By traveling with Holy Land Bible Tours, you and your group will be generating economic activity that directly benefits Christian families living in the Holy Land and helps them to stay in this land in the midst of very difficult economic conditions. We use Christian tour guides and Christian owned hotels, restaurants, logistics providers and souvenir shops to provide the maximum economic benefit to Christian families. But even more important is the fellowship you bring to your brothers and sisters when you come to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. They will know that they are not forgotten and that the worldwide Church holds them in prayer as they remain steadfast witnesses of Christ in this special place. You will also almost certainly find that you receive far more than you give, and you will form lasting personal bonds that will continue long after you return home.

Customary standard tips are additional to the basic price of trip and will be collected by your pilgrimage leader prior to departure. Tips are customary for guide, bus driver, and hotel waiters. Pilgrims can always give additional tips personally to guides, drivers, or waiters based on exceptional service provided. The recommended tips amounts are usually as follows:

• $7/day for the guide
• $4/day for the bus driver
• $2/day for the hotel waiters

Pilgrims should be in generally good health. Prepare as possible for the long flight over and back and for the standing, walking, and climbing of stairs – it is suggested that preparation include a routine of moderate physical exercise. Generally our schedule on and off the bus will be from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, but these times may vary on some days. Most days the longest walk time is only about a half -mile, but resting may be in the form of standing and listening to a description of what we are seeing before moving on to the next site or returning to the bus. Remember that many holy and historic sites do not have the same accessibility for people with disabilities as we are used to in the US, It is very important to have comfortable shoes. It is also important to drink water regularly so you don’t become dehydrated.

Meals generally consist of traditional middle eastern food. Most lunches and dinners will begin with an expansive appetizer course that includes many types of salad, hummus, and other types of traditional items such as grape leaves and olives. The main course is usually grilled meat (chicken, beef, and lamb) or fish with rice and vegetables. Fresh fruit is often included as dessert. Fresh vegetables and fruit are plentiful in the area and are always a good choice. Vegetarians can normally find a good choice of selections. Please notify your pilgrim leader before departure of any special dietary requirements, so that appropriate options can be arranged.

Telephone apps that can be downloaded for free onto smart phones in order to communicate with loved ones at home include WhatsApp and Viber. These apps work wherever you have internet access. Many mobile plans in the US allow you to add international service for one billing cycle (1 month) in the specific countries you will be visting (Israel and Jordan.)