Travel the Text General Packing Guidelines

LUGGAGE

NO MORE THAN ONE CHECKED SIZED BAG PER PERSON.

  • Most hotels offer valet service, but there will be times you must carry your own luggage while traveling, and all group luggage must also fit under the bus. For these reasons we ask that you do not bring more than a maximum of one checked sized bag per person.

  • Sharing one checked size between couples is recommended. Less is more when traveling/organizing at each stop. Traveling carryon and personal item only may also be preferred for some.

  • We will provide a brightly colored TTT luggage tag with your trip materials for easy group ID at the airport and hotels during the trip.

  • NOTE: For those checking luggage, make sure to pack at least one change of clothes and all essential medications and toiletries in your carry-on as checked bags risk loss or delay.

 

personal item (Bus Bag/Site Bag)

  • Bring a backpack or tote bag to carry necessary items on the bus from your hotel each day; this “bus bag” is recommended for storing necessities that you may want available during the day, but not necessarily while hiking around each site. Such necessities may include medications, extra snacks, extra pens & highlighters, money, change of socks/shoes, jacket, rain gear, battery pack chargers, etc.

  • Site Bag: Additionally, you may want a smaller daypack suitable to use as your “on site” bag. Items you may carry to most sites include your passport/money, TTT Study Guide, Bible, pen/highlighter, water, snack, hat, and possibly jacket, seat cushion, and hiking poles which can be attached by carabiner, etc.

CLOTHING/TOILETRIES

Weather can be unpredictable in Israel as we navigate a diverse land from mountains to coastal plains within short distances. Be prepared for cooler mornings/evenings and for unseasonably heat waves. Layers are recommended, as are lightweight, moisture wicking sun protective clothes. Rainy season lasts from end of October until early May, with January often the wettest, so if traveling during these months be prepared and bring a good rain jacket (with hood). Some also prefer rain pants, and perhaps a small umbrella. The teaching will continue! No fancy dinner clothes are necessary; older clothes or travel specific quick dry items that you can handwash and hang dry overnight as needed are ideal.

SPECIFIC CLOTHING ITEMS TO PACK

  • Wide-brimmed hat: REQUIRED wear for sun protection each day. A must have in Israel; we will all look cool together.

  • Shirts: We recommend a few comfortable base layer t-shirts (crew neck), that can layer with 2-3 sun protective long-sleeve shirt options. Moisture wicking, lightweight button up or crew neck shirts that offer sun protection and modesty are ideal.

  • Pants: 3-4 comfortable, quick dry (for wash and hang dry), perhaps hiking specific (but not required) pants are recommended. No leggings; when in doubt, pack looser fit options; religious sites will use their own discretion on what they deem acceptable or not. Shorts are possible for some days, but lightweight pants that offer increased sun protection and meet modesty dress codes at the many religious sites we visit are recommended.

  • Walking/Water Shoes: We recommend having two good walking shoe options on the trip to rotate. We pack a pair of good lace up hiking or trail running shoes (Oboz, Merrells, etc.; any shoe offering good support and traction) and a pair of walking/water shoes like Keens or Chaco sandals. These are great for days like Hezekiah’s tunnel or Dead Sea where you need water shoes with good walking options and backstrap, but they can be worn all day if you prefer as they dry quickly and support well. If purchasing new shoes for the trip, take them on several good walks to BREAK THEM IN WELL ahead of the trip.

  • Socks/Underwear: Hiking or running specific socks made from nylon or merino wool are recommended (cotton socks are more likely to cause blisters and take longer to dry after handwashing).

  • Swimsuit: Swimming opportunity at the Dead Sea and at one of the resort hotels is an option. One piece, tankini, or a shirt over bikini is advised for women. Shorts and tshirt are fine for Dead Sea as well!

  • Jacket and/or sweater for cooler days (especially evenings and mornings) and plane ride is recommended. Evenings can get cool; pack what you’d want in 45-60 degree windy weather with a cooler chill in the air. For some that’s an 850 down Patagonia stuff jacket – for some it’s a windbreaker and maybe a sweater layer. Easier to store a jacket than wish you had one.

  • Rain Jacket/Umbrella: Spring is rainy season so be prepared with a good rain jacket. Some also want to have pull on rain pants, packable ponchos, or travel size umbrellas.

  • Masks: Mask mandates are not currently in place, but you may want to bring a few disposable just in case. We will also try to source locally if needed if this (not expected) measure is put back in place for any of our sites but if you have a style you prefer over another, throw a few in the bag.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  • PASSPORT: With expiration date at least 6 months after your date of departure from Israel.

  • Passport Color Copies: submit a color copy with your registration. Keep two additional copies, one in your checked luggage, and another elsewhere, separate from your passport in case of loss/theft.

  • Alternative Picture I.D. (i.e. Driver's License)

  • Emergency Medical Information: Keep a document listing any known medical conditions, allergies (food, medicine, etc.), medicines, immunizations, insurance, etc. with your passport in case of emergency. If you have any existing medical concerns, please confirm with your doctor that you are clear to travel and provide a copy of your medical documents to your group leader.

MONEY

  • Debit/Credit Cards: ATM’s at the airport on arrival are an easy way to receive local currency (Visa or MasterCard). Credit/debit cards are widely accepted. Check your cards foreign transaction fees.

