Pilgrimage

Experience fascinating and sacred places, journeying with a small group looking for the ideal combination of faith, friendship, and fun. The Celts called these sites “thin places,” where the veil between God and humanity is most thin. Imagine seeing such places with a group of joyful pilgrims eager to learn and pray together. Although we emphasize the pilgrimage nature of these experiences, we will be staying at excellent hotels, eat a wonderful variety of delicious meals, and be chauffeured in a luxury coach. Take a look at upcoming offerings and sign up today.

Click here to see “What People Are Saying about Their Pilgrimage”

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What People Are Saying About Their Pilgrimage...

“Stephen has been voted our number one pilgrimage leader, his trips are extraordinary!”

Select International Tours, Flemington, NJ

“Stephen Binz made St. Paul come alive to us! He made sure we got to the most important places and we benefited from his insights and his evident faith in guiding us on this pilgrimage. Being able to physically be present in these very spots in which St. Paul was at helped to make the Bible accounts come alive.  Stephen provided scripture and commentary that made it a real pilgrimage.”

 Mike and Marianne Kinkley, Wheaton, IL

“Stephen Binz’s biblical wisdom and spiritual guidance provide a definite added-value to the experience of visiting and learning about these historical sites. His commentary/reflections on St Paul & St John made these days spiritually and theologically enriching for me, a kind of spiritual retreat. His insights continue to contribute so much to my reading the New Testament.”

Father Timothy Schott, Carroll, IA

"You cannot imagine a better pilgrimage leader than Stephen Binz. He not only brings the Acts of the Apostles alive by sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the Bible, he is accessible, friendly, and a joy to travel with. You can have no better companion as you walk the steps of St. Paul. We are so grateful for this trip; it exceeded our expectations. We hope to go on future pilgrimages with Stephen.”

Jeff and Angie Gallant, Tulsa, OK

“I go on pilgrimages for personal renewal and spiritual growth, a transformational experience, greater understanding of Scripture, and increased knowledge of the history and culture of the sacred sites. I first went on pilgrimage with Stephen Binz to the Holy Land last year. My goals were met and surpassed. This year I joined Stephen’s pilgrimage to Greece/Turkey – and came away, once more, feeling inspired and more hopeful. We visited holy sites where we know St. Paul and St. John spent time forming the early Church. We prayed and reflected on their writings. We gained greater insight into their struggles to evangelize, support, and encourage the newly-baptized Christians. For pilgrims with goals similar to mine, I highly recommend going on pilgrimage with Stephen J. Binz.”

Joann Vaske, Ankeny, IA

“While we have traveled extensively, this was our first group tour and it set a very high standard for future tours. The pilgrimage was extremely well coordinated and spiritual.  Stephen Binz did a wonderful job of providing prayerful reflections that put each of the sites we visited into a historical and spiritual perspective.  This pilgrimage has changed the way we will forever look at and live our faith.” 

Roland and Gayle Breunig, Edgerton, WI

Stephen Binz’s pilgrimage trip was truly an amazing experience! We saw so many interesting places and learned so much about the historical and cultural background. The retreat experiences offered special opportunities for growth in our personal relationship with God.  I would recommend his trips to anyone!

Susie and Rich Whitlow, Baton Rouge, LA 

“Literally walking in the footsteps of the saints of Poland—St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Faustina—who have evangelized millions and are still evangelizing from heaven!  I felt like St. Faustina was speaking directly to me. Humbling. This trip was awesome and I feel so blessed by my loving God to have been able to participate. This was the second pilgrimage we took with Stephen Binz.  I didn't think our trip to Israel could be surpassed, but it's the little ‘extras’ that made it so special.  We went to places of the Saints that are not included in a regular tour. We can't wait until the next Stephen Binz Pilgrimage!”

