Brian & Candice Simmons | Passion & Fire Ministries

Israel FAQs

october 20-30, 2022

MORE INFORMATION BELOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the physical requirements for this trip?

This trip will include lots of walking, including up and down stairs. We do recommend that you be physically prepared and able to walk 2 miles and climb up to 50 stairs.

When are payments due?

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required at registration. The remaining payments are due according to the schedule on our Tour Details page.

What is not included in the trip cost?

While we have tried to make this trip close to all-inclusive, there are a few expenses not included in the tour cost, including:

    • most lunches
    • your personal spending money for shopping and incidentals
    • trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended)
    • Transportation or airfare to get to NYC for the group flight to Tel Aviv

How will airfare work if I live outside the U.S.?

If you live outside the U.S. then you will want to select the land only package. You will be responsible for purchasing your own airfare to Tel Aviv. It is important that you arrive at or before the team arriving from the U.S. You will need to meet the rest of the team at the airport in Israel. We will provide more details on meeting the team before departure.

Can children participate in the tour?

We leave the decision on including children up to parents. We ask that you carefully consider the suitability of this trip for your individual child. The days are long and full of touring historical sites. The tour is oriented towards adults and has nothing specifically for children. But if your child has an interest in history and their faith they may find the sites interesting. Not many children come on the tour so it is likely your children will be the only ones in the group. If your child is good with interacting and communicating with adults then they are more likely to be engaged. Once we leave the hotel in the morning as a group, it may be difficult for you to return early to the hotel if you find that your child is not enjoying or handling the day’s activities well. We generally recommend that children be at least 12 years of age, but it is up to you as the parent.

I am arriving before the team or departing after the team and need an extra hotel night. How do I do that?

Although we cannot book extra nights for you, you can visit this page for some hotel recommendations in Tel Aviv.

Should I purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance?

We highly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. The cost is reasonable and provides you with two primary benefits:

  1. It will cover you in the event that you must cancel your trip (make sure you review the allowable cancellation reasons).
  2. It will provide you with medical and accident coverage while traveling (many U.S. health plans do not cover you while traveling overseas. please check with your health plan)

The company we recommend is TravelSafe. They have a good record paying claims and their costs are reasonable.

You can use this link for a quote or to purchase: https://www.travelsafe.com/?welcome=KHMOH01&agent=mtubbs503

What is your refund / cancellation policy?

All payments are non-refundable. You can view our policy here: Cancellation Policy – 2022

How much money will I need to bring with me?

The trip is all inclusive except for your personal spending money and lunches daily. We recommend that you bring $500/person to cover these personal expenses. Many places do accept credit cards and that can be a good option at times. However, we do recommend that even if you plan to use your credit card that you bring some cash as there may be times when you cannot use a credit card. Plus, it is always good to have some cash just in case.

What currency is accepted in Israel and will we be able to exchange money?

The national currency of Israel is the shekel. Many places also accept US dollars. Sometimes you will get a better price if you use US dollars. Also, many places will accept credit cards. Generally, it is safe to use credit cards, but we will do our best to let you know when it is not safe to do so. Often, you receive the best exchange rates through your credit card company so it can be a good option and does save the need for bringing large amounts of cash.

There are places to exchange money in Israel. Debit cards work in Israel and this is often the best way to exchange as the ATM’s will dispense money in shekels.

Please make sure to let your bank or credit card company know that you will be in Israel so they can make sure your card will work.

What are the passport and visa requirements?

You must have a valid passport from your country to enter Israel. It is very important that your passport expire at least 6 months after the date of your departure from Israel.

Tourist visas are not required for U.S. Citizens. To check visa requirements for other countries, click here.

Are there any shots required?

There are no special shots required to visit Israel. It is always good to check with your doctor for any recommendations when traveling international.

Do we need adapters/converters for electrical devices?

Israel has 230V. Apple power adapters generally can handle both 230/120 so you only need an adapter for your apple devices. You will need both a converter and adapter to use any other electronics you bring.

 

What will the typical day look like?

  • The typical day will look something like the following, although the schedule is always subject to change.
  • Breakfast between 7 and 8:00am
  • Depart hotel around 8:00am
  • Devotional, prayer and worship on tour bus as we drive to sites
  • Touring throughout the day with teaching, prayer, worship and time for reflection
  • We usually stop for lunch somewhere local near the tour sites
  • Where appropriate we will provide time for shopping or rest.
  • Arrive back at hotel for dinner between 4 and 5 pm
  • Occasionally we will have team meetings or ministry time after dinner, otherwise your evenings are free.

Which hotels will we be staying at?

We will be staying at 4-5 star hotels in Tiberias, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The exact hotels have not been confirmed yet, we usually use the Leonardo Plaza hotels.

What about room assignments?

The cost of the trip is based on double occupancy. Husband/wives will obviously share a room. Those traveling as singles will be paired with another person traveling as a single for rooms. If you would like to be paired with someone specific, please let us know. Single occupancy is available for a surcharge of $1300.

What kind of clothes should I pack?

The weather is usually warm during the days and slightly cooler during the evenings. Dress is casual (shorts and t-shirts are fine). There may be a few sites that require men to wear pants and the ladies to cover their shoulders. Comfortable walking shoes are a must!

Is it safe to drink the water in Israel?

Drinking water in Israel is considered safe as the quality of their water is good. The presence of minerals in the water may effect the taste for some. Bottled water is available for purchase in Israel. And we will do our best to have bottled water available on the tour bus for you.

What about spiritual preparation for the trip?

The nation of Israel is close to God’s heart and our intercession there is vital. As we go to enjoy Israel, we also go to minister and impart His love and glory. During some of the evenings we will have meetings filled with worship, encouragement, impartation, and healing. It is going to be a time of great renewal for you. Begin preparing now and asking the Lord what He wants to do in you and through you while in Israel.

What are you waiting for?