Israel Trip Details
Travel Dates
March 26-April 9, 2028
15 day trip including travel (14 days, 12 nights* in Israel)
*Option to add two additional nights for extra fee, one at the beginning and one at the end, depending on individual flight preferences, with program fee being priced for this core portion of the trip.
Program Land Fee
Total Program Land Cost
$4,200 + $300 for group tips ($4,500 per person total) based on double occupancy
*$985 single supplement for private room (limited)
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The Program Fee for this 2028 Israel Study Trip includes:
Travel the Text Experience
Customized itinerary planning specific to Biblical Study Trip emphasis and private group experience.
Virtual group info meeting(s) and travel planning support with Travel the Text
Pre-trip access to online “Biblical Foundations” study trip preparation course
On-site teaching provided by Geoff Carroll throughout the trip, with developed TTT Biblical Study Program curriculum
TTT Travel Materials including: TTT Travel Study Guide, day pack, foldable seat cushion, luggage tags
Israel Travel Expenses
12 nights of accommodations as per itinerary (or similar)
Valet/Porterage (where available)
Half Board: daily breakfast and dinner buffet (some lunches/local treats included!)
Deluxe motorcoach transportation
All site entrance fees
Bottled water
All Tips for Group Experiences
Your $300 final cash payment due on arrival in Israel helps us pay the group tips and cash expense requirements to all guides, facilitators, drivers, local taxes, hotel staff (housekeeping, valet, dining), special activities or services, etc.
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Airfare to Tel Aviv (TLV)
Lunches (with a few exceptions)
Israel Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) Payment (see below for more info): about $7-$8 (25 shekels) processed online (we will advise).
Special beverages (with the exception of juice, tea and coffee at breakfast, water at dinner)
Extra personal expenses due to delays or traveling separate from group flight, including airport transfers for late arrivals, cancellations, or emergencies.
Any other unforeseen personal expense outside the program schedule.
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Complete payment details can be found on the Trip Payments page.
Due with Registration: $200 Commitment Fee
(refundable until March 1, 2027)
March 1, 2027: $500 Deposit Due
Final deposit payment due to confirm your registration.
May - July 2027: Purchase Flight!
Anticipated timeframe for budgeting flight purchase
January 15, 2028: $1,000 per person*
$985 single supplement for private room (if applicable)
+ Any additional accommodation payments due for early or late departure requests
Due on Arrival in Israel: $300 cash per person
*All payments listed above are per person, and due on or before the listed date. Review Trip Payment page for complete details and payment information.
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The Refund Policy for the 2028 Israel Study Trip is as follows:
Full refund less *non-refundable $200 administrative fee for cancellations received after registration deposit deadline of March 1, 2027.
Full refund less $700 deposit for cancellations received 180-90 days prior to March 26, 2028.
Full refund less $3,000 for cancellations received 90-61 days prior to March 26, 2028.
No refund of any pre-trip payments made for cancellations received 60 days or less prior to March 26, 2028.
*Travel the Text refund policy is developed in line with local accommodation and service provider policies. Full refunds for all prepaid deposits are allowed for cancellations received by Travel the Text prior to the March 1, 2027 deadline for registered participants of this March 26 - April 9, 2028 Israel trip. Full refunds of all payments will be issued within 60 days of written cancellation notification received by Travel the Text via email to: Jamie@travelthetext.com
Biblical Study & Experience
Travel the Text Ministries is passionate about engaging the Biblical Text in its original historical context, inviting lessons from ancient days to transform the way we live today. We seek to provide education through experience and believe that true learning requires active participation. Visiting the lands of the Bible allows us to engage the beauty of true pilgrimage as we walk in the literal footsteps of Jesus, gleaning fresh perspectives through immersive experiences as we study the text in its context.
Pre-Trip & On-Site Biblical Teaching
This study trip experience begins before you even depart your hometown, with access to our online Israel: Biblical Foundations Course. This 7-week, self-paced course will be available to you about 2-3 months prior to your trip, to ensure you arrive with this information fresh on your heart and mind. The course includes weekly recommended readings, introductory video teaching lessons by Geoff Carroll, and photos and visual illustrations for Biblical sites, maps, and time periods for our journey.
Travel the Text’s Israel Study Guide is a spiral bound, professionally printed book provided to enhance your on-site study throughout your trip. Including site summaries, historical time periods, maps, & illustrations this study tool helps you track each experience, allowing for further study and reflection as you continue your journey even after you return home.
Flight Information
A recommended group flight itinerary will be announced when flights for our travel dates are available, usually 9-10 months ahead of travel dates. For now, please keep in mind that in accordance with this programs schedule (if you don’t prefer to arrive early/stay later) you will need a flight that follows the below schedule:
Flight Search Details
Search for ROUND TRIP ticket
Depart: March 26 from your home airport to arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV) on March 27 (with timezone change)
Return: April 8 (evening/late departures)
On your return home, you will search flights that depart late at night on April 8 and arrive home on April 9 (some flights may depart just after midnight on April 9 so you can try this in the search as well. 12-1 am departure options are often available and still be in line with the core group itinerary, requiring the same evening airport arrival on April 8).
