The following is a publication of New Covenant Tours, 5350 South Western Ave. Suite 106, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Getting Fit: We suggest a daily walking or exercise routine to help prepare you for the trip. An ability to walk 1 to 2 miles a day will be a benefit to you. Of course you should consult with your doctor if you have any physical circumstances of concern. Passengers who need assistance and are unable to walk on their own must have a traveling companion to assist them.
Insurance: If you purchased the group rate travel insurance you will receive instructions in our final mailing regarding the making of claims. If you did not purchase the group rate insurance but would like to buy coverage you may do so from our website at www.israeljourney.com. and access the Travel Guard page. You may also choose to call Travel Guard directly using their toll free number. Please use our reference code and number: (New Covenant Tours #104613)
Weather: Use the calendar dates below to determine the most likely weather you can expect during your time in the Holy Land.
December - February rainy & cool 40 - 60 degrees
March - May dry & warm 60 - 80 degrees
October - November dry & warm 60 - 80 degrees
June - September dry & hot 80 - 95 degrees
Clothing: Modesty should prevail as many of the places you will visit are considered “holy” sites. Modest shorts are fine during a warm seasons of the year. However some “holy” sites do not permit shorts or sleeveless tops to be worn at their site. You tour host and guide will alert you to days when shorts won’t be appropriate for the day's itinerary. Regardless of when you are traveling to Israel, it is a good idea to have a light jacket or sweater for the evenings, especially while in Jerusalem. Sunglasses and a hat are also a must! Sunscreen of at least 30 spf is also recommended. Comfortable walking shoes are a MUST!
Medical Information: Most people have no problem drinking the water in Israel. However bringing antacids and other stomach medication is recommended. Your family physician can prescribe a general daily antibiotic to ward off bugs if you so desire. Bottled water will be readily available as well. Israel is NOT a third world country and has some of the finest doctors in the world. Please inform your tour host of any medication you are taking or special medical needs that you might have.
Emergencies: Prior to departing the United States you will be provided with a list of phone numbers where you may be reached in Israel. Please give these numbers to the appropriate family or friends that might need to contact you while you are in Israel.
Luggage and Packing: You are permitted two suit cases that may be “checked in” and one carry on. Remember that airlines are getting very strict on carry-on luggage size requirements. Purses and video cameras are not considered carry on, so you may board with these as well. If your suitcase is over 50 lbs you will be charged a fee by the airline. Carry-on luggage must be able to fit under the seat or in the overhead compartments. Please visit your air carriers web site for more details.
Luggage Tags: You will receive luggage tags from New Covenant Tours. PLEASE USE THEM even if you have private tags. This will help the group help each other at the baggage claim area. If you wish to lock your luggage you must buy the TSA approved locks which they can open without damaging the lock. Luggage straps are also a wise investment.
Baggage Fees: Domestic carrier airlines are charging extra baggage fees which you will be charged at the time of check in. If the however the international carrier booked your domestic connections as well the NO additional baggage fees will be charged at check in.
Name Tags: Along with your luggage tags you will also receive a personal name badge or lanyard. It is very important that you wear it. This will help your Israeli tour guide and driver to learn your names as well as clearly identify you as a part of a group when receiving group discounts in stores while shopping.
Cash and Currency: You will be able to spend your US dollars in most shops. However most do not want bills larger than 20’s! We recommend converting about $70 per person into shekels before you leave the airport. You will receive shekels in the change from most vendors even if you pay in US Dollars. The current exchange rate is about 3.75 shekels to the dollar. This is changing all the time and you can check the rate at our website. Go to the LINKS page and click on Currency Exchange. You should bring about $50.00 dollars per person in one dollar bills for small purchases such as soft drinks or water. Shops prefer CASH to traveler's checks. You may cash traveler's checks at most hotel front desks but there is a sizeable fee charged and the exchange rate is never good. Most stores accept VISA Cards and American Express. MasterCard and Discover are not accepted as widely as the others.
