Pilgrimage to the Holy Land – Itinerary Details

A view of Jerusalem.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS – NOVEMBER 04 – 18
TOUR TO THE HOLY LAND BY FR. DEVEREAUX AND
DEACON RANDY MATTERS

Day 1 – Sunday, Nov 04
Late afternoon flight to Tel Aviv with El-Al Israeli airline, nonstop flight. Arriving at noon Israeli time.

DAY 2 – Monday, Nov 05,
On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport we meet our English speaking guide. On route to our hotel, we will visit the ancient port village of Jaffa. An ancient port village famous for its association with the biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon and Saint Peter. We will enjoy a welcoming ceremony in the beautiful Jaffa Park and celebrate Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica. During a brief walking tour of Jaffa an opportunity will be provided to exchange currency and grab a bite to eat. We will then continue to our hotel in Tel Aviv.
Dinner and overnight in Tel Aviv

DAY 3 – Tuesday, Nov 06
After a good night rest and a delicious hotel breakfast we will embark on a half day orientation and sightseeing tour of the modern (by Israeli standards) city of Tel Aviv. We will visit the old neighbourhoods of Neve Tzedek and Neve Shalom over, each over 100 years old and where Tel Aviv began, the Fashion streets, the central Rabin Square, some of the numerous parks and the famous Carmel market. Afternoon free for leisure. MASS Our hotel is ideally situated so that you may choose to visit the nearby beach, one of Tel Aviv’s many parks, the old Tel Aviv Port district or perhaps, enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many coffee houses in the area. If shopping is your fancy be sure to walk along Dizengoff Street located several blocks from your hotel. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight
Dinner and overnight in Tel Aviv

DAY 4 – Wednesday, Nov 07
We depart Tel-Aviv today and drive north up the Mediterranean coast to the ancient Roman city of Caesarea Maritime. It was here that St. Peter baptized Cornelius and was visited several times by St. Paul who ended up being held captive by the Romans in its jail before being sent to Rome. Marvel at the ancient architecture; the coliseum, aqueducts and chariot circuit. We continue north to Mount Carmel where Elijah challenged the false gods of Baal. We will celebrate MASS on the Mount at the beautiful Carmelite monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We then continue north to the Crusader city of Accra where we will visit the old city with its bustling market place and the ancient Crusader fortress. We will continue driving north to the northern border with Lebanon. Here we will board a cable car for a short journey to Rosh Hanikra where we will board a cable car to travel down from the cliffs to the ocean below. We then travel east across the country of Israel roughly following the Jezrael Valley to the Galilean city of Tiberius.
Dinner and overnight in Tiberias

DAY 5 – Thursday, Nov 08
Today we truly begin our walk in the footsteps of Jesus. We start the day with a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. It is here that we celebrate MASS outdoors overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We then journey around the northern end of the Sea of Galilee visiting Magdala home of Mary of Magdala, Tabgha where Jesus performs the miracle of the multiplication of fish and loaves, Capernaum which is the town that Jesus lived in at the house of Simon Peter and where He worshipped in the synagogue. LUNCH (included) will be at a seaside restaurant that features St. Peter Fish. After lunch we continue our travels around the Sea of Galilee visiting the ancient villages of Bethsaida, Corazim and Yardnit where the Jordan River begins its journey to the Dead Sea and a popular spot for the renewal of Baptismal promises.
Dinner and overnight in Tiberias

DAY 6 Friday, Nov 09
We begin this day with the celebration of MASS at a Boat ride on at the fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee (a unique experience!) After Mass and some time to reflect we board our motor coach and head north through the Golan to Caesarea Philippi originally built as a city to the God Pan but later where Simon Peter endorsed Jesus as the Son of God and Jesus handed Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. We continue our Golan travels with a visit to Tel Dan (the ancient city of Dan.) Dan was one of the original twelve tribes of Israel and the Dan River is one of the three sources that form the Jordan River in this area. Our LUNCH (included) will be hosted by a family belonging to the Druze religion. We will be offered a wonderful look into life in a Druze village. After lunch we begin to make our way back by stopping at winery before heading east through the Golan to the Valley of Tears, the site of a major battle between Syria and Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur war. The valley overlooks the modern Syrian border and the beautiful Mount Hermon.
Dinner and overnight in Tiberias

DAY 7 – Saturday, Nov 10
This morning we continue our travels of the Galilee by visiting the village of Cana which, according to John’s Gospel was the place where Jesus performed His first sign in public ministry; the miracle of changing water into wine. We then continue to Nazareth – the home town of the Holy Family. We will visit the market square and Mary’s well before continuing to the Basilica of the Annunciation where we celebrate MASS in the Grotto under this magnificent church. It is here that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary asking her to bear the Christ Child and on Mary’s acceptance of God’s call, the child was conceived. Visit Nazareth village
Notice the sign under the altar that, in Latin says: “Verbum Caro Hic Factum Est” – The Word has become flesh here. We drive to Jerusalem thru the Jordan Valley. Stop at Kasar El Yahud. We will arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

