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What happened to Holy Land USA in Bedford?

Ananda Rochita

BEDFORD (WSLS 10) - Some of you may remember visiting or hearing about Holy Land USA in Bedford.

According a former employee of the Bedford Visitors' Center, nearly 25,000 people would visit the tourist attraction every year after it opened in the early 1970s. But Holy Land USA closed in 2009.

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So, what happened?

Julia Smith owns 34 of the nearly 200-acres that was once the thriving attraction.

"We have some people who think that it's open and we're like 'wait a minute, it's private property now,' and things have changed," Smith explained.

In the early 1970s, Bob Johnson created Holy Land USA in memory of his son. But soon after Bob Johnson passed away, Holy Land closed down.

But if you visit the property today, not much has changed.

Many of the replicas are still there. The barn, Noah's Ark, Shepherd's Cave and many biblical messages.

The lot of land where a replica of Noah's Ark sits is for sale. However,  the Ark was transformed into a 9-bedroom home some years ago.

Realtor John Tatulli said kids used to camp at Noah's Ark and a lot of people who have visited the property used to be former campers.

Those who live close by say there are many memories shared on that property.

"It is sad that they didn't keep it going, but I can understand," said neighbor Rita Dooley. "It was work. It was a lot of work involved."

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Bedford, Virginia : Virginia's Holy Land USA (Closed)

Why slog halfway around the world for biblical sights when you can visit them on a Virginia farm? The ark and lots of animals are on hand, too.

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Bad news from the Roanoke Times : "Holy Land USA, a Bedford County theme park that offers tours of replicated biblical sites to tell the story of Jesus, is up for auction -- the victim of high upkeep costs and low attendance.

According to TRF Auctions of Lynchburg, the property will be auctioned as five separate tracts, though bidders will have the opportunity to bid on the property as a whole. The company's Web site touts the property as ideal for use as a camp, church facility, corporate retreat, recreational land or timber investment."

Dodson said Holy Land USA Inc. can refuse to sell the park if the winning bid is deemed too low, in which case, they will try to reopen next year.

I use to go to The Holy Land USA in Bedford VA all the time when I was a kid. We use to take my children also when I got married. I called the Holy Land USA and they opened April 1st according to the voice mail. It's a really neat experience. I plan on taking my Awana Children.

I can verify that the Holy Land is still closed. All you can see from the road are a couple of giant crosses and what's apparently a historical Biblical-era transport that blocks the entrance.

As I bought my Holy Land postcards at the Bedford Area Welcome Center, the woman at the register said, "It's a shame that place had to close, and I don't think it's ever going to re-open. The people that own it have just gotten too old to keep up with it."

April 2008: Holy Land USA is back in business; its closing was only temporary.

I was reading the story on Holy Land USA in Waterbury, CT. I have an eerie, yet almost identical, roadside adventure. I have been visiting this Holy Land USA since I was a child.

My grandfather was a local minister in Bedford, VA, and we would have the big family "get-together." here. We would always stay in "the Ark" -- an enormous 3-story cabin that was made to look like Noah's Ark. I can remember sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner one year and there were tours that would come through -- peering through the windows -- as if we were part of the exhibit.

It comes complete with dilapidated old buildings, and something called "the nothing" -- by far the most artistically created piece in the park. There's also the little town of Bethlehem, complete with creepy old figures, half lit displays, and lots and lots of animals running free throughout the park.

An old favorite of ours, chronicled in the first Roadside America book. It's a 250-acre Bible-themed nature sanctuary that relies on donations and the occasional gift shop buying binge. Wonder if they still sell the souvenir Crown of Thorns and nails "like those used to crucify our Lord"? December 2007: Added this photo from Elizabeth Massie's visit in 1994, here in front of "King Herod's Idol" folk art contraption.

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• 4067 Dickerson Mill Rd Bedford VA 24523
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Holy Land USA Bedford is a historic attraction, replicating biblical sites to tell the story of Jesus Christ. Currently under revitalization, follow our page for future events and updates. Future events include community worship services, tours and more.

