Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2023

Depart London on flight with easyJet to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport your guide and coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Bethlehem. Evening dinner at the hotel.

Depart for Manger Square about 8am, immediately we visit the Grotto of the Nativity - where Jesus was born (to avoid long queue and huge crowds). Afterwards we tour the Basilica of the Nativity visiting St Catherine’s church, St Joseph’s Grotto and St Jerome’s Cave. Afterwards we walk to and visit the Milk Grotto - and visit the Museum of the Miracles. We will have lunch at the Square. Coach to Shepherds’ Field, visit Grottos there and Chapel above - where the angels first sang the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ on the night of the first Christmas. We sing Carols here and we have our service here. Shopping in Bethlehem before we return to our hotel.

Early departure by coach for Jerusalem and visit Wailing ‘Western Wall’ - the holiest site in Judaism - part of the remaining wall around the temple that was destroyed in 70 AD. Next visit the amazing Golden Dome of the Rock, the third holiest place in Islam, (can be viewed from the outside as non-Muslim visitors are not permitted inside). Proceed to the Basilica of St Anne’s where Mary, Mother of God, was born and the Pool of Bethesda. We then walk further down to the Basilica of Ecce Home to Pilate’s Court, Crowning with Thorns and the Condemnation Chapels followed by the Way of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, finishing inside the Holy Sepulchre Basilica. Proceed to Garden Tomb for our service. We spend some time here. Return to our hotel & dinner.

After breakfast, coach to the summit of the Mt of Olives, Jerusalem where we visit Ascension Dome, Pater Noster Grotto and Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem). We will have our service here. Afterwards we proceed to Gethsemane Garden and Basilica of All Nations and inside we view the Grotto where Jesus spent the last night with his disciples. We spend some time here to reflect and pray. Proceed to Ein Karem to see the Visitation Shrine and the Birthplace of St John the Baptist. Evening dinner and overnight.

Depart for Mt Zion to visit St Peter’s in Gallicantu - a truly incredible Shrine and see the dungeon where Jesus was imprisoned after he was arrested on Maundy Thursday night. Afterwards visit the Upper room - ‘The last Supper’ and King David’s Tomb. Proceed to Bethany and visit the church of Lazarus and we celebrate the Eucharist here. We then take our coach to Jericho and view the Mt of Temptation from across the valley and Zacchaeus’ Sycamore Tree. Proceed to the Dead Sea for the floating experience. This is our last night in Bethlehem. Evening dinner at the hotel.

We say goodbye to Bethlehem and drive along the Jordan Valley to Nazareth and here we visit the impressive Basilica of the Annunciation, viewing the Grotto where the Annunciation took place, the Upper Basilica, St Joseph’s Workshop, Synagogue of Jesus and Mary’s Well. We now drive to Cana and the Church of the Wedding - renewal of marriage Vows here. Proceed to the River Jordan for renewal of our Baptismal Vows (for total immersion, a white gown must be worn cost $15 to hire). Continue to Tiberias and check-in to our hotel. We stay here for 2 nights. Evening dinner at our hotel.

Our day begins by travelling along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, visiting the Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place and while up here, we enjoy the scenic view of the Sea of Galilee. We move on and visit St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection and where according to tradition, at Mensa Christi, Jesus served his disciples bread and fish after his resurrection. Continue on to visit the church of Multiplication followed by lunch nearby with the option to eat St. Peter’s Fish (fresh tilapia). We celebrate Eucharist here. 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. Evening dinner at the hotel.

We leave our hotel in Tiberias and drive to Mt Tabor where minibuses will drive us to the summit. We tour the Basilica of the Transfiguration and enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of the landscape. We will have our service here. If time permits before our flight, we may stop in Haifa to view Mt Carmel and the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea - Carmelite Headquarters. Arrive in Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and take our flight back to the UK.