Another week. Another blog about an important mountain in Israel.

This time… Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18, in case you forget the story.

(Give us a call to discuss including Mount Carmel on your tour of the Holy Land. Toll-free 1-855-958-6877.)

The Prophet Elijah needed to prove that Baal and other pagan gods were lesser than his God. So, to put it simply, they had a competition to see which god was the true God.

The “fire of the Lord” fell on the place where Elijah had set up a sacrifice and proved to everyone there who the one true God was and is.

When you visit Mount Carmel today, you’ll see the statue of Elijah that was erected by monks centuries ago.

You’ll see their ancient monastery, rebuilt in the 1800s. You’ll see the traditional place of Elijah’s miracle. And yes… it’s truly a beautiful mountain!

You’ll step where God proved His power and truth through the fires of sacrifice. (In much of Jerusalem, you’ll walk in the footsteps of Jesus, but on Mount Carmel, you’ll walk where God the Father performed miracles.)

It’s a life-changing experience that you won’t forget.

Whether you’re organizing a Holy Land tour for your church group OR you’re planning a memorable family and friends trip, we’d love to help you organize the details.

With a trip this special, you don’t want to leave it to luck or hope you pick the right locations and times and tour guides. Lean on our expertise and guidance. We’ll help you plan every detail… even the ones people often forget or overlook.

As always, you can give us a call toll-free. 1-855-958-6877. We’ll walk you through logistics, ideas, flights, budgets, and all the important information.

Talk to you soon,

P.S. Want to include Mount Carmel in your tour of the Holy Land? We’ll help you build an itinerary that includes all the spots you want to experience. Give us a call today to talk about your options. 1-855-958-6877.

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written to you about specific locations or attractions in Israel.

I hope you enjoyed the “weather in Israel” and “what to pack” emails recently. If you missed the usual location-specific emails, I promise that you’re going to love today’s email.

(If you’re ready to talk about your trip to the Holy Land, give us a call. Ask us questions. Hear some stories. Talk budget and timeline. 1-855-958-6877)

Have you ever heard of Mount Arbel?

You know Galilee. You know the Tiberias.

If so, then you know the general region of Mount Arbel.

With high cliffs (110-meter, 360 feet) and incredible views of the Gollan Heights, Mount Arbel is likely a spot that isn’t on your “must-see” list.. But perhaps it should be.

Besides its breathtaking natural beauty, this amazing mountain has ruins from the Hellenistic period, the Romans, the Ottomans, and even the Byzantines.

Its ancient Jewish synagogue is definitely something you don’t want to miss – originally built in the 4th century and then rebuilt in the 6th century and used for a few hundred years.

You’ll see lots of ruins and history on your tour of the Holy Land. But in terms of ancient ruins that span multiple time periods, I’d argue that Mount Arbel could be the most breathtaking.

Beautiful, can’t-miss history.

You might even be fortunate enough to meet the local Bedouins (nomads). Consider yourself extremely blessed when they invite you into their cave-style home for “Bedouin tea.” It’s true, it happens from time to time. But I’ll tell you more about that in a future email.

An unbelievable and memorable experience, for sure!

You can research Mount Arbel on Google or Bing. You can find it on Wikipedia. You’ll learn a lot – the facts and stats. But nothing compares (or even comes close) to experiencing these incredible ruins and seeing these incredible sites with your own eyes.

The pictures you bring home will only be matched by the stories you’ll tell friends and family when you return home. Memories and stories that you’ll pass down to your grandchildren.

As always, you can give us a call toll-free. 1-855-958-6877. We’ll tell you the stories that people have relayed to us during and after their trek to Mount Arbel.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

P.S. Thinking of a church trip to the Holy Land? Don’t try to plan the logistics and details on your own, it’s a lot to handle by yourself. We have the lists and know the people to ensure your church’s Holy Land tour is unbelievable and unforgettable. Give us a FREE call to start the process. 1-855-958-6877.

When planning a trip to Israel, packing the right items can make all the difference. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure (for religious or secular reasons), Israel offers a unique and exciting travel experience that’s sure to make memories that last a lifetime. Knowing what to bring and what to leave behind can help ensure you have a hassle-free, enjoyable, and memorable adventure.

As with any travel, the first thing to consider is the type of activities you plan to do while in Israel. If you plan to visit the beach, make sure to pack swimwear, sunscreen and a beach towel. If you plan to explore the local culture or religious sites, consider bringing comfortable and modest clothing such as long skirts and shirts with sleeves. You’ll also want to bring good, comfortable walking shoes for exploring the ancient ruins of Israel.

Another important item to consider is a daypack. This will come in handy for carrying water, snacks, a camera, and any souvenirs you pick up. Depending on the length of your trip, you may also want to bring a larger backpack, especially if you plan to do any overnight hikes.