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Steve & Nicole Sloan

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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Replicating the holy land in the u.s. (a ‘materializing the bible’ road trip), 2 comments:.

Great post, James, and I’m looking forward to using the larger project as a teaching tool. I agree that the Holy Land (and its recreations) are constitutive of a central problem in Christianity, namely that of an incarnationally-based religion. It's a major point I tried to argue in Walking Where Jesus Walked (2014), although you put it especially nicely using Jon Bialecki's phrasing. But I do think it's a particular problem of modern Christianity and even more particularly of certain types of Christianity. Ethiopian Christians, for example, have little urge to recreate the Holy Land (instead, they maintain a few ritual experts in Jerusalem who pray on behalf of the community, like European Jews once did). To use another example, ninth-century Western Christians made few trips to the Holy Land (even when they had access) and produced few recreations of this sort. So although incarnation is a universal Christian 'problem,' the authenticity we're talking about here is a strategy of a particular sort. As you noted elsewhere, the question then becomes, why did re-creations emerge when and where they did?

Hillary, many thanks for this comment. I learned so much from Walking Where Jesus Walked (NYU, 2014), so it’s encouraging that this analysis rings familiar with you. The question you raise is spot on: what makes the strategy of replication compelling in some Christian contexts but not others? The problem of ‘incarnation’ is universal, but material replications of the Holy Land are not. So, how do we account for the differentiation? One way to approach this question would be to look for the earliest instantiation of Holy Land replication, and consider what was distinctive about that Christian context. The earliest example I have catalogued is The Sacred Mount of Varallo in Valsesia, Italy, built in the 1490s by Franciscan monks. Given the Franciscans began acting as ‘custodians’ of sacred sites in Jerusalem in the 13th century, it makes sense that a materialized Holy Land replica would first emerge from Franciscan soil. I would need to do more historical work to say anything more detailed, but Annabel Wharton did write some about The Sacred Mount site in her Selling Jerusalem (Chicago, 2006). Another possible explanation is that the difference may trace to what other strategies for actualizing the virtual problem are alive in contexts where we do not find examples of Holy Land replication. For example, in the Ethiopian context the strategy of keeping ritual experts in Jerusalem may perform the work that replication is serving in other contexts where there is no indexical connection to place through ritual experts. A third possibility has more to do with temporality. Replication is not just a way to address a virtual problem, it also performs temporal work. I wonder if a full answer might also require us to think through the relationships Christians are cultivating with time across contexts. Thanks again for the comment!

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I'm trying to plan a trip for my church family. I can't find any information or rating for Holy Land, in or near Bedford, Va. I heard the one in Conn. is a real mess, very trashy looking. If anyone has been the Holy Land, please let me know how your trip was !!!! Thank you...

Check out their website:

http://www.holyland.pleasevisit.com/

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A Holy Land Christmas

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December 11, 2021 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Come see a live reenactment of the night Jesus was born! There will be a live Manger scene in the old Bethlehem barn/museum then a wagon ride to Jerusalem with lights and carolers on the way stopping here or there along the trail to hear the story of Jesus birth. There will be food and beverages available also a gift shop.

The tour is free. Please consider purchasing food and gifts (proceeds will support the restoration efforts) and donations are also gratefully accepted. 

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A trip of a lifetime to the H o ly Land

Serving evangelical Christian groups and ministries for customized tours of the Holy Land.

Join us in the Land of the Bible for a spiritual and powerful journey that will change your life, and watch with your own eyes how the Biblical stories come alive.

TGL TOURS  is an Israeli travel agency for evangelical Christian group tours of the Holy Land. It was founded out of mission and love for the Lord, the Bible, and the Land of Israel. Our leading goal for our travelers is to turn the Bible from black and white to color and to have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures while walking through God’s land.

Thanks to many years of experience guiding through the Holy Land, we create rich, well-planned, customized itineraries to fulfill every group leader’s wishes and desires.

TGL TOURS will take care of your group from the moment of landing until the moment you leave the land.

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem.”

