Travel Information from ACTS Presentation

Betty Ann from ACTS (Alpha Christian TourS, our Holy Land Pilgrimage Tour Group) met last night with a large number of persons that are interested in taking the Holy Land tour. She gave a wonderful presentation. We now have final cost information, a definite itinerary, and lots of questions answered about the trip. She gave us a brochure with details that is now available at church. I will have a digital copy available to download from the Blog soon. For now let me try to review some of the information:

• The trip will be held February 10 – 19th, 2011 and follow the schedule listed earlier in the blog. The good news is that the final cost is less than advertised earlier. Instead of $2,500.00 it is $2,375.00. We are flying out of Raleigh Durham Airport, to New York, and then overseas to Tel-Aviv. This price includes:
o Round Trip Airfare
o Deluxe Motor-Coach Transportation for each days tour
o Daily Breakfast and Dinner (Lunch and Snacks are on our own)
o Guided Sightseeing and Entrance Fees
o First Class Hotels
o Study Aids and Maps for our Gatherings
o Continuous Tour Services of ACTS
The price does not include several fees that are required by other agencies:
o Trip Gratuities - $69.00
o Taxes, visa fees, Handling fees, Immigration and border fees - $479.00
o A non-refundable administrative fee - $75.00
So the total basic price of the trip is known to be $2,998.00. Of course there are other expenses related to souvenirs, tips, etc. But these are up to you. The total basic price should be paid by October, 130 days before the trip.

• A $350.00 deposit is required for each person to be registered. All travelers who register by May 1, 2010 will receive a $100.00 Early Registration Discount. (That knocks the total down to $2,898.00!)
• These rates are for those planning to share a room at the hotel. Single rooms are available but there is an additional cost, listed in the registration form.
• Travel insurance is recommended. An information package about insurance is available at church. I can send you a copy if requested.
• The first question that was asked dealt with safety. Betty Ann stated that she has been traveling to Israel almost every year since she was five. She said that there are some very remote areas that have the clashes we see between Israelis and Palestinians on TV but we will not come close to these places. Where tourist visit are very safe. Both sides recognize that tourism is the biggest business they have and they are “not going to kill the golden goose.” Israel is internationally recognized as the most secure state in the world and they do a very good job of protecting tourist, particularly Americans. She said that ACTS takes tours there almost year-round and constantly watches for danger. If there is any risk they will cancel with a full refund of our money, or postpone the trip till the danger is gone. They have only had to cancel one trip in 2000. She feels safer there than in Washington DC or New York.
• Another question asked was about health services. She suggested that we check to see if our current health policy covers overseas trips. If not we should consider the travel insurance. She also noted that Israel has a wonderful health system that takes care of issues at very reasonable prices, and the doctors make house calls! (or hotel calls in our case!)
• Every traveler will need a passport. If you don’t have one then ACTS will help you get one. If you do have one you need to make sure that its expiration date is several months after we are due to return. I’m not sure why this is, but you need to check!
• We don’t need to worry about exchanging our money. Everyone there accepts American dollars. She did suggest however that we take some small denominations for the vendors might return change in Shekels (Israeli money.)
• There were questions about weather. We are traveling in their winter season but Israel is more like Florida than Virginia, usually pretty warm during the day but cool at night. A bigger issue is the terrain. We will be visiting the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, which is very warm. In the same day we will travel to Jerusalem up on a mountain where it will be much cooler. So we plan to dress in layers. She also said that there are no places requiring that we dress up. Casual is the order of the day. The holy sites only require that shoulders and knees be covered for men and women. Winter in Israel is the wet season. However, this is a desert so little rain is expected. This past trip Betty Ann was in Israel from January through March 18th and there were only two rainy days.
• One specific recommendation for dress was given; take a swim suit. There will be an opportunity for baptism or “renewing our baptism” in the Jordan River. We will also be taking a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee and some may think they need to try “walking on water.”
• During our trip we will only be staying in three hotels so we won’t usually be “living out of our suitcase.” All of the hotels are very nice. Internet access is available but may be costly at the hotel. Internet Café’s are close by.
• Many tourists use their cell phones there. ATT and Verizon are both available. However, you are advised to call your phone company to determine what extra charges you will incur if you use yours.
• Each day’s tour will begin early. Typically we rise at 6:00, breakfast around 7:00, and begin the tour by 8:00 AM. Usually we will be back at the hotel by 3:00 to 4:00. Dinner is planned for 7:00 to 7:30 PM. We travel by tour bus and are let off as close to the place we visit as possible so there is minimum walking. Our ACTS guide will accompany us at all times and will notify us of expected distances to be walked. One can stay on the tour bus if the activities are determined to be too strenuous.

Doesn’t this all sound wonderful? At the end of the presentation Betty Ann showed a 15 minute video describing this tour with wonderful pictures of the places we will visit. I have a copy that we can share as desired. Russell also asked her specifically what impact these trips had on her life. She responded, “Wow, no one has ever asked me that question!” and then after a pause she said, “I can honestly tell you that though I go every year I always come away with a sense of new discovery and wonder. I always come back to the United States longing for my next trip. It really is what you hear from others who have gone, a life changing experience.”

You may have other questions. Please e-mail me if you do and I will find an answer. Everyone who attended the session should have received a registration form. There are copies at church if you could not attend or have misplaced one. Again, ACTS is going to send me a digital copy and I will post it on the Blog or send a copy in e-mail if you request one. Our goal is to have thirty pilgrims in our group. So far we have about 20 that have said they plan to go so there is room for you to contact a friend and say, “C’mon with us, we’re going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the Holy Land.” Then you can hand them a brochure or give them the URL for our Blog, http://sobopilgrim.blogspot.com/.

Finally, let me invite you to our first monthly gathering. To prepare for the journey we are planning to get together once a month for dinner, fellowship, study of the places we will be touring (one tour day each month), travel tips, and prayer. The first one will be held on Tuesday, April 20th at 5:30 PM at the home of Paul and Kay Nichols. More details to come but plan now to attend.

Rejoice Always!