Holy Land Pilgrimage

Anyone age 18-80 can participate. Young people below the age of 18 are welcome with one of both of their parents.

Payments

Payment 1: $1000 non-refundable deposit: Due ASAP

Payment 2: $1000 Due January 1-February 1, 2023

Payment 3: $2000/$2700 Due February 1- March 1, 2022

The cost of the Pilgrimage is $4000 double occupancy/ $4700 single suppliment.  Emergency cancellations will be handled on a case-by-case basis but will only be considered if the participant has experienced a severe issue, such as a health problem that prevents them from participating on the trip, or death of a close relative. No refunds for participants who change their minds or decide not to participate on the trip for any other reason. All payments are to be made by check or by credit card. Checks should be made out to FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY UNION and mailed in care of Br. Paul O’Keeffe at his address provided at the last page of this document. Participants may also pay by credit card by accessing the FMU website and clicking HOLY LAND from the menu selection. Follow the link below to pay by credit card here.

Br. Paul O’Keeffe must receive cancellation notices over the phone or in writing as soon as possible.  The non-refundable deposit you made at the beginning of the trip will be forfeited no matter what the cause for your cancellation. 

We recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself against emergencies that might prevent you from traveling. Some examples of unforeseen disruptions that could require you to cancel your trip are: you or a family member becomes sick or dies; bad weather or natural disasters that results in closed airports, roads, or hotels; terrorist attacks/civil unrest in-country, a health epidemic, or some personal health crisis that may arise on the trip.

Some companies may offer “Cancel for Any Reason” clauses at an additional cost that will allow you to cancel for any reason. When purchasing these products, we recommend you call the company to discuss any exclusion.

You are free to use any insurance company.  Make sure the company you work with offers cancellation and trip interruption coverage as a part of the package.  Speak with Br. Paul about purchasing insurance through Tomflies Travel agency.

From Israel’s official government tourism board: The Holy Land has no medical program covering U.S. or Canada citizens. Therefore, U.S. and Canadian tourists are STRONGLY advised to take out an insurance policy before traveling if they so desire.   

The information below addresses passport requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Citizens of other countries living in the U.S. should contact Br. Paul O’Keeffe for further information. You will need a passport with at least six months (6) validity after your date of arrival back in the US.

When you apply and receive your new or renewed passport, sign it on the designated page opposite your picture to validate it. Please send us a photocopy of this page after signing. Make sure you also have a photocopy for yourself to keep with you during the trip separately from where you keep your passport.  It is also a good idea to leave a photocopy with a family member or friend at home.

Keep any documents inserted into your passport or given to you by immigration officials upon arriving in I.  You will need to present them upon departure. Please provide one electronic copy of your passport to your chaperone and Br. Paul BEFORE DEPARTURE.

This information addresses entry requirements for U.S. citizens residing in the United States.  U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. should contact Br. Paul O’Keeffe for further information. If you are a citizen of a country other than the U.S., check with your country’s consulate for visa and entry requirements. Br. Paul O’Keeffe will assist you in reviewing information, but the responsibility for obtaining and paying for proper documentation is yours.

U.S. citizens may enter The Holy Land for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a Visa.

Your air travel is included in the cost of the program and will be arranged for out of the largest metropolitan area closest to your home/school.  We will use the most convenient connections, efficient routing, and lowest fares possible.  Some cities have limited service that may result in multiple connections or long layovers.  If you have special travel needs, please contact Br. Paul O’Keeffe.

It is essential that the name on your travel documents be identical to your name as it appears on your passport.  If there is a discrepancy, you could be delayed or required to purchase another ticket on your own.  Please check your ticket as soon as you receive it and contact Br. Paul directly if there is any discrepancy.  If changes need to be made to the itinerary due to illness, strikes, terrorism, weather, or other causes, these changes will be made to ensure the wellbeing of all participants.  Additional expenses, if any, will be the responsibility of the participant, although Br. Paul will make every effort to minimize such expenses.

Time Zone

Israel is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST)

• Packing Tips: Pack comfortable, modest clothing. Cotton slacks, neat blue jeans, t-shirts without logos and button-down shirts are appropriate – sweat suits, athletic gear, and tank tops or any other revealing clothing are not encouraged for this trip.

  All women going on the trip must cover their shoulders and cannot show cleavage or skirts above the knee as we will be traveling to a lot of churches. Bear shoulders, conspicuous cleavage, and short skirts are not allowed in most churches in Israel and participants may not gain entry to certain holy places if they do not obey this request.

  Bring a light sweater, lighter jacket or a fleece jacket as the temperature will be cool at night. Wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for walking. No high heels or dress shoes as most road surfaces are paved with in cobble stones making walking surfaces difficult to navigate in such footwear. Temperatures are generally between 60-70° during the day and between 4-50° in the evening.

