abrunettetravels Last updated on September 15th, 2023 at 03:22 pm
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Bucket list travel often includes a trip to the Holy Land. Is a Holy Land tour on your dream list of vacation destinations? Often people sign up for a tour without giving much thought to what they will be doing or could be doing. After taking this once in a lifetime trip, I thought there are some things that everyone needs to know before going. Here is what you need to consider before going on a Holy Land tour.
Before You Leave
Tour or Not?
While many people, thousands actually, descend on Israel each year, most seem to be part of an organized tour. Of course, this isn’t necessary, but if you are going for the traditional Holy Land experience, I highly recommend it. There is so much to see, which makes it very beneficial to have a knowledgeable guide that can give you the historical and biblical relevance of each site. Chris and I appreciated the scriptural references used during our tour. By adding specific scripture, it added to the depth of what we were seeing and experiencing.
So first, decide how you want to tour. Once you have decided if you want to join a tour or travel independently, you can begin your planning. If choosing a tour sound like a good fit for you, you will quickly find that there is an abundance of tour operators. After doing quite a bit of research, we chose Pilgrim Tours. Others to consider are, Gate 1(budget) or Israel Tourism Consultants. We considered both of these, but chose Pilgrim based on the itinerary. More on this next.
Where Do You Want to Go?
I’m sure you are thinking, the Holy Land, duh! Have you considered adding Jordan or Egypt to your itinerary? Both countries add an extra unforgettable dimension to your Holy Land experience. Of course, it also adds to the length and cost of the trip. All things to keep in mind as your are planning.
Chris had dreamed of visiting Valley of the Kings from a Nile River cruise and seeing the Pyramids in Cairo. His dream was the guiding factor in choosing our trip. Ultimately, we settled on a 19-day tour that started in Egypt moved through Jordan and ended in Israel. This is the exact tour we chose. For many, the traditional 10-day tour is most practical. Alternatively, extending your tour may be something worth considering, especially if you have any interest in Egypt or Petra. I encourage you to explore all of your options–you might be surprised by what is available.
Prepare to Walk
I can’t stress this enough, start walking at home before you leave. I suggest at least 3 months before you leave start walking on a regular basis. Many days you will walk several miles at a brisk pace. Moving this quickly ensures you are able to see all of the awesome sites. Wondering if covering this much ground might be too much for you to take on? Consider this trip. It might be perfect for you.
Pack Wisely
I could spend an entire post on how to pack for a Holy Land tour. For the sake of brevity, I will focus on Israel and the main points to consider when packing.
- Shoes, shoes, shoes! Pack comfortable walking shoes with good traction. You will cover a lot of ground and much of it is uneven or cobblestone. Adding to the challenge is that the pavement can be slippery when it is wet.
- Consider the holy sites you will be visiting. When you visit, you need to make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. Most likely this will only affect a day or two of your trip.
- Do not overpack! Another item I can’t stress enough, especially if you add Egypt or Jordan to your tour. We moved around constantly throughout our trip. Packing light made this much easier as we had to cross the border in Jordan and Israel and carry our luggage with us. I have a guide on what to include in your packing list for Egypt and Jordan you can read here.
- Bring a journal to document what you see each day. This is one area I could have done much better with. I knew I would remember everywhere we visited by my pictures–wrong! After the trip, everything became a blur and I wished I had kept better notes.
During the Trip
Every day will be busy. Because there is so much to see, you will cover a lot of ground each day. Prepare to have long days with early start times. Often we started at 7:00am and didn’t stop until dinner at 6:00. Don’t assume you will have much downtime. Thankfully, the long days are worth it. When you reflect on your day, you will be amazed by hoe much you saw and learned.
Buffets All Day- Every Day
Be prepared to get your fill of buffets. For our trip, breakfast and dinner were always a buffet and a few lunches. We actually opted out of the lunch ones a few times because it was just too much food. Also, I realize we had 19 days of buffets as opposed to the typical 10 day tour. By the time our tour ended, I really wanted an a la carte menu.
As much as I complain about the buffets, I would go back to Israel in a heartbeat for their pita. Seriously, the BEST pita I have ever eaten. Combined with the hummus and I could survive on that alone. I encourage you to try the local foods while you are there. Make sure to try the dates, honey and olives, along with the pita and hummus. Also, you can’t go wrong with falafel–in a pita, of course.
