The Classic 8-Day / 7-Night Catholic Pilgrimage Itinerary – ISRAEL

The Classic 8-Day / 7-Night Catholic Pilgrimage Itinerary

📍 Days 1–3: The Galilee & The Ministry of Christ

• Day 1: Arrival & Tel Aviv: Land at Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to your coastal hotel in Tel Aviv, Netanya, or direct to the Galilee.
• Day 2: Mt. Carmel & The Annunciation: Travel to Haifa to visit Stella Maris Monastery (the world center of the Carmelites and Elijah’s Cave). Continue to Nazareth to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, built over Mary’s grotto. End the day in Cana, where couples can renew their wedding vows at the Wedding Church.
• Day 3: Around the Sea of Galilee: Visit the Mount of Beatitudes (site of the Sermon on the Mount), Tabgha (Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes), and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. Tour Capernaum, the home base of Jesus’ ministry, and take a reflective boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.

📍 Days 4–5: Judea, Bethlehem & The Jordan River

• Day 4: Mount Tabor & The Judean Wilderness: Ascend Mount Tabor to visit the Church of the Transfiguration. Travel south through the Jordan Valley to Qasr al-Yahud (the authentic baptismal site of Jesus) to renew baptismal promises. Drive into the Judean hills up to Jerusalem.
• Day 5: The Incarnation (Bethlehem & Ein Karem): Journey to Bethlehem to celebrate Mass at the Church of the Nativity (the birthplace of Jesus) and visit the Shepherd’s Field. In the afternoon, visit Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and the site of the Church of the Visitation where Mary recited the Magnificat.

📍 Days 6–7: Passion, Death, and Resurrection (Jerusalem)

• Day 6: The Mount of Olives & Mt. Zion: Stand on the Mount of Olives at the Church of Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem) and pray among the ancient olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemane (Church of All Nations). On Mt. Zion, visit the Upper Room (Cenacle), the Church of the Dormition of Mary, and St. Peter in Gallicantu (where Peter denied Christ).
• Day 7: The Via Crucis & Holy Sepulchre: Walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) through the Old City, praying the Stations of the Cross. Enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to touch Calvary (the site of the Crucifixion) and pray inside the Edicule (the Tomb of the Resurrection). Spend the afternoon at the Western Wall or the Israel Museum.

📍 Day 8: Emmaus & Departure

• Stop at Emmaus (Abu Ghosh), where the risen Christ appeared to the disciples, for a final Mass before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for departure flights.