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The Holy Land

Palm Sunday in The Holy Land

Prices from £2,615 pp

Single Supplement £595

Next available tour: 18-03-2024

Tour leader: The Revd Dawn Jewson

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Spaces will be limited and early booking is recommended.

Pilgrims have been coming to follow the Palm Sunday walk since the end of the 4th century, during the Byzantine period. Processions of the faithful carrying palms represent the palm branches and fronds that the crowds mentioned in the Gospels scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. In the Orthodox Church, Palm Sunday is one of the Twelve Great Festivals of the Holy Year. You will join in this experience with pilgrims from across the world, walking the route and joining together in song and worship.

We include the traditional biblical sights in Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem so you will follow Jesus' journey throughout his life and ministry to his entrance in Jerusalem as well as walking the Via Dolorosa that lead to his crucifixion. You will stay on the shores of Lake Galilee with a cruise to reflect on the living history that surrounds you. In Jerusalem you will be just a short stroll to the Old City Walls and a view to the Mount of Olives where events occurred that have left an indelible mark on mankind forever. This truly makes this a moving eight day experience.

Read at first hand our late friend Rosemary Nutt's personal account of being in the Holy Land during Palm Sunday by clicking the line below.

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus - McCabe Pilgrimages (mccabe-travel.co.uk)

Click to view slideshow

Itinerary

Travel to The Holy Land and Lake Galilee (D)

Morning: meet your Group Leader and fellow Palm Sunday travel companions at check-in at Heathrow Airport and fly to Tel Aviv.

Evening: on arrival you will be met by our expert local guide and transferred to Tiberias on the shores of Lake Galilee (approx. a two-hour drive) where you will check-in to your hotel for a three-night stay. Due to the late arrival a light meal will be placed in your room.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes & Sea of Galilee cruise (B, L, D)

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 down a winding street in the neighbourhood. It was here where Jesus is said to have appeared to his disciples after his resurrection. We continue for lakeside worship at Tabgha the site of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes where Jesus fed the 5,000.

Afternoon: continue for lunch at the Convent of the Beatitudes followed by a visit of the church and its garden where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered. We finish the day with a relaxing cruise across the Sea of Galilee on a traditional wooden boat. A great time to contemplate the path you have followed and are still to follow during these momentous days.

Evening: dinner in the hotel

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Nazareth (B, L, D)

Morning: we take a twisting ride by taxi to Mount Tabor and the Basilica of the Transfiguration with its panoramic views over the plain of Armageddon. We continue to Nazareth, where Jesus spent most of his early life and other times in between as well the surrounding region of Galilee where he spent most of the few short years of his ministry. We take a wander in the village and recreation of 1st Century Galilee life before enjoying a simple, but tasty lunch cooked in the style at the time of Jesus.

Afternoon: we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and Mary's Well, 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. Later we visit Cana where the miracle of the turning of water to wine is said to have taken place.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Travel to Jerusalem, Mount of Olives (B, L, D)

Morning: depart for Jerusalem stopping at the Jordan River baptismal site and the oasis of Jericho. Early lunch at the al-Rawdah restaurant.

Afternoon: we view the Mount of Temptation and continue to Jerusalem. We drive to the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view of the walled city. We visit the Pater Noster Church, the Catholic Church of Dominus Flevit and the Church of all Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus frequently went with His disciples to pray and on the night before his crucifixion was arrested. Check-in to your hotel for a four-night stay.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Bethlehem (B, L, D)

Morning: visit to the Garden Tomb (when available). 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.. We enjoy lunch at the Shepherds' Tent restaurant.

Afternoon: 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. Later, visit a local Olive Wood centre before returning to Jerusalem.

Evening: dinner in the hotel

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Via Dolorosa (B, L, D)

Morning: visit the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu and the Upper Room on Mount Zion. Walk through Zion Gate to the Western Wall for a close view of the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock and el Aqsa mosques). Continue to the Pool of Bethesda and St Anne’s Crusader Church. Lunch at Ecce Homo Convent (Holy Communion).

Afternoon: walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 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. Your guide will give a fascinating insight and pause some of the fourteen stations of the cross and describe the incidents that took place.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Procession (Palm Sunday) (B, L, D)

Morning: early Mass on this special day at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the rest of the morning free to wander Old Jerusalem. We later join together for lunch on the Mount of Olives at the Seven Arches Hotel with panoramic views over Jerusalem.

Afternoon: a memorable experience as we remember Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and join the procession from Bethphage down the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley into the Old City singing hymns and bearing palm fronds.

Evening: dinner in the hotel.

Read at first hand our late friend Rosemary Nutt's personal account of being in the Holy Land during Palm Sunday by clicking the line below.

