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Frequently Asked Questions
We are a travel company specializing in taking Christian groups to the Holy Land.
Pilgrimage is different from tourism. It is a journey to a sacred place in search of a transforming encounter. Pilgrims travel for restoration, renewal and growth—a lasting experience of God’s work in them through being in a place to which by faith, the pilgrim somehow belongs.
Two reasons. First, the label “Holy Land” reminds us that the lands of the Bible include many countries and is not properly defined only in terms of modern national boundaries. Second, some political boundaries in the Holy Land are contested and even controversial, and we wish to stay neutral when it comes to these political matters.
Every pilgrimage is a little different, and itineraries are always customized to a group’s needs. However, most Holy Land pilgrimages typically include major sites associated with Jesus’ life, such as Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem, the site of Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Cana, Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, and the Temple Mount. We also often see the important Old Testament sites of Jericho, Mount Carmel, and the Jezreel Valley, as well as some other key locations like Masada, Qumran, and the Dead Sea.
Yes, and on every pilgrimage we try to arrange some interaction with the “Living Stones,” the local Christian people who maintain the sacred sites and Christian worship in the Holy Land. These are always highlights of a pilgrimage, and they help us to remember—without them, the land would only be a museum of the past.
Context! The two dimensional backdrop of typical Bible reading and reference photos becomes an unforgettable three-dimensional, living set for the Bible’s story. We stand in the places themselves where biblical events occurred, and at the same time we get the smell, taste, and feel of the land and the culture. A pilgrimage also gives us an accurate, orienting sense of space and distance as we move from place to place and experience where things are and how near or far they are from one another.
A Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land is life changing, and all should experience it. The younger a pilgrim’s life is changed, the better, because pilgrimage is faith-forming and Bible study-informing, so its benefits will only multiply and grow. We’ve had pilgrims from ages 12 to 85. Many trips are great opportunities for families with older children to experience pilgrimage together. Regardless of age, everyone should be ready and able to walk on uneven terrain, pavement, stairs, and to get on and off of tour motor coaches.
We put the connection to our faith first and foremost when we custom plan a pilgrimage. Every trip is a journey to a sacred place, to an experience with God, and to a deeper connection with our faith. Each pilgrim has their own journey that we encourage and support. We prepare and orient you beforehand by teaching about the geography, historical importance, and biblical significance of the sites that we visit. In addition, while in the Holy Land we partner only with native, licensed Christian guides who make their home there and whom we or our operators know directly. There is no pot luck when it comes to the people we work with. They expertly build on what we learn during our pre-trip preparation and encourage us to explore the sights, sounds, and smells around the places we visit. Even more importantly, our guides share our beliefs, reverence, and deep spiritual connection to the sites. They understand why we travel on pilgrimage, which is much more than tourism.
When your group travels with us, you are not joining a herd of other groups. Your pilgrimage is your pilgrimage. We aim to provide a boutique experience without the typical boutique pricing. Airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, touring, gratuities, almost all meals, pre-trip orientation, and a cash discount are all standard in our package prices. Faith Connections Travel wants you to be able to focus fully on the spiritual dimension of your pilgrimage, and our service to you is organized around making that possible as comfortably and trouble free as we can.
We customize a pilgrimage to the needs of the group. Most trips are 9-12 days, including travel. With school groups, we like to have about 9 days start to finish so that it can fit within a school break if necessary. We can also offer extensions as desired for those who have more time for travel.
Our minimum to travel is 20 pilgrims, and we have traveled with as many as 110. We are a specialized, boutique business where only your group will be on the pilgrimage. We have traveled with a few as 10 during COVID. Most tour motor coaches hold up to 50 pilgrims. With school groups, we like to offer this opportunity also to alumni and parents. When pilgrims are under 18, we require at least 1 parent to travel with each young pilgrim.
General Travel FAQs
U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel as tourists who will be in the country for less than three months. You do need to hold a current passport that is valid for at least six months from the date you are departing the country.
