Foundations of Faith’s tours are uniquely customized to meet our
travelers’ interests and preferences. The following information offers only
a sampling of destinations and attractions that may appeal to you and your
group. However, our itineraries are not limited to the locations described
below. Please don’t hesitate to contact or call us directly to discuss how
we may help fulfill your travel wishes.
Our Israel pilgrimages offer you the chance to visit
Jerusalem, the Holy City; Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth; and Galilee,
where Jesus’ ministry began. Pray on the Sea of Galilee, read the Sermon on
the Mount on the Mount of Beatitudes, and celebrate Holy Communion in the
Garden Tomb. As soon as you arrive in Israel, you will be met by a
Foundations of Faith representative, and you will be guided through your
entire trip. Among the many locations you may want to include on your
pilgrimage are:
Galilee
Megiddo (I Kings 9:15; Rev. 16:16), in the biblical Valley of Armageddon
Nazareth (Luke 1:26), boyhood town of Jesus, to visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary’s Well
The Wedding Church in the village of Cana (John 2:1-11), where Jesus changed water to wine
A cruise on the Sea of Galilee with time for prayer, reflection and songs of praise
The Mt. of Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12)
Beit Saida and the town of Philip, Andrew and Peter (Matt. 11:20-24; Mark 6:45; Luke 10:13-15)
Jerusalem
Walking tour of the Old City to visit St. Stephen’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-24), the Chapel of the
Flagellation, the Ecce Homo Arch, the Antonia Fortress (Matt. 27:11), the Dome of the Rock, the Temple area on Mt.
Moriah (Gen. 22:2), the Golden Gate and Pinnacle, the Western Wall, the Rabbi’s Tunnel, the recently excavated
archaeological sites in the Jewish Quarter, the last stations of the Via Dolorosa, and Mt. Zion (Matt. 26:26-35),
where you can walk through the Room of the Last Supper, King David’s Tomb and the House of the High Priest Caiaphas
(John. 18:15-27)
The Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scroll collection is exhibited and the
Model of Jerusalem from Jesus’ time
The Garden Tomb of Jesus, where we can share a Communion service
Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and view the Shepherds’ Fields
(Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7)
Qumran & Masada
The site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found
The mountain fortress of Masada where the Jewish Zealots died rather than convert to Roman paganism
Jordan is a country rich in contrasts and biblical
heritage. Whether visiting the Jordan River Baptismal site, gazing into
Israel as Moses did from Mt. Nebo, or exploring the ancient Nabatean city of
Petra where Herod spent parts of his youth, you will be amazed at the
richness of Jordan’s history and hospitality of Jordan’s people. Among
Jordan’s most important places to visit are:
Petra
A UNESCO Heritage site, this capital of the Nabateans carved into the Rose Red Edomite Mountains (often referred
to as the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World)
City of Herod’s youth
Makawir
Biblical Machaerus, this was the site where Herod had John the Baptist exectued
Jerash
Gerasa, generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world, which came
under Roman rule in 63 B.C. and was one of the 10 great Roman cities
Madaba
The amazing Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics of the “City of Mosaics,” located along the 5,000-year-old
Kings’ Highway
The famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, depicting hills, valleys, villages and
towns as far as the Nile Delta with 2 million pieces of vividly colored local stone (in St. George’s
Greek Orthodox Church)
The church of the Virgin and the Apostles
Mount Nebo
One of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, this is the place from where Moses looked out over the Holy Land.
During his visit to Jordan in 2001, the late Pope John Paul II preached here.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
The area where John the Baptist lived and Jesus was baptized
Sample the beauty of Jordan by viewing this
brief video.
Visit the most memorable archaeological sites in the world in a land whose origins and ancient civilizations
date back more than 5,000 years. This is the land where Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus fled from King Herod with
all of its pyramids, temples, monuments and museums.
