A Word about Security and Safety
News media coverage about the Middle East can be confusing and even disturbing. There are huge differences between the situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan -- from other middle-eastern countries. The news often portrays Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank as dangerous to visit. It is important to remember that news programming aims to grow their ratings thereby attracting advertising dollars – and so they tend to focus on horrible tragedies that are “big” news. Once a crisis passes, the media move on to other news. Those who’ve never traveled in the Holy Land might think the region is under constant battle, and that it is dangerous. But actually, the Holy Land is a very safe region for tourists and pilgrims to visit. Vicars says: "In all my time in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan I have never felt in danger." Of course, travelers must be careful and keep an awareness of their surroundings – but that is true in any place.
In the souks and busy marketplaces, as in any urban centre, you should keep your wallet in an inside pocket. There are pickpockets in every city in the world. Usually it is best to leave most of your money in the hotel safe. Do carry your passport with you at all times - in an inside, zippered pocket.
Tourism to Israel and the Palestinian Territories was setting records before Covid-19 wrecked havoc on travel worldwide. Total visitors had been setting records – reaching an all 3.6 million tourists in 2017, and 4 Million in 2018 and 4.5 million in 2019. (One visitor for every 2 Israeli's!) And these visitors spend about USD$8 Billion annually! New Hotels are being built in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to accommodate this growth. At any given time there are about 120,000 tourists in Israel – even during times of troubles, pilgrims continue, albeit with adjustments to itineraries as needed to avoid areas where conditions are not suitable.
Our local Tour Operators are constantly monitoring the local situation in the Holy Land and take every precaution to ensure the safety of our groups. We do not go anywhere near the Gaza Strip or other areas where demonstrations are likely. We do not expect our travel plans to be affected in any significant way by safety concerns. Occasionally an itinerary needs to be changed at the last minute due to local conditions but as many alternative locations to visit, alternate sites are easily substituted.
Nurse: Carole Hodge (Canon Hodge's wife), who will be travelling with us is a retired Registered Nurse
News media coverage about the Middle East can be confusing and even disturbing. There are huge differences between the situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan -- from other middle-eastern countries. The news often portrays Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank as dangerous to visit. It is important to remember that news programming aims to grow their ratings thereby attracting advertising dollars – and so they tend to focus on horrible tragedies that are “big” news. Once a crisis passes, the media move on to other news. Those who’ve never traveled in the Holy Land might think the region is under constant battle, and that it is dangerous. But actually, the Holy Land is a very safe region for tourists and pilgrims to visit. Vicars says: "In all my time in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan I have never felt in danger." Of course, travelers must be careful and keep an awareness of their surroundings – but that is true in any place.
In the souks and busy marketplaces, as in any urban centre, you should keep your wallet in an inside pocket. There are pickpockets in every city in the world. Usually it is best to leave most of your money in the hotel safe. Do carry your passport with you at all times - in an inside, zippered pocket.
Tourism to Israel and the Palestinian Territories was setting records before Covid-19 wrecked havoc on travel worldwide. Total visitors had been setting records – reaching an all 3.6 million tourists in 2017, and 4 Million in 2018 and 4.5 million in 2019. (One visitor for every 2 Israeli's!) And these visitors spend about USD$8 Billion annually! New Hotels are being built in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to accommodate this growth. At any given time there are about 120,000 tourists in Israel – even during times of troubles, pilgrims continue, albeit with adjustments to itineraries as needed to avoid areas where conditions are not suitable.
Our local Tour Operators are constantly monitoring the local situation in the Holy Land and take every precaution to ensure the safety of our groups. We do not go anywhere near the Gaza Strip or other areas where demonstrations are likely. We do not expect our travel plans to be affected in any significant way by safety concerns. Occasionally an itinerary needs to be changed at the last minute due to local conditions but as many alternative locations to visit, alternate sites are easily substituted.
Nurse: Carole Hodge (Canon Hodge's wife), who will be travelling with us is a retired Registered Nurse
Israel: Water and Vaccinations
Water in Israel
Tap water in Israel is safe and delicious. But, you will also find bottled mineral water everywhere. (It’s important to make sure you drink a lot, especially if you are walking, hiking or exercising during hot weather.)
Vaccinations for Israel
No special vaccinations are necessary before a trip to Israel. Israel has an advanced level of hygiene, health care, diagnosis and medicine that is the envy of much of the world and on par with the best of North America and Western Europe. The list of recommended vaccinations for Israel is pretty much the same list as is recommended for Canada:
The WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Israel: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
We recommend that all members of our group are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before this pilgrimage.
Tap water in Israel is safe and delicious. But, you will also find bottled mineral water everywhere. (It’s important to make sure you drink a lot, especially if you are walking, hiking or exercising during hot weather.)
Vaccinations for Israel
No special vaccinations are necessary before a trip to Israel. Israel has an advanced level of hygiene, health care, diagnosis and medicine that is the envy of much of the world and on par with the best of North America and Western Europe. The list of recommended vaccinations for Israel is pretty much the same list as is recommended for Canada:
The WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Israel: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
We recommend that all members of our group are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before this pilgrimage.
Jordan - Water and Vaccinations
Water in Jordan
Tap water in Jordan is safe to drink - but often has a slight taste (because the source is desalinated ocean water.). (It’s important to make sure you drink a lot, especially if you are walking, hiking or exercising during hot weather.) Usually I drink bottled water in Jordan but use tap water to bathe and for brushing teeth. More info click here.
Vaccinations for Jordan
Most Canadians already have the standard recommended vaccinations recommended for Jordan. Check with your family doctor.
The WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Jordan: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
We recommend that all members of our group obtain a vaccination for Covid-19 before this pilgrimage.
Tap water in Jordan is safe to drink - but often has a slight taste (because the source is desalinated ocean water.). (It’s important to make sure you drink a lot, especially if you are walking, hiking or exercising during hot weather.) Usually I drink bottled water in Jordan but use tap water to bathe and for brushing teeth. More info click here.
Vaccinations for Jordan
Most Canadians already have the standard recommended vaccinations recommended for Jordan. Check with your family doctor.
The WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Jordan: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
We recommend that all members of our group obtain a vaccination for Covid-19 before this pilgrimage.