Things to Know Before You Go to Israel… Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

BEFORE YOU with Noseworthy Travel Services

Do I need a ? Will I need vaccinations? with cancellation coverage, contact the YES. A valid passport is required for None are required, but you may wish to insurance company immediately to file international travel. It must be valid for a contact your personal physician for his/her your claim. minimum of 6 months after your return advice. date. If you do not have a passport, apply for one immediately as it normally takes 4- What if I can’t find a roommate? 6 weeks to process. Once you have your While we will try to match you with a passport, you must submit the information roommate, we cannot guarantee one will to our office. This can be done by phone, be available. If no roommate can be found, mail or via your online account on our you will be responsible for the single room website. supplement, as listed under the “Accommodations” section of the Fine How do I get a passport? Print in your brochure. This notification can You can obtain an application at your come to you as late as 30 days prior to nearest passport office, courthouse, post departure. office, or online. You will need a certified birth certificate (with raised seal and file When is the final payment due? number) and 2 duplicate non-glossy Final payment for your trip is due 60 days photographs measuring 2x2 inches taken prior to departure. Thereafter a late within 6 months of the application. For payment fee of $100 will be assessed. more information regarding you can go online to http://travel.state.gov What if I need to cancel? Call our office immediately and then Will I need a visa? submit your cancellation in writing. Please US and Canadian citizens do not need a refer to your tour brochure for information visa for Israel. regarding cancellation fees. Beginning 105 NOTE: If you are not an American or days prior to the tour, you will be charged Canadian citizen, you will need to check the single room supplement if your with the nearest consulate to find out if cancellation forces your roommate into a visas are required and if so, how to get one. single room. If you have GETTING THERE UPON ARRIVAL

What will be used? What If my luggage is lost or We have contracts will many IATA carriers. damaged? Your flight schedule will be available File a claim at the before you leave approximately 30 days prior to departure. the claim area. It is the airline’s responsibility to get lost luggage to you or When may I receive my flight compensate you for damages. information? Flight information is available approxi- Will a company representative mately 30 days prior to departure. You will meet us at the airport? be mailed your flight schedule along with YES. Our personnel will meet you upon your other travel documents approx. 2-3 arrival at your final destination, and will weeks before your tour begins. accompany you to the airport at the end of your tour. There will not be a representative Who is responsible for any at US . airline schedule changes What can I expect upon arrival? and/or expenses? After going through customs, you will be met All flight times are subject to change by the by our representative just inside the without advance notice. We are not baggage claim area who will give you responsible for changes and/or delays in instructions. Collect your luggage and pay airline schedules nor any expenses attention to the directions. En route to the associated with such changes. hotel, you will also be told the procedures NOTE: Should you incur any expenses for luggage & checking in. Porters will only May I request special seating handle your primary piece of luggage. You due to a scheduling change, make sure and/or meals on my flights? to keep your receipts as you may be able are responsible for your carry-ons and YES. Requests should be submitted to our to be reimbursed through your travel personal items. office in writing at least 105 days prior to insurance policy if you chose to departure. However, we cannot guarantee What If I booked my own flights? purchase one. that your requests will be honored, as it is Please be advised that Noseworthy Travel ultimately the airline’s decision. Services (NTS) has only scheduled transfers How early should I arrive at the between the airport and the hotel for those airport? What about frequent flier who book their flights through NTS. If you Due to the increased security at airports, miles? elect to purchase your own flights as a we recommend arriving at least two hours Unfortunately, we are not able to process “Ground Only” passenger, you are ultimately prior to departure for domestic flights and miles towards your flights and/or up- responsible for securing transportation at least three hours prior for international grades. However, you may earn miles for between the airport and the hotel, both for flights your flights. To do so, please provide a your arrival and departure. Please be agent with your frequent flier number at prepared to make your own transfer What If I miss my flight or it is check in. Information about your airline’s arrangements from the airport to the hotel cancelled on the day of frequent flier program is available on the on arrival and then back to the airport at the departure? airline’s website. end of your trip as we cannot guarantee there will be space for you on any of our Contact us immediately. After that, go transfer buses. speak to a gate agent to see when the next How much luggage am I available flight will be. It is the airline’s allowed to bring? What is the difference in our responsibility to get you to your destination Due to limited space available for luggage as soon as possible. Once you have your time zones? on the motor coach, only ONE suitcase Israel is 7 hours ahead of US Eastern new schedule, be sure to call our office so (limited to approx. 