PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY LAND - EGYPT AND JORDAN

Under spiritual leadership of Father Edward Ewczynski

April 12 – 25, 2010 - 14 days

Cost: $3,249 CAD

Apr 12

Depart Toronto via Paris for Cairo.

Apr 13

Afternoon arrival in Cairo, transfer to our hotel, dinner and overnight.

Apr 14

This morning we visit the magnificent Great Pyramids of Giza and their guardian Sphinx. After lunch we visit the Egyptian Museum which houses the richest collection of antiquities ever discovered, including the fabulous burial treasures of King Tutankhamen.

Apr 15

This morning we are transferred to Cairo Airport for our flight to Luxor. Upon arrival we start our visit of the Valley of Kings and Queens visiting several tombs, the Necropolis of Thebes, and temple of Queen Hatshepsut’s . After lunch visit the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak, which has no equal among the national treasures of Egypt. Late afternoon we fly back to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Apr 16

From Cairo we travel through the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea and our overnight in the resort town of Taba. Dinner and overnight in Taba.

Apr 17

Breakfast at our hotel in Taba, later depart by boat to Aquaba - Jordan. Continue to magical desert of Wadi Rum, the home of “Lawrence of Arabia”. Enjoy lunch in a Bedouin tent then by jeep through the desert. Continue to Petra for dinner and overnight.

Apr 18

Today we visit Jordan’s most exciting and adventurous travel experience Petra - hidden away in the encircling craggy rock mountains south of the Dead Sea. “Rose-Red City” half as old as time, carved from living rock over 2000 years ago by the Nabataeans. The only entrance to the fortress City is through a long narrow passage. The sudden view of Petra’s most spectacular monument – the treasury is a dramatic sight. Beyond the treasury lie other unique monuments, carved right into the vari-coloured mountains are the high place of sacrifice, the Monastery and Roman - styled Palace Tomb. We return to our hotel late in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Apr 19

After breakfast we cross into Israel - The Holy Land. Continue to Galilee en route visit Haifa and Mt Carmel with the beautiful church of Stella Maris. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.

Apr 20

Travel by boat on the Sea of Galilee, visit Capernaun, home of St Peter and the site of Christ’s preaching, on to Tabha, see the Church of the Multiplication with beautiful 5th century fish mosaic and the Church of Primacy. Celebrate Mass on Mt of Beatitudes. On our return journey we stop at Jordan River. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.

Apr 21

This morning we start our tour with visiting Nazareth and the Basilica of Annunciation, St Joseph’s carpentry shop. On to Cana - the site of Jesus’ first miracle. In the afternoon we ascend Mount Tabor - the Mount of Transfiguration. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Apr 22

Depart Galilee - for Judea. Upon arrival we visit Bethlehem where we celebrate Christmas Mass in one of the Grottos, visit the Manger, Crusaders Cloister and the Grotto of St Jerome. On to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Apr 23

Today’s journey takes us to the ancient city of Jerusalem. St Ann’s Church, Pool of Bathesda, Pilate’s Judgement Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo, continue with the Stations of the Cross - via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre Church where we will have Mass. In the afternoon we continue with the Old City visiting the “Wailing Wall” also called the Western Wall.

Apr 24

This morning we continue our visit of Jerusalem visiting the Church of Pater Noster Mt Zion St Peter in Galicantu and the Garden of Gethsemane. In the afternoon visit Masada and swim in the Dead Sea Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Apr 25

Morning transfer to Tel Aviv airport and fly back via Paris to Toronto.