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The Holy Land

Group Pilgrimage to The Holy Land with Bishop Norman Banks – 10 Days

Prices from £3,690 pp

Single Supplement £760

Next available tour:

Tour leader: Bishop Norman Banks & Canon Adrian Ling

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It is always very moving to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, there is so much to see and experience and learn together.  St Jerome said: ‘Five gospels record the life of Jesus. Four you will find in books and the one you will find in the land they call Holy. Read the fifth gospel and the world of the four will open to you.’

We invite you to come and know this for yourselves whether you are new to the Holy Land or have been many times before; there are always new sights and sounds to reflect upon.  Reading the gospels will never be the same again and by visiting the Holy Land we are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters there too. To have the chance to meet the ‘living stones’, the local Palestinian and Israeli Christians who are the ongoing, living church in the region, is humbling.

Our pilgrimage will include the sites where the most important events in Our Lord’s life and ministry took place: in Jerusalem and the surrounding area and further north in Galilee.

We hope that if you have never been on pilgrimage to the Holy Land before you will choose to join us and, if you have been before, we welcome you back. Our journey is a life changing as well as faith changing experience.

We invite you to journey with us and to share in this great opportunity to see those places we read of in the Scriptures.

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Itinerary

  1. TO JERUSALEM

    We fly from London to Tel Aviv. Transfer to Jerusalem. Five night stay at the Golden Walls Hotel close to the Old City and biblical sites we shall be visiting.

  2. MT OF OLIVES AND EIN KAREM

    We drive to the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view of the walled city. We begin with a visit to Bethphage. We then visit the Church of the Ascension, Dominus Flevit Chapel, and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. On to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, the site of the High Priest's house (Eucharist). Lunch at St Andrew’s Guest House and drive to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. Here we visit the Church of John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation.

  3. BETHLEHEM

    We cross into Palestinian territory to visit Bethlehem, starting with the Fields of the Shepherds (Eucharist).  We then drive to Manger Square and spend time in the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and St Jerome's Caves. We also call at the Milk Grotto (including the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration). Lunch in Bethlehem. In the afternoon we spend time at the al-Shurooq blind school (supported by the McCabe Educational Trust). We leave Bethlehem, calling at an olive wood workshop en route.

  4. JEWISH QUARTER & MT ZION

    Enter the Old City through Zion Gate and walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, stopping for a close view of the Temple Mount (the El Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock).

    We finish our morning by the Pool of Bethesda (Eucharist) and the Church of St Anne. Lunch at Ecce Homo convent and see the Lithostrotos below. We walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, pausing at the Stations of the Cross as we walk.

  5. WORSHIP IN JERUSALEM

    Optional early morning visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We then join the local congregation at St George’s Cathedral. Lunch at St George’s Guest House. In the afternoon we visit Mount Zion: the Upper Room (Cenacle) and the Church of the Dormition (of Mary). We also spend time in the Armenian Quarter.

  6. ABU GUOSH AND JORDAN VALLEY

    We leave Jerusalem and drive first to Abu Guosh, a possible site of Emmaus. Here we visit the Crusader church attached to the Benedictine monastery.

    We then drive east to the desert oasis of Jericho where we view the Mount of Temptation. Lunch at the Rawditna  restaurant. We drive through the Jordan Valley to Tiberias, stopping at the Jordan River baptismal site at Qasr el-Yahud on the River Jordan. Four night stay at the Ron Beach Hotel by the Sea of Galilee.

  7. THE LAKESIDE MINISTRY

    Today we visit the sites associated with Jesus' life around the Sea of Galilee: we start with Capernaum, Jesus’ Galilean base then continue to Mensa Christi, where Jesus appeared to his disciples after His resurrection.

    We celebrate the Eucharist at Tabgha by the Sea of Galilee and the Church of the Loaves and Fishes.

    Lunch at the Convent of the Beatitudes.

    We visit to the church and garden commemorating the Sermon on the Mount before we sail on the Sea of Galilee.

  8. NAZARETH

    We drive to Mount Tabor and the Basilica of the Transfiguration with its panoramic views over the plain of Armageddon. Continue to Nazareth where we lunch at the Holy Land Restaurant. We then walk from the Basilica of the Annunciation, via the Synagogue Church to St Gabriel’s Church and Mary’s Well.  We also hope to call at the Anglican Christ Church (Eucharist).

