“A trip to Israel is worth ten years of Sunday School.” —Zola
Israel Tour Comparison Tips
When you are shopping for the best tour to Israel, there are several things you should keep in mind:
1) What hotel accommodations does Zola Tours provide?
We choose hotels very wisely, drawing on our years of experience with almost all of them. We do not use hotels with low ratings, and we do not use “better hotels” with inflated prices. We have found the best hotels at the best prices for our pilgrims.
When we arrive in Israel, we head to the colorful resort city of Netanya, just north of Tel Aviv, and stay at the luxurious Vert Lagoon Hotel or the impressive Ramada Hotel and Suites situated on the magnificent Mediterranean Sea. The following day we travel to Tiberias where our hotel choices may include the warm and inviting Nof Ginosar Hotel amidst an actual Kibbutz in an enchanted country atmosphere, the very well appointed Rimonim Galei Kinnereth Hotel or the sophisticated and peaceful Leonardo Plaza Hotel for our Spring and Fall Tours.
In Jerusalem, we usually stay at the spectacular and tranquil Dan Jerusalem Hotel sitting atop the historic slopes of Mount Scopus and overlooking the magnificent Jerusalem skyline and the rolling Judean Hills for our Spring and Fall tours.
When in Eilat, we typically stay at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel or the Dan Neptune Hotel both beautifully situated on the Red Sea directly in front of the amazing beach and also located on the promenade for our Spring and Fall Tours.
In Greece for our Fall Tours, we use the luxurious Athens Marriott Hotel located within walking distance of the Athenian Riviera, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and Park, and a multitude of other cultural attractions.
These are all first-class hotels, offering excellent service and beautiful accommodations. The hotel meals are full buffet breakfasts and dinners of the highest quality.
2) What sites does the tour cover?
Zola Tours covers the major biblical sites in Israel and Greece (when our Greece extension is offered). But in addition, Zola Tours offers some things that others may not, such as a visit to Ancient Shiloh, the center of worship where the Tent of Meeting housed the Ark of the Covenant for almost 400 years and where Hannah prayed for her son, Samuel, or to Magdala to see a first century synagogue where it is almost certain Yeshua would have attended and taught. We also offer a 3 days extension to see magnificent Petra in Jordan, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Often, extras that are not formally advertised in our brochure become available. For example, we usually always have Messianic Jewish guest speakers, and some tours have been treated to a Messianic congregation service or a music concert by a local Messianic believer, etc.
3) What about travel accommodations inside Israel?
Our bus drivers are truly in a top-notch class of their own and stay with the group 24 hours per day. They know our groups and know how to serve us. And because of their long-time professional expertise and good reputation in the tourism field they know how to make adjustments and maneuver the group in the right direction when occasional circumstances arise. We typically have more clout at local sites…many times garnering shorter waits in line and more preferential treatment.
4) What expenses are covered by the tour price?
Our tours are designed to cover virtually all of your expenses. We do not have an “a la carte” price where you have to pay admission fees in Israel. A magnificent boat ride and time of worship on the Sea of Galilee, Baptism in the Jordan River, and floating in the Dead Sea are all included in our itinerary each tour. Pretty much everything is figured in except domestic flights/travel to and from the departure airport, lunches in Israel, extra snacks or drinks along the way, personal expenses (such as laundry, phone calls, etc.), and travel insurance, which is strongly recommended for everyone.
For everyone’s convenience, each passenger contributes to a tipping fund (included in the tour price) and our hosts pass those tips out as we travel.
5) What else should I consider?
Our tour groups are treated well because of our long-time, well-known pro-Israel TV programs, and the remarkable reputation Zola Tours has built over the years. We do our best not to subject you to excessive shopping (as some do because they make commission agreements with local vendors).
We don’t know of anyone who has been to Israel and the Holy Land more times (100+) than Zola Tours. The people, the places, and the moments you will experience while on a Zola Tour will become memories to enjoy forever. Israel is God’s Promised Land—and you will be there! Is there anything more exciting or wonderful? We hope, of course, that you will choose to go with one of our groups because we know what you will get for your money. But no matter how or with whom you choose to go, His land beckons you. His hand guides you. Heavenly treasure truly awaits you!
Israel Travel Safety
Many people ask us whether it is safe to travel in Israel. This is a question that is usually raised only by people who have not been to Israel. Once our pilgrims tour with us, they realize that Israel has one of the world’s lowest crime rates, and that it is safer to walk in Israel’s cities than in most North American or European cities. We have taken more than 100 tours to Israel, never cancelled one (other than the forced COVID-19 and 2023-24 Hamas war cancellations), and never had a safety problem in 41 years.
