Price: $5,400 ($4,000 for land-only)
Included: Flights from IAD to TLV and AMM to IAD, accommodations for 11 nights, 16 meals (drinks included), all tips and gratuities.
Our priest: Father Chuck McGinnis
Itinerary
June 5
Your overnight flight to TLV.
June 6
On arrival, we’ll head to Bethlehem.
June 7
This morning we will visit Shepherd’s Field, where the shepherds saw the star of the nativity. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Nativity. After lunch we’ll travel to Ein Kerem to visit the Church of the Visitation. We’ll also visit the birthplace of Saint John the Baptist. Lunch and dinner included.
June 8
Today we head north to Tiberias. On the way, we’ll stop in Caesarea and visit Mount Carmel. Then we head over to Nazareth to celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation. We’ll visit the spot of the first miracle in Cana and married couples will have a chance to renew their vows. We are staying at the lovely Sofia Hotel, right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Lunch and dinner included.
June 9
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.
June 10
This morning we will visit Banias – Cesarea Philippi – to see ruins from ancient cities and the Banias waterfall. We will travel to the Golan Heights for a panoramic view. Dinner included.
June 11
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 Qumran to see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Dinner included.
June 12
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.
June 13
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. Dinner included.
June 14th
This morning we cross into Jordan. Once crossing the boarder, we’ll head south to Petra. We are staying just outside the entrance to this ancient city at the Movenpick Hotel. Dinner included.
June 15
This will be a best day ever! We will enter Petra with our guide right as it opens. We will walk the Siq, an amazing gorge that leads to the famous Treasury. Once here, you’ll have time on your own to hike and explore. This afternoon we will head deep, deep, deep into the Wadi Rum. Our coach can only go so far, so we will hop into 4x4s to get a tour of the sand dunes and watch an otherworldly sunset. Next we will settle into our luxurious camp. We are staying at the Wadi Rum Luxury Camp. Dinner included.
June 16
This morning we leave the desert and head north to our Dead Sea resort. We are staying at the Marriott Dead Sea Resort. You’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the resort amenities and float in the Dead Sea, but first we’ll stop at Bethany Beyond the Jordan to the actual site where Jesus was Baptized. Saint John Paul II called this spot the heart of the Holy Land. Dinner included.
June 17
Today we will visit Madaba to see the oldest map of the Holy Land, which is a mosaic in a church floor. While in Madaba we’ll dine at the excellent Haret Jdodna restaurant. Then we visit Mount Nebo to see where Moses saw the Promised Land and then died. We’ll celebrate Mass here and then return to the resort for more relaxation. Dinner included.
June 18
Your flight home from AMM.
Price
$5,400 per person (or $4,000 for land-only)
$1,000 deposit secures your spot. Tour deposit is fully refundable for 14 days from the time you make your deposit.
Final payment of $4,400 is due May 1, 2020. 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 $1,200.
Included in the price
Flights
5 June
UA 72 departs IAD at 10:35 PM and arrives TLV at 4:30 PM on 6 June
18 June
LH 693 departs AMM at 3:20 AM and arrives FRA at 6:55 AM
UA 988 departs FRA at 12:20 PM and arrives IAD at 3:10 PM
Contact me to add your connection from your home city.
Accommodations for 11 nights
Bethlehem: Saint Gabriel
Tiberias: Sofia Hotel
Jerusalem: Notre Dame Center
Petra: Movenpick Hotel
Wadi Rum: Luxury Camp
Dead Sea: Marriott Dead Sea Resort
Breakfast daily plus 16 additional meals
While we are dining together in restaurants for seven 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 seven 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 tour director with you at all times.
Local guide
We will have a local guide with us throughout the trip – one in Jordan and one in Israel. Both are excellent and I organize my Holy Land visits around their availability.
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: Petra, Wadi Rum, Mount Nebo, Saint George Church in Madaba, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, 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
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. 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!
Click here to read the Terms and Conditions for this pilgrimage.
Deposit Info
You’ll be able to pay by credit card or check. Payment info will be emailed to you once you sign up.