Dear Micheal, I thought our pilgrimage to the Holy Land was an amazing event. The Carpe Diem Tours website gave good details of what to expect on the trip. The meeting of participants in the SMA about two weeks prior to departure was very informative. The hotels were of a very good standard, and a great variety of food was provided and plenty of it. You were on duty 24/7 always on hand to answer questions and to ensure no one was missing or left behind – like a mother hen looking after her chicks! I was interested in all the sites we visited, and the guide, Alyius, and Fr. John gelled so well together we got maximum benefit from their inputs. I used to dismiss the Old Testament as irrelevant, but now have a better understanding of its importance to Christianity. I was delighted with the opportunity to be baptised in the Jordan, and later visit its source. Floating in the Dead Sea was quite an experience, despite getting salt in my eyes. Once the stinging stopped, I think salt was good for my eyes! Our days were very busy visiting so many sites; however time spent at Mass or prayer was an opportunity to sit and relax. We were quite a diverse group but everyone seemed to fit well together, each looking out for the others, and no cliques developed. Airport delays and military check points we could do without, but no one has control over these. Getting us all on that flight from Istanbul to Dublin last Saturday was quite an accomplishment. Well done. You make a great leader and I would recommend your tours without hesitation. Thanks for the trip of a lifetime. Frances Hedigan 2022

The trip to the Holy Land was exceptional in every way, the attention to detail was profound. I felt very accepted, minded and safe all the time. It was most prayerful and the little Red Prayer Book is a lovely keepsake, together with Fr John’s handouts. I would love a copy of the DVD. It would be lovely to play around Christmas, to remember the glorious weather and think of good memories. Gemma 2016