Holy Land, Lisbon, Santarem, Fatima, Salamanca, Alba de Tormes, Avila, Burgos, Loyola, Lourdes
Ifyou desire to draw closer to Jesus of Nazareth, come, as we follow in His footsteps. Each day of your pilgrimage you will have time to renew and affirm your faith; to pray and reflect. The Scriptures will come alive as you visit Our Lord's homeland. You will be inspired by the natural beauty of the landscape, in addition to its rich historical heritage It is an encounter that has changed the lives of many pilgrims, an act of faith and prayer. Pilgrims have been traveling to the Holy Land for hundreds of years, and as part of your pilgrimage, we include many of the rich traditions that have evolved over time.
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: Round-trip air from New York (special Add-on Airfares from all US gateways) ALL AIRPORT TAXES & FUEL SURCHARGES! 16 nights at centrally located first class hotels as follows: (or similar)
~ 1 night: Dan Panorama, , Tel Aviv or Kfar Maccabiah Hotel, Ramat-Gan
~ 2 nights: Galei Kinnereth or Ron Beach Hotel, Tiberias
~ 5 nights: Notre Dame or Dan Jerusalem or Grand Court Hotel or Olive Tree, Jerusalem
~ 1 night: Marques de Pombal or Hotel Mundial, Lisbon, Portugal
~ 2 nights: Santa Maria Jardim, Fatima, Portugal
Wine with dinners Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
Free Wi-Fi on motor coach in The Holy Land Assistance of a professional local Catholic guide(s) Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary Catholic Priest available for Spiritual Direction Mass daily & Spiritual activities Luggage handling (1 piece per person) Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents
*Renew Wedding Vows in Cana - Our pilgrim couples will have a special opportunity to renew wedding vows on Day 3 during Mass
Make your way to your hometown airport where you will board your overnight flight(s) to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2 - Tel Aviv - Mediterranean Coast
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv Airport you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by your tour escort and/or driver. After a warm welcome to Israel, you will be escorted to your transportation to our hotel on the beautiful Mediterranean coast. We enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at our hotel before retiring for the evening.
Day 3 - Galilee
After a filling breakfast we travel up the coast to Caesarea. We will visit the Roman and Crusader ruins, where Paul was held prisoner by the Romans. We continue our journey into the Carmel Mountains, heading for Galilee. We stop in Haifa where we will visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery which houses the Madonna of Mt. Carmel. After time for prayer we continue on to Mukhraka where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal and where the Carmelite Order began. Our next stop is Cana, the village where Jesus performed his first miracle changing water into wine. Our pilgrim couples will have a special opportunity to renew their wedding vows during our Mass. We drive to nearby Nazareth, where we will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary's Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. We arrive in Tiberias in time for our dinner.
Day 4 - The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
Today we will focus on the ministry of Christ during his time in Galilee. We will enjoy a peaceful boat ride across the Sea of Galilee where Christ walked on water. We also visit the holy site Capernaum to see the synagogue and St. Peter's house, where Jesus would have stayed during while ministering in the area. Visit the breathtaking Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given. There will be an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy of Mt. Beatitudes. We continue on to Tabgha where we will the splendid mosaic commemorating the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter's Primacy where Peter was told "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." In the afternoon we visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus told Peter "You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church." We return to our hotel for dinner and a well earned rest.
Day 5 - Jordan River & Mt Tabor We start our day with a stop at the Jordan River where we will renew our Baptismal Vows. We will continue to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration, where we will have Mass in the beautiful small church atop the mountain. We drive down the Jordan Valley and head towards Jerusalem. We will arrive for dinner.
Day 6 - Jerusalem and Bethlehem:
We begin our time in Jerusalem with an overview of the past and current geography of the Old City, including a dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4000 years of history. From this vantage point, see much of what makes Jerusalem such a unique city to the three major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and to the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat.' In the afternoon we drive to the Shepherd's Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus and celebrate Mass. We visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which stands upon the site where Jesus was born. We have time to shop before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Day 7- Jerusalem, The Passion of Jesus' Last Hours
We begin our day with a visit to the Mt. of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Our journey takes us to Gethsemane, where we will visit the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed His last prayer before his arrest. We continue on to the Cave of Betrayal and the Cave of Assumption of Mary to Heaven. We visit Pater Noster, where the universality of the Catholic Church is evident in the tiled mosaics of the Lord's Prayer in many languages. We finish our day at the Chapel of the Ascension from where Jesus ascended to Heaven. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 8 - Stations of the Cross:
This morning we wake very early for one of the highlights of our trip. As the sun rises we retrace the last steps of Jesus on Good Friday. As we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the Old City we will pray the Stations of the Cross as we walk the same path Jesus took. We reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice as we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. We return to our hotel for breakfast before visiting St. Anne's Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. We will see the Ecce Home where Pilate proclaimed "Behold the man," the Wailing Wall (the most holy place for Jews). We exit at Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper and the Dormition Abbey where we believe the Blessed Mary died. We end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Christ three times. This afternoon you will have free time to rest or explore Jerusalem. Return to our hotel for dinner and a restful overnight.