The news media tend to over-dramatize the occasional, isolated incident. The potential danger to passengers who travel on group tours to the Middle East is no greater than what they would experience in domestic travel. Israel’s streets and villages are more secure than the streets and cities of our own country. Our tour operators abroad are knowledgeable, efficient, and equipped to handle last-minute changes in our itineraries, such as special attractions that become available. Any hint of risk or compromised safety is avoided immediately. The pilgrim who considers canceling or postponing tour plans because of presumed insecure or dangerous conditions is simply misinformed.
Our own tour hosts travel with our groups, and our highly-trained guide(s) and driver(s) constantly monitor current political situations in the region in order to avoid potential hazards. Our good reputation—our very business—depends on keeping our tour groups safe.
During our time in the Holy Land, no one has access to our tour buses except members of the tour. Since our bus drivers own their own buses, they take extreme care to maintain them and keep them secure. Any time our drivers must be away from their buses, the buses are always locked. We have never had a security problem in all our 41 years and more than 100 tours in Israel.
Israel Travel Tips
1) How should I pack?
Do NOT pack valuables or cash in your checked bag, keep them on you or in your carry-on. A successful tour wardrobe includes comfortable, casual, lightweight, wrinkle-free, fast-drying, and “mix-and-match” pieces. Take comfortable and sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, swimsuit, water shoes, travel raincoat/poncho, small umbrella, and a lightweight sweater or jacket. If you’re prone to swelling or blood clots consider wearing compression leg/footwear on the flights.Modest clothing with shoulders and knees covered is required for religious sites (approx. 40% of the time). Scarves or pashminas come in handy for women to cover bare shoulders and for those who wish to cover their head at holy sites. Modest shorts are acceptable for non-holy sites such as Masada and the Dead Sea.
Dining is casual throughout the tour. Some pilgrims may choose to dress up for Shabbat dinner and/or the Farewell Dinner, but it is not required. When the Greece tour is offered with a cruise, “country club casual wear” is requested for the nicer restaurants on the ship, if applicable. A full-size backpack for daily items will be gifted to each pilgrim upon arrival in Israel. Consider bringing washcloths, tissues, and some sort of alarm clock, as some hotels don’t provide them. Other items to consider are a neck pillow, eye mask, ear plugs, earbuds for flights, and a small flashlight to keep by your bedside at night to aid in unfamiliar surroundings. Hotels may have extension cords and extra electrical adapters to borrow, but it’s not guaranteed. (Please note that those going to Greece first in the fall (when that extension is offered) will not receive the backpack until you get to Israel.)
2) How many pieces of luggage am I allowed to take on the international flights?
Due to ever changing airline baggage policies, please see the corresponding airline(s) website(s) for current specific economy class luggage information for your international flights: El Al, Delta, United, Swiss, Austrian.Also, check with your domestic carrier for their luggage requirements, restrictions, and fees.
3) Can I upgrade the seats on my flights?
The group flight reservations are standard economy seats. If you would like to upgrade your seats and/or use frequent flyer miles/points for your international flights, you will need to choose the Land-Only tour option and purchase your flights directly from the airlines on you own. If you are NOT using frequent flyer miles/points, our airline agent can assist you in upgrading your seats for a nominal fee. Contact information will be supplied in your first tour packet or upon request.
4) What travel documents do I need?
All passengers will need a passport valid for at least six months AFTER your return date. The U.S. State Department recommends that all passports have at least two blank pages to stamp or some countries may refuse entry. Please ensure your passport is signed in ink and the photo can be matched to your current physical appearance. All passengers will also need to complete an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) application online to enter Israel, as well. Information will be provided in the first tour packet. For U.S. and Canadian citizens, no visa is required except for Jordan, and that visa is provided for tours with the Petra extension. All other citizens need to verify and secure any additional travel requirements with the corresponding consulates of the countries you will enter. We suggest that you apply for your passport and the ETA-IL (and any other necessary documents) immediately, if you have not already done so. Each passenger is responsible for securing the proper travel documents in time for the tour.
5) Do I need an electrical adapter/converter?
Yes. The electrical voltage is 220v, C, single phase, 50 Hertz, the same as in Europe (except on the Greek cruise ship, which is 110v as it is in the USA, for trip options that include Greece). Most Israeli sockets accept three round-prong plugs, but most also accept European two round-prongs. If your appliance doesn’t work on 220v you will need a power converter. Power converters and plug adapters can be purchased at variety stores, luggage stores, electronic stores, or elsewhere on the Internet. Dual voltage appliances (110v-220v) will only need a plug adapter. Hotels should have hair dryers, irons, extra adapters, and extension cords, but no guarantee.NOTE: Ask for power converters and adapters that work in the Middle-East and Europe (with two or three round prongs). Some bathrooms will have low-voltage plugs for shavers, cell phones, and tablets.