Busses Everywhere
Thousands of people choose to spend their vacation in the Holy Land and many of them will be there when you are. I underestimated how many busses full of people there would be at all the same sites we were. Keep in mind, you will most likely be staying at the same hotels as the other tour groups. Going back to your hotel doesn’t necessarily mean getting away from the crowds.
Crowds are inevitable in Jerusalem. Upon reflection, I am happy that so many people want to visit the Holy Land and all it has to offer. Being prepared for the throngs of people will help you to have a better experience. Going in with eyes wide open always helps to combat frustration that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances.
Money
Currency does not need to be exchanged for a trip to Israel. In fact, we were able to use US currency in Egypt and Jordan without issue. Keep in mind to take smaller bills with you because you will get local currency back as change.
Another thing to keep in mind for Egypt and Jordan–both are tipping societies. I mean EVERYTHING is considered worthy of a tip. You are not required to tip, but for instances when you think it is worthy of an extra token, small bills are necessary. We took $200 in one-dollar bills with us for our 19-day trip. This was partly for bottles of water, but also for smaller purchases and tips.
Take Time to Reflect
Even with the minor frustrations with taking a Holy Land trip, there will be opportunities to slow down a bit and reflect on what you have experienced. I found that I really couldn’t tell when those moments would pop up, so I tried to make sure I took advantage of them when they did.
During the trip, I had two moments that were spiritually moving for me. First, was the Sea of Galilee. Our itinerary included a 2-night stay here, which was incredible. Sitting outside in the early morning and late evening was magical. Imagine being outside as the sun comes up over the calm, beautiful sea while drinking a cup of coffee. There is no better way to start the day. In the quiet of the morning, it is very easy to reflect on all that happened right in that very spot. It was moving and humbling.
At night, the lights dotted the landscape across the sea like twinkling stars. It was the perfect opportunity to relax and think back to all we had seen during the day. The Sea of Galilee is always on a Holy Land itinerary and I would encourage you to make the most of the time you have while you are there.
Second was the Garden Tomb. This one caught me by surprise because it is located next to a bus station. Imagine the beeping sound of busses backing up, multiple tour groups and our guide explaining the significance of this location. Yet, at one point, as we moved away from the noise and deeper into the garden, I was moved to tears with the realization of the events that took place there and their profound significance for me. Truly, you never know when or where the Spirit will move you. So, be ready for when it does.
Be Okay with Not Knowing
As much as we want to know exactly where all of the events happened, it just isn’t possible all of the time. You need to be okay with knowing it happened in that area, but not knowing the EXACT spot. Keep in mind, the events happened over 2000 years ago. Then, think about how you are walking where Jesus and/or his disciples walked. It is amazing to think about.
Life Goes On
Several of the people in our tour were surprised at how many of the sites were squeezed in with the current life of the Israelis. I already mentioned the Garden Tomb being next to a bus station. Well, Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem was in a business district. We dodged delivery trucks as we made our way to the area.
The Via Dolorosa is not a lonely, quiet road leading to Golgatha. In reality, it is a busy shopping district lined with the stalls of merchants selling a multitude of items. Israeli life is intertwined with people from all over the world making a pilgrimage to see places they have only read about.
Take Away
Unrealistic expectations can ruin a trip. I know from talking with people in our group that several had envisioned an idyllic setting that was quiet and peaceful. Reality was a bit shocking for them. Being a travel enthusiast, I had read much of this information prior to departing and I am glad that I did.
None of this should dissuade you from taking a Holy Land tour. Hopefully, it prepares you for the realities of what you may experience. Knowing this will allow you to take it all in stride and focus on the reason you chose to visit Israel.
Israel and a Holy Land tour in particular are a life changing trip. You will be touched by the beauty and reminded of the importance of what you are seeing. The Bible will come to life. When you hear Bible stories or scripture, you will remember you were there.
If you are thinking about going, do it! If you are still on the fence, here are 4 reasons to take a Holy Land tour. I hope this list of what to know before visiting will help you to focus only on the wonderful adventure you are on.
