NAZARETH AND JERUSALEM – IN CHRISTIAN HOSPICES

DAY 1 BEN GURION AIRPORT TO NAZARETH

Where you will be met by a Nazarene Tours representative. Transfer to your hotel in Nazareth for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2 NAZARETH - SEPHORIS

Nazareth Visit the city of Jesus, with the *Basilica of Annunciation and the Well of the Virgin Mary. Enjoy a wonderfully memorable experience visiting 'Nazareth Village' – a museum which brings to life a farm and a Galilean village, recreating Nazareth as it was 2,000 years ago. Combining archeology and re-creation it is a window into history and the life of Jesus. After lunch, Sephoris – considered to be the birthplace of Mary's parents Joachim and Anna. On to Acre, the city of the Crusaders and Haifa. Dinner and overnight stay in Nazareth. *Holy Mass at the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth.

DAY 3 TIBERIAS – SEA OF GALILEE – MOUNT TABOR

Drive by the Sea of Galilee. Stopping at sites that reflect the life and teachings of Jesus – a number of places are of historical relevance to Christians in search of their roots. The Mount of Beatitudes* – where the ceremony of the mount took place. Caphernahum – where Jesus started his preaching, also sighting the old Synagogue and the House of St. Peter. And Tabgha the site of the miracle of the Fish and Loaves. After lunch, drive to Mount Tabor, the tradition identifies the mountain where Jesus' Transfiguration occurred. On to Cana – Where Jesus performed his first Miracle at a wedding feast, turning water to wine. Overnight stay in Nazareth. *Holy Mass on the Mount of Beatitudes.

DAY 4 NAZARETH – JORDAN VALLEY – JERICHO - JERUSALEM

Leave Nazareth and drive to Jericho, the oldest city in the world, stopping by the Mount of Temptation. Drive via Wadi Kelt on the Roman ancient road for observation of St. Georges Monastery. Visit Bethany and St. Lazarus's Tomb. Proceed to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight stay. Holy Mass in Cenacle – The Last Supper Room.

DAY 5 BETHLEHEM – NEW CITY JERUSALEM

Drive to Bethlehem to visit the *Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds' Fields. Drive on to Ein Karem to visit the original Church of Visitation – where the meeting between Elizabeth and Mary took Place and the Church of St. John the Baptist. Visit the Chagall Windows in the Hadassa Hospital and the miniature model of the Old City of Jerusalem, in the second Temple period. Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem. *Holy Mass in the Church of Nativity, Bethlehem.

DAY 6 JERUSALEM

Drive to the Mount of Olives, where you can enjoy the spectacular view over the holy City. From there we descend to Josaphat Valley – visit the Pater Noster Church and the Church of Ascension, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. We then drive to Mount Zion to visit the Cenacle (The Last Supper room), King David's Tomb and the Dormition Abbey. After lunch, we will enter the Old City via the Dung Gate to visit the Wailing Wall. We walk the 'Via of the Cross' (Visa Dolorosa) to the *Holy Sepulchre. Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem. *Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

DAY 7 QUMRAN – MASSADA - JERUSALEM

Leave Jerusalem (over 800 meters above sea level) down to the Dead Sea (420 meters below sea level) within just half an hours drive. We will visit Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Then we will ascend by cable car to the top of the Massada Fortress – the last resistance place against the Romans and learn its heroic story. Return to the Dead Sea for a floating experience and back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight stay. Holy Mass in the Desert, Wadi Kelt.

DAY 8 BEN GURION AIRPORT - DEPARTURE DAY

Transfer from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport for departure. A Nazarene Tours representative will help you through your formalities.