COUNTDOWN TO TOUR
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
Acoustic Music While Sailing on the Sea of Galilee
Communion with the Band Outside the Empty Tomb
Be Baptized/Re-Baptized in the Jordan River
EARLY BIRD PRICING
Until August 31, 2023
FULL PACKAGE
This includes everything listed in the inclusions below such as your flight from Miami, 6 nights of accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, entrance fees to all sites we visit, etc.
LAND ONLY PACKAGE
Arrange and cover the cost of your own flight to coordinate with the group’s arrival in Tel Aviv. This package includes everything listed in the full package…just no flight.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
This additional cost is if you are a single traveller and would like a room all to yourself. If you are a single traveller and don’t mind sharing a room, we will match you with another single traveller.
- Non-stop El Al round-trip airfare (includes airport taxes and fuel surcharges) from Miami International Airport in Miami, FL (MIA) to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV)
- Hotel Accommodations (double occupancy) for the duration of your stay in Israel
- Daily buffet breakfast and dinner at hotels
- Modern air-conditioned tour bus (with WiFi when available)
- Licensed English speaking tour guide
- All entrance fees to places of interest
- Travel to and from departure city
- Daily lunches ($15 to $25 USD per day)
- Tip fee for driver, tour guide and porters ($150* USD) (to be paid at the orientation meeting on the first night in Israel)
- Personal insurance (optional)
- If you would like a single room instead of sharing a double room, it is at an additional cost ($550)
* Subject to change due to any currency fluctuations with the U.S. dollar.
TOUR ITINERARY
February 11 to 19, 2024
DAY 1: Sunday, February 11
Depart Miami (MIA) at 12 noon on our flight to Tel Aviv (TLV).
DAY 2: Monday, February 12
We will arrive in Tel Aviv at 6:45am where we will be met by our guide. We will travel north to Caesarea and explore the ancient port city built by Herod the Great. Continue to Mount Carmel where the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal occurred. Enjoy the panoramic lookout of the Valley of Armageddon.
Dinner and overnight at the Leonardo Club Hotel in Tiberias
DAY 3: Tuesday, February 13
Start the day with a drive to Mount Arbel for a spectacular vista of the entire Sea of Galilee. Drive towards Nazareth, where Jesus was raised, to a place called Kfar Kedem. The village recreates and demonstrates what life in Israel was like during Old Testament times. End the day by travelling to the Yardenit baptismal site where you will have the opportunity to be baptized or rededicated in the Jordan River ($15 USD per person for towel and certificate).
Dinner and overnight at the Leonardo Club Hotel in Tiberias
DAY 4: Wednesday, February 14
Enjoy a boat ride on the beautiful Sea of Galilee and see the area where Jesus spent most of His ministry. Continue to Capernaum and then the Mount of Beatitudes. Visit Tabgha and Peter’s Primacy where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes and where He appeared to Peter after the Resurrection.
Dinner and overnight at the Leonardo Club Hotel in Tiberias
DAY 5: Thursday, February 15
We start heading south through the Jordan Valley. We will stop and explore the incredible archaeological ruins of the ancient city of Beit Shean. Pass by Jericho and the place where Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River. End our day by arriving in Jerusalem and driving the Mount of Olives for a spectacular view of the Old City. The vista includes a view of the southern steps of the Temple, the Temple Mount, the Eastern Gate, a 2000-year-old cemetery and the Kidron Valley.
Dinner and overnight at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem
DAY 6: Friday, February 16
Travel to Masada—an amazing fortress built by King Herod. Travel to the Dead Sea for an opportunity to float at the lowest point on our planet.
Dinner and overnight at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem
DAY 7: Saturday, February 17
Tour the ancient City of David and explore the Southern Steps of the Temple Complex. Visit the Western Wall where you’ll have time to reflect and pray and then go underground, walking parallel to the ancient city wall through the Western Wall Tunnels.
Dinner and overnight at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem
DAY 8: Sunday, February 18
We’ll also visit the Pools of Bethesda. Walk past the Eastern Gate then down to the Kidron Valley. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane for a time of personal prayer and reflection. Conclude the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb where we celebrate communion together. Late evening departure to the airport in Tel Aviv.
Farewell Dinner and Departure
DAY 9: Monday, February 19
Depart Tel Aviv at 1am and arrive in Miami at 7:50am EST
While the days are scheduled with all the tour events, the evenings are your free time.
The itinerary is subject to change and may vary in the order you visit.
MEET YOUR TOUR LEADER
You will be personally guided on this tour by Stryper’s long-time friend and pastor, Joe Amaral, who has lead tours and been to the Holy Land a gazillion times (but really…almost 50 times).
