General Travel Information

 

AIRLINES	ORGANIZE A GROUP TOUR
CANCELLATION FEES	PACKING TIPS
CREDIT CARDS	PASSPORTS AND VISAS
CRIME AND SAFETY	PAYMENT AND PRICING
GROUP TRAVEL	PRICING
INSURANCE	TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
MONEY

 

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AIRLINES

 

CARRIERS:

In general, US airlines and El Al have better connections to Tel Aviv with layovers in the continental US. Consequently the price is sometimes higher.

It is best to use the same airline from your originating airport to your destination and back. If you are flying out of your city on a carrier different from your international carrier, it is possible that you could have a misconnection due to weather or other issues. If you miss that connection, you may be responsible for taking care of yourself until the next flight which may mean the next day. On the next day there may be no seats to accommodate you.

 

FUEL SURCHARGES AND AIRLINE TAXES:

When you buy a ticket from an airline, there are hidden fees which you pay. Because most of our flights are booked months in advance and because taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change at the whims of governments, we strip these charges from our basic price and add them back to the last invoice.

 

SEAT ASSIGNMENTS:

With group bookings, seats are assigned only by the airlines. Changing their assignments before arriving at the origination airport is usually not possible. You can adjust the seating assignments within the group at the ticket counter.

 

UPGRADING

It is not possible to upgrade on a group ticket.

 

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CANCELLATION FEES

 

1. From deposit to 90 days prior to the trip-$100
2. From 90 days prior to the trip to time of trip-$300, PLUS any amount unrecoverable from suppliers we have already paid.

 

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CREDIT CARDS

 

There is a different price for using a credit card.

 

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CRIME AND SAFETY

 

Before traveling please consult the following website for tips regarding safety:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

 

CRIME IN GENERAL

Crime is not an issue in most of our tours, though care should always be taken regarding pickpockets or purse snatchers at popular tourist areas in all countries. For safety in general, you should exercise extreme caution and avoid crowded areas and demonstrations to the extent possible.

 

ISRAEL

The crime rate is moderate in Israel. There are sometimes reports of harassment of tourists by vendors in many tourist areas of Jerusalem, including, in particular, the Mount of Olives.

 

JORDAN

Crime in Jordan is generally not a serious problem for travelers, but petty crime is prevalent in the downtown Amman Hashimiyah Square area and near the Roman Theater. In the narrow streets of the Old City, crowded conditions invite pickpockets and other petty criminals. It is safer to travel in groups when visiting the center of Amman. Purse-snatchings in central and western Amman are a problem. In several cases, thieves in moving vehicles have been known to snatch pedestrians’ purses and drive off. When carrying a purse, it would be wise to conceal it if possible, to avoid walking near the road within reach of passing vehicles, and to walk against the flow of traffic.

 

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INSURANCE

 

1. See our web page under Company Information / Travel Insurance.
2. We highly recommend the purchase of adequate insurance.

 

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PRICING

 

INFLUENCE OF QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS

We are more interested in quality tours than cheap tours although we can do both. Sometimes you will find tours from other companies that are lower priced than ours, but we encourage you to compare all of the inclusions and exclusions and levels of service of any lower price you may see.

 

PRICE MATCHING

We will match, or perhaps beat, the price of any other tour company item for item and in the process give you our superior service as well. To help you get an equivalent or better price quoted to you by any another company, we will need the following information from any other quote:

• Dates
• Departure city
• Airline name
• Hotel names
• What’s included and what’s not

Note: If you are traveling with a group, the pastor or leader may have made upgraded choices for your enjoyment or comfort.

 

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MONEY

 

ATMs

Withdraw cash at ATMs to save money. Take advantage of favorable exchange rates offered by ATMs. Cash is dispensed in local currency, and debited from your account in US Dollars - this eliminates additional conversion fees and commissions assessed by currency exchange bureaus. Your PIN should be 4 digits. If your PIN is longer, contact your issuing financial institution and ask for a new PIN number. If you have an alphabetic PIN, translate the letters to numbers before leaving the US. Test your PIN before you travel.

Financial institutions may have restrictions on daily withdrawals even when you are in another country. Check with your financial institution.

 

CASH

It is advisable to take some US one dollar bills with you for incidental tipping money or special needs where credit cards may not be accepted.

