Footprints of God with Steve & Janet Ray

Arrival in Tel Aviv’s modern Ben Gurion Airport.

Meet Steve and Janet Ray along with the local team. Transfer to Galilee. Mass and dinner on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight in Tiberias.

Ascend the Mount of Transfiguration (Mount Tabor) early for Mass to miss the crowds; then depart for the Wedding Church in Cana for Renewal of Wedding Vows. After lunch in Nazareth, visit the Church of Annunciation. Visit the House of the Holy Family. Steve speaks at all three sites. Free time to enjoy the Sea of Galilee.

Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Mount of Beatitudes for Mass. Continue on to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus said, “You are Peter (Rock)!” Steve gives his talk “Peter, the Rock, Keys & Chair”. Drive through Golan Heights; view the Syrian border with talks about the current situation in the Middle East. Lunch at Druze restaurant. Visit Tabgha where Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. Visit the Primacy of Peter where Jesus said, “Feed My sheep”. Steve’s popular talk on St. John 21. Dinner at magnificent Magdalena Restaurant.

Overnight in Tiberias.

Today enjoy a boat ride on Sea of Galilee. Arrive in Capernaum for Mass at St. Peter’s House and the synagogue where Jesus said: “Eat My Flesh!” Hear Steve’s famous talk “Defending the Eucharist”. St. Peter’s fish for lunch. Drive to Jerusalem stopping along the way at Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation and listen to Steve’s entertaining talk on Mary from the Old Testament. Steve’s 1-hour conversion story on each bus.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Spend the day in Bethlehem. Visit the Olive Wood store to support local Christians. Mass in a cave at Shepherd’s Field and visit the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born. Touch the birthplace (depending on the situation).

Visit Carmelite Monastery if time allows. Special dinner in Bedouin Tent with traditional dancing in Bethlehem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Depart early this morning and pray Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa. Arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Touch the top of Mount Calvary. Mass in Church of Holy Sepulchre (the tomb of Christ subject to confirmation.) Return to the Notre Dame for breakfast. Depart for prayer and Steve’s talk at the Western Wall. Enjoy a group lunch together in Jerusalem before a meeting with the Bishop (subject to confirmation). Optional tour of the Shroud of Turin Exhibit.

Spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Begin today with Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane with Steve’s talk. Drive to the Mount of Olives to visit the Church of Pater Noster. At the scenic Promenade, hear Steve give his invigorating “History of Salvation” in 25 minutes. Enjoy lunch at a Jewish kibbutz. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Church of Mary’s Dormition and the Upper Room, ending at the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu.

Dinner at the Cheese and Wine Restaurant on the roof of the Notre Dame Center, overlooking Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Celebrate morning Mass at Notre Dame Chapel. Bring your Rosaries and other religious items for blessing. Free day for shopping, prayer, rest, personal visit to Holy Sepulchre or optional side trips. Optional Excursion (tour escort will advise price) to the Ancient Jerusalem Temple model and shrine of the Book, Qumran, Jericho and swimming in the Dead Sea. We will renew Baptismal vows at the authentic baptismal site of Jesus. We also have Sammie the Camel and his hump-backed friends ready to give you a ride. We always keep your room for you so you can return to the hotel for a shower, pack, rest and have dinner. This evening, get ready for flight, through the night, back home.

Depart on your return flight back to the United States.

*Itinerary, as presented, is subject to change and possible updates closer to departure.

Enjoy a breathtaking guided walking tour today through the ruins of ancient Petra – the city that the Nabateans carved out of solid rock dating back to 300 BC! Our visit will follow a passage through the Siq, a chasm created in a prehistoric earthquake. It is one of the special moments to walk through this canyon which dramatically opens up before your eyes to reveal the Treasury Building (Al-Khazneh) – a never to be forgotten experience. We will see also the Roman Theatre, Corinthian tomb along with churches, homes and many other buildings from this fascinating period.

The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax back in our hotel.

Petra overnight (BD)

Departing Petra this morning we travel south to Wadi Rum to experience something of the vastness and beauty of this desert region.

A moonscape of ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rise out of the pink and white colored sand. Join here the exhilaration of a Bedouin-driven jeep ride deep into the valley to witness the stunning grandeur of this place made famous in the films Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian.

Onwards to ancient Aqaba, located on the northern tip of the Red Sea and dating back 5,500 years.

Cross the border back into Israel and travel north to our Dead Sea Resort Hotel located right on the shore at Ein Bokek. Take the opportunity before dinner to relax or enjoy the experience of a float in the salty waters said to have healing qualities.

Dead Sea overnight (BD)