Catholic Pilgrimages
Italy and Holy Land Tour
Depart from the USA for an overnight journey to the historic city of Rome.
Day 1:
USA to Rome
Upon arrival at Rome’s airport, transfer to your hotel to settle in. In the evening, savor a delicious Italian dinner and relax in preparation for the days ahead. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02:
Arrival in Rome
After breakfast, embark on a panoramic tour of Rome’s highlights, taking in the iconic landmarks of this ancient city. Continue to Assisi, a picturesque medieval town nestled on a hilltop, known as the birthplace of Saint Francis. Dinner and overnight at the hotel (depending on arrival time).
Day 03:
Rome to Assisi
Enjoy breakfast before starting your explora tion of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobblestone streets, stone houses, and ancient churches. Begin with the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the Por ziuncola, a tiny chapel where Saint Francis founded the Franciscan order. Next, visit the Basilica of Saint Clare, where Saint Clare, a friend of Saint Francis, is interred. Walk through Piazza del Comune, the heart of Assisi, and continue to the grand Basilica of Saint Francis, adorned with stunning frescoes by Giotto, where the tomb of Saint Francis is located. Also visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young, recently beatified Italian known for his devotion to the Eucharist and the internet. In the afternoon, travel to Cascia, home to the revered Saint Rita, known as the “Saint of the Impossible.” Visit the sanctuary and monastery where she lived, and see her prayer cell, the oratory, and the rose garden that recalls her miracles. Return to Rome for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 04:
Assisi - Cascia - Rome
After breakfast, meet your guide for an immersive day in the Vatican. Begin in St. Peter’s Square, where you can admire Berni ni’s impressive colonnades and the central obelisk. Enter St. Peter's Basilica, the world’s largest church, with Michelangelo's renowned Pietà and Bernini's breathtaking Baldachin over the high altar. Following lunch, explore the Vatican Museums, an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts spanning centu ries. Conclude with the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes depict the Creation and Last Judgment. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05:
Vatican Museums - St. Peter's Basilica
Following breakfast, attend the Angelus with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, a special blessing from the Pope. Afterward, enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome’s cathedral and the oldest major basilica in the West. Conti nue to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, with its beautifully adorned interior, and Saint Peter in Chains, which houses Michelangelo’s Moses and the relics of the chains that bound Saint Peter. Lunch, followed by a visit to the Mamertine Prison, Rome's oldest prison, where tradition holds that Saints Peter and Paul were once held captive. Return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Day 06:
Angelus with Pope Francis - Rome
After breakfast, meet your guide for a visit to the Tre Fontane Abbey, where Saint Paul was believed to have been martyred. This Cister cian abbey, surrounded by peaceful gardens, is known for its three churches. Continue to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, an impressive basilica founded by Emperor Constantine on the Apostle Paul’s tomb. After lunch, tour the Catacombs of Callixtus, one of Rome’s largest ancient Christian burial grounds. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07:
Rome Full Day
Enjoy breakfast and a free day to explore Rome at your own pace, whether wandering through its historic streets, visiting museums, or shopping. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner with a live performance at Le Terme del Colosseo, an authentic Roman restaurant, before returning to the hotel.
Day 08:
Rome
After breakfast, head to St. Peter’s Square to attend a papal audience with Pope Francis. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, complete entry procedu res and meet your guide for a transfer to Naza reth, where you’ll check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and relax.
Day 09:
Audience with Pope Francis - Tel Aviv
Start with breakfast, then visit Nazareth, the city of the Holy Family. Tour the Basilica of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel appea red to Mary, and Mary’s Well, a place associa ted with daily life of the Virgin Mary. Explore the Church of Saint Joseph, traditionally thou ght to be the site of Joseph’s carpentry works hop. Proceed to Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding feast. After lunch, travel to Mount Tabor, where the Transfiguration of Jesus took place, and enjoy stunning views of the surroun ding valleys. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10:
Nazareth - Cana - Mount Tabor
After breakfast, travel to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, followed by a visit to the Primacy of Peter, where Jesus designated Peter as the foundation of his Church. Continue to Capernaum, Jesus’s base during his ministry, where you’ll find the remains of Peter’s house and an ancient synagogue. Option to celebrate Holy Mass here. Embark on a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water. Following lunch, visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, and explore the archaeo logical site of Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11:
Sea of Galilee
Breakfast at the hotel before traveling throu gh the Judean desert. Visit Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, and see the Mount of Temptation and Zacchaeus’s Sycamore. Stop at Qasr el Yahud on the Jordan River, where you’ll have the opportunity to renew baptismal vows at the site believed to be where Jesus was baptized. Continue to Qumran for lunch and learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery. Enjoy a swim in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, known for its buoyancy and healing properties. Arrive in Bethlehem for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12:
Jordan River - Dead Sea - Bethlehem
Following breakfast, travel to Ein Karem, the birthplace of Saint John the Baptist. Visit the Church of the Visitation, where Mary greeted Elizabeth. Continue to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Visit the Shepherds’ Field, where angels announced Jesus’s birth, and celebrate Holy Mass. In the afternoon, explo re the Church of the Nativity, which houses the grotto where Jesus was born. Return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Day 13:
Bethlehem - Ein Karem
After breakfast, journey to Jerusalem, begin ning with a visit to the Shrine of the Book and the model of ancient Jerusalem to better understand the sites of the city. Continue to the Mount of Olives, visiting the Chapel of the Ascension and the Church of Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer. As you descend, stop at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and conclu de at the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Jesus’s agony. After lunch, visit Mount Zion, the Tomb of King David, the Cenacle (Last Supper Room), and the Abbey of the Dormi tion. Return to the hotel for dinner and over night stay.
Day 14:
Mount Zion - Mount of Olives - Jerusalem
Early breakfast before entering the Old City to walk the Via Dolorosa, reflecting on the Passion of Christ. Reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, housing the sites of the cruci f ixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. After lunch, visit the Western Wall, a sacred Jewish site, the Church of Saint Anne, and the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a paralytic. Conclude with free time in the city’s souks. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15:
Old City of Jerusalem
Following breakfast, travel to Joppa, a pictu resque coastal town where St. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead. Visit the Church of Saint Peter and the house of Simon the Tanner. Stroll through the quaint fishing villa ge before transferring to Tel Aviv Airport for your return flight home.
Day 16:
Joppa - Tel Aviv - and Departure