Paul and Susan Lester, Brandon, FL

“Because of our prayerful and faith filled journey through the Holy Land with Stephen Binz, we decided to take the next step with a pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey In the Footsteps of Paul. It was prayerful, informative, inspiring, faith-filled, and joyful! We were overcome with awe as we visited ancient Ephesus and Corinth surrounded by beautiful fields of red poppies! The islands of Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini were sensory overloads! We loved sharing with fellow pilgrims as we journeyed together, and celebrating Liturgy in beautiful outdoor sites was so prayerful and inspiring. For a deeper appreciation of our Faith and connection to Scripture, we highly recommend this pilgrimage." 

Marianne and Dan Dunson, Cincinnati, OH

“Despite my Polish heritage, I was unaware of the rich history and palpable faith of Poland. Stephen Binz packs centuries of culture, history, and the beloved saints of Poland into a span of days. Be prepared to be uplifted, inspired, blessed, and somewhat exhausted, but forever changed! I personally found his reflections on the bus centering and meditative. Thank you, Stephen, for a wonderful experience. It exceeded all my expectations.”

Barbara Brozovic, Binghampton, NY

“This was my first pilgrimage and it was truly a wonderful, spiritual journey in Greece and Turkey. I especially enjoyed the fact that we actually walked where Paul walked and had outdoor Masses in Philippi and Corinth where Paul taught. The suggested readings prior to the trip and the explanations, readings, and prayers of Stephen at the sites made each stop especially meaningful. I am more appreciative now of the trials that the early apostles faced and what a strong faith Paul had.”  

JoDale Ales, Baton Rouge, LA

“This was our first pilgrimage, and our decision to go with Stephen Binz was the best decision ever. His knowledge of Scripture, Catholicism, and the Holy Land made this trip spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually amazing. We will definitely book future trips with Stephen as our guide!”

Bill and Patty Beard, Columbiana, OH

“This was our first pilgrimage with Stephen Binz and it was truly remarkable! His knowledge of the Holy Land is tremendous and his ability to make the trip fun, adventurous, and highly spiritual made it a joy filled experience. Stephen has a quiet, calm demeanor which helped to keep everyone focused on the important things and not on the distractions. The Holy Land is filled with wonders of the Lord and Stephen was outstanding at bringing it to life for the group! I can't imagine having a better experience!”

 Annette & Mike Bonomo, Monroe, CT

“This was my second group pilgrimage and this one was considerably better than the first. The accommodations were great, everything was well planned, the guide and leader were incredibly knowledgeable and the number of significant religious sites we visited was unbelievable. I now have a better understanding of my faith and can relate more to scripture. I highly recommend it to everyone.”

Tom Westerman, Overland Park, KS

“The pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Stephen Binz was an amazing experience.  It was my first time traveling alone and my first time with a group.  The Pilgrimage was well coordinated and spiritual.  Stephen's knowledge of the Holy Land, his explanation at the sites and the spiritual reflections brought the Bible to life for me.  I highly recommend this pilgrimage with Stephen Binz and Select International.”

Adelina Larena, Hollywood, FL

“We recently returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Stephen Binz. The tour was very well organized and led expertly by Stephen Binz and local tour guide Hani Awwad. The hotels were first class, the food excellent, and the local bus driver transported us from one holy site to another safely. We celebrated daily Mass at Holy Land sites that enhanced our understanding of the scriptures. Stephen Binz led us in scripture, prayers, and reflections from his Holy Land Pilgrimage book, which added to the sensory experience of touring the Holy Land. We encourage anyone that is considering a pilgrimage to choose Stephen Binz and Select International Tours.”

Pat and Ginny Gorman, Newtown, CT

“We have been following the work of Stephen Binz for the last 40 years and knew that if ever we went to the Holy Land it would be with him. This trip vastly exceeded our expectations. From the thoughtfully- planned itineraries, to the perfect Scripture readings, the Word was truly broken open to us. Stephen’s teachings, combined with the passionate explanations provided by our amazing guide Hani, made this truly a pilgrimage and not merely a tour.”

