Catholic Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
8 days / 7 nights
See the Gospel come to life by following the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land. From Galilee to Jerusalem, you will find yourself immersed in spirituality and culture. This beautiful, tried and tested itinerary promises to bring the faithful pilgrim an unforgettable experience, including a non-stop return flight from the UK to Tel Aviv airport, a touring coach and professional local guide, as well as en-suite accommodation at the 4* hotel in Tiberias and 3* Star Hotel in Bethlehem.
Tel Aviv/Bethlehem
Depart UK airport on flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport your guide and coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Bethlehem. Evening dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Bethlehem/Shepherds’ Field
After breakfast, we walk to Manger Square - the Basilica of the Nativity - to start our walking tour for today. We first visit The Grotto inside the Nativity Church where Jesus was born, followed by a visit to St Joseph’s Grotto and Franciscan Church of the Nativity and we celebrate Mass here. We have lunch in Manger Square and afterwards we walk to the Milk Grotto and visit the Museum of the Miracles. Local bus to Shepherds’ Field, visit Grottos there and visit Chapel above - where the angels first sang the ‘Gloria in Excelcis Deo’ on the night of the first Christmas. We will have a chance to do some shopping before we return to the hotel for dinner.
Bethlehem/Jerusalem (Old City)
Early departure to the Old City of Jerusalem. Proceed to the Pool of Bethesda and St Anne’s Church (the birthplace of Our Lady). We continue by visiting the site of Pilate’s Court, Churches of the Flagellation and the Crowning with Thorns, followed by the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa. Here we follow the route Our Lord walked on the first Good Friday, ending in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica - the holiest place on earth for all Christians. We celebrate Mass here and afterwards visit Mt Calvary, the Holy Tomb of Resurrection, and the Grotto of the True Cross. Free time and enjoy the atmosphere in this, the holiest place for all Catholics. Return to our hotel and evening dinner.
Jerusalem - Western Wall/Mt Zion/Ein Karem
Depart for Jerusalem and visit the Western Wall. This is the holiest site in Judaism, being the last surviving structure of the temple destroyed in 70 AD. Afterwards proceed to Mt Zion and visit the Upper Room (last supper), King David’s Tomb and the magnificent Dormition Abbey, where Our Lady was assumed to heaven. Then on to St Peter’s in Gallicantu - a truly incredible Shrine - and visit the dungeon where Jesus was imprisoned after His mock trial on Maundy Thursday night. We then travel to Ein Karem for the Visitation Shrine of Our Lady to St Elizabeth, followed by a viewing of the Basilica of St John the Baptist and the chapel where he was born. Return to our hotel and dinner.
Jerusalem/Jericho/Dead Sea
Coach to the Summit of Mt of Olives, Jerusalem; visit Ascension Dome, Pater Noster Grotto, walk to Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem), Mass here and afterwards proceed to Gethsemane Garden and Basilica (the beautiful Church of all Nations). Drive to Jericho, view Mt of Temptation and Zacchaeus’s Sycamore Tree followed by lunch in Qumran. Then on to the Dead Sea for the floating experience. Return to our hotel and dinner.
Nazareth/Cana/Mt Tabor
Leave the hotel and drive along the Jordan Valley and Proceed to Mt Tabor and take taxis up to the summit where we visit the church of Transfiguration. Drive to Cana visiting Church of the Wedding. Renewal of Marriage Vows here (married couples). A certificate can be purchased (for $5) as proof of your Renewal of Vows, where Our Lord performed his first miracle. We then travel to the imposing Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, viewing the Grotto where the Annunciation took place. We celebrate Mass in the Upper Basilica and afterwards we tour this Basilica - one of the finest churches in the Middle East. Continue on to visit St Joseph’s Workshop and the Synagogue of Jesus. Check into our hotel and evening dinner.
Tiberias/Sea of Galilee/Tabgha
After breakfast, leave the hotel for Tiberias. We sail on the Sea of Galilee. This will be one of the highlights of your pilgrimage (45 minutes ride in an ancient reproduction boat). Afterwards drive to Capernaum and tour here visiting the church of St Peter and remains of the ancient Synagogue. We also visit Mt Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place and St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection. We celebrate Mass here. Drive to the Church of the Feeding of the 5,000 and on to the River Jordan ‘Yardenit’ for renewal of Baptismal Vows. Drive back to our hotel and evening dinner.
Mt Carmel/Airport/UK
After breakfast coach to Mt Carmel (Haifa) and visit the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea - Carmelite Headquarters and visit the Cave of Prophet Elijah. We celebrate Mass here. If time permits, it may be possible to stop in Jaffa - Tel Aviv and walk along the sea shore and visit St Peter’s church. Continue our journey to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
The booking deadline at this price is 31/03/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £400 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. When booking with us we can refer you to Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, or you can buy your insurance independently.