Holy Land
Sheep on the Mount of Olives - Beautiful sunset view of Old City Jerusalem: the Dome of the Rock and the Golden or Mercy Gate, with sheep grazing between olive
trees on the Mount of Olives
Journey to the land where salvation history unfolded on this profound Holy Land Pilgrimage, thoughtfully designed to follow the life of Christ from the Annunciation to the Resurrection. Beginning along the Mediterranean coast and moving north through Galilee, pilgrims encounter the places where the Word became flesh and Christ first revealed Himself to the world — from Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation, to Cana, where Mass is celebrated at the site of His first miracle. Along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, pilgrims reflect on Christ’s public ministry with visits to Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and Magdala, complemented by a peaceful boat ride recalling the calling of the disciples. The journey continues south to Mount Tabor, site of the Transfiguration, before descending into the Jordan Valley to the wilderness landscapes of Dead Sea, Qumran, and the Jordan River, where pilgrims renew their baptismal promises. In Bethlehem, Mass is celebrated near the Grotto of the Nativity, marking the birthplace of Our Lord, before the pilgrimage culminates in Jerusalem. Here, pilgrims walk the Palm Sunday path from the Mount of Olives, pray in Gethsemane, gather in the Upper Room, and follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Mass is celebrated at the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Rich in Scripture, prayer, and sacramental life, this pilgrimage invites participants not only to see the holy places, but to encounter Christ anew and return home renewed in faith and discipleship
Your trip includes
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Round-trip airfare from Dulles International Airport
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Motorcoach transportation from your parish to Dulles (IAD) and back.
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All airport taxes and fuel surcharges
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First Class Hotel accommodations:
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​1 night: Tel Avivi, Israel
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2 nights: Tiberias, Israel
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5 night: Jerusalem, Israel
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Single supplements, while available
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Transfers as per itinerary
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Portage at hotels upon arrival & departure.
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Breakfast and dinner daily
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A glass of wine with dinners
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Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
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Tour escort throughout
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Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
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Assistance of professional local Catholic guide(s) as appropriate
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Sightseeing and admission fees as per Itinerary
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Mass daily and spiritual activities
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Not included:
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Lunches and beverages not mentioned
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Travel Insurance
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Tips to your guide & driver. (est. $100 total)
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Church donations (budget $2.00-$5.00 per Mass)
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Passports, visas, and any required travel documentation
Itinerary
Dulles International Airport
Day 1
After a pilgrimage Mass at your parish, transfer by coach bus to Dulles International Airport to catch an evening flight for a morning arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.
Day 2
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Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be warmly greeted by your local guide. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv to settle in after your journey. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and a restful overnight as you prepare to begin your pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
Church of the Beatitudes
Courtyard of the Wedding Church at Cana
Day 3
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Theme: The Annunciation & First Miracle
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Traveling north along the Mediterranean coast, pilgrims arrive at Caesarea Maritima, once a magnificent Roman harbor and an important center of early Christianity. Walking among its ruins, visitors encounter the world of the early Church and recall figures such as St. Peter and St. Paul, who passed through this city during the spread of the Gospel. The journey then continues inland to Nazareth, where pilgrims enter the Basilica of the Annunciation. Descending into the sacred Grotto, traditionally revered as the home of the Holy Family, pilgrims reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and Mary’s humble “yes” that changed the course of salvation history.
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From Nazareth, the pilgrimage proceeds to Cana, where Mass is celebrated at the Wedding Church, commemorating Christ’s first public miracle. Married couples have the opportunity to renew their vows, entrusting their marriages anew to the Lord who sanctified marriage at Cana. The day concludes with a scenic drive to the Sea of Galilee, whose tranquil waters witnessed so much of Christ’s ministry. Dinner and overnight by the lakeshore offer time for peaceful reflection, preparing hearts for the sacred sites of Galilee yet to come.
Day 4 ​
Theme: Christ’s Public Ministry
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The day begins along the shores of the Sea of Galilee with a serene boat ride across its storied waters. As the boat glides quietly over the lake, pilgrims reflect on the moments when Christ calmed the storm and called His first disciples to follow Him, setting the stage for His public ministry. This peaceful experience invites prayerful contemplation and helps pilgrims enter more deeply into the Gospel scenes that unfolded here nearly two thousand years ago.
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Continuing on land, the pilgrimage visits Capernaum, where Jesus lived and taught, and where the ruins of the ancient synagogue and Peter’s house speak powerfully of daily life in the time of Christ. From there, pilgrims ascend the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount, to reflect on the heart of Christ’s teaching. The journey continues to Tabgha, commemorating the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, and to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, recalling the risen Christ’s tender restoration of Peter. The day concludes at Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene, where beautifully preserved ruins and modern chapel spaces offer time for prayer and reflection. Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee provide a fitting close to a day immersed in the landscapes of Christ’s ministry.
