TRIP PREPARATION
This paper is to help you prepare for your travel. Please go through this thoroughly. Please ask us if it is not mention below of if you are not sure
PASSPORT:
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date. Those that do not have either a Canadian or US passport may need to apply for visas before departure. We will help you to get your visa however we need at least 21 days to get you your visas and in some cases up to one month prior to your departure.
Make a photocopy of your passport and keep this separate from your passport, in case you loose your passport.
CLOTHING:
Bring enough clothing for the duration of the journey. Bring clothing that can be hand wash and fast drying. Laundry services can be expensive.
In many of the places you visit, they will not allow people wearing shorts to enter.
Ladies are to dressed appropriately, which means no skirts or pants with length above the knees. Mid drifts must not be showing and bare arms are also not allowed. Hence ladies, no sleeveless blouse please.
Make sure you bring good comfortable walking shoes. There is no requirement for any formal wear. Ladies may wear slacks throughout the tour.
We sometimes return to the hotel late. It is advisable to bring along a spring jacket when you are traveling with us during Spring or Fall.
Renewal of Marriage Vows – Some of you may want to be dressed up a bit for this occasion.
Baptism and Rededication – Men will need a pair of swimming trunk or shorts and ladies will also need a pair of shorts and t-shirt. For those that are not used to walking bare footed may want to bring a pair of sandals.
Swimming in the Dead Sea – Men please bring with you swimming trunks and ladies may either wear a swim suit or shorts and t-shirts. You will also need a pair of rubber sandals for walking on the beach.
Climbing Mt. Sinai – Please bring along a flash light and a heavier jacket as it can get very cold on top of the mountain.
MEDICATION:
Do not forget to bring along with you whatever medication that your doctor has prescribed for you. You should also bring with you non prescription medicine for headaches, allergies and stomach problems.
VACCINATION:
Presently, there is no outbreak of any communicable diseases in the areas where we will be visiting. However, it is your responsibility to consult your physician as to what vaccination that you may need for this journey.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION:
We will provide accommodation in four and five stars hotels. We will give you the address and phone numbers of the hotels that you will be staying at before your departure. Please leave this list with your family or friends so that they will know how to get hold of you when they need to.
WEATHER:
The weather in Israel, Egypt and Jordan varies depending on altitude. Jerusalem and Amman is about 800 meters (almost 3,000 ft) above sea level. These 2 cities have climate that is very similar to Canada’s West Coast (or U.S. North West region). It snows here in winter.
The raining season for this area is generally in November. But is also may rain on the coast in Spring too.
The desert can get very hot in the summer. The average daytime temperature in the summer is around 45 degrees Celcius or 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
CURRENCY:
You do not need to change to local currency since the US dollar is widely accepted in Egypt, Israel and Jordan.
The amount of money you need to bring is dependent on how much souvenirs you plan to buy. May we suggest that you bring about three hundred dollars in U.S. currency cash in small bills like ones, fives and tens. These are just for souvenirs such as postcards and small handicraft that you want to buy from street vendors. You may use your credit card should you want to buy more expensive items.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Bring sufficient rolls of films and memory cards. These can be expensive in Israel.
WATER:
Water will be provided at all meals. However, we recommend that you bring a water bottle for this trip. You may fill up your bottle with water only at breakfast and at lunch, if possible. You have to drink a lot of water while on tour. The lack of water may result in headaches and may even cause you to faint. You have to drink even if you do not feel thirsty because of the dry air, especially when you are traveling through the desert.
You may drink the water from the tap ONLY in Israel. You are advised to drink only bottled water in Egypt and Jordan.
BAPTISM, REDEDICATION AND RENEWAL OF WEDDING VOWS:
Please register with the Host Pastor before these events. The baptism and rededication will be held in the Jordan River. This could either be while you are in Tiberias (Israel) or when you are staying in the Dead Sea in Jordan.
The renewal of marriage vow will be held in Cana. Please read you itinerary to determine when you will be visiting Cana.
ELECTRICAL SUPPLY:
The electric supply in all those countries are 220 – 240 volts and 50 cycle. Please make sure that the appliances you are bringing are suitable for use there. Adaptors can be purchased at better stores here before you leave. Just as a reminder, the electrical appliances you are bringing can be as simple as your video camera that need to have its battery recharged regularly, your shaver, your hair dryer, your curling iron, etc.
BIBLE:
Lastly and most important of all, do not forget to bring your bible.