Day 9 - The Wilderness: Bethany, Jericho, Mt Temptation, Dead Sea
We begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. As we head east of Jerusalem into the desert, you will begin to understand the rich Christian tradition of this region. As we continue on we will see the Monastery of St. George, just off the Roman road that Jesus 'walked.' As we reach the oasis town of Jericho, we visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and enjoy a splendid view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. Before returning to Jerusalem we stop at the Dead Sea where we will have time for a swim (or rather a float) in the mineral-rich waters. The Dead Sea is renowned for its healing properties and various skin products. Due to the geographic position it is warm enough to swim year round! As we return to Jerusalem, there will be time for you to revisit some of your favorite sites, finish your last minute shopping, and rest. We gather for our final dinner at our hotel.
Day 10 - Jerusalem - Lisbon
Early morning departure for Tel Aviv Airport for flights to Lisbon. Upon arrival in Lisbon you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle which will then take you on a sightseeing tour of this beautiful Portuguese city. We will visit the Cathedral, St. Jerome's Monastery, Saint Anthony's Church (the patron saint of lost objects), Belem Quarter, the Belem Tower, 25 April Bridge, and Discoveries Monument. Our drive will also take us through the Basilica of the Star, Rossio Square, Commerce Square and Marquee of Pomba Square. We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 11 - Lisbon - Santarem - Fatima
After breakfast depart for Santarem, one of the oldest cities in the world. We
will walk through its narrow streets to the Church of St. Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269 A.D. We will celebrate Mass at this holy site. We then continue on to Fatima, where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. We arrive in time for dinner and retire for a restful evening.
Day 12 - Fatima
After breakfast, we begin our day celebrating Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. After Mass we begin our tour of Fatima where we will experience the beauty of this spiritual town. We will see the Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Experience Christ's love as you walk and follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima.
Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous well. Attend the blessing of the sick and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. Time for private devotions before dinner and a restful night's sleep.
Day 13 - Fatima - Salamanca After a filling breakfast we depart towards the city of Salamanca. Salamanca is the most graceful city in Spain and for four centuries it was the seat of one of the most prestigious universities in the world. We will have a chance to see many oft he city's sights including the grand Plaza Mayor, the hub of Salmantine life; the vast Baroque church of La Clerecía; the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), named after the rows of carved scallop shells symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago which decorate its façade; the University; the cathedrals; the Roman Bridge; San Marcos and San Martin churchesBridge; San Marcos and San Martin churches, and more. We will enjoy a delicious dinner in a local restaurant before continuing to our hotel for a restful overnight.
Day 14 - Salamanca - Alba de Tormes - Ávila - Burgos After breakfast, we will depart to the quaint village of Alba de Tormes. Here we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery, where Saint Teresa died in 1582 A.D. and is buried. In the little museum of the Carmelite Monastery we will be able to see the incorrupt heart and left arm of the St. Teresa. We enjoy free time for lunch before we continue our journey to Ávila. Two things distinguish Ávila; the perfectly preserved eleventhcentury walls which surround the old town, and the mystic writer Santa Teresa, who was born here and whose shrines are a must see for all Catholic pilgrims! Ávila's atmosphere has changed very little since the days of Santa Teresa, the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church, to whom the city is dedicated. During our tour of Ávila we will see the Cathedral and San Vicente church. We will visit the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. We also visit La Santa Monastery, built on the site of the house where she was born, and San José Convent, the first monastery founded by the Saint. After walking in the footsteps of St. Teresa we depart for Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. After dinner you will have free time to explore Burgos, and admire the magnificent limestone Cathedral.
Day 15 - Burgos - Loyola - Lourdes After breakfast, we depart Burgos for Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius. We will visit his family home which is behind the sanctuary. We will have time to pray at the most venerated room where Ignatius at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding at the Battle of Pamplona. After free time for lunch we motor through the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled in the mountains stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. We arrive in time for dinner at our hotel before retiring for a restful night's sleep.
Day 16 & 17 - Lourdes During the next two days in Lourdes you will have time to pray with your fellow pilgrims from around the world.
During your trip you will have an opportunity to:
Attend Mass at the Grotto, watch a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette.
See Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born, and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived.
Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths.
Experience Christ's love as you walk the lifesized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto.
Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception."
Evenings are free for optional Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner. Your role in the universal church will have new meaning as you join the candlelight procession and group rosary. (candle light procession and group rosary April through October only).
Day 18 - Lourdes - USA Early morning transfer back to Toulouse, Pau or Lourdes airport for your return flights to the United States. During the course of your flights lunch and a snack will be served onboard.
Note:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication of the tour, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.
We will have daily Mass and strive to be in places as indicated. However, sometimes this is not possible as the site may not be available for Mass or itinerary changes are forced upon us. In this case an alternative site for Mass will be arranged.
Our intention is to operate all Pilgrimages to Israel, as listed below, however, from time to time, due to the state of affairs in the area, departure may be cancelled, in which case, all money would be refunded.
Any questions? Call 800-206-TOUR (8687) or Email Us Why travel with 206 Tours? Click here to read letters from our clients
Travel Dates
Land Only (no airfare)
*Air & Land
# of Pilgrims
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