Our Holy Land journey —
walking through the stories of the Gospels
Nicola travelled through the Holy Land on a nine-day Christian pilgrimage taking in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Masada and the Dead Sea, before spending three nights in Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast. It remains one of the most moving and extraordinary trips she has ever taken.
From Jerusalem to Galilee and the Mediterranean coast
Tap a numbered marker to see where it fitted into our itinerary and open the matching guide. The line shows the sequence of the tour rather than the precise roads travelled.
Every photograph is from Nicola’s own 2018 pilgrimage.
Jerusalem
The Old City, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane and modern Jerusalem.
Explore Jerusalem →
Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and our journey into the occupied West Bank.
Explore Bethlehem →Masada & the Dead Sea
A desert fortress, Ein Gedi and the wonderfully strange experience of floating at Earth’s lowest point.
Explore Masada & the Dead Sea →
Sea of Galilee
Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Nazareth and Nicola’s unforgettable Jordan River baptism.
Explore the Sea of Galilee →
Tel Aviv
Three nights by the Mediterranean — beaches, city life, Jaffa, easy public transport and the relaxed final chapter of our journey.
Explore Tel Aviv →Arrival via Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
Old City, Temple Mount area, Mount Zion and the markets.
Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb.
Church of the Nativity, Mount of Temptation area and baptism at Qasr al-Yahud.
Masada by cable car, desert nature and floating in the Dead Sea.
Galilee, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes and Cana.
Roman Caesarea, the Crusader city of Akko and the Baháʼí Gardens in Haifa.
Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, boat trip, Nazareth and Yardenit.
Free time before the airport transfer.
Our route was based on Tourist Israel’s nine-day Christian Holy Land itinerary. Tour programmes can change.
Find a Holy Land tour
For a first pilgrimage, the knowledge and logistics provided by an organised tour make an enormous difference.
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Was nine days enough?
It covered an extraordinary amount, but the pace was busy. A guided itinerary made it possible to connect the major Christian sites, desert landscapes and coastal cities in one journey.
What was the highlight?
The Sea of Galilee and Nicola’s Jordan River baptism were the most personal and moving experiences of the trip.
Can Bethlehem be visited from Jerusalem?
Bethlehem is in the occupied West Bank. Our 2018 tour crossed from Jerusalem and changed to a Palestinian guide for the visit. Current access and travel advice must be checked.
Is the Dead Sea worth visiting?
Yes. Floating is genuinely unforgettable, and combining it with Masada makes an excellent day.
Is it currently safe to travel?
This account reflects 2018, not present conditions. Check the Irish DFA and relevant official guidance before making any arrangements.