Travel Tips

So you have booked on a pilgrimage. You have prepared thoroughly by reading up about the sites you will visit. And now it comes to the nitty gritty: What do I pack? What money must I take with me? Is the water safe? Here are some tips to help you prepare for your journey.

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Essential Travel Tips

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Documents

Essential paperwork for your journey

South Africans need no visa for Israel/Palestine, but a visa waiver must be obtained online before departure.
For European countries, South Africans require Schengen visa, obtained from the respective visa office of the country where you'll spend the longest time.
E-visas are easily obtained for Egypt and Turkey.
Take photocopies of your passport and flight tickets with you, in case of emergency.
Keep addresses and phone numbers of all hotels with you at all times.
Make extra copies of all documents, plus your itinerary, for safe-keeping with family or a trusted friend.

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Insurance

Protection for your journey

Travel insurance is usually included in Fowler Tours' packages.
If your tour agency does not offer travel insurance or you are travelling independently, it is highly recommended that you make arrangements.

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Currency

Money matters for your pilgrimage

In the Holy Land and Egypt, you can buy everything with US Dollars; don't buy shekels — the only time you'll need them is for some public toilets.
Take enough cash with you for small purchases — water, ice cream, lunch, small souvenirs, etc.
For the collection at Mass, the norm is to give a dollar. Take mainly one and five dollar bills.
In Europe, the currency is the Euro. Again, take enough cash with you for all small purchases.
Have cash in the relevant currency for the mandatory tips for guides, drivers, hotels etc, which are collected by the tour leader, usually on the second day.
Be aware that groups will rarely stop at ATMs and banks.

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Shopping

Smart buying on your journey

In many places in the Holy Land, you will be accosted by street vendors. Beware of being delayed as your group moves on.
In Jerusalem's market, the Suq, you are expected to haggle. The original asking price usually can be brought down to 25-50%.
Begin haggling only if you are serious about a purchase. It is disrespectful to start bargaining and then walk away.
Your guide will probably take you to a large souvenir shop. You can't haggle there, but you can be sure of getting good quality products.
If you buy a DVD, make sure it's in the Region 2 code, which is used in South Africa (as well as in the Middle East and Europe).

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Security

Staying safe while traveling

Even during political unrest, the Holy Land is safe for pilgrims. Our drivers and guides know exactly how to keep you safe.
Street crime is low, but if you choose to go for an evening walk, keep your wits about you, as you would anywhere else.
It is best to go in a small group into areas you do not know. Beware of pickpockets on the Mount of Olives.
Europe is generally safe, except from pickpockets in places that are popular with tourists.
It is 100% safe to keep your belongings on the bus. The bus drivers always stay on the bus.

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Group Travelling

Making the most of your group experience

A pilgrimage is usually led by three people: the local tour guide, the spiritual director and a tour director — and don't forget the driver.
The great thing about going on a pilgrimage with a group is that you share the experience with other like-minded people.
Everybody is there for the same purpose, and discussing one's impressions and thoughts can be enriching.
Remember, you have a responsibility towards the other members of the group: every time you are late on the bus, you are robbing them of precious time.
With itineraries planned around appointments — all Masses, for example, are booked for specific times — just five minutes of delay can make a huge difference.

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Packing

Smart packing for your pilgrimage

Pack as little as possible: you'll need space for all your shopping! Weight allocations is 20kg for luggage and 7kg for carry-on.
Use a sturdy suitcase; mark it with a sticker or ribbon for easy identification. Be sure to attach the red Fowler Tours tag.
The one-luggage rule also applies to local tour buses. Especially if the group is large, there may be no space for additional luggage.
Keep expensive equipment — cameras, laptops, tablets etc — in your hand luggage along with chargers and essential medication.
It's always a good idea to keep a change of clothing, especially underwear, in your hand-luggage, in case your suitcase is delayed.
Liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers not exceeding 100ml and kept in one transparent plastic bag with a zip-lock top.
For the long flight, consider taking a sleeping mask and earplugs.
Take a day bag for items you'll need during the day, such as medication, sunscreen, water, snacks, a light jersey, your bible etc.

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Clothing

What to wear on your journey

What you pack to wear depends on the season. April-October: light clothing. Outside June-August: add a warm top for evenings.
Between November and March you will need warmer clothing and a raincoat.
In the Holy Land, it can get very cold in Jerusalem in winter, whereas Galilee and the desert have a milder climate.
Most churches have a dress code: no bare shoulders or low-cut skirts for women, no bare legs for men (or shorts that must be above the knee).
Always be practical: there is a lot of walking, so take comfortable footwear and head covering.
For the Dead Sea (an unmissable experience), pack bathing costumes, a towel and flip-flops.

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Miscellaneous

Other helpful tips for your journey

It's good to have a travel alarm clock or use your phone as an alarm clock.
Keep a journal during your journey (don't forget to take pens to write with!). A well-kept journal is invaluable for labelling photos.
Hotels typically have WiFi facilities; some of them only in the lobby. Ask at reception for availability.
Roaming on a South African SIM card is expensive. Consider virtual SIM cards available on apps to connect to the local network.
Follow our pilgrimage updates on Facebook. Your family and friends can "Like" the Fowler Tours Facebook page to see latest pics.

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Electronics

Power and connectivity

South African three-prong plugs don't work anywhere, but you'll be fine with two-prongs, or an adapter for them.
The electric current in the Middle East is 220/230-volt AC, and in Europe 220/240, so no voltage adapters are necessary (as it would be in the US).

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Medication

Health preparations

Put together a small "first aid kit" with tablets for headaches, nausea, runny stomach, sun lotion, insect bites, and plasters for blisters.
Keep a couple of rehydration tablets on you — in Judea the air is so dry that you can dehydrate without noticing.
Keep a small bottle of hand sanitiser on you.
Keep all essential medication in your hand luggage, inside a ziplock sandwich bag, in case your suitcase gets lost.
Leave the pharmacy label on your prescription medication. If you're on essential medication, get a script from your doctor.

Oh, and the tap water in the Holy Land and Europe? It is perfectly safe to drink.