April pilgrimage to the HolyLand

Last February I began planning my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I was most fortunate to discover Travelujah and  the personal service of Elisa Moed. Elisa assisted me in booking   Guest Houses made available through Travelujah's website. Traveling solo as a single Christian professional woman I was very much looking for accommodations  where I could be comfortable, the accommodations were affordable and the other guests and I would have some common ground.

The first week I stayed at Ecce Homo, Convent Guest House of Mt.Zion Sisters from France. EcceHomo is located on the Via Dolorosa, in the Muslim quarter, ten minute walk from the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Guest House is basic in that a guest is provided with  security, cleaniness and a non-descript breakfast. It is extraordinay in its location, the welcoming one receives, the graciousness of the staff, and the people one meets staying at Ecce Homo.  Breakfast was basic and there was more than enough for everyone.   A good value for the price.

Ecce Homo dining room; photo courtesy Travelujah

I planned on walking the Jesus trail for a few days after Ecce Homo, and the staff was most kind to store my luggage for me as I then traveled to the Sea of Gaililee area with my backpack.

I traveled to Tiberias by bus, caught a taxi to Mt. Beatitudes Guest House. I could have taken a bus from Tiberias to just outside the gate to the GuestHouse but I would have spent most of the afternoon waiting for the next bus. Mt. Beatitudes Guesthouse had a few more amenities than Ecce Homo and  therefore it is a little more expensive. However, the views were wonderful and all rooms had a window facing the sunrise over the Sea of Gaililee. Breakfast and Supper were included. Again the graciousness of the staff, the security and environment, allowed for a quiet and reflective stay, not to mention walking the paths from the Mt. Beatitudes to Tabgha.

I ended my journey the last week back in Old city at the Rosary Sisters just inside the Jaffa Gate. This Guest House was run by a small group of Arab nuns fromr Haifa. Sister Isadora met me at the door the first afternnon and made me comfortable, gave me coffee and cookies as she felt I was tired from my journey from Nazareth and needed some rest and nourishment. The Sisters of the Rosary Guest House had laundry service availabe. A much needed service after traveling for two weeks. The service is reasonable priced, but remember to be generous with the Sisters.

Sr Isadora in the chapel at the Rosary Sisters Old City Jerusalem, photo courtesy Travelujah

My last few days I stayed at the Jerusalem YMCA. This facility is a recommended "must see" in many of the tour books. A very beautiful building, gothic architecture, large lobby with conversations rooms that are huge, bright and airy. Gardens and potted flowers everywhere and a beautiful patio to take breakfast or dinner on or just to sit and have an afternoon coffee or tea.  Due to the size of the building, the number of guets and walk-ins for meals, I did not experience the intimancy and fellowship I experienced at the other GuestHouses.

My next journey to the Holy land will include staying at any one of these GuestHouses through Travelujah