Holy Land Experience Website

 

Helpful Travel Links

• Lufthansa - Airline we'll be traveling with.  Baggage questions, etc. 
• Packing list suggestions
• Other websites with packing list suggestions
• Charger converter needed for charging camera batteries and etc. in Israel

 

General Luggage Tips

• Because we will be flying internationally, there are some stricter luggage requirements than flying with the U.S.  Although we will be flying on Lufthansa (about the nicest airline possible) they have some guidelines we’re passing on to you.  Here they are:

•  Amount of weight allowed by Lufthansa Airlines for Economy Class: 20 kg (44lb) - on flights operated by Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines

• You are basically allowed one checked in piece of luggage and one carry on (you can get away with two if one of your carry ons in a purse or smaller handbag).  Your main checked in luggage must weigh under 44 lbs. unless you want to pay extra.

• Also, Friendship Tours (our travel agency) recommends packing light as well so there are fewer pieces of luggage for the porters to carry to and from the tour bus to our hotels.  There could be an extra per person charge if someone has several large pieces of luggage.

• In our last visit to the Holy Land, we packed pretty light and had no problems.  The general rule is the lighter the better.

• Take into account that luggage can get lost so don’t have your valuables in your checked in luggage but with you, or in your carry ons.  Also, be sure to pack one change of clothes in your Carry On in case your luggage is misplaced or delayed.

• You'll need an adapter converter for charging your camera batteries and etc. in Israel.  The electricity is a different format so this adapter converter will be really important.  Click below for a link to buy it or see it on Amazon:  Charger converter needed for charging camera batteries and etc. in Israel

• A Back Pack/Day Bag/Large Tote Bag or something similar is recommended for carrying personal items with you daily in Israel during our travels.

 

General Climate Info for the Holy Land

• The northern part of the Holy Land is generally cooler and wetter.  The southern part is warmer and dryer.  The Dead Sea is 1,400 ft. below sea level and is warm enough to comfortably swim in during the winter.  Be sure to bring your bathing suit if you want to swim (float) in the Dead Sea.  Jerusalem is 2,400 ft. above sea level and will be a little cooler.

 

General Dress Suggestions

• Casual dress is the general guideline for the trip.  You won't need nice "Dress" clothes anytime, and ladies won't need skirts or dresses if you prefer not to take them.  The trip is more of a Safari - Sightseeing Adventure and therefore, there's no need for dress clothes.  Just bring casual pants and shirts and you'll be just fine.

 

General Travel Info for our travels in Israel

During our travels in Israel, we’ll be on a tour bus.  This is a bus that seats around 50.  There will be 25 of us so we’ll have plenty of room.  The Tour Guide will sit up front and use a microphone to talk to us while we’re traveling.  When we’re at a site, the Tour Guide will just talk loudly.  Try to stay with the group so the Tour Guide doesn’t have to continually try to gather us or have to talk real loud so we can all hear.  The tour bus will have two doors and a bathroom.  It also has an upper rack above the seats for putting your Backpack/Day Bag.  When we transfer hotels, our main luggage will go underneath the bus in large storage bins.

It’s best to take a Backpack, Day Bag, Large Tote Bag or something similar for carrying your personal items during our daily travels in Israel.  We’ll be at some sites for an hour up to around a half day and you’ll want something for keeping your things in.  Here are some ideas for things you’ll want handy in your Day Bags:

• Bible

• Tour Journal

• Pen for writing and taking notes

• Umbrella

• Light jacket or sweater

• Water Bottle

• Camera

• Extra camera batteries and storage disks.

• Lunch or snacks

When we transfer hotels (we’ll let you know in advance), you’ll need to set your luggage outside your room before going to breakfast.  Take your Day Bag to breakfast with you so if you want to take a little from the buffet for your lunch, you can do so.  You also won’t need to return to your room to get your Day Bag.  Be sure to come to breakfast ready for the day.  From breakfast we’ll load up on the tour bus.