If you would like to arrive early or depart late, you can search for the most suitable dates for your preference. The group flight details we will provide, will include group transportation to the initial hotel from the airport. Those arriving early are welcome to meet us at that hotel, or the airport as they prefer. Prices for adding a night at the start and end of the trip will be provided in spring 2027 when flights become available for these trip dates.
Group members are responsible for their own flight schedules and ticketing. You may book directly with your preferred airline or travel agent. Some may wish to arrive early or depart later, which may incur additional hotel nights and private airport transfers not included in the program fee. Travel the Text will provide as much assistance and flexibility as possible. Please reach out with any questions you may have as you finalize your travel plans so we can help ensure your travel is as smooth as possible.
Physical Endurance
***This study program is only suitable for those who are physically able to walk a minimum of 3-5 miles per day, on a variety of terrain. The risk of injury from falls is high for those with mobility impairments; for your well-being, we cannot recommend this program for you.***
Many days there are optional hikes for the more active in the group, with alternative transportation or activities available for those who need or prefer it. However, to reach most of the teaching sites, each day will require at least 3-5 miles of walking over a variety of terrain including pavement, dirt, cobbled, gravel, and worn (slippery) stone. Expect to be walking up and down hills, in varying weather.
PREPARE: To prepare for this trip, take stairs instead of elevators, go for daily walks (with incline if possible), or engage in other cardio activities. This will allow you to get the most out of your experience with less fatigue as we make the most of each day in the land of the Bible.
We can often advise you about which sites are more physically demanding, so you can make decisions on when to sit one out, to save energy for other experiences. Most of those on our trips are able to fully participate in over 80%+ of the sites, even if some need to skip the optional hikes, or more physically demanding sites.
SUPPORT: We ask those with mobility concerns, who dream of journeying to the land of the Bible, to share your situation with your group leader as they can help advise you more directly about the kinds of trails, paths, and physical demands of this itinerary, and if this is a good fit for your physical ability.
Passport
You must have a passport for international travel and it should not expire for at least 6 months after your entry date into Israel. For this itinerary, we recommend that your passport not expire prior to November 2028 or it should be renewed prior to travel. (NOTE: Israel has recently updated their qualifications to 90 days from entry date, however, many airlines may enforce the 6-month timeframe so we urge you to ensure your passport has plenty of validity, of at least 6 months.
Passport renewal information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL)
We will advise you closer to your travel dates with any updates on how to secure this for your trip.
As of January 1, 2025, U.S. citizens need an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) to visit Israel for tourism or business. The ETA-IL is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is shorter. Many countries are increasingly requiring something similar for those eligible for “visa free” travel to their countries. It is a simple (though perhaps tedious) process, with about a $7 (25 shekel), and most often approved within minutes. We will send reminders about this requirement and advise you of this process more fully closer to your travel dates.
Accommodation (or similar)
12 NIGHTS (+2 extra optional for 14 nights total in Israel)
Leonardo Plaza Netanya (Tel Aviv): 2 nights
On arrival, we begin at a hotel near the airport, in a quieter area in the northern area of Tel Aviv, with easy access to our first sites!
Optional early arrival on March 26 at your preferred hotel, or at group hotel for extra night cost, for additional jet lag recovery time. Extra night price to be confirmed spring 2027.
Manger Square, Bethlehem: 3 nights
This 4-star hotel offers some of the best hospitality in the land, and the location can’t be beat, located just across the street from Manger Square and the Church of Nativity. You will have the opportunity to interact with some of the oldest Christian families on earth from this destination, where Jesus began His own time in the land.
Ein Gev Holiday Village, Galilee: 4 nights
Taking a break from traditional hotels, Ein Gev offers ground level studios clustered around the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Each studio includes a kitchenette and a private terrace with sitting area. This location is perfect for easy access to sites throughout the Galilee and offers a gorgeous location for reflection as you walk, sit, or recline in a hammock as the sun sets over the Sea of Galilee.
Jericho Oasis Resort Hotel, Judean Wilderness: 3 nights
This 4-star resort hotel offers a beautiful wilderness destination just north of the Dead Sea. Complete with pools, spas, restaurant, fitness center and ping pong, guests always enjoy this unique location in the lowest city on earth.
*Extra night possible to add in Jericho for those with flights departing April 9, or we recommend Sadot Boutique closer to the airport depending on flight time.
*This program includes 4 star deluxe accommodation. for your group is reflected above, but is subject to change. Accommodation will be provided as indicated above as currently reserved, or similar.