Holy Land Eastern Orthodox Pilgrimage   9Days / 8 Nights

Day 2 Drive along the coast to Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned and Cornelius was baptized. Visit the Roman amphitheatre, the aqueduct, and the Crusader ruins. On to Mt. Tabor to visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration. Later drive to Nazareth and visit the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, where Gabriel appeared to Mary. Overnight stay in Galilee.

Day 3  Tour the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum and Simon Peter's house, the Mount of the Beatitudes, and Tabgha the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a lunch of St. Peter's fish in Tiberias. Later, walk along the Jordan River  where Jesus was baptized and renew your baptismal promises. Overnight stay in Galilee...

Day 4 Drive south through the beautiful Jordan Valley and visit the newly excavated Beth Shean, the Roman capital of Palestine. Visit Jericho and view the tel holding the ruins of the most ancient city on earth. Visit Zacchaeus' tree, Elisha's spring, and the Mount of the Temptation. Ascend  to Jerusalem for an overnight stay.

Day 5 Walk into the Old City of Jerusalem. Experience the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters and the underground excavations. Walk the Via Dolorosa to the sacred Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Haralambos. Later visit the Church of St. Anne, built over the pool of Bethesda. On to the church of Dominus Flevit ("The Lord Wept"), the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount Zion, the Church of the Dormition and Caiaphas' House. Overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 6 A free day. Your guide will direct you to places you may visit at your own pace, or do your last shopping. Overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 7  Today we begin our journey to the lowest point on earth; the Dead Sea area. Drive to the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Later, stop for a swim in the Dead Sea. Drive back to Jerusalem for an overnight stay .

Day 8 In Jerusalem we visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of  Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb, the room of the Last Supper, and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (imprisonment and denial). Stop at the Church of All Nations, which houses the Rock of Agony, where Christ prayed. Drive to Bethlehem to worship at the ancient Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity, see Manger Square, and the beautiful Shepherds' Fields. Overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 9 We depart for the airport and your return flight. 

The Holy Land