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sweater, or a light jacket
• Rain jacket, poncho, or umbrella
• Conservative outfit for church visit
• Toiletries – items such as tampons, mouthwash, and disposable razors are relatively easy to obtain in Israel. However, you may find it more convenient to bring your own.
• A refillable water bottle.
• Power bars or other high protein snacks, especially for vegetarians.
• Small backpack for items you will need for everyday use.
• Reading material
• Medications – most common over-the-counter medications such as Dramamine, and Pepto-Bismol are not available in Israel.
• Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
• Travel clock, watch, or another timepiece.
• Ear plugs (if you are a light sleeper)
• Photography supplies – camera, extra batteries, and electricity converters to charge batteries, iPhones etc.
• Small flashlight & extra batteries (for dark streets, rural areas).
• Money belt or neck pouch to hold valuables.
• Moist towelettes and/or hand sanitizer.
• In Israel the power plugs and sockets are of type C and H. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.. (See Electrical Current under 7.)
• Passport and photocopy of the photo page (packed separately).

We will be using various airlines to get the best value for travel arrangements to Israel. We urge you to follow the standard luggage requirements of the airline with which we will be traveling.  Carry-on and other guidelines can be found on your airline’s website once we know which airline we will be using. The total weight of checked luggage should be no more than 50 pounds for and 12 pounds for your carryon.  Any weight overage will be paid for by the participant and not by the FMU.

We will be traveling by airconditioned coach and doing a lot of walking.  We would suggest that you pack only one large suitcase and one small carry-on, plus a purse, camera case or backpack.  Pack as lightly as you can.  In general, if you cannot comfortably walk five city blocks with all of your gear, you have packed too much. 

Galilee: The average maximum daytime temperature in Galilee in November is around 65°F.  The average nighttime temperature is usually around 40-45°. Jerusalem is a little warmer with daytime average temperatures of 70° and nighttime averaging around 50-55°.

Most participants find that US $500 is sufficient spending money for an 8-day pilgrimage.  Of course, how much you bring will depend on your personal spending habits.  Remember that most but not all meals and all program expenses are included in your trip cost with the exception of most lunches and a few dinners. Credit cards are widely used in the Holy Land but not in all restaurants.

The official currency in The Holy Land is the New Shekel.  As of August 15, 2020 $1.00 UD dollar is equivalent to ₪3.48 New Shekels. NOTE: Rates of exchange fluctuate constantly so check the rate before changing your money. Israelis will gladly take America dollars so there is little need to change money into Shekels, but you do need to keep track of the exchange rate should you use dollars instead of Shekels. 

ATM’s are available in most parts of Jerusalem but most charge exorbitant fees for exchange– ensure you inform your bank before traveling and be aware you may be charged for cash withdrawals. 

Credit and Debit Cards: Most establishments accept credit cards whose logos are posted in their front windows. The Holy Land only accepts credit or debit cards with chip technology.

Important: Check with your credit card company to see if they charge you an international transaction fee.  Visa and Master Card charge a processing fee on international transactions and most card-issuing banks add their own fee on top of that.

Participants and leaders will stay at the Mount of the Beatitudes Guest House while on the sea of Galilee. https://beatitudes.church/fullscreen/our-guesthouses-and-restaurant/

Meals will be taken at the guest houses and at local restaurants. In Jerusalem participants and leaders will be staying at the St. George Hotel just outside the Old City walls. https://www.stgeorgehoteljerusalem.com/  Meals will be taken at the hotel and at local restaurants.

In Israel the power plugs and sockets are of type C and H. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz., so most likely you’ll need a plug adapter and a power converter. Plug adapters are the interfaces between the American flat-pronged plug and Israel’s two (or three) round-prong socket. These allow you to plug your electrical device into the Israeli wall socket, but they do not convert the electricity to the American 110 volts. If your appliance is designed to run only on 110-120 volts, you are likely to see smoke if not fire if you do not use a power converter. You will need a step-down power converter or transformer to safely step the voltage down from 220 to 110.

You can get along with just a plug converter for many of today’s small electrical devices designed to run on dual voltages. Devices like this include most laptops and phones, most   recently produced, battery chargers, and many small, electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel. You can check the back of the device or the “power brick” for the electrical input specifications.

Review your vaccinations: Check with your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding recommended vaccinations for travel to Israel.  Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. You may call the CDC at 404/332-4559 or visit their Web site at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/israel

1. Bring enough medical/health supplies. If you take a prescription or medication, make sure you bring enough to last your entire trip, including a possible day or two of delay.
2. Wash hands: Wash your hands with soap whenever possible or use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
3. Food and water standards are similar to those in the United States. Most travelers do not need to take special food or water precautions beyond what they normally do at home.
4. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a sunny location.
5. Be prepared for a lot of walking. If a health condition makes strenuous walking a concern, please communicate your limitations with your group leader and the chaperones.
6. Sickness: If you get sick while traveling, please let Br. Paul know right away. This will help to identify problems with food and water, and help to get better or help arrange a visit to a medical clinic if necessary.

Outbreak alert: Cases of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) have been identified in multiple countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including in travelers to the region. Travelers should practice general hygiene measures, including regular handwashing before and after touching animals, and avoid contact with sick animals.