Tom & Mary Devine, Little Rock, AR

“This was a trip of a lifetime and exceeded my expectations. I am so happy I chose Stephen Binz to lead me on the Holy Land Pilgrimage. He is so knowledgeable and faith-filled – a true biblical scholar. I saw and learned so much walking the path of Jesus. It was the renewal my soul needed. The pilgrimage was well planned and executed, and I feel so privileged and grateful to have gone on this trip with Stephen and fellow pilgrims. I would definitely do another pilgrimage with Stephen Binz.”  

Maureen McGuire, Olathe, KS

“Our trip to the Holy Land with Stephen Binz and Select International exceeded our expectations! The pilgrimage was well planned and ordered, and everything was first class. Our days were packed, as we were able to visit so many holy sites, and visit them with prayer and often song. There was a beautiful level of spirituality to the trip which I so appreciated. Stephen’s excellent guidebook is a treasure, and it is even more meaningful now that we are home and wanting to reflect back on our trip. Stephen is a skilled photographer, and each day posted his photos and a description of our travels for family and friends back home. Our local guide, Hani, was outstanding as well, and added his own spiritual insights, humor, and seamless organization of our days. A highlight of the trip was breaking bread with a local Christian family, the "living stones", and sharing our stories of faith and culture. Stephen has a calm and joy-filled demeanor and I highly recommend his pilgrimages to anyone. We are so grateful, and feel so blessed, that God led us to this particular pilgrimage!”

Regina and Ray Schwartz, Monroe, CT

“This was our first pilgrimage to the Holy Land and it exceeded our expectations.  Stephen’s knowledge of the history and culture of the land, as well as his devoutness made it even more meaningful.  He had the perfect scripture reading for each site we visited.  The pace was rigorous and we saw sites rarely seen by many other tours.  In fact, our local tour guide had never been to one of the sites.  By visiting these sacred places, we strengthened our faith through walking in the footsteps of Jesus.”

Tom and Debbie Steinmetz,  Lenexa, KS

“The whole trip was absolutely amazing. We especially enjoyed sailing the sea of Galilee and Via Dolorosa. We are so fortunate that we’ve found Stephen Binz to take us and guide us through our Holy Land trip. His knowledge and experience on all the Holy Sites was extremely informative and helpful and his spirituality was greatly inspirational which has left us with a deeper understanding of our faith. Thank you for a beautiful trip!"

Phyllis & Guillaume Blanc, Waltham MA

“After I retired, I spend two years planning my first pilgrimage to Israel, comparing many plans, prices, and itineraries. The pilgrimage of Stephen Binz was not the lowest price, but was competitive, and the itinerary included many sites outside the main touristic stream. Stephen fulfilled each and everyone of my expectations. The itinerary, the accommodations, the transportation, all first class, the planning to the detail, nothing missing, the guides, professional, knowledgeable and deeply familiar with scripture and the Catholic faith. The value of this pilgrimage was in Stephen style and experience. I was very happy that I did my pilgrimage with him and I will recommend him 100%.”

Jaime Flores, Royal Palm Beach, FL

“The most amazing trip I have ever been on was the Holy Land pilgrimage with Stephen Binz. His knowledge of Scripture combined with his understanding of the Holy Land made the pilgrimage experience wonderful. Stephen made the Bible come alive and I would highly recommend this pilgrimage to anyone.”

Sharon Aureli, Little Rock, AR

“Your pilgrimage was a deeply moving experience. You could not have assembled a better team. Your love of the Lord and the Scriptures enlightened and animated each site we visited and enabled us the pilgrims to experience Christ, the holy land, and its people and their struggles in a profound and personal way. I will never be able to read scripture in the same way again. Thank you for helping to enliven my faith.”

Bryan and Rita Keilty, Middletown, MD

“Traveling to Greece & Turkey in the Footsteps of St. Paul with Stephen Binz was one of the most beautiful and meaningful trips I have taken with him. Walking the ancient streets of Philippi, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus, recognizing the vast distance that Paul traveled and then seeing the prison where he continued to evangelize, opened my eyes to the magnitude that the Christian faith owes to this one humble man. I highly recommend this pilgrimage!”