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TGL TOURS creates a custom tour, and itinerary tailored to the tour leader's preferences and takes care of all ground services from arrival to departure to ensure the perfect group tour of the Holy Land.

If you plan to bring a group to the Holy Land, we'll gladly offer you our services.

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Individual travelers are welcome to join our scheduled tours. We have tour leaders who are eager to accommodate individuals interested in joining an organized group tour to the Holy Land.

Please contact us to check the possibilities.

TGL TOURS offers VIP tours for families, couples, or small groups of up to 15 people for a private tour of the Holy Land. The whole tour is customized based on our recommendations and expertise.

Contact us to start planning your journey of a lifetime to the Holy Land.

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Our itineraries are created by our main guide, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field and takes all into consideration with regard to the wishes of the group leader. Our itineraries are planned to the highest standards so that our travelers have time to see and learn as much as possible.

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TGL TOURS is a unique family company specializing and dealing exclusively in the Christian tourism field. This allows us to give personalized treatment and maximum care to each and every one of our groups. We pride ourselves in our partners becoming an extension of our family.

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We are passionate and committed to spreading the Gospel of Jesus, providing our travelers with a life-changing experience, and giving them a deeper understanding of the Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, while they are walking through God’s Land.

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As an Israeli company, we have the strongest knowledge of the Land of Israel, from the sites we visit and the suppliers we work with to the culture and social history. TGL TOURS takes pride in the strong connection between Israel and other nations.

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"If you plan a trip to Israel, I highly recommend using TGL TOURS! When you tour with TGL and Yuval Shemesh as your guide, it is much more than just a sight-seeing tour; it is a biblical education and a great spiritual experience that will bring you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ! Going to Israel will put the Bible in living color for you. I truly believe Yuval Shemesh is the best guide in all of Israel! Your trip's administrative responsibilities will be handled professionally by Yuval's daughter, Coral Shemesh, who owns TGL. You can be assured that all your trip bookings will be handled professionally to make your Israel experience of the highest quality! I plan to return, and when I do, it will be with TGL Tours."

Bentonville, Arkansas

"My wife Wanda and I were blessed and fortunate enough to have recently had a tour of the Holy Land of Israel led by the TGL TOURS group. I cannot say enough about the wealth of information that our Guide, Yuval, had. As he spoke at every spot we visited, history came to life, and Yuval was very passionate about what he was sharing with us. As a pastor, I need context so that I can present the proper biblical perspectives, this trip revolutionized my biblical view and brought clarity and context to the times of Christ so vividly that my teaching and preaching will never ever be the same. Thank you, TGL TOURS it was an amazing trip."

New Jersey, USA

"Having led groups to Israel 46 times, I would like to highly recommend Coral Shemesh and TGL TOURS to anyone who is planning on taking a group for a tour of the Holy Land. Coral takes care of the administrative responsibilities, hotels, bus, guide, customized itinerary, and all the matters necessary for a trouble-free pilgrimage to Israel. You will be pleased and blessed by using TGL TOURS and Coral. You can be assured that all your trip bookings will be handled professionally to ensure the highest quality of your Holy Land experience and that your travelers will get an incredible, spiritual, and meaningful tour!"

Mississippi, USA

"What a life-changing experience to spend 12 days in the Holy Land. I like to refer to this experience as each day was filled with Oohs and Ahhs!.. The professionalism was next level to any guide service I had ever been a part of. Yuval can connect History, Archaeology, and the Bible amazingly, ultimately pointing all to Jesus Christ. I want to learn like he has learned and quote scriptures the way that he does. Coral's organization and care for us on the tour were top-notch! By the way, I salute you and your Husband for your Military service. Our driver was excellent, and we always felt safe in his care. We look forward to our paths crossing again!"

"FIVE STARS! We HIGHLY recommend TGL TOURS! Coral put together an amazing trip for us, every detail was covered! We took a group of 22, which was a good size. During the planning months, she was readily available to answer any questions we had and incorporated our personal requests into the itinerary! Yuval, our guide, is simply the best. A gifted communicator with a wealth of experience and knowledge, Yuval connected the spiritual dots for us as we visited the places of the Bible! We are all left with a deeper appreciation of the Scriptures, knowledge of the Land, and love for the Lord! We plan to use TGL TOURS for all our future return trips to Israel."

