Frequently Asked Questions

 FAQs

  • All payments can be sent to our North Carolina office:

    341 Morgan Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28739

    All other correspondence can be sent to our main office in Florida:

    2720 Lakeview Dr. Sebring. FL 33870

    Feel free to call if you need any assistance: 1-800-371-4485. Extension #1 is Customer Service, Extension #2 is billing.

  • If you are arriving apart from the group, you may want to book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. This company works in many countries and we have found them to be very professional and reliable. Click Here to reserve your transfer. The service, like Uber, is paid in advance at the time of reservation with 100% changeable and cancellation is without penalty.

  • It is very important that you understand your passport must be valid for six months AFTER your dates of travel. To see the rules as they are today, here is a company that sells expedited passport delivery. We are NOT trying to endorse their service (we don’t know them), but we want you to see how they explained the rule, because it seemed well worded. That company link is HERE.

  • You likely won’t have access to laundry, so pack what you need or bring clothes that are easy to wash by hand. Experienced travelers pack light. If you plan to hand wash, test your clothes at home first. The lighter your bag, the easier your travels.

    Dress for the tour is usually casual but should be modest. We often visit places of worship with dress codes: no shorts (knees covered), no tank tops (shoulders covered), and no tight-fitting clothes. We’ll update you on the dress code for each day. Some women bring a skirt to wear over shorts for quick changes. Capris and jeans are fine.

    For upscale hotels, pack something appropriate for dining rooms (no shorts allowed). Try to limit shoes to two pairs: one for walking and one for evening. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and already broken in. Many travelers bring tennis shoes or sturdy sandals. Don’t forget a sweater for the plane!

  • Most of our programs offer a “full package” (including air) and a "land only" option for those who prefer to book their own flights.

    Our group tickets are not individual reservations, which may limit adding miles to frequent flyer programs or using “TSA Pre-check.” Airline policies vary. You should choose to book your own air if:

    • You want “TSA Pre-check” on your boarding pass.

    • You want to add miles to your frequent flyer account.

    • You need a specific seat.

    • You qualify for an upgraded class.

    • You’re using points for your ticket.

    If any of these apply, select "land only" on your registration form and book directly with your preferred airline. Be sure to carefully review the tour conditions for what’s included. If you book your own flight, airport transfers are your responsibility unless your flights align with the group’s schedule.

  • For Israel Arrivals: If you chose the Land Only option, you're responsible for arranging your own travel plans. Before heading to Israel, download the "WhatsApp" app for your phone – that’s how we’ll stay in touch. Dr. Smith’s emergency number is +1 863-214-5760.

    After passing passport control and picking up your luggage, head to the “Arrivals Hall” where you’ll find ATM machines. Taxis and transport services usually need either local currency (shekels) or a transportation app. If you have an international plan, download apps like Gett (like Uber in Israel) or Moovit and link your credit card before you leave the U.S. If you don’t, you’ll need to use shekels.

    Next, follow the "taxi/ground transport" signs and go outside. If using a taxi with shekels, join the line for official airport taxis, and give the driver your hotel name and address (print this info before you leave). Ask the driver to use the meter to avoid overcharging. Only use taxis from the official line – avoid anyone offering deals inside the terminal.

    For Departing Israel:

    • Private taxi: Costs around $100 for up to 3 people. Extra luggage, early morning, Shabbat, or holidays may increase the price.

    • Shared taxi: Costs about $25 per person. "Nesher" can be booked through your hotel and will pick you up along with others going to the airport. Book at least a day in advance (phone: 02-677-2500).

    • Train: Costs around $8-9 per person. This option involves carrying your luggage through city streets and stairs, so it’s only for experienced travelers. A direct train runs from Jerusalem’s central station to the airport. Tickets are available via the Moovit app. Check the schedule beforehand on official websites.

    For help with programs in other countries, contact customer service at 800-371-4485.

  • You certainly can! If you purchase “Land Only” packages from us, you will NEED to book your air ticket. We get most of our tickets from a reliable ticket agency that can be accessed by clicking the button below. When you contact them, make sure you know the date, time and location of the beginning of the study tour, as well as the time you will need to depart from that city back to your home.

    Example: Tell them I need a flight from Seattle to Tel Aviv, Israel that arrives in time for me to be at a “welcome dinner” on the 29th of January, with a departing flight back to Seattle on the 10th of February sometime after 5 PM.

  • Group ticketing is not like individual flight reservation services. Though we do our best to accommodate our passengers needs, seat choices are not guaranteed to us until the airline issues the full compliment of tickets. If you have certain seating needs, we kindly suggest you choose a “land only” package with us and book your own air to guarantee your seat choice (see above). Please consult with our office to find out when you should arrive and depart in order to match the needs of your program.

