Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: what to expect and how to prepare

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is unlike any other journey: you walk in the places of stories that many have known all their lives, among ancient streets, different communities and a great many people. A few realistic expectations help you to enjoy it with peace of mind. This guide is general and respectful of all sensibilities; the details of each programme are on the trip page.

What to expect

The places you visit are alive, not silent museums: Galilee with Nazareth, Cana and the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, with the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa and the Holy Sepulchre. They are crowded, with queues, steps and narrow alleys, and different Christian communities often share the same church, each with its own rites and timetables. Moments of reflection come in fits and starts, often in the early morning or in a side chapel, and they take a little patience.

The pace of the journey

• Full days at a moderate pace: a few hours of walking a day, on paving, steps and dirt paths.
• Summer is very hot, especially in Galilee and at the Dead Sea; spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter is mild but rainy, with cool evenings in Jerusalem, which stands at about 800 metres.
• A good programme leaves room for silence: a prayer, a candle, a pause on a pew.
• Anyone who tires more easily can count on the coordinator, who adjusts the pace to the group.

What to wear

• Modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees: in many sacred places they are required for entry.
• Comfortable shoes with non-slip soles: paving polished by time can be slippery.
• A scarf or a light shawl always in your bag, to cover your shoulders when needed.
• A hat and sun cream; a jacket in winter and a jumper for cool evenings.
• A small backpack and a water bottle: the days involve a lot of walking.
• Swimwear, if you want to take the optional float in the Dead Sea.

Respecting the places

• Speak quietly and silence your phone in places of prayer.
• Always ask before photographing people and respect photography bans.
• Every religious community has its own rules: follow the instructions of the coordinator and of the staff of the shrines.
• The Western Wall is a Jewish place of prayer: observe it respectfully, even from a distance, following the rules of the site.
• The journey welcomes different sensibilities: listen respectfully and leave disagreements aside.

Before you leave

Check the official sources for entry documents, safety guidance and health information: they can change at short notice, so consult them both before booking and before you leave. A passport is generally required, often valid for at least 6 months after your return. Travel insurance is recommended.

Our “Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 6 Days” takes in Nazareth, Cana, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, with flights from Athens, a Greek coordinator and a moderate pace that leaves time to stop, pray and look.