will go to Mount Zion to visit Saint Peter in Galicantu, Dormition Abbey, the Upper Room, and King David’s Tomb. Dinner included.
The Garden of Gethsemane
Thursday, March 14th
This morning we’ll travel to Ein Kerem to celebrate Mass in the Church of the Visitation. We’ll also visit the birthplace of Saint John the Baptist. After lunch we will visit the Jordan River to be near the Baptismal site of Christ. We will end the day with a relaxing float in the Dead Sea. Dinner included.
The Jordan River
Friday, March 15th
We will begin with an early morning walk along the Via Dolorosa, ending with Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After breakfast we will visit the Church of Saint Ann and the Pools of Bethesda. Then it’s over to Ecce homo and Judgment hall, where Jesus stood before Pontus Pilate. This afternoon we will make a visit to the Western Wall. Dinner included.
Mass in the Holy Sepulcher
Saturday, March 16th
Your flight home.
Price
$4,600 per person
$1,000 deposit secures your spot. Tour deposit is fully refundable for 14 days from the time you make your deposit.
Final payment of $3,600 is due January 21st, 2019. Final payment is nonrefundable.
This cost is for double occupancy. Traveling alone? No problem! You’ll have a chance to ‘meet’ the other solo travelers before the trip and pick a roommate. This usually works out well. If you really prefer to have your own single room, there is a single supplement of $900.
Included in the price
Flights from GRR to TLV to GRR
MARCH 8th
United 4155 departs GRR at 4:25 PM and arrives EWR at 6:26 PM
United 90 departs EWR at 11:05 PM and arrives TLV at 4:20 PM on March 9th
MARCH 15th
United 91 departs TLV at 10:10 PM and arrives EWR at 4:30AM on March 16th
MARCH 16th
United 977 departs EWR at 7:30 AM ORD at 9:01 AM
United 4755 departs ORD at 11:30 AM and arrives GRR at 1:23 PM
Accommodations for 7 nights
Tiberias: Rimonim Galei Kinnereth
Jerusalem: Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
Breakfast daily plus 9 additional meals
While we are dining together in restaurants for some of our meals, you will have a few dinners on your own. Some people choose to go out, others choose to stay at the hotel. For those wanting to stay in, the hotel buffet is available at no extra charge. Drinks, even wine and beer, are included in our restaurant meals. Drinks in the hotel dining room are not included.
All group ground transportation
We’ll be traveling in a private motor coach.
Full time service of a tour director
Visiting new countries can be intimidating! That’s why you will have an experienced Catholic American tour director (me!) with you at all times.
Local guide
We will have a local Catholic guide with us throughout the trip.
No hidden costs
If we do it as a group, it’s included in the price! You are responsible only for the meals you have on your own, souvenirs you wish to buy, and anything you want to do in your free time. Tips, gratuities, drinks with restaurant meals? Already included!
Guaranteed price
Once I receive your deposit, your tour price will not go up!
All tips and gratuities for group meals, guides, and drivers
Would you believe that many tour companies require you to tip as you go? Not only does that add to the advertised sticker price of a tour, it’s also a huge hassle to you! No need to worry about that here. Tips are already included and we take care of that behind the scenes.
Entry fees and tours
All entry fees and tours to our included group activities, including: Jerusalem Churches (Ascension, Pater Noster, Ecce Homo, Saint Peter in Galicantu, Saint Ann’s Church), boat across the Sea of Galilee, Mount Tabor, Capernaum, Baptismal site of Jesus.
Social planning
Plan your trip with your traveling companions before you leave! We set up private Facebook groups for each tour to give you a chance to meet before you meet!
You time
We have a lot planned, but time on your own is important. We take our time in churches to give you the opportunity for prayer and reflection. We also include free time for you to explore, shop and relax on your own.
Is this trip for you?
You should be in good physical shape.
We will do a lot of walking, much of it outside, and much of it on uneven ground. We average around 5 miles per day. Please do consider this before signing up.
You need to be able to carry your own luggage.
You are responsible for your luggage and getting it from the plane to the bus and the bus to your hotel rooms. I will provide a thorough packing list to help you pack lightly and efficiently.
You must be flexible.
This is the Holy Land, things may close without notice, a protest could spring up without warning. But, it’s not all negative, great things come up unexpectedly as well. Being flexible is the key for happy travels!
Sign up
THIS PILGRIMAGE IS SOLD OUT
Use the form below to sign up for this pilgrimage. If you have any questions, you can email or call 404.330.9913.
Optional Trip Insurance
If you think there is any chance you may need to cancel, I recommend you purchase travel insurance. Many people go through InsureMyTrip.com. A Cancel for Any Reason plan will let you, well, cancel for ‘most’ any reason. Most plans should allow for at least a 75% refund should you need to cancel at any time before departure. Please review all your options to be sure the plan you pick is best for you.
Terms and Conditions
What you are getting by signing up, how much walking you will be doing, what happens if something changes in the itinerary, making your final payment, how we can send you home if you misbehave… and more!
Be sure to read everything carefully.
Deposit Info
You’ll be able to pay by credit card or check. Payment info will be emailed to you once you sign up.