 

Eating in Israel

All you can eat breakfast and dinners are provided in your costs.  These are buffet style with a ton of selections.  Drinks are included in the meals.  It’s a self-serve format.  Breakfast will be served at 7:00am and dinner at 7:00pm.  The buffet meals are served at the same hotel we’ll be staying at.  Lunches are not included in the cost of your trip.  If you want to take some zip lock bags for putting a little food in from the breakfast buffet for your lunch you are encouraged to do so.  This will cut down on your expenses for lunch (approx. $15-$20 per plate) and allow you to see a little more at the sites we'll be at during our lunch break.  We will be stopping each day at noon for lunch at a site with a restaurant for those who want to eat there.

Water is available on the tour bus for $1.00 a bottle.  Water bottles in your hotel are about $3.00-$4 .00 a bottle. You are encouraged to get a water bottle for the week and just fill it up at the hotel or any place with a faucet.  All water in Israel that comes out of a faucet is drinkable.

 

Money & Documents Info

U.S. Dollars are accepted in Israel so you don’t need to worry about converting money to Shekels.   You might receive, on some occasions, Shekels for change, but you’ll wind up spending them along the way so no need to worry about that.

It is recommended to carry your spending money with you in a Money Belt or a very secure pocket.  If you don’t want to, you don’t have to take your wallet.  You’ll just need your Passport, your Driver’s License and a Credit/Debit Card for your trip.  Be sure to keep these in a safe, secure place on yourself.

Items to carry with you:

• Spending money

• Passport & Copy

• Driver’s License

• Debit/Credit Card

 

Packing List

Printable Version

Clothes

Know that it can be rainy and as cold as 40°F in Israel during the winter.  It’s best to dress in layers as the climate can change quite a bit during the day and you also won’t get stuck carrying around heavy coats and etc.  Be sure to bring a small umbrella as well.

• Slim line Travel Bible

• Writing pen for taking notes
  

• Casual pants for hiking sightseeing (casual can be worn for the whole trip)

• Casual long sleeve shirts

• Short sleeve shirts (optional)
  

• Bathing suit (for the dead sea, and some of the hotels will have swimming pools, spas)

• 2 Plastic bags for wet clothes

• Undergarments

• Socks

• Light jacket

• Sturdy walking shoes (with traction for wet Jerusalem stone paths) FYI- many of the streets are paved with stone...it's challenging to wear shoes with awkward heels/soles on uneven pavement.

• Sleepwear 

• Long Johns (optional)
  

• Hat / Baseball cap (optional)

• Travel alarm

• Flashlight (mini)

• Camera

• Film or Storage Disks for your camera (bring plenty, because it's much more expensive in Israel)

• Day Pack/Back Pack (can be used as a carry on and for travel in Israel

• Zip lock bags for lunches and for putting the relics you might gather along the way in Israel.

• Umbrella - Small contractible type.

• Sunglasses (Optional)
  

• Charger converter needed for Israel (Needed for charging cameras and etc.

 

Toiletries

In Israel, most of the same products they sell in America are available, although they are at a substantially higher cost.  Because we don't have scheduled stops to stores, and because things are very expensive in Israel, it's best to bring everything you'll need for the trip.

• Shampoo/Conditioner

• Soap

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Lip balm

• Razor

• After-shave

• Band-Aids

• Tampons/pads

• Sunscreen

• Tylenol/ Ibuprofen

• Eyeglasses/ contact lenses

• Anti-bacterial hand lotion

• Any prescription medicine (acquiring the generic name is recommended)

Items to put in your Airplane Carry On

Backpack/Day Bag/Tote Bag, Large Purse) will be considered your Carry On for Lufthansa Airlines.  It's best to put your purse in your Carry On.

• Change of clothes

• Camera

• Magazine, books, etc.

• Journal

• Snacks

• Bible

• Medicines

• Water Bottle

Documents & items to carry with you on your person

There are several options for carrying your money and important documents with you on your trip.  You can use a money belt (waist style or necklace style) or pockets on your pants or shirt that can be buttoned and is very secure.

• Passport

• Copy of your Passport

• Driver's License

• Cash

• Credit/Debit Card
  

 If you have other suggestions please let us know and we’ll add it to the list.