Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight to Israel. Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the Arrival’s Hall, where your tour guide or driver will greet you. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv to check in. Enjoy dinner at the hotel before retiring for the evening.

This morning you will depart Tel Aviv to Caesarea Maritima, located on the shores of the Mediterranean. Built by Herod the Great, Caesarea was where St. Peter baptized the first gentile convert, Cornelius (Acts 10). You will see the Roman theatre, Herod’s Palace, view the Hippodrome, and the harbor from which St. Paul sailed on his journeys to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the ancient world. Continue to Nazareth to visit the museum and archaeological Garden, which contain remains of Nazareth at the time of Christ. Visit the museum and archaeological Garden where we can see the remains of Nazareth at the time of Christ, as well as St. Joseph’s workshop – which is now known as St. Joseph’s Church. Within the Church of the Annunciation, you will make your way down to the Grotto to see the remains of the house of the Blessed Mother and where the Angel of the Lord announced the good news to Mary. From here, we will drive to Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine at His mother’s request. We will celebrate Mass here at the Wedding Church, and married couples will have the chance to renew their wedding vows. From there, we continue to our hotel by the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.

This morning we will take a boat ride on the beautiful Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1). Then we visit Capernaum, the fishing town where Jesus lived and launched His ministry to change our lives and the world. In Capernaum, we see the Synagogue where Jesus taught (Mark 1:21-29) and gave the Sermon on the Bread of Life. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49). Then to Tabgha, where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:10-17). Nearby is St. Peter’s Primacy, where Peter confirmed his Love of Jesus (John 21), and it was in this place that Jesus anointed Peter to lead His Church and became the first Pope. (John 21:9). Continue visiting Mary Magdalene’s birthplace in Magdala. During the time of Jesus, this village was a prosperous fishing village that exported fish and garum, a fish sauce reduction popular in Roman cooking. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, drive to the site of the Transfiguration, Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:1-50). You will have time to reflect on Christ’s Divinity at this site. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration and then continue south towards the Jordan Valley, to the world’s oldest inhabited city (Jericho (Joshua 6:12-25). In Jericho, you view the exact location, the Mount of Temptation, where the Devil tempted Jesus during his forty-day fast (Luke 4:1). Drive up to Jerusalem to check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we go to the village of Ein Karem to visit the Church of St John the Baptist, which marks his birthplace (Luke 1.5). Nearby is the Church of Visitation that commemorates the visit of our Blessed Mother to her cousin, Elizabeth, who stayed with her for three months (Luke 1.39). Many people pray the Mysteries of the Rosary as they walk up the hill to the Church. Later drive to Bethlehem to visit the fields where the Angel appeared to the shepherds to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:8). We enter the caves where shepherds took shelter in ancient times and see the soot marks of the fires they lit to keep warm. Continue to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. We enter the Church through the door of humility and proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity, which marks the place of Our Saviour’s birth (Matthew 2:1-18). Beneath the altar is a silver star and a Latin inscription that states: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here, Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Following Mass in Bethlehem, return to the hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Drive through the Judean wilderness, the site where Jesus spent His 40 days of fasting. We head to the Jordan River for some time to reflect on the Baptism of Christ (Matthew 3:13-17). In the afternoon, we will visit the Essene site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in Qumran. (Ezekiel 47:8-10). These writings have helped further the understanding of the Jewish background of Christianity. Before returning to Jerusalem, there is also time to swim or float on the Dead Sea, the lowest and saltiest place on Earth.

We start the day on the Mount of Olives with a breath-taking panoramic view of Jerusalem. Visit the Pater Noster Shrine where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Pater Noster) (Luke 11:1-4). Then we walk down the Palm Sunday Road, which reminds us of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Along this route there stands Dominus Flevit which marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Continue down to Gethsemane; it was here that Jesus brought His disciples to pray the night before He was crucified (Luke 22:29-53). The Garden still contains trees with roots that date back to the time of Jesus. Next to the garden is the Church of All Nations, built over the “Rock of Agony”, where Jesus prayed alone before His arrest. From Gethsemane Jesus was taken to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas on Mt. Zion, where we see the dungeons in which He was imprisoned. Also at this place, marked by the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, is where Peter denied Christ three times and wept bitterly (John 18:15-18), repented and was forgiven. On the upper part of Mt Zion, we visit the Upper Room, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, (Matthew 26:17-30).

Very early this morning we will walk together in prayerful procession along the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross). We start at the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-19:16) and receives His cross. We end at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which marks the place of the Crucifixion & the Resurrection, (Luke 23:26-33). After Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher we return to the hotel for breakfast. Later we revisit the Old City to see the Church of St. Anne’s, the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Nearby is the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man (John 5:1-9). End the day with a visit the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Jewish Temple destroyed in 70 A.D.

After an early breakfast, we will fly to Prague. On the flight you will have the chance to reflect on the cultural and holy cities that await you.