  • We understand plans change. Yet, just as airlines don’t allow passengers to “swap” with other people their tickets, so it is not allowed to “substitute” someone for your travel package reservation with us. There are many security forms and procedures that would be interrupted if such a practice were allowed. In the end, it is for the safety of our participants and the public at large that we do not allow passengers to transfer their registration to another party.

  • We accept all major credit cards. Initial deposits can be made with a card through the registration payment form. Second and final payments can be made one your card by calling our main office number at 800-371-4485 and providing:

    The name on card, credit card number, date of expiration, amount of payment, billing zip code and CVV on the card.

    We do advise our program participants that our program prices reflect the discount for those paying by check. An additional 3.7% processing fee is added to the cash discount price when using a credit or debit card. We absorb the fee in the initial deposit paid online, but do not absorb them for second and final payments. Second and final payments must be made by calling our office (if using a card). Item description

  • With the increase of passengers with dietary needs that include gluten intolerance and dairy sensitivity, we offer destinations that normally have readily available access to fresh vegetables and fruits, meats, fish and other foods that meet your needs. In many cases, hotels and restaurants have "gluten free" options labeled on the buffet. We suggest you always have a meal replacement bar or other food handy that you are eat, but we have not found it to be a problem in recent years on any of our trips. Item description

  • Most often our tours include breakfast and dinner. We stop for lunch at a restaurant, but the selection and payment are the participant’s responsibility.  Read carefully your itinerary and you will see “B” and perhaps a “D” at the end of each day’s listed sites. This notes an included breakfast or dinner. Hotel breakfasts usually include coffee/tea, breads, eggs, cheese, fruit, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, salads, fish and many other delicious items of local cuisine!  Dinners are usually multi-course or buffets, with water included (other drinks are available for an extra fee).  For lunch, you will have opportunity to try the local foods (For instance, in Israel try the falafel or shwarma in pita). Lunches will average about $12-$13 per day. In Europe they are usually sit down lunches, costing $15-$20 per day (For Italians, mealtime is a “sacred” event to be savored!). In Italy in particular, we usually include a few "dinner on your own" evenings for you to go out (we have our recommendations to share!). Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the town and experience the delicious world-class restaurants. What standard of hotel do you use?

    We normally use 4 and 5 star hotels (unless otherwise specified in the program, such as time at camel caravans). We select our hotels in cooperation with our trusted land agent and most we have stayed in many times before. Your porterage has been paid in your program fees. At the same time, there are some occasions when it may be more convenient for you to carry your own suit cases (if we arrive too close to dinner and you need immediate access to your suitcase). Our ground staff is more than willing to assist you in this matter. Item description

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Are There Bathrooms on the Bus?

Normally, there are no restroom facilities on the buses. Yet, we endeavor to make many stops in order to make your tour as comfortable as possible. 

Is it Safe?

In a word, Yes! It is safe for you to travel with us. Our staff has both lived in the near east and worked there for decades. We would never take a group anywhere we deemed unsafe. We admit the new sources often sensationalize events and make them seem so much larger than they truly are! In order to take care of every group, we try to carefully monitor safety situations on a daily basis during your tour. If changes are needed, we make them based upon our local information. Over the past thirty years, this has rarely happened, but be assured we have our travel participant’s safety in mind at all times. Though no one can predictive the behavior of other human beings, we have found that being aware of our surroundings is always important. The safest place to be is the place God has made clear to us we belong. The most dangerous is anywhere else. If you have sought the Lord about coming and He has made clear you should come – do it.

Can we Bring Children?

Check with our office about the program you are interested in joining. Our programs are heavy enough in educational content that is geared towards adult learners, that we don’t recommend that unless the program specifies otherwise (as in intergenerational trips for grandparents/grandchildren, etc). We offer a few trips designed by and for high schools or colleges – but most of our tours are not designed specifically for youth. Again, if you are interested in a certain tour that would have a more youthful passenger list, we would be happy to steer you towards one. We most certainly love children, but we want them to join something appropriately designed for their needs.

Are Headsets Provided?

In most of our tours head seats are provided free of charge. There are rare exceptions, but our normal policy to have them and include them in your package at no extra fee.

Will I Need Money Daily?

Since lunch is paid “on your own” you will likely need either cash or credit card for that purpose. All entrance fees and other services offered on the program are paid already (unless specified under “free time” activity or made clear on the program). Most places accept credit cards. If asked, tell them you want the charge on your card “in local currency.” That option is offered in some countries, but not in all. Having the charge “in local currency” means your bank determines the exchange rate, not the local business’ bank. This often saves you money.

What Size Group?

Most of our groups range between 30-55 people. You can contact your group leader or our office to find out how large a group we are expecting for your program.

What is a “Free Day?”

Some of our programs include a “free day” in the program. On this day your meals are provided as stated in the itinerary but the day was built into the program to allow you time to explore on your own, shop and relax. Our programs are not really geared towards shopping and so this would be the day to get into all those lovely little boutiques, gift shops and stores.

What is an “IPY” Trip?

