FAQs

A pilgrimage is a journey rooted in simplicity. Your group leaders will select accommodations appropriate for your group, but expect them to be clean, simple, and comfortable. Often we stay in full-service hotels but rarely in luxury properties. Sometimes we stay in smaller hotels or guest houses. In all cases, you can expect a private bathroom unless specifically noted in your itinerary.

Most accommodations have hairdryers available in each room. Some smaller properties or guest houses might require you to ask for a hairdryer at the front desk. In most cases, travelers can get by without packing a hair dryer. If you do bring one, make sure it can be converted to 220 volts or you have the appropriate electrical converter and/or adapter.

Most hotels and guesthouses will send out your laundry for a nominal fee. We encourage you to pack light and consider taking advantage of laundry services where available.

Our Contact Us page will be updated with local numbers, as they become available.

You will receive a trip information sheet with hotel details. Messages may be left at the front desk.

We encourage you to use a messaging app, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, to stay in touch with family while traveling. You will have access to wifi on some buses and in every hotel.

You may also consider paying for an international calling plan through your service provider or using WiFi calling if your phone supports it.

Pay phones are available in many locations, though they can be quite expensive for international calls. Your phone might support WiFi calling, or you may be able to add international calling to your mobile plan for the duration of your pilgrimage.

The easiest way is to use WhatsApp or Skype to place free or low-cost VOIP calls to the US.

WiFi is widely available. Our hotels and guesthouses all have wifi, as do many cafes, and some of our tour buses.

Please check with your US carrier about your phone’s capability to dial from overseas.

Most of the time, yes, especially for larger purchases. For smaller purchases, some retailers will only accept cash. Also, if you plan to negotiate on the price, you’ll often get a better price when paying cash. ATMs are widely available, so you can also use your debit card to withdraw cash at an ATM.

You should notify your bank or card issuer before you travel to ensure it’s not flagged for fraud.

Many card issuers and banks charge international transaction fees. We recommend looking around for a card that does not have these fees and that does not charge an annual fee. These cards, generally, have the chip mentioned above. Foreign transaction fees are small, but can add up over the course of your pilgrimage.

We encourage you to withdraw local currency upon arrival. Most ATMs provide a good exchange rate. Our trips include many of your meals, but you will need to pay for alcohol or soft drinks, as they are not included. Generally local drinks are prices similar to the US, both soft drinks and alcohol.

In general, stores prefer cash for smaller purchases and are happy to accept cards for larger ones. Some specialties of the Holy Land include olive wood carvings, mother of pearl, and Hebron glass. In Ireland you might buy wool products, whisky, or local arts and crafts. If you are looking for a meaningful gift or memento of your journey, we will provide adequate time to shop where you can support local merchants and artisans.

In Israel/Palestine, haggling over prices is accepted, and even expected, in many situations. If you are uncomfortable doing so, then don’t worry, but you can find some very good deals if you are willing to engage the owner in a little friendly negotiation. It is especially good to negotiate if you plan to buy multiple items from the same shop or are paying with cash.

In Europe, negotiating is less common but not forbidden. Again, if you are buying multiple items in the same shop and/or paying with cash, merchants are more likely to negotiate. In Europe, you should also ask for a VAT (Value Added Tax) receipt and reclaim your tax at the airport before departing. This is worth about 15% of the purchase price.

The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) or simply the shekel. This is accepted in Palestine also, as are US dollars.

The Republic of Ireland and continental Europe use the Euro.

In Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, they use the Pound Sterling. There are small differences between these pounds, and while they should be interchangeable, it’s best to not withdraw more pounds than you’ll use in one place.

Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Generally a dollar is about three shekels, .88 euro cents, or .75 pounds sterling.

Yes, and frequently they provide the best exchange rate, especially if your bank or card issuer does not charge an international transaction fee. Be sure to notify your bank that you are traveling and plan to use your ATM card.

There will be ATMs at the airport and you will likely pass hundreds as we travel. All ATMs will dispense local currency. If we’re in an area where multiple currencies are used (for example Ireland and N. Ireland), you may find ATMs that dispense both Euros and Pounds.

As a US citizen, you do not need a visa to travel to Israel, Palestine, Europe, or the UK.

If you are not traveling on a US passport, you are responsible for making any visa arrangements based on the destination country.

Every day is slightly different, but you should expect a full day of touring, including 6-8 hours of time away from the hotel.