DAY 8 – Sunday, Nov 11
We start another fascinating day by once again walking in the footsteps of Jesus as we trace His path from His entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and resurrection. We begin at the Mount of Olives. It is here that we walk down the same path taken by Jesus on his triumphal entry into the holy city. On the Mount we visit the place of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven which is now part of a mosque complex. We then walk down the Mount of Olives toward Gethsemane. In route we will stop at the Chapel of Dominus Flavit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We then enter the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed while his Apostles slept. We can stand at the edge of the garden and view what Jesus saw as He prayed to His Father and where He was arrested. We then travel by bus (Jesus walked in chains) to the Church of Peter in Gallicantu, better known as the House of Caiphas. It is here that Peter denies Jesus three times and the cock crows. We enter the Old City through the Lions Gate viewing the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock which stands where the second Temple once stood and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is from the Lion’s Gate that we will begin walking the Via Dolorosa (The Way of Sorrow) as we pray the Stations of the Cross, stopping at the Pilate’s Judgment Hall, also called the Antonia fortress where Pilate condemned Jesus to death. We will stop to contemplate each of the events (stations) that mark Christ’s passion as we make our way to Golgotha now contained within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We conclude the “Way of the Cross” inside the magnificent church where we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus. MASS will be celebrated at this, the most important church in Christianity. We will also visit the Upper Room where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper and the tomb of King David. Dormition Abbey,
In the evening we will return to the Old City to walk through an underground tunnel that parallels the entire length of the Western Wall. Along this tunnel we will be at the closest physical point to what was the “Holy of Holies” the place where God dwelt on earth and where the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the first temple period.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

DAY 9 – Monday, Nov 12
We make our way to visit “Genesis Land” which is situated in the heart of the Judean desert, in the land where the Patriarchs lived. A magical place, it enables visitors to experience life as it was in biblical times.
We go back to Jerusalem to the ruins of the ancient City of David. Pass through the underground tunnels through which the city was conquered and residents fled. Go down to the hidden spring where kings were crowned. Walk in illuminated darkness through the water of Hezekiah’s Tunnel, where water has flowed since the time of the prophets. Visit Davidson Center
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

DAY 10 – Tuesday, Nov 13
This morning we journey to the west of Jerusalem to the beautiful village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place of the visitation of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. We will celebrate MASS in the Church of the Visitation. We will then travel a short distance to Yad Vashem – The Holocaust Museum.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

DAY 11 – Wednesday, Nov 14
Today we have a fun day. Begin by traveling along the road between Jerusalem and Jericho to the place where it is believed that Jesus was inspired to tell the story of the Good Samaritan. We will celebrate MASS here before driving southeast along the shores of the Dead Sea to Qumran, the village where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Since we are in the area, we will stop at a resort at the Dead Sea for a fun experience of a mud bath and swim.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

DAY 12 – Thursday Nov 15
Full day New City. Visit to the Israel Museum, Jerusalem Model, Dead Sea Scrolls. MASS. Today also we will plant a tree, and help a forest in Israel grow. Your connection to Israel will be rooted deeply in the land and will last forever.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

DAY 13 – Friday, Nov 16
After breakfast we check out the hotel in Jerusalem and with our suitcases we will travel to the Church of Notre Dame for MASS which is located just outside of the Old City walls. We then walk along Jaffa Street to the Machane Yehuda market. This is the principal Jewish market in Jerusalem. You will be able to be a part of the hustle and bustle as Jewish families rush around to pick up all the foods, flowers and drinks needed for the Shabbat dinner. Be sure to sample some of the wonderful sweets and pastries, fresh vegetables and prepared foods. This is a great place to have lunch. After lunch we will walk a couple blocks over to Ben Yehuda Street with its pedestrian friendly outdoor mall. We will walk a few moments.
After that we drive to the border between Israel and the Palestinian Territories. After a simple border crossing we find ourselves in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus arriving to our hotel in Bethlehem
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

DAY 14 – Saturday, Nov 17
After breakfast We visit the Church of the Nativity, the Church of Saint Catharine and underneath it St. Jerome Chapel where we celebrate MASS. We then visit the Sheppard’s Fields and stop for LUNCH at a typical Palestinian restaurant. We will stop at a Christian store for some shopping to support our Christian brothers and sisters in this most famous village.
We will gather at our hotel for a final dinner and late check out. Transfer to airport for our midnight flight to Toronto with El Al Israeli Airlines.

Day 15 – Sunday, Nov 18
Early morning arriving at Pearson international.

PRICE AND INFORMATION ON THE TOUR:
TOUR INCLUDES:
Return flight Toronto TO Ben Gurion airport with El Al Israeli airport
4 stars hotel accommodation based on twin occupancy
Breakfast and dinner daily Kosher meals plus 2 lunches’
All entrance fees to attractions specified in the Itinerary
One lunch at a Druz family
Second lunch St. Peter fish
Boat on the sea of Galilee
Farewell dinner
English and Hebrew speaking guide
Transportation by air-conditional motor coach
TOUR PRICE IN CAD: $3999.00 per person

TOUR NOT INCLUDES:
Personal insurance
Tip to Guide and restaurants. ( 170.00 USD per person)
3.5% surcharge if paying by Credit Card
RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSIT: Deposit of 300.00 per person (refundable up to 90 days prior to departure is required at time of registration. Final payment is required Sep 16, 2018. Final payment is Non-Refundable.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Twin bedded rooms with private facilities at first class hotels. Talk of the Town travel cannot be held responsible for the service of facilities described in this itinerary.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: All passengers require a valid passport. Non Canadians may require a visa in addition to a passport. All passports must be valid at least 6 months beyond the departure date.
CANCELLATION FEE: Up to 90 days prior to departure fully refundable. Within 90 – 45 days of departure a penalty of 150.00 will apply. After final payment or 45 days and less before departure 100% non-refundable.
RESPONSIBILITY: Talk of the town travel acts only as an agent for the various companies supplying the services of this tour and shall not be liable in any way for injury, damage, loss, death, accident, delay or irregularity to any person or property.