How to Travel to the Holy Land
The Holy Land is more accurately referred to as the area of Levant which is comprised of Israel, Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. It is most commonly called the Holy Land because in this region the three major faiths in the world coexist. Judaism, Christianity and Islam find their origins in this locale, and many ruins as well as artifacts point to the activities of the patriarchs, prophets, saints and martyrs that today most everyone knows from the holy writings. In light of current political upheaval, trips to the Holy Land are not without risk, and learning how to travel to the Holy Land is essential to ensure your enjoyment of--and safety during--the trip.
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Things You'll Need
- Internet access
- Passport valid up to six months past departure date
- Visa (for areas other than Israel)
Instructions
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Decide on the kind of Holy Land trip you would like to experience. There are specifically Christian, Jewish or Muslim tours of the Holy Land, and prior to embarking on this trip it is worthwhile to consider which faith interests you the most. There are also some tours that combine various sites of each faith and if you hold an only casual interest in Holy Land travel, or are just looking to get a better understanding of this region in general, these may be good trips to think about as well.
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Log on to the websites of various Holy Land tour operators (see Resources). Even though you could parcel together the tour yourself, having an experienced travel professional set up the transportation, the permits to enter otherwise restricted areas of interest, and also handle the legalities of travel to, within, and out of the Holy Land area is sure to cut down on time you would otherwise spend doing it yourself. Ask for discounts since many tour operations offer AARP or AAA discounts.
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Book a Christian Holy Land tour that that includes the city of Caesarea, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho, Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. A Jewish tour may omit the churches but in addition to the latter should also include Masada, Hebron, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Tzfat and Tiberias. A Muslim tour may omit the churches, Caesarea, and the Sea of Galilee but needs to include the Al-Aqsa mosque, Mecca and Medina.
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Purchase travel insurance if your tour company does not offer it. Even though it is not required, it is a good idea to have some form of coverage if you get injured on the trip.
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Fulfill the legal requirements for entry into the Holy Land. Americans usually need only a valid passport, but it is a good idea to discuss the need for a visa with the tour operator you have chosen. Learning how to travel to the Holy Land is a bit of a lesson in finesse; if your tour includes Syria or Lebanon, you should be sure to make it there prior to receiving an Israeli stamp in your passport.
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Sign up for a guided tour of the Holy Land sites you have narrowed down for your visit. Your tour company may already include this service; if they do not, in some cases they may be able to arrange for one or give you resources where you can set up a tour prior to arrival. A tour guide who speaks the language and has a significant amount of education in historic sites is vastly superior to a printed guide which may already be outdated. Remember that there are ongoing archeological research sites and new information becomes available on a daily basis. Most worthwhile tour guides will update their tours accordingly.
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Assemble your wardrobe with care. November through March are cold and rainy months while April to October are warm to downright hot. In addition, in deference to local customs it is advisable to dress business casual and modest, especially for women.
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Tips & Warnings
Discuss baggage limitations closer to travel time with your travel agent or tour company. Regulations change frequently and it is a good idea to stay up to speed on new guidelines.
Be cautious travelling to the West Bank or Gaza.
Resources
- Photo Credit Morguefile.com/Gil Silberman
