For many Christians who dream of traveling to the Holy Land, a guided Bible tour of Israel presents the opportunity of a lifetime. Sharon Cheeseman, General Manager of Gil Travel, a leading provider of Israel tours since 1974, shares insight into what travelers should know in order to experience the best possible Christian Israel tours.
1. Bring your Bible. “It may seem obvious, but bringing a Bible is absolutely critical for any Christian Israel pilgrimage,” says Cheeseman. “It is truly an exceptional, indescribable experience for travelers when they see the Bible come to life before their eyes.”
Cheeseman emphasizes that having a Bible on the tour helps Christian travelers to embrace the significance of the gospels, from the annunciation of Christ to His crucifixion on the cross at Calvary. As tourists walk in the footsteps of Jesus, this enables them to follow along verse-by-verse to gain a renewed appreciation for His sacrifice and a deeper understanding of Israel’s culture, land and people.
2. Dress for Comfort. “The more comfortable you are during your trip to Israel, the more fulfilling and enjoyable your experience will be,” Cheeseman explains.
Israel’s rough terrain, rocks and sandy hills require that travelers wear comfortable, rubber soled shoes. Travelers should dress in plenty of layers as temperatures can fluctuate significantly in a single day. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are strongly recommended.
According to Cheeseman, dress is casual and modest, although many Holy sites require more formal attire. For men, hats are usually provided. Women should generally wear scarves to cover their heads and skirts that fall below the knee when visiting these Holy sites.
3. Choose a Comprehensive, Guaranteed Tour. Cheeseman emphasizes that tourists should choose a guaranteed tour in order to avoid having their trips cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute because of low participation.
Additionally, she recommends that Christian travelers take the time to research a tour’s itinerary to ensure a complete Israel tour experience. “Israel offers so many opportunities for the traveler to fully explore the land of the Bible,” she says. “It is important to choose a tour that includes a complete look at the Holy Land’s key Christian sites.”
Just a few of the sites on Cheeseman’s must-see list include:
Caesarea, the capital of Judea under the Romans. (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48)
Tabgha, where Jesus performed the Miracle of the Bread and Fish. (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21)
The Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5, 6, 7, 8)
Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. (Luke 1.39-80)
The Banias Spring and Waterfall, where Jesus was recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples. (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27)
Nazareth and Cana of Galilee. (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) (John 2.1-11)
Mount Zion, where travelers can see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper. (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 The Pentecost).
For more information about Christian Israel tours, please visit http://www.giltravel.com or call 1-800-223-3855.
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