11/09/2018
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN HOLYLAND
USD 1898/PERSON
TRAVEL DATE: DECEMBER 20 - 27, 2018
INCLUSIONS
• Roundtrip International Economy Class Airfare
• Meet & Assist at Airport
• Hotel Accommodation on twin sharing using local 4* hotel
• All meals as indicated (B – Buffet Breakfast, L – Lunch, & D – Dinner)
• Tours & Sightseeing with English Speaking Guide
• Transportation on modern air- conditioned coach (with WIFI)
• Travel kit, Souvenirs, & Certificates
• Pre-Departure Orientation
• Tour coordinator from the Philippines
ITINERARY:
Dec 20: DEPARTURE MANILA
Check in At Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Enjoy flight with on board amenities and entertainment.
Dec 21: ARRIVAL TEL AVIV / STELLA MARIS (Mount Carmel) / NAZARETH
(Church of Annunciation) / MT. TABOR / YARDENIT (LD)
Arrival Tel Aviv, meet and assist. Drive north further north to Haifa, atop Mount Carmel; to Stella Maris Monastery, a small cave under the monastery is held by a Christian tradition to be a place where Elijah occasionally lived — as people on Mount Carmel have lived in caves since prehistoric times. Drive to Nazareth, the hometown of Mary and Joseph. It was here that Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit. (Lk 1:26-38). Visit the Church of Annunciation which stands on the traditional site of Gabriel's announcement to Mary. Also visit Mary's Well, where it is believed to be where Mary may have fetched water regularly and St. Gabriel's Orthodox Church. Drive to Mt. Tabor and ascend by taxi to the Church of Transfiguration. Descend after and proceed to Yardenit for renewal of baptism. Transfer to your hotel for check-in dinner and overnight.
Dec 22: CANA / MT. OF BEATITUDES / TABGHA / CAPERNAUM (BLD)
After breakfast and proceed to Cana, the most popular tradition identifies it with the modern village of Kefr' Kenna, about 7 km northeast of Nazareth. The Franciscan "Wedding Church" celebrates the miracle of Cana, where Jesus performed His First Miracle, turning water into wine. here couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage vows. And then to Mt. of Beatitudes, the traditional site where Jesus uttered the immortal words "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God". (Matthew 5:3-12). Visit the Church and its grounds for private reading of the Sermon on the Mount. Continue to nearby Tabgha, the site where Jesus performed the Miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes; visit the Church of the Loft and Fish Miracle. On the stone which serves as the altar, there is mosaic of basket of loaves flanked by two fish to commemorate this miraculous event. Two hundred yards away is the Church of Primacy, built in1934 in basalt over a massive rock called "Mensa Christi". Here where the Risen Lord appeared to his disciples, prepared breakfast for them and gave St. Peter the pastoral commission, Feed my Sheep (John 21:15-19). Next visit will be to Capernaum, the home of St. Peter. Proceed to the Greek Orthodox Church and the nearby archaeological excavations of the Synagogue and community. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Dec 23: SEA OF GALILEE / JERICHO / QASR EL YAHUD / QUMRAN / DEAD SEA / BETHANY (BLD)
Check out after breakfast at hotel. Continue for a boat ride at the Sea of Galilee where Jesus' performed some of His Miracles like when he walked on the water (Mark 6:48). Next, travel south via the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the world’s oldest city conquered by Joshua; a short stop and view the Sycamore Tree. And then to Qasr El Yahud, recalls the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Visit Qumran, the home of first century sect knows as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Stop for a short float on the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. Lastly, drive to Bethany, according to the Gospel of John, the site of a miracle in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Check in at hotel in Bethlehem, dinner and overnight.
Dec 24: JERUSALEM OLD CITY – MT. OF OLIVES – MT. ZION (BLD)
After breakfast. Early morning proceed for a morning tour of Jerusalem’s Old City, starting from the St. Stephen's Gate (the Lion's Gate), stopping at St. Anne's Church – regarded as the birthplace of the Virgin Mary and the home of St. Anne and Joachin, the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus told the lame man to take up his bed and walk. Reflect while following the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – the burial place and resurrection of Jesus. It was built over the site of the place called Golgotha, which means "a place of skull". In the afternoon, we will appreciate the Holy City of Jerusalem with a visit to the Mount Of Olives, for a panoramic view of the city, Ascension Chapel – traditional place where Jesus ascended into heaven; then Paster Noster Church traditionally the site where Jesus taught the disciples how to pray "Our Father"; then Dominus Flevit Church in memory of Jesus weeping over the fate of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Ascension and walk the Palm Sunday route down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane for an intercessory prayer; it was here where Jesus spent His last night before He was arrested; Basilica of Agony, stopping along the way at the Maria Magdalena Church. Visit the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive to Nearby Mount Zion and visit the Last Supper's Room and the Tomb of King David. Visit the Dormition Abbey – traditionally the site where the Virgin Mary slept last; and St. Peter's Church in Gallicantu – traditional site where St. Peter denied Jesus for 3 times. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dec 25: BETHLEHEM – EIN KAREM (BLD)
After breakfast, we visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and visit the Church of the Nativity, where we find the Grotto of Nativity, Altar of Christ's Birth and Manger's Square. In the afternoon, tour of Ein Karem the birthplace of St. John the Baptist (now the Church of St. John the Baptist) and the Church of Visitation – where Mary came after the angel Gabriel informed her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant despite her advance years. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dec 26: DEPARTURE TEL AVIV (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Remainder of the day is free for own leisure until transfer to airport for flight back to Manila.
Dec 27: ARRIVAL MANILA Home Sweet Home
RATES AND ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICED
EXCLUSIONS
• Airline Taxes $150.00pp (subject to change)
• Tipping $60.00pp
• Airport Porter
• Beverages during meal
• Any Personal Expenses
• Any other items not mentioned in the inclusions
• Travel Insurance
• Israel Visa for Restricted Nationals
BOOKING CONDITIONS:
• Non-Refundable / Non- Transferable deposit of USD 500.00 pp upon booking
• Full Cancellation will be applied to any cancellation made 3 weeks before departure
• If the group fall below 20, your Travel Agent has the right to cancel or reschedule the tour, otherwise a supplement fee may apply
• Single Supplement USD 489.00
• MINIMUM OF 20 PASSENGERS TO RUN THIS PROGRAM