Who is this Pilgrimage for?
You are invited to join us. This pilgrimage is for all who want to see the Holy Land as a member of a Christian Pilgrimage Tour. To enjoy this spiritual adventure, you will need to be amenable to group travel. While most of us who will be travelling would describe ourselves as “committed Christians,” this is not a requirement. Of course you should be comfortable in such a group travel setting.
We will be visiting Old and New Testament sites in the Holy Land in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Most sites we will visit are of primary interest to Christians although we will also visit some locations of a more Jewish or Muslim nature - such as the Western Wall, Masada (site of the Jewish last stand during the Roman Legions in AD 70). We also visit places of general or historic interest such: The Dead Sea and Yad Vashem (Museum of the Holocost). Wherever we go, our Local Tour Guides and the Canon Hodge will give interpretation of the places we visit from a Christian perspective.
This will be an eclectic group of pilgrims from several parts of Canada – from Alberta to New Brunswick. Most (though not all) are Anglicans – with the largest group from Trinity Church, Sarnia where Canon Hodge is the Senior Pastor. Others are friends of friends of on the pilgrimage or have heard about us from some of our rather limited publicity. Some of are friends already – others have never met. By the time we return to Canada we expect that new friendships will have been formed.
You are invited to join us. This pilgrimage is for all who want to see the Holy Land as a member of a Christian Pilgrimage Tour. To enjoy this spiritual adventure, you will need to be amenable to group travel. While most of us who will be travelling would describe ourselves as “committed Christians,” this is not a requirement. Of course you should be comfortable in such a group travel setting.
We will be visiting Old and New Testament sites in the Holy Land in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Most sites we will visit are of primary interest to Christians although we will also visit some locations of a more Jewish or Muslim nature - such as the Western Wall, Masada (site of the Jewish last stand during the Roman Legions in AD 70). We also visit places of general or historic interest such: The Dead Sea and Yad Vashem (Museum of the Holocost). Wherever we go, our Local Tour Guides and the Canon Hodge will give interpretation of the places we visit from a Christian perspective.
This will be an eclectic group of pilgrims from several parts of Canada – from Alberta to New Brunswick. Most (though not all) are Anglicans – with the largest group from Trinity Church, Sarnia where Canon Hodge is the Senior Pastor. Others are friends of friends of on the pilgrimage or have heard about us from some of our rather limited publicity. Some of are friends already – others have never met. By the time we return to Canada we expect that new friendships will have been formed.
What to Pack:
It will be summer weather during May in Israel – it almost never rains at that time of year. We can expect hot days and cooler evenings. Plan to dress in layers – remembering that modest dress is expected at Holy Sites. (Sleeveless tops, tank tops, shorts are really frowned on at Churches, Mosques and Synagogues.) While shorts are fine in some settings, long pants are expected in Churches – for both men and women. A small day-pack is indispensable for our day tours. Summer evenings in many areas are cool enough to need a sweater. Don’t forget good walking shoes, sun hat, sun-screen, sunglasses.
It will be summer weather during May in Israel – it almost never rains at that time of year. We can expect hot days and cooler evenings. Plan to dress in layers – remembering that modest dress is expected at Holy Sites. (Sleeveless tops, tank tops, shorts are really frowned on at Churches, Mosques and Synagogues.) While shorts are fine in some settings, long pants are expected in Churches – for both men and women. A small day-pack is indispensable for our day tours. Summer evenings in many areas are cool enough to need a sweater. Don’t forget good walking shoes, sun hat, sun-screen, sunglasses.
Climate
The Holy Land enjoys long, warm, dry summers (April-October) and generally mild winters (November- March), with somewhat drier, cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem and Safed. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country with much less in the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas. Regional conditions vary considerably, with humid summers and mild winters on the coast, dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions, hot dry summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley, and year-round semi-desert conditions in the Negev.
April-May Pilgrimages:
April: 10° – 21° C. (Similar to May or September in SW Ontario)
May: 13° – 25° C. (Similar to June or August in SW Ontario)
October-November Pilgrimages:
In many ways fall climate is similar to spring. Bring a light jacket -- it can rain in November (on average about 7 days a month.)
