$6,900 (plus air)
As with all The Catholic Traveler pilgrimages, this one includes daily Mass with our own priest, my favorite local guides, excellent hotels, amazing meals in some of the best restaurants, unlimited wine with our meals, and all your tips to our local guides, our drivers, and our servers.
We are staying in some beautiful hotels. Most lunches and dinners are included (20 total, plus daily breakfast) – our meals are in some wonderful restaurants. Some of these restaurants never see tourists, only packed with locals, so you know the dining will be great.
I am the first to admit that this trip is not for everyone, but it is a chance for a once in a lifetime experience having the Holy Land to ourselves before the crowds return.
There is a huge perk to joining this pilgrimage, and that is that we will be one of the first pilgrimage groups in the country and will have the place to ourselves. I don’t know if you’ve been to the Holy Land before, but in normal times, the wait for the Star of the Nativity can be up to three hours and people are allowed, not an exaggeration, about five seconds to venerate the spot where Christ was born. This is what it looked like when I took the first post-pandemic group back in March of 2022. We were the only ones here and stayed for a couple hours.
The same goes for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. People will wait hours to venerate the Tomb of Resurrection and the place of the Crucifixion. Again, for only a few seconds. This is what it looked like when they reopened after the pandemic:
Since we were literally the only ones there, other than workers, we had as much time as we wanted at each place.
All the other places we visit should also be empty. Typically when you pull up to any of the places around the Sea of Galilee, there will be 50 – 100 tour buses. Still beautiful and a blessing to visit anytime, but having the place all to ourselves is truly life changing.
If you’ve been following the news, a truce was reached a few months ago, it’s a multi-tier truce, so not everything happened at once. Hostages are slowly being released. The people of Gaza have been returning home.
Again, this trip isn’t for everyone. But a few American groups have starting visiting. There were literally no issues.
It’s not expected at all, but if the war starts back up while we are there, some airlines could stop flying in and out of Tel Aviv. During the war, it was mostly US based airlines who stopped. Most European airlines continued (Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, etc) and El Al, which has nonstops to several US cities continued flying. No flights from Amman, Jordan were cancelled during the war in Israel.
Trip Insurance is strongly recommended. I always suggest you shop around and get what is best for you. I do know someone in the trip insurance business, so I list him as someone you can contact. I don’t get kickbacks or any benefits for referring you. But as you shop around, you can also see what he can offer. His name is Michael and here’s his email: michael@rebullock.net.
Once I receive your final payment and pay all the services in the Holy Land, it will be very difficult to get any of that back should you need to cancel.
As some of you know, when I cancelled 2023 and 2024’s pilgrimages, I had already paid everything and it took a while to get the money back. And I was only able to eventually get it all back because I’ve worked with these places for so many years. Hotels do not typically give refunds for last minute cancellations. That said, my vendors there have assured me that cancellations due to unrest will be refunded. However, I cannot guarantee that will happen, so it’s best to have your own trip insurance in case that doesn’t actually happen.
So if none of this scares you away, and you are ready to go…
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 just reopening and we will be one of the first groups back.
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 can walk up to several miles per day. Please do consider this before signing up.
Itinerary
June 16th: Arrive in Tel Aviv. Most flights will arrive TLV late in the day, so our only activity this evening is dinner. Overnight in Tel Aviv. Most people like to arrive a day earlier to enjoy the beach. I can help extend your stay, just let me know.
Sunset over the Mediterranean Sea
June 17th: Today we head north. We will stop in Caesarea and visit Mount Carmel.
Caesarea Maritima
June 18th: Next we travel to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation – we will arrive in time for the Angelus at noon and then celebrate Mass here. We will visit the spot of the first miracle in Cana and have an opportunity for marriage vow renewals. We will stop at Mount Tabor to visit the Basilica of Transfiguration. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight on the Sea of Galilee.
Here, the Word was made flesh
June 19th: This morning we will visit Cesarea Philippi. We will travel to the Golan Heights for a panoramic view of the Road to Damascus. Overnight on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner included.