Many people ask, “How much money should I bring?” This is a difficult question to answer. Every part of your tour is paid for except for your lunch. You should budget at least $12 to $15 dollars per lunch. The average cost of a Falafel (Israeli sandwich) and Soft Drink is $9. If your group stops at a self serve cafeteria (which we try to avoid) you can expect to pay $15. In an Israeli cafeteria each item has a price. Please be sure that you know what the cost per item is before putting things on your plate. Many have ignored this only to find themselves being charged excessive amounts. We do our best to avoid these types of places.
IMPORTANT NOTE #1: Many of the hotels have safes in your hotel room closet in which you may place your valuables and extra cash. Those that don’t have safety deposit boxes at the front desk. USE THEM!!!
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CARRY ALL OF YOUR CASH ON YOU WHILE TOURING. Ignore this warning and you may find yourself in the dilemma of previous passengers who thought they knew better. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. If you plan to buy large quantities of souvenirs we suggest using your credit cards for those purchases to minimize the amount of cash you will need to have on your person.
IMPORTANT NOTE #2: If you intend to use your VISA Card or other credit cards while in Israel, you should call the 800 number on the back of your card and inform the card company that you will be using your card overseas and the exact dates of your trip. This will help you avoid having your card rejected when making purchases.
Shopping: New Covenant Tours operates on a full disclosure basis approach to shopping. Here is what you need to know and understand about shopping in Israel. Tourism operates on a commission basis. Your driver and guide will usually receive a commission from some of the stores and restaurants where you shop or eat. We work with reputable drivers and guides who know that we will not tolerate high pressure tactics to get you into over-priced stores. There are a few stores that we recommend that you shop. This recommendation is not our guarantee of the lowest prices. It is our good faith statement to you that we have found these stores to be reputable and honest. We do encourage you to bless believers in the land by shopping in their stores.
Diamond Shopping: Israel is famous for its diamond industry and many tourists enjoy the free tour they provide and the shopping opportunity. If you desire to shop at a diamond factory you should first discuss this with your tour host and let him make arrangements with your Israeli guide if the factory is not already a part of your planned tour. Do NOT let a taxi driver talk you into going to a diamond factory.
Be aware that the commission system is in a place here too. If you appreciate your guide and driver let them make these arrangements for you as it will be a blessing to them. Most trips to the Diamond Factory are optional. No one should feel pressured to go. However, we do want to make the opportunity available for anyone who desires to go. (This opportunity is normally offered while staying in Tiberias while in the Galilee.)
Phone Calls: Calling from a hotel room is usually quite expensive. Phone cards may be purchased in Israel for $10 to $20 and I recommend using them to avoid high rates in the hotels. NCT now has a relationship with Israel Phones that allows you to rent cell phones, sim cards and USB WiFi drives. These will normally be delivered to you at the airport in Israel before boarding the bus or delivered to your first night hotel. Please visit our web site for more information regarding these products. The rates are usually far below what most international calling on your Stateside cell phone.
Film and Photography: Some people ask if there is a tax or charge for bringing a video camera into the country. There are no fees for bringing personal cameras into the country. Be sure to replace your cameras batteries before coming to Israel and bring spares. Most groups will have a professional photographer take a group photo on the Mount of Olives which may be purchased for about $10.00 dollars. You are not obligated to purchase the picture.
Packing:
#1. The most important packing tip that I can give you is to be sure to pack at least three days worth of clothing changes in your carry-on luggage with toiletries. If your checked luggage is delayed or, heaven forbid, lost you will at least have some fresh clothes to wear.
#2. If you intend to use small personal appliances such as a blow drier or electric razor you will need an international voltage converter and adapter. Israel is on 220V. You can get a converter at most Wal Mart stores or Radio Shack. Many of the hotels have built in blow driers but not all.
#3. Bring your own wash cloths!!! Israel is not big on the small wash clothes that Americans are used to. If you want one you will have to bring it with you.
#4. DO NOT PACK THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE: cash, passport, pressurized containers such as cans of soft drinks, hair spray, or any glass items. For information on restrictions for carry-on luggage please visit the web page of the domestic carrier for your flight (for us this is Continental Airlines). TSA regulations do not permit any liquid carry on larger than 3 1/2 ounces.
