You know the Jordan River. It’s the place of many (loads!) biblical miracles and stories.

Crossing the Jordan to get to the Promised Land.
The Jordan River dividing in two.
Getting healed in the Jordan.
Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan.

It’s an important place. Especially if you’re a church group, you’ll want to include the Jordan River in your Holy Land tour.

Imagine being baptised (or re-baptised) in the spot where Jesus was baptised. Where the heavens opened and a dove descended upon him.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17

Of, if you’re a pastor, imagine baptising your church members in the Jordan. It’ll be an unforgettable bonding experience.

The traditional site of Jesus’ baptism is called Qasr al Yahud. Give it a quick Google and see how beautiful it is. Or give us a call and we’ll tell you stories of people who have visited.

When you walk up to the Jordan River, you’ll be taken aback by the simplicity and humbleness of the surroundings. To know that such a momentous and significant event took place in such an underwhelming, everyday spot will give you a new understanding and perspective on the biblical story.

Adding a visit to the Jordan River to your Holy Land tour will be amazing and unforgettable. Let’s talk about turning this dream idea into a reality. Give us a call today. 1-855-958-6877.

Best Times to Visit the Holy Land

Whether it’s for yourself OR your church group, when planning or booking your trip to the Holy Land, don’t underestimate this ONE key factor: The importance of timing your trip to Israel.

The goal of this Travel Guide is to focus you (or your group) and help you imagine your ideal Holy Land trip.

People often forget timing when planning their trip. Just like the rest of the world, different seasons bring various weather conditions, events, and holidays, affecting the atmosphere of the country and impacting the character of your trip.

Knowing the best time of year to visit Israel will help you select the ideal time for you (or your church group) to visit or tour the Holy Land. As an early part of your planning, be sure to pick the right month or season so you can properly organize your ideal Holy Land tour.

This Travel Guide breaks down the most (and least) desirable times to travel to the Holy Land by season and presents tour package ideas from DIY options to white glove service. Whether you’re a pastor or small group leader wanting to travel as a church group OR as a family or couple, we’ll help you save money and get more value from your trip.

For a complete guide on when to visit Israel, you can also check out this Travel Guide:
The Best Times to Tour Israel

Best Times of the Year to Tour the Holy Land

Table of Contents:

1. Best Time for Sightseeing & Pilgrimage of the Holy Land
   a. Spring (March to May)
   b. Autumn (September to November)
2. Less Popular Time for Sightseeing & Pilgrimage of the Holy Land
3. The Least Desirable Season for Traveling to the Holy Land
4. Fitness & Safety Considerations

Best Time for Sightseeing & Pilgrimage

Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)

The temperatures tend to be mild, pleasant, and mostly dry during these times of the year. Of course, that also means that these are peak tourist seasons so prices may be higher.

Religious holidays, such as Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, attract large numbers of pilgrims to Israel during this time. Mild temperatures also make these seasons optimal time to try hiking and biking in Israel.

It’s also the perfect time to explore Israel’s neighboring countries with a mini-tour of Jordan and Egypt. If you want to add such extras, call us, and we’ll help you build them into your trip. 1-855-958-6877.

To learn more about calculating how much to plan on spending for a Holy Land trip, read our article titled: How Much Does a Trip to the Holy Land Cost?

Spring (March to May)

Springtime in Israel is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Many people incorporate the holidays of Passover and Shavuot into a Holy Land pilgrimage. Passover is the Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. And Shavuot, also called the Feast of Weeks, is celebrated seven weeks after Passover commemorating the first fruits of the harvest and the giving of the Torah.

While it can be an unforgettable experience, we do not recommend traveling to the Holy Land during these holidays. In general, the rates are much higher, and many hotels require a minimum 5-night stay, which will impact your overall tour schedule and destination plan. Additionally, many businesses and tourist stops can be shut down due to the national holidays.

Other than during these important holidays, hotel and flight prices are comparatively moderate. Call us today to discuss which time of year fits your schedule and plan the best. 1-855-958-6877.

Autumn (September - November)

Just like Spring, there are religious holidays in Autumn to be aware of as well. If you’re so inclined, you can also incorporate these holidays into a Holy Land pilgrimage.

Rosh Hashana celebrates (rather than dreads) the day of judgment. Similarly, Yom Kippur celebrates the Day of Atonement.

Sukkot, Shemini Alzeret, and Simchat Torah celebrate and reflect on the importance and thankfulness of God and the Torah.

If you travel to Israel during these holidays, your hotel and flights may be more expensive, but if you can avoid the dates, the prices during Autumn can be quite moderate. As with the Spring holidays, we do not recommend traveling to the Holy Land during these holidays unless it’s an absolute must.

