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The Holy Land

In the Footsteps of Christ: Jerusalem & the Galilee with Bishop Norman Banks

Prices from £3,100 pp

Single Supplement £595

Next available tour:

Tour leader: Bishop Norman Banks

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From the Mount of Olives to the shores of Galilee, walking the roads where Jesus taught, died and rose again.

There is no pilgrimage quite like the Holy Land. Over eight days we walk the very ground of the Gospels — through the gates of Jerusalem's Old City, across the hills to Bethlehem, and north to the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called his first disciples.

From our base in Jerusalem we pray on the Mount of Olives and in the Garden of Gethsemane, follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and stand at the Western Wall beneath the Temple Mount. At Bethlehem we celebrate Eucharist in the Shepherds' Fields and kneel at the Grotto of the Nativity.

Moving north to Galilee, we visit Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes, sail on the lake, and travel to Nazareth and Mount Tabor, before ending at Caesarea on the Mediterranean shore.

Here Scripture comes alive in stone and landscape. Come and walk where Jesus walked.

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Itinerary

  1. To Jerusalem

    We gather at London Luton and fly to Tel Aviv, transferring to Jerusalem for a four-night stay at the Golden Walls Hotel, close to the Old City and the biblical sites at the heart of our pilgrimage.

  2. Mount of Olives and Ein Karem

    Morning: a moving start to your pilgrimage. The Mount of Olives has many biblical and historical connections as well as being a sacred burial place. It leads to a panoramic view of Jerusalem as well as the Tomb of the Prophets, the Catholic Church of Dominus Flevit, and the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene. At the base, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus frequently went with his disciples to pray and on the night before his crucifixion was arrested, and St Peter in Gallicantu that marks the traditional site of the High Priest Caiaphas' house.

    Afternoon: after an included lunch, we visit Ein Karem, a beautiful tranquil village and neighbourhood in the west of Jerusalem believed to be the place where Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, miraculously became pregnant and gave birth. During her pregnancy, Elizabeth was visited by a family relative – Mary, who was also pregnant, with Jesus and for this reason the village well is now called Mary’s Well. We end our afternoon at the Israel Museum.

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

  3. Bethlehem

    Morning: journey to the Shepherds Fields and join together in worship at the site where an angel of the Lord came and said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy’. A thoroughly moving experience.

    Afternoon: after an included lunch, we visit the Basilica of the Nativity in Manger Square, the oldest complete church in the Christian world, which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It replaced the original church of Constantine the Great, built over the cave venerated as Christ’s birthplace, and dedicated in AD 339.

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

  4. The Old City

    Morning: entering by Herod's Gate, we visit the pool at Bethesda, identified as the scene of one of Jesus’ miracles, the healing of the paralysed man who had waited for 38 years for someone to help him into the pool “when the water is stirred” — an event believed to have curative powers. We also visit St Anne's Church and see the Lithostrotos.

    Afternoon: after an included lunch, we stroll the Via Dolorosa “the sorrowful way” in which Jesus travelled on the day of his crucifixion from the judgement seat of Pilate to Mount Calvary. We end our afternoon at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

  5. To Tiberias

    Morning: depart Jerusalem and drive to Qasr el-Yahud on the River Jordan, where Jesus was baptised by John, then to Abu Gosh for lunch, its Crusader church and Benedictine monastery.

    Afternoon: we continue to our hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee for a three-night stay.

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

  6. Lakeside Ministries

    Morning: visit Capernaum where Jesus lived after being driven from Nazareth and also the home of the disciples Peter, Andrew and Matthew and where several healings took place. We visit the Mensa Christi Church, dedicated to Jesus and his disciples, and Tabgha the site of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes where Jesus fed the 5,000.

    Afternoon:  after, continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered. We lunch at the convent and sail together on the lake.

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

  7. Nazareth

    Morning: journey to Mount Tabor which rises with its distinctive shape from the flat and fertile Jezreel Valley. It is believed to be the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, where Jesus began to radiate light and conversed with Moses and Elijah.

    Afternoon: after an included lunch, we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation where Mary the mother of Jesus was first visited by the Angel Gabriel. It is Nazareth where Jesus spent most of his life, and the surrounding region of Galilee where he spent most of the few short years of his ministry.

    Evening: dinner in the hotel.

  8. Caesarea, then depart for the UK (B, L)

    Morning: depart your hotel and drive to the ancient port of Caesarea built by the Romans and enlarged under Herod. Ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and modern residences sit side-by-side.

