Daily itinerary
SUNDAY – May 7, 2023 – Late evening departure from Chicago O’Hare Airport on a non-stop flight to Frankfurt.
MONDAY – May 8 (Day 1)– Afternoon arrival in Frankfurt and transfer onto a flight to Israel. Evening arrival in Tel Aviv where a motorcoach awaits us to take us to Mount Carmel in Haifa for two nights at a 9th Century monastery, built over the Prophet Elijah’s cave; also known as the Cave of Madonna. There is a belief that the Holy Family found shelter here on their return from Egypt. The Carmelite Order takes its name from this holy mountain, overlooking the Meditteranean Sea, and traces its roots back to 12th Century hermits living here in the tradition of Elijah.
TUESDAY – May 9 (Day 2) Cana, Nazareth & Mount Tabor – A day excursion to Cana (Church of the 1st Miracle of Jesus) and Nazareth where the great mystery of the Incarnation took place! In Nazareth visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Grotto of the Incarnation, and St. Joseph’s Workshop. Continuing to Mount Tabor, rising high above the Jezreel Valley, visit the site of the Great Transfiguration. Late afternoon return to Mount Carmel.
WEDNESDAY – May 10 (Day 3) Muhraqa, Sea of Galilee – Morning check-out and departure for the Sea of Galilee with a stop at the Carmel of Muhraqa, overlooking the ancient valley of Megiddo (Biblical Armageddon), where Elijah confronted the 450 priests of Baal and implored the Jews to repent and follow the one true God. See a statue commemorating this event. Early afternoon arrival at our pilgrim guesthouse on the biblical shores of the Sea of Galilee, set amongst olive groves and a bamboo plantation. Afternoon visit to Capernaum (one of the first meeting places of the Christians at the heart of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee), Tabgha (Church of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes), and St. Peter’s Primacy (bestowal of the Keys to St. Peter).
THURSDAY – May 11 (Day 4) Boat ride – Mt of Beatitudes – Ibillin
Today, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in the tradition of the Apostles. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Our Lord gave His “Sermon on the Mount”. Travel to Ibillin to visit the Daod courtyard, the birthplace of St. Mary of Jesus Crucified (Mariam Baouardy), a pearl of Palestine! Overnight along the Galilee.
FRIDAY – May 12 (Day 5) Jordan River-Qumran-Jericho-Jerusalem
Morning check-out and departure for Jerusalem, traveling south along the West Bank of the Jordan River to the Dead Sea (Sea of Salt), the lowest point on earth, surrounded by the striking panorama of the Negev Desert. Stop at the baptismal site of Jesus on the Jordan River. Visit Jericho, set in the plains below the Mount of Temptation; the oldest inhabited city in the world, dating from 8000 BC. See the sycamore tree that Zachaeus climbed to get a closer look at Our Lord. Visit Qumran Nat’l. Park where ancient Biblical manuscripts (dating back to the 3rd Century BC), now called the Dead Sea Scrolls, were discovered by a shepherd boy in 1947. Late afternoon arrival at our guesthouse in Jerusalem overlooking the Old City (20 minutes walk to Holy Sepulcher), close to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, and the tomb of Our Lady.
SATURDAY – May 13 (Day 6) Ein Karem – Bethlehem – Excursion to
Ein Karem (Site of Magnificat) and Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Infant Saviour, Jesus Christ! In Bethlehem, walk through Manger Square to the Church of Nativity. Bending low as we pass through the Door of Humility, we enter in and descend into the most sacred Grotto of Nativity. See the Shepherds Fields where the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth was first made. Stop at the miraculously built Carmel, upon direction from Our Lord, by St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified, the Galilean mystic, in 1876.
SUNDAY – May 14 (Day 7) Mt. of Olives–Gethsemane–Mt. Zion Start-ing at the top of the Mount of Olives, visit Pater Noster Church (Our Father) & Ascension Chapel before walking the Palm Sunday Route, passing Dominus Flevit, to finally arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane & Church of All Nations. Travel to Mt. Zion to visit the Dormition Church, the Cenacle (Last Supper), the Tomb of King David, and St. Peter in Gallicantu(house of Caiaphas). Also, visit the Wailing Wall (a remnant of the 2nd Century temple).
MONDAY – May 15 (Day 8) Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulcher – St. Anne
A day to make the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the hill of Calvary where our beloved Jesus was crucified, buried, and miraculously rose on the third day! Visit the Church of St. Anne; home of Jesus’ maternal grandparents.
TUESDAY – May 16 Return Home
Early morning check-out and departure for Tel Aviv Airport for our flight to Zurich and Chicago. Mid-day arrival at Chicago O’Hare Airport.