  • Cash: We try to provide an opportunity at your first hotel to exchange USD into local currency with a local money changer we know. USD are often accepted but using shekels is a better value. Past group members recommend $100-$300 pocket cash for snacks/drinks/lunch during the trip depending on your budget preference, though credit card works almost everywhere as well. Cash only is often limited to street vendor shopping. Additionally, we provide large 1.5-2 liter bottles of water each day on the bus, but the bus driver will sell small bottles of COLD water from his secret cold storage stash for $1 each. Keep some smaller USD denominations for this convenient option. (We recommend putting a $5 or $10 in the water money basket and getting small bottles as wanted from this as single dollar are hard for the driver to change to local currency.)

NOTE: Notify your credit/debit card companies of your travel dates and that you will be in Israel and the Palestinian Territories so that a security hold will not block your credit or debit cards when you arrive. Do not bring Traveler’s Checks.

STUDY MATERIALS

  • Bible (small travel Bible, or Bible app on personal device is recommended; large study versions get heavy when hiking.)

  • Travel the Text Travel Guide (provided by TTT)

  • Journal/Notebook

  • Pens/Pencils/Highlighters

WATER & MUNCHIES

Breakfast and dinner are provided buffet-style. Lunch options vary each day, sometimes local dining options are available and others we will eat snacks you’ve brought or bought locally while we travel between sites. NOTE: Those with food sensitivities should come prepared with extra snacks to supplement your diet as needed.

  • Hydration daypacks (i.e. CamelBak, etc.) with water bladders or refillable water bottles are recommended. We provide large bottles of water to refill your more portable containers.

  • Electrolyte supplements, such as Liquid I.V. or Ultima, in powder or tablet forms to easily add to your water as needed.

  • Snacks: pack your favorite protein/granola bars, and low-sugar snack foods to ensure you stay energized on hikes and walks between meals (protein bars, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, crackers, etc.). Several familiar snacks can also be found at convenience stops along the trip, but especially for those who need to decipher ingredient labels for food allergies or preferences, make sure to pack some from home.

OTHER

  • Sunglasses: durable sunglasses (and a spare)

  • Sunscreen and chapstick with SPF

  • Medications & First Aid: Any prescription medications, inhalers for asthma, etc. Bring a mask to protect fellow group members if you begin to feel unwell. A first aid kit will travel with us, but a personal supply of preferred pain relievers, bandages, cough drops, cold/flu, stomach medications, instant cold packs, etc. Moleskin and Bodyglide if prone to blisters or chaffing.

  • Motion-Sickness Prevention: We will travel many windy, hilly roads. Even if you’ve never been motion sick, be prepared. We recommend Sea-Band bracelets, peppermint oil, hard ginger candies (gin-gins) for natural options and/or Bonine, non-drowsy Dramamine, etc.

  • Hand Sanitizer/Wet Wipes: You’ll want to “wash” your hands often when traveling.

  • Laundry soap: Travel detergents, or even a simple bar of soap works well for washing clothes in the sink; hotels will provide laundry service, per piece. Tide pens or shout wipes are also useful.

  • Digital or Phone Camera: Extra memory cards, external charging batteries, and charging cords.

  • Cell Phones: Many will bring cell phones, which can double as alarm clocks. Please check with your provider for international rates and plans before travel. Clear space ahead of time and know how to back up your photos during the trip if possible.

  • Portable Battery Pack: having an extra external battery pack to recharge your phone (camera) during the day is a great resource.

  • Travel Alarm Clock if your cell phone will not work for this. Hotel wake up calls are always set but not always reliable.

  • Travel toilet tissue/wet wipes: Restrooms are not always stocked; best to be prepared.

  • Adapters/Converters: multiport electric adapters are recommended, noted for Israel/EU.

  • Cushion to sit on (optional, but rocks do get hard). Garden/bleacher pads are great.

  • Small flashlight with new batteries

  • Washcloths are not provided in European style hotels such as in Israel; hair dryers will be available.

  • Reusable Zip Snack Bags for repacking snacks, extra lunch, or other items during trip.

DO NOT BRING

  • Graphic, patriotic, military, camouflage, or religious clothing: We are guests in this land and here to learn. We will visit many diverse places and peoples each day and our love and respect, not our clothing or insignia, define us. There will be many religious sites and secure areas we visit that do not allow clothing or hats with writing, insignia, flags, military or political reference, etc. of any kind. Leave these at home.

  • Expensive/flashy jewelry: Wedding bands are understandable, but the less you bring the better. Jewelry and other small valuables risk loss, being forgotten in hotel safes, falling out of backpacks, etc. Keep nostalgic/high value items at home.

  • Weapons of any kind are forbidden. This includes pocket-knives, pepper spray, etc. We will go through metal detectors often, sometimes without notice. Security may thank you for the souvenir, but you aren’t likely to get it back…and you may be detained.

  • Modesty is required in this culture, especially in the many religious sites we visit, and local standards are often more conservative than those in the USA. Religious sites, which we will visit almost every day, do not allow the following: sleeveless shirts, tank tops, tight-fitting shirts, leggings, low-cut collars (even v-necks depending on depth), shorts. Some sites allow capris/ankles to show, but not all. Head coverings will be provided if required (men or women depending on site) but your hat will be acceptable and is recommended. Skirts are not required for women at any site; pants are fine but for the most conservative (we will advise ahead of time) they must go to ankles. There will be 1 or 2 days, or certain sites each day when shorts or sleeveless, etc. may be acceptable. To be safe, plan to always have a pair of long pants and a jacket or long sleeve button up shirt you can keep in your bus bag just in case.