Generally, your evenings are open after dinner and you’re encouraged to explore the area at your leisure.

You should bring your prescription medicine in its original container with labeling intact. You may also bring a digital copy of your prescription.

Your trip information sheet will include suggested items, but we encourage a bible, your pilgrimage journal, and sunscreen. See our country specific FAQs below for more information about your destination.

Our group flights are booked with regularly scheduled airlines such as Delta, United, American, Lufthansa, etc.

If you fly with the group, you will not be able to choose the airline.

You are welcome to make your own air arrangements and purchase only the ground portion of your pilgrimage through us.

Of course! The process depends on the airline we’re using for your trip.

If we are traveling with United, please notify me of your interest in upgraded seats and we will provide a quote from the airline. The fare difference will be added to your final invoice.

With Delta, the process requires you to purchase the tickets outside the group reservation. Please contact us and we’ll provide the flight details so you can purchase the correct flights. We can also issue the tickets if you prefer.

Yes, assuming that you take some precautions and pay attention to the world around you.

We will be traveling via private coach for most of our trip. You may use taxis within Israel and Palestine without concern, though we recommend asking what the fare is before getting in the taxi.

Public transportation in Israel is also safe, but you will likely not need it during your pilgrimage.

As our pilgrimage will take us into and out of the West Bank, we will pass through a number of checkpoints. Some of these are small and easy to transit, at others, the security is tighter. It is not uncommon for IDF soldiers to board our coach at a checkpoint. They will be armed, but they are professional and want to complete their inspection as quickly as possible.

Israel and Palestine depend heavily on tourism, so you have very little to worry about in terms of street crime.

However, in both the Holy Land and Europe, criminals know to take advantage of large crowds of people that are unfamiliar with their surroundings. To that end, you should always be aware of what is going on around you and be proactive about protecting your wallet and other property.

For women, this means wearing a purse with a chest strap, so it cannot be pulled off your arm easily. For men, this means carrying your wallet in your front pocket, or making sure it is buttoned in your back pocket.

If you have a camera or camera bag, make sure you have it secured to your body as well as possible.

In 2018, the State Department unveiled a new system for reporting threats for travelers and ex-pats. You can visit their color-coded map to see the threat level for various countries. You can also visit the Travel Advisories page and enter the country to get specific alerts and information.

Progressive Pilgrimage will submit the travel details for our groups to the State Department so that we can be reached in case of an emergency

Absolutely!

As your guides, we will submit a list of all people traveling in our group and our contact information and accommodations to the State Department and the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

You will undergo secondary screening before boarding the aircraft bound for Israel. You will be required to dispose of any liquids, even if purchased in the airport. You may be selected for personal screening. Please be at the gate at least an hour before departure.

Ben Gurion should remind you of any new European airport and is more modern than most US airports.

When arriving, please tell the immigration and customs officials that you are part of a Christian pilgrimage; this generally expedites the process.

Yes. Most facilities will have EU style plugs. Please make sure your device supports different voltages, or bring a converter in addition to your adapters.

We highly recommend you check out current forecasts for the weather in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and the Galilee before departure.

Pants are appropriate for both men and women. Jeans are OK for tourists. Knees and shoulders should never be exposed in religious settings and tight clothing, such as leggings, should be avoided.

Women should bring a scarf to cover their heads at some holy sites.

Finally, we’ll be doing a lot of walking, so please bring one or two pairs of comfortable, broken in shoes. You may desire a pair of sandals or other casual shoes to wear around the hotel.

Comfortable and broken in. If you are buying new shoes for your pilgrimage, we recommend wearing them for at least three months before we depart.

Although we have a coach while we’re in the Holy Land, we will walk quite a bit, so bring shoes that are supportive and lightweight.

We discourage sandals or other shoes that do not provide support, as it leads to fatigue which can make parts of your pilgrimage less enjoyable.

If you plan to get into the Dead Sea, we recommend some sort of water or shower shoes. The rocks along the shore are covered with salt that is very sharp, so shoes make entry and exit much less painful.

Depending on your itinerary, we will cross into Jordan at Beit She’an in the north, the Allenby Bridge near Jerusalem, or the Yitzhak Rabin Terminal in the south.

The exact process is different at every crossing. We will assist with the crossing and guide you through the process to ensure a smooth transfer.

