Day 1 – May 3

Afternoon departure on a direct Air Canada flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv.

Day 2 – May 4

Morning arrival in Tel Aviv. Upon meeting our guide we embark on a panoramic tour of Jaffa and are transferred to our hotel in Galilee. Time for rest, Mass, dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – May 5

After breakfast we depart for Tiberias. We travel by boat on the Sea of Galilee, visit Capernaum, home of St. Peter and the site of Jesus’ preaching, on to Tabgha to see the Church of the Multiplication with its beautiful 5th century fish mosaic. We also visit the Church of the Primacy and celebrate Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes. Continue to Cesarea Philippi, where Jesus revealed to His disciples for the first time that He was indeed Messiah. On our way back to the hotel we stop at the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – May 6

This morning we start our tour in Cana – the site of Jesus’ first miracle. Here we celebrate a marriage renewal ceremony. We move on to Nazareth where we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation and we visit Mary’s Well and St. Joseph’s Carpentry Shop. In the afternoon we ascend Mount Tabor – the Mount of the Transfiguration. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 – May 7

Today we depart Galilee for Judea and the area of Jerusalem. En route we visit Haifa and Mt. Carmel, the “burning place” where Elijah called fire down to confound the prophets of Baal. Here we celebrate Mass. We continue via Caesarea by the Sea to Judea for our dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – May 8

Today’s journey takes us to the ancient city of Jerusalem: St. Ann’s Church, Pool of Bethesda, Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo, the convent of the sisters of Zion. We continue with the Stations of the Cross – Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre. Mass will be celebrated in one of the many churches of Jerusalem. In the afternoon we visit the Western Wall, also called the “Wailing Wall”. We see the place of the Mosque of Omar and El Aksar before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight. .

Day 7 – May 9

We continue our tour of sacred places in Jerusalem. We visit the Mount of Olives: the Church of all Nations, the Church of Maria Magdalene, Dominus Flevit Church, Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, Mary’s Tomb, Church of the Pater Noster. We continue to the village of Bethany with the tomb of Lazarus (time permitting). In the afternoon we visit Mount Zion with the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper) and the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – May 10

Today we visit Bethlehem – where Jesus was born, celebrating Christmas Mass in one of the grottos. We visit the Manger, Crusaders’ Cloister, the Grotto of St. Jerome – Shepherd’s field and Milk Grotto. Afternoon visit to Ein Karem, the town of St. John the Baptist and some free time for last minute shopping. Transfer to Jericho for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 – May 11

This morning we visit the town of Jericho and leave for an excursion to Jericho, Masada, the Dead Sea, Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Time for swimming before our return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10 – May 12

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport in Tel Aviv for a direct Air Canada flight to Toronto. Evening arrival.