Israel & Palestine

A Holy Land pilgrimage is a deeply moving journey through the places at the heart of the Gospels. Our itinerary begins in Galilee, where pilgrims spend several nights by the Sea of Galilee. Here you visit Capernaum, where Jesus lived and taught; Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes; the Mount of Beatitudes; Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation; Cana, associated with the first miracle; and Mount Tabor, traditional site of the Transfiguration. A boat ride on the lake and the renewal of baptismal vows at the Jordan River are moments many pilgrims treasure.

From Galilee the journey goes down through the Jordan valley to Jericho and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where you can float in the mineral-rich water. It then rises to Jerusalem, a city holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Pilgrims walk from the Mount of Olives down to the Garden of Gethsemane, pray along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A day in Bethlehem includes the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field.

Our group pilgrimages travel with a spiritual director, and daily Holy Mass is arranged at the holy sites. Travelling in the Holy Land requires patience with security checks and respect for the many faiths that share these places. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather. Because the regional situation can change, we follow government travel advisories closely and will advise you on current conditions before and during your journey. Many pilgrims describe the journey as a renewal of faith, reading the Gospel passages at the very places where the events took place.