Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Jordan

Depart London Luton to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport. Upon arrival coach transfer to our hotel in Bethlehem where we will stay for five nights. Evening dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast walk to Manger Square (the oldest complete church in the Christian world). We visit The Grotto inside the Nativity Church where Jesus was born, followed by a tour, viewing the wall mosaic from 12th century and the St Jerome’s tomb, the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, St Joseph’s Grotto and Mass here. Lunch. Proceed to Shepherds’ Field, visit the Grottos there and the 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 our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast coach to Jerusalem to Stephen’s Gate and walk to St Anne’s Basilica - where Our Lady was born - and the Pool of Bethesda. Proceed to the church of Ecce Homo, built on the site of the Palace of Pilate, visit Crowning with Thorns and Condemnation Chapels, followed by the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa following the route Our Lord walked on the first Good Friday. We can carry a Cross from here changing at every station, and finish in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica - the holiest place on earth for all Catholics. We celebrate Mass here. Afterwards visit Mt Calvary, the Holy Tomb of Jesus, and the Grotto of the True Cross. We will have time to pray and reflect in front of the Holy Tomb. If time allows, we stay here for little longer to pray, reflect and light candles. Our coach will take us back to the hotel. Evening dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast coach to the Old City of Jerusalem and visit the Western ‘Wailing Wall’, part of the remaining wall around the temple that was destroyed in 70 AD. This is holiest place in Judaism. Proceed to Mt Zion and visit the Upper Room (Last Supper), and the magnificent Dormition Abbey, where Our Lady was assumed to heaven. Mass in the Chapel of the Last Supper. Proceed to the church of St Peter’s in Gallicantu - a truly incredible Shrine - and see the dungeon where Jesus was imprisoned after His mock trial on Maundy Thursday night. We then drive to Ein Karem to visit the beautiful church of the Visitation and the basilica of St John the Baptist and visit the Grotto where he was born. Return to hotel and evening dinner.

After breakfast coach to Jerusalem to the summit of Mt of Olives and visit Pater Noster where Our Lord taught His Prayer - Our Father; walk further down to the church of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept when He foresaw the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem and Mass here. On the way down enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the old city with a clear view of the Golden Dome of the Rock. Arriving at the basilica of All Nations, pass the Gethsemane Garden and view the oldest olive tree from the time of Jesus. We move on to the Basilica of the Agony, where Jesus spent his last night before his arrest. We spend some time here to pray and reflect. Continue to Jericho, view Mt Temptation and Zacchaeus Sycamore tree then proceed to the Dead Sea to experience floating in the sea. Return to our hotel and evening dinner here.

Today we say goodbye to Bethlehem and after breakfast we travel north along the Judean desert to Mt Tabor to visit the basilica of the Transfiguration. Taxis up the mountain and tour here. Continue on to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, viewing the Grotto where the Annunciation took place. We have a few moments to pray and reflect in front of the Grotto. Visit Upper Basilica and view some of the magnificent artworks being displayed on the walls of Our Lady, Sponsored by countries around the world. We celebrate Mass here. Walk to St Joseph’s Workshop opposite the basilica and visit here. We also visit the Synagogue of Jesus and Mary’s Well. Leave Nazareth and proceed to Cana - the church of the wedding - where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water to wine. Renewal of Marriage Vows here. Finally, we travel to the River Jordan ‘Yardinit’ for renewal of Baptismal Vows. Return to our hotel and evening dinner here.

After breakfast, we travel along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, visiting the Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place, St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection (celebrate Mass here), followed by the Church of the Multiplication. We will have lunch nearby with the option to eat St. Peter’s Fish (fresh tilapia). Afterwards we enjoy a wonderful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee itself before driving to Capernaum - the town of Jesus - where we visit St Peter’s Church and view the remains of the ancient synagogue in which Jesus used to teach. Return to our hotel. Evening dinner at the hotel.

Today we check-out early and proceed to the Sheikh Hussain border crossing into Jordan. We go through the Israeli terminal security/immigration process ourselves (guides from Israel are not permitted). When it is completed, we board a new coach and our new guide will meet us at the Jordanian terminal to assist us with entry formalities into Jordan. Continue driving to Mt Nebo and tour here. This is the point where Moses stood and saw the promised land. Here we enjoy the magnificent view overlooking the Holy Land and we celebrate Mass here. Proceed to Madaba and visit their Church of St John where we see the 6th Century mosaic map depicting Jerusalem as the centre of the world, as well as other amazing artefacts. We continue our journey south to Petra - ‘The Red Rose City’, which is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Check-in to our hotel. We stay here for 2 nights. Evening dinner at the hotel.

Today we enjoy a spectacular guided tour of the ancient city of Petra, one of the new 7 wonders of the world. This historic archaeological site was first settled around 7000 BC, later becoming the centre of Nabatean wealth in the region due to its strategic proximity to incense trade routes. The majority of incredible tombs, monuments and building structures of Petra were built thousands of years ago by hand-carving the sandstone rock-walls. This truly unique tour includes a canyon walk through Al-Siq (the narrow gorge or shaft) leading to Petra’s most elaborate and famous structure: Al-Khazneh (The Treasury). There will be free time at the end to explore at leisure. Those able can make the 850-step hike up the Ad-Deir trail to see The Monastery and panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Note: this is an extra 2-hour hike up and down, requiring good physical fitness and comfortable shoes are essential. After our lunch we stop in Moses Spring to collect water to take home with you. We rendezvous at our hotel for evening dinner and our final night in Petra.

After breakfast we check-out the hotel and travel to Aqaba (4-hour drive). We have lunch here and free time before we head to the airport for our flight back to London.