We are very excited to announce this special pilgrimage to the HOLY LAND
with Trent Horn- acclaimed Catholic apologist, lecturer, and author.
*Group size is limited to 35 people and we expect it to fill quickly*
Package Inclusions:
- Flights from your nearby international airport or Land-Only Tour available.
- Comprehensive Sightseeing as per itinerary in a Private Deluxe Motor coach while overseas, with Guide/Escort.
- Superior Tourist hotel accommodations double occupancy with bath or shower (single supplement +$850) Tal by the Beach in Tel Aviv or similar, Notre Dame Christian Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem.
- Daily Mass
- Breakfast in hotels, dinners at hotels and local restaurants. As indicated (B, D)
- Hotel service charges and tax (at current rate)
- US airport taxes, fuel surcharges included** (subject to change in the rare occasion that gov’t/airline fees and fuel costs increase drastically)
NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE: Gratuities ($140 USD cash per person is collected on Day 2 to cover guide, hotel, driver, restaurant tips), Passport fees, meals not indicated in itinerary, items of a personal nature, optional tours, items not mentioned in itinerary, etc. See Terms
Registration and Full Payments Due: January 27, 2023
Tour ID: 23-05.06 HL Trent Horn
Cost per person:
$4,585-$5,235 in dbl occupancy room including flights depending on departure airport. See departure city chart.
$3,485.00 in double occupancy room, Land Only
*Upon arrival at Ben Gurion TLV International Airport, you will be met by our John Paul Pilgrimages and Tours Escort who will guide you to our bus for transportation to meet the rest of the group at our hotel in Tel Aviv. Similarly, on departure, a shuttle will be provided to transfer pilgrims from our hotel in Jerusalem to the airport in TLV on May 15.
Trent Horn
Catholic Apologist
After his conversion to the Catholic faith, Trent Horn earned master’s degrees in the fields of theology, philosophy, and bioethics. He serves as a staff apologist for Catholic Answers, where he specializes in teaching Catholics to graciously and persuasively engage those who disagree with them.
Trent models that approach each week on the radio program Catholic Answers Live and on his own podcast, The Counsel of Trent. He has also been invited to debate at UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and Stanford University.
Trent is an adjunct professor of apologetics at Holy Apostles College, has written for The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, and is the author of nine books, including Answering Atheism, The Case for Catholicism, and Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love.
Your itinerary at a glance
Saturday, May 6 | Day 1 | USA – Tel Aviv, Israel
Depart your home country for Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served during your transatlantic flight.
Sunday, May 7 | Day 2 | Tel Aviv
We arrive in Tel Aviv where our guide will meet you at the airport and you will transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv. We are staying in the capital city of Tel Aviv this evening after our long journey. Enjoy a group dinner together and retire to our rooms to rest. (D)
Monday, May 8 | Day 3 | Tel Aviv – Caesarea – Stella Maris – Haifa – Cana – Nazareth
We start our day traveling north to the region of Galilee. We will drive the Mediterranean coast stopping in Caesarea Maritima, where we will see ancient Roman ruins. Caesarea is the former capital of Judea and also the place where it was revealed to Peter that the teachings of Christ were made for all peoples, not only the Jewish people. We leave this important site for another, Haifa. In Haifa we visit the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. This stunning monastery is located above the cave where the prophet Elijah lived. We journey on to Cana and visit the “Wedding Church” where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. We have the unique and incredible experience of renewing our wedding vows here. Later this afternoon we arrive in Nazareth at the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well, and the Chapel of St. Joseph. It is here we remember the mystery of the Angel Gabriel telling Mary she was to conceive a son through the Holy Spirit and she gave her magnificent “FIAT” (Luke 1:26-38). We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation. This evening we enjoy dinner together and rest after a full day in Galilee. Overnight in Nazareth. (B, D)
Tuesday, May 9 | Day 4 | Nazareth – Mt. Tabor – Tiberias – Sea of Galilee – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes – Tabgha – Jericho