Jerusalem Daily Average High and Lows:
October: 14° – 24° C. (Similar to June or August in SW Ontario)
November 10° – 19° C. (Similar to May or September in SW Ontario)
For the latest weather update:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/worldweather/
http://www.holiday-weather.com/jerusalem/averages/
The Holy Land enjoys long, warm, dry summers (April-October) and generally mild winters (November- March), with somewhat drier, cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem and Safed. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country with much less in the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas. Regional conditions vary considerably, with humid summers and mild winters on the coast, dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions, hot dry summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley, and year-round semi-desert conditions in the Negev.
April-May Pilgrimages:
April: 10° – 21° C. (Similar to May or September in SW Ontario)
May: 13° – 25° C. (Similar to June or August in SW Ontario)
October-November Pilgrimages:
In many ways fall climate is similar to spring. Bring a light jacket -- it can rain in November (on average about 7 days a month.)
Jerusalem Daily Average High and Lows:
October: 14° – 24° C. (Similar to June or August in SW Ontario)
November 10° – 19° C. (Similar to May or September in SW Ontario)
For the latest weather update:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/worldweather/
http://www.holiday-weather.com/jerusalem/averages/
Electricity
The electric current in this region is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most local sockets are of the three-pronged variety but most can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers which can be easily purchased. Hotels often supply adapters but if you have your own, bring it. (3 Pin type “H” is standard – but most accept the usual 2 pin European plug, type “C”)
The electric current in this region is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most local sockets are of the three-pronged variety but most can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers which can be easily purchased. Hotels often supply adapters but if you have your own, bring it. (3 Pin type “H” is standard – but most accept the usual 2 pin European plug, type “C”)
Health No special vaccinations are necessary before a trip to Israel. Israel has an advanced level of hygiene, health care, diagnosis and medicine that is the envy of much of the world and on a par with the best of North America and Western Europe. Tap water in Israel is safe and delicious. But, you will also find bottled mineral water everywhere. (It’s important to make sure you drink a lot, especially if you are walking, hiking or exercising during hot weather.) Canon Hodge's wife, Carole, who will be travelling with us.is a Registered Nurse
A Word about Safety
News media coverage about the Middle East often portrays Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank as dangerous to visit. It is important to remember that their programming aims to grow their ratings thereby attracting advertising dollars – and so they tend to focus on horrible tragedies that are “big” news. Once a crisis passes, the news usually says not a word. Those who’ve never traveled there might actually think the region is under constant battle, and that it is dangerous for tourists. But actually, the Holy Land is one of the safest regions for tourists to travel. Any traveler must be careful and keep an awareness of his surroundings – but that is true in any place.
Tourism to Israel and the Palestinian Territories (excluding Gaza) has been setting records over the last several years – reaching an all time high of 3.55 million tourists in 2013. New Hotels are being built in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to accommodate this growth. For the first half of 2014 there were double digit increases in tourist visits – though following the July disturbances in Gaza there was a drop off. Even so, at any given time there are about 100,000 tourists in Israel – and even during the troubles, pilgrims continue, albeit with adjustments to itineraries as needed to avoid areas where conditions are not suitable.
We are monitoring the situation in the Holy Land and will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our band of pilgrims. We do not expect our travel plans to be affected in any significant way by safety concerns. Just the same, you need to be aware that with Holy Land travel, occasionally an itinerary needs to be changed at the last minute due to local conditions. As there are so many alternative locations to visit, alternative sites are easily substituted.
News media coverage about the Middle East often portrays Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank as dangerous to visit. It is important to remember that their programming aims to grow their ratings thereby attracting advertising dollars – and so they tend to focus on horrible tragedies that are “big” news. Once a crisis passes, the news usually says not a word. Those who’ve never traveled there might actually think the region is under constant battle, and that it is dangerous for tourists. But actually, the Holy Land is one of the safest regions for tourists to travel. Any traveler must be careful and keep an awareness of his surroundings – but that is true in any place.
