land only passengers
if you have arranged your own air transportation, the “land only” portion of your tour begins at the first hotel and ends on the last tour day.  expenses incurred in getting to and from the airport, or due to schedule changes of the group, are the responsibility of the “land only” passenger.
group airline  are now electronic and all you need to check-in is your passport and flight number. please bring a copy of the passenger information sheet, which contains your flight and hotel information.
if you have arranged your own air transportation, the “land only” portion of your tour begins at the first hotel and ends on the last tour day.  expenses incurred in getting to and from the airport, or due to schedule changes of the group, are the responsibility of the “land only” passenger. a good “shalom” goes a long way.
always be kind and courteous. remember that you are an ambassador for your country.
a firm handshake is obligatory upon meeting and departing. never remain seated when shaking a standing person’s hand.
when speaking directly to an israeli, always look them in the eye.
police wear blue uniforms and usually speak english; paramilitary police (border police/security forces wear dark green uniforms and a beret of similar color, and usually do not speak english.
israeli religiosity ranges from the ultra-orthodox to the complete atheist.
avoid criticizing the country, the people, the food, or the customs.  if you have a problem, please talk to your tour leader or guide. we know that you are going to become very fond of your bus driver and your tour guide. they are skilled professionals who enjoy working with tourists. sometimes, tour members will try to take a collection on the bus to give to the driver and guide, to show their appreciation. however, inspired travel tips the bus drivers and the tour guides near the top of the scale.  we therefore ask that no one start or contribute to such a collection. if you personally want to bless them, feel free to do so. taxi service: if you decide to take a taxi, make sure you agree in advance with the driver on the fare per person or for all passengers. you will need local currency for most taxis.
restrooms/bathrooms/wc: in some countries, toilets are typically identified as the “wc” and you may be expected to pay a small amount to the attendant, if there is one.
baptism in the jordan river: if you plan on being baptized in the jordan river, you will need to bring a change of clothes or bathing suit. for a few dollars you can rent a baptismal robe to be worn over your clothes/swimming suit. you also receive a towel and a baptismal certificate. if you choose not to rent a robe, you must wear a modest tee-shirt over your swimsuit. keep your passport on your person at all times. misplacing or losing your passport can result in serious delays and extra costs for you.
keep a copy of the photo page of your passport in your luggage.
never leave valuables (jewelry, cash, ipods, laptops, cameras, electronics, etc.) in your hotel room, even if they are locked in your luggage. it is better to leave significant valuables at home if you don’t need them.  keep your journey simple.
all hotels have a safe at the front desk where your important items may be stored when you are away from your room. some hotels provide a personal safe in your own room.
always check the safe before checking out of the hotel.
turn off all cellphones while at the sites.
while touring, always stay with your group. be aware of where they are going. though you may discover something interesting to investigate, it could cause you to lag behind and become lost.
tell someone in the group (preferably your guide or group leader) if you are staying at the hotel instead of touring or leaving the tour for any reason.
if you decide to go out after hours, always tell someone else in your group where you are going and when you intend to return. sometimes tourists, in the excitement of being in a foreign country or as a result of “jet lag”, temporarily fail to exercise the same caution they use at home.
here are a few :
do not bring anything that you cannot afford to lose.
no smoking on the bus or in your hotel rooms.
stay with the group and avoid straying off on your own.
since muslim women are covered from head to foot, muslim men think that western women’s clothes are “loose and immoral”. for this reason we ask that you dress modestly at all times.
do not leave possessions (backpacks, purses, etc.) unattended, as they may be considered by authorities as a potential danger and be disposed of.
avoid any object that does not seem to have an owner.
never accept gifts from strangers in or en-route to the airport.
beware of locals asking you to follow them to a store or an attraction.
avoid friendly embraces from strangers. beware of pickpockets.
in any crowded area, keep your backpacks and purses in front of you with your arms folded across them.
keep your wallet in your front pants pocket or zippered purse. it is wise to separate your cash so that it is not obvious to on-lookers. most people think israeli food is excellent. breakfast and dinner are provided daily, as well as some lunches (check your brochure to see what meals are included).
be sure to bring local currency or a credit card when dining out at smaller establishments.
please check the country’s tipping policy if you plan to eat out at a restaurant.
some cultural advice about the food: you cannot order milk or any dairy products with meat or poultry – it is not “kosher” and as a rule will not be served. other foods that you will not find available are pork products and shellfish.
most israeli tap water is considered safe to drink. to be safe, bottled water is available everywhere. most bus drivers stock water on the bus which you can purchase for about $1 per bottle.
coffee and juices are usually included with breakfast and dinner. soft drinks are usually not included with any meals.
warning
be sure you drink plenty of water on the plane and on the buses during the touring to avoid dehydration.  (this is the most frequent reason for hospitalization.) jerusalem has the widest variety of souvenirs at the best prices. in most places, they take u.s. dollars, so it is not necessary to exchange your money.