Cairo
The Great Pyramids of Giza
Nile Cruise
See Upper Egypt and the ancient temples and burial places of the Pharaohs
Memphis & Sakkara
The Sphinx and the Colossus of Ramses the Great
“Stairway to the Sky,” the original pyramid
Luxor & Karnak
The Temple of Luxor
Donkey ride to Karnak to see the Avenue of the Sphinxes, the unfinished Propylon, the
Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatchepsut and Tutmosis III, the Temple of Amon, the
Granite Scarabeus of Amenophis II and the Sacred Lake
Thebes and the Valley of the Kings
Colossi of Memnon, the first ruins visible when arriving by ferry and the sole surviving
remains of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III which, according to recent discoveries, was
more vast than the complex of Karnak
The Temple of Karnak, the most important place of worship in all Egypt during
Theban power
Visit the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, which represent the seven original Christian
communities outside the Holy Land, and retrace the steps of Paul’s journey. With
some of the world’s most well- preserved antiquities, you’ll see how the early
Christians lived. Tour sites may include:
Istanbul & Canakkale
Church of St. Saviour, one of the earliest and most important Christian churches
St. Sophia Church
The Blue Mosque
The Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years
The Grand Bazaar
Pergamum, Izmir & Laodecia
Follow Paul’s footsteps on his Second Missionary Journey from Alexandra Troas to
Neapolis in Macedonia (Acts 16:9) to Assos where Paul rejoined his companions
(Acts 20:13)
Pergamum’s majestic Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus (Throne of Satan), the Theater,
Temples, Palaces and the Gymnasium
Ephesus (once the most complete Roman city
outside of Rome)
Hierapolis and its Necropolis, Baths, Theater and St. Philippe Martyrium
The Basilica of St. John
The last house of the Virgin Mary
The site of the Temple of Diana
Miletus, where St. Paul said farewell to the Ephesian elders on his Third Missionary Journey
Cappadocia (Urgup)
The underground cities once inhabited by early Christians avoiding persecution from the pagan
Romans (Göreme, Cavusin, Avcilar, Urgup and the Valley of Zelve)
Writings of the early Christians on the walls of the underground cities
Underground City of Derinkuyu
Rock formations of the Cappadocia Region, erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately
9 to 3 million years ago (late Miocene to Pliocene epochs). Those near Göreme, a monastic
center between A.D. 300-1200, eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms.
The volcanic deposits are soft rocks that the people of the villages at the heart of the
Cappadocia Region carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries.
Follow the steps of Paul through the glories of the Greek mainland—and even add a Greek Island cruise to your pilgrimage—to sites including:
Athens
The Acropolis to see the magnificent Parthenon and other remnants of classical Greek architecture
The famous Plaka market
Mars Hill, where Paul preached (Acts 17:15-34)
The Agora, the ancient marketplace and former center of Athenian public life
The House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace
Corinth (Corinth, Paul’s home for 18 months, was the center of Peloponnesian life at the height of the
Greek Empire and where Paul wrote two of his epistles to the people of Corinth.)
The Archaeological Museum, the marketplace and the temples
The Bema, where Paul spoke to the Corinthians (Acts 18:1-17)
The Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects
the Ionian and Aegean Seas
Delphi
Theaters and stadium where the Pythian Games were held (Paul references the Greek games as an
illustration of the Christian life in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
Byzantine monastery of St. Luke on the slopes of Mount Helikon
Church of Mary, 10th century monastery with mosaics and frescoes that are among the most beautiful
in Greece
Thessalonika
Follow Paul’s footsteps through Thessalonika on his Second Missionary Journey (Acts 17), where
he preached in the city’s synagogue, the chief synagogue of the region, for at least three weeks
and where he established a Jewish-Gentile church, although it was more heavily Gentile (1 Thes. 1:9).
Paul faced great persecution at the hands of the mob and fled to Berea, but Thessalonians eventually
forced him to leave there also (Acts 17:13-14).
Kavala (ancient Neapolis) & Philippi
City where the Apostles Paul and Silas, accompanied by Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe
(Acts 16:11)
Byzantine Castle, aqueduct and museum containing finds from ancient Amphipolis (Acts 17:1)
The Roman and Greek tombstones and ruts of ancient chariot wheels en route to Philippi
(Acts 16:12-40), where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and baptized “a certain woman
named Lydia” (Acts 16:14-15)
Roman Forum ruins and rocky ledge above the town’s main road (with its inscriptions
and carved reliefs), which was the “prison” where Paul and Silas were held (Acts 16:16-34)
Greek Islands
Mykonos, with its 360 little churches and chapels
Rhodes, the island of the sun whose old city was built by the knights of St. John, and visited by St. Paul
Patmos to see its famous monastery on the hill, where St. John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse
while in exile
Trace the footsteps of St. Patrick through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. The Emerald
Isle is a land of great beauty and colorful history, an enchanting country of grand cathedrals, quiet
villages, monasteries, mountains, castles and crystal. Spanning from early Christianity to modern times,
Christian Heritage sites include:
Croagh Patrick/Knock
Kylemore Abbey, a massive castle run by the Benedictine nuns
The famous pilgrimage site of Croagh Patrick, where St. Patrick spent 40 days of Lent in A.D.
