The Start of Your Pilgrimage:
Every pilgrimage begins with the flight. These tips will help start your trip well.
- We recommend checking in for your international flight at least three hours prior to departure.
- When checking in, please let the airline representatives know your final destination so that you won’t need to claim baggage and recheck it during any flight connections you may have.

Passport and Passport Pouches:
- Everyone MUST HAVE A CURRENT PASSPORT!!
- Passports also need to be valid for a minimum of 6 months past trip return.
- It is important to carry them on your person at all times. ….in a money belt or around your neck and inside clothing, rather than in a fanny pack. Always be aware of pick pocketing.
- Be sure your passport is signed.
- Please make an additional COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT, airline tickets, credit card numbers, and traveler’s checks if you have them and put them in a different spot than where you carry your passport (in luggage or give to other family member or traveling companion). If you were to lose or have something important stolen, copies will aid in getting replacement documents.

Luggage:
- You are allowed one checked piece of luggage that weighs 50 lbs or less and not to exceed 62 linear inches (L+W+H).
- You are also allowed one personal item such as a purse as well as one carry-on bag which may not exceed 45 linear inches (L+W+H).
- Your carry-on must fit into overhead bin or under seat in front of you.
- Most airlines now charge a fee for checked luggage; if there is a charge that is NOT included in your tour price, it will be payable to the airline at check-in.
- We recommend traveling as light as possible.
- It is important to have ID tags on your luggage & some identification inside your luggage – on a piece of paper or a 3 x 5 card etc.
- Anything with batteries should not be put into checked luggage.
- We recommend that you do not lock your luggage before checking in. You may want a lock with you to use when leaving the hotel room.
- Remember 3-1-1 for carry-on liquids. 3 ounce or smaller containers; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. The 3 ounce container size is a security measure.
- Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
- Larger sized liquid containers may be packed in your checked luggage. Keep any items of value (cameras and jewelry, etc.) in carry-on luggage as well as medications and other items you cannot be without.
- If you have purchased trip insurance and have lost luggage, be sure to keep receipts of any clothing or toiletries purchased in order to submit to insurance. - If you had medical expenses, you must have all receipts to get reimbursement.

Frequent Flyer Information:
- If you have Airline Frequent Flyer Numbers, please call me with them. Bring your card or number with you to verify that they have it entered on your ticket. Also, it is a good idea to save your boarding passes until you receive your monthly Frequent Flyer statement. If for some reason, you didn’t receive your miles from this trip, you would need to submit your boarding passes.

Cameras/Batteries/Video Recorders etc.:
- Be sure to bring enough film and batteries with you. It’s easier to get them at home and probably less expensive. DO NOT PACK UNDEVELOPED FILM IN CHECKED LUGGAGE…the x-ray screening may ruin the film.
- It is also nice to have a notebook along for journaling or keeping track of what we did each day (or what pictures you took on a given day).

Snacks:
- Items such as granola bars, mixed nuts, dried fruits are easy to pack and nutritious in case of meal delays – especially if you happen to be diabetic.

Medications:
- Pack your medications in your carry-on luggage.
- Bring along enough meds for several extra days.
- You will need to declare any liquid medications in containers larger than 3 ounces if they are in your carry-on luggage.
- If you have a pacemaker or metal implants as a result of surgery, it is recommended that you advise security of this. It might be good to have a medical card indicating this with you.

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Climate & Clothing:
- We recommend light rain gear, light jackets or sweaters, and being able to layer clothing if necessary.
- Two pairs of well broken in shoes would be good for all the walking we will be doing.
- Slacks/pants are acceptable. No shorts, miniskirts, sleeveless tops or tank tops are allowed when going in and out of churches and “holy places”.
- Loose fitting clothing, which is much more comfortable for traveling and walking, is recommended.

Washcloths and clothes hangers:
- Many hotels do not have them, so please pack accordingly.

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Meals:
- Usually breakfast and most evening dinners are included daily.
- Noon lunch would be on your own - $8 - $10 per day would probably easily cover noon lunch.

Tips:
- You will need tipping money for the bus driver and local guide.
- My suggested “rule of thumb” would be about $10 per pilgrim per day to be divided between bus driver and guide.
- Also remember discretionary tipping money for hotel and restaurant staff.

Money:
- The US dollar needs to be exchanged for local currency. This can be easily done with the aid of our escort at the airport on arrival.
- Most major credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are freely accepted and credit card companies usually give a good rate of exchange.
- You may want to contact your credit card companies to let them know that you will be traveling abroad.
- Please note: traveler’s checks are sometimes hard to cash, while credit cards are easy to use.

How much money do we need to take along?
Money will be needed for noon lunch, tip money for driver & guides, donations at churches to your desire, as suggested in the above paragraphs, and then whatever you feel you might spend in gifts/souvenirs.

Water:
- Water in hotels and good restaurants may be safe to drink, but bottled water is a small price to pay for safety in a foreign country.

Electric Current:
- The current in most countries is different than ours.
- An adapter AND converter are necessary for electrical appliances you plan to bring which are not dual voltage.
- Please purchase an international adapter before your pilgrimage.
- Stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Radio Shack sell adaptor/convertor kits.

Smoking:
- If anyone is a smoker and needs a smoking room, please let me know.

Snoring!!!???
Is it a problem? – maybe not for you but for the one you may be sharing a room with. If you are a snorer, might it be a courteous idea to go to the drug store and see what you might pick up – “breathe strips over the nose” or whatever else might be available? Ear plugs are a good idea also. I feel this is something that needs to be addressed as it is a very sensitive area.

Contact Colleen

Currency:
www.oanda.com

Air Travel:
www.tsa.gov
(Transportation Security Administration)

Weather:
www.usatoday.com/weather

Passports:
travel.state.gov/passport
(www.travel.state.gov has a lot of good information for traveling abroad)

Customs:
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
(information on what you can bring back from your trip)

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There are many ways to prepare for your pilgrimage, not only by packing your bags, but to physically and spiritually prepare as well. We are suggesting if you are not used to walking, that you start as soon as you decide you are going on a pilgrimage. It is good to build up your stamina, as usually there is quite a bit of walking. Pilgrimages always involve prayer. I think it is good to pray for a safe and spirit filled journey going with open hearts. Another good thought is to start praying for your fellow pilgrims……we are together “on the journey”.

Contact Colleen