$4,300 (plus air)
The Holy Land is currently open without any COVID restrictions.
As with all The Catholic Traveler pilgrimages, this one includes daily Mass, my favorite local guide, excellent hotels, amazing meals in some of the best restaurants, wine with meals, and all your tips to our local guide, our driver, and our servers.
We are staying in some beautiful hotels, all but two lunches are included – most meals are outside the hotel in some wonderful restaurants.
Is this pilgrimage trip for you?
You need to be flexible.
This pilgrimage is not for grumpy people or those unable to be joyfully flexible. The Holy Land is fully back to normal, but the world is still a bit uncertain. While I don’t expect any complications, we have be able to adjust our plans if needed.
So if you are easy-going and excited to travel, even with some uncertainties mixed in, this could be the 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.
Itinerary
October 18th: Your overnight flight from ATL to TLV.
October 19th: Arrive TLV and transfer to our hotel in Galilee. Dinner included.
October 20th: We begin our pilgrimage with a visit to Caesarea, Haifa, and Carmel. This afternoon we travel to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and celebrate Mass here. We will view the Jezreel Valley from Mount Precipice. Next we’ll visit the spot of the first miracle in Cana and have an opportunity for marriage vow renewals. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight on the Sea of Galilee.
October 21st: This morning we sail across the Sea of Galilee. Next we travel to Caesarea Philippi to the spot where Christ said “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Lunch and dinner included. Overnight on the Sea of Galilee.
October 22nd: Today we visit Capernaum and visit the church built over Peter’s mother-in-law’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. This evening we will have a wine tasting at a Galilean winery. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight on the Sea of Galilee.
October 23rd: This morning we travel to Bethlehem. We will stop first at Mount Tabor for Mass at the Basilica of Transfiguration. We will then stop in Jericho, the oldest city in the world, for lunch. We will visit the Jordan River and have a chance to renew our baptismal vows. When we arrive in Bethlehem, we will do some shopping to support the local Palestinian Christians. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Bethlehem.
October 24th: This morning we will visit Shepherd’s Field, and then celebrate Mass at the Church of the Nativity. Then we head up to Jerusalem. We will stop in Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation and birthplace of Saint John the Baptist. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Jerusalem.
October 25th: We will visit the Mount of Olives. 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. This afternoon we will attend a cooking class with a famous Jerusalem chef. After lunch we will visit Mount Zion to visit Saint Peter in Galicantu, Dormition Abbey, the Upper Room, and King David’s Tomb. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Jerusalem.
October 26th: We will begin with an early morning walk along the Via Dolorosa, ending with Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 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. We will visit the Western Wall and then have the remainder for the day free to explore the Old City. Dinner included. Overnight in Jerusalem.
October 27th:
Today we will drive to Masada to visit the fortress built by King Herod. We will stop in Qumran to see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This afternoon we will float in the Dead Sea. We will have a great dinner tonight with views over the Old City. Lunch and dinner included.
October 28th: Flights home.
Price
$4,300 per person – ground only.
The cost is per person, in double occupancy, meaning two people to a room.
Your $1,000 per person deposit secures your space. Deposit is fully refundable for two weeks.
Final payment of $3,300 is due September 1st, 2023. Final payment is nonrefundable.
Traveling alone?
I try to match singles with other traveling singles (of the same sex, of course) and that usually works out great. If you are uncomfortable sharing a room with a stranger, you can request a single room for an additional $1,900. If I am unable to match you with another single, you are responsible for paying the single supplement.
Included in the price
Accommodations for 9 nights
We are staying four nights right by the Sea of Galilee.
We are staying one night in Bethlehem, just a short walk to the Church of the Nativity.
We are staying four nights in Jerusalem, right by the gate to the Old City.
Breakfast daily plus 16 additional meals, including 11 meals in some of my favorite restaurants.
Drinks, including wine, are included in all our lunches and dinners.
Winery visit and tasting
Cooking class
All group ground transportation
We’ll be traveling in a private motor coach.
Full time service of a local tour guide
My local guide Shafik will be with us throughout the pilgrimage.
Full time service of a tour director
I’ll be with you at all times.
No hidden costs
If we do it as a group, it’s included in the price! You are responsible only for things you do on your own, souvenirs you wish to buy, and Mass donations directly to the churches.
Guaranteed price
Once I receive your deposit, your tour price will not go up!
All tips 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.
Entry fees and tours
All entry fees and tours to our included group activities.
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, relax, even get tattoos on your own.
Entry & Exit Requirements
All COVID related entry and exit requirements have been dropped for travel to and from Israel.
Vaccinations
There are no vaccination requirements.
Masks
There are no mask requirements in Israel.
Openings and Closings
Everything in the Holy Land is currently open, except Domination Abbey, which is undergoing restoration. But keep in mind that things can change. Again, we need to be flexible. If something unexpectedly closes, we will look for a good alternative.
Cancellations
I want you to feel comfortable signing up for my pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
If Israel changes their requirements for entry, and you decide that doesn’t work for you, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.
If you need to cancel for any reason at all up to 90 days before the start of the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.
If you need to cancel for any reason at all within 90 days of departure, you’ll get everything back minus the deposit.
Trip insurance is still a wise investment in case something comes up while you are in the Holy Land. 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. I have a friend who specializes in trip insurance, you can contact him directly, but you are under no obligation to use him and I don’t get any sort of kick backs, so shop around and find what is best for you.
Sign up
Use the form below to sign up for this pilgrimage. If you have any questions, email me at mtn@thecatholictraveler.com
Deposit Info
You’ll be able to pay by credit card or check. Payment info will be emailed to you once you sign up.