Israel/Palestine is truly a safe place to visit. Since tourism is a major source of revenue in this region, significant measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of visitors. David & Kendra felt very comfortable raising two small children in the region, and would be at ease doing so again in the future. Like many areas of the world that have seen unrest historically however, there are particular places that are wiser to avoid at times, and on our study tours we do just that. Your guides also keep abreast of any changing political situations in real time, and you can be entirely confident that your safety is a top priority for us. We really believe you’ll walk away from the trip with an entirely different perspective of the Middle East than what is often negatively depicted in media.

Our study tour is fairly structured, and includes full days. We’re often on the bus by around 8 a.m. and back at the hotel at 5 p.m. On most days we will visit two sites in the morning, and two sites in the afternoon, with lunch out in the field. The seventh day of the trip has a significantly slower pace and is designed to honour the Sabbath through rest and rejuvenation. On this very special oasis day your guides have some special things in store for you.

At Sojourn we really believe in connecting our guests with the Hebraic roots of Christianity. We emphasize the data pertaining to the geography, history, language, and culture of the sites we visit, but we also spend significant time reflecting on the spiritual implications of what we’re learning. Our guests are encouraged to engage their minds, hearts, and feet, and to imagine how life might be different as a result of putting into practice the things that are taught on this journey.

In general it’s good to remember that this is a part of the world that values modesty. Everyone will need to avoid shorts at times, and in some limited locations women will be asked to cover their arms and necks as well. While there are also many places where it is entirely acceptable to dress like we’re at home, you will do well to dress more conservatively overall for the sake of both sun protection and avoiding offending other tourists/locals at certain sites.

Guests on our study tours stay in 4-5 star hotels, sharing a room with one other traveller of their choosing in our group, unless single room accommodation has been purchased ahead of time. The hotels provide breakfasts and dinners, and a wide array of amenities to help you rest and relax after each day. We think you’ll really enjoy your stay in each of them!

While our days are long, it’s important to note that we’re not constantly on the move. Throughout each day, we take time to sit and reflect on the gravity of each site’s biblical implications. There’s teaching, discussion, and time for individual devotions. That being said, we do walk, hike, and explore a great deal. Some sites are a short walk up a hill, and others can be a 1-1.5 hour hike with some elevation. The heat in the spring and fall is akin to the Okanagan or Palm Springs in the late spring/summer. There’s also the potential for significant rain (especially in the spring). You’ll need to have a hat, sunscreen, and a good water bottle with you at all times. Our bus is air conditioned, and is a wonderful respite between sites. Overall, with a good pair of trail shoes, and some good preparation of exercise and physical activity beforehand, this experience can be a good fit for people with a wide range of physical capabilities.