FAQs

Just as in the US or anywhere else, you can choose any level of accommodations, but our preference is to stay in a facility that supports the spiritual nature of our trip. Your group will decide what level of accommodations you desire. In all cases, you can expect a private bathroom. The average room will be simple, but more than adequate for your needs.

Our accommodations have hairdryers available for your use, but our experience has been that they are generally less powerful than what you expect in the US.

Depending on where your group stays, there will be varied access to laundry facilities. Some of our accommodations have full laundry facilities, while other will require you to send out your laundry. If you like to travel light, we can provide more information based on where you choose to stay, so you can bring the least amount of clothing necessary.

We will provide contact information for each place we are staying in Israel.

We will also have Israeli cell phones that can be used in an emergency.

Finally, many US cell phones can be used in Israel by contacting your carrier. Dialing instructions vary based on carrier, so please check with them directly.

You should not need to call the US during our trip, but if you do, there are a number of options.

Pay phones are available in some locations, but can be quite expensive.

Our rooms have phones and you can use them to call the US. Any charges for these calls will be due when you check out.

One of the easiest ways to stay in touch with your friends and family in the US is using a VOIP app for your cell phone. There are a number available, including Viber and Skype. Please ask us for recommendations.

Finally, if your mobile provider supports it, some US phones can be used in Israel and Palestine.

WiFi is widely available in Israel and Palestine. Hotels and guest houses have WiFi for their guests, as do most cafes, restaurants, and bars. Sometimes they are open networks and sometimes you need to ask for the password.

Because of the wide availability of WiFi, we recommend using a VOIP app for your smartphone to stay in touch. We have used Skype and Viber before and both work quite well. For free service, both apps require the person you’re calling to have the app installed, but Skype can call regular numbers for a small fee.

Do not expect the WiFi to be very fast, as many people may be sharing the same connection, but you can count on being able to check your email without issue.

If you have a newer smartphone, there is a very good chance that it will work in Israel and Palestine.

The best way to be sure is to contact your carrier directly. They will be able to determine if your specific phone works and if you need to modify your phone plan to ensure you get service in the Holy Land.

You’ll also want to discuss with your carrier the cost of making and receiving calls while traveling.

Most of the time, yes.

You should notify your bank or card issuer before you travel so they do not freeze your card.

In Israel, as with most of Europe, credit cards use smartchips to reduce fraud. Most merchants can process US cards, but you may find it easier to ask your bank for a card with a chip and PIN, or a chip and signature.

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.

Well, that all depends on how much you like to shop…

All of our trips are all inclusive, so you will not need any spending money for meals. A few of our meals will also include alcohol, but most will not. If you desire to have wine or beer with your dinner, you will need to plan for that. Generally wine and beer is priced similarly to the US, so expect to spend $6 (21 NIS) for a glass of wine and a bit less for a beer.

There are small shops and large stores that sell anything you may desire, from socks to Oriental rugs, so you can spend as much or as little as you’d like. Some specialties of the Holy Land include olive wood carvings, mother of pearl, and Hebron glass. If you are looking for a meaningful gift or memento of your journey, we will provide plenty of time to shop where you can support local merchants and producers.

If you are comfortable, then yes. 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.

The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel, or shekel for short.

US dollars are accepted, especially in tourist areas, but make sure you are getting a good conversion rate.

The exchange rate generally hovers around 3.5 New Israeli Shekels per US dollar.

For the most current rates, we suggest using Google to find the current rate just before your departure.

Yes, and frequently they provide the best exchange rate, especially if your bank or card issuer does not charge an international transaction fee.

There will be ATMs at the airport and you will likely pass hundreds as we travel. The two largest banks in Israel are Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi, so keep your eyes out for those signs. The Arab Bank is the most common bank in Palestine. All ATMs will dispense Shekels and some may offer other currency, especially at the airport.

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.

Travel to Israel and Palestine is generally safe, but visitors must be aware that tensions between Israel and Palestinians, and among Israelis, have the potential to escalate into violence.
As your guides, we constantly monitor the tension level and may alter our tour schedule to avoid any hotspots.

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

Absolutely!

As a US citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa to enter Israel.

Upon arrival, you will be given a tourist visa that is valid for three months. We highly recommend you tape this visa into your passport.

Israel currently does not stamp passports, instead using the tourist visa for both the visa and the passport control stamp.

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 Tel Aviv.

We will be at Ben Gurion at least three hours before our departure.

Security leaving Israel is much more strict than arriving. Your carry on and check luggage will go through X-ray and CT scanning as you enter the airport. You may be required to undergo additional screening before you are allowed to approach the ticket counter. The additional screening takes place at stations staffed by professional security staff. The security procedure is very extensive, but the Israeli security staff is very professional and efficient.

After entering the secure part of the airport, you will find a number of restaurants and shops to pass the time.

When boarding the plane, you should expect additional screening, including disposal of any liquids you have picked up in the airport.

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.

You should travel with your prescription medicine on your person at all times. You should also bring a copy of your prescription.

Travel to Israel and Palestine is generally safe, but visitors must be aware that tensions between Israel and Palestinians, and among Israelis, have the potential to escalate into violence.
As your guides, we constantly monitor the tension level and may alter our tour schedule to avoid any hotspots.

We highly recommend bringing the following items in addition to the clothing you select:

• Swimsuit for the Dead Sea
• Water shoes for the Dead Sea
• Hat and/or sunscreen
• Bible
• Journal
• Electrical adapters and voltage adapters if necessary

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 acceptable but not common among middle age or older people. Knees and shoulders should never be exposed and tight clothing, such as leggings, should be avoided.

Women should being 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.

Our best recommendation is to check out Weather.com or a similar site and see the average temperatures during the time of your pilgrimage. Winters are mild, but summers can be quite hot, the Holy Land, after all, is a desert. No matter the time of year, we recommend comfortable clothing that can be worn in layers.