This is inevitably one of the first questions we get asked. If there wasn’t a high degree of safety, we would not be leading trips to Israel. We would not want to shoulder that kind of weight. Although it is impossible to promise 100% safety, travel in Israel/Palestine is considered very safe. We always travel with an Israeli guide who is always aware of what’s going on in the country. If there is even a hint of potential danger, he will be informed and we will simply avoid the area. We do not take chances! Overall, the likelihood of any kind of danger is very, very slim. In fact, everyone who returns from these trips remarks, “I never once felt unsafe.” In addition, we spent two years living in Israel and know the country well. We won’t go anywhere we wouldn’t take our kids! And as we often tell parents, we leave our kids home while taking your kids on this trip because we are as certain as we can be that we will be coming home to them safely!

As you get ready for our trip, please understand there is no level ground in Israel, and you should prepare for 5 to 8 miles of strenuous hiking/climbing/walking each day of the trip. Physical training (long before our departure) is a must for this trip. We can’t emphasize this enough. On every trip, we’ve had some admit they didn’t train as much as they should have, and they deeply regretted it. The first thing that goes when you become physically tired is your mind. The more physically prepared you are, the better your mind will be. The trip will be more meaningful, educational and fun if you prepare in advance for the activity level you will experience. We highly recommend physical training that includes cardio and strength training. Stair climbing (actual stairs or machine), lunges, bike riding, running, and long walks are all very good. Additionally, doing some hiking and climbing of stairs with a daypack (including your Bible, notes, water bottles, etc.) is good practice for the body to recognize the additional weight it needs to carry on the trip. To give you some litmus tests to see if you’re able to do this trip, you should be able to: (1) walk/run 1 mile within 13 minutes, (2) walk/run 3 miles within 46 minutes, (3)ascend 20 flights of stairs (240 steps) without stopping, (4) descend 20 flights of stairs (240 steps)without significant joint pain. You should consult your physician concerning these requirements and any medications or conditions which may have an impact on your ability to participate fully. Traveling to Israel/Palestine requires no immunizations though you’ll want to be sure your tetanus shot is current.

We will be on our feet all the time, so shoes are really important.  Good quality hiking boots or trail shoes that fit well are required. Which shoes are best for you really depends on your preference and what fits your feet best.  We recommend shopping for your boots/shoes at The Outpost in downtown Holland.  They are experts at fitting people for this trip!  Be sure to buy your boots or shoes at least two months before the trip so you can break them well before we leave. Good hiking/wicking socks are very important too – Smartwool and Darn Tough are our favorites.  No cotton socks please – you’ll be sorry!  We would also suggest bringing a good pair of sandals (not flip flops) which will be useful for many things – evening hours, Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem, Dead Sea, etc. If you don’t have hiking sandals (Chacos or similar), water shoes or an old pair of tennis shoes are an option.

A normal day begins with a wake up call at 6:00 a.m., breakfast at 6:30, devotions at 7:00, and by 7:10 we are on our way to our first site! In order to accomplish what God sets out for us to experience, the majority of our days involve moderate to strenuous hiking. We travel to our various sites by bus where our hikes will begin. It is during these hikes and at these sites where God’s word is studied in its historical, cultural, geographical, and Jewish contexts. Lunch tends to fall between 12:30-1:30pm, and will be served on location. At the end of the day, we will arrive at our hotel for a wonderful dinner and welcomed sleep. We stay at hotels with amazing breakfast and dinner buffets and great rooms. At the end of a long day, we want you to have a great meal, a soothing shower, and a much needed night’s rest so you can start over the next morning and do it all again!