Israel And Combos / Israel & Italy

The Cradles of Christianity!
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Rome, Vatican City, Assisi and San Giovanni Rotondo. - 13 Days

Day 1 - Canada / Tel Aviv
Depart Canada for Israel. Overnight on the aircraft.

Day 2 - Tel Aviv
Upon arrival, we are met, assisted and transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Caesarea / Nazareth
Leave Tel Aviv and drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar. It was here in Caesar's town that Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, was converted. Paul used this port to make his missionary journeys and it was here that he was imprisoned before his trial in Rome. Continue to Megiddo, one of the chariot cities of King Solomon. Onto Mt. Carmel and Muhraka, which according to tradition was the site of the prophet Elijah's triumph. Continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, and the Church of Annunciation. Stop at Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus turned the water into wine. Continue to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Jesus Ministry
Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum and see the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Visit Tabgha, where Jesus fed the 5000, and see the Church of Multiplication of the Fishes and Loaves with its 4th century mosaic floor. Onto the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. In the afternoon, visit the Jordan River baptismal site at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. We drive through the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the first city conquered by Joshua. Observe the Mt. of Temptation where Jesus spent 40 days in the desert tempted by Satan. Ascend the Judean hills to Jerusalem. Drive to Bethlehem to visit the site of the Nativity, birthplace of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 5 - Jerusalem
Our day in the Holy City begins as we enjoy the unforgettable view from atop the Mt. of Olives. We follow in His footsteps from the triumphal entry to His Resurrection. View Bethpage, the starting point of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. We recollect the Palm Sunday Walk. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the House of Caiphas and go to the Praetorium courtyard, where Jesus was tried by Pontius Pilate. Visit the Western Wall, the remaining portion of the Second Temple. Follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) to Golgotha, place of the Crucifixion. Enter the Holy Sepulchre and see the Tomb. Visit the Upper Room, place of the Last Supper, near King David's Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6 - Qumran / Masada
Depart Jerusalem through the Judean mountains to Genesis Land for a visit. We drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Ascend the eastern slope via the cable car and walk on this mountain refuge. Excavations have uncovered luxurious palaces, mosaic floors, a synagogue and Biblical scrolls and many other fascinating artifacts. Float in the Dead Sea, the lowest body of water. Drive to Qumran, home of the Essenes, and see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7 - Jerusalem / Rome
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome, Italy. We transfer to our hotel and check in. Balance of the day is free for our own interests. Dinner and overnight in Rome

Day 8 - Rome
This morning, we visit the Vatican Museums and see Michelangelo's mural of the Last Judgment restored on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, considered one of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces. In the afternoon take time to visit St. Mary Major Basilica. This is one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, after she appeared to Pope Liberius in 358 AD requesting a church be built in her honor. We will tour the Catacombs of St. Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. We will see the Cathedral of Rome and the Holy Stairs. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 9 - Rome
We begin at St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world. Visit the interior of St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. This largest religious temple in the world has housed 264 popes. View historical treasures such as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced Christ's side and numerous papal tombs. In the afternoon we will see the Coliseum, the Roman Forum and explore St. Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under the main altar. Many relics are displayed, along with the chains that once bound the apostle while a prisoner in Rome. We will visit the Church of St. Peter in Chains to see Michelangelo's incomparable statue of Moses. We visit our third Basilica, named after St. John Lateran. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 10 - Assisi
We drive to the pilgrimage center of Assisi, where St. Francis tended to the poor and sick and founded the Franciscan order. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St. Francis that still retains an unspoiled quality similar to the early 1200s when he began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. It was at St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, where St. Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the Rose Bush, and the cave where the Saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. We go to the Church of St. Clare to see the Saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St. Francis and lived life in poverty and humility. We will visit these two Saints' Tombs before our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - San Giovanni Rotondo
Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St. Francis and at least 4 other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St. Michael. Claiming the promise of sins pardoned and prayers granted, a panoramic view of the ocean and surrounding countryside awaits you at one of the most celebrated shrines of early Christianity. This site is the only Catholic church consecrated by St. Michael's presence in 490 AD, rather than by a human. Celebrate Mass at the Tomb of Padre Pio and visit the sanctuary, led by one the fathers who knew Padre Pio personally. We will tour the old church and behold the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with the multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 12 - Rome
We return to Rome and have the rest of the day free for shopping and personal sightseeing. We gather at a restaurant for our farewell meal together. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 13 - Rome / Canada
Transfer to the Airport for your return flight to Canada.