Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Jordan

Depart London Gatwick 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 (optional), and finish in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica - the holiest place on earth for all Catholics. We celebrate Mass in the Chapel of Apparition. 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. Lunch and free for the rest of the afternoon.

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 dinner.

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; 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 dinner.

After breakfast, check-out of the hotel and travel along the Judaean desert to Mt Tabor and the basilica of Transfiguration. Taxis up the mountain. We descend and continue driving to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation viewing the Grotto where the Annunciation took place, and Mass here. We also visit the church of St Joseph’s Workshop and the Synagogue of Jesus and Mary’s Well. Leave Nazareth and proceed to Cana (where Jesus performed his miracle turning water to wine), visiting Church of the Wedding - renewal of Marriage Vows here for married couples! One can purchase Cana wine to take home with you if desired and a certificate can also be purchased ($5 each). Check in to our hotel. Evening dinner and overnight here.

After breakfast, depart hotel for sailing on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias in an ancient reproduction boat. After, we visit Capernaum - the town of Jesus. Move on to visit the Mt of the Beatitudes - where the sermon of the Mount took place; St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection, and Mass here. Proceed to Tabgha and visit the Multiplication Shrine of the Loaves and Fishes (the feeding of the 5,000). Finally, we travel to the River Jordan ‘Yardinet’ for renewal of Baptismal Vows. Note: if you require total immersion for the renewal of Baptismal Vows, a white gown must be hired for $15 at the site (you pay upon arrival).

Today we check-out early. We cross the Sheikh Hussein bridge into Jordan. Our guide will meet us at the border to assist us with entry formalities. Once in Jordan we drive to Mt Nebo, where Moses stood and saw the promised land. Here we enjoy the magnificent view overlooking the Holy Land, and Mass here. Proceed to Madaba, 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, dinner and overnight here.

After breakfast we walk to the Visitors Centre and collect tickets to enter Petra. We will witness the magnificent spectacle of temples, tombs and monuments - a truly incredible sight. Comfortable shoes are important as the surface is little rough, rocky, and dusty. Free for the rest of the afternoon to explore the Red City at your leisure and shopping. It might be possible to walk to up to St Georges Monastery (only for able pilgrims as this will take 2 hours of climbing.) Evening dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, checkout of the hotel and visit Moses Spring. Continue driving down south towards Aqaba - Jordanian port city on the Red Sea Gulf of Aqaba. Depending on the time of departure, we can visit the market/shopping mall or simply walk along the beach. Proceed to the airport for our flight to London. Note: itinerary is subject to change. E&OE.