Regional highlightso
Jerusalem. A city unto itself, Jerusalem is the pinnacle of all tours to the Holy Land. From the walled Old City that includes the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall and the
Dome of the Rock, to the outlying hillside of Gethsemane and the
Mount of Olives, Jerusalem can only be experienced in person to be appreciated.
Bethlehem and the West Bank. A short distance from Jerusalem lay Bethlehem, the quiet city that is the birthplace of
Jesus,
Jericho, the Biblical city that is also the oldest continuously-inhabited place on Earth, Hebron, resting place of the family of Abraham, and Nablus, the city of the Samaritans. Authentic but safe, the West Bank offers the complete range of the history of the Holy Land, from pre-historic times to the present. From the West Bank, one may also head on to Jordan for further adventures in the Holy Land!
Nazareth and the Galilee. While Bethlehem may have been the birthplace of Jesus and Jerusalem the place of His Passion and Resurrection, Nazareth and the Galilee are the place of Christ’s early life and His ministry. In Nazareth one can visit the Basilica of the Virgin Mary built over the home of the Holy Family, Kafer Cana, the place of the Wedding of Cana, the Biblical site of Megiddo and much more. Onto the Galilee, one can visit the Sea of Galilee where you can feast on the same kinds of fish caught by the disciples of Christ, visit Peter’s home in Capernaum, take a boat ride in Tiberias, and visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount. From there one can go further north and experience the beauty of the Golan Heights, or head to the coast to visit the historic coastal sites of Akko, Haifa and Ceasaria, along with taking a dip in the warm Mediterranean.
The Dead Sea. Experience the Dead Sea, the most salient body of water on the Earth. At the lowest point of elevation in the world, the Dead Sea is also one of the most popular tourist resorts in the region due to its year-round sun, therapeutic minerals and the unusual buoyancy of the water, allowing for its guests to float along as they take in the sun at private beaches and well-kept resorts.
The {{Negev Desert}}. To the south of the sultry coastal plain and the hills of the West Bank is the expanse of the Negev Desert. Bedouin tribes still inhabit the Negev and continue their way of life amidst the ruins of numerous desert-dwelling civilizations. Experience the eternally shifting landscape of the desert during the day, and watch the stars come out at night for a complete and fulfilling experience. Travelers may venture on to the Sinai and Egypt to continue their journey in the land of the Bible!
Coming to the Holy Land Coming to the Holy Land may be a long journey from North America, the United Kingdom and Europe, but it needs not be a complicated one. In fact, many people find that their trip here is easier than a trip to other “far-off” destinations!
There are many reasons for this. First, the economies of Israel and Palestine are dependent on tourism, and have been for centuries. Even with the political problems that persist in the region, the Israeli and Palestinian authorities have been able to maintain cooperation with themselves, Egypt and Jordan to facilitate tourism. Secondly, English is the most common international language, and the local tourism industry is based on the needs of Western pilgrims and tourists, such as Western-style food, accommodations and – most of the time – internet and wireless. Medical facilities and hygiene standards are the same in Israel and most of the Palestinian Territories as they are in the West, and cultural tolerance of different faiths, practices and lifestyles is the norm.
There are a few things that you will need before you come to the Holy Land.First, you will need a valid passport from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom or European Union. You will receive a three-month tourist visa that will allow you to go anywhere in Israel and most places in the Palestinian Territories without any trouble and at no cost. Going to Jordan and the Sinai is a little more complicated with some additional entry-exit fees, but this too is a fairly straightforward process.
Second, you will need to know when and where you are going in the Holy Land. Israel and Palestine varies from a Mediterranean to desert climate, with different areas having different seasons the year round. Parts of Israel are much like the climate of Florida and Greece, with nearly year-round warm, humid climate and wet winters, while the West Bank is more like Arizona or inland Spain, being arid for most of the year with rainy winters and springs. Culturally, much of Israel, Nazareth and the Galilee are much like Western nations in culture, while East Jerusalem and the West Bank tend to be slightly more conservative and a mix of Arab and Western cultures. If you are planning on staying in Bethlehem – don’t worry! The city has a long tradition of hospitality and courtesy to people of all backgrounds and faith.
ClothingIn general, a standard tour group going to both Israel and Palestine should pack summer clothes with a light jacket from March to October, then a mix of light winter clothes when visiting from November to February. Shorts, mini-skirts, mid-riffs and shoulderless garments are not acceptable at holy sites, so bringing along lightweight long-sleeved shirts, pants and dresses is recommended. Headwear, scarves and sunglasses are recommended for protection against the sun, as is sunscreen.
Medication Purchasing some stomach-aid medication like Tumms and standard anti-diarrheal aids is a good idea to adjust to different foods, but these items can also be purchased in the Holy Land at an affordable cost. It’s also a good idea to bring any prescription medicine and a print-out in English describing the medication you take. Every medication found in the West can be found in either Israel or Palestine at a local pharmacy.
Technical Applications Regional outlet and voltage adaptors can be bought either in the US or in the Holy Land, and local SIM cards can fit into most international mobile phones. Israel and Palestine use both PC and Mac-based software, but beware – purchasing hardware for computers and digital cameras is almost twice as high as in the US!
FAQs on the Holy LandIs it safe to come to the Holy Land? Millions of visitors from North America, the United Kingdom and Europe go to Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt each year. While periods of unrest do occur at infrequent intervals in various locations, travelling to the Holy Land remains a perfectly safe destination with minimal risk. Holy Land Star Tours will work with you and your fellow travelers to ensure that your visit is not only safe, but also enjoyable.
What kind of currency should I bring? Visitors to the Holy Land can bring US and Canadian Dollars, British Pounds and the Euro and exchange them for better rates than in the airport or banks upon arrival. At no additional cost, Holy Land Star Tours will bring you to a local Exchange Office and assist you with exchanging your money to the New Israeli Shekel, used in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Will I have a problem with not speaking Hebrew or Arabic? English is the standard language of the tourism industry, and most of the major sites and locations that a pilgrim or tourist will visit will have English-speaking staff and signs, guidebooks and brochures in English. In addition, our tour guides and drivers are fluent in English as are the staff of hotels and hostels we use.
Any more questions? Don’t be afraid to ask….Holy Land Star Tours is here to help! (email link)