Martha Coulter, Leetonia, OH

 “I traveled to the Holy Land expecting to see many of the biblical sites, but this trip far exceeded my expectations. In the midst of the pace required to see so many sites (all of which were enhanced by invaluable historical and biblical details), Stephen Binz managed to work in time for retreats and reflections which slowed the pace and made this a truly spiritual pilgrimage. Being able to celebrate daily Masses at the holiest of settings was incredible. I especially appreciate the privilege of walking the Via Dolorosa in the peace and quiet of the early morning, and attending Mass in the tomb of Our Lord was the highlight of the trip.”

Beverly and James Shaw, Baton Rouge, LA

“This pilgrimage exceeded my expectations!  It was a wonderful experience, well planned, organized, and executed. It was jam-packed with meaningful visits and appropriate prayers and readings at the various holy sites, and I was truly overwhelmed and impressed.  I will certainly recommend this pilgrimage to others, and I want to thank you for all you did to make this such a special, memorable, and faith-filled experience.”

Larry Hoberock, Stillwater, OK

“Our pilgrimage created the perfect setting for learning and understanding the connections and interactions of the Old and New Testaments. Stephen Binz excels in satisfying the hunger to experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of this region with his knowledge of scripture and his life experiences in the Holy Land. Anyone wishing to have a truly religious experience and growth in faith should go on this pilgrimage.”

Ellen Gassie Bernard, Mountain Home, AR

“The whole trip was rated a ‘ten’ in my mind. Stephen Binz is so full of understanding of the Old and New Testaments and he tied it all together so seamlessly. I chose this trip not knowing what to expect and I attained my dream pilgrimage. I did not hear one negative comment from any of us. It was a privilege to travel with the whole group on this trip of a lifetime for me.”

Carol Mason, Little Rock, AR

“This trip was everything that we hoped for and more. Visiting the Holy Land was a privileged experience which we will always cherish in our hearts. The balance of learning and spiritual reflection at each site helped us to experience the life of Christ in a new and profound way.  Thank you to the leadership team for a fabulous and blessed experience!”

Marcy Holeman, Baton Rouge, LA

“Due to the volatility of the Middle East I was a reluctant traveler to the Holy Land but I am so glad I went. The Holy Land Pilgrimage with Stephen Binz was enlightening, enriching, fun and safe. I'd do it again tomorrow.”

Joanne McCracken, Medford NJ

“The Holy Land pilgrimage was a meditation in stone that connected me with my spiritual ancestors, with history, and with my sensate desire for God. Every aspect of the trip was carefully planned and greatly exceeded all my expectations. The flights, the first-class hotels, meals, and the itinerary were outstanding. Also, the cost of this trip was much less than going as an ordinary tourist. Stephen Binz and our Israeli tour guide were exceptional in connecting the Scriptures, history, the cultures and languages of the people, as well as, in sharing their spiritual insights.”

Ray McCracken, Medford NJ

“If you have ever thought about traveling to the Holy Land, Go! The closeness you will feel to God is indescribable. Stephen Binz brings the Gospels to life with his knowledge of Scripture and his true love and devotion to the land and Jesus.”

Patricia Gilbert, Little Rock, AR

"There were so many highlights for me following the Saints in Poland: praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the Sisters in their convent, being present for the unveiling of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa, having Mass at Saint Faustina's convent chapel and her tomb, having lunch at the Zohylina restaurant with its highlander tea, and of course the welcoming dinner at Dom Polski and farewell dinner in Krakow. The pilgrimage was a great blend of religious based activities and historical and cultural activities to keep you from information overload and keep things interesting. For me it was a fantastic pilgrimage and one I would highly recommend. You do such a masterful job and you do it with such great style, like an artist with his canvas or a poet with his rhyme.”

 Michael Yacobellis, Copiague, NY

“A Stephen J. Binz Holy Land pilgrimage is a trip of a lifetime.  Even though at times it seemed overwhelming, I particularly appreciated the fact that we saw so many of the sights where Jesus spent his time on this earth. Be prepared to go back in time and experience what life was like during Jesus' time. If you love Jesus, and want to walk in his footsteps, this is the pilgrimage for you.”

