#1 question - Is it safe to go to these countries?

Yes! We cannot know what God has planned anywhere in the world, even at home, but we have little reason to be concerned about travel to these three countries. I have been to Israel 4 times from mid-2024 to early 2025. In my 15 times in Israel, I have never heard a siren, seen a rocket, or had to run to a shelter. We believe the media reports the sensationalistic activities and minimizes the normal life that most Israeli’s, tourists, and volunteers experience there. Yes, the initial attack on October 7, 2023 was significant and subsequent warfare was intense for a time but that is long past. Turkey is welcoming and friendly to Americans, and I had a great visit there in January. Greece is just beautiful and peaceful every visit. IF something should change while we are in a country, our tour operators will assist us in every way possible and safety provisions are in place. If you want to talk to any in the group that visited Israel in November 2024, I’m happy to connect you but everyone will tell you they felt safer in Israel than at home.

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Should I repeat a country I’ve been to with you before?

Yes, each trip is unique! Each group of travelers brings its own flavor to the tour and, each year, we add sites & activities so it's always different. If you want to enrich your experience from a country, go again and add to what you learned before…or maybe just relax a bit more and enjoy! These countries are amazing and are worth re-visiting. We especially encourage you to go to Greece & Israel again as each trip is different.

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Can I just go to Israel or do I have to go to all three countries?

Yes, we would love for you to go to Israel! We will meet you at the Tel Aviv airport. when you arrive. You can also add on Greece or Turkey & Greece.

 

Can I go to Turkey & Greece if I haven’t been to Israel?

No. Our ministry priority is to take everyone to Israel. The other countries are a bonus!

You can go to Turkey & Greece in 2026 if you are also going to Israel in 2026 (or if you have been to Israel before). 

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Can I go to Turkey & Israel but not Greece?

Yes, but you will have to go somewhere during the group time in Greece because Greece fits between our Turkey and Israel tours this year.

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Do I have to do the Turkey pre-tour to Cappadocia?

No, you can meet us in Istanbul...but you'll wish you went to Cappadocia!

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Can I start in Greece?

Yes, but you will fly into Izmir, Turkey to meet the group going to Ephesus then board the Greece cruise the next day.

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Can I go somewhere before or after your tours?

Yes, plan whatever you want before or after your tour(s) with us. Just pay attention to where you need to be when so you can be with us when you need to be.

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Will you go to Egypt & Jordan again in the future?

Yes, Egypt & Jordan are normally part of our program but adding Turkey was the priority this year. We will offer Egypt & Jordan in a future year, probably 2028. If you go to at least Israel in 2026, you can go to Egypt & Jordan the next time we include those countries.

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Are the tours Biblically oriented?

Yes, that is our main focus, but we also strive to build connections, see some great places, and have some fun. These aspects combine to help you become better disciples which is what Jesus called us to do! For Turkey & Greece, Rich Liverance will be teaching at each primary site and connecting straight to the Bible. He is a wonderful teaching pastor! In Israel, our knowledgeable Jewish guide will be teaching about the sites with Old & New Testament perspective and each traveler can choose days & sites to read Scripture and/or do a devotion. You will visit the places you've read & heard about in the Bible, and we tie our visits back to the Biblical significance of each. Our Pre-Tour HaYesod study will teach you how Judaism and Christian principles merge.

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What is the weather like? Why do you go when you go?

The weather is very much like Central California. We are very intentional about our travel dates. We avoid the Jewish holidays like Spring (Passover), Fall (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot), and December (Hanukkah) because it is expensive, crowded and our service partners need to be with their families. Fall and early summer are a great time to travel as the weather is nice. Crowds vary but, typically, tour groups travel in these same time frames with good weather.

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When should I register?

As soon as you feel called to go! We likely cannot accommodate everyone who has expressed interest in these tours so please register as soon as you are ready to ensure you have a seat. We want the tour size to be comfortable and manageable so we will not overbook.

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Will you help me get ready to go?

Yes, we do a lot of planning with our travelers to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared for the journeys! We will cover everything with you! 1st step - be sure your passport is valid until May 2027 at least or apply for your passport online ASAP! We offer a pre-Israel study called HaYesod (optional), a meeting to discuss packing and how the tours operate, a dinner or other social event to get to know each other, and many other communications to help prepare you. We're available to help with anything you need.

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Will you help me plan a longer stay in Greece if I’m not going to Israel?

Yes, we can make recommendations for places to go to have a resort experience in Greece or even go to northern Greece to tour Thessaloniki, Berea, & Phillipi that we normally go to but are not on the 2026 tour.

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I don’t have anyone to go with. Will you help me find a roommate?

We emphasize connection before our trips so local travelers can get to know each other before we depart. You may meet another person that needs a roommate, or we can connect you in advance to see if you are a good fit. We do not assign roommates as you need to make sure habits align and that you will be comfortable. You can also room alone, if you prefer, for an additional fee per country because their room rates (and thus our tour cost) are based on 2 people per room. Note your preference/need on the registration form.

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Can you ensure I won’t fly alone?

We work with everyone to get the best flight cost and route possible which generally has travelers flying together from Fresno. If you need to fly from another city (as many do), we will help you plan to connect with the Fresno group along the way if you wish or meet you when you arrive.

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Can people join these tours from anywhere?

Yes, these tours are open to any Christian from anywhere! Invite your friends & family!

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Can I bring my kids?

Generally, we do not encourage children joining us on these tours. Until they can choose for themselves to participate in a learning journey (not a vacation) with lots of bus time, walking, listening, outdoor weather, unfamiliar foods, and long days, we recommend they not join us. If you feel your child is mature enough to go on this trip and you wish to pay for them, we are happy to talk with the child, but our priority is that all travelers have an enjoyable journey with us. We have had mixed experiences with young adults coming along, some great and one not so great, so let's discuss individually if you want to bring a young person.

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Is my deposit refundable?

No. We rely on everyone who registers for our tours to ensure we meet the minimum # we need to support the tour. If you register, we will have expenses toward your tour that we cannot recover. If you have concerns about a possible need to cancel in the future, be sure your travel insurance policy covers those possible issues, and they will cover costs according to their policy terms. Our policy is to go unless the US government or the country we’re visiting won’t let us.

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Can I go on the 2027 European Christmas Market River Cruise (alumni trip) if I haven’t been to Israel?

No, because we are not travel agents and want to spend our ministry leadership focus on encouraging people to go to Israel. Once you have been to Israel, you are welcome to join our alumni trips like we are planning for 2027. Italy for Alumni in 2023 was amazing!

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Do you have other questions?

Please refer to the website https://TravelerJourneys.life or contact Debbie devand@sbcglobal.net or 559.740-9436.