Nine-Day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Day 1  ARRIVE - JERUSALEM

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, an Albina Tours representative will welcome and assist you at the airport.  You will drive to Jerusalem where you will stay in a hotel for the first five nights.

Day 2  MOUNT OF OLIVES - MOUNT ZION

The day begins on top of the Mount of Olives for a  panoramic view of the Old City and visits to the Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit Chapel, Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. Continue to the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where St. Peter’s denial of Jesus is marked within the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu.  In the afternoon, visit King David’s Tomb, Room of the Last Supper and the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion.

Day 3  BETHLEHEM - EIN KAREM - NEW JERUSALEM

Drive to the Shepherds Fields where the day starts with a Mass or Eucharist in the Grotto.  Continue to Bethlehem for visits around Manger Square.  Sites here include the Church of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine and St. Jerome\'s Caves.  In the afternoon, drive to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist for visits of the Church of the Visitation and Church of St. John.   Continue to see the Model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period at the time of Jesus.

Day 4  THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

Enter the Old City through Dung Gate for visits of the Western Wall, El Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. Walk to the Pool of Bethesda in the grounds of the Crusader Church of St. Anne and end the morning at the Roman pavement of the Lithostrotos under the Ecce Homo Convent.  In the afternoon, follow the Way of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa in the streets and alleys of the Old City culminating in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  Leave the Old City through Damascus Gate and end the day with an optional visit to the Garden Tomb.

Day 5  MASSADA - DEAD SEA - JERICHO

Drive to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and continue to Massada, which you ascend and descend by cable car. Visits here include the Northern Palace, Roman baths, the Ancient Church and Synagogue.  Relax and swim in the mineral waters of the Dead Sea.  Last visit of the day is to Jericho from where you can view Mount Temptations.  Return to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt with an opportunity to view St. George\'s Monastery.

Day 6  TO GALILEE - MOUNT TABOR - NAZARETH

Head to Galilee via the Jordan Valley.  Drive to Mount Tabor for a visit of the Church of the Transfiguration.  Continue to Nazareth and visit the Church of the Annunciation, the Fountain of the Virgin and the Ancient Synagogue.  After spending some time in the Souq, proceed to the Sea of Galilee visiting the Wedding Church of Cana-in-Galilee en route.  Stay in Tiberias for the next two nights.

Day 7  THE LAKESIDE MINISTRY - UPPER GALILEE

Start the day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee in a traditional wooden “Jesus Boat”. Drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes and visit the Church which commemorates the famous Sermon on the Mount. Continue to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes at Tabgha and the Church of St Peter\'s Primacy in Mensa Christi. The morning ends with a visit to Capernaum which Jesus chose as the base for his Galilean Ministry. In the afternoon, drive north to Upper Galilee and visit Banias, one of the three sources of the Jordan River and Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am?”  Continue north to view Mount Hermon and end the day with a drive around the lake back to Tiberias.

Day 8  ACRE - CAESAREA - JAFFA - TEL AVIV

Drive north to the port city of Acre with visits to the Jazzar Mosque and Crypt of St. John.  Continue to Haifa for a panoramic view of the city and bay from Mount Carmel. Visit Mohraqa the site of prophet Elijah’s challenge with the prophets of Ba’al. From here drive south to Caesarea Maritima the ancient Roman Capital with visits to the Theatre, Aqueduct and Crusader Ruins. Before arriving in Tel Aviv, pass by Jaffa, view the old harbor and visit the artist’s quarter.  Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 9  DEPARTURE

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for Departure. Albina Tours staff will be with you for assistance with check-in and security.

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