#5.Passport: Make a copy of your passport in case the original gets lost. You should keep your passport on you at all times. However while in Israel it may be advisable to keep the copy on you and put the original in the hotel safe, room safe or safety deposit box. Consult with your guide on this. NEVER PACK YOUR PASSPORT IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE.
#6. Helpful Suggestions:
a. Small plastic bags such as you get at the supermarket are good to put wet clothing in. Having a few is usually a good idea.
b. Hydration: Water is essential to life and essential for good health on this trip! The rule to live by on a tour is this, "If you wait until you are thirsty to drink some water, you have waited too long". This is also true prior to and on your flights to and from Israel!!!
The two days prior to your trip to Israel are essential times to be sure that your body is well hydrated. Begin a couple of days before the flight drinking more water than you normally do. If you are a heavy coffee or soda drinker try to match each drink with an equal or greater amount of water. After clearing security in most airports you may buy bottled water that you may carry on the flight with you. HOWEVER, it is best to put it in your bags until after you are on the flight. Never pass up a steward or stewardesses offer of water especially on the international portion of the flight. Long airline flights will dehydrate you which makes jet lag harder to overcome. Water is LIFE my friends...Drink It!
Once in Israel your bus driver will have bottled water that may be purchased for $1. Drink more than you think you need. Most people do not get sick because of drinking the water in Israel. They get sick because they don’t drink enough water!!! Question: Have I made my point?
c. In the hotels drinks other than water or coffee are not included in your meal price. If you desire a soft drink with your dinner it will be charged to your room and must be paid at time of check out. All of the hotels where we will be staying are Kosher hotels and therefore will not be serving any pork or shell fish products. Breakfast is considered a "Dairy meal" therefore according to Kosher rules they will not serve any meat except for fish and eggs. Don’t worry the breakfast buffets are amazing. The diner meal is a "Meat meal" so they will not serve any dairy products such as milk or butter. These products are not allowed in the dining room so please do not attempt to bring your own.
d. Flight Travel Tips: You will be served meals on board the international flights but having a few snacks on hand is usually a good idea. Be sure to include water (if permitted) and some breath mints. I highly recommend getting a travel pillow for the flight and bringing a nice pair of extra warm socks so that you can kick your shoes off. Eye shades are nice too. The international part of your flight is about 12 to 13 hours long. If you have trouble sleeping on planes I suggest bringing some sleep aid or ibuprofen. Be sure to have stomach medication close at hand as well. I also recommend having access to a tooth brush and tooth paste. It is very refreshing to clean up a bit just prior to landing in Tel Aviv and "dragon breath" is a sin in the Holy Land...actually anywhere.
e. The Dead Sea: We will take time to stop and have a float in the Dead Sea. It is impossible to sink in the water due to the high mineral and salt content. Your guide will give you safety tips before entering the water. If you intend to enter the water you will need a modest swim suit and a pair of old tennis shoes or shower sandals. Old shoes that you can just throw away after taking your swim frees up space in your luggage for souvenirs. Shaving the morning of or night before is also not recommended. WARNING: Do not wear jewelry into the Dead Sea.
f. Tipping: All tips for the hotel bell boys and waiters are included in your tour price. However if you feel that you have received outstanding service from someone in the hotels you may bless them with additional gratuities if you choose.
g. Love Offering for Guide and Driver: It is standard practice to take up a love offering for the driver and guide at the end of the tour to be added to the regular tipping fund. New Covenant Tours attempts to bless our drivers and guides in this way to alleviate the usual high pressure tactics of the commission game. As a recommendation $35 or more per passenger is recommended.
h. Safety: Please don’t let media hype overwhelm you with unnecessary fear. You are safer in Israel than in most US cities. While no one can guarantee what someone else may or may not do, you can be assured that the experience of many thousands even millions of tourist before you indicates a high degree of safety. There are a couple of things that you can do to protect yourself.