Yes. If you are in the process of applying for or renewing a passport, you can still register. Once you are registered, you will get a reminder that you need to send your updated passport information when you receive it.
The weather in the Holy Land is a lot like North Texas—unpredictable and changing from year to year. We will travel in the north to the foot of the mountains, and it will be cold and could even rain or snow. We will also travel south near the Dead Sea, where it is likely to be very mild. The average high in Jerusalem in January is 53 degrees F. In Tiberias (Galilee) the average high is 61, and in Jericho, 66.
We suggest taking layers from long johns/cuddle duds to shorts and a bathing suit. Be prepared for the possibility of rain if traveling between October and April. Most important, take excellent walking shoes. We will walk a lot, so be kind to your feet and bring a good pair (and maybe and extra pair) and lots of socks. Remember, if it rains, your shoes and socks may get wet.
Casual dress/touring attire is very acceptable for dinner and evening events.
When a trip fills up, a wait list will be created. A registration form should be submitted in order to secure a spot on the wait list. As space becomes available, those on the wait list will be contacted in the order the registrations were received. When we announce the next trip, we will contact those who were on our last waiting list first, before public registration opens.
Our trips require daily walking, sometimes up or down slopes, steps, and uneven terrain. We recommend preparing oneself, by walking before the trip. Anyone needing assistance is required to be accompanied by a qualified and physically able travel companion. We are not responsible for any medical condition that occurs prior, during or after the trip.
Currently, no COVID tests, vaccinations, or masks are required to enter and tour in the Holy Land.
Registration FAQs
Yes, when registration for a group’s trip opens, you will be able to register online by following a link that will be sent out to that group.
Prices are based on a minimum of 20 travelers and on double occupancy. See our Pricing page for details on what is included.
Upon submitting a registration form, you will receive an invoice for the required deposit of $500.00 per person. Payment options and instructions, as well as instructions for submitting a copy of your passport photo page will also be sent to you at that time. Each trip will have a published final payment due date by which any remaining balances are to be settled. Travelers will receive invoices for balances due.
All payments associated with the trip itself—whether the initial deposit or subsequent installments—should be made to Faith Connections Travel. For some trips, travel protection plans (trip insurance) must be purchased directly from the carrier. When this is the case, clear instructions will be given at registration concerning how to make that payment.
When a trip fills up, a wait list will be created. A registration form should be submitted in order to secure a spot on the wait list. As space becomes available, those on the wait list will be contacted in the order the registrations were received. When we announce the next trip, we will contact those who were on our last waiting list first, before public registration opens.
Prices are based on two people per room. We do not guarantee roommates, but we will do our best to connect you with a someone willing to share, if needed. A single room can be reserved for an additional cost that is usually around $800 on a typical Holy Land trip.
Land-only services start and end at the hotels and do not include any airfare. You are welcome to transfer from the airport with the group if you arrive at the same time. Otherwise, transfers are not included. Please contact us when you register in order to work out the details.
We strongly encourage you to purchase a Travel Protection Plan for the protection of your travel investment. A plan is available that includes Cancel for any Reason and Trip Interruption protection. We are currently working with Trawick International. Travel protection is purchased directly from Trawick and must be purchased within 14 days of the date your initial deposit for the trip is received. You can find details and links here.
To best accommodate our pilgrims, we typically utilize group air reservations. These allow more predictable transfer and tour schedules. However, when booking group air, the airline controls seating assignments. You may communicate directly with the airline to request seating changes, provide mileage program information, or change passenger contact information once you receive ticket numbers—approximately three weeks prior to departure. If you require very specific airlines or schedules, we suggest that you book your own airfare and take advantage of our “Land-only” option.
About
Faith Connections travel specializes in
stepping out in faith with you to the Holy Land.
Learn and Grow – wherever you are
© 2024, Faith Connections Travel, LLC
Melissa, TX
Frequently Asked Questions | Faith Connections Travel