50 lbs.), one carry-on Standard Time. we can let our overseas staff know when and one personal item (purse, laptop case, to expect you so we can arrange a new etc.) are allowed. Will my tour schedule change? transfer time for your group if necessary. We reserve the right to alter the sightseeing NOTE: Our emergency line is answered Most airlines will accept a maximum of itinerary to accommodate changes in local 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Refer to 62 linear inches (length + width + conditions or extenuating circumstances. your travel folder and flight letter for depth) for checked luggage. Please phone number information. Please review your specific airline’s current What are the hotel rooms like, listen carefully to the instructions given luggage requirements on their website. and what amenities do they in the recording. Carry-ons & personal items must fit offer? Are hair dryers and wash- under your seat or in the overhead cloths available in the rooms? compartment of the plane, and under We use hotels that are 1st-class or better. your seat or in your lap while on the Each room will have a private bath, TV, and motor coach. We will provide you with a phone. Most rooms will have a hair dryer. luggage tag for your checked item, Typically, most hotels will not provide however we strongly recommend that washcloths, while some may do so only you attach your own tags on each item upon request. Therefore, we recommend you carry as well. taking your own with a plastic “baggie” in which to pack it. What are the buses like? A Note on Electricity… The deluxe touring coaches are air You will need an international adapter conditioned & accommodate approxi- (2 round prongs, European style) & mately 45 passengers. converter set to safely use your electronics. Israel uses 220 volts, vs Are there restrooms on the bus? 110 in the USA. Note: Some devices are There are no restrooms on the bus, “dual-voltage” and do not need the however sufficient stops will be made for converter. Check your specific device to your comfort. see if a converter will be necessary for you. Use caution with devices that heat up such as flat irons and hair-dryers as GENERAL INFORMATION they can ruin your converter and appliance. It is best to purchase the How much money should I Will ATM machines be available? kind that can run on 220 volts with the bring? ATMs are available at local banks and at flip of a switch. Not included on your tour are the following: most hotels. You will receive funds in the lunches, spending money, optional tipping, local currency. Will I have internet access? Love Offering for the guide and driver. We NOTE: You will likely be charged a fee Nearly all hotels will offer internet access suggest at least $500 in cash, to cover and may be subject to daily withdrawal (charges may apply). Please see the front these and any miscellaneous expenses, limits. desk for current rates. Also, many touring but it is a personal decision. coaches have onboard Wi-Fi. What about traveler’s checks & What about tipping? credit cards? How can I call home? Unless otherwise stated on your brochure, We do not recommend the use of traveler’s Calls may be made from your hotel room prepaid gratuities have been collected for checks as you may experience difficulty phone for a fee. You may also either rent an the guide, driver, porters as well as the using and/or cashing them. You may also international cell phone or bring your own hotel dining, housekeeping and front desk be subject to significant handling fees. cell phone with you. staff. However, if you request any special Credit cards can be used for most NOTE: Contact your wireless carrier to services from the staff, an additional tip of purchases. $1 or so would also be appropriate for your find out if your phone will work overseas, IMPORTANT: Before you travel, contact and if so, what the rates will be. We do lunches and occasional other services (such as using the restroom at a church). your bank or credit card company to not recommend the use of calling cards, notify them about your travel to Israel to as hotels may still charge you. Your guide will let you know when this is appropriate. avoid difficulty using your card overseas. What meals are included? Love Offering Will I be able to shop while on Unless otherwise stated on your brochure, Unless specified otherwise on your brochure, there will be a voluntary love the tour? buffet breakfast and dinner at the hotel are Yes; time will be allotted for shopping offering collected for your guide and included daily. Lunch will be on your own. during the tour. Please be courteous of driver. While in Israel, the suggested Coffee, tea and water will be available at others while shopping, and be aware of amount is $6 per person, per day for breakfast. Water will be available during when the group and bus are ready to leave. dinner. Other beverages may be available your guide and $3 per person, per day at a small charge. for your driver. Your group leader will NOTE: Any purchases made are at your pass around an envelope for this own risk. We are not responsible for Is the water safe to drink? collection near the end of the tour. your dissatisfaction with any purchases. In Israel, the water is safe, & bottled water Guides are not authorized to will be available on the bus for purchase What type of currency is used? recommend any stores or shops on our daily. Shekels are used in Israel; however, US behalf. currency is widely accepted. We suggest Will I be able to hear my guide? you take a good supply of small bills: $1s, What are the US customs For your convenience, we are providing $5s, $10s, etc. regulations? headsets to your group. These will allow you A returning US resident is allowed $800 in to stay connected to your guide, even in Should I exchange money duty-free purchases. Gifts may be mailed crowded or noisy areas. For your comfort before I go? to the US duty free, but are limited to $100 you may use your own headphones if you This is not necessary, but if you prefer to per person, per day. do not find the provided set to be have local currency, you can exchange it at comfortable. your local bank or the airport. Currency exchange may not be available at the hotel, How long is the typical touring so if you plan to exchange, do so before you day? leave the airport. On most days, you will depart the hotel between 7:30-8:30 am and will return late afternoon, around 5:00-6:00 pm. Your guide will announce the daily schedule. GENERAL INFORMATION (cont.)