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus - McCabe Pilgrimages (mccabe-travel.co.uk)

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink
Depart for the UK (B, L)

Morning: we visit the Old City to consider the events of Palm Sunday and take in the atmosphere at the start of Holy Week then join together for a farewell lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: depart for ben Gurion Airport and check-in for your return flight and say farewell to your Local Guide.

Evening: arrival at Heathrow Airport and bid farewell to your Group Leader and fellow Pilgrims.

Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

Essential Information

Included excursions

The Mount of Olives
Ein Karem - home of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist
Old Jerusalem, Jewish Quarter 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
Sea of Galilee cruise

Optional excursions

None! All excursions, entrance fees and extras as above and below are included.

Included extras

Hotel baggage porterage
Local guide and drivers’ gratuities
All restaurant and hotel gratuities
Other small local gratuities
Personal audio guiding system

Included meals & drinks

Meals: all meals are included. throughout your pilgrimage you will enjoy lunches in local restaurants and dinners, for the most part, will be in your hotels.

Drinks: juices and tea or coffee are available with all breakfasts. All other drinks will be at your own expense.

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 journey

The flight is direct to Tel Aviv with El Al from London Heathrow. Flight upgrades, for that extra comfort and ease through the airport, as well as regional flights from some UK airports can be arranged at a supplement. An overnight stop at Heathrow may be required which we can assist you with. Please enquire at time of booking.

Outbound journey

Flight LY316 departs Heathrow: 15:20 arrives Tel Aviv: 22:05

Return journey

Flight LY 317 departs Tel Aviv: 17:20 arrives Heathrow: 20:45

Length of flight to Tel Aviv: four hours and 40 minutes

Flight times maybe subject to change and are confirmed with your final paperwork.

Your hotels

Seven nights based in a double or twin room. This pilgrimage is accommodated in 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

Health & wellbeing

If you haven't had a booster in the last ten years it is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). Vaccination, Covid-19 and health information can change so please contact your local health care provider for the most up to date information. We will send up to date information on entry requirements with your final paperwork approximately 14 days before departure.

Adequate insurance cover will be required for all hospital emergencies and doctors’ visits.

Climate

Israel has a warm, sunny and dry climate. The weather is often sunny and clear in Israel. It is one of the least cloudy and least rainy regions on Earth.

The most comfortable times to visit are spring (March, April and May) when temperatures are on average in the low 20’s and Autumn (September, October and November) when temperatures are in the high 20’s in the center of the country. Temperatures are generally higher in the south of the country and the Galilee area.

Israel is hot in the summer with average temperatures in the center of the country over 30C and closer to 40C in the South and Galilee.

Clothing

Israel is more liberal than its neighbouring countries, but you should dress inconspicuously and avoid wearing clothes that could be regarded as provocative (e.g. very short skirts, skimpy shorts, strappy tops where shoulders are exposed and low plunging neck lines). Shorts and t-shirts are fine as long as they are not too short and skimpy. Swimwear around hotel pools is perfectly acceptable. For some church visits legs and arms are required to be covered but a headscarf is not necessary, and you will find next to no other restrictions elsewhere throughout your holiday in the Holy Land.

We recommend you take clothing for spring/summer weather and a couple of warmer items such as a fleece or sweater for the evenings when it may be a bit cooler. Sports shoes with fairly thick cushioned soles for uneven pavements are also recommended.

Mobility

There is a certain amount of walking (and stairs) involved on a daily basis on this pilgrimage so please make sure you pack comfy footwear for this so that you are prepared. Your Local Guide will keep you updated on a daily basis with what to expect the following day. If you are finding it difficult to keep up then please make sure you tell them so they can help you to find places to rest and relax and then you can re-join the group at a later stage.

Whilst this is not a trekking or adventure holiday there will be some walking required where you may be on your feet for up to 90 minutes at some ancient sites and must be able to walk up to a mile. You should also be able to manage two to three flights of stairs. The paving may not always be smooth and seating not always available.

Travel insurance

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have specifically chosen Holiday Extras as our *preferred travel insurance provider to ensure that you are protected before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras offer McCabe Travel guests favourable rates for single trip, multi-trip and annual policies.

For more information or to obtain a quote click below for their website

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

Please quote AG628 upon calling to receive the best rates

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on some of our pilgrimages. As ‘the haves’ encounter the ‘have nots’ the Trust has become a practical tool for one to help the other.

McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Full financial security

All money paid to McCabe is fully secure. Holidays including flights are covered by our ATOL license from the Civil Aviation Authority, and holidays without flights are protected by our membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. If a pilgrimage is cancelled, for instance through lack of numbers or for political considerations, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter.

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Dates

Our Programme	Tour Leader	Tour Dates	Availability
The Holy Land Pilgrimage Palm Sunday In The Holy Land Departing From Luton Prices from £2615 pp	The Revd Dawn Jewson	18/03/2024 for 8 days	Download brochure Book now Make an enquiry

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