Join Father Gerald Johnson on a pilgrimage to..  

The Holy Land

 And Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus

November 10-19, 2008   $2,439 from Albuquerque

 For more information please call Elaine Varela  (505) 757 - 2149

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:

Round-trip air from Albuquerque

8 nights at first class hotels in Israel (or similar)

             Nov 11 - 12,08               Mercure Bat Yam
                 Nov 12 - 14,08               Golden Crown Nazareth
                 Nov 14 - 18,08               Regency Hotel, Jerusalem
                 Nov 18 - 19,08               Mercure Bat Yam

† Breakfast and dinner daily

† Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach

† Guided tours and admission fees

† Mass daily

† Luggage handling

† Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents

Not Included:  Lunches, Drinks with dinners, Airport tax (approx. $400-600 depending on departure city and routing, when inter-itinerary flights occur taxes can be higher). Travel Insurance optional at $129-165. Tips to your hotel staff, guide & driver ($7 per day). Items of a personal nature.

Day 1 - USA - Tel Aviv

Begin your spiritual journey as we depart for the overnight flights to Tel Aviv.

Day 2 - Tel Aviv - Mediterranean Coast

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Exit terminal at the sign marked "groups" and meet your local guide who will escort you to our hotel on the coast.  Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Galilee  Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Stella Maris, Carmelites, Cana, Nazareth, Basilica of the Annunciation

We travel via the coast to Caesarea, where the Romans held Paul prisoner.  Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins. Drive through the Carmel Mountains heading for the Galilee. In Haifa, visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery with the Madonna of Mt Carmel. Continue to Mukhraka where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal and where the Carmelite Order was started. Drive to Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle of changing water into wine; here couples may renew their wedding vows. Continue to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Day 4 - The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee: Tiberias, Boat ride, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi
Some of today's highlights are a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the synagogue and St Peter's house, a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic about 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." There will be an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy or Mt Beatitudes. In the afternoon we visit Caesarea Philippi, location of the testimony of St. Peter and where Jesus answered him "You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church."Dinner and overnight at your hotel in the Galilee.

Day 5 - Jordan River, Mt Tabor, Sepphoris

We start the day by going remembering our Baptism at the Jordan River.

Continue to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration, where we will have Mass. We proceed to Sepphoris, a regional city at the time of Jesus.  Drive down the Jordan Valley and head towards Jerusalem.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 6 - Jerusalem and Bethlehem: Mt Olives, Church of Visitation, Shepherd's Fields, Church of the Nativity

On the first day in Jerusalem we present an overview for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area. This includes 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 - Judaism, Christianity 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. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born.  Mass in Bethlehem or the Shepherds Fields.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 7 - Jerusalem, The Passion of Jesus' Last Hours: Bethany, Mt Olives, Palm Sunday, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption, Pater Noster

We begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Then onto the Mt. of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  Then to Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed His last prayer before his arrest. Visit the cave of betrayal then the cave of Assumption of Mary to heaven.  Back on the Mt of Olives we visit the Pater Noster with the Lords Prayer in many languages, and the Ascension from where ascended to Heaven.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 8 - Stations of the Cross, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, St Anne's Church, Ecce Homo, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Wailing Wall, Upper Room, Dormition

Early in the morning we retrace the last steps of Jesus.

As we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice. Finally we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass.

After breakfast at our hotel we return to the Old City of Jerusalem to visit St. Anne's Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. We pass the Ecce Homo where Pilate proclaimed "Behold the man"; then the Wailing Wall, the most holy place for Jews.  Nearby is the Dome of the Rock and the Haram al Sharif or Temple Mount.  We exit at Mt Zion. At the Cenacle we visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper. Next we go to Dormition Abbey where we believe the Blessed Mary died. We end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Him thrice.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 9 - The Wilderness: Bethany, Jericho, Mt Temptation, Dead Sea

The desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. Further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus 'walked', is Wadi Qelt gorge, site of the Monastery of St George. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. On the way back there is time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. In the afternoon, there will be time for you to revisit some of your favorite sites and time for last minute buying of gifts for your loved ones.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bat Yam.

Day 10 - Tel Aviv - USA

Today we depart from the Holy Land for on flight  the USA.

