pilgrimage to jordan and holy land

Departure from Canada

Afternoon departure from Toronto to Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv - Aqaba

Upon morning arrival in Tel Aviv we are transferred to Aqaba in Jordan. Dinner and overnight.

Wadi Rum

In the morning we travel to Wadi Rum, one of the world’s outstanding desert landscapes to observe local life and Bedouin culture. This is where the movie “Lawrence of Arabia” was made in 1962. We have a traditional Bedouin lunch in one of their tents. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Petra - Amman

Today we travel to Petra, a World Heritage site and Jordan’s most valuable treasure. The city was carved into the sheer rock face by Nabataeans, settled 2000 years ago, and made an important junction for silk, spice and other trade routes linking China and India with Egypt, Greece and Rome. We visit the Treasury, Monastery and amphitheater. Late afternoon continue to our hotel in Amman for dinner and overnight.

Madaba - Mt. Nebo

This morning we depart to visit other treasures of Jordan. We visit Madaba, best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and stop at Mt. Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land for the first time. Late afternoon we cross the Jordan River and move on to Galilee for dinner and overnight.

Tiberias - Sea of Galilee, Capernaum - Tabgha, Mount of the Beatitudes

After breakfast we depart for Tiberias. We travel by boat on the Sea of Galilee, visit Capernaum, home of St. Peter and the site of Jesus' preaching, on to Tabgha to see the Church of the Multiplication with its beautiful 5th century fish mosaic. Visit Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene.  We also visit the Church of the Primacy and celebrate Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Cana - Nazareth, Mount Tabor

This morning we start our tour in Cana – the site of Jesus' first miracle. Here we celebrate a marriage renewal ceremony. We move on to Nazareth where we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation and we visit Mary's Well and St. Joseph's Carpentry Shop. In the afternoon we ascend Mount Tabor – the Mount of the Transfiguration. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Haifa - Cesarea

This morning we depart Galilee for Judea and the area of Jerusalem. En route we visit Haifa and Mt. Carmel, the “burning place” where Elijah called fire down to confound the prophets of Baal. Continue to Jaffa and visit the Church of St. Peter where we celebrate mass, travel via Cesarea by the Sea to Judea for our dinner and overnight.

Jerusalem

Today's journey takes us to the ancient city of Jerusalem: St. Ann's Church, the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo, the convent of the sisters of Zion. We continue with the Stations of the Cross – Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre. Mass will be celebrated in one of the many churches of Jerusalem. In the afternoon we visit the Western Wall, also called the “Wailing Wall”. We'll see the Mosque of Omar and El Aksar. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.  

Bethlehem - Jerusalem

Today we visit Bethlehem – where Jesus was born, celebrating Christmas Mass in one of the grottos. We visit the Manger, Crusaders' Cloister, the Grotto of St. Jerome – Shepherds' Field and Milk Grotto. In the afternoon we visit Mount Zion with the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper) and the Church of St. Peter's in Gallicantu. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Masada - Dead Sea - Jericho

This morning we leave for a full day excursion to Masada, the Dead Sea, Qumran and Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. We visit the town and celebrate Mass. On to Qasr El Yahud, the place where Jesus was baptized. Time for swimming in the Dead Sea. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Return to Canada

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport in Tel Aviv for a flight to Toronto. Afternoon arrival.