6) Do we need any shots or other medical requirements?
No shots or vaccines are currently required for the places we go on tour. You may want to check with your Primary Care Physician to see if they have any medical advice for international travel, including such things as whether compression socks would be beneficial for your flights. Should you have any significant health or mobility issues, it is strongly recommended to have a complete physical and to get your doctor’s approval before registering and paying your deposit as this is an active and strenuous walking tour.
7) Should I take my Bible?
Yes! Having a Bible with you greatly enhances your experience in the Holy Land, as you’ll be seeing and hearing about the places where many significant events occurred. You may want to bring along a colored pen or pencil to highlight those Scriptures you have studied while in His land. Some passengers have found it helpful to bring a travel journal as well. Journals specifically designed for travel to Israel and other places of the Bible can be found at Christian bookstores or on the Internet.
8) Will we be able to purchase things overseas?
Yes, souvenirs and such. You’ll want to leave room in your suitcase to pack the items you purchase. There is somewhat limited opportunity to buy personal items like allergy medicine, snacks, and other items that are more easily obtainable in the States. We strongly recommend packing extra personal items that you think may be needed.
9) Will I be assigned a roommate on your tour?
If you have not designated single accommodations or a specific roommate on your registration form, we will attempt to match you with a compatible roommate based on the information you provide but cannot guarantee one. Please note that if a roommate does not become available, or if for any reason your roommate cancels prior to departure or during the tour, or should your roommate assignment not work out, you may be responsible for paying the additional single supplement noted on the official hard copy Registration Form; and if we go over our single room allotment, an additional single supplement may be required by the hotels.
10) May I take photographs?
Yes. Remember to bring fresh batteries or a charger and extra memory or SD cards.
11) May I record the guides during the tour and on the bus?
Yes, we recommend it! Be sure to bring plenty of memory storage and extra batteries.
12) How much money should I take along?
This is strictly a personal preference as most vendors do accept credit cards (mainly Visa and MasterCard). However, we recommend taking around $200-$500 USD per person for the Deluxe/Grand Petra Tours; and around $500-$800 USD per person for the Grand Athens/Ultra Grand Tours (mostly 10s and 20s; NO 50s or 100s) depending on your purchase plans. Bills must be in very good shape with no tears. Be sure to notify your card company of your travel plans ahead of time to avoid a fraud hold being placed on your card. Lunches in Israel usually cost around $15–$35 USD per person per day, and you may want to purchase other drinks and snacks, as well as souvenirs. Only cash may be accepted at some of the smaller lunch restaurants. Bottled water will be sold for $1 per bottle on the Israel bus each day for your convenience, so having some $1 bills will come in handy.
Important notes on money exchange:
- Greece: We recommend you get $300 per person in Euros. (Strictly a recommendation when Greece is offered.)
- Israel: No money exchange is usually needed. Most vendors take American money (but it must be in good shape with no tears), and most will now take U.S. credit cards (mainly Visa and MasterCard). Change from U.S. dollars will usually be returned in shekels. Travelers Cheques are rarely accepted abroad anymore.
- Petra: We stay at a hotel in Israel during the Petra extension. Lunch (excluding drinks, which usually run $5-10 USD) will be provided the one day we tour Petra in Jordan. You may want to carry an extra $10–$200 USD or so for tip or fee in case you decide to ride a horse, donkey, camel, or club car, due to the extreme walking conditions.
13) How do I carry prescription medicine?
Keep all medications in original labeled bottles and carry a copy of the prescription information. Ask your pharmacist for smaller labeled bottles, if needed. Bring enough doses for the whole tour with just a few extra days and pack it in your carry-on bag. Liquid and injectable medications, including insulin, should have a doctor’s note and must be presented at the security check, but they do not have to be included in your limited quart-sized bag. Certain approved U.S. drugs, such as ADHD/ADD, pain, and anxiety meds, etc., are banned and considered illegal in some countries; so, we recommend that you check with the embassy(ies) of the country(ies) you will travel through to ensure any questionable medications will be permitted.
14) What about Travel Insurance?
Zola Tours strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance for all passengers from the carrier of your choice. One option you might choose is Travel Guard/AIG. For more information and to purchase directly from the carrier, you may apply online with Travel Guard Insurance or by calling them at 866-385-4839. Please reference “Zola Code 217022” when speaking with Travel Guard/AIG by phone. Even if you choose not to protect the cost of your tour, personal belongings, or any other unknown expenses that might arise, Israel now requires each passenger to have full international medical coverage that includes COVID-19 variants throughout their stay. Travel Guard/AIG offers a MedEvac plan that you might consider for medical and emergency evacuation protection, should you choose NOT to purchase a more comprehensive travel insurance policy. However, please note that this plan does NOT cover additional non-medical expenses such as trip delays, interruptions, or cancellations, nor baggage loss or delays, flight change fees, extra hotel stay or meals, or any other non-medical expenses.
