Tour Reflection

³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 26:36-39

Located outside the walls of Jerusalem, this beautiful garden among a grove of olive trees is thought to be the place where Jesus prayed this prayer, and it is pretty amazing over 2,000 years later, that you can go and visit it today.

In Hebrew Gat Shemanim means “oil press,” pointing to the area’s ancient olive oil production. Home to a number of gnarled olive trees, scientific tests indicate the trunks date back to the 12th century, though their root systems are even older. So we like think these are the great grandchildren olive trees of the ones that were in the garden in Jesus’ day!

Next door to the ancient olive grove is the Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony. The current church, built in 1924, rests on the foundations of two earlier ones, that of a 4th-century Byzantine basilica, destroyed by an earthquake in 746, and of a small 12th-century Crusader chapel abandoned in 1345.

For us, the significance of Gethsemane is not found in venerating a particular rock or identifying the precise spot where Jesus knelt. It is found in what happened here.

Knowing the suffering that awaited Him, Jesus prayed, “Not as I will, but as you will.” Gethsemane gives us a profound glimpse of both the humanity of Jesus and His willing obedience to the Father as He prepared to go to the cross.

Groups travelling with an ordained minister can reserve a place in the olive grove for a private service.

For many people, travel is something they dream of but often put off—especially if they don’t have a ready-made travel companion. At Selah, we know that a large number of our guests join us as single travellers, and we love helping them discover the joy of exploring the world in the company of like-minded Christians.

In fact, around 30% of our participants are single travellers, so you will never feel like the odd one out or that everyone else is coupled up. Our tours are communities—welcoming, encouraging, and spiritually rich.

Avoiding the Single Supplement

One of the biggest challenges for solo travellers is the dreaded “single supplement” fee. To help, Selah offers a roommate matching service, pairing travellers of the same gender and similar age to share a room. Many of these roommate pairings turn into genuine friendships that last long after the tour is over.

More Than Just Sightseeing

Travelling with a Christian group means you are never “just another tourist.” Our tours include times of worship, prayer, and devotions that bring depth and meaning to the journey. For single travellers, this creates a shared spiritual experience and a sense of belonging—you’re not travelling alone, you’re journeying with brothers and sisters in Christ.

Free Time, Thoughtfully Considered

We design our itineraries with free time built in, and we’re intentional about looking out for our solo travellers. Whether it’s a café stop in Rome, an evening walk through a Tuscan village, or exploring a local market, our leaders help ensure no one is left on their own—unless, of course, they want some quiet time.

Safe, Supportive & Welcoming

Many single travellers are nervous about joining a group, but they quickly find that a Selah tour feels more like being part of a family. Our tour leaders are intentional about hospitality—seating arrangements, meals, excursions, and conversations are all opportunities to connect and build friendships.

A Diverse Mix of Travellers

Our single travellers come from all walks of life and all age groups—30s through to 70s. Whether you’re single by choice, widowed, divorced, or just love the independence of travelling on your own, you’ll find others at a similar stage of life.

Stories of Friendship

Time and again, we hear from past travellers who started out as strangers but returned home with lifelong friends, prayer partners, and new confidence to keep exploring the world. One traveller recently told us, “I came on this tour not knowing anyone. I left with sisters in Christ I now speak to every week.”

Space for Reflection

Of course, single travellers also value the freedom to set their own rhythm. Our tours allow time for rest, journaling, prayer, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of a special place – Selah.
It’s the best of both worlds: independence within the safety and joy of a group.

Why Not Take the Step?

If you’ve ever hesitated to travel because you don’t have a companion, consider this your invitation. A Selah tour gives you the best of both worlds: the independence of travelling solo and the connection of being part of a Christian community.

You’ll see remarkable places, deepen your faith, and discover that travelling as a single doesn’t mean travelling alone. With Selah, you’re always part of the family.