Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Q&A

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Q&A

The Crossroads Initiative will be sponsoring a unique Holy Land Pilgrimage between December 27, 2008 and January 5, 2009, departing and returning to Chicago.  Here are some of the details of this one in a lifetime trip led by Catholic Theologian and historian, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio.   For exact itinerary and other information not on this page, please scroll to the bottom and click on the links to the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land main page.

Download the Holy Land Pilgrimage flyer to register or give to a friend!

Q.  What class of hotels are we staying in during the Crossroads Initiative Holy Land Pilgrimage?

A.  We are staying in deluxe hotels that are either almost new or recently renovated: The Novotel in East Jerusalem, within walking distance of the Old City, The Gai Beach in Tiberias, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (2 nights) and The Seasons in Netania, which is right on the beach of Israel's beautiful Mediterranean Coast, near Tel Aviv. 

After years of very low tourism, many hotels in the Holy Land are in a bad state of repair and are desperate for guests to help cash flow and raise funds to do repairs and upgrades.  We have been careful to avoid such super low-cost establishments and select only new or recently renovated, deluxe 5 star hotels.  Also, keep in mind that some tour operators, in an effort to cut costs, avoid paying for a hotel on the last night of the tour and arrange for the group fly with El Al Airlines which has a flight that departs at 1AM.  We believe that even though we get up very early to catch a flight back to NY or Chicago, it is important to provide our passengers with a hotel for this final night so that they can freshen up and get some rest.  We don’t want people arriving exhausted back in the states!

Q.  What will our guides be like on this Holy Land Tour? 

A.  Good question.  A tour of holy and historical places is only as good as your guide.   Many local guides leave much to be desired in terms of their knowledge, their ability to comment on the spiritual significance of a particular site for Christians, and their command of English.  Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio has twin academic specialties make him an extraordinary guide to the Holy Land—he is an expert in the interpretation of Scripture and Church history.  Furthermore, his commentary, however informative, is always understandable and spiritually uplifting.  He will be assisted by local guides as well.

Q.  Will this be a tour or a spiritual pilgrimage?

A.  Both.  We will have wonderful times of prayer, liturgy & music daily! 

Q.  Who is arranging all the practicalities of the tour?  

A.  Consolidated Tour Organization out of Atlanta is the exclusive Holy Land tour company of Fr. Mitch Pacwa (of EWTN) and Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio who have used them many times for Holy Land pilgrimages.  They are a unique company because though they have a US office in Atlanta, they have asubsidiary company in Jerusalem called Jordan Tours which is staffed by Palestinian Christians.  This means that we will be hosted by a company that knows the ins and outs of the Holy Land like no other.  Should any problem arise, we don’t need to call the States for help.  The local office of Jordan Tours will be in constant touch with us.

Q.  How about safety and security?  

A.  Tensions in the Holy Land have greatly decreased over the past 18 months and our operator has organized numerous safe and successful pilgrimages to the Holy Land during that time.  Even during the worst of times, Christian pilgrims were not the victims of the violence we read about in the newspapers.  Keep in mind that Israeli security is just about the best in the world.  Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio has this to say, "I would not lead the tour if I had any doubts about our safety.  I’ll be bringing my wife and ALL of our children along.  So you know I'm confident!"

Q.  Can I take your Holy Land tour but arrange for my own air transportation?  I’d like to use Frequent flyer miles.  

A.  Absolutely.  The price for the land only package is $2229. But remember, you’ll have to arrange for your own transfers from airport (tel-aviv) to hotel (Jerusalem) and final hotel (Netania) to airport.

Q.   What is the weather like in the Holy Land in December and January?

A. Most days will probably be Spring-like temperatures and gentle sun with a day or two of possible rain and colder temperatures.  Generally, the climate in Israel is more pleasant for touring at this time of year than during summer when the heat can be withering.  Temperatures in the mountains around Jerusalem range from a high of 65 degrees to a low of 45.  The lower areas on the Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea generally have ideal sunny weather.

Q.  Is much walking required?  

A. Generally much less than on other tours that I’ve organized, such as to the Vatican, for example.  Most of the time, our bus gets quite close to the sites we are visiting.  The most walking we’ll probably do will be the way of the cross in the Old City of Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa and our visit to the site of Mary's Visitation of Elizabeth.  We have had both elderly and young participants (pre-teens) on this tour and they have done just fine.

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