IPY is a travel company that operates under CTSP, Inc. by Joan Meyer Keane. Joan has over 40 years travel experience “on the ground” in Israel and the region, and has worked in various travel agencies bringing groups from all over the USA. Her trips were especially designed by her with great care for her clients. These are not “study programs” taught by Dr. Smith, but instead she uses her hand-selected expert local guides. Joan personally accompanies the group, making sure all the logistics are smooth, making comfort of the passengers her priority.  These are a unique travel experiences with a personal touch!

Will my Appliances Work?

We recommend you take only those appliances that are absolutely necessary. Hotel bathrooms often have special outlets that can handle only the needs of American electric shavers. ALL OTHER appliances need to adapt from our 110 voltage to 220 current. Unless your appliance is labeled “dual voltage,” you will need a separate voltage converter. Even with dual voltage, you still need an adapter plug with round prongs, which can be purchased via Amazon from the “Stuff we Like” page on this website.  Even if your converter has the round prongs, it is good to have one extra adapter plug to use as an “extender” to stack in order to reach into recessed sockets. 

Climate: 

Because many of our groups travel to Israel, we generally remind them that temperatures are similar to central California or northern Florida/Georgia at the same time of the year, except that there is generally less humidity. Yet, because of the topography, there is a wider variation in temperatures, nights tend to be  a little cooler with days that are warm and bright.  We recommend you check out www.climatestotravel.com for information that should help.

Am I too Old to Go?

Our programs vary in physical intensity, but most are designed for young and old, student or "haven't been a student in decades." We don't assume a participant is deep into Bible or historical studies, but we are prepared to engage at a deeper level the participant who may want to dig a little deeper into the subject. If the program is designed with more hiking or an arduous part of the journey, our staff will make that clear before you sign up - just ask if that is your concern! While it is true that we handle a number of groups that are from schools, the majority of our participants are not youth. 

Packing: 

Unless you specifically advise us, you should be capable to carry all your own luggage easily, or you should consider reducing what you bring. Although there are porters in the hotels, there will be some times when it will be necessary (customs, etc.) or to your advantage to be able to handle your own luggage. Your checked luggage should be easily manageable in both size and weight. The airlines allow one carryon piece, and a smaller additional “personal item” which is like a purse, backpack, camera bag. Your carry on should contain essential toiletries, medicine and a complete change of clothes just in case luggage is delayed in arrival or lost en route (it rarely happens, but it still can). We have found that clear zip lock bags are helpful in order to keep similar type items together. When appropriate, a hole can be poked in the bag sides to allow air to escape, so it can be “squished” to take up less space. Underwear can be rolled and used to fill in empty spaces. We highly recommend that you uniquely “DECORATE” the outside of your luggage and make it distinctive, so that you help prevent another person mistaking it for their own.

Why is travel insurance so important?

Over the years of offering our travel experiences, we have had some participants who needed to cancel days before a departure because of a sudden illness or injury. Each time the participant was insured, we had peace about their ability to get reimbursed through their insurance provider. It is a heartbreak to us to be forced to decline a refund to someone who requests one after funds have been sent overseas and cannot be recovered. We don't want to be put in the position of declining, but once we have committed funds to cover the program, we cannot get them back to the participant. This is but one reason insurance has been so helpful to our participants over the years.

Other recommendations:

  • Try to take the supplies you will need. You can buy almost everything in your host country, but it will cost about much more and you may not have a choice of brands that are familiar. Add to that, in group travel, shopping may not be convenient.

  • Batteries (especially lithium) and memory cards are very expensive abroad. If you have a digital camera, be sure you have enough memory for all the pictures you’ll want to take.

  • You may wish to take “Handy Wipes” since hotels seldom provide washcloths or purchase washcloths you plan to leave at the hotel.

  • Pack a small amount of powdered detergent in a plastic bag if you plan to wash clothes in the hotel tub or sink. Also, you may want to bring plastic hanger with a swivel top and clips on the bottom, and a small clothesline. Take a plastic bag for things that may not have dried overnight and/or a wet swimsuit.

  • If you have trouble adjusting to different beds/pillows, consider bringing a small travel pillow. Adjust to using it before you leave home and you may sleep better!

  • A few spring clothespins will allow you to clip the drapes shut if they don’t keep their position. The early morning sun is bright, and some drapes don’t overlap enough, leaving gaps for the sun to wake you.

  • Foam earplugs help you shut out strange noises at night, or the sound of a roommate who snores. Your morning routine may not fit the group wake-up call so bring an alarm clock or use your phone.

  • A digital recorder allows you to dictate information you want to preserve.

  • You’ll appreciate having a travel pack of antibacterial Wet Ones and a small bottle of antibacterial hand sanitizer.

  • The sun is very bright, so don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. A neck cushion, eye shades, foam ear plugs and Advil/Tylenol PM make for an easier flight! Those pills may also be useful the first night abroad.