if you decide to change your money into a foreign currency, use only an official money-changer, or do it at your hotel, or at an atm. the exchange rate usually varies between 3 to 4 shekels to the dollar.
the most reliable stores and restaurants display the emblem of the israeli ministry of tourism, recommending these establishments for their high quality of merchandise and service. the emblem is a simple icon of two men carrying a large cluster of grapes between them.
if you intend to buy anything described as “antique,” be sure to get a certificate of authenticity from the sales clerk or else do not buy it.
there will be multiple shopping opportunities during your tour.  also, some guides have “special shops” where the store pays them a commission. stops at these stores are optional and occur after touring hours.
vat tax: in many countries there is a value added tax, known as a “vat”, on all merchandise purchased. this tax is refundable upon your departure from the airport.  when you purchase an item over a $100 (as of the time of this writing), you will be given a special receipt verifying that you paid the vat tax on that item. as you are preparing to leave the country, go to the booth in the airport terminal designated for vat refunds and fill out the paperwork. you must present your vat tax receipt and the items for inspection in order to receive your refund.  please note that if your tour leaves the country where the merchandise was purchased, you may forfeit your eligibility to claim a vat refund.
if you make a major purchase, be sure to take note of the name of the salesperson, the store name, address, and phone number.  it is best to purchase items that you can have shipped home or pay with a credit card so that you can dispute the charges if there is a problem. check with your cell phone carrier and get the details! most international services are still very expensive.  roaming charges are even higher and will be applied if you are even near the border of another country.
if you have a data plan/email/texting, you may be charged for all downloads and incoming data. check with your carrier.
wi-fi cards can be rented in advance. some hotels provide free wi-fi, or will have it available for purchase
a safe alternative is to switch your phone to airplane mode and turn data roaming off. that way you will still be able to use the hotel wi-fi without additional charges. you can buy phone cards at the airport and at most hotel gift shops containing 20, 50, 100 or 200 units each for use in pay phones to dial direct to anywhere in the world. (phone cards purchased in the usa may work in some pay phones).
credit cards can be used at some pay phones.
a call from your room through the hotel may cost from $4 to $10 per minute, even to a toll-free number. israel is seven hours ahead of new york and ten hours ahead of california (except during daylight savings changes). if you are sharing a room with someone you do not know, there are a few guidelines that will make your trip more enjoyable.
if you are an early riser and your roommate is not (or vice versa), make sure that you do not disturb them with either noise or light.
if there is only one key per room, make sure you leave it at the front desk if you are the last person to leave the room.
please do not smoke in the room. services: your hotels provide a variety of services. the tour pays for all taxes and tips, as well as all breakfasts served in the hotel dining rooms. if you use any additional  such as room service, laundry service, outside phone calls, or internet usage, you will be billed accordingly and must pay at the front desk upon check-out. you are also responsible for any additional tips and taxes these services may incur.
laundry: most hotels offer a professional laundry service. check the price with the front desk before you send it out and make sure it will be done before your group leaves the hotel.
some hotels provide a clothesline that extends across the bathtub for drying laundry, should you wish to wash them in the sink or bathtub. however, you will need to provide your own detergent. you will be given a key and room number stickers for your luggage. this is for your one luggage only.  take your “carry-on” to the room with you and your luggage will be delivered by the hotel staff. always wear your name tag when exiting the plane upon arrival.
after landing, you will enter the terminal and follow the signs to passport control. here you will present your passport.
after exiting passport control, look for a staff member who will be holding a sign that reads “inspired travel” or the name of your group. that person will tell you which carousel your luggage is on and where to gather to be escorted to your bus.
luggage carts are readily available.
you will be taken as a group through the “nothing to declare” exit. you will be led to your tour bus. the driver will put your one piece of luggage in the storage compartment under the bus.  you will need to take your carry-on with you onto the bus. once the entire group has boarded the bus, you will proceed to your hotel.
should you somehow be separated from the group while inside the airport terminal, or if you cannot locate our staff or your tour leader, exit through customs and the terminal (with your luggage) to the bus area. if you are lost, please ask an airport employee (wearing badges) for assistance.  emergency contact numbers are also printed on your passenger information sheet. medical: many seasoned travelers are not aware that their health insurance may not cover them outside of the country. inspired travel provides complementary medical evacuation insurance (unless otherwise specified).  please contact us for more information.
cancellation: if you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen emergency or serious illness, most of your trip may be non-refundable if you are not insured. cancellation insurance is not included in the tour price, but is available for purchase.  please call inspired travel or go to our website for further information on cancellation insurance.  inspiredtravel.com have all travel documents and id readily available at check-in. place them in your carry-on or purse, not in your luggage.