Susan Janowiak, Philadelphia, PA

“Stephen Binz takes you on a time travel through centuries to walk with Jesus and imagine his world as he experienced life.  He shares his wealth of knowledge of history, religion, and customs and brings a sense of peace and spirituality to each day.  Dr. Binz reads scripture with insight and devotion, placing context and providing improved understanding and compassion to the listener.”

Johnette Langlois, Baton Rouge LA

“Mere words cannot expresses the wonderful sights and spiritual aura of our pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul led by Stephen Binz.  As a biblical scholar, he brought to life the letters of St. Paul in each place, the events leading to the various episodes, and most importantly, the zeal of this great apostle. I will be transported back in his footsteps each time his letters are read at Mass. A trip with Stephen Binz is a must if you want to ‘know’ Jesus through the eyes of St Paul.”

Patricia Huggins, Mount Kisco, NY

“We appreciated the spiritual context of the pilgrimage: the masses, the prayers together on the bus, the structure to guide our meditation, and Father Jerome’s homilies and guidance.  We appreciated the knowledge that you and George provided to make each event understandable and meaningful.  The accommodations were perfect, as was the fellowship of the 4th floor.  The dinners with Palestinian families and the meeting with the university students gave us a lot of insight into the complexity of the relationships between Palestinians and Israelis. We loved the fact that you posted a summary and pictures of our trip every day on Facebook for our family and friends to see."

Dick and Mollie Lloyd, Fayetteville, AR

“I was privileged to be chaplain for a pilgrimage led by Stephen Binz. At every stop along the way, from Jaffa to Jerusalem, he provided pilgrims with meditations on biblical passages relating to the sites. He made being in the land of Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets not just a journey but a retreat where we could connect to our ancient faith.”

Msgr. David LeSieur, Rogers, AR

“Stephen Binz is a thorough planner and has unique insights that enhance the biblical and spiritual journey of the pilgrimage experience. The hustle and bustle of crowded Holy Land shrines are minimized by his careful attention to details and coordination with extremely knowledgeable tour guides and drivers."

Abby McGurty, Hallendale Beach, FL

“The Pilgrimage to Poland led by Stephen Binz hugely surpassed all my expectations and opened my eyes to a beautiful country. Who knew this was Poland! I was floored by the spirituality of the people and the breathtakingly beautiful shrines and basilicas. The Polish tour guide was phenomenal in his knowledge of the culture and history of the sites we visited. Stephen’s reflections after each visit, daily Mass, and the number and variety of sites we visited were unbelievable!”

Camille Schroeck, Willoughby Hills, OH

“Our pilgrimage to Israel was truly a spiritual and uplifting experience. As we have started reviewing the pictures that we had taken we really had a very thorough pilgrimage of the many sights of the Holy Land. Stephen Binz, George our local guide, and all our fellow pilgrims really made the entire experience so wonderful, pleasant, and spiritually rewarding.” 

Shirley and Ron Bowling, Knoxville, TN

“This pilgrimage offers something for everyone. Age and degree in one's spiritual growth do not limit the benefits and blessings received by anyone who travels with and learns from Stephen and his support staff. This pilgrimage you offered has certainly enriched our lives and we will never forget the amazing sites and images. Thank you for an amazing journey.”

Ernie and Pam Bayer, Watauga, TX

“We will never read the bible in quite the same way after such a spectacular pilgrimage. The combination of Stephen’s biblical expertise and reflections at every key site together with the local Catholic guide’s historical insight into Jewish religious back ground made the bible come alive. To add to all of that the accommodations on the Mediterranean Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem were excellent. What an incredible experience! If we could we would return tomorrow.”

Terri and Jim Schiller, West Bend, WI

“This was an incredible experience that far exceeded my expectations. A visit to the Holy Land changes forever one's understanding of scripture, setting the people of the Bible in a real place and time.”