Or continue onto a post tour to Cairo - OR - Rome.

POST TOUR TO CAIRO - November 19-22, 2008

Based on minimum 20

price per person:      $700 per person in double occupancy

Additional single room fee:  $210 based on availability

Post tour includes:  Nov 19-22: 3 nights: Sonesta Cairo (5 stars), Cairo (or similar) Breakfast and dinner daily Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach Guided tours and admission fees Mass daily Egypt Visa fee of $15 (for US citizens are required to obtain visas prior to arrival, we will obtain then on border, other passports it is not our responsibility please contact Egyptian Embassy) Exit tax out of Israel at Taba $17 per person.   Luggage handling  Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents

Not Included: Lunches, Beverages with dinners, Airport Tips to your hotel staff, guide & driver ($7 per day). Items of a personal nature.

Day 10 - Jerusalem -Cross the Sinai Early morning departure from Jerusalem. Cross the Sinai, traveling ancient caravan routes across the Sinai to the base of Mt. Sinai for overnight.

Day 11 -Cross the Sinai- St Catherine - Wadj Feiran - Cairo    Visit the Monastery of Saint Catherine at the base of Mount Sinai. Trace the route of the Exodus along the eastern Sinai coast to Wadi Feiran where the Children of Israel withstood the Amalekites. Travel to Elim where the Children of Israel camped by the oasis of 70 palm trees. You final stop of the day will be Marah by the Red Sea where the "waters were bitter".

Continue to Cairo for dinner and a three night stay.

Day 12 -Cairo     Travel south to view Joseph's River and Lake, created by Joseph during the period of the seven years of famine. Visit a grain silo of the kind established under Joseph's rule to store grain during the seven years of famine. Tour the rural region of traditional Egyptian farming and stop at an old corn water mill. Travel as Abraham did to Memphis (Biblical Noph) and on to Sakkara where you will see the Step Pyramid, world's oldest stone structure.

Day 13 - Cairo - Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx Admire the ancient treasures of the Egyptian Museum.

See the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Follow the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt as you explore the Coptic Hanging Church, Copitc Museum and Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Day 14 - Cairo - USA     Depart Cairo and arrive in the USA

POST TOUR TO ROME - November 19-22, 2008

Based on minimum 20

price per person:      $800 per person in double occupancy

Additional single room fee:  $410 based on availability

Nov 19-22:  ~ 3 nights:  Hotel Cicerone or Quirinale, Rome (or similar) Breakfast and dinner daily Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach Guided tours and admission fees Papal Audience (if available) Mass daily Luggage handling Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents

Not Included: Lunches, Beverages with dinners, Airport Tips to your hotel staff, guide & driver ($7 per day). Items of a personal nature.

Day 10 - Jerusalem - Tel Aviv - Rome

Today we depart from the Holy Land for on flight to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome you will be met by your driver and transfer to the hotel where you will meet the rest of your group. Relax and settle into your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - Rome  (Papal Audience and Vatican Museum Tour)

Wake up in Eternal City, one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization and the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! It is also spiritual capital for all the Catholics around the world.   Today is truly a day we will have in our minds for many years to come.  This morning we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule).  Following the audience visit of the Vatican Museums, a group of most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Masterpiece, restored mural of the Last Judgment.  Later, enter the largest church in Christendom St Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. We will also visit the grave of Pope John Paul II located at the Vatican (time permitting). Before dinner, we'll have some time at leisure, to explore your own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.

Day 12 - Rome 

This morning we depart for a sightseeing tour with focus on "Christian Rome"   Touring we will see many  important cultural and monumental sights around Rome. Stop for a visit at three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, is the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?" the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. We will also enjoy a visit to the Trevi fountain.  Dinner and overnight for your last evening in Rome.

Day 13 - Rome -  USA  

We bid farewell to our new friends and to a pilgrimage which will be in our memories for a long time to come. Departure from Rome Airport for our return flight to the USA. We fondly say, Arrivederci Italia!

Elaine Varela   mvconst@wildblue.net   505-757-2544

Or Josie Valencia   505-757-6531

Kristin Shea, 206 Tours     800-206-8687  ext.  113  kristin@206tours.com