10 Day In the Footsteps of Jesus - SPECIAL Epiphany Celebration - Includes Air

DAY 1, Sun. - USA – TEL AVIV: Depart on your overnight flight from Boston or New York to Tel Aviv, Israel. Full service on board.

DAY 2, Mon. - 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 will visit the Ancient Sea Port of Jaffa, known to be the oldest Seaport in the world. 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 at St. Peter’s Church. 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, Tues. - TEL AVIV – CAESAREA – MUHRAKA – NAZARETH – CANA: 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, Wed. - CAPERNAUM – TABGHA – MAGDALA - BETHSAIDA: 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, Thurs. - TIBERIAS – JERICHO - JERURALEM: This morning we travel south to the ancient city of Beth She ‘an – a superbly preserved Canaanite, Roman and Byzantine city along the Jordan Valley, where Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung on the walls of the city by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31). Time to explore Cardo, Deco-manus Agora; climb up the Tel and view Mt. Gilboa. Next Jericho, the oldest city on earth, and view the Mt. of Temptation (Luke 4) and Elisha’s spring. Later on, we continue 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, Fri. - 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. This afternoon brings us to Mt. of Olives visiting Mary Magdalene Russian Orthodox Church, Church of All Nations, Ascension and Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14). The Rock of Agony, where Jesus wept and sweat blood. We 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). Visit the Church of St. Anne and the house of Caiaphas, the upper room, the site of the last supper. Begin your walk along the Via Dolorosa starting from Lithostrotos (Judgment Hall) following we trace the footsteps of Jesus along the Way of the Cross. We venerate, the Prison of Christ and the Anointing Stone and the Most Holy Tomb of Christ. Visit the Holy Sepulchre, the site of His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Meditation and prayer at the Tomb of Jesus. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem

DAY 7, Sat. - JERUSALEM: This early morning we participate in the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After Church services, our representative will arrange a possible audience with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. 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. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem

DAY 8. Sun. - JERUSALEM – JORDAN RIVER - EPIPHANY ELEBRATION: After breakfast we continue to Jordan River for the celebration of Epiphany with over 2,000 Orthodox Christians led by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem and his entourage of Bishops and Priests. Visit the Monastery of John the Baptist next to the Jordan River and the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist Prior to the start of the celebration and blessing of the water’s services at the Jordan River, prayers
and spiritual baptismal awaits all of you, It is a Spiritual and rewarding Experience. Late afternoon, return to hotel for dinner and a good night's rest.  (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem

DAY 9, Mon. - JERUSALEM: Today you will have free time to visit any sites that you may have missed in the old city on your own. Retrace to the Holy Sepulcher, the site of His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Meditation and prayer at the Tomb of Jesus. Dinner with your fellow Hatzis pilgrims (meaning- khatzis ‘pilgrim (to Jerusalem) to celebrate the end of a spiritual and rewarding experience. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem

DAY 10, Tues. - JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / USA:  Morning 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)

Package Includes:

¨ Pre-trip meetings and prayer at your church 

¨ Roundtrip airfare Boston or New York —Tel Aviv, Israel.

¨ International airfare taxes & service charges of $637.00

¨ First class Hotel Accommodations throughout

¨ Meals included: 8 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 8 Dinners

¨ Full sightseeing by Private Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motorcoach with one of the best Israeli guide-lecturer in the Holy   Land in addition to our spiritual adviser.

¨ St. Peter fish lunch 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, service charges.

¨ Porterage for 1 suitcase per person

 * NOTE:  International Airport Taxes & fuel surcharges. *Total taxes $637.00 included in price. 

Price Excludes: Airfare & airport taxes (except those which are specified), passports & visas, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, food not indicated in the itinerary, gratuities of any kind, expenses of a personal nature, excess luggage and transfer of the same.