Brenda Camou, Tubac, AZ

“Since the Holy Land was our top priority of places to see, when we heard that Stephen Binz was offering a pilgrimage we knew it was time to go. I had used Stephen’s Bible studies as our parish DRE in Ohio, and the participants loved our weekly sessions. The pilgrimage proved to be all we had hoped for and more. Because of Stephen’s deep knowledge of history and Scripture and his beautiful sharing of biblical passages and prayer at each holy site, we came home with a faith experience that will live with us for the rest of our lives.”

Dan and Marianne Dunson, Sidney OH

“We can’t say enough. This trip was fabulous. The weather, the group size and congeniality, the spiritual growth that took place as the trip meandered through God’s country were all part of a trip of a lifetime. I will never be able to thank God enough for this experience for my family."

Jodie and Conrad Rugart, West Palm Beach, FL

“The pilgrimage was well planned with a great guide, inspirational mass locations, comfortable accommodations, and a harmonious group.  I expected prayer and theology, but the addition archeology and modern politics enriched the experience. My mental image of the places and people of the Bible was enriched by this pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Stephen Binz.”

Christine Watkins, Thrall, TX

“Celebrating Mass at such beautiful sites was awesome. Seeing the excavations, the reconstructions, and the development through the centuries was fascinating.  Experiencing the food and seeing how life goes on now in the area was just amazing. Stephen Binz puts together a pilgrimage that is truly marvelous. He chooses sites that are fun, educational, spiritual, thought provoking and memorable. The past comes alive and leads to a better understanding of Israel in its present day. I absolutely loved the trip from beginning to end.”

Mary Ochs, Rogers, AR

“This Pilgrimage with the Saints of Poland was beautiful for the spirit and mind. There was so much history to enjoy and such pride in our faith. The food and accomodations were excellent, and the fellowship was terrific. The places we visited were inspiring and will help me be a better disciple. Your prayerful times and insight on the bus was marvelous. Who should go to Poland - well everyone should! It was a marvelous experience.”

Mark and Terry Puckett, Lakeland, FL

“This pilgrimage turned out to be even better than I expected.  I enjoyed getting both the Biblical and historical perspectives from the most qualified teachers that I think there could possibly be. Although I have been reading the bible for 23 years, because of this trip I have a much better understanding of it and I am even more in love with Jesus. If I ever do go back, it will be with Stephen Binz on one of his pilgrimages.”

Carin Vostatek, Mountain Home, AR

 “All the sites we went to were informative, interesting, full of meaning and history. Stephen Binz is a very informed, intellectual, and authoritative leader. It was truly a spiritual journey that I will never forget. I thank God that I went on this guided pilgrimage.”

Mary Shenker, Little Rock, AR

“This pilgrimage was a wonderful experience. We would certainly recommend it to our friends and assure them that security was never a problem and we all received more than our money’s worth.”

Gordon and Norma Scott, Jacksonville, FL

“To really come to know the Lord better you need to walk where He walked, see what He saw, touch what He touched, and breathe the air that He breathed. The only place on earth you can do that is the Holy Land. Come to the Holy Land and come to Jesus! Thank you for helping me to understand my faith better with your wisdom and deepening my faith with your insights on this remarkable experience.”

Michael Yacobellis, Copiague, NY

“The Footsteps of Paul was a journey of a lifetime. As we traveled through Greece I deeply appreciated Stephen’s incredible biblical background that made the life and travels of Paul come alive.  My heart and soul were truly touched as we walked where Paul walked, celebrated Mass where Lydia was baptized, and visited Mary’s home in Ephesus. The treasured memories are many and they continue to unfold.” 

Terri Schiller, West Bend, WI

“For a Catholic this is a trip of a lifetime. The planning, organization, and ability to have preference at some of the holiest places on earth made this trip unique and beyond just special. Joann and I are still in awe over what we saw and did; it exceeded our expectations.  We were truly blessed to have made this pilgrimage.”

Dale & Joann Walsh, Baton Rouge LA