be prepared to open all luggage and bags for inspection at check-in. all packages, including gifts, may be opened.
be prepared to submit yourself to a body check by metal detector, body scan, or by physical means if necessary.
put pens, keys, cell phones, badges, etc., in your carry-on before the security check to reduce the chance of setting off the alarm.
place all fluids (under 3 ounce bottles) in a quart sized plastic zip-top bag.
please do not say or do anything during security checks that may cause delay in departure.
never joke about hijacks or bombs. airline and security personnel take these matters very seriously.
do not accept packages or gifts unless you have inspected the contents.
use the “buddy system” so someone knows if you get delayed! when you check-in at the ticket counter, advise them of your frequent flyer account number.
if you do not have an account with them and would like one, ask for an application and complete it before leaving the ticket counter. this may be done in advance by contacting the airline’s frequent flyer program personally. group  is done alphabetically and we regret that we are unable to guarantee specific airline seat assignments.  we do try and accommodate requests, and always try to seat couples and families together.
verify with the ticketing agent that you are seated with your roommate or family members.
you may have to change seats on the plane with another tour member if you are separated from your traveling companion. electronic tickets: all you need to check-in is your passport and flight number. the ticket agent will print your boarding passes and tag your luggage.
the airline may hold you responsible for the cost of replacing a missing boarding pass. keep your boarding passes until you return home in case of lost luggage or mileage credits.
make sure the airline properly tags your luggage with the correct destination city. the last city code listed on the tag is tlv. you may be pulled aside to answer security questions before you actually check-in with the airline. please just answer their questions and do not chat, make jokes or volunteer information unless you are asked for it. do not pack your passport or your itinerary in your luggage. your passport should be kept with you at all times.  place your itinerary in your carry-on bag.
pack appropriate clothes that you can mix and match.
it is easy to over-pack for this sort of trip. we recommend that you pack just the essentials and be strategic about what you bring.
to prepare for variations in weather, bring layers of clothing to add or remove as needed. rather than packing a bulky or heavy coat, try a simple light-weight raincoat or windbreaker.  it takes up less space, and worn over a few layers of clothing will keep you warm and dry.
a hat and sunglasses (plus sunscreen) are also highly recommended.
don’t forget to bring gloves and a scarf if you are traveling in the winter.
be sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes (tennis shoes or sport sandals work well) that you will not mind getting dirty. break them in before the trip!
modest dress may be required at some of the locations we visit. in fact, some “holy sites” will not allow you to enter unless your knees and shoulders are covered.
bring a bathing suit just in case you want to take a dip in the hotel pool or when you are visiting certain sites, like the dead sea.
you may visit hezekiah’s tunnel (optional). the shaft typically flows with knee-deep water year round.  you will need a change of clothes, a flashlight, and a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting wet. a spot remover and sewing kit can be handy.
wrinkled clothing: rather than trying to pack a travel iron, a wrinkle release spray is useful for eliminating wrinkles. bring some in a smaller spray bottle for convenience.
“disposable” socks and underwear: bring your old socks and underwear and dispose of them before departing israel, making more room for souvenirs in your luggage.
mesh bags: for loose items, toiletries, dirty laundry, etc.
mailing tube: for posters and art.
cough drops and vitamin c tablets.
zip-lock bags: always useful for small liquid toiletry bottles or gifts/souvenirs.
eyeglasses prescription or extra contact lenses.
journal for pictures and notes.
small travel sized bible. start reading about the sites you will visit.  your bible is the best reference for biblical sites.  rather than bringing a large study bible, you may want to pack a smaller, more compact version.
start walking!  you will do a lot of walking (and standing) on the tour and it is wise to build up your stamina now! be sure to pack enough medication to last through the tour.
only life dependent or narcotic prescriptions need to be in their original bottles.
not all prescriptions are interchangeable. have your doctor write a foreign-equivalent prescription for life dependent medications.
if you are allergic to any medication, please keep a list of these with your passport.
you may need a prescription for medications which are sold over the counter in the u.s.
you should pack some aspirin, antacids, and other similar items you use at home if feel you might need them.
if you suffer from motion sickness, bring along any medication you use to prevent this on the bus and plane.
never allow prescription medication out of your possession. if the airline requires you to check-in your carry-on, take your medication with you. never leave electronic equipment unattended in your hotel room.
remember that any laptops, tablets, phones, cameras, etc., should be kept with you at all times, or in the safe in your hotel room.
for digital cameras, make sure you bring a large enough storage card to accommodate all your photos and movies. many people will take upwards of 500-1000 pictures.
don’t forget your electrical chargers – bring an extra one just in case.
it is also handy to have a portable external battery pack for emergencies.
some people, especially on shabbot (saturday), may not want their picture taken.  when in doubt, ask for permission.  please be courteous and cautious.
