Holy Land

THE HOLY LAND Hosted by Father Tom Murray & St Therese February 18 to 26, 2018Since the Exodus there has never been anything so spiritually rejuvenating as a trip to the land of the Bible! And what better way to be touched by His prophets in this Holy Land than under the guidance of Father Tom?

With Bible in hand, you will recapture events and authentic settings that gave life to the timeless stories and spiritual experiences this pilgrimage offers. What greater joy can there be than to encounter a truly biblical landscape, and to realize that it is the same scenery once
looked upon by Jesus.

“Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it;
for I will give it unto thee” (Genesis 13:17).

 

ITINERARY

1st day, Sunday, Feb 18: Depart USA
Depart the East End for your overnight connecting flights to Tel Aviv.

2nd day, Monday, Feb 19: To Jerusalem (D)
Arrival in Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Balance of the day to relax before our Welcome dinner at our hotel in Jerusalem.

3rd day, Tuesday, Feb 20: In Jerusalem & Bethlehem* (B/D)
Our day starts as we begin walking in the footsteps of the prophets in the Ancient City of David on Mt. Zion. Enter the through the Old City via the Dung Gate and explore the Western Wall and the Temple Mount area, including the Dome of the Rock, focal point of world prophecy and one of the most religious spots on the planet. Continue to the El Aqua Mosque and the Dome of the Tablets, former resting place of the Ark of the Covenant and the Temple of Solomon. Continue touring the Old City including the Stations of the Cross along the Via Delarosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – just one of the sites many pilgrims believe Christ was crucified and buried. After enjoying lunch on our own in the Old City we will coach to Bethlehem* the birthplace of Jesus, to visit the Church of the Nativity. We will visit Mt. of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, one of most powerful sites in all of Israel. Walk to the site of the Ascension where Christ’s footprint remains indelibly etched into marble when he ascended. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
*Subject to local situations and availability for a visit.

4th day, Wednesday, Feb 21: In Jerusalem (B/L/D)
We begin our day with a visit to the Mount of Olives at the church of Our Father (Pater Noster) and see the church with no roof that reminds us of the Ascension. Then we walk the route that Jesus took on Palm Sunday to Jerusalem, stopping at the Church where Jesus wept (Dominus Flevit) (a wonderful view of the Holy City). Then walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and say mass in the Garden Cave. Time permitting we will visit Mary’s empty tomb, the Greek site next to the cave. We will end our day with a visit to Saint Peter in Galicantu (Caiphas Palace). Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

5th day, Thursday, Feb 22: The Dead Sea, Masada & Qumran (B/L/D)
Before departing Jerusalem for the desert, we will have mass at the Church of Ste. Anne) then a full day of sightseeing into the Judean Desert and these important and impressive sites. Included will be Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Here we will discuss the mystery of the Essenes, the mystical sect that may have influenced the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Then to Masada, where we ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff-top fortress and see the possible ruins of ancient Sodom, destroyed by a meteor storm some 4,000 years ago. Continue to Ein Gedi, a tropical-like resort for lunch. Onto the Dead Sea, where we will have time to experience a healing sulfurous mud bath and enjoy a swim in the salty mineral water. Be sure to bring your bathing suit. Return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon for dinner on our own.

6th day, Friday, Feb 23: To Jericho, Jordan River (for Baptism) & Tiberias (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and depart Jerusalem. We will stop in Bethany for mass at the house of Mary & Martha. We continue through the countryside to where Christ spent 40 days in the wilderness. As we continue into the Jordan River Valley, we will come to the site of the world’s oldest fortress city, Jericho. Discovered by Kathleen Kenyon, this Biblical site is nearly 10,000 years old. We continue to Beit She’an, once a sprawling site of 100,000 people in Christ’s time. After lunch, we drive to Bet Alfa, site of the enigmatic Byzantine zodiac mosaic and discover why the Hebrew prophets changed the Zodiac from 13 to 12 signs. Then we will have a Baptism at the Jordan River and onto our overnight and dinner in Tiberias.

7th day, Saturday, Feb 24: To Lake Tiberias & Capernaum (B/L/D)
An early start as we will have a sunrise meditation cruise on the Sea of Galilee in a “Jesus” boat. Re-experience 2,000 year old fishing techniques used by St. Peter and later see an actual Galillean boat recently uncovered by archaeologists. Onto Capernaum, site of St. Peter’s home. Lunch before going onto visit Tabgha, where Christ multiplied loaves and fishes. Then to Mt. Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place. We will have mass there on site. Onto Mt. Tabor, the Mount of Transformation. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Fountain of Mary. We will coach past Cana, the site of the first miracle. Return to Tiberias for our overnight and partake in a special “St. Peter’s Fish Dinner.”

8th day, Sunday, Feb 25: To Caesarea & Tel Aviv (B/L/D)
Quiet time and a morning service at the hotel before we continue on our way of the prophecy and revelation as we depart for Tel of Megiddo, the Place of Armageddon, and where it is said that the last great war may be fought. Descend through 6.000 years of history to an underground cistern where the secrets of prophecy lay. Will the historic record here be completed in the near future? Continue to Caesarea, the ancient Roman pagan city where Christ announced his ministry, and to Tel Aviv for dinner & overnight.

9th day, Monday, Feb 26: To USA (B)
Mass at the hotel before we depart for the airport and board our flight for the journey back to the States for same-day arrival.

The Price Includes:
Round trip transportation from the East End to JFK
Round-trip air from JFK to Tel Aviv
Airport transfer to and from hotels
7 nights accommodations in First Class Hotels
Hotel taxes and service charges
Breakfast every day
Lunch every day (except Day 3 in Jerusalem)
Dinner every day
Sightseeing as per itinerary including entrance fees
Deluxe coach transportation throughout the Holy Land
Fully escorted

Special Features:
St Peter’s Fish dinner at the Sea of Galilee
Baptism at Jordan River
Masses throughout including at the Church of St Anne, the Garden Cave & Bethany
Jesus boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Visit St Peter’s home in Capernaum
Walk the Stations of the Cross
Visit the Church of the Nativity
Visit the Garden of Gethsemane
View the Dead Sea Scroll
View the Mount of Olives

Our Accommodations (or similar)
In Jerusalem – 4 nights @ the Grand Court Jerusalem, a short walk to the Old City
At the Sea of Galilee – 2 nights @ the Nof Ginosar Hotel & Kibbutz, near the Jordan Valley
In Tel Aviv -1 night @ the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv,  across from the beautiful Mediterranean Sea

Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour

** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.

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PRICE PER PERSON
Per Person in Double Occupancy
$2,699 via check or money order
$2,849 via credit card

Per Person in Single Occupancy Room:
$3,499 via check or money order
$3,689 via credit card

Add to above costs:
*U.S. airline facility, security, taxes and Fuel Surcharge $299 ($319 via credit card)
*Prepaid Gratuities to drivers and guides $90 ($95 via credit card)

LAND ONLY (for those who want to use their own air and are joining in Tel Aviv)
$2,199 via check or money order
$2,299 via credit card

Per Person in Single Occupancy Room:
$2,999 via check or money order
$3,159 via credit card

Add to above costs:
*Prepaid Gratuities to drivers and guides $90 ($95 via credit card)

INITIAL DEPOSIT: $350 ($369 by credit card)
Deposit due on or before August 1, 2017 to hold space. Thereafter space is on request.

FINAL PAYMENTS due on or before December 1, 2017

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Travel Insurance

RMC Travel highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact RMC’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323..