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+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
The Route

Ten stops across the Holy Land and Italy

By motorcoach from Tel Aviv through Caesarea and Haifa to Nazareth, Cana and the Sea of Galilee, then by Mount Tabor and Jericho to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, before flying on to Rome.

Itinerary · CM_IL-IT-13D-01

The Rome and Holy Land Itinerary

Eight nights in the Holy Land, then a flight to Rome; the Papal Audience requires day 11 to fall on a Wednesday, so departure dates are set around it. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Day 1 – 4

Arrival, Caesarea and the Galilee

BAND 1, THE HARBOR RUINS AT CAESAREA MARITIMA
The harbor ruins at Caesarea Maritima
Day 1

Departure from the United States

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. Dinner and breakfast will be served during the flight.
Day 2

Arrival in Tel Aviv

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, our local escort accompanies us to our hotel, and we gather this evening for a welcome dinner to begin our pilgrimage together.Dinner and overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 3

Caesarea, Haifa, Nazareth and Cana

We visit Caesarea Maritima and its Roman theater, then Stella Maris atop Mount Carmel. In Nazareth we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, finishing in Cana, where married couples may renew their vows at the Wedding Church.Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4

The Sea of Galilee, Tabgha, Magdala and Capernaum

A boat ride carries us across the Sea of Galilee. We visit the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, then Magdala, and conclude at Capernaum, the base of Our Lord’s public ministry.Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 5 – 7

Mount Tabor, Bethlehem and Bethany

BAND 2, THE GROTTO OF THE NATIVITY, BETHLEHEM
The Grotto of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Day 5

Mount Tabor, Jericho and Jerusalem

We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, then descend the Jordan Valley past Jericho and the Mount of Temptation on the way up to Jerusalem.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6

Ein Karem and Bethlehem

We begin at the scale model of Second Temple Jerusalem, then visit Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist. In Bethlehem we see the Shepherds’ Fields and celebrate Mass at the Grotto of the Nativity.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7

Qumran, the Dead Sea and Bethany

We travel to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, with time to float in the Dead Sea, then celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Lazarus in Bethany, where Christ raised His friend from the dead.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 – 9

The Mount of Olives and the Via Dolorosa

BAND 3, THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Day 8

The Mount of Olives, Gethsemane and Mount Zion

From the Mount of Olives we walk past Dominus Flevit to Gethsemane and celebrate Mass at the Church of All Nations. We visit the Western Wall and St. Peter in Gallicantu, ending at the Cenacle and the Dormition church on Mount Zion.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9

The Via Dolorosa, the Holy Sepulchre and the Old City

We walk the Via Dolorosa through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where we celebrate Mass at the sites of Calvary and the Tomb. Later we visit St. Anne’s Church and the Pool of Bethesda, with the afternoon free.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10 – 13

Rome and the Papal Audience

BAND 4, ST. PETER’S SQUARE, ROME
St. Peter’s Square, Rome
Day 10

Tel Aviv to Rome

We transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight to Rome. On arrival our guide introduces the priest who accompanies us for the remainder of the journey, and we gather for Mass and dinner.Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 11

The Papal Audience, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major

This morning we attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, held each Wednesday by the Holy Father. After free time at Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, we visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Scala Sancta, and celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major.Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 12

St. Peter’s, the Vatican Museums and the Appian Way

After Mass we tour St. Peter’s Basilica and pray at the tomb of St. John Paul II, then visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. We travel the ancient Appian Way to St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Catacombs of St. Callixtus.Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 13

Return to the United States

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, we transfer to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for our return flight home, filled with the peace and blessings of our pilgrimage through the Holy Land and Italy.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
IMMERSIVE PHOTOGRAPH, ST. PETER’S SQUARE DURING THE WEDNESDAY PAPAL AUDIENCE
St. Peter’s SquareThe Wednesday Papal Audience, the final days of a pilgrimage that begins by the Sea of Galilee.
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
GALLERY 1, THE BASILICA OF THE ANNUNCIATION, NAZARETH
The Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
GALLERY 2, THE SEA OF GALILEE FROM THE WATER
The Sea of Galilee from the water
GALLERY 3, THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
GALLERY 4, ST. PETER’S BASILICA
St. Peter’s Basilica
GALLERY 5, THE SCALA SANCTA
The Scala Sancta
GALLERY 6, THE APPIAN WAY
The Appian Way

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to take this pilgrimage?

Spring and fall bring mild weather in both the Holy Land and Rome, and most groups travel between March and May or September and November. Because the Papal Audience is held on Wednesdays, departure dates are set so that day eleven falls on a Wednesday.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

What travel documents do I need?

You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Israel requires an approved ETA-IL, an Electronic Travel Authorization, before departure, and entry is denied without one; each pilgrim completes the application themselves. US citizens do not need a separate visa for Italy on a stay of this length.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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