441 “fasting and praying”
Our Lady’s Shrine Knock, one of the great Marian shrines of the world and an oasis of peace,
tranquility and deep spirituality (also the scene of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St.
Joseph and St. John on August 21, 1879, witnessed by 15 local people, and one of Mother Teresa’s
favorite shrines)
Knock Shrine—celebrate Mass at the magnificent new Basilica of Knock, located next to the
original church where Our Blessed Mother appeared, and where Pope John Paul II visited in 1979
Ballintubber Abbey (dedicated to St. Patrick), a unique 13th century abbey that is the only
church in Ireland still in use which was founded by an Irish king, and the one Irish church where
for over 781 years Mass has been offered without a break
Dublin
The Book of Kells, which is considered to be the most impressive manuscript ever produced in the
Anglo-Saxon world, housed at Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest and most famous college
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which was founded in 1190 and restored in the 19th century, and is
the burial place of Gulliver’s Travels author, Jonathan Swift
Kells High Crosses, decorated with biblical scenes and regarded as the country’s most
important crosses (The Market Cross was probably at the entrance to the ancient monastery while
the other four crosses are situated in the grounds of Saint Columba’s Church. The 9th century
South Cross is the oldest; the 12th century East Cross is also referred to as “the unfinished” because
its decoration is incomplete. The North Cross has been reduced to its base, and the 10th century West
Cross is the most decorated of the five.)
Brigid’s Wells (there are two in Celtic Ireland representing the ancient Goddess Brigid and
the Christian Saint Brigid), in the town of Kildare (“the church of the oak”) where priestesses of
Brigid kept a sacred flame burning until the 16th century and where, even today, Catholic nuns keep a
perpetual fire lit in honor of Brigid
Meath, Louth & Belfast (Northern Ireland)
The Hill of Tara, County Meath, site of the religious and cultural capital of pre-Christian Ireland
Kells heritage town and Slane Hill, where St. Patrick lit the paschal fire on the eve
of Easter in A.D. 433
Drogheda for a chance to see the head of St. Oliver Plunkett in St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Monasterboice and Old Mellifont Abbey with their Celtic crosses and ruined abbey
Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, where the ill-fated liner, Titanic, was built
Down & Armagh (Northern Ireland)
Downpatrick, County Down, to visit the Cathedral that is closely associated with St. Patrick and
where he is thought to be buried (the relics of St. Brigid were interred in the tomb of St. Patrick
and St. Columba)
St Patrick’s Centre
Armagh, the ancient ecclesiastical center of Ireland for 1,500 years and modern-day spiritual capital of Ireland, it is the seat of both Protestant and Catholic archbishops, where there are two cathedrals dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint
St. Patrick’s Trian
Armagh, Belleek & Sligo
Belleek, the home of Ireland’s oldest pottery and border town between Donegal and Fermanagh
Sligo, where the poet William Butler Yeats spent many years
Drumcliff, where Yeats is buried
Croagh Patrick, the 2,540-ft. mountain that dominates the town of Westport, on whose summit St.
Patrick is reputed to have spent 40 days fasting in A.D. 441
Glendalough
St. Kevin’s, the ancient 6th century seat of learning, with its 1,000-year-old Round Tower,
cathedral and Seven Churches
Cultural heritage tours to Africa offer travelers the opportunity to witness the natural beauty of
its countryside and to visit the emotionally intense, powerful sites that remain from a regretful and
unforgettable period in its history.
Ghana
The capital Accra, including the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-Africanism (where his remains lie),
Kakum National Park on the Cape Coast and Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Kumasi region, home of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold
George Padmore Library to discover more about famous Pan-Africanists and African Heritage
The National Museum, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Park, which houses the remains of the first President
of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Arts Center and Black Star Square
The Makola Market, the biggest open market in the city
Cape Coast
Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedes in 1652, which serves as a grim reminder of the infamous
slave trade era
The West African Historical Museum
Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482 and later used as an auction market for slaves
The Portuguese Church and the Governor’s quarters
Kumasi
The Ashanti Region, where you will notice a change in vegetation from coastal shrub to forest as
you drive north
The Manhyia Palace Museum, official residence of Asantehene (Asante King) since 1926
The National Cultural Center and the Kumasi Central Market, which is the largest open-air market
in West Africa
Senegal and Gambia
Dakar, Senegal’s capital, to see Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from where
many Africans were sent as slaves to the New World
In Gambia, the town of Juffureh, home of Alex Haley’s ancestors