Less Popular Time for Sightseeing & Pilgrimage

As with much of the world, the winter months (December to February) tend to be less popular and appealing to people. For some groups and individuals, this can be a good time to travel as the weather is cooler, and there is less risk of rain. Of course, there’s always the allure of Christmas in Bethlehem, but that trip can become quite expensive. Worthwhile if it’s a priority and important to you and your faith, but otherwise, Bethelem and the area are best enjoyed in other seasons.

The winter also has colder temperatures and higher rainfall. The benefit is that this time of year (winter) can offer lower prices for travelers on a budget.

Summer Is a Less Desirable Season for Traveling to the Holy Land

It might seem to go against common sense that summer is the least desirable season for a trip to the Holy Land. Summer is often thought of as vacation time, after all. But, during this time of year, temperatures are the hottest, and the weather is often very dry.

Because of the popularity, hotels, and airfare become expensive. More than that, the tourist crowds can become massive. That’s why we highly recommend traveling to Israel in the other seasons of the year.

Even if you don’t mind the weather and crowd sizes, the cost might be the deciding factor.

Fitness & Safety Considerations

Sometimes people forget, so let’s be very clear. Pilgrimage groups can involve a lot of walking or hiking and sometimes traverse over difficult terrain. If your goal is to do a lot of hiking during your time in Israel, which most pilgrimage trips include, then we have a few recommendations:

If you’re not already in good physical condition, add some exercise to your daily routine. Start going for daily walks and be active for the months leading up to your trip
Pack appropriately. If your pilgrimage will include a fair amount of walking, make sure you bring the right outfits with you. Less formalwear and more casual clothing.
Get the proper insurance. Of course, with added exercise comes added risk, so plan ahead by getting extra insurance on your flights and hotels.

One further recommendation: We advise wearing new (hiking) shoes before your departure. There’s little worse than breaking them in (or discovering you don’t like them) during your trip. Break them in a week or two before you leave.

Create a Tailored Holy Land Experience with Tradition Tours

If you’re planning (or hoping to plan) a trip to Israel in the near future, our top recommendation is to let us help you plan and curate your trip. With over 25 years of experience creating memorable experiences to the Holy Land, we know the destinations and deals to recommend or avoid.

To see some of our most popular destinations and packages, read our Travel Guide of the Best Holy Land tours.

Whether you’re traveling on your own or planning a group trip with your church, Tradition Tours operates a full-service travel boutique. We’re proud to offer you concierge services to make your trip to the Holy Land unforgettable.

Call us today @ 1-855-958-6877.

Planning a trip to the Holy Land can be overwhelming. Let us help guide you through the journey. Call now.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10

On his third missionary journey, Paul lived in Ephesus. It’s likely where he wrote 1 Corinthians and perhaps other letters in the Bible. His companion during the 2.5 years in Ephesus was his protege, Timothy.

On the western shores of modern-day Turkey, Ephesus was an important port city then and is an amazing place to visit today.

When you’re there, you’ll discover ancient archeological sites. You’ll see where Paul lived and served and grew the Early Church.

You’ll visit the Library of Celsus, one of the most beautiful structures in all of ancient Ephesus. While the library is from before the time of books, it once held over 12,000 scrolls, the third largest ancient library in the world.

The Great Theatre of Ephesus will be another highlight. With ancient pillars and statues, and carvings, the Theatre was three stories tall and could host 25,000 people. It’s quite the marvel!

When you call us, ask us about the other sites to add to your time in Ephesus.

You’ll be amazed and awed when you walk in the footsteps of St. Paul!

You won’t regret adding this ancient biblical city to your tour.

Best Times to Visit Israel

It’s a common question that we often hear from travelers starting the planning stages of their trip to Israel. What time of year should they book their trip? What is the best time to visit Israel? Or what month is the best to travel to Israel?

Is February a good time to visit Israel?
Is November a good time to visit Israel?
Is October a good time to visit Israel?
Is December a good time to visit Israel?
What is the best time to visit Israel and Jordan?

After you’ve read this travel guide, you’ll know the best time of year for you to visit the Holy Land based on your priorities. Depending on your reasons for choosing Israel, one month may be better than the next. The best time to visit depends on your individual interests and priorities (or those of your group).

The goal of this article is to help you build a trip to Israel based on the preferred experience you want to create. We’ll also provide you with additional information on the curated tour packages that Tradition Tours has to offer.

You’ll also be interested in reading our Travel Guide on costs and budget.
How Much Does a Holy Land Trip Cost?

Best Times of the Year to Visit Israel

Table of Contents:

1. Best Times for Experiencing Isreal’s Highlights
2. Holidays in Israel
3. Best Times for a Beach Vacation
4. Best Times for Jewish Family Time
5. Cheapest Time to Visit
6. Least Busy Time to Visit

Best Times for Experiencing Israel’s Highlights

Spring (Match - May) and Fall (September - November)

We recommend these seasons because the temperatures are mild, pleasant, and mostly dry. You’ll be able to visit the country’s top attractions without the hustle and bustle of the high season, and hotels are comparatively cheaper.

