Choose a type of room

For a better booking experience please book on your desktop

Single room Shared room Double room Triple room Quadruple room
Itinerary FAQs Invited Artists
Template: /var/www/vhosts/youthfest.magdala.org/httpdocs/wp-content/themes/mkt228-child/templates/itinerary-template.php

YOUTHFEST ITINERARY

JULY, 21 - 31
*This itinerary is subject to changes and modifications due to government imperatives or country holidays.
Download itinerary
Day 1 ArrivalFriday | July, 21
Arrive to Israel.
Friday | July, 21 ● Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel. Welcome at the airport and transportation to a hotel in Galilee near Magdala area.
Day 2 Feast of Mary MagdaleneSaturday | July, 22
Visit to Mount Arbel to witness a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee and understand the geographical location of Jesus’ public ministry.
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Live this experience as Jesus did with his apostles.
Visit to Magdala for Mary Magdalene’s festivity and Eucharist celebration.
Day 3 Galilee Walk the Jesus Trail ISunday | July, 23
Hike to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Visit to Cana, where Jesus begins his public ministry.
Visit to Nazareth, Eucharistic celebration at the Basilica of the Annunciation, followed by visits to the house of Mary and the Holy Family.
Day 4 North of Israel & YouthFestMonday | July, 24
Visit to Caesarea Philippi, the source of the Jordan River, where Jesus entrusted Peter with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Trip to the Golan Heights and meditation where Jesus met with Saul (Paul the Apostle) on the road to Damascus.
Return to Magdala for the music festival with prominent international artists and possible surprises.
Day 5 Mt. Carmel, Haifa & Eucharistic AdorationTuesday | July, 25
Visit to Acre, where the last stronghold of the Crusades in the Holy Land is.
Visit to Mount Carmel in Haifa, where the Carmelites’ order was established, and the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Stella Maris).
Encounter in Magdala for Eucharistic celebration, adoration, and worship concert on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Day 6 Galilee Walk the Jesus Trail IIWednesday | July, 26
Experience the paths that Jesus traveled with his apostles, walking along the Via Maris starting from “Eilabun” through the “Wadi Haman” (Valley of the Doves) ending in Magdala (10km, approximately 3.5 hrs).
Visit to the Mount of Beatitudes in Tabgha, where the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes took place. Visit to the Primacy of Peter and Capernaum.
Day 7 Jericho, Jordan River, Death SeaThursday | July, 27
Tour through the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest walled city in the world.
Renewal of baptismal promises at the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized.
Experience in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth.
Discover and enjoy the desert.
Day 8 Bethlehem & JerusalemFriday | July, 28
Visit to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and Shepherds’ Field, where the angel announced his birth.
Christmas Eucharistic Celebration in the Church of the Nativity.
Visits in Jerusalem: Mount Zion, King David’s Tomb, Cenacle, Dormition Abbey, St. Peter in Gallicantu
Learn more about Jerusalem in the time of Jesus. Visit to the Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book, where you can see the Dead Sea Scrolls (Qumram).
Day 9 JerusalemSaturday | July, 29
Visits in Jerusalem: Mount of Olives, Chapel of the Ascension, Church of the Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, Church of All Nations, Grotto of Gethsemane, and Mary’s Tomb.
Visit to the Old City of Jerusalem: Church of Saint Anne, Mary’s birthplace, and the pool of Bethesda. We will follow Jesus’ footsteps through the Via Dolorosa, Lithostrotos, Calvary, and the Holy Sepulchre.
Day 10 Caesarea Maritima & Tel AvivSunday | July, 30
Visit to the old city of Jaffa (Tel Aviv).
Visit to Caesarea Maritima, where Peter baptized the first pagans and where Paul the Apostle was imprisoned. Our trip will end here with an Eucharistic Celebration.
Day 11 FarewellMonday | July, 31
Transfer to the airport.
Important information

Share room opcion will be booked in quadruple and triple occupancy. The hotel is not kosher. Travel insurance is not included. Flights are not included. Check inn: standard check-in time is 15:00. Check out: Is at 11:00. July 25 at 6:00 p.m. meeting at the beach of Magdala for the great religious music concert. Buffet dinner at the place and return to the hotels. Random document and passenger inspections may be conducted at the Israeli airport and border crossing, and travellers must comply with the requirements of the Population and Immigration Authority. VAT will apply for Israeli citizens only during the time of check-in according to the Israel value-added tax law, foreign people must show their passport.

FAQS & Important information

Important Information

From what age can one participate in the encounter?

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Young people and young-hearted people. (Minors must be accompanied by an adult.)

What are the rates?

All rates are per person and vary by room type.

  • Individual room 1900 USD
  • Double room 1550 USD
  • Triple room, quadruple or shared* 1300 USD

*Shared room options will be assigned in triple or quadruple occupancy under each hotel’s policies.

In general, quadruple and triple rooms have two full beds and are subject to each hotel’s policies.

This itinerary does not include tips. Recommended tips per day/person are:

  • Guide: 2.50 USD
  • Drivers: 2 USD

What is included?

  • Accommodations.
  • Full board meals.
  • Group transfers to and from the airport.
  • Transfers as per itinerary.
  • Entry tickets to all places on the itinerary.
  • Guide.
  • Participation in the music festival.
  • Eucharistic Celebrations.
  • Pilgrim’s kit.
  • The airline ticket is NOT included.

What is NOT included?

  • It does not include an airline ticket.
  • It does not include travel insurance (a mandatory requirement to enter the country).
  • It does not include visa expenses, in case you require it.
  • An extra charge on individual transfers, arrivals, or departures between 11:00 pm and before 6:00 am could apply.
  • It does not include personal expenses.
  • It does not include tips.

Cancellation Policy

  • 60 days before July 21, 2023. 0% penalty charge.
  • 30 days before July 21, 2023. 25% penalty charge.
  • 15 days before July 21, 2023. 100% penalty charge.

Reservations

All reservations will be through the GENESIS TOURS Travel Agency. Enter the website https://youthfest.magdala.org/

Click the “BOOK NOW” button to visit the Genesis Tours travel agency website.

Enter your personal information, complete your payment, and your reservation will be ready. GROUPS: Please contact Genesis Tours agency directly.

We hope to see you soon!

To modify the traveler’s information, you must access the travel agency page and enter the username and password generated by the system.

Accommodation

The lodgings will be in two areas:

  • In the north: Galilee
  • In Judea: Bethlehem

The Magdala Hotel has limited capacity, and the first ones to register will stay at this hotel. BOOK EARLY!

The remaining participants will be staying in nearby hotels according to their reservation and accommodation capacity.

All participants will stay from July 27 to 31, 2023 (4 nights) in the city of Bethlehem in quadruple, triple, and double rooms according to the capacity of the reserved hotels.

If you have any questions regarding hotel accommodations, please contact Genesis Tours.

Meals

The rate includes full board meals.

Breakfast and dinner will usually be at the hotel, with some exceptions (lunch box according to the day's program).

Meals will be in restaurants or a lunch box depending on each day’s itinerary (4 lunch boxes). Any special requests regarding meals should be notified directly through Genesis Tours Agency by contacting nfridman@genesis-tours.com or Whatsapp at +972 54 586 0272

Dinners on July 24th and 25th, 2023 will be served in Magdala as fast food to facilitate participation in the music festivals.

Transfers

All internal transfers are included and are group transfers.

The schedules will be provided by Genesis Tours agency.

The buses have Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.

Each group will have 40 to 50 people per bus with a guide in Spanish or English, depending on the group. Any individual transfer or outside group hours must be managed directly by the interested party through Genesis Tours agency.

Documentation

Always carry your passport, an official photo ID, and a digital copy of them with you.

The pilgrim must have travel insurance, which is not included in the quoted rate services. Travelers must comply with the requirements of the immigration authorities. Upon entering Israel, authorities may randomly conduct document inspections. We recommend you review the requirements according to your country of origin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Some requirements could be:

  • Evidence that you have international health insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage.
  • Receipt or proof of hotel or place of accommodation.
  • Your passport must be valid for six months from the date you arrive in Israel.

Currency

The local currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS).

You can exchange your country’s currency at most banks and/or currency exchange places. Most businesses accept Dollars and Euros.

Dress Code

When visiting Holy places, it is important to dress respectfully. Shorts, short skirts (above the knee), and tank tops (exposed shoulders) are prohibited. For long walks, we recommend: comfortable tennis shoes (sneakers) and hats to protect yourself from the sun.

Weather Conditions

July is typically hot and dry in the Holy Land. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 95°F (35°C), and night-time temperatures will usually stay in the mid-70s (23-25°C). There is usually very little rain in July, and the region remains quite dry. We recommend staying hydrated and wearing comfortable clothing, shoes, hats, and sunscreen.

Will we have the opportunity to see Fr. Juan Solana during the pilgrimage?

Fr. Juan Solana will be present at all the main events and will preside over one of the Eucharistic celebrations that will take place every day.

General Recommendations

  • Stay hydrated at all times.
  • Use sunscreen every day.
  • Travel with one suitcase per person.

*This itinerary could be subject to changes based on changing government regulations.

*In case of any questions, contact Natali Fridman from Genesis Tours directly to the email natalif@genesis-tours.com or Whatsapp at +972 54 586 0272.