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.
Description
A Rosary Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the most sacred place on earth! From Mount Carmel to Cana, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, visit Old and New Testament sights where the mysteries of the Rosary have unfolded. To pray the Holy Mass in these sacred places is an unparalleled privilege! Return home with a mental photo album of the Holy Family to accompany you through life!
What is Included
Roundtrip-flights from NY or Chicago to Tel Aviv (inquire about very low add-on fares from your city).
8 nights at well-located historic and comfortable guesthouse accommodations with private bath/Breakfast & Dinner daily/ All touring as on the itinerary/entrance fees/Daily Holy Mass
Terms and Conditions
PAYMENT: A $500 deposit is required to hold a reservation. The next payment due date is determined by when your air ticket is purchased. The final payment is due six weeks prior to departure. The tour cost is based on payment by personal check or bank transfer (Zelle). Credit cards are accepted with a 3.5% surcharge.
CANCELLATION POLICY:If a written cancellation notice is received beyond 90 days before departure, a full refund less $500 applies. If a notice is received within 90 days of departure, $500 plus any funds retained by the airline, hotels, and bus companies are non-refundable.
ITINERARIES: Daily itineraries are prepared in advance and are subject to change.
BAGGAGE: Baggage regulations are subject to the airline. Usually one carry-on (plus a personal item) is permitted. Check-on luggage is normally included and may be a maximum of 50 pounds.
DOCUMENTATION: All passengers must have a government-issued valid passport. Check with the US State Department for the latest health requirements as they are subject to change. Passengers from the U.S. and other countries that are exempt from obtaining a visa to enter Israel are required to complete the ETA Israel form before arrival. The form can be accessed at: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/. We recommend submitting the form one month prior to arrival. The cost is approximately $7-$8 per person, payable by credit card at the time of submission.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Tour costs are based on double-room occupancy. Accommodation in a single room is available at a surcharge.
TRAVELERS INSURANCE RECOMMENDED: St. Olav Enterprises, LLC (DBA Sacred Heart Tours) is not responsible for loss or damage to property due to handling and/or accidents.
MEALS:The meals during the tour are usually buffet-style. We will do what we can to assist special requests on a case-by-case basis.
AIR CARRIER RESPONSIBILITY:The airlines cannot be held responsible for any act, omission, or event when passengers are not on board the plane. The airlines, as int’l. carriers, are subject to international conventions limiting their liability; the limitations of liability contained on the passenger’s airline ticket shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the passenger under the conditions stated on the ticket. The airlines are not responsible for any negligent acts and/or omissions of indepen-dent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Participants fly in economy.
RESPONSIBILITY: Sacred Heart Tours acts only as an agent for the airlines, hotels, and bus companies or owners or contractors providing accommodations, transportation, or other services and all Coupons, Exchange Orders, Receipts, Tickets & Contracts issued by the company are issued subject to any and all tariffs and terms & conditions under which any accom-modations, transportation, or any other services whatsoever are provided by such airlines, hotels or bus companies or owners or contractors, and by the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees to the following and also agrees that neither Sacred Heart Tours nor any of its affiliates or subsidiary companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any property, person or otherwise in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other services resulting, directly or indirectly, from acts of God, dangers incident to the sea, fire, machinery or equipment failure, acts of governments, or other authorities, dejure or de facto, wars (declared or undeclared), hostilities, civil disturbances, riots, strikes, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, cancellations or delays, of or changes in itinerary or schedule, or from any causes beyond the control of Sacred Heart Tours, or for any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient documents, and that neither Sacred Heart Tours nor any of its affiliated companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expense or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the foregoing causes. If illness or other imperative reason compels a member to withdraw after a tour begins, there would be little or no refund as most all of the services are prepaid. There is no refund for the absence of sightseeing or meals. Sacred Heart Tours reserves the right to require any individual to withdraw from a tour if their conduct is deemed detrimental to or incompatible with the tours interest, harmony, comfort, and welfare. The airlines, bus companies, or any transportation company whose service is employed on the tour will not be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during which passengers are not on board their conveyance. When issued, the passage contract in use by these companies shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the tour purchaser.
