In the Footsteps of Jesus - 9 Day Greek Orthodox Christian Pilgrimage includes Air

Itinerary

DAY 1, USA – TEL AVIV: Depart USA for an overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Airfare Included from Boston. 

DAY 2, TEL AVIV - NETANYA: We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We travel northward to visit the Ancient Sea Port of Jaffa, known to be the oldest Seaport in the world. Visit St. Peter’s Church and enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night’s rest. We continue to our hotel for overnight in the coastal area of Netanya. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. (D)   Ramada Hotel & Suites 4* Netanya

DAY 3, NETANYA - CAESAREA - MUHRAKA - NAZARETH - CANA -TIBERIAS: After breakfast, we will travel up the coast to Caesarea, once capital of the Roman province, see Roman and Crusader remains, theater and harbor from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome. Continue to Muhraka on Mt. Carmel for a spectacular view and visit the Cave of Elijah. we visit Nazareth, the site of the Annunciation where Jesus spent part of his life until he set out on his Ministry, visit the church of Archangel Gabriel, Mary's Well, House of Holy Family and Joseph's Workshop. Continue to Cana, site of the Lord's first Miracle, visiting the Greek Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church - home of Apostle Nathanael. Early evening check-in at our First-class superior hotel for our 2-night stay.  (B, D)    Ramada Hotel 4*Nazareth  

DAY 4, NAZARETH - CAPERNAUM -TABGHA -MAGDALA -TIBERIAS: This morning after breakfast, our day starts at the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Next a short ride to Tabgha, site of the miracle of the – “Multiplication of Loaves and Fish” where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy”. Here after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” [John 21:9]. A short drive away is Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the church built over the site of Peter’s home.  We will visit Peter’s mother-in-law’s house and Mensa Christi (John 21) where Jesus had breakfast with Peter and asked, “Do you love me?” Visit the Monastery of Saints Peter and Andrew, Monastery of Holy Apostles. Our next stop Magdala, Mary Magdalene’s city. We know from the Gospels that Jesus (Yeshua) delivered this woman from a demonized life (Mark 16:9). Thereafter, she became a disciple par excellence. Mary accomplished something that the twelve selected disciples did not accomplish. She followed Jesus all the way to the cross (John 19:25), and three days later she was the first witness to the resurrection of the Lord (John 20:14-18). By the Sea of Galilee, St. Peter fish luncheon awaits us. This afternoon, we continue to Mt. Tabor, site of our Lord's Transfiguration for our last stop.   We return to our hotel with rest of day at your leisure.  (B, L, D)        Ramada Hotel 4* Nazareth

DAY 5, NAZARETH - JERICHO -BAPTISMAL SITE of JESUS - JERURALEM:   After breakfast we check out and continue traveling south to Jericho, the oldest city on earth, and view the Mt. of Temptation (Luke 4) and Elisha’s spring. Later, we continue to Jordan River- the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist - prayer and reaffirmation of baptism. Travel through the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, visiting the Monastery of St. Gerasimos, Mt. of Temptation, Home of Zacchaeus, Good Samaritan Inn and the magnificent Monastery of St. George Hotzivas in the Judean Hills. Our next stop Jerusalem. We will travel the ancient road leading to Galilee to Zion – and see the “valley of the shadow of Death.”  We enter Jerusalem, to the Mt. of Olives observation point. Standing in the footsteps of Jesus, we will look over the city to the - Golden Gate, the Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock, the old city of Jerusalem, David city, the church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the modern city. (Psalm 122). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem (B, D)    The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem

DAY 6, JERUSALEM - EIN KAREM - BETHLEHEM – BETHANY - JERUSALEM: Today, a short drive takes us to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the church that commemorates his memory. Mid-morning, continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, built over the birthplace of our Lord. Prayers will be celebrated.  Visit St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Cave of St. Jerome, Crypt and Milk Grotto and Shepherd's Fields - site of the Angel's message of "Good News". Later we visit the Monasteries of Prophet Elias (Elijah) and the Monastery of the Cross. Continue to Bethany to visit the Tomb and Greek Orthodox Church of Lazarus, Monastery of Martha and Mary and Rachel's Tomb. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem 

DAY 7, JERUSALEM - BETHSPHAGE: This morning we begin Holy Week Palm Sunday Road Walk through Mt. of Olives, Dominus Flevit, Garden of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony, where Jesus wept and sweat blood. (Mark 14). Church of all Nations, House of Califaz “Gallicantu”. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through the St. Stephens Lions Gate and visit the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus cured the Paralytic man (John 5). (Via Dolorosa) we trace the footsteps of Jesus along the Way of the Cross, Calvary, the Anointing Stone and the Most Holy Tomb of Christ, Holy Sepulcher. Celebrate with a special prayer at the Holy Tomb of Christ. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem  

DAY 8, JERUSALEM - CHURCH of the HOLY SEPULCHRE - VIA DOLOROSA - JESUS TOMB: This morning we celebrate Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After Church services, our representative will request if available to have an audience with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. Rest of the day is at your leisure to visit the Holy Sepulcher, the site of His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Meditation and prayer at the Tomb of Jesus. This afternoon we visit the Wailing Wall, the western retaining wall of the 2nd temple, walk through the old city bazaar to the Jewish Quarter. Then off to the Shrine of book and see the amazing Dead Sea Scrolls, perhaps the most important archaeological finding in history. Next the Temple Mount, Mt. Moriah, where Abraham brought his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Here is also the location where the 1st and 2nd temples were built –today it is where the Dome of the Rock stands.  Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow pilgrims to celebrate the end of a spiritual and rewarding experience.  (B, D)    The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem

DAY 9, TEL AVIV / USA:  You will transfer to the airport for your return flight home. After walking in the footsteps of our Lord, the Bible is now more alive, more familiar, and more personal than ever before. (B)

Transfers. International flights require that you check-in at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. Transfer from the lobby of your hotel to Ben Gurion International Airport 4 hours prior to flight departure.

Package Includes:

•  Pre-trip meetings and prayer at your church
•  International Airfare from Boston or New York. 
•  One roundtrip prepaid luggage per person included (1 25inch luggage)
•  One small carry-on luggage included
•  International airfare taxes & service charges of $637.00 included
•  7 Nights First class Hotel Accommodations throughout
•  15 Meals included: 7 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 7 Dinners
•  Full sightseeing by Private Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor Coach with one of the best Israeli guide-lecturer in the Holy Land in addition to our spiritual adviser.
•  St. Peter's fish luncheon on the Sea of Galilee.
•  All entrance fees to all sights on the itinerary.
•  “Spiritual Baptism” at Jordan River– (site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist).
•  Pilgrimage certificates from the ministry of tourism the state of Israel.
•  All transfers throughout airport & hotels.
•  All hotel taxes, hotel gratuities and program fees.
•  Porterage for 1 suitcase per person.
•  Fuel Surcharges and Government taxes. Note: Additional baggage and optional fees may apply. (Subject to change)

Price Excludes: Airfare & airport taxes (except those which are specified), passports & visas, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, food not indicated in the itinerary. Note: gratuities to motorcoach driver and guide (recommend $6.00 for Guide and $3.00 to driver per day), expenses of a personal nature, excess luggage and transfer of the same.