After a filling breakfast, ascend to the top of Mt. Tabor, the Mount of Transfiguration. Here, Jesus prayed with Peter, James and John and the prophets Moses and Elijah appeared (Luke 9:28-36). We will celebrate Mass high atop this mountain together. After a morning on the Mount, we drive to Tiberius where we enjoy a special treat-the famous St. Peter’s Fish. Then we board a boat and sail across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. The Sea of Galilee brings back the incredible story of doubt and trust that took place between St. Peter and Jesus. We arrive in Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus. Jesus performed many different miracles here including the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2: 1-12) and the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8: 14-15). We spend time reflecting on these mysteries before heading to the beautiful Mount of Beatitudes. We will visit the site where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6: 20-49). Nearby we go to Tabgha – to view the mosaics in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes and learn about Christ taking five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of thousands (John 6: 1-14). This evening we check-in at an oasis-like resort in Jericho. Don’t forget your bathing suit as you may want to relax in the pool after a long day! (B, D)
Wednesday, May 10 | Day 5 | Jericho – Jordan River – Mount of Temptation – Dead Sea – Jericho
This morning we beat the crowds by getting to the Jordan River early. We call to mind the scripture of Matthew 3: 13-17
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Celebrate Holy Mass and on the banks of the Jordan renew our baptismal vows. This is a memory that will stay with you forever. We then drive by the excavations of the oldest city in history, Jericho, at the base of the Mount of Temptation. We will climb the Mount of Temptation and learn about the devil tempting Jesus during his 40 day fast (Matthew 4: 1-11). This afternoon we continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth and spend the afternoon relaxing and floating atop these super saline waters. This evening we head back to Jericho and enjoy dinner together. (B, D)
Thursday, May 11 | Day 6 | Jericho – Bethlehem – Ein Karem – Jerusalem
We say goodbye to Jericho and travel to the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem. Bethlehem holds a special place in our Christian hearts as it is where the patient Joseph and pregnant Virgin Mary traveled to bring our Lord into this world. We will begin our day spending time in the Basilica of the Nativity (Matthew 1: 18-25). Here we pray at the manger of our Infant Lord. Later we visit the Shepherd’s Field where the Gospel of Luke tells us an angel announced the birth of Christ. What an incredible place to be, that same place where 2,000 years ago, Our Lord’s birth was announced! After lunch, we continue to Ein Karem and the Valley of the Visitation. This is where Mary made the journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, whose long awaited infant, John, leapt for joy in her womb in the presence of Mary (Luke 1: 39-45). We spend time at the Church of the Visitation and the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Tonight enjoy another traditional Middle Eastern meal together in Jerusalem and rest . Overnight in Jerusalem.
(B, D)
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 12, 13, and 14 | Days 7, 8 & 9 | Jerusalem
We spend three full days exploring Jerusalem! Walk the Old City of Jerusalem where history will come alive. From the chapels of Flagellation and Lithostrotos, follow the 14 Stations of the Cross along the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the Old City to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Basilica of the Resurrection. The Western (Wailing) Wall is the last remaining remnant of the second Jewish temple and is a prayerful place for the Jewish people. The Western Wall has been an interesting part of history and our guide will detail this history in depth. Our exploration of Jerusalem continues by visiting the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus brought the bedridden man to the pools to be healed. We also visit the Crusader Church of St. Anne, built over the site of the childhood home of the Virgin Mary. Sts. Anne and Joachim are two of the few saints who were married to other saints. We can learn a lot from their example. From the top of the Mount of Olives, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Old City, visit the chapels of Pater Noster, the Ascension, and Dominus Flevit, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of All Nations. Visit Mount of Zion, St. Peter in Gallicantu (House of Caiphas), and the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle) where the Eucharist was instituted and where the Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost. Our tour will end by visiting Dormition Abbey. Mary fell into her sleep here and was assumed into heaven and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner together sharing our experience as pilgrims with our new friends. (B, D)
“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Revelation 12:1)
Monday, May 15 | Day 10 | Departure
Reflecting on our spiritual time together, we enjoy our last meal together and transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for flights home. (B)
