OPTIC YOUTH TOUR

Itinerary of the Holy Land Oct 01-09, 2018

Day 1: Arrival to the Holy Land at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv
You will be met by the tour guide and the driver then you will drive to Bethlehem to the Pilgrim Residence Hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Pilgrim Residence.

Day 2: The city of Ein Karem and Bethlehem
After breakfast at the hotel, you will start the day by visiting the small city of Ein Karem, the birth place of John the Baptist. Then you will visit the Church of the Visitation were Virgin Mary met Elizabeth. In Beit Sahour, you will visit the Shepherds’ Field, where the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherd and they followed the star to the Grotto where Jesus was born. Then you will visit the Church of the Nativity and the Grotto of St Jerome, where he translated the Bible. Lastly, you will visit the Milk Grotto and St Mary monastery of the Coptic Church. You will return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Pilgrim Residence.

Day 3: Jerusalem and the Old City
A breakfast box will be taken from the hotel. We will try to attend the liturgy with the fathers in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and then go to the Old City through the Lions’ Gate to visit the Pool of Bethesda, the Church of St Anne where Virgin Mary was born, the prison where Jesus stayed and the Church of Flagellation. You will walk Via Dolorosa through its 14 stations to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where you will spend some time praying. Lastly, you will visit St Mark’s Syrian Church, the Coptic Patriarchate in Jerusalem and St Georges’ Convent in Jaffa Gate. You will return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Pilgrim Residence.

Day 4: Mount of Olives and Mount Zion
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary and if possible, you will attend a liturgy. You will visit the Church of Mary Magdalene and later the city of Bethphage, from there you will go to the Mount of Olives for a lovely panoramic view of the city. Then, you will visit the Church of the Ascension and the Russian Church where Jesus ascended to heaven. Visiting the church of “Our Father…” the place where Jesus taught his disciples the prayer of the Lord. Stop at the church of Dominus Flevit. Visiting the mount of Zion the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu the place where St. Peter denied Jesus three times. Visiting the last supper room and Visiting the church of the Dormition Abbey. Lastly, you will visit the house John, the Tomb of King David and the Wailing Wall. You will return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Pilgrim Residence.

Day 5: Jericho
After breakfast at the hotel, you will head south to the city of Lazarus to visit his tomb. Then, you will drive to Jericho, the most ancient city in the world, and you will visit the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil. You can climb up the mountain or use the cable car. Later, you will visit Elisha’s Spring and St Zacchaeus Coptic Orthodox Monastery. Lastly, you will visit the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized by John (you can be symbolically baptized in the river) and you will also visit the Monastery of St Gerasimus. You will return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Pilgrim Residence.

Day 6: Nazareth and Haifa
You will depart the hotel with your luggage after having breakfast and checking out. You will head to Nazareth and visit the Church of Annunciation, the Well and the House of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Coptic Monastery and possibly to have a liturgy there. You will then visit the Church of the Wedding at Cana of Galilee and the Orthodox and Catholic Church where Jesus made his first miracle. Later, you will visit the Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah. Lastly, you will head to the city of Haifa, visit the Grotto of Elijah and the church and statue of Elijah’s slaughtering of the prophets of Baal and the Baha’i Gardens. You will head to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Golan Hotel.

Day 7: Tiberias Lake
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Mount of Beatitudes and then the city of Tabgha, the place where Jesus made the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. Then, you will visit the House of St Peter and the Orthodox Church of the Apostles. You will have lunch at the restaurant to commemorate the miracle of the loaves and fish (lunch is included). Later, you will have free time on the boat in the sea of Galilee. You will return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Golan Hotel.

Day 8: Jerusalem and the Old City
You will depart the hotel with your luggage and checking out. A breakfast box will be taken from the hotel. You will visit the Old City of Jerusalem for the second time, attending the Holy Liturgy at the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Then, you will go to the Coptic Monastery in Jerusalem to meet the religious leaders and you will be given some free time. You will return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Pilgrim Residence.

Day 9: Hebron, Oak of Mamre, Lod and departure from Tel Aviv
You will depart the hotel with your luggage after having breakfast and checking out. You will go to Hebron and visit the Russian Orthodox Church where Ibrahim met the three angels. From there you will head to the Church of St George in Lod for blessings and later to Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv for departures.

The hotels we will stay in for the 9 days:

Pilgrim Residence Bethlehem – www.pilgrimresidence.com
Golan Hotel Tibrias – www.golanhotel.com

May the Lord bless each and every one of you and give you the strength to visit the Holy Land again. + + + + + +