Daily itinerary
SATURDAY, November 8, 2025 Late afternoon departure from Chicago to Tel Aviv.
SUNDAY, November 9, 2025 – Day 1 Mount Carmel – Mid-day arrival in Tel Aviv. Transfer to Mount Carmel in Haifa to visit the 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 began on this holy mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It traces its roots to 12th-century hermits living here in the tradition of Elijah—two nights in Haifa.
MONDAY, November 10, 2025 – 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 occurred! 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 Haifa.
TUESDAY – November 11, 2025 – Day 3 Muhraqa and 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 monument depicting this event—early afternoon arrival at our pilgrim guesthouse on the biblical shores of Galilee (2 nights). Afternoon tour of 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 Primacy (bestowal of the Keys).
WEDNESDAY-November 12, 2025 – (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!
THURSDAY – November 13, 2025 (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 Zacchaeus 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 Dead Sea Scrolls, were discovered by a shepherd boy in 1947. Late afternoon arrival at our guesthouse in Jerusalem.
FRIDAY – November 14, 2025 (Day 6) Ein Karem – Bethlehem – Excursion to Ein Karem (Site of Magnificat) and Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, walk through Manger Square to the Church of Nativity. Bending low as we pass through the Door of Humility, we enter and descend into the most sacred Grotto of Nativity. See the Shepherds Fields, where the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth was heard. Stop at the miraculously built Carmel, upon direction from Our Lord, by St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified, the Galilean mystic, in 1876.
SATURDAY-November 15, 2025 (Day 7) Mt. of Olives–Gethsemane–Mt. Zion Starting 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, the Cenacle (Last Supper), the Tomb of King David, and St. Peter in Gallicantu (house of Caiaphas). Pass by the Wailing Wall (a remnant of the 2nd Century temple).
SUNDAY – November 16, 2025 (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 Jesus died, was buried and miraculously rose on the third day! Visit the Church of St. Anne, home of Jesus’ maternal grandparents.
MONDAY-NOVEMBER 17, 2025 Morning departure for Tel Aviv Airport for our flight to the US.
