Arrive at Cairo International Airport. After passport control and exiting the arrivals area, our English-speaking representative will meet and escort you to board your modern deluxe bus and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Today we visit Giza, including the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, followed by an excursion to Saqqara and Memphis. Saqqara served as the principal necropolis of ancient Memphis, where kings and nobles of the early Egyptian dynasties were buried. Here we will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by Imhotep—whom some have associated with the biblical Joseph, despite chronological differences. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, we drive to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (included), the largest museum in the world dedicated to ancient Egyptian treasures. We then continue to Old Cairo to visit the historic churches, including the Hanging Church and the Church of St. Sergius, where tradition holds that the Holy Family once stayed. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and begin our scenic drive to Taba (approximately six hours). Along the way, enjoy views of the Sinai desert landscapes before arriving on the shores of the Red Sea. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, unwind, and take in the peaceful surroundings. Dinner and overnight in Taba.

After breakfast, we cross the border into Israel and drive to the ancient city of Jericho, considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The Mount of Temptation will be visible in the distance as we tour Jericho, including entrance to Tel Jericho, and visit the Sycamore Tree site, recalling the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus. We then continue to the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River in Bet Arabah, where Jesus was baptized, and pilgrims will have the opportunity to renew their baptismal vows. Afterwards, we proceed to Nazareth and check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

Drive to the Sea of Galilee for an included boat ride across its peaceful waters. We then continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where we will take in the beautiful gardens and spend time in reflection, with the opportunity to celebrate Mass. Next, we visit Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee, commemorating the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and the nearby Church of the Primacy of Peter, where the Risen Lord appeared to His disciples and entrusted Peter with the care of His flock (“Feed my lambs; feed my sheep” – John 21:9). There will be free time to enjoy lunch and the chance to try the traditional St. Peter’s fish (included). We then proceed to Capernaum, the biblical village closely associated with Jesus’ ministry. Here we will see the house of Peter’s mother-in-law and the remains of an ancient synagogue dating to the time of Jesus, where much of His teaching took place. We return to our hotel in Nazareth. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

After breakfast, we visit Nazareth, the hometown of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the place where Jesus spent His childhood. We will visit the Church of the Annunciation, built over the house of Mary, where the Angel Gabriel announced that she would bear a son and call Him Immanuel. We will celebrate Mass in the church (subject to confirmation) and also visit the Upper Basilica and St. Joseph’s Workshop. We then proceed to Haifa to visit Stella Maris, the Carmelite monastery dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, built above the cave traditionally associated with the prophet Elijah, and enjoy a panoramic view of the Bay of Acco. Finally, we continue to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine at the request of His mother (John 2:1–11). Here we will visit the Franciscan Chapel, and couples may have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows (subject to confirmation). Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

After check-out, we depart for Mount Tabor (taxi included), the site of the Transfiguration, where we will have time for prayer and reflection on Christ’s human and divine natures. We then continue to Bethlehem, beginning our visit at Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest Christian churches. We will enter the church and descend to the Grotto of the Nativity, marking the place where Jesus was born, beneath the altar where a silver star bears the Latin inscription Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus (“Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary”). We will also celebrate Mass (subject to confirmation). Next, we visit the Shepherds’ Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of our Lord. The cave still shows soot marks from the fires the shepherds once lit while watching their flocks, and the field is also associated with the story of Ruth. Afterwards, we check in to our hotel in Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

We begin our day with a visit to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, followed by the Church of the Pater Noster, where Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. We then walk along Palm Sunday Road to Dominus Flevit and continue to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Rock of Agony, with the opportunity to celebrate Mass (subject to confirmation). After free time for lunch on your own, we visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu and the Cenacle, the site of the Last Supper and Pentecost. We then enter the Jewish Quarter to see the Roman Cardo and King Hezekiah’s Broad Wall, before proceeding to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the holiest site in Judaism. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Today we walk along the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) in the Old City of Jerusalem, beginning at the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. Carrying the cross, He was led through the streets of the city to His crucifixion. We will pass the Stations of the Cross and continue through the Old City markets to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, the site of Calvary and the empty Tomb of Christ, where we will celebrate Mass (subject to confirmation). We then visit the Pools of Bethesda (entrance included), the site of the healing of the paralytic (John 5), and have the opportunity to sing hymns in the nearby Crusader Church of St. Anne. Afterwards, we drive to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

We transfer to the Allenby Bridge and cross the border into Jordan (border fees included). We then proceed to Mount Nebo (included) to visit the Memorial Church of Moses, where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death. Afterwards, we continue to Petra. Dinner and overnight in Petra.

Today we visit Petra (included), one of the wonders of the ancient world built by the Nabataeans around the 2nd century BC. We enter the city through the narrow gorge known as the Siq and arrive at the magnificent Treasury. We will also see the Roman Theater, Nabataean burial caves, and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Afterwards, we transfer to the Dead Sea and check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the city of Amman, passing by the Citadel hill, the Roman Theater, and the bustling downtown districts that reflect both the ancient heritage and modern life of the Jordanian capital. After the tour, we return to our hotel at the Dead Sea, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the unique surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

At agreed time, a group transfer to International Airport to catch our flight back home.