Holy Land and Petra Tour

We have arranged for a luxurious coach ride to transport us from the bustling city of Tel Aviv to our stunning hotel in Tiberias. This comfortable mode of transportation will ensure a relaxing journey as we make our way to our home for the next three nights. Get ready to be enchanted by the picturesque scenery that we will pass along the way.

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Mount Tabor in the Jezreel Valley, which is the site of the Transfiguration according to Matthew 17:1-50. Here, we will reflect on the humanity and divinity of Christ. Our next destination will be Nazareth, the hometown of Mary and Joseph, where we will visit Mary’s Well and the Basilica of the Annunciation. At this location, the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God, according to Luke 1:30-34. We will participate in the Celebration of Mass, followed by an optional lunch. After lunch, we will explore the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph, which was the workshop and home of the Holy Family according to Luke 2:41-52 and Matt. 2:19-23. Then visit Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine according to John 2. Finally, return to Tiberias for dinner and an overnight stay.

We will begin our day with a lovely breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a journey to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered His Great Sermon on the Mount. It is a sacred site where we will have the opportunity to celebrate Mass and reflect on the words of Jesus. Close by is Tabgha, where Jesus performed one of His many miracles by feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. We will also visit St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus bestowed church leadership upon Peter. Our next stop will be Capernaum, the launching place of Jesus’ ministry. Here, we will witness the Synagogue where Jesus taught and gave His Sermon on the Bread of Life. Our day will conclude with a peaceful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat. We will then return to our Tiberias hotel for dinner and a restful overnight stay. This day will be filled with inspiring experiences that will stay with us forever.

Embark on a journey to Mount Carmel, where the Prophet Elijah had a life-changing experience by defeating the prophets of Baal. Witness the magnificent Stella Maris Church, built on the very cave where the prophet resided. Attend a soulful Mass to feel the divine presence. The iconic fire-lighting challenge between Yahweh and a pagan deity occurred on the summit of this mountain, marked today by a stunning stone statue of Elijah and a serene Carmelite monastery surrounded by nature. Later, relish the panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Baha’i Gardens before exploring the historic Akko (Acre) independently. Visit the Old City, the Crusader Fortress, and the Bazaar. The Siege of Acre marked the end of crusades to the Levant and the loss of the Crusader-controlled city to the Mamluks. Uncover the mysteries of this captivating city before continuing to Bethlehem, where you will spend the next four nights, ready to explore its wonders.

Today, our trip will take us to Jericho, the oldest city in the world, a place that holds a significant place in history. There, we will visit the Franciscan Church of the Good Shepherd and celebrate the Mass in honor of Jesus, who showed us the way of the Good Shepherd by giving Bartimaeus his sight and converting Zacchaeus. We will pass by the archaeological site of Beit She’an and continue our journey to the baptismal site of Jesus (Qasr El Yahud) on the River Jordan. After lunch, we will visit the Sycamore Tree, where Zacchaeus climbed its branches to see Jesus and the Mount of Temptations, where Jesus was tempted by the devil. Let us embrace the rich history of these places and be inspired by the stories of faith that have been passed down through generations. Our journey will end with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel, a time to reflect on the spiritual experience of the day.

After checking out of the hotel and having breakfast, we will visit the Church of Nativity. This church marks the birthplace of Christ, and upon entering it we will proceed to the Grotto of the Nativity, where Our Savior was born. Beneath the altar is a silver star and a Latin inscription that reads “HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS” meaning “Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary”. We will then visit Saint Jerome’s Cave where the bible was translated before joining a celebration of Mass. After that, we will walk to Saint Jerome’s Street and admire the Church of Milk Grotto, where Virgin Mary fed baby Jesus and a drop of milk fell on the ground and turned the stones white. Finally, we will ride to Shepherd Fields, where the shepherds saw the Star of Nativity (Luke 2:8). In the caves of these fields, we are still able to see the soot marks of fires that shepherds lit to keep warm. We will end the day by driving to our hotel, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after his resurrection. Then, we will head to the Pater Noster Church where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 26:36-44) before approaching an observation point overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. We will stop at Dominus Flevit, a church commemorating where Jesus wept for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and celebrate Mass, before strolling down the Palm Sunday route to the Garden of Gethsemane. Beside the garden is the Church of All Nations, built over the “Rock of Agony”. This is where Jesus prayed alone on the night of His arrest (Luke 22:29-53). We will reflect on Christ’s agony during this time. Optional lunch. After lunch, we will tour Saint Ann’s Church and visit the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the crippled man (John 5:1-9). We will then walk the Via Dolorosa, reflecting upon the Stations of the Cross as we travel through the markets of the old city to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Luke 23:26-33). This sacred destination is the site of Calvary (Jesus’ crucifixion place) and His tomb (Luke 23:50-55). Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Drive to Arava to cross to Jordan. Continue to Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world. Petra was carved out of the rocky southern Jordanian desert by the Nabateans over 2000 years ago. Check-in for two nights in Petra.

Embark on an exciting journey after indulging in a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Your local guide will accompany you on a two-hour adventure, starting with a walk through the Siq and a visit to the breathtaking Treasury, Street of Facades, Theater, Colonnaded Street, and other remarkable sites. If you’re interested, you can opt for a delectable lunch at the Basin restaurant where you’ll be treated to an excellent buffet selection and unmatched service. End your day by spending the night in Petra and delighting in a scrumptious dinner.

We will check out from our hotel and head to Amman Airport to fly back home.