HOLY LAND TOUR
Join Pastor Pedro Garcia and Pastor Greg Laurie on a tour of the Holy Land from May 10-21, 2010.
Below are some frequently asked questions about this tour. If you have any other questions please feel free to email us at missions@calvarykendall.com.
1. Do I need a visa to travel to Israel?
All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country. People with no nationality must hold a valid laissez passer, as well as a visa back to the country that issued it.
Citizens of the following countries will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port or entrance terminal to Israel:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany (Persons born after 1.1.28), Gibraltar,Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Asia & Oceania: Australia, Fiji Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea
Africa: Central African Republic, Losoto, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Swaziland
The Americas: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, St. Kitts, & Nevis, Surinam, Trinidad, & Tobago, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Uruguay, U.S.A.
2. Is it safe to travel to Israel?
Israel is an extremely safe country to visit and to tour. In 2008, three million tourists came to Israel, an all-time record, and all three million went home again safe and sound. We would not encourage tourists to come if we felt they would be in the slightest danger.
3. Are tourists allowed to enter areas outside of Israeli responsibility (Palestinian areas)?
Passage to the two major tourist cities of Bethlehem and Jericho in the Palestinian Authority is direct without prior clearance or required authorization.
4. Is it possible to travel to Jordan or Egypt from Israel?
Yes. You can travel between Israel, Jordan and Egypt. You should check with the relevant embassies if you need a visa to these countries.
5. Do I need to receive any special vaccination before my trip to Israel?
Israel is a modern, developed country with levels of health and hygiene equal to those of Western countries. Visitors entering Israel are not required to undergo vaccinations prior to their arrival.
6. Can you drink the tap water in Israel?
You can drink tap water. But, you will also find mineral water everywhere. It is important to make sure you drink a lot, especially when out walking and on hot days.
7. What is the electricity like in Israel?
The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most Israeli sockets are of the three-pronged variety but many can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers, which can be purchased in Israel.
8. What is the weather like in Israel?
Israel enjoys long, warm, dry summers (April-October) and generally mild winters (November-March) with somewhat drier, cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem and Safed. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country, with much less in the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas. Regional conditions vary considerably, with humid summers and mild winters on the coast; dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions; hot dry summers and pleasant winters in the JordanValley; and year-round semi-desert conditions in the Negev.
9. How do I get to Israel?
The first 20 people that sign up from Calvary Chapel Kendall will fly together from Miami via London to Tel Aviv on British Airways. Anyone after the first 20 will fly on Continental Airlines via New York.
10. What is the exchange rate of the Shekel?
Exchange rates of the Shekel to all foreign currencies as well as other information can be found here.
11. How much money would I need to live on in Israel, on a daily\weekly basis?
The Israeli economy is very similar to European standards, although food products are normally less expensive. The economic traveler may get by on 50$ a day (accommodations not included).
12. Are all the restaurants in Israel kosher?
Places offering kosher food usually display a kashrut certificate granted to them by the local rabbinate. Most hotels serve kosher food, as well as some restaurants. But there is no binding law. So if kashrut is important to you, you must check it out at each separate place where you dine.
13. Is everything closed on Shabbat in Israel?
All public offices in Israel are closed on Shabbat, as are most private businesses. In most cities, public transportation (trains and buses) does not operate, and most, but not all, restaurants are closed. Radio and TV broadcasts operate as usual.
14. I’m disabled, can I still visit Israel?
Considerable efforts and resources have been invested in Israel to enable disabled persons to access any destination and to receive service that is equal to that received by the rest of the public.