You are Peter, and on this rock…
June 20th: This morning we sail across the Sea of Galilee. We will visit Capernaum and 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 before our dinner. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight on the Sea of Galilee.
The trail Jesus walked to Nazareth
June 21st: This morning we head up to Jerusalem. 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.
The Garden of Gethsemane
June 22nd: Today we visit to Ein Karem and the Church of the Visitation. Here we will also see where Saint John the Baptist was born. Next we head into Bethlehem. We will visit Shepherd’s Field, and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Nativity. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Christ was born, right here.
June 23rd: 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. After lunch, we will visit Mount Zion to visit Saint Peter in Galicantu and the Upper Room. Dinner included. Overnight in Jerusalem.
The spot of the Crucifixion
June 24th: This morning we cross into Jordan. Once crossing the border, we’ll head to Madaba to see the oldest map of the Holy Land, which is a mosaic on 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 head south to Petra. We are staying just outside the entrance to this ancient city. Lunch and dinner included.
The view of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo.
June 25th: This will be a best day ever! We will visit Petra. 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 desert camp. Lunch and dinner included.
The amazing views of Petra.
June 26th: This morning we leave the desert and head north to our five star 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. Lunch and dinner included.
The spot where Christ was Baptized.
June 27th: Today you have most of the day free to relax at our Dead Sea Resort. Dinner included.
Sunset over the Dead Sea
June 28th: Your flights home from Amman (airport code AMM).
Price
$6,900 per person – ground only.
The cost is per person, in double occupancy, meaning two people to a room.
You’re $1,000 deposit secures your space.
Final payment is due May 1st, 2025. Final payment is nonrefundable.
Traveling alone?
I match singles with other traveling singles (of the same sex, of course) and that always works out great. If you are uncomfortable sharing a room with a stranger, you can request a single room for an additional $1,700. Single rooms at this price are extremely limited. So, first come, first served.
Included in the price
Accommodations for 12 nights
We are staying one night in Tel Aviv.
We are staying three nights on the Sea of Galilee.
We are staying four nights in Jerusalem.
We are staying one night in Petra.
We are staying one night in the Wadi Rum desert.
We are staying two nights on the Dead Sea.
Breakfast daily plus 20 additional meals, including meals in some of my favorite restaurants alongside the locals.
Wine is included in all our lunches and dinners.
Wine tasting
All group ground transportation
We’ll be traveling in a private motor coach.
Full time service of a local tour guide
Excellent local guides in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.
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
Unlike most pilgrimage companies, 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.
Not Included
Your flights
You should arrive in TLV no later than June 16th. Most flights from the US will depart late on the 15th, and arrive the afternoon of the 16th. Some people like to arrive a day or two early to get over jet-lag and to enjoy the sea. If you need extra nights at the hotel, you can book that directly with them. Our only planned activities tonight are evening Mass and dinner.
Our last group activity is dinner together on the 27th. We have the hotel rooms for the night of the 27th so you can schedule your flight either for late at night on the 27th or for the 28th. Check out of the hotel is at noon on the 28th. Many flights to the US depart AMM late at night or early morning, so keep that in mind when booking.
Many airlines are offering free changes should anything happen to the trip. Most of these airlines are not offering refunds, but rather a credit.
If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, if the situation in the Holy Land changes and we need to cancel or postpone the trip, it’s your responsibility to work with your airline to cancel, reschedule, or request refunds.
If you have any questions or concerns about booking your flight, email me.
Cancellations
I want to be as flexible as possible, so I am offering full refunds if you want to cancel for any reason before May 1st. After that time, I’ll do all I can to get you back as much as I can, but I will have made all payments to the vendors, and they are not required to give me refunds. This is why it is very important for you to have Trip Insurance with a “cancel for any reason” plan.
If for any reason I need to cancel or postpone the trip, you’ll receive 100% back.
In all cases, you are responsible for working with the airline to get credit or refunds for changed or cancelled flights.
Trip insurance is a wise investment in case something comes up while you are traveling. 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.