Seeing images of the faithful on Palm Sunday walk down the Mount of Olives waving palms to signify Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, I became wistful for the moment, just one month ago, that I surveyed the Old City from that same, historic vantage point as part of a group of four journalists from the U.S. selected by the Catholic Media Association to take part in a media trip hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Rhode Island Catholic will be featuring a series of travel articles on the Holy Land over the next few weeks, showcasing not only the wealth of religious sites throughout Israel, but also rich historic and natural wonders, along with restaurants and hotels.
I’ve been blessed to have been able to make five trips to the Holy Land in the last 10 years, along with some visits to several other nations in the Middle East along the way. The first question that I’m always asked is: “Is it safe to visit the Holy Land?”
While I freely accept that I may have a higher tolerance for adventure, and yes, a little danger, than most people who aren’t journalists by nature, I would never turn down an opportunity to visit the Holy Land should one present itself. In October 2023, I traveled to the south of Israel to cover the early days of the war with Hamas in Gaza and witnessed actual wartime activity with my own eyes. But even then, I felt quite safe to visit the interior sections of the country — especially in Jerusalem, where the major Christian pilgrimage sites are located — along with the tranquil Galilee and Tel Aviv, a vibrant, bustling metropolitan city on the Mediterranean that easily reminds one of Miami.
And yes, I would have recommended that any of my family members visit those areas in particular, even then. Things all around are much quieter now than they were two years ago, and the pilgrimage tour groups are starting to plan trips once again. But for those who like a little more adventure, Israel is a very modern, technically advanced country — with English spoken widely — and that makes it an easy destination to travel around independently.
If I hadn’t been asked to take part in a media familiarity tour of the Holy Land 10 years ago, I probably would still be dissuaded by news reports and the voices of some who once told me that if I went there something could happen to me. Well, on that first trip, something did happen to me. I absolutely loved it and wanted to go back immediately to visit even more beyond the traditional pilgrimage sites. A float in the Dead Sea alone is often on the bucket list for many who may wait very deep into their lives to take that trip-of-a-lifetime.
That first visit inspired me to visit other countries in the region. For those with a fascination with history, the ongoing archaeological and preservation work being done in Israel reminded me of similar digs in Egypt. There is an opportunity for learning and adventure for every taste and budget. The first step is to make that decision to be bold and try a new travel experience that might be a little outside one’s normal comfort zone. My own experiences traveling in the Holy Land have never left me disappointed. I’d love to hear about your experiences also (write me at editor@thericatholic.com).
Safe and Happy Travels!