15) What will the weather be like?
Average Temperatures during our tour months:Spring — Israel: 50°–83°, Petra: 65°+
Fall — Israel: 60°–92°, Petra: 80°+, Greece: 62°–79°
16) Will I have the opportunity to do laundry?
Laundry and dry cleaning is not self-serve in the hotels. You drop your clothes off at the front desk and they will be returned to your room. Before dropping them off, please make sure the clothes will be returned before our departure. Please note there may only be opportunity for this in Tiberias and Jerusalem. The bag and form for your dry cleaning will be left in your hotel room (usually in the closet or chest of drawers). Because these services are very expensive, many passengers find they can avoid this added expense by either washing items in the sink or by packing enough changes to last the entire trip.
17) What is the time difference?
Israel, Jordan, and Greece (when applicable) are seven hours later than US Eastern Time. For example, if it’s 7:00 am in New York, it’s 2:00 pm in Israel, Jordan, and Greece. However, due to a difference in Daylight Saving Time (DST) changes between the USA and these countries, they are sometimes only six hours later than US Eastern Time for a short period in both spring and fall.
18) Can I keep my valuables in my room or on the tour bus?
There is a safe in each hotel room (not usually large enough for laptops). Also, the tour bus is always locked while we are touring. However, we strongly recommend not bringing unnecessary valuables such as expensive jewelry and an over-abundance of cash on the tour. Zola Tours and our air and land agents are not responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of luggage or personal belongings, so we strongly recommend travel insurance for each passenger. Be sure to retrieve your valuables from the safe before our final departure from each hotel.
19) Do we have to be careful about what we eat and drink?
Public health standards at our tour locations are equal to those in the United States. The water is completely safe to drink. The food is excellent throughout the tour. However, it is highly recommended to drink only bottled water in Jordan, if applicable, as, although it is safe, their water sanitation process may not agree with your stomach.
20) Will we have any tips or fees?
All tips and fees are collected with your final payment as shown on the official hard copy Registration Form. Once you leave your gateway city, all tipping and fees will be handled for you by your tour escort (except for on-your-own lunches and any individual transports). Some may choose to tip over-and-above for exceptional service at their own discretion, but it is not necessary or required. All entrance fees for excursions on the Zola Tours itinerary are included in the tour package.
21) Will Wi-Fi be available?
Most, if not all, hotels where we stay offer free Wi-Fi in the lobby and rooms for their guests. Limited Wi-Fi is also available on the bus for email and social media use; but it is spotty as you travel and you are requested not to download due to very limited data. Ask the guide or driver for the ID and password.
22) What if there is an emergency? How can my family get in touch with me and how can I call home?
Included in our tour packet is a daily itinerary as well as our hotel contact information. If you plan to call home during the tour, we recommend you consider bringing or renting a cell phone while in Israel. It is considerably less expensive than making calls through the hotel operator and can also come in handy to call the hotel or our land agent when out touring. Contact your provider to see about adding an international plan for your personal cell phone; or you may choose to secure a rental phone or a SIM card for your personal phone while in Israel at this link for TalknSave or call them at 866-825-5672 and tell them you are with the Zola Levitt Tours’ group. If you rent a phone or SIM card, be sure to get specific instructions on how to use it from the vendor. If you take your own cell phone, please make sure that it is charged and in working order for the airport security check.
23) What transport options are available for Land-Only tours or individual travel?
Please visit https://www.gov.il/en/departments/general/public-transportation-in-israel for transport options outside of the group itinerary.
24) Can children go along?
Yes. Children 7 or above are welcome on the trip, seem to enjoy it very much and derive a special inspiration from it.
25) Is this tour for people with mobility issues?
This is an active and strenuous walking tour of approximately 1-3 miles per day, getting on and off a bus. The pace we must keep and many of the sites we tour do not fare well for people who need walkers and/or wheelchairs, etc., and storage space is very limited. As much as we would love to host all of our mobility challenged friends, we simply are not able.There are Israel tours designed for special mobility needs which can be found on websites such as Israel4all.com or SageTraveling.com. Please note that we are NOT affiliated with these tours, nor do we endorse them.
26) Is there a number I can call to get further information?
Yes, call Zola Tours at 214-696-9760 during office hours (M–F, 9:00 am to 4:45 pm Central Time) and we will be glad to help you. You may leave a voicemail before or after business hours and your call will be returned ASAP.