Michael, Robert, Oz, and Perry are excited to travel with the group as well while we all explore the Holy Land.
Q & EH?
Q. When will I receive my ticket and information package?
A. You will receive your ticket and info pack by email from International Heritage Tours 30 to 60 days before your trip.
Q. Can I sign up for the tour if I don’t have my passport yet?
A. You can sign up for the tour with a deposit to hold your place and then send a copy of your passport info to the tour operator once it arrives.
Q. Why does the tour operator need a copy of my passport?
A. This is to ensure that the ticketing information corresponds exactly with the name on your passport.
Q. What other passport info should I keep in mind?
A. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date.
Q. What is a Land-Only Package?
A. Let’s say you have air miles and want to use them to pay for the flight portion of your trip or let’s say you want to fly in a day or two ahead of the group and you want to arrange your own flight to Israel. Perhaps you’re joining us from another country outside the USA. You can purchase a land-only package from International Heritage Tours (IHT) and join us for the hotels, meals and sites. It includes everything a normal tour package does…just without the flight. The land only package is $2816 USD.
Q. If I want to stay longer in Israel, can I do that?
A. Absolutely! If you’d like to stay longer, you can arrange with our tour operator beforehand to extend your stay and change your flight arrangements. This should be done at the time of registration.
Q. If I fly to Israel ahead of the group, how do I meet up with them?
A. Please speak with our tour operator. They can direct you to the name and address of the hotel where you can take a cab to. You can join us for dinner at the hotel at 7 pm and then for the orientation meeting after dinner.
Q. What do I do when I arrive at Miami International Airport (MIA) before departure?
A. Please make sure to arrive 3 hours before departure. Go to the El Al counter in Terminal S. When you get to the area, please make sure to introduce yourself to the team and to get checked in with them before going through the ticketing line. They will give you your name tag and further instructions before you go through to the gate of departure.
Q. What do I do when I land at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)?
Make sure you take everything from the seat pocket in front of you or the overhead storage. Proceed to customs. Once you clear customs, go to the airport staff holding a welcome sign that says “Stryper” and they will direct you to the luggage carousel for your bags.
Once you have collected your suitcase, DO NOT EXIT the arrivals hall. Go back to the person holding the welcome sign. Once everyone is accounted for, we will leave the arrivals hall as a group and get on the bus.
Q. How many people are going on the tour?
A. We have a limited amount of spaces available. We’re inviting 70 fans to join us on this trip of a lifetime. As of May 30th we are SOLD OUT. Seats are sold on first-come, first-served basis. Now that we’ve reached our max, your names will be put on a waiting list in case of any cancellations or if we are able to add more seats.
Q. Are the band members going to be on the tour?
A. Yes! Michael, Robert, Oz and Perry will be on the tour with you!
Q. How much luggage am I allowed to bring?
A. You may bring one mid-sized case to check into the plane that may not exceed 23 kg (50 lbs) and you may bring one carry-on bag not to exceed 8 kg (17 lbs).
Q. What can I not bring with me on my carry-on bag?
A. For security reasons, you are not allowed to board with potentially dangerous articles such as scissors, cutters, Swiss army-type knives or tools and instruments for agricultural, scientific, sporting or industrial use and the like, nor can you board with any type of imitation or toy firearm. All liquids, gels, creams and aerosols must be in 3.4 ounce (100ml) or smaller containers.
Q. What kind of clothing/accessories should I bring?
A. Comfortable clothes that you would wear in the spring or summer. For religious sites (such as churches and sites deemed holy) women must wear modest clothing that covers their shoulders and knees at all times. We also recommend dressing in layers as the mornings and evenings are often much cooler than mid-day (especially in Jerusalem).
Q. What kind of footwear should I bring?
A. Comfortable shoes as we do a lot of walking. Steps and pathways are often uneven and you’ll want shoes that will keep you stable on your feet. It is also recommended that you bring water shoes or flip-flops for when we go to the Dead Sea and for the Jordan River Baptismal site. The sand at the Dead Sea is extremely hot and there are rocks at the edge of the water.
Q. Do I need to bring a swimsuit?
A. It is optional but recommended especially if you want to be baptized. There will also be a time to swim in the Dead Sea and to be baptized in the Jordan River. Each hotel also has a pool and/or is within close proximity to water.
Q. Do I need to bring dress clothes?
A. Yes. We will be at a Shabbat dinner on the Friday night and it is traditional to dress up a bit more for that evening.
Q. Are there any other recommendations?
A. We recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses with you along with some SPF sunblock.
Grab our handy Packing List below so you won’t forget a thing!
