Day 1 Mon Nov 9: U.S. Departure. We depart from the Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and begin our flight to Europe.

Day 2 Tue Nov 10: Tel Aviv / Caesarea. From our European Gateway, we will connect with our flight to Tel Aviv. After being greeted by our tour manager, we travel to Caesarea for our overnight near the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 3 Wed Nov 11: Caesarea-by-the-Sea / Megiddo / Mt. Tabor / Nazareth. Today, we visit the seacoast city of Caesarea where Peter preached and where Paul was imprisoned for two years. Later, we visit Megiddo, one of Solomon’s fortified cities on the Via Maris, and then continue to Mt. Tabor, overlooking the Jezreel Valley, to visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration. Overnight Tiberias, located on shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee.

Day 4 Thu Nov 12: Tiberias. Today, is an excursion to Cana and Ibilin. Following our visit to Cana, where Jesus attended the wedding feast and performed his first miracle, we continue to Ibilin, the site of the first Arab university in Israel founded by Father Elias Shakour. Before returning to Tiberias, we will renew our Baptismal vows along the Jordan River. Overnight Galilee.

Day 5 Fri Nov 13: Sea of Galilee Area / Tiberias. This morning, we enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum where we’ll visit the Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha (feeding of 5,000 and the post-Resurrection appearance to the disciples), and the Church of the Primacy where Jesus said - “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Lunch on the Sea of Galilee is provided and the remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure for shopping or other pursuits of our own. Overnight Tiberias.

Day 6 Sat Nov 14: Jericho / Jerusalem. Today, we continue to Jericho to visit the excavated Tel of the ruins of ancient Jericho. There, we take a cable to the top the Mt. of Temptation where lunch is provided while we enjoy the views of the lush green Jordan Valley Overnight in Jericho.

Day 7 Sun Nov 15: Dead Sea / Qumran / Jerusalem. This morning, we travel through the Judean wilderness to the shore of the Dead Sea, to float in its mineral-rich waters. Afterward, we visit the Qumran Caves, the site - where the Essenes lived and recorded the books of the Old Testament. On our way to Jerusalem, we stop by the famed Mount Herodium and the Tomb of Herod. Overnight Jerusalem (or Bethlehem.)

Day 8 Mon Nov 16: Bethlehem / Bethany. Today, we visit Shepherd‘s Field, the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the “Milk Grotto.” Later, we stop in Bethany, home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus - where Jesus taught the mystery of the resurrection - to visit the Church of St. Lazarus. Before returning to our hotel, stops will be made in Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation. Overnight Jerusalem (or Bethlehem.)

Day 9 Tue Nov 17: Mount of Olives / Mount Zion. Highlights of the day will include: a visit to the Israel Museum to see the model city of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives where we’ll visit the Church of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Then, crossing the Kidron Valley to Mount Zion, we visit the Church of St. Peter's in Gallicantu (Caiaphas' House), Dormition Abbey, and the Upper Room. Our day will end with the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, St. Stephen's Gate, and St. Anne's Crusader Church & the Pool of Bethesda. The remainder of the day will be free for shopping or other pursuits of our own. Overnight Jerusalem (or Bethlehem).

Day 10 Wed Nov 18: Old City of Jerusalem. This morning, before breakfast, we walk the Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) and celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Following Mass, we’ll return to our hotel for a late breakfast. The remainder of the day is at leisure for activities of our own. Overnight Jerusalem (or Bethlehem).

Day 11 Thu Nov 19: Tel Aviv / Chicago. This morning we begin our return journey home and arrive in Chicago in the early afternoon. The end of an unforgettable Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.