    Afternoon: continue to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight to London after the pilgrimage of all pilgrimages.

Essential Information

The cost is £3,100 per person sharing a double or twin room. 

A number of single rooms are available for a supplement from £595.

This tour includes:

  • Return flights to Tel Aviv from London Luton
  • The tour includes daily breakfast, dinners and seven lunches
  • Touring is by air-conditioned coach and we will be accompanied by our tour guide who will look after the formalities of hotel check-ins, etc
  • All entrance fees are included as well as gratuities; these will be disbursed locally to those who help us on our journey
  • Personal Audio system

Visits included:

  • The Mount of Olives
  • Ein Karem - home of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist
  • The Old City of Jerusalem and Western Wall
  • Guided stroll of Via Dolorosa "the sorrowful way"
  • The Shepherds Fields with worship
  • Bethlehem - Basilica of the Nativity
  • Jordan River Baptismal site
  • Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration
  • Nazareth and Basilica of the Annunciation
  • Capernaum and the Mensa Christi Church
  • Tabgha - site of the feeding of the 5,000
  • Mount of Beatitudes - site of the Sermon on the Mount
  • A boat trip on the Sea of Galilee
  • Ancient Roman port of Caesarea

A £500 per person non-refundable deposit is payable on confirmation with the final balance due twelve weeks prior to departure.

Special requests
Any special requirements, such as dietary needs, mobility requests, and any other requests should be noted at the time of booking.

Final travel documents
These will be emailed to you two weeks before departure.

Our team in The Holy Land

This holiday includes a qualified local guide to bring the holy sites and ancient wonders to life. They will be staying with you and escorting you throughout. Each departure also includes a member of the clergy who will offer optional opportunities for worship and reflection for all during and after these moving visits.

Your hotels 

Seven nights based in a double or twin room. Most pilgrimages are accommodated at our partner hotels in Jerusalem, the Golden Walls and in Tiberias, the Ron Beach. These properties have looked after McCabe groups with great care and attention for many years. They are in excellent locations, privately owned and managed, and offer good food and comfortable accommodation with private facilities.

Golden Walls Hotel, Jerusalem / Ron Beach Hotel, Tiberias

Practical information

Entry requirements

Passports should be valid for at least six months after the time of travel and a visa is issued free of charge to UK passport holders on entering Israel. There are currently no further requirements for entering the Palestinian territories. Non-British passport holders should consult the McCabe office as they may be required to apply in advance for a visa. No inoculations are essential, but we advise travellers to consult their GP regarding personal requirements.

For the latest and most up to date travel advice including entry requirements please consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office travel advice website.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

About McCabe Pilgrimages
McCabe has been arranging journeys of faith, culture and spirituality for over 40 years with an unwavering focus on attention to detail and service. With a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of Christian travellers, McCabe strive to make every trip a memorable and meaningful experience.

McCabe Travel Ltd. trades as McCabe Pilgrimages. McCabe Travel Ltd. is registered in England and Wales. Registered No. 2125334. VAT No: 318527355. Registered office address: McCabe Travel, The Square, Basing View, Basingstoke, RG21 4EB.

The McCabe Educational Trust
The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity which was set up in 1991 to support Christian communities. To date the Trust has distributed more than £4 million in grants. McCabe Pilgrimages supports the Trust directly by contributing to the administrative and running
costs, thus ensuring all pilgrim donations are able to go directly to the important projects supported by the MET. In 2026 McCabe Pilgrimages will
once again invite all pilgrims to make a voluntary donation of £20. In addition, McCabe will also donate £20 for every pilgrim who travels with us - regardless of whether they choose to donate - effectively doubling the impact when you do. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Financial and quality assurances
All monies paid are fully protected through McCabe’s membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. In addition, McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Association’s code of conduct.

Health advice
Please carry an adequate supply of essential medication in your hand luggage in case your checked luggage is lost.

Holiday insurance
Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance quote to protect you before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been independently rated 5-stars by Defaqto. For more information or to obtain a quote, please go to their website at www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

 

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Dates

Our Programme Tour Leader Tour Dates Availability
Fellowship Pilgrimage to the Holy Land In the Footsteps of Christ- Jerusalem and the Galilee Departing From London Luton Prices from £3100 pp Bishop Norman Banks 01/02/2027 for 8 days Download brochure Book now Make an enquiry

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