Plano, Texas

"WOW!!! What a journey. Traveling through Israel with TGL TOURS was amazing. Yuval’s wisdom and knowledge of the Bible were so profound. We literally saw everything. The spiritual journey we were on was truly life-changing. I will never read God’s word without envisioning everywhere we were. The Bible has come to life! Yuval always went the extra mile to ensure we never forget this journey through the Holy Land. I can't thank him enough. Our driver, Wassim, was also amazing, I totally felt safe. Yuval’s daughter, Coral, made sure our days were planned out perfectly and always had a smile on her sweet face. I highly recommend TGL for a personal experience. What a great team! Thank you, and May God bless and keep y’all!"

Frisco Texas

"It is my pleasure to recommend TGL TOURS to any Bible lover who wants to visit the Holy Land and is planning to bring a group. TGL TOURS and the Shemesh family have decades of experience helping Christians experience the beauty of the land of Israel, God's Land. I have known and partnered with them for more than a decade and have been pleased with all of my travel experiences. Christians who want to better understand the life and ministry of Jesus and to get a deeper understanding of the Scriptures must choose TGL TOURS. You will receive fair pricing and excellent customer service. They have been my friends and my travel partners for many years."

First Melissa Church. Texas, USA

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Follow the asphalt road to the Holy Land

'living memorial' just a moderate car ride away in beford county, va..

Laura Hipps always wanted to visit the Holy Land. That's understandable, considering the fact that she works at a place called Shearly Heaven.