Tourism to Israel and the Palestinian Territories (excluding Gaza) has been setting records over the last several years – reaching an all time high of 3.55 million tourists in 2013. New Hotels are being built in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to accommodate this growth. For the first half of 2014 there were double digit increases in tourist visits – though following the July disturbances in Gaza there was a drop off. Even so, at any given time there are about 100,000 tourists in Israel – and even during the troubles, pilgrims continue, albeit with adjustments to itineraries as needed to avoid areas where conditions are not suitable.
We are monitoring the situation in the Holy Land and will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our band of pilgrims. We do not expect our travel plans to be affected in any significant way by safety concerns. Just the same, you need to be aware that with Holy Land travel, occasionally an itinerary needs to be changed at the last minute due to local conditions. As there are so many alternative locations to visit, alternative sites are easily substituted.
Currency
The currency of Israel is the New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) – (1 NIS = $0.29 Canadian.) It is also the currency used in Palestine. Each sheqel is divided into 100 agorot (singular agora). Bank notes circulate in denominations of NIS 200, 100, 50 and 20 sheqels and coins in denominations of 5 sheqels, 10 sheqels, 1 sheqel and 50 and 10 agorot. One may bring an unlimited amount of local and foreign currency into the country in cash and travellers checks. In Israel and Palestine most places accept the US dollar, VISA and MasterCard. We recommend that you exchange some of your currency to New Israeli shekels – but don’t do that at a bank in Israel – the commission charged is astronomical! The solution is to go to "Change" shops scattered around most city centers. They take no commission and match the bank rates. . To know the exchange rate of the New Israeli Shekel please click on the following link http://www.xe.com/ucc/
The currency of Israel is the New Israeli Sheqel (NIS) – (1 NIS = $0.29 Canadian.) It is also the currency used in Palestine. Each sheqel is divided into 100 agorot (singular agora). Bank notes circulate in denominations of NIS 200, 100, 50 and 20 sheqels and coins in denominations of 5 sheqels, 10 sheqels, 1 sheqel and 50 and 10 agorot. One may bring an unlimited amount of local and foreign currency into the country in cash and travellers checks. In Israel and Palestine most places accept the US dollar, VISA and MasterCard. We recommend that you exchange some of your currency to New Israeli shekels – but don’t do that at a bank in Israel – the commission charged is astronomical! The solution is to go to "Change" shops scattered around most city centers. They take no commission and match the bank rates. . To know the exchange rate of the New Israeli Shekel please click on the following link http://www.xe.com/ucc/
You are in Safe Hands
The Holy Land is a safe place for pilgrims — there were more tourists in Israel last year than at any time in history. Over 3 million pilgrims made the Journey to Jerusalem last year alone!
In terms of safety — Israel and Palestine are as safe as any major European or North American city. There is very little crime. Wherever you travel you need to use your head about keeping your wallet/passport safe. I have been to the Holy Land a number of times and have never felt in any danger at all. Indeed I have had moments in Toronto, Vancouver and New York that caused me stress – but never in Jerusalem.
My visits have been truly life transforming. The first visit transformed my understanding of Scripture — so that the places came alive for me as I could picture the setting. My second visit reinforced my first impressions — but also helped me to fall in love with the people of the land (the Living Stones) — and to gain a deeper appreciation for the struggle of the indigenous church in the Holy Land.
There is stress between Palestinians and Israelis over settlements in the West Bank. Our tour operator, Albina Tours, stay aware of the local situations around the Holy Land. If protests are expected or any other concern arises, we adjust our itinerary as prudence and local
In terms of safety — Israel and Palestine are as safe as any major European or North American city. There is very little crime. Wherever you travel you need to use your head about keeping your wallet/passport safe. I have been to the Holy Land a number of times and have never felt in any danger at all. Indeed I have had moments in Toronto, Vancouver and New York that caused me stress – but never in Jerusalem.
My visits have been truly life transforming. The first visit transformed my understanding of Scripture — so that the places came alive for me as I could picture the setting. My second visit reinforced my first impressions — but also helped me to fall in love with the people of the land (the Living Stones) — and to gain a deeper appreciation for the struggle of the indigenous church in the Holy Land.
There is stress between Palestinians and Israelis over settlements in the West Bank. Our tour operator, Albina Tours, stay aware of the local situations around the Holy Land. If protests are expected or any other concern arises, we adjust our itinerary as prudence and local
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