Q. What is the currency in Israel?
A. Shekels — although, U.S. Dollars are widely accepted.
Q. Do I need to get shekels before I go or will I be able to change my money in Israel?
A. You will find several places to change your money to shekels all over Israel.
Q. If I run out of cash, can I get more while I’m in Israel?
A. Yes. Your North American bank card should work in any ATM machine in Israel. You will receive the cash in local shekels. (There is usually a charge from your bank associated with doing this. If you plan to withdraw cash while in Israel, please inquire about the fee(s) at your local branch before departure.) We always recommend contacting your bank and/or credit card company to make them aware of your travel plans. This will help to ensure your bank card and/or credit card accounts are not frozen while you’re in Israel.
Q. How much should I expect to pay for lunches?
A. Approximately $15 up to $25 USD per person per day.
Q. When is the Tip Fee collected and what is it for?
A. We collect the tip fee ($150 USD) on the first night at our orientation meeting in Israel. This fee is to pay the driver, the tour guide, and the luggage porters. If you want to tip the housekeeping staff or your meal servers, that is at your discretion.
Q. What is the food like in Israel?
A. If you like Mediterranean food, you’ll love the food in Israel! There are a wide variety of foods in the breakfast and dinner buffets to please everyone. There are a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Q. Is the food kosher?
A. At the hotels we stay at, breakfasts and dinners are kosher. At breakfast you won’t find any meat as there will be dairy products served and then at dinner, you won’t find any dairy products as meat is being served. For our lunches, it may vary between kosher and non-kosher restaurants.
Q. What can you tell me about the bus and bus driver?
A. Our bus driver is very friendly. In most cases our bus driver has purchased Wi-Fi for the bus so that you can Facebook, Tweet and Instagram all the pictures you just took at that amazing site you just visited! There is air-conditioning and comfortable seating with overhead storage for your bags. Other than the front row, there is no assigned seating and we encourage you to switch up your seat everyday.
Q. Is there a bathroom on the bus?
A. No. We will make rest-stops if our journeys are going to be extended.
Q. Is it safe to travel to Israel?
A. Pastor Joe Amaral has brought several groups to Israel including members of his family and it has always been safe. If there is any area of conflict, we always avoid it completely. Our tour guides are highly trained and know the areas to avoid if any conflict arises in Israel.
Q. Is my passport and are other personal items safe to leave in the hotels?
A. Every room has its own safe which you set and secure with your own protected code.
Q. Do I need to bring any medication?
A. As your body may be adapting to a new and different climate and water system or if you tend to have a sensitive stomach, it is not required but it is recommended that you bring Immodium (loperamide hydrochloride). It may also be helpful to bring items such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Gravol (dimenhydrinate). If you have a medical condition and are on medication for it, please remember to bring it with you. We recommend packing it in your carry-on bag. Also, if you have a medical condition, please make us aware of it during the orientation meeting at the beginning of the trip.
Q. Do I need any vaccinations before I go to Israel?
A. No, there are no immunization requirements for Israel.
Q. Can I fly if I’m pregnant?
A. Most airlines will permit you to fly up until the end of the 35th week of your pregnancy. Starting the 36th week of the pregnancy, medical approval by an airline doctor is required. Due to medical considerations, pregnant women may not fly after the end of the 37th week of pregnancy.
Q. Do I need a voltage converter to plug in my electronic items?
A. That depends on your electronic item. The voltage in Israel is 220 V. Check your device (usually the information is listed on the plug itself)—it should say something like: Input: AC 100V – 240V. If your device is within the 100 to 240 volts range, then you can simply purchase a plug adapter at your local dollar store as the plug/outlet system in Israel is different from North America. If you need a voltage converter you can purchase them for a cost of about $15 to $25 at most retail stores. We’ve found it’s helpful to have one adapter and then bring a North American power bar to plug all your electronics into.
Q. Can I use my hairdryer in Israel?
A. We recommend you don’t bring your own hair dryer. Several people have burned out their hair dryers because the voltage in Israeli hotel bathrooms isn’t compatible with North American hair dryers. The voltage is set mainly for shavers. If you do bring your hair dryer along with an adapter, please remember to plug it into an outlet that is not in the bathroom to avoid frying your hair dryer. Most hotels have hair dryers and if you don’t see one you can ask at the front desk for one.
Q. Can I use my cellphone in Israel?
A. If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a SIM Card at the airport in Tel Aviv and preload it with phone-call, texting and data capabilities for about $50-$90 (depends on the amount of data you want/need). If your phone is not unlocked, you can leave it in airplane mode and use Wi-Fi where available.