Religious tours and pilgrimages to Israel are widely popular around the world. Catholic churches and Catholic-based faith groups and organizations offer and coordinate tours of Israel. Journeys to Israel include destinations marking the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some pilgrimages include other points of significance such as the River Jordan where Jesus Christ was baptized, the Sea of Galilee, the town of Sephoria where the Virgin Mary spent her youth, and Mount Tabor where Christ's disciples witnessed his transfiguration.
There are several worldwide Catholic tour agencies specializing in organizing parishes and church groups to tour the Holy Land. Some tours offer extensive visits including stops on the way to or back from the Vatican. Tours can also include private or group-focused retreats to complement the journey. Typically tour packages include round-trip airfare, accommodations, meals and transportation. Popular Catholic tour agencies for groups or individuals wishing to be part of a group are: Regina Tours, 206 Tours, and Catholic Holy Land.
Regina Tours is a Catholic ministry in New York City that began in 1985. The group originally focused on pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal and eventually expanded to other Marian sites including Our Lady of Knock in Ireland, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico and Our Lady of Lourdes in France. As popularity grew, Regina Tours expanded to include other areas of interest to Catholic seekers, including pilgrimages to Israel. Destinations in Israel travel will vary, but typically include Nazareth, Galilee, Jerusalem, Tabgha, Mt of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Mt Scopus, Mt Zion, Ein Kerem, and Masada. Regina Tours annually offers a menu of tours, and includes custom tours for a smaller group through their Custom Group Department. Tours often include a priest to either lead the tour or serve as a spiritual advisor, roundtrip airfare from various US locations, hotels, transportation, and some meals. Group sizes range from 15 - 40 people, but can differ with custom pilgrimages. Packages range from 7-11 days and range in price depending on the time of year (estimating between $1700 - over $4500).
Regina Tours
494 Eighth Avenue, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
(800) 228-4654, option 3
(800) 465-9276 (for custom groups)
regina-tours.com
206 Tours was founded in 1985. Each tour includes a Catholic priest to offer mass, reconciliation, and spiritual direction. Flights, accommodations, some meals, admission fees (where applicable) and tour guide are included. Groups range on average from 20-38 people. Holy Land tours are four to seven days long depending on packages, and may include sites such as the Sea of Galilee, Capernum, Cana, Nazareth, Stella Maris, Basilica of the Annunciation, Mt. of Olives, Gesthemane, Bethany, Jericho and Jerusalem. Tour prices. as of February 2010, range from $2,500 - $4,800 depending on times of year and package selections.
206 TOURS, INC.
333 Marcus Blvd
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(800) 206-8687
206tours.com
Catholic Holy Land Tours are specifically designed for trips to the Holy Land. They include roundtrip airfare from New York's JFK airport to Tel Aviv. Each trip is nine nights: seven in Jerusalem, and two at the Sea of Galilee, most meals, ground transportation, hotel, Catholic priest, English speaking tour guides, admissions fees, and daily mass. Prices vary based on time of year. Locations include Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Church of the Dormitian, Garden of Gethsemane, Mt. Scopus, Nazareth, Mt Tabor, Kursi, and Capernaum.
Christopher Cross, KHS
(Knight of the Holy Sepulchre)
13328 Banner Court Lane
Huntersville, NC 28076
(888) 727-5881
catholicholyland.com
