6-Day Catholic Tour of Jerusalem & the Holy Land

DAY 1

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Jaffa, Caesarea, Haifa & Nazareth

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Begin your Catholic pilgrimage at St. Peter’s Church in Jaffa, traditionally associated with St. Peter and the biblical events that took place in the ancient port city. Continue along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, where you will explore the remains of the city built by Herod the Great and discover its importance in the early Christian story.

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Travel north to Haifa for panoramic views of the Bahá’í Gardens and a visit to Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, associated with the Carmelite tradition. Continue to Nazareth, where you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the traditional site of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, followed by St. Joseph’s Church.

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Overnight in the Galilee.

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DAY 2

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Cana & the Sea of Galilee

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Begin the day in Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at the Wedding at Cana. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee and traditionally associated with the Sermon on the Mount.

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Visit Tabgha, commemorating the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, followed by the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, traditionally associated with Jesus’ appearance to his disciples after the Resurrection. Continue to Capernaum, the center of much of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and home of St. Peter.

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Experience the Sea of Galilee with a boat ride, before concluding the day at Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and an important archaeological site from the time of Jesus.

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Overnight in the Galilee.

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DAY 3

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Mount Tabor, Jordan River, Jericho & Bethlehem

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Begin the day at Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, and visit the Church of the Transfiguration overlooking the surrounding Galilee.

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Continue to the Jordan River, recalling the baptism of Jesus and the beginning of his public ministry. From there, travel south through the Jordan Valley to Jericho, one of the world’s oldest cities and a place connected with several important biblical events.

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Continue toward Jerusalem for a visit to the Western Wall, one of the most significant surviving sites from the Second Temple period, before traveling to Bethlehem, the city of the birth of Jesus.

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Overnight in Bethlehem.

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DAY 4

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Bethlehem & Ein Karem

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Begin the day in Bethlehem with a visit to the Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus, including the Grotto of the Nativity. Continue to Shepherds’ Field, where Christian tradition commemorates the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.

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Travel to Ein Karem, traditionally associated with the family of St. John the Baptist. Visit the Church of the Visitation, commemorating the meeting between the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, before continuing to the Church of St. John the Baptist, built over the traditional site of his birthplace.

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Overnight in Bethlehem.

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DAY 5

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Mount of Olives & Mount Zion

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Begin the day on the Mount of Olives, following the final stages of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension and Pater Noster Church, before walking down the traditional Palm Sunday route to Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

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Continue to Gethsemane, including the Basilica of the Agony (Church of All Nations), the Grotto of the Betrayal, and the Tomb of the Virgin Mary.

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From there, continue to Mount Zion to visit Dormition Abbey, the Upper Room, traditionally associated with the Last Supper, and King David’s Tomb. Conclude the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu, traditionally associated with Peter’s denial of Jesus and the events surrounding Jesus’ arrest.

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Overnight in Bethlehem.

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DAY 6

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Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre & Dead Sea

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Begin the final day in Jerusalem at the Church of St. Anne, traditionally associated with the birthplace of the Virgin Mary, and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, remembered in the Gospel of John as the site where Jesus healed a man who had been ill for many years.

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Continue along the Via Dolorosa, walking the traditional route of Jesus toward Calvary and reflecting on the Stations of the Cross. The pilgrimage culminates at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christian tradition venerates Calvary (Golgotha) and the Tomb of Jesus, the central sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

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After completing the pilgrimage in Jerusalem, travel to the Dead Sea for time to relax and experience floating in its mineral-rich waters, bringing the six-day journey to a peaceful conclusion.