Israel Catholic program

Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Visit an Oriental perfumery factory. Visit to the Old / Coptic Cairo to the hanging church (AL MUALLAQA) - built in the 4^th century over southern gate of the fortress of Babylon. Dedicated to Virgin Mary, its treasures include a 14th century wall painting of the Nativity. We also visit The Church of St. Sergius (ABU SERGA) - A 5th century basilica built over crypt where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed during their flight into Egypt; Church of St.Mercurius (ABU SEFEIN) - boasts a unique collection of Coptic art including 175 icons that depict scenes from the old and new testaments, wall paintings, etching and stained glass, and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Visit cotton and leather market.

Depart from Cairo early morning to Sinai, crossing the famous Suez Canal that separates Asia and Africa. Drive via the Springs of Moses where Moses hit the rock and twelve water springs appeared. See the remnants of the springs and a group of Bedouins who still live there. Then continue to the Wilderness of Sinai where the miracle of Manna and Quails took place and view the seventy-two palm trees. The next stop is in Rephidim where the Israelites fought the Amalekites. During this battle, whenever Moses put his arms down, the Israelites lost and whenever he put his arms up, the Israelites were winning. (Aaron and Hur held Moses' arms up as he started getting tired.) Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight

You may join an early dawn excursion to Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. It will be an ethereal feeling. Enjoy the breathtaking view of sunrise from the peak. Visit the Monastery to see the Burning Bush. Back to the Hotel for breakfast, check out and Drive to Taba. Overnight Taba  

After breakfast, proceed to cross the border and enter Israel. Drive to Visit a Kibbutz Yotvata, one of the largest Kibbutz’s in Israel. Here, we will visit a Dairy farm where a guide will be at hand to give you first-hand info on Dairy farming in the desert! You will then continue to a superstore run by the Kibbutz, where you can sample the milk and cheese products by cows & goats bred there. We will then drive down to the Dead Sea, the deepest / lowest place on earth. We will stop by to give you an opportunity to float (not to swim!) on the sea – an experience like no other! Drive north to check in our hotel. Daily Mass Dinner and overnight in our hotel in Tiberias

Following breakfast, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We continue to the 2,000 year old remains of Capernaum (Lk. 4:31- 37) and stand in what is left of the synagogue in which our Lord ministered and see Peter’s house. We visit the Mount of Beatitudes the traditional site where Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7); After a short drive we arrive at Tabgha, commemorating the feeding of the 5,000 (Lk 9); Then we visit Mont of transfiguration We end our day at the Jordan River (Yardenit). Daily Mass Dinner and overnight in our hotel in Tiberias

Following breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to Mt Carmel (Kings 1, 18) where Elijah fought the profits of the Ba'al. We drive via the Plains of Jezre’el to pass by Megiddo, site of Armageddon. We shall then we proceed to Nazareth to visit the well that He drank from and the synagogue in which He taught. Visit Cana then Continue to Jerusalem for overnight Daily Mass Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem  

After breakfast, Continue to Bethlehem, believed to be the birth place of Jesus. Visit Church of Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. Drive south to Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and the Tel of Ancient Essene.  Our next stop is Jericho, the ancient Canaanite city destroyed by the power of God (Josh. 5-6). It is the oldest known inhabited city in the world. It was in Jericho that Jesus encountered Zacchaeus (Lk. 19). Daily Mass Dinner and overnight at hotel in Jerusalem

After breakfast, our first stop is Mt. of Olives  (Lk. 19:28-40 & II Sam. 15:30-36). We see olive trees that date back to the time of Christ, the Site of the Ascension (Acts 1) and take time to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-56). Enter via the Lions gate to the Old City: Visit the Pool of Bethesda, Ecce Homo, Stations of the Cross stations, Church of Holy Sepulcher. We see a part of Herod’s temple and pray at the Western Wall. We walk up onto the original temple mount platform where King Herod’s temple stood and view the Dome of the Rock. We walk through the Old City, and viewing the shops and the unique way of life that these ancient customs and lifestyles have maintained. Then we proceed to Mount Zion on the south side of Jerusalem, King David’s city. We sing praises in the Upper Room (Lk. 22:7-38), site of the Last Supper and the First Pentecost, and view the traditional tomb of King David. Proceed to Caiaphas, the High Priest’s house, (Jn. 18), where we walk through some of the ancient rooms. Daily Mass Dinner and overnight at hotel in Jerusalem

After breakfast, then drive north to visit Caesarea. It was here that Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10). It was also here that Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26).   Drive back to Jaffa for Farewell Dinner in local then depart to the Ben Gurion airport for our flight. Need to be at the airport 3, 5 hours before for check in. Cost per person in a shared room is 2700 USD Cost per person in a single room 3200USD