I’m interested in going to the Holy Land with a small group and an excellent teacher. I think you have both. I want to deepen my understanding of both the stories of the Bible and the roots of my faith.
There is no way to understand the Bible better than to step inside its pages and walk around. Our pilgrimages are an intense 8 day Bible study in the places where it all happened. With fun and stories I take you on a journey through the lives of the Patriarchs, Prophets, Kings, Apostles, Our Lord and Our Lady.
1. Does Stephen guide the groups himself?
Yes, along with a local Catholic guide who can share much of the local informatin while I teadch the Bible. This pictiure will give you an idea.
2. Will the pilgrimages take us to several sites a day or 1 per day?
We usually cover 3-5 sites in a day, along with daily Mass at the holiest sites. We visit sites with time to explain and teach, pray and explore. We have a very nice pace that we have perfected over the last 20 years and over 100 groups. Refer to the day-by-day itinerary in the brochure or on my website for details.
3. Will we be traveling by foot or bus?
Both. The brand new Mercedes bus takes us to all the sites and then we walk around the sites before taking the bus to the next site. We teach and prepare you while we are on the bus between sites. We also pray on the bus and have a good time.
4. Are the sites out of the way or busy with other pilgrims with a touristy feel?
Usually, the sites are bustling and crowded with long lines. But because of the situation in the Middle East in the last two years, when we go in December-January, there will be NO CROWDS. We will not have lines or any touristy feeling. Get on the bus now while it is still quiet because by next year there will be millions of pilgrims and tourists arriving again.
5. Will an armed guard be escorting us?
No, this is unnecessary. If you have an armed escort, it only draws attention to ourselves. We will be a smaller group and move between the hholy sites with no problem. We have been doing this for 30 years, and our guides and drivers are the best and cautious. I do think that our driver, who is former military and a reservist, carries a weapon, although I have never asked him.
Final Note