Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I alter the default travel plans or arrange my own travel methods?
  • Christian Expeditions can arrange airfare out of other airports (subject to potential price change) or arrange ground-only travel (if you want to book your own airfare/use their travel miles/etc.).
• If I don’t have a roommate, will you help me find one?
  • Yes! We can’t guarantee that we can find a roommate for you, but the tour operator will do everything possible to pair together people who are willing to share a room.
  • Ultimately, each traveler is responsible for finding his/her own roommate, and if a roommate is not secured, the “single supplement” fee (single room add-on) will be required.
• What travel documents do I need?
  • You must have a valid passport with expiration date not less than six months after your return date. We recommend you keep your passport with you at all times.
• Do I need a visa to travel to Israel?
  • U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need to a visa to travel to Israel, nor do citizens from most European countries, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Israel will issue a visa at Passport Control on entry. You can check the requirements for other nationalities in the World Travel Guide – Israel.
• How many people will be going on the trip?
  • We will be in a motor coach just for our group. The bus can hold 50 travelers (including tour hosts and guides). We do expect a full trip this time around.
• Is this an active trip? What if I have physical limitations?
  • Touring is Israel can be physically demanding. Our group will do lots of walking: up and down hills and stairs, on uneven paths and cobblestone streets. We average about 5 miles of walking each day, plus standing for prolonged periods of time.
  • The group will be on a tight schedule, and we will be exploring sites as a group. So it’s important that each traveler can walk at a pace sufficient to keep up with the group. There is not an option to tour the sites at one’s own pace.
  • In addition, the motor coach and many of the historical sites we visit are not wheelchair accessible, so we are unable to accommodate travelers with those needs.
• Do I need to have Israeli money or can I use U.S. or Canadian dollars?
  • Virtually every store will accept U.S. dollars, though sometimes they will give you change in Israeli shekels. U.S. dollars are easy to use, it’s often good to have some Israeli shekels for making small purchases since the price in shekels is often rounded up to the next highest dollar.
  • You can get USD from ATMs in Israel, although some Canadian bank cards may have restrictions on them. We advise bringing plenty of US cash with you.
• What meals are included with the Tour?
  • Full “Israeli” Buffet Breakfast everyday
  • Dinners at hotels everyday with a variety of entrees and choices
  • Other lunches or snacks are not included
  • Beverages with meals are not included in the tour cost (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
• What can I expect food to be like while in Israel?
  • In general, the food is a fusion of East and West, plus many dishes and flavors brought by Jewish immigrants from all over the world. Dishes like falafel (deep fried chickpeas), shwarma (slices of grilled meat in pita bread), hummus, stews, and vegetables are national specialties are quite common.
  • It’s common to have chopped salads eaten at every meal including breakfast.
  • Most restaurants are moderately priced. Restaurants, bars and cafes catering for tourists usually have menus in both Hebrew and English.
  • The Hebrew word kosher means conforming to Jewish religious laws. Milk, cream or cheese may not be served in the same meal as meat. Pork and shellfish are not kosher, and rarely seen, although imitation seafood is common and may be indistinguishable from the real thing.
• What can I expect to pay for meals or snacks, like lunches, that aren’t included?
  • On most days, when lunch is not included , it is your choice whether or not to purchase lunch. Some travelers pack hearty snacks on the trip.  Others find that eating like the locals is fun and exciting.
  • Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included in the trip are:
    • Simple snack: $5 USD
    • Light meal: $12-15
    • Fancy Restaurant: $20-40 USD
    • Tips are usually included in the bill. If not, a modest tip such as $1-2 USD per person is advised.
• Can I drink the water?
  • Yes, tap water in Israel is safe, especially at the hotels. For the most part you don’t have to worry about water or food being safe
  • Tourists may prefer to drink filtered or mineral water for taste reasons. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country at roughly $2-3 USD each.
• What’s the time difference?
  • The time change from BC and Washington to Israel is ten hours. So when it is 10 p.m. in BC, it is 8 a.m. in Jerusalem.
• What will the weather be like?
  • Israel’s climate varies from region to region but in early November when we are traveling, it will be like a warm summer day in BC or Washington. Temps could range from 15-21C/60-70F.
• Do you have any packing tips?
  • Clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. Our hotels will offer laundry service for a fee, but self-wash facilities aren’t available.
  • Israel has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote and religious areas. Clothes should be casual and practical; arms and knees of both men and women must be covered when visiting Jewish and Christian holy places. Our tour guide will let us know when we will visit locations that require this level of modesty.
• Will my electric appliances work in Israel?
  • The electric current in Israel is 220-volt AC single phase, 50 cycles which requires special adapter plugs with round prongs. If you take appliances (hair dryer, electric razor, etc.) that are suitable for both 110 and 220 volts, you will need a set of adapter plugs.
  • If your appliance is for 110 volts only, you will also need a converter. Please check your appliance before going to verify its voltage. Don’t assume that it will work unless it clearly indicates that it will run on 220 volt.
• Will there be plenty of shopping opportunities?
  • Each day will be packed with activities and we will be on a schedule. Our guide will plan stops for shopping, but we won’t be able to stop at every gift shop or store out of courtesy to our schedule and others in the group.
  • You will be able to, if you choose, wander into the shopping district from our hotel in Tiberias in the evenings (a five minute walk). Also, if you want more shopping opportunities, you’ll have free evenings in Jerusalem to explore as you choose.
• Can children travel on the tour? What is the cost for kids?
  • PRAISE does not recommend this trip for children younger than 13 or 14 years old. A majority of each day is spent sightseeing and visiting historical sites, with lots of walking and riding the tour bus from place to place.  Our schedule will not allow time for interactive activities or free time to play. So unless your child is older and greatly interested in touring sites, we would strongly recommend they not travel on this type of tour.
  • The rate for children is the same as adults. The tour costs are based on plane seats, occupancy in hotel rooms and total available seats on the bus.