Sea of Galilee
Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor
Day 5
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Theme: The Transfiguration & Temptation
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The day begins with an ascent of Mount Tabor, traditionally revered as the site of Christ’s Transfiguration. At the summit, pilgrims celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration, giving thanks in the very place where Jesus revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. Surrounded by sweeping views of the Galilee, this powerful liturgy invites pilgrims to reflect on the mystery of Christ’s divinity and the call to be transformed in Him.
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Leaving Mount Tabor, the journey continues south through the dramatic landscapes of the Jordan Valley, descending toward Jericho, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Along the way, pilgrims view the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus fasted and prayed for forty days at the start of His public ministry. The day concludes with the drive up to Jerusalem, the holy city of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, where dinner and overnight allow time to prepare spiritually for the sacred sites that await in the days ahead.
Day 6
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Theme: The Visitation & Nativity
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The day begins in the peaceful hill country village of Ein Karem, traditionally revered as the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Pilgrims visit the Church of the Visitation, commemorating Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth and her proclamation of the Magnificat. Set amid quiet gardens and sweeping views, this sacred site invites reflection on humility, joy, and God’s faithfulness as pilgrims contemplate the hidden years that prepared the way for Christ’s coming.
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Continuing south, the pilgrimage stops at Shepherds’ Field, where angels announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds keeping watch by night. From there, pilgrims enter Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously used churches in the world. Mass is celebrated near the Grotto marking the birthplace of Our Lord, allowing pilgrims to kneel in prayer at the very place where the Word became flesh. The day concludes with a return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight, hearts deeply moved by the mystery of the Incarnation.
Nativity Silver Star - marking birthplace of Jesus
Jordan River
Day 7
Theme: Baptism & the Wilderness
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This morning the pilgrimage descends into the dramatic landscape of the Jordan Valley, arriving at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Surrounded by desert mountains and striking biblical scenery, pilgrims encounter a place long associated with silence, reflection, and renewal. Those who wish may enjoy the unforgettable experience of floating effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters, renowned for their natural buoyancy and restorative qualities. Time is provided to relax and refresh, offering both physical renewal and a contemplative pause amid the journey.
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The pilgrimage then continues to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, providing invaluable insight into the Jewish faith and culture of the time into which Christ was born. The day concludes at the Jordan River, where pilgrims gather for a prayerful renewal of baptismal promises, recalling the baptism of Our Lord by St. John the Baptist and our own call to new life in Christ. The return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight brings this spiritually rich day to a reflective close.
Day 8
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Theme: Palm Sunday & the Agony
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The day begins on the Mount of Olives, offering sweeping panoramic views of Jerusalem, the city at the heart of salvation history. From here, pilgrims walk the traditional Palm Sunday path, retracing Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Along the way, the pilgrimage pauses at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city, reflecting on His compassion, sorrow, and love for humanity. This moving walk invites pilgrims to enter more deeply into the final days of Christ’s earthly life.
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The journey continues to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony on the night before His Passion. Time is provided for silent prayer inside the Church of All Nations, built over the rock where Christ is believed to have prayed, allowing pilgrims to unite their own intentions with His surrender to the Father’s will. From Gethsemane, the pilgrimage proceeds to Mount Zion, visiting the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, recalling Peter’s denial and repentance, and the Upper Room, traditionally associated with the Last Supper and the coming of the Holy Spirit. This deeply reflective day brings pilgrims face to face with the unfolding drama of Christ’s Passion.
Garden of Gethsemane
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Day 9
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Theme: Passion, Death & Resurrection
The day unfolds in the heart of the Old City as pilgrims walk the Via Dolorosa in prayer, retracing the path Jesus walked on His way to Calvary. Each station invites reflection on Christ’s suffering and His profound love for humanity. The journey culminates at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christianity, encompassing both the place of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Here, Mass is celebrated at the very heart of the Paschal Mystery, allowing pilgrims to unite their prayers with Christ’s saving sacrifice and rejoice in the triumph of new life.
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Following Mass, the pilgrimage continues to the St. Anne’s Church, renowned for its remarkable acoustics and traditionally associated with the birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Nearby, pilgrims visit the Pool of Bethesda, recalling Jesus’ healing of the paralytic and His call to faith and trust. The day concludes at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, where the ancient stones bear silent witness to centuries of devotion. This powerful conclusion offers pilgrims a deeper appreciation of Jerusalem’s sacred legacy and the shared roots of faith that converge within its walls.
Day 10
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Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for the return flight home to Dulles International Airport. Upon arrival in the United States, pilgrims are met by a private motorcoach for the return transfer to the parish church from which they departed.
AMDG Travel Disclaimer
From time to time, local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the sequence of activities or result in the omission of certain sites or events. While every effort will be made to operate the itinerary as planned, the itinerary should be understood as an indication of the planned schedule rather than a binding guarantee of specific stops or events. Hotels listed on the itinerary have been carefully selected and contracted in advance for this pilgrimage. However, due to availability changes, operational requirements, or circumstances beyond our control, it may occasionally be necessary to substitute a hotel. In such cases, AMDG Travel will secure accommodations of equivalent or higher quality, consistent with the overall standard, location, and character of the pilgrimage.