But what the Chesnee mother of five and grandmother of 11 never expected was that she would travel to the Holy Land by bus and view Mt. Moriah, Calvary and Lazarus' tomb from the back of a wagon. The bus Hipps rode didn't have that far to travel, because the Holy Land she visited was Holy Land, USA, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bedford County, Va. "I know I'll probably never get to the Holy Land, but when I heard about the trip to Holy Land, USA, I thought that might be the next best thing," Hipps said of the three-day trip she took this fall along with three of her close friends. Hipps is the kind of person who has found she has a knack for listening to others, a skill she's honed during her years working as a hairstylist. She'd taken other trips with Cavin Tours, led by Henry and Don Cavin and their wives, Flora and Catherine, all members of Bethel United Methodist Church, enjoying the "Christian atmosphere" that the couples provided on their tours. As soon as she saw the 2002 offerings, she knew the trip to Holy Land, USA was just what she and her friends needed. "As a hairstylist, I hear it all and I love to help people," she said. "My friends and I got together and decided this would be a great chance for us to be together in a Christian atmosphere. One of my friends had just lost her husband, and the whole trip was like a healing experience, not just for her but for all of us." That's exactly what Holy Land, USA is supposed to be, according to Rita Dooley, office manager for the attraction for the past 21 years. Dooley loves to talk with groups planning to visit the unusual tourist destination, which was built as "a living memorial to all who love God's creation." In fact, Holy Land, USA is a family affair for Dooley. Her husband, Richard, is the general manager and her two daughters, son-in-law and grandson all work in the ministry that attracts 25,000 visitors a year. "We came to work here for what it represents, the ministry, knowing what this ministry stood for and how we could present the Gospel in such a wonderful, realistic manner," Dooley said of the place that founder Robert Johnson began to create out of farmland 30 years ago. Johnson and his son walked around the property, located just 45 minutes from Roanoke and 30 minutes from Lynchburg, envisioning what it could become. They began the process of building the three-mile journey trail as both a nature sanctuary and a place where people can experience what it's like to cross the Jordan River and ride around the Sea of Galilee. The development process is continuing, Dooley said, even though the Johnson family turned over management of the property to a non-denominational ministry, Bible Center Chapel, several years ago. "Development is always ongoing as the Lord decides what we need to do and gives us funds for other representations," Dooley said, calling the result "an open door replica of the nation of Israel." Members of the Upstate tour group found it easy to visualize what undeveloped areas will be like as the trained guides described proposed re-creations. One thing they didn't have to visualize on their riding/guided journey was the improved transportation system. They viewed the recreated scenes from open wagons, comfortably equipped with padded seats and wagon cover and pulled by four-wheel vehicles. "One of the most noticeable changes I've seen in the 20 years I've been here is the wagon ride. In the beginning we took visitors out in wagons filled with hay. There were no seats and the top was open to the sky," Dooley remembered, as she talked about the new wagons that provide a much more comfortable way to view the sites. Groups can also choose to tour in buses, with air conditioning or without, or in vans with air conditioning, extended ceiling and bucket seats. The 16 different options for riding/guided tours are designed to accommodate every need. Prices for the 3-3½ hour guided tour range from $146 for the walking/guided journey, which can accommodate up to 50 people, to $256 for the riding/guided bus journey, which can include up to 44 people. The fact that the recreation of the Holy Land is incomplete didn't seem to bother either Hipps or her fellow travelers, especially once the guides began to talk about the dream out of which Holy Land, USA was born. "The Holy Land is not complete. It is like our lives," Barbara Gross, one of the members of the group, explained. "You can see what it is going to be, and all the scriptures are posted to remind you. The major locations from the Lord's life are portrayed with stones and water, two important symbols from the Bible. The best part of the Holy Land tour is not what you see, but what you are reminded of. That is what I will remember." Holy Land, USA is open from March 15 to Dec. 15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free of charge for those who just want to come and walk through the representations on their own. However, groups are required to make advance reservations for riding/guided journeys through the three miles of trails. An Easter Sunrise Service is also held each year at the Garden Tomb. Since all representations are outdoors, visitors are advised to wear casual clothes, bring an umbrella in case of rain, wear comfortable walking shoes with non-skid soles and bring a camera to record the journey. Guides are trained in a seminar each year and are introduced to any new developments that have been installed since the previous year. The training helps them prepare to recreate the Biblical stories and help the sites come alive for guests. "I felt like I had seen what the Holy Land was really like in Jesus' time after I'd taken the tour," Hipps said, explaining that it had been hard for her to picture in her mind a place that she had never seen. "I had pictured the place of Jesus' birth like the wooden manger scenes we have at Christmas. We saw that it was more like a dirt cave in a hillside with a rock front. That really surprised me, because the pictures I had in my mind were really different." After she returned home, Steven Baer, one of her customers at Shearly Heaven, heard her talking about the Holy Land, USA experience and was surprised to find that there was now a Holy Land in this country. He listened to Hipps as she clipped his curly locks. Then he talked about his own visit to the Holy Land, the one in the Middle East, in 1967. Shortly after the Six Days War, he and his father traveled there on a business trip, witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of war. "It's probably a lot safer to go to Virginia," the vice president of Apex Chemical Corp. of SC, Inc., said, alluding to the ongoing conflict in that area of the world. Hipps said she is happy to have had the chance to see the Holy Land on this side of the Atlantic. While in Virginia, the group also visited Charlottesville, where they saw the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and went on a luncheon cruise on Smith Mountain Lake, just three miles from Holy Land, USA. The peacefulness of the lake was a perfect complement to Holy Land, USA for Hipps and her friends, Susan Burnette, Doris Billings and Joyce Weeks. "We stood on the bow of that ship and let the wind blow our troubles away," Hipps said of an experience that left her happy she'd finally made it to the Holy Land.