January and February are especially popular with church groups. The weather can be hit-or-miss that time of year, but it’s a quiet time and easy to get arranged.

Springtime in Israel is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The mild temperatures make these seasons the optimal time to try hiking and biking in Israel. It’s also the perfect time to explore Israel’s neighboring countries with mini-tours of Jordan and Egypt.

To learn more about traveling to Israel, read our Discover Israel page, where you’ll see details of multiple Israel packages.

Discover Israel here >>

Holidays in Israel

You likely already know the major religious holidays, such as Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. These holidays attract large numbers of pilgrims to Israel during this time. Also of note, during these holidays, there are huge displays and parties.

What’s more, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are two major holidays celebrated in Israel, which often cause the country to shut down completely. You can travel to Israel during this time of year, but most (or all) of the tourist and religious destinations will be closed.

As we’ll note below, this doesn’t mean that you can’t visit the Holy Land during these holidays. But you’ll want us to help you plan the trip to ensure you organize things properly.

Passover is also a tricky time to travel to Israel as hotel prices tend to spike during the holiday, and bread may not be served in supermarkets and kosher restaurants.

All reasons to give us a call so we can help you plan your trip to Israel. Call us at 1-855-958-6877.

Best Times for a Beach Vacation

Summer (June - August)

At Tradition Tours, we recommend visiting the west coast beaches of Tel Aviv and beyond in summer. We can also arrange tours leaving from the city every day.

You’ll also want to consider travel to Eilat as a resort location.

Remember that the nightlife and club scene are best in the summer. The temperatures are also the hottest during this time. And summer is when crowds are at their peak.

As with most travel, summer is the most expensive time to visit Israel.

Best Times for Jewish Family Time

As we mentioned, there are two biggest Jewish holiday times in Israel.

Passover in March/April.
Rosh Hashana September/October.
And Sukkot also in September/October.

You’ll want to be careful when planning your trip to Israel during those months on your own. It may be difficult without an inside edge, as most tours don’t run during this time. One prime example of why it’s so important to plan your trip with an expert. Give us a call at Tradition Tours.

Remember, hotel and flight prices are higher due to the popularity of traveling to Israel during this time.

If your preference is to visit Israel during these times of the year, don’t plan it yourself, as there are too many details that might fall through the crack. Give us a call. 1-855-958-6877.

Cheapest Times to Visit

The shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall are beautiful and a great time to visit. With milder weather and fewer tourists, these seasons are the best time to balance saving money, avoiding crowds, and enjoying the weather.

Winter (November to March) may also work for your travel plans. With fewer tourists and lower prices for hotels and flights, we often recommend groups consider Winter.

Be warned: some shops and businesses may close during this time due to fewer tourists, but the weather remains warm and appealing. Shops may also close earlier as it gets darker earlier.

November is the cheapest time to fly to Israel.

Least Busy Time to Visit

As mentioned, winter (December to February) may be the best time to visit Israel.

With its cool and dry weather, it’s a great time to explore the country.

Some attractions and activities may be closed, but there are also fewer tourists to crowd those attractions and cities.

Remember to consider the shoulder season (March to May, September to November) as a good time to visit. These off-season months will be more affordable, which is often an important factor if you’re traveling with a church group.

Create a Tailored Holy Land Experience with Tradition Tours

To summarize and restate the information above, the best times to visit Israel are based on your individual interests and priorities. You’ll also need to consider the importance of the weather, tourism levels, and personal preferences when planning a trip to Israel.

At Tradition Tours, we make traveling and planning a memorable trip to Israel simple and worry-free. With more than 25 years of experience creating memorable experiences in the Holy Land, we know the hiccups to watch for and plan around.

As a full-service travel boutique, we offer full-service, personalized concierge services for individuals, families, and church groups traveling to the Holy Land. More than that, we also have package tours that include Egypt, Jordan, and Greece.

If you’re starting to plan your trip, don’t do it alone. Your trip to Israel is an important, life-changing, amazing experience that we’ll gladly help you plan and organize. Give us a call. 1-855-958-6877.

If you have questions after looking at our tour packages, we invite you to call us. We’ll help you decide the best seasons to travel to Israel before planning your trip. We can also provide you with additional information on our curated packages.

We’re happy to share stories from people who’ve traveled with Tradition Tours. Here’s just one:

“Tradition Tours made the planning of our trip personal for us. Donny provided details on different tours, gave us time to make a decision, and worked closely with us after complications delayed our much-anticipated trip to Israel and Egypt. The tour in Israel exceeded our expectations. Tradition Tours worked with us every step of the way. Highly recommend Tradition Tours without any hesitation whatsoever!” – David B, Virginia