Jordan has very little crime and is an advanced country with modern law enforcement systems. As with any travel, there is a certain amount of risk. However, our partners are committed to providing a safe and unforgettable journey.

As with any other tourist location, criminals are attracted to large groups of people with limited knowledge of the area. Be aware! Keep your valuables close to you, or leave them at your hotel or on the bus. Taking simple precautions go a long way to preventing any loss.

Yes, traveling in Ireland and Europe is quite safe, but you should be aware of your surroundings.

In any tourist area, criminals know to take advantage of large crowds of people that are unfamiliar with their surroundings. To that end, you should always be aware of what is going on around you and be proactive about protecting your wallet and other property.

For women, this means wearing a purse with a chest strap, so it cannot be pulled off your arm easily. For men, this means carrying your wallet in your front pocket, or making sure it is buttoned in your back pocket.

If you have a camera or camera bag, make sure you have it secured to your body as well as possible.

Yes, you will need Euro style plugs. Please make sure your device supports different voltages, or bring a converter in addition to your adapters.

We recommend packing and dressing in layers. As weather can change daily, having layers to add or take off will make for a more comfortable pilgrimage overall. Evenings can be cool, depending on the season, so a pullover or light jacket will be useful. Most of our activities will happen rain or shine, so a raincoat is recommended.

Pants or jeans are acceptable for everyone. Shorts are uncommon for Europeans, but you’ll see plenty of tourists wearing them, depending on the season.

Comfortable and broken in. If you are buying new shoes for your pilgrimage, we recommend wearing them for at least three months before we depart.

Although we have a coach while we’re traveling, we will walk quite a bit, so bring shoes that are supportive and lightweight.

We discourage sandals or other shoes that do not provide support, as it leads to fatigue which can make parts of your pilgrimage less enjoyable.

Currently, the US State Department discourages travel to almost every country in the world. The State Department uses a Travel Advisory System with 4 levels. Due to the ongoing pandemic, most countries have a Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel designation.

With that said, after two years of living in a pandemic, we have all learned ways to mitigate risk and what steps we can take to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.

All countries to which we travel currently require tourists to be fully vaccinated. This is the single best way to reduce risk and is a requirement to travel with Progressive Pilgrimage.

In addition, we will follow the laws and recommendations of any jurisdiction we visit, including mask and vaccine requirements, and capacity limitations.

As with international travel, over two years of learning during a pandemic has revealed ways for us to be more safe around groups of people. Being fully vaccinated is a requirement to travel with Progressive Pilgrimage on any domestic or international pilgrimage.

In addition, we will follow the laws and recommendations of any jurisdiction we visit, including mask and vaccine requirements, and capacity limitations.

You must produce a negative PCR COVID test taken no more than 72 hours before departure to Israel.

Within 48 hours of departure, you must complete the Entry Statement Form, found here. You should also prepay for a PCR test upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

We encourage you to reduce your contact with people outside your immediate household and be mindful of the precautions that have kept you safe during the pandemic, including wearing a mask and social distancing.

After exiting our aircraft, we will pass through our immigration checks and pick up our checked baggage. After retrieving our luggage, we’ll complete our arrival PCR test and transfer to our hotel. We are required to stay at our hotel until 24 hours passes, or we get our negative PCR result.

If you test positive upon arrival, you will be transported via ambulance to a quarantine hotel. You are responsible for the cost of the transportation and lodging. Your quarantine will last at least 5 days, whereupon you may leave quarantine if you test negative on two tests, taken a day apart.

Yes. The US requires a negative COVID test taken the day before your departure to the US. We will arrange this testing, but you are responsible for the cost of the test.

Israel and Palestine have lifted most mask requirements outdoor gatherings. They are still encouraged in group settings. Masks are required at indoor public areas.

Some locations might have restrictions on group sizes or timed entry for large groups. Some sites and facilities may have mask mandates beyond the legal requirements. In all cases, you are expected to comply with the masking policy of any site we visit.

Some facilities and sites may require temperature checks before entering.

In addition to obtaining a visa and paying the entry fee, you will have to provide a PCR test taken within 72 hours of your arrival in Jordan. Additionally, you’ll need to take a PCR test upon arrival.

We do not require masks, as everyone on the bus will have tested negative multiple times. However, we encourage you to do what feels most comfortable for you and you are welcome to wear a mask anytime you feel it necessary.

Yes. All our tour guides and drivers are required to be fully vaccinated.