WANT TO GO? What: Holy Land, USA Where: 1060 Jericho Road, Bedford, VA 24523 Telephone: (540) 586-2823 Amenities: Gift shop selling Bibles, books and souvenirs Discounts: A 10 percent discount is given for senior citizen groups (55 and older) for all weekday riding/guided tours How to get there: The site is located three miles from Bedford on Route 746

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Tours to the Holy Land: Trips & Israel Tour Packages 2024, 2025

"Every place we visited was breathtakingly beautiful, with stunning landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. We highly recommend visiting Israel to anyone who wants to experience an unforgettable journey. We had a life-changing time there and are already planning to return." Simon L. and Beatriz G. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024 "I had a wonderful time in Israel. I felt while I was there the precautions that were taken for our safety were well in hand. I still got to experience many holy sites and be blessed by walking the path that Jesus walked. Every day was started in prayer, singing, or scripture reading which also extended the blessing of the trip." Quincie L. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024

Our Israel tours & Holy Land tours of 9-24 days for the Evangelical Protestant Bible believer are what Pilgrim Tours does best. Prepare yourself for a life-changing journey to walk where Jesus walked and visit Jerusalem, Galilee, & Samaria. Each of our Israel tours is led by a local guide who is an experienced expert on the historical, cultural, scenic, and spiritual history of the Holy Land. If you travel with 10 or more people, a private group tour can easily be arranged. Pilgrim Tours can customize an itinerary to fit your group needs with many options to choose from.

Concerned about safety? As a Christian tour operator, the staff at Pilgrim Tours takes a Biblical perspective regarding the current situation in the Middle East. We do not believe that peace in Israel is something that will occur until the Prince of Peace comes to restore His kingdom. Please do not make a reservation with us based on the hopes of a calm future. If you long for the special blessings only available in Israel, we will take you there. An expert driver and guide will carefully keep you from any areas that could present a problem and treat you to the riches of Israel as our special guest.

Below is a large variety of Israel tour packages departing in 2024 and 2025 year-round.

View Our New Israel Tour Highlights Video! Click Here

Reserve your tour at least 6 months in advance for an early booking discount, groups and parties of 6 or more click here for special rates, scheduled 2024 & 2025 israel tours.

View our Israel tours ranging from 9-24 days.

Take a tour of a lifetime and bring the Bible to life.

Featured Sites in Israel

Explore a vast selection of beautiful historical and Biblical locations throughout Israel with our Israel Holy Land tour. You can visit Jerusalem, Galilee, and parts of Samaria, getting the life-changing opportunity to see where Jesus and many other Biblical figures lived and walked. We even offer Holy Land tours that allow you to see the Dead Sea, the Garden Tomb, and the Jordan River Baptism Site. Like all of our Europe tours , our Israel Holy Land tours are led by local guides who have extensive knowledge of the area and its history. If you want to experience the history of Israel and see the Bible come to life, our Holy Land tours give you that opportunity.

The city of Jerusalem offers a unique convergence of Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim faith. For Christians who visit Jerusalem, you will learn about many stories of the Bible while walking her streets. Many actors in the Bible such as Abraham, King David, King Solomon, the twelve disciples and Jesus all lived, visited, or spent time there. The Passion week of Christ will be highlighted during our stay as we visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, the Way of Suffering, and the Garden Tomb.

Sea of Galilee

Nowhere in Israel does the Bible come to life more than along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims who visit the Galilee region have the opportunity to imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago and what Jesus and the twelve disciples experienced while fishing on the Sea of Galilee. The peaceful setting and the natural wonders of the Golan Heights to the east and Mt. Arbel to the west make for a great way to start your morning in quiet reflection. During our tour, we explore the Biblical towns of Capernaum, Magdala, and Nazareth and take a meaningful cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

The Dead Sea is not only the lowest and most lifeless lake in the world, but also nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean. Travelers will enjoy the beautiful colors of the blue water and the red mountains of Jordan to the east. Take time to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Dead Sea “float” either in the sea itself or at one of the warm salt water pools at our hotel. The Dead Sea experience is truly a bucket list visit you won’t want to miss!

Garden Tomb

Our visit to the Garden Tomb and its surrounding gardens is normally one of the highlights of our tour to Israel. The Garden Tomb is a rock-cut tomb in Jerusalem that was unearthed in 1867 and is considered by some Protestants to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Our visit offers a unique time of prayer, reflection, communion, and praise, which will be a special life-long memory for many travelers.