  9. NORTHERN GALILEE

    We leave Tiberias and drive to northern Galilee through the Hula Valley to Banias (biblical Caesarea Philippi).  Here we have time for a lovely walk through the nature reserve and for meditation and reflection. We celebrate the Eucharist here. Lunch at Rawche restaurant and return to Tiberias via the Golan Heights with time to relax back at the hotel.

  10. CAESAREA

    We leave Tiberias and drive to the Mediterranean coast and Mount Carmel. Here we visit the Cave of Elijah and the Stella Maris convent. We continue to the Roman capital of Caesarea, where we visit the restored amphitheatre and aqueduct. Lunch by the sea at the Port Café. Continue to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight to London.

Essential Information

The price of this tour is £3690 per person based on sharing a double or twin room with ensuite bathroom.

We stay in two family owned and managed hotels.  In Jerusalem, the three star Golden Walls Hotel overlooks the Old City walls and is within walking distance of the Holy Sepulchre. In Tiberias, we stay at the four star Ron Beach Hotel right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

The tour is on a full-board basis with buffet breakfast, lunch and evening meal included daily. Touring is by air-conditioned coach and we will be accompanied by a local guide who will share leadership responsibilities and 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 that help us on our journey.

Flights are from London  to Tel Aviv. All airport and security charges are Included, as well as one piece of checked in luggage. Flights upgrades can be arranged but may be subject to a supplemental charge.

Travel Insurance: This is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical cover for their journey. We have partnered with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays. See the back cover for details.

Single rooms: a limited number of single rooms are available at a supplementary cost of £760. For single travellers who do require single accommodation this should be requested when booking and, if a single room is available, the supplement will be added.

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

Completing your Booking: please ensure that we have your full name (as in your passport), correct address, email address and contact numbers as soon as your booking is confirmed. We will need your passport details no later than 10 weeks before departure.

Payments: A non-refundable deposit of £500 per person is required to secure your place. The final balance is due 12 weeks before departure.

Late Bookings: please note that for any late bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating cost of flights. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing the booking.

Final Travel Documents: will be sent to you via email, two weeks before departure.

Financial security: this pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is 2920. McCabe is also a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abides by the Associations code of conduct.

Mobility: many of our tours and excursions are designed for those who are able to travel independently, or with the support of a companion who can assist during the trip. We recommend that participants feel comfortable with physical activity and are able to manage longer travel days, which may include early starts and extended periods on foot. We encourage you to consider your personal health and comfort when planning your adventure, and we're happy to help if you have any specific concerns or questions about the suitability of a tour for your needs.

Practical information

MCCABE PILGRIMAGES
McCabe Travel is a company well-known in church circles and recognised as Britain’s foremost religious tour operator. McCabe has been responsible for organising hundreds of pilgrimages to the Bible Lands with churches from all over Britain for more than 40 years.

The McCabe Educational Trust
The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on pilgrimage.  On your pilgrimage you will meet some of these people.  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.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH
Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end of this pilgrimage.  If you need a new passport apply early as there can be considerable backlogs at the passport offices.  Visas ARE NO LONGER issued on entering Israel. If you are holding a non-British passport, or require further advice, please consult the relevant embassy.  No inoculations are required but we advise you to consult your doctor regarding your own personal requirements.

HOLIDAY INSURANCE

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priories. That’s why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance policy 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 click here, www.holidayextras.com. Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor. Please quote AG628 upon calling.

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 which can be viewed on www.aito.co.uk. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION

All monies paid to McCabe are fully protected through McCabe’s membership of the ATOL scheme. ATOL protection is provided by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is 2920.

 

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Dates

Our Programme Tour Leader Tour Dates Availability
Group Pilgrimage to The Holy Land 10 Day Holy Land Pilgrimage with Bishop Norman Banks and Canon Adrian Ling Departing From To be Confirmed Prices from £3690 pp Bishop Norman Banks & Canon Adrian Ling 18/11/2026 for 10 days Download brochure Book now Make an enquiry

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