When it comes to electronics, consider bringing a laptop or tablet for staying connected and doing research while on the go. Cell phones are also a must, especially if you plan to use a local SIM card. Don’t forget all your chargers AND adapters so you can charge your electronics. Also don’t forget, you may need to let your mobile provider know of your travel plans beforehand so you don’t have any hiccups on your trip.

If you are planning to visit Hezekiah’s Tunnel (Siloam tunnel) , also pack a flashlight and waterproof footwear such as Crocs.

With those basics out of the way, there are still some key items to note, especially based on which season you are travelling in.

Summer, Men Packing List

For daytime, be sure to pack shorts or light pants, and T-shirts or polo shirts.

In the evening, you may want to switch to slacks or jeans (shorts for a casual night). And bring a long-sleeved sweater for chilly evenings.

Also, pack dressier pants and tops for Shabbat (Saturday night) or banquets.

Summer, Women’s Packing

For daytime, women can likewise pack shorts or light pants. You may also want to bring a light skirt or t-shirts and short-sleeved tops.

In the evening, shorts, pants, skirts, and dresses are fine to pack. You may also want to bring dressier pants or dresses for Shabbat. Also bring along a sweater in case the evening gets chilly.

Summer, Kids

For kids, pack the same as adults.

Winter Packing Instructions

For men, in the daytime, you’ll want to have pants or jeans, sweaters, and a comfortable, warm jacket.

Evenings, same thing. But bring along a sport coat in case you need something less casual.

For women, sweats, jeans, or comfortable pants are fine. Heavy sweaters and casual tops will keep you warm and comfortable.

For nighttime, the same list but perhaps less casual. It’s a chance to pack your favorite dresier outfit. This is especially true for Shabbat.

Kids, same as adults.

Dead Sea and Eilat

If your Israel tour brings you to Eilat or the Dead Sea, you have some special packing instructions.

Pack swimwear and a coverup. A sun hat is a necessity, especially for Eilat.

If you travel to Eilat, please bring a separate piece of luggage for two people. You’ll need to bring enough clothing for 3 days. No need to bring all your luggage. But be sure to have luggage tags.

Remember, comfortable shoes should always be part of your packing list. Tennis shoes work well. If you’re going to the Dead Sea, pack Cros or other rubber, waterproof footwear. This is a MUST.

No matter where you travel, and regardless of the season, dress in layers as often as possible. The mornings often start out chilly and then warm up. Dress so you can “peel” as the weather changes throughout the day.

As always, if you have questions about your packing list, give us a call at 1-855-958-6877, and we can help you create your perfect packing list. We’d rather have you ask ahead of time instead of neglecting to pack something important. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Give us a call today.

Today, let’s talk weather. First things first…

I promise you’re going to learn all about the weather in Israel. More than you’ll learn with a quick Google search. Then, next week, you’ll learn what to pack, so you’ll be ready for the weather.

(Or, if you prefer to talk about the weather over the phone, you can give us a call @ 1-855-958-6877).

But before I tell you anything about the weather, you need to remember that Israel, like most of the world, measures temperature in Celcius. So when you hear that today was a lovely 19 degrees, don’t think it was below freezing and horrible.

19 Celcius is actually quite lovely this time of year. Mid-60s in Fahrenheit. Not too hot, not too cold. A lovely February day.

As with much of the Northern hemisphere, January and February are the coldest months in Israel. You can expect temperatures to average around 14 or 15 C (mid-50s F). January is also often the wettest month of the year, with an average rainfall of 120-130 millimeters (or just about 4-5 inches).

While winter months tend to have lower temperatures and higher rainfall, they also have lower prices. For some people, that’s more than worth the trade-off.

If you prefer warmer weather and practically zero rainfall, July and August are great months to plan your Holy Land tour. With average temperatures in Jerusalem of around 28C (or 84F), the beaches and sightseeing locations are at their peak form in the summer months.

And… unlike much of the Middle East, you won’t experience horrifically hot, arid weather in Israel. A heat wave rarely reaches into the triple-digits (Fahrenheit). And in winter, there’s rarely a moment when the weather reaches below freezing.

Think of the Holy Land as a Goldilocks zone of great climate. Not too hot, not too cold, not too wet, not too dry. It is a land flowing with milk and honey, after all.

You probably have questions about the weather and which month you should plan your trip. Don’t just take your best guess. Give us a phone call, and we’ll be happy to discuss the pros and cons with you. And what other travelers have told us over the years.

As always, you can give us a call toll-free. 1-855-958-6877. OR you can schedule a time for us to call you. Pick the day and time that works best for you.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Tradition Tours tel:1-855-958-6877

P.S. Next week, I’ll publish a blog about “what to pack” for your trip to the Holy Land. It might be a bit longer than our usual blogs… but it’ll be more than worth it! If you have any questions be in touch!