As you touch down in the ancient city of Prague, you embrace the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of saints and gather the fruits of our faith. Upon collecting your luggage, you are greeted by our local guide who offers a welcome to this beautiful city. As you are transferred to our hotel, you immerse ourselves in the city’s rich history and striking architecture, a testament to the enduring Catholic faith that has permeated this region for centuries. Free time to explore the charming cobblestone streets of Prague, acquainting ourselves with its unique character. In the evening, you assemble for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Your pilgrimage continues in earnest after breakfast as you visit the Church of Our Lady Victorious, the sanctuary of the esteemed Infant Jesus of Prague. This 16th-century image of the Infant Jesus, holding the symbols of Christ’s dominion over the earth, becomes the focal point of our morning prayer and reflection. After a reverent Mass, you embark on a walking tour through Old Town Prague. As you traverse the Royal Route towards the Old Town Square, you witness a rich tapestry of architectural and spiritual history. In the Castle District, you take time to visit and pray at St. Nicholas Church, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica, Loreto Church, and Strahov Monastery – all living testimonies of the robust Catholic heritage of the region. The Charles Bridge, adorned with baroque statues of saints, offers us a serene moment to appreciate the beauty of the Vltava River and Prague Castle. Our day culminates with the viewing of the Astronomical Clock and a walk-through Wenceslas Square, named after the patron saint of Bohemia, St. Wenceslas. As you retire to your hotel for dinner and rest, you reflect on our shared experiences and the grace you’ve received through this day of pilgrimage.

Today, after breakfast, you journey from Prague to Altotting, a city that serves as a beacon of faith and pilgrimage in Germany. Here, you celebrate Mass in the Chapel of Mercy, housing a revered 13th-century statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. you take time to reflect on the miraculous cures attributed to her intercession, reinforcing our own faith in the power of prayer. Our visit also includes time at the Basilica, the Panorama of the Crucifixion, and St. Konrad’s Monastery, further immersing us in the rich tapestry of Catholic devotion present in Altotting. As you continue our journey to Salzburg, the birthplace of the renowned composer Mozart, you marvel at the majestic views of the Eastern Alps and anticipate exploring the city’s Baroque splendor. You conclude the day with some free time to unwind before gathering for dinner and resting in anticipation of the experiences that await us in Salzburg.

Our day in Salzburg starts with a nourishing breakfast, after which you attend Mass at the ancient St. Peter’s Abbey, a spiritual center that has served the faithful for over a millennium. Following Mass, you immerse ourselves in the city’s history with a walking tour of the heart of Salzburg. Narrow streets and secluded passageways whisper tales of its medieval roots, while the grandeur of the Archbishop’s Residence at Dom Platz speaks to the Catholic Church’s enduring influence. The gardens of Mirabell Palace, a setting made famous by “The Sound of Music,” offer a tranquil space for prayer and reflection. The grandeur of the Romanesque Cathedral and the serenity of the Nonnberg Convent of Benedictine nuns further inspire our faith. Mozart’s birthplace beckons us with its cultural significance, and the gardens and hidden trick fountains of Hellbrunn Palace provide a delightfully unexpected close to our day. As you gather for dinner, you share our experiences, impressions, and the ways in which our journey is touching our hearts.

As you depart from Salzburg after breakfast, you will traverse the Austrian mountains towards Mariazell, a revered pilgrimage site. You will visit the Mariazell Basilica, also known as the Basilica of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, housing the miraculous statue associated with the foundation of a monastic cell in 1157. You will continue on to Melk, known for the imposing baroque Melk Abbey. Overlooking the Danube River, the Abbey is the final resting place of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and members of the House of Babenberg, Austria’s first ruling dynasty. After time to explore and reflect in Melk, you journey on to Vienna, the capital of Austria, where you share a meal and prepare for the next leg of our journey.

Our day begins with breakfast and a tour of Vienna, home to great composers like Johann Strauss and Mozart. Our visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a symbol of Vienna and a significant Gothic structure, allows us to witness the miraculous image of Our Lady of Mariapoch. you tour the cathedral, with (time permitting) the brave among us climbing the 343 steps to the top of the spire. Our journey continues to the Schonbrunn Royal palace, a summer residence with a Hall of Mirrors where a young Mozart performed. The palace’s inclusion in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites further testifies to its significance. Our day concludes with a visit to the Belvedere Palace, Karlsplatz and its Church of St. Charles Borromeo, and Otto Wagner’s Stadtbahn pavilions. Amidst our explorations, you will pause for a coffee break to savor famous Viennese pastries like the Sacher cake. As you return to our hotel, you will share dinner and reflections on the day’s experiences.

After breakfast, you will depart from Vienna and make your way to Budapest, stopping enroute at the Pannonhalma Abbey. Located atop St. Martin Hill, the Abbey is steeped in religious and historical importance, having welcomed Pope John Paul II for its 1000th anniversary. You will visit the Marian sanctuary of Our Lady of Remete – the site of a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary – and recall how Pope John Paul II kneeled and prayed here in 1991. After these spiritual encounters, you will continue to Budapest, a city of breathtaking architecture and mesmerizing views, and spend the evening exploring the Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion in the heart of Buda’s Castle District. The day concludes with a shared meal and a restful overnight, providing you with time to contemplate the divine experiences of the day.

Our final full day of pilgrimage begins with a morning Mass at the 13th-century Cathedral of St. Matthew. Subsequently, you will venture into the historic heart of Budapest, taking in panoramic vistas from the Citadel on Mount Gellert, the Royal Castle, the Parliament, and Heroes’ Square. As you visit the Church of St. Stephen and the Fisherman’s Bastion, you will be reminded of the seven Magyar tribes who first settled here in 895. The city of Budapest is blessed with numerous natural hot springs, and you will have the opportunity to visit an array of thermal baths – allowing for a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation. As the day draws to a close, you will gather for a farewell dinner, cherishing the shared experiences, spiritual insights, and fellowship of your journey.

As your journey draws to an end, you will depart from Budapest Airport, carrying with you not only memories of ancient cities, beautiful landscapes, and historical monuments, but also a deepened faith and a renewed spirit. As you make your journey home, you will hold these experiences close – ready to share the blessings and grace you have received with your families and friends.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.