Jordan River Baptism Site

The Jordan River Baptist Site or “Yardenit” is a baptism site located along the Jordan River just south of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. This site is frequented by Christian Pilgrims who enjoy imagining the setting of the baptism of Jesus. For anyone who would like to be baptized in the Jordan River, Yardenit has been developed to be a peaceful setting with beautiful gardens, clean colored water, changing facilities, showers, and a nice souvenir shop.

Caesarea Philippi

To many Pilgrim travelers, Caesarea Philippi is a special surprise while on their tour. Located along the rushing springs of Mt. Hermon, the beautiful and natural setting is where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am?” He asked this question while observing the pagan worship of the god Pan as worshipers offered their sacrifice at the “Gates of Hell.” Our time at Caesarea Philippi is one of many opportunities throughout our tour to see the lessons and message of the Bible come to light in a special way.

Israel Tours: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month for the Holy Land tour?

Taking a trip to Israel during the spring or fall offers the most enjoyable weather of the year but normally has the largest crowds. If you want to enjoy a peaceful tour with fewer crowds, consider visiting between December and February or June and August. We offer Israel and Jordan tours throughout the year, so you can select a trip that works for your schedule.

How many days do you need for a Holy Land tour?

We offer several types of tours of the Holy Land, so the duration of your tour depends on the tour package you choose. The Best of Israel Tour is our most basic offering and includes a Sea of Galilee boat ride, a trip to the Jordan River Baptism Site, the Dead Sea, and many opportunities to walk on the same land Jesus walked on. This is our shortest trip at just 9 or 10 days. Our most involved trips allow you to experience a wide range of historical locations over the course of a few weeks. Egypt tours are included in some of these packages, as well as tours in Greece and other countries. These tours can take up to 24 days, giving you the chance to spend an extended period of time learning about and visiting different parts of the world. From our Turkey tours to all of our Israel Christian tours, all of our tours feature a first-class hotel rating for the country you visit. We do offer some upgraded tours that offer better lodging options. You can review our hotel categories at https://www.pilgrimtours.com/company/hotelcomparison.htm . Check out any of our tours to view a day-by-day itinerary and see what amenities are included with each tour.

What is the dress code in Israel?

The dress code in Israel is different from other parts of the world. There are a few dress code basics you should understand before booking Israel tours: When you’re in Israel, there is no strict dress code. You can wear what you feel comfortable wearing. However, both men and women should try to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders and knees when visiting any of the religious sites throughout Israel. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid tank tops and shorts. Men need to cover their heads when visiting the Western Wall. Pilgrim Tours provides a Pilgrim Tours ball cap upon arrival in Israel, but you might consider purchasing an affordable kippa that you can bring when you visit Jewish sites. Some places may offer a free kippa, but these are generally low quality. (Women are not required to cover their heads at any sight.) You can figure out what you need to pack and how to dress each day by looking at the itinerary for our Holy Land tours. Guides normally offer guidance on how to dress for the next day while on tour. We also suggest looking at the extended weather forecast as you prepare and pack for your trip.

Is there a lot of walking involved on an Israel Tour?

Our Israel tours do require a significant amount of walking each day and you should be able to walk unassisted 3-4 miles per day on average. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes that provide adequate support. While there are bus and boat rides during these tours, you have to walk quite a bit to explore some of the Biblical sites. Our tour guides normally give the group a few options at sites for those that have physical limitations. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many hills and valleys in Israel which can make walking even more taxing. The amount of walking you have to do may vary based on the tour you take, so look at the itinerary before choosing your tour. The good news is that Israel is a beautiful country to see on foot, and you’ll have several opportunities to sit down and give your feet a rest. As long as you have a good pair of shoes and comfortable clothes, it’s easy to forget about all the walking you’re doing and enjoy the tour.

What passport & visa information do I need for your Israel tours?

U.S. citizens need a valid U.S. passport with at least six months validity beyond their intended stay to enter Israel. Make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one copy at home and carry the other separately from your original. Israel: U.S. and Canadian Citizens do not need a Visa when entering Israel. Non U. S. /Canadian Citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements of destination. Contact your Consulate office for requirements.

What common languages will be spoken during your Israel tours?

