ISRAEL - MAGICAL CHRISTMAS AT THE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM 2024

22.12.2024 - Bucharest – Tel Aviv – Bethlehem:

18:30 Meeting with the group leader at Otopeni Airport. 20:45 Departure to Tel Aviv on TAROM flight RO155. Arrival in Tel Aviv at Ben Gurion Airport at 23:20. Direct transfer to Bethlehem and check-in at a 4-star hotel. Due to the late arrival, a cold snack will be provided in the room.

23.12.2024 - Bethlehem – Jerusalem – Mount of Olives – Mount Zion – Via Crucis:

Breakfast. In the morning, visit the Mount of Olives. Descend to the Church of Our Father – where Jesus taught the apostles to pray, and to the Dominus Flevit Church, where Jesus wept, foretelling the fall of Jerusalem. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations, and the Orthodox Church housing the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. In the afternoon, ascend to Mount Zion to visit the Upper Room, the Tomb of King David, the Dormition Abbey - Catholic, and make a wish at the Western Wall. Walk through the Via Dolorosa with its 14 Stations of the Cross, culminating at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Tomb, Golgotha, and the Stone of Anointing. Return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight stay.

24.12.2024 – Bethlehem – Mount Tabor – Nazareth – Tiberias – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes - Bethlehem:

Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure to Mount Tabor – ascent by minibus and worship at the church where the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ took place. Continue to the village of Cana, to the church where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. Proceed to the Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel in Nazareth – the city where the Virgin Mary received the news of the Holy Child’s birth, and the Catholic Church of the Annunciation. Head to the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum – including the Synagogue, ruins of the ancient village over 2000 years old, and the House of St. Peter. Visit Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Visit the Church on the Mount of Beatitudes. Optionally, if time and weather permit, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee on a replica boat from Jesus' time (price €20/person) and optional lunch at a restaurant serving St. Peter’s fish (approx. €30/person). In the evening, if organized, optionally attend the Christmas Concert in Bethlehem's central square. Dinner and overnight stay at the 4-star hotel in Bethlehem.

25.12.2024 - Bethlehem – The Holy Birthplace of Jesus – St. Sava Monastery – Jordan River – Dead Sea – Christmas Festive Dinner - Merry Christmas in the Holy Land!

Breakfast. Visit Bethlehem’s Orthodox Church built on the site where Jesus Christ was born, the manger site, and the Catholic Church of St. Catherine. Visit the Franciscan Church at the Shepherds' Field. Travel to the Judean Desert to visit the Monastery of St. Sava (minibus transport €20/person). Continue to the Jordan River, the original site of Jesus' Baptism. Optionally, lunch at Qumran (approx. €30/person) – the site of the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery. The Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water on Earth (-430m below sea level). In the evening, enjoy the FESTIVE CHRISTMAS DINNER with traditional celebration at the hotel (drinks are not included). Overnight stay at the 4-star hotel in Bethlehem.

26.12.2024 - Bethlehem – Ein Karem – Tel Aviv – Jaffa:

Breakfast. Check out of the hotel and head to Tel Aviv with a stop at Ein Karem - the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Visit the Church of the Nativity of St. John and the Church of the Visitation. Arrive in Tel Aviv – the City of Spring, and enjoy a brief walk along the Jaffa/Tel Aviv promenade to admire the city and the old port of Jaffa. Stop at the Zodiac Bridge to make a wish to return soon to this wonderful destination. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Bucharest on TAROM flight RO156.

27.12.2024 - Tel Aviv – Bucharest:

Departure at 00:20. Arrival in Bucharest at 03:05.

Optional Excursions or Meals:



Lunch without drinks at Qumran - Dead Sea or at the Sea of Galilee - St. Peter’s fish (approx. €30/person).Judean Desert - Monastery of St. Sava - approx. €20/person, depending on the number of participants.Optional boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (€20/person) - if sailing is possible.