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What is the Holy Land Institute?
It is a ministry of St. Thomas More Catholic
Church in San Francisco that seeks to support
and encourage
Christians in the Holy Land by educating adults
and young people about the Bible and the land of
the Bible, by organizing pilgrimages to the Holy
Land, by patronizing Christian businesses in the
Holy
Land, by becoming acquainted with the
ministries, outreach and interreligious
activities of the Holy Land
Christians, and by promoting encounters and
dialogue.
Who is leading the pilgrimage?
The leader is Dr. Claudia Devaux who may be
contacted at (805) 544-9088 or by email:
info@HolyLandInstitute.org
What can we expect in terms of visits to
Biblical and archeological sites?
Pilgrims will be provided with readings
associated with each site. Local
English-speaking guides will provide
commentary including Biblical context,
archeology, history, and geography. Site visits
require a considerable
amount of walking.
What are the distinctive features of Holy Land
Institute pilgrimages?
The number of pilgrims is limited to between 12
and 16. All meals and standard gratuities are
included in
the price. Each participant has a single room
with bath so that everyone has some quiet time
[it is possible
to share a room with a spouse or companion, but
there is no price break]. The program language
is
English; most of our liturgies will be in
English, but some will be in Arabic. Our
patronage of Christian
guesthouses helps support Christians in the Holy
Land and local ministries [e.g., programs for
people
with disabilities, schools, youth movements,
orphanages]. We visit Holy Land Christians in
their homes
to listen to their stories and learn firsthand
of their dreams, joys, and challenges.
What happens on a home visit?
Pilgrims join the host family for a meal and
conversation and perhaps a personal tour of the
area. Ideas
for gifts that pilgrims might offer their host
families include books featuring pictures of
scenery from the
pilgrim’s hometown, chocolates, souvenir serving
trays or coasters, and music CDs.
What is the price?
$4,250.00 for roundtrip travel from JFK +
$170.00 mandatory cancellation and medical
emergency insurance.
Our travel agent can book connecting flights for
an additional fee. A land-only fee is available
for
those who wish to make their own air travel
arrangements. Travel insurance is mandatory for
all participants.
What is included in the price?
The price includes roundtrip air fare from New
York [JFK]. The price pilgrims pay includes
transportation
to and from the Amman airport, all lodging, all
meals, entrance fees, border crossings, ground
travel,
and standard gratuities for the guides and
drivers.
What is not included in the pilgrimage price?
Beverages other than breakfast coffee, tea, and
juice are not included. Pilgrims are responsible
for obtaining
their visas
in advance
for
Jordan [if you prefer, our travel agent can go
to the Jordanian Consulate
in San Francisco to obtain your multiple-entry
visa ]. If you have a US passport, you don’t
need a
visa for Israel. If you don’t have a US
passport, please check with the Israeli
Consulate or online. Also
not included: carriages at Petra, Dead Sea spa
expenses, laundry, souvenirs. Bring a few dollar
bills to
tip porters at airport and borders and also to
tip restroom attendants.
How do I sign up?
Complete the registration form and send it to
Linsil Travel with your deposit of $1,715.00.
Your deposit
includes trip cancellation insurance. Payment in
full must be received by March 1, 2010.
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