| Sharon Cheeseman, General Manager of Gil Travel, a | | | | generally wear scarves to cover their heads and skirts |
| leading provider of Israel tours since 1974, shares | | | | that fall below the knee when visiting these Holy sites. |
| insight into what travelers should know in order to | | | | 3. Choose a Comprehensive, Guaranteed Tour. |
| experience the best possible Christian Israel tours. | | | | Cheesemanemphasizes thattourists should choose a |
| 1. Bring your Bible. “It may seem obvious, but | | | | guaranteed tour in order to avoid having their trips |
| bringing a Bible is absolutely critical for any Christian | | | | cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute because of |
| Israel pilgrimage,” says Cheeseman. “It is truly | | | | low participation. |
| an exceptional, indescribable experience for travelers | | | | Additionally, she recommends that Christian travelers |
| when they see the Bible come to life before their | | | | take the time to research a tour’s itinerary to |
| eyes.” | | | | ensure a complete Israel tour experience. “Israel |
| Cheeseman emphasizes that having a Bible on the | | | | offers so many opportunities for the traveler to fully |
| tour helps Christian travelers to embrace the | | | | explore the land of the Bible,” she says. “It is |
| significance of the gospels, from the annunciation of | | | | important to choose a tour that includes a complete |
| Christ to His crucifixion on the cross at Calvary. As | | | | look at the Holy Land’s key Christian sites.” |
| tourists walk in the footsteps of Jesus, this enables | | | | |
| them to follow along verse-by-verse to gain a | | | | Just a few of the sites on Cheeseman’s must-see |
| renewed appreciation for His sacrifice and a deeper | | | | list include: |
| understanding of Israel’s culture, land and people. | | | | Caesarea, the capital of Judea under the Romans. |
| 2. Dress for Comfort. “The more comfortable | | | | (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48) |
| you are during your trip to Israel, the more fulfilling and | | | | Tabgha, where Jesus performed the Miracle of the |
| enjoyable your experience will be,” Cheeseman | | | | Bread and Fish. (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21) |
| explains. | | | | The Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered |
| Israel’s rough terrain, rocks and sandy hills require | | | | the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5, 6, 7, 8) |
| that travelers wear comfortable, rubber soled shoes. | | | | Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. (Luke |
| Travelers should dress in plenty of layers as | | | | 1.39-80) |
| temperatures can fluctuate significantly in a single | | | | The Banias Spring and Waterfall, where Jesus was |
| day. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are strongly | | | | recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples. (Matt. |
| recommended. | | | | 16.13 and Mark 8.27) |
| According to Cheeseman, dress is casual and modest, | | | | Nazareth and Cana of Galilee. (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, |
| although many Holy sites require more formal attire. | | | | Matthew 2.23) (John 2. |
| For men, hats are usually provided. Women should | | | | |