Pilgrimage Itinerary

Here's our final itinerary

1 May Tue JERUSALEM
This morning we have a guided walk of the Old City of Jerusalem, identifying the four main sectors. We spend time at the Wailing Wall which is the closest location to the place where the Temple used to stand. The Wall we know today was a part of the Temples Western Wall, hence its name. We also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which is known as the church of the Resurrection and stands on the site that encompasses both Golgotha, or Calvary where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb where he was buried. This church has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 4th century and it remains the holiest Christian site in the world.

2 May Wed
We set off to the Mt of Olives where we visit the Church of Pater Noster. This church, belonging to the Carmelite Sisters, is believed to have been built over the grotto in which Jesus gathered his disciples and taught them ‘The Lords Prayer’. There is a panoramic view over the city as we wander past the tombs of the Prophets Haggai, Malachi & Zechariah before arriving at Dominius Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. We visit the Church of Mary Magdalene and then on to the Garden of Gethsemane to see the Church of All Nations which contains the bare rock upon which Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. After lunch we proceed on to Mt Zion to visit the Cenaculum, room of the Last Supper and the Church of Dormition where Our Lady was assumed into heaven. We then go on to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu where we commemorate Peter’s denial of Jesus after his arrest, before visiting King David’s tomb and tower. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

3 May Thu JERUSALEM - GALILEE
Travel to Beit-Sh’ean the most exciting antiquity excavations in Israel. It dates to the Romans/Byzantine period when 50,000 people lived there. After our lunch stop we visit Yardenit- Jordan River site of Jesus’ Baptism and then continue to Tiberias on the shores of Lake Galilee.

4 May Fri
We set out for Nain to relive the story of the dead son Jesus returned to his mother, then on to Cana to the First Miracle Church, also called the Wedding Church, where Jesus turned water into wine. In the afternoon we ascend the narrow road leading to the majestic summit of Mt Tabor where Our Lord’s divinity shone forth in the Transfiguration.

5 May Sat
Our day begins with a visit to Nof Ginosaur Kibbutz within which is preserved the remains of a first century fishing boat as in the days of Christ. We arrive at Tabgha, site of the feeding of the 5,000, where we celebrate a special Mass at the outdoor alter down by the shore of the lake. We travel by road around the lake to Korazim to relive the parable of ‘The House built on the Rock’ and the ‘Persevering Widow’. We stop at Sowers Cove to reflect on ‘The parable of the sower’ before proceeding to Capernaum, the centre of Jesus’ teaching and healing and home to Peter the apostle. Onwards to the Church of the Primacy of Peter where Jesus challenged Peter “Do you really love me, feed my sheep”. A ‘St Peters fish’ lunch is included today. Then we set off in a traditional sailing vessel across the sea whilst reflecting on Jesus miracles of calming the sea and walking on water.

6 May Sun
Our day begins with Mass at the Mount of the Beatitudes as we take time in this special place of silence to ponder Jesus’ message of happiness. The adventurous may enjoy a stroll down the mountainside in the tradition of Jesus. We continue on to Sepphoris the original capital of Galilee. The rest of day is at leisure.

7 May Mon
Today we journey to Nazareth and see sights pertaining to Joseph and Mary. We visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and also see the Church of St Joseph, Mary’s Well and a traditional Jewish Synagogue. This afternoon there is free time to explore the historic bazaars and experience everyday life in Nazareth.

8 May Tue GALILEE – JERUSALEM
Our return to Jerusalem takes us through the lush Jordan valley to Jericho the ‘city of Palms’, which is said to be the oldest inhabited city and most famous oasis. An intriguing look at the excavations will assist our understanding of the successive stages of the town walls and its 10,000 year history. We ascend by cable car the Mount of Temptation, the site of Jesus fast of 40 days.

9 May Wed
We set off to visit to Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum and gardens) including the children’s memorial. Yad Vashem has been entrusted with documenting the history of the Jewish people during the holocaust period, preserving the memory and story of each of the six million victims. The afternoon is at leisure.

10 May Thu
Sightseeing in Jerusalem this morning includes the Dome of the Rock & El Aqsa Mosque. In the afternoon we enjoy sightseeing in Bethlehem taking us back to the first Christmas as we visit the Shepherds Field to commemorate the appearance of the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. On to Bethlehem where we will visit the Church of the Nativity, (built over the site where Jesus was born) Manger Square and the Grotto of the Holy Manger. We continue to Ein Kareem, birthplace of St John the Baptist and the sight of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

11 May Fri
Today we visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd boy. We continue south to Massada where, on arrival we embark on the cable car to the summit which offers spectacular scenery. Here we will have a guided tour of Herod’s fortress and the Zealot’s last stand. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea at En Boqeq.

12 May Sat
Today we set off for Emmaus. The Church of St Anne, built over the place of birth of the Virgin Mary is a beautiful crusader church erected over the birthplace of Anne, the mother of Mary. The church is right next to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralysed man. We continue on to Ecce Homo Convent where we view Lithostrotos and the Pavement and visit Flagellation and Condemnation Chapels.
The afternoon is free to do the Stations of the Cross in your own time and way.

13 May Sun ISTANBUL
This morning we will be transferred to Tel Aviv International Airport for our flight to Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul we will be taken to visit Hagia Sophia .
Hagia Sophia was rebuilt in her present form between 532 and 537 under the personal supervision of Emperor Justinian I. It is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture, rich with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. After completion, Justinian is said to have exclaimed, ("Solomon, I have outdone thee!").

14 May Mon
After breakfast we take a walking tour with a local guide to the Blue Mosque At the Blue Mosque you will be provided with plastic bags to slip over your feet before entering. The Blue Mosque acquired its name because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. The Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616. Besides being tourist attraction, it's also an active mosque, so it's closed to non worshippers for a half hour or so during the five daily prayers. From here we walk to the colourful Grand Bazaar.

15 & 16 May At Leisure

17 & 18 May Travel back to New Zealand