We will not hesitate to cancel or end a trip early should something occur that would make it appear to be unsafe to travel to a specific part of Israel.

If all participants follow these guidelines, it means less inconvenience for each individual and the entire group and less work for our staff. Please read these guidelines carefully and be familiar with them before your departure. 

Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime (particularly bag snatching and pickpocketing) in the big city centers, such as Jerusalem. Be aware that thieves can use a variety of methods to distract you. Be particularly vigilant in crowds and never leave your valuables unattended.

By law you must be able to show some form of identification at all times. In most cases a photocopy of the data page of your passport should suffice, but you may be asked to accompany the police to collect the original document, or to produce it within 12 hours.

You should be aware that in some Israeli towns and cities you may be fined for dropping litter and in some towns or cities it is an offense to sit on monument steps or to eat and drink in the immediate vicinity of main churches and public buildings.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or for other callers, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Website https://il.usembassy.gov/

Other security concerns

Bring a small lock for your bag. You should also bring a money belt that can be hidden under your clothes in which to keep your money and important documents. Please do not bring flashy jewelry. Any expensive jewelry or watches, or any that looks expensive, should be left at home.

Dos:

• Listen carefully to all safety information during your in-country orientation.
• Keep your passport with you at all times, especially while on tour.
• Stay close together as a group when you are out in public and always travel in groups of two or more.
• Be careful about what you say in public, as many people will understand English.
• Speak at a moderate volume; North Americans tend to speak in louder voices so be mindful of this fact.
• Be respectful of others—especially those you disagree with; don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions, but do it in a non-confrontational manner.
• Be respectful of other group members. Before asking multiple questions of resource people, look around to see if other people have questions and remember that people have varied learning styles and may need more time before asking questions. Remember that you are part of a group and not simply an independent traveler.
• Drink a lot of purified water to maintain good health and wash your hands frequently.

Don’t:

• Leave suitcases, bags, or purses unattended—even for a minute!
• Handle large amounts of money in public. Know how much you have and where it is.
• Wear anything expensive looking- watches, jewelry, sunglasses etc. Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime (particularly bag snatching and pickpocketing) in the big city centers, such as Jerusalem.
• Disclose the tentative schedule or names of resource persons and groups of which you may be aware. This information should not be given either to “friendly strangers,” to other resource persons on the program, or to anyone outside of your group. If you want to ask someone about information provided by another resource person/organization, find a way to do this without mentioning the other person/organization (e.g. “I read before I came that . . .”)
• Smoke in public. Much like most places in the United States smoking is prohibited outside of designated areas.

Your group will have an orientation session upon arrival in Galilee. You will receive additional information and have the opportunity to ask questions at that time. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the information above, call Br. Paul.

NOTE:  It’s likely you will hear the above guidelines again at various points during your trip.  We ask for and appreciate your patience with this fact in advance of your trip.

The use, possession, transport, or purchase of “controlled substances” (i.e., illegal drugs) by a trip participant carries significant risks and penalties for the participant, the entire group, and the reputation of your school and your trip leaders and chaperones.

A participant who uses illegal drugs while on this trip will be sent home at his or her own expense.  If the participant is detained or arrested, legal officials in the site of the arrest (U.S. or foreign country) likely will not permit travel leaders or chaperones to contact or assist the detained person in any way.  Franciscan Missionary Union and Br. Paul’s responsibility for you ends at the time of detention or arrest for drug violations.

United States law prohibits the transport of illegal drugs across its borders.  Also, U.S. law does not protect U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, or others traveling abroad who violate foreign drug laws.  The laws that prevail are those of the country in which the law was broken.

Please reference the U.S. State Department’s Travel Warning on Drugs Abroad for more information https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/drugs.html

The police and customs officials have the right to search your luggage for drugs. In many countries local laws make no distinction between hard and soft drugs. United States laws DO NOT apply to Americans abroad who violate foreign laws. Once you are overseas, you are subject to the same penalties for drug violations as the nationals of the country you are visiting.

As participants on this pilgrimage, we are committed to building long-lasting relationships with the communities in our host countries.  As part of that commitment, we have a policy of not giving gifts or money, no matter how small or inexpensive, to people on the streets.  In the Holy Land the majority of people living on the street are gypsies from Eastern Europe. The Roma population can be very aggressive in their begging and in their efforts to relieve you of your valuable items or money. Please do not interact with these people as unfortunately they do not have your best interest at heart.

Due to the relatively short duration of your pilgrimage, friends and family should not expect to have regular contact with you either through post, email, or phone calls.  If you’ need to make calls back to the United State you will need to use your cell phone, or try an online calling service from a computer or a phone with an international calling plan. For more information, see website:https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviews/2017/02/27/best-apps-making-free-international-calls/98213006/

Br. Paul’s contact information:

Paul O’Keeffe, OFM
St. Anthony Shrine
100 Arch Street
Boston, MA 02110
Cell: 240-393-0532