if you take pictures of locals or someone’s camel or donkey, you may be asked for money.
a camera can become a barrier between you and your experience with the lord, the land, and the people.  don’t miss out! you will need an electrical converter, israel uses 220 volts instead of 110 used in north america.  you will also need a two-pronged round adapter to plug into the wall outlet.  most electronics, such as laptops and cell phones, are dual voltage.  please check the voltage requirements for all electronic devices. the currency in israel is the shekel (sometimes called the “new shekel”). please check the internet for the most current exchange rates. xe.com
we suggest that you take enough  to pay for items that are not included such as: lunches, snacks, beverages, postcards, stamps, room service, laundry, taxi, souvenirs, and other items.
the us dollar is accepted almost everywhere in israel. bring smaller bills including about $50.00 in one-dollar bills.  if you use traveler’s checks, $10 & $20 denominations are the best.  change is usually given in shekels.
visa and mastercard are usually accepted for larger purchases and allow you to dispute any incorrect charges. important: advise your bank or credit card company that you are traveling internationally or they will deny the charges.
be aware that some credit card companies charge a foreign transaction fee to use a card in a foreign country.
atm machines are available at the airport and in major cities, but may not always be easy to find. remember that the atm machines dispense  in local currency – not us dollars. neatly print your full name on all luggage tags. it is wise to use an office or friend’s address on your tags.
extra tags/labels for your carry-on are available at the airport.
have your name and address on a card or paper inside your luggage in the event that your luggage tags are removed or lost.
use the inspired travel luggage strap provided in your packet to help identify your bag on the carousel.
always check carefully that a piece of luggage is yours before you take it from the carousel.
if you take someone else’s luggage, it can cause a significant delay for the group, as the person with the missing luggage must go through the “lost luggage” procedure.
your tour cost includes tips to the hotel porters for one piece of luggage per person. this service begins when you bring your luggage to the bus outside the terminal and ends when the bus arrives at the airport for your departure for home.
you will need to take your luggage from the carousel, through customs and to the bus. at departure, you will take your luggage from the bus through security to check-in. (it really helps to have wheels on your luggage!)
carry-on: please remember that your carry-on luggage is always your responsibility to take with you to and from the bus to the hotel.  please do not leave your carry-on with your one checked luggage to be handled by the porters.
porters may not be available in countries on a tour extension. confirm luggage rules on your airline’s website
most airlines will allow you to check-in one piece of luggage which cannot exceed 60 inches (height + width + length) and 50 pounds.
you will be charged for each additional piece of checked luggage.
the airline will charge you additional fees for overweight or oversized luggage and may force you to ship it as freight.
some airlines have a weight restriction on carry-on luggage.
your one carry-on must not exceed 36 inches (height + width + length) and must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
follow the 3-1-1 rule. liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container; must be in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin.  the bag limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring in their carry-on.
most airlines allow a personal item (purse/computer or camera bag) as an additional carry-on.
only one piece of luggage per person will be stored in the tour bus luggage compartment, as storage space is very limited.
onboard bus storage space is limited to the space under the seat in front of you and the shallow space above your head.
always pack fewer clothes and bring more money than you think you will need.
it is always a good idea to “cross pack”. if you are traveling as a single passenger, pack a change of clothing in your carry-on just in case your luggage is temporarily misplaced by the airlines. husbands and wives should pack some of each other’s clothing in their suitcases for the same reason. delayed arrival of luggage can be inconvenient, but these precautions can lessen that effect.
always keep your written prescriptions for life dependent medications packed in a different case from the one used to hold your supply of medication. travel with a passport from your country of citizenship that is valid for at least six months after your return date.
travel with a valid green card or visa that allows you to leave and re-enter the united states.
contact the consulate of each country you will be visiting to get specific travel instructions and visa requirements.
if you are part of an extension to another country, you may be required to have a multiple entry visa. please check your itinerary.
please be advised that failure to travel with these documents or have proper visas may drastically hinder your travel and re-entry into the united states and you are responsible for any additional costs you may incur.
check with each consulate as to vaccination requirements for visitors from your country.
if you have any questions, please contact the consulate of your country of citizenship. make two copies of your  picture page. leave one copy with someone at home and keep one with you (separate from your ). if you lose your , it is easier to obtain a new  if you have this copy.
it is extremely important that your  has not expired. in the past, some travelers have arrived at the airport the day of departure only to find their  has expired the day of the trip. please make sure this does not happen to you. your  must be valid up to six months after your return date.  for example, if your trip returns april 1st, you will need to make sure that your  does not expire until after october 1st of that year.
normal processing for a new or renewal  is usually six to eight weeks. allow yourself plenty of time in case there is a delay. group airline  are now electronic and all you need to check-in is your passport and flight number. please bring a copy of the passenger information sheet, which contains your flight and hotel information.