What is VAT? you have medication which needs to be What if I lose something on the VAT (Value Added Tax) is a sales tax of at refrigerated, you must inform our office at tour? least 17% that is charged for most goods in least 105 days prior to the tour so that we Leave valuables at home! Double-check Israel. This amount is part of the price, not can make appropriate arrangements with your belongings when leaving the plane, added at the register. It is possible to claim the airlines and hotels. hotel & bus. We cannot assume responsi- back most of this tax for Israel. The best bility for your lost items. way to do this is to see if the retailer you are Am I fit enough to travel? What Have any lectures or special buying from is affiliated with tax-free if I have mobility issues? shopping. If so, they will give you services been planned? Passengers registered for the tour accept Please refer to your brochure and/or instructions for your refund. Generally, all the responsibility for being in good health detailed itinerary which will be enclosed you have to do is collect a completed form and able to walk and travel on the tour. with your final travel documents. from the store which lists your purchases. Because many of the sites are not You MUST have this form stamped by accessible to the physically challenged, Any last minute items I customs when you leave the country. those needing oxygen, wheelchairs or other ambulatory assistance will find the tour shouldn’t forget? What will the weather be like? extremely limiting to their experience. Passport, another form of photo ID, flight There is no way to predict the weather, Guides, drivers and other staff are not information, Bible, sunglasses, camera therefore, we recommend checking permitted to assist with wheelchairs and (with extra batteries & memory cards), www.weather.com before your departure to the like for liability reasons. Please call our electrical converter & adapter, prescrip- get an idea of current temperatures and office if you have further questions. tions, money & sundry toilet items. conditions for the cities you will be visiting. Although the climates we visit are typically How much walking is there Any other tips? dry during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, we YES, here’s a few… recommend packing a small umbrella. each day? While this will vary, expect to walk 1-3 miles • Pack light. (Save room for souvenirs!) daily over varying terrain (stairs, cobble- • Bring copies of important documents What type of clothing should I stone, etc.). This will be intermittent and like your passport & prescriptions. bring? often there will be somewhere to pause for • Be on time for the bus and prepared to Your best option is to bring clothing you can rest. If you are concerned about the rotate seats each day. layer that is loose-fitting and casual. A hat, difficulty, you may either stay on the bus or • Keep all your receipts. sunglasses and a poncho are also a good sit nearby. Your guide will let you know your idea. Some days will involve long rides options at each site. • Settle personal charges at the hotel the and/or a lot of walking, so comfortable night before you check out. shoes are a must! What about travel insurance? • Remember: You are a guest in a foreign country. Customs and food will be NOTE: At many holy sites, both men and If you purchased the Travel Protection Plan different than at home. Be respectful of women are expected to have their through our company, both cancellation & the culture and embrace the new shoulders and knees covered. Please medical coverage is provided. It is EXPERIENCES! check with your guide for any clothing important to note however, that services restrictions for the following day. must be paid for at the time rendered. Upon your return to the US, a claim will What about my prescription need to be filed directly with the insurance medication? provider. Please review the Travel Protection Plan information that has been Bring your medicines in their original included in your pre-tour literature for more containers along with a copy of your details. prescription as well as the generic name. If 2/11/16