 

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ORGANIZE A GROUP TOUR

 

GETTING STARTED

1. Check with your hierarchy. God, wife, elders, etc.
2. When you have clearance, give us an ok to get started.
3. Send us a printable picture of you and your wife for the brochure.
4. Send us a very short paragraph that we can use on the brochure inviting your people to join you on a trip of a lifetime.
5. Float a rumor that you are going to lead a group to your chosen destination; i.e., the Holyland, Greece, England, etc.
6. We will mail/fax you a letter of commitment and understanding which will spell out details of the itinerary, estimated price, what is covered in the trip, deposit dates, and our respective responsibilities. Airline prices fluctuate occasionally, so the estimated price is subject review 11 months from your scheduled return when the airlines are capable of locking in their price.
7. Sign the COMMITMENT LETTER and mail/fax it back.
8. Brochures will be sent/brought/faxed to you for proofing before printing.
9. Brochures will be printed and we will bring/send them to you along with sign up forms, etc.
10. Begin to promote the tour in earnest via bulletin, newsletter, website, email, word of mouth or whatever means is appropriate.
11. Schedule an “interest meeting” if possible for everyone who may be interested in going with you. A Sunday after church or a Sunday evening is always good. If possible, we will attend the meeting to answer questions and to present the short video and a Powerpoint presentation of the itinerary.

 

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PASSPORTS AND VISAS

 

Passports must be valid for six months beyond the return date of you trip. If not, the airlines will not let you fly. If you do not have a valid passport whose expiration date ends more than six (6)months after the date of your tour, you must apply for one immediately. Passports may be obtained at many post offices. Visas are required in Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. To facilitate speedy entry, we often get visas for groups in advance, but they can also be obtained on arrival in the airports or at the port or border of of those countries.

 

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TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

 

Children being children, it is not advisable to bring young children on group tours. As precious as they are, they are sometimes worrisome to other travelers and it is doubtful whether the children will absorb the full meaning of the experience. The cost of bringing a child is the same as for an adult.

 

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GROUP TRAVEL ADVICE

 

Tranquility, harmonious relations and a successful journey can be ensured if each tour member, personally, adjusts their mode of behavior to following some simple ground rules.

Make a commitment to the concept, “If you’re on time -- you’re late!”

1. Report to the bus 30 minutes before any scheduled departure, when moving from one city to another and luggage transfer is required.
2. Report to the bus 15 minutes before any scheduled departure if the destination does not require luggage transfer.
3. Exercise discretion if engaging in unscheduled, independent activities. It is suggested that you join with four or more others in such excursions. Stand by and assist if a fellow member of your group encounters a problem.
4. Be aware that holding a bus beyond its scheduled departure time may be ordered only when the tour leader, in his/her discretion, determines that there is an emergency.
5. SPECIAL NOTE
Because of the serious threat to members who suffer allergic reactions to cosmetic scents, we ask that you please do not use perfumes or strongly scented cosmetics on the bus.

 

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PACKING TIPS

 

Plan for variations in weather from warm to cold to rain. Bring layers. Think washable, wrinkle-free, cool and compact.

Comfortable shoes are a MUST! (lots of uneven walkways)

Take toiletries in small containers—just the amount needed. Take disposable items that can be tossed when you are finished.

Plan for medication, health and hygiene needs. You may not be able to run out and buy what you need.

Ship purchases home whenever possible. Carry as few as possible.

Make a list of luggage contents and approximate value in case you have to fill out a baggage claim form.

Practice Pack! Lay out everything and start packing by priority. (Write it down; then pare it down!)

Take 50 $1 bills. These can get you through many situations.

Carry a bag to see you through all emergencies (Kleenex, towelettes, passport, cash, ID, credit card/traveler’s checks, your hotel list, local maps, something edible. Buy water after security.

CLOTHING: casual clothing, walking shoes, underwear, nighties, sweater/light jacket, rain poncho, minimum jewelry.

MAKE-UP ITEMS and TOILETRIES: Keep a meticulous list over a week’s period of the “stuff” you cannot live without.

HEALTH ITEMS – vitamins, aspirin, medications, extra pair of glasses and a copy of your Rx, contact lens stuff, laxative, diarrhea needs, decongestant.

PASSPORT / CREDIT CARD/ATM CARD/TRAVELER’S CHECKS!!* (Most items forgotten from above can be replaced with these!

MISC.: Bible. Consider also the following: small sewing kit, plastic folding cup, wash cloth, mirror, shower cap, small scissors, travel alarm, curling iron, hair dryer (alt. Current), travel iron, camera, film, umbrella, voltage adaptor, outlet adaptor, watch, other books and small binoculars.

 

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ADDITIONAL ADVICE

 

Be aware and be careful. Always carry small coins in local currency. Fruit and cheese from a local vendor might be fine for lunch.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

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