1. Never wander away from the group.
2. Never allow yourself to be surrounded by 2 or more street vendors.
3. Listen to your guides warnings and follow their instructions.
4. Purchase money pouches designed to be worn underneath your clothing.
5. Always inform others in the group of your intentions to enter stores or restrooms.
i. On The Bus: The following are suggestions that have come from many years of touring in Israel. Please read them carefully as they will make everyone's tour experience more meaningful.
1. Reserved Seating for the Guide and Tour Hosts:
The front two seats on either side of the aisle are reserved for the Israeli tour guide and the tour hosts. This is so that they may confer about any itinerary changes that might need to be made as well as keep them near the microphones for teaching purposes while travelling.
While some passengers may need to sit towards the front of the bus due to motion sickness issues we ask that passengers not "hog" the front seats.
2. Don't Be "That Guy"
Don't be the person who constantly interrupts the guide or or tour host while they are teaching.
Don't be the person who makes the guide repeat things constantly because you weren't paying attention.
Don't be the person who makes the trip all about themselves and never considers the needs of others in the group.
Don't Be the person who complains because they are shocked to discover that life in another country is not exactly as it is in America. (Please don't be that person.)
Don't Be the person who wanders off and leaves the group wondering where you are.
Don't Be the person who keeps a problem to themselves and never tells the host and then is mad because he didn't fix what he didn't know was broke. (Does this sound like this has happened before...oh yeah it has! :)
Don't Be THAT PERSON
Instead BE THE PERSON...
Be the person who is ready to assist others on and off the bus and willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed.
Be the person who knows that God is control of everything and that changes and complications that may arise will NEVER be bigger than God's ability to help you cope with it.
Be the person who has come to Israel to give and not just receive, to bless and not just to be blessed.
Be the person who has prayed intensely about this trip BEFORE you get to the Western Wall.
Be the person ready to let the countenance of the Holy Spirit be upon you at all times and to let your light shine as you walk through the land and encounter the children of Israel who need to know Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah.
Be THAT PERSON!!!
Final Israel Tour Preparation Check List:
This checklist is not intended to exhaustive but only to help you remember some essential items before your trip.
1. Clothing:
__ Comfortable walking shoes!
__ Sunglasses, Hat or Visor AND Sunscreen,
__ Warm jackets and sweaters for evenings in Jerusalem.
__ Warm socks or booties for the long plane ride.
__ Swimsuit
__ Flip Flops or Water Sandals or old shoes for the Dead Sea.
__ Kitchen size plastic bag for wet clothes and dirty laundry.
__ A good book to read on the flight.
__ The BIBLE.
__ Three days worth of clothes in your carry on luggage!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD! :)
__ Umbrella (mainly for group going December - March)
2. Medicines:
__ Stomach: ( Tums, Imodium, )
__ Chap stick
__ Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Tylenol
__ Prescription Meds (Best kept in original containers.)
3. Passports and Credit Cards:
__ Copy of your passport and emergency contact numbers in your luggage.
__ Call your VISA or credit card company to give them dates for your out of country card usage.
__ Give your emergency contact numbers in Israel to family or friends.
__ DO NOT pack cash or valuable in your luggage.
__ 50.00 dollars in $1 dollar bills for easy water purchase
4. Items for on the plane: (In Carry On Luggage0
__ Stomach Meds. (Imodium AD, antacids etc)
__ Advil/Tylenol
__ Toothbrush and travel size tooth paste
__ Chewing Gum
__ Wet wipes
__ Travel Tissues
__Light Snacks
__ Sleep eye shades.
__ Book or magazine to read
6. Other Items and tips:
__ Bible, notebook for journaling, pen,
___You will need a pen on the airplane!!
__ Do not pack large liquid containers such as shampoo in your carry-on luggage. Federal Aviation restrictions
___ All liquids that will be in your checked luggage in zip lock bags. Do not pack pressurized containers in your checked bags. No liquids over 3 1/2 ounces.
__ Voltage Converters: International voltage converter and adapter.
7. Things You Want To Remember To Bring:
