1. Is this a Catholic trip? 

Yes! We will have Masses at holy sites around the Holy Land. This pilgrimage will be a unique experience, allowing you to pray as you walk the footsteps of Jesus beside other Catholics. As Jesus followers, we believe it is important to see humans through the eyes of Jesus. We do not travel in arrogance, but in humility, seeking to connect with the people in the Holy Land as well as the sites. Therefore, we will also be engaging with the local population to better learn and understand the conflict in Israel and Palestine and seek to become peacemakers in the world. There will be a decent amount of fun and tourism, too.

2. Can I invite a non-Catholic or a parishioner of another parish?

Yes, all are welcome! If you are not Catholic, please be respectful to others on the trip and recognize that it will be centered around Catholic beliefs and rituals. You will be expected to attend all religious events, including Mass at holy sites. 
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3. What makes this trip unique?

This Holy Land trip provides two opportunities that you would regularly not receive through another travel organization. First, you will have full Masses with music at holy sites. Katie will provide music as we travel through the Holy Land, e.g. the Stations of the Cross, renew our baptismal rites at the Jordan River, sing carols as we approach the nativity site in Bethlehem, etc. This creates an atmosphere of prayer and meditation as a pilgrim, not just a tourist. Second, we spend multiple days inside the West Bank (Jericho and Bethlehem) and do our best to learn from Palestinian Christians, the living stones, who have kept the faith alive in the Holy Land for thousands of years. We understand that Jesus cared about people, and so we do, too. 

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4. Can I travel alone? 

Absolutely! A limited number of single rooms are available on this trip. If you would like to have your own room, you'll need to pay an additional $680 for the trip. Alternatively, we can pair you with another solo traveler for your hotel stays. If you or we cannot find another solo traveler for you to be paired with, you will need to pay the additional $680 for a single room. Should we not be able to accommodate all single room requests, find you a suitable roommate, or you are not able or willing to share, a complete refund will be provided. 

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5. Can I reserve a room for 3 people?

Yes. The set-up of the rooms will be different with each hotel or guesthouse.

You may have a twin bed to yourself or you may be in a shared bed. 

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6. Is it safe? 

Yes. We will not be going near Gaza. It is more likely that you would be killed in a car accident (or shooting!) here in the United States. Typically, tensions rise during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan each year. If, for some reason, violence spreads outside of Gaza to an area where we are scheduled to visit, we will adjust our trip accordingly. 

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7. What will weather be like? 

Weather in Israel and Palestine is fairly similar to San Diego. There are microclimates with the weather near the coast differing greatly from the mountains, deserts, and Dead Sea area. You can plan for 70s and 80s in most cities, but it can reach in the 90s near the Dead Sea. Prepare for much more humidity than in San Diego! 

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8. How do the flights work? 

We will offer a suggested flight for individuals to book so we can travel together, but you will have the freedom to fly whenever and wherever you like. Some pilgrims may prefer to stop in Europe to sightsee on their way to Tel Aviv or arrive early in Tel Aviv to have a few days recovering from jet lag. Other pilgrims prefer to pick their own seats or use their own frequent flyer miles, rewards, and credit cards. Group bookings unfortunately do not provide this flexibility. We want you to be happy with your flight over so you can arrive fully rested for the trip, so you will be in charge of booking your own flight. Flights are not covered in the cost of this trip. As we get closer to the trip and flights open up, we will offer a suggested flight and suggested arrival time at the airport in Tel Aviv. Those who travel on the suggested flight will process through security together and walk to our bus together. If you take an earlier flight, you are welcome to wait in the airport for the main group to arrive. A bus transfer to our hotel will be provided for those who are waiting for us and for those who travel on the suggested flight. If you choose a flight that does not arrive near that time, you will need to pay for your own taxi to the hotel in Tel Aviv. If you have any questions or concerns about booking an appropriate flight, don't hesitate to reach out. 

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9. What will food be like?

You'll experience a mix of Middle Eastern & Western food. Hotel breakfasts and dinners often serve a variety of food, including western selections. Lunches are typically on the go and often will be Middle Eastern (think falafel sandwiches, chicken kabob, pita bread and hummus). Some days you'll have the opportunity to walk and find a lunch that suits you. On other days, we'll all eat lunch together. (Lunches are not covered in price) You are not forced to eat any of the meals offered to you. Feel free to venture out into the cities to eat whatever you like and experience more of the Holy Land. 

10. How much walking will there be?

 We will be walking many miles a day, sometimes at a brisk pace. You will need to be physically fit to attend this trip. The stones in the old cities are uneven and slippery and these old cities are unfortunately not handicap accessible. A good rule of thumb - if you are not able to hike one of the Torrey Pines Trailheads down to the beach and back up, this trip is not the trip for you. There will also be long hours of sitting on the bus to travel from city to city. Thankfully we don't have to walk to the cities like Jesus did! 

11. What are the accommodations like?

Every hotel or guesthouse will be different. Please remember: this is a pilgrimage, not a luxury resort trip. Some may feel like a vacation resort (e.g. Jericho) while others may be in a convent (e.g. Nazareth). If you are traveling with your partner, please be aware that not all accommodations will be able to offer a combined double bed. Some religious guesthouses only offer twin beds, but often they are willing to push them together for married couples. Hotel rooms will be reserved after registration, but this is a list of likely accommodations (or similar) where we will be staying: Metropolitan Hotel in Tel Aviv, Sisters of Nazareth Convent in Nazareth, Oasis Hotel in Jericho, Casa Nova Guesthouse in Bethlehem, and Golden Walls Hotel in Jerusalem.

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12. Could I bring a relative or friend from out-of-state?

Absolutely. All are welcome. 

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13. What happens if we don't get 27 people?

We pay more (or cancel), so invite your friends! 

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14. Is there a cap on how many people can go?

Yes. To be fair to all, we will offer an Opening Day and Time for Email Registration Confirmation. It will be first come, first serve. You will receive an email confirming your registration or a response letting you know you are on the wait list. 

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15. What is the payment schedule like?

If you receive confirmation that you have a seat on the trip, you will have 2 weeks to pay a deposit of $500. If you do not pay your deposit during that time, your spot will go to the next in line on the wait list. Your deposit is refundable until September 1st. After September 1st, all payments are non-refundable. Your second payment of $1,450 is due by November 15. Your final payment of $1,000 plus any additional payments for single supplement rooms are due by February 15. If you miss or are late on a payment, your spot on the trip may be given to someone on the waitlist. 
 

16. What happens if I need to cancel? 

Travel insurance is not included in this package. It is not required, but it is encouraged. If you cancel before September 1st, you will receive your full deposit back. If you cancel after September 1st, you must rely on your own personal travel insurance to reimburse you of your losses. It is strongly encouraged that you research and book your own travel insurance before paying your first deposit.

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17. Could I bring my children on this trip?

If they are high school age or older, absolutely! You must chaperone them on the trip though. 

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18. What travel agency are we traveling with?

Harmony Pilgrimages partners with United Travel Ltd., a Palestinian Christian travel agency based in Jerusalem. 

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19. Are there any requirements to join this trip? 

Besides being physically fit, you must be fully vaccinated to join this group, including any boosters that may be offered before our departure. This is for the safety of our group but also for the protection of pilgrims from around the world who we will encounter and most especially, the local people living in the Holy Land who are offering their land, stores, restaurants, hotels, and churches to us. 

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20. What else do I need to know? 

Security in Israel is tight. Consequently, your passport information will need to be sent via e-mail to hotels. If you are uncomfortable with this, you should not go on the trip. Also, we will be spending many days in the West Bank (Jericho & Bethlehem) interacting with Palestinians. The Christians of the Holy Land are Palestinian and we believe it is important to honor their faith and experiences. If you work for the military or government, please check with your supervisors to make sure you can travel with us. There will also be required reading prior to travel. 

Everything else will be covered in meetings prior to the trip, but please feel free to reach out if you have any concerns or questions you'd like answered before committing! 

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