The week of May 25, 2014 will be an historic moment in the Holy Land when Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Bethlehem at the Church of Nativity.

Reserve this 8-day private guided tour of the Holy Land to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis and attend the Mass when the Pope officiates.

Wood Boat on Sea of Galilee

Day 1: Wednesday, May 21, 2014. Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.  VIP transfer to Tel Aviv. Overnight: Tel Aviv.

Day 2: Thursday, May 22: Joppa / Caesarea Maritima / Galilee. Your guide will meet you at the hotel. After breakfast, visit Joppa (Old Jaffa), home of Simon the Tanner. Drive north to Caesarea Maritima. Visit the Roman Theater, Herod’s Palace, the Palace of the Roman Procurator (Apostles 23:23 and Apostles 26:23 – Paul; Apostles 10:20-48 – Peter and Cornelius),  the Amphitheater, the Crusaders’ City and Harbor. Drive to Megiddo, named also Armageddon – the place where the last battle of mankind is due to take place (the Apocalypse of St. John) – where we shall visit the Museum  and this 5,000 year old city with the Gates from the times of King  Solomon, the old Canaanite temples and the water tunnel from the time of  King Ahab. Proceed to Nazareth, visiting the Church of Annunciation (Luke 26:28) and Mary’s Well (in the Greek Orthodox Church). Drive on to Cana in the Galilee, site of the First Miracle (John 2:1-11 and John 4:46-54).  Proceed to Tiberias. Overnight: Sea of Galilee, Tiberias

Simon the Tanner, Joppa

Day 3: Friday, May 23: Galilee. After breakfast take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:22-23). The ride will end at Ginosar  to visit the Ancient Boat from the time of Jesus that was found nearby. Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5:7) where we shall visit the heptagonal church that was built by the Italian architect  Berluzzi. Proceed to Tabgha, to visit the Church of the Loaves and the Fish (Matthew 14:14-34) and the Church of Mensa Christi, where Jesus elected Peter as His Representative on Earth (John 21). Driving along the north shores of the Sea of Galilee we shall reach Capernaum, the town of Jesus, where he lived in the house of Peter performing from there his miracles and healings (Matthew 4:13, Matthew 8:14-15). Continue to Kursi, site of the Miracle of the Gaderene Swine. Drive to Yardenit on the shores of the Jordan River and renew Baptismal promises. Overnight: Sea of Galilee, Tiberias

Day 4: Saturday, May 24: Mount Tabor, Qumran, Dead Sea, Jerusalem. After breakfast depart the hotel. Drive to Mount Tabor, the site of Transfiguration, visiting the Catholic Church (Matthew 17:1-8). From the rooftop of the church, enjoy a beautiful view of the Lower Galilee and the Plain of Jezreel. Stop at a boutique winery to sample local wines. Drive via the Jordan Valley to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Ascend to Jerusalem. Overnight:  Jerusalem

Baptism in Jordan River

Day 5: Sunday, May 25: Jerusalem, Bethlehem. After breakfast, drive to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Celebrate Mass with Pope Francis at the Church of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem. Time permitting, visit the Israel Museum to view the Dead Sea Scrolls. Overnight:  Jerusalem

Day 6: Monday, May 26: Jerusalem – the Old City. After breakfast ascend the Mount of Olives to visit the Chapel of the Ascension (Luke 24:50-53), the Church of the Pater Noster (Luke 11:1-4) and have a wonderful panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount. Walking down the Mount of Olives, we shall reach the Church of Dominus Flevit (Luke 19: 41-44) for the visit and proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:36-58), to see the old olive trees and visit the Basilica of the Agony. Through the Lion’s Gate we shall walk into the Old City to visit the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). Proceed through the Via Dolorosa walking along the Stations of the Cross from the remains of the Antonia to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After the visits, walk through the colorful bazaar and return to the hotel. Overnight: Jerusalem

5th Station of the Cross, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

Day 7: Tuesday, May 27: After breakfast drive to Mount Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle) and the Tomb of King David. Continue to Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial. Drive to Ein Karem  where John the Baptist was born to visit. Ein Karem is a lively village on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

Day 8: Wednesday, May 28: Departure. Depending on departure time, enjoy shopping in Jerusalem’s galleries or in the Old City. Private car transfer to the airport with VIP assistance on departure to avoid waiting on lines.