Tour 3
The Holy Land
10  days

IF YOU DESIRE TO DRAW CLOSER to Jesus of Nazareth, come with us as we follow in His footsteps. A journey to the Holy Land is much more than a sight-seeing tour: Each day of your pilgrimage you will have time to renew and affirm your faith, to pray and reflect. The Scriptures will come alive as you visit Our Lord's homeland. You will be inspired by the lush greenery and natural beauty of the landscape, in addition to its rich historical heritage. It is an encounter that has changed the lives of many pilgrims, an act of faith and prayer. Should you choose to give your pilgrimage a central theme, some of our departures can be centered around Feast days. Pilgrims have been traveling to the Holy Land for hundreds of years, and as part of your pilgrimage, we include the rich traditions that have evolved over time.

Some distinctive features of a pilgrimage with All Star Travel are:

  Holy Hour at Gethsemane    Mass at Holy Shrines 
  Solemn Entry to the Holy Sepulcher    High Mass at the Tomb 
  Way of the Cross    Catholic guide in the Holy Land 
  Franciscan certificate of pilgrimage    Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee 
  Mass and time for reflection on Mt Tabor    Breakfast & dinner daily   

Day 1  Boston or New York - Tel Aviv
Begin your spiritual journey with an evening departure from Boston’s Logan Int. Airport or New York's JFK Airport or from your hometown, for the overnight flight to Tel Aviv.

Day 2  Tel Aviv - Tiberias
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Exit terminal at the sign marked "groups" and meet your local guide who will escort you to our hotel in Tiberius. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3  Up to the Galilee
We visit to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass. We will have the opportunity to visit Mary's Well.  Later we stop at Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle; here couples may renew their wedding vows. This afternoon we drive up to the Golan Heights and enjoy a scenic drive until we come to the Springs of Banias, also known as Caesarea Philippi where Peter said, "Thou are Christ".  We travel back to the southern end of the Sea of Galilee to stop at the Jordan River and renew our Baptismal Vows.  Dinner & overnight in Tiberius.

Day 4  The ministry of Christ in the Galilee
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 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 on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Afternoon visit to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration.  Dinner & overnight in Tiberius.

Day 5  Stella Maris, Mukhrakha, Caesarea, Jerusalem.
 We will attend Mass at Stella Maris in Haifa.  Drive to the summit of Mt. Carmel, visit Stella Maris and the cave of Elijah.  We will continue driving through the Sharon Valley to Caesarea. We will have a complete visit of the capital of the Roman Procurator of Judea.  Continue  for an overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6  Introduction to Jerusalem: Mount of Olives - Kidron Valley - Mount Zion
On the first day we present an overview of Jerusalem 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 - Islam, Judaism and Christianity; the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, and the City of David excavations. Around noon we drive to the town of Beit Sahur where Shepherd's Fields is located, inhabited by Christians for hundreds of years. Lunch has been arranged with some of the local families in their homes. After lunch we visit the site that commemorates Shepherd's Fields, then visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born.

Day 7  Jerusalem - The Passion of Jesus' last hours
At Gethsemane is the Rock of Agony where Jesus uttered His last prayer. After the betrayal by Judas, He was held prisoner at the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas. From prison Jesus was taken to Judgment Hall and then led through the city to be crucified. Today we retrace these last hours 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. In the afternoon we visit the Cardo and many buildings dating to the time of the Moslem Conquest and Crusader era. We also visit the Wailing Wall and the Mosques.

Day 8  The Wilderness : Bethany - Wadi Qelt - Jericho - Qumran - Dead Sea
The desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. In the town of Bethany, home of Martha and Mary, Lazarus was raised from the dead. Further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus walked, is Wadi Kelt gorge, site of the Monastery of St George. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world, before driving to the Dead Sea to see the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden. On the way back there is time for a swim in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties.

Day 9  The Visitation
In the morning, see a model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Nearby is the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist. Celebrate Mass in the Church of Visitation where Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the Magnificant. Free afternoon.

Day 10  Jerusalem - USA
Transfer to the airport, filled with cherished memories, for your return flight to the USA.

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
Round-trip flight from Boston or New York to Tel Aviv
8 nights at 4-star hotels:
3 nights: Kibbutz Nof Ginosar in Tiberias
5 nights: Notre Dame Hotel or  Seven Arches Hotel in Jerusalem
Breakfast and dinner daily)
Transfers by deluxe motor coach
Guided tours by professional Catholic guide
Porterage at hotels and airport in Israel
Mass daily
Portfolio of travel documents

**We operate the pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as listed below. However, from time to time, due to the state of affairs in the area, some All Star Travel's Holy Land trips may be cancelled.  If these events occur all money would be refunded. 
                                                                                                                                                                             Land Only        Tour Price