Hebrew, Arabic and English.

What currency can I use on your Israel tours?

The U.S. dollar is widely accepted across Israel, and we suggest bringing about $30 for each day you’ll be on tour. U.S. dollars are recommended for use for small purchases and lunches. Lunches typically cost $15-20. It is important to bring about 20 $1 bills as some bathrooms charge a small fee for use. Credit cards may also be used for larger purchases. ATMs in Israel are all connected to European and American banking systems. Please be advised that the ATM machines dispense money in SHEKELS – NOT U.S. DOLLARS. Please notify your bank before traveling overseas.

Do I need to bring a converter for the Israel tour?

Israel uses the European plug with two round pins. You will need to bring along the necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volt appliances such as hair dryers and electric razors as well as camera and cell phone chargers. Electricity in Israel is 220 volts 50 Hz.

What is the time zone for your Israel tours?

The time zone for Israel is seven hours ahead of EST and two hours ahead of GMT.

What climate should I expect during your Israel tours?

In Israel the climate is temperate, and temperatures all year-round are reasonable. Israel has two main seasons: winter (from November to March) is cold and rainy in most parts of the country; summer (from April to October) is hot and dry with little or no rainfall. The desert areas can be extremely hot in summer time.

Recent Reviews on Trustpilot, BBB, & Google

View what others are saying about our Israel tours on Trustpilot , BBB , and Google !

"Pilgrim tours is who I'll be recommending people to travel with. We've been trying to get to Israel for two years and finally made it!! Great company from booking to on the ground with great guides. All details taken care of with great hotels, bus, and the best guides!! Wonderful experience!"

"We had a great experience in Israel with Pilgrim Tours. Everything went very well and there were no glitches or problems of any kind. The bus and driver were top notch as were the hotels and daily breakfast buffets. Our tour guide was great as his depth of knowledge of the people, history and languages Israel was quite amazing. We will very likely use Pilgrim again in the future."

"We have toured with Pilgrim Tours three times and what a blessing. Accommodations, excursions, information and food were all high quality. Post pandemic, we were so thankful to return to Israel."

"I couldn't have asked for more for a trip to the Holy Land than what Pilgrim Tours provided me. It was the perfect balance of spiritual reverence, history, geography, and social issues. I am so grateful for the experience that I had on this trip."

"Our church group just returned from taking a "Best of Israel" ten day tour. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am so glad we chose Pilgrim tours. From our excellent hotel accommodations, to our wonderful tour guide, we enjoyed everything. Our trip exceeded our expectations. I would recommend Pilgrim Tours to anyone who is planning a trip to the Holy Land. We definitely plan to travel with them again."

View some of the sites from our Israel tours!

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Holy Land Tours & Trips

Visit the Holy Land with an expert tour guide and experience some of the most important locations in the history of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam for yourself. The tour companies we work with will escort you to everything from the Mount of Olives in Israel to Wadi Rum in Jordan. The most popular month to visit is October.

64 Holy Land tour packages with 1,302 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Premium Jordan

I had the BEST time on this tour with Osama and a great small group! Unforgettable stories, interesting history and context shared!

• In-depth Cultural

Highlights of the Holy Land Best Experience - 8 Days

It was wonderful experience! Our tour guide, Boaz, was awesome and very knowledgeable.

• Sightseeing

Heritage of the Holyland Tour - 8 days

I loved the Heritage of the Holy Land tour. Our tour guide Leah was very knowledgeable and informative. Our bus driver Hassam was very good about navigating the narrow streets with a tour bus. We all became like family by the end of the week.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Totally Jordan - 8 Days

We had the best week exploring Jordan. The itinerary, sights, group and guide were first class. Our guide Hameed was absolutely brilliant. Very knowledgable, funny and organised. He definitely made the whole week run a lot smoother than other tours we came across. He helped us gel as a group too which really made the week more enjoyable. The itinerary was perfect for us, we saw so much of the country in a short time and the longer days ensured the trip didn’t feel like it was going too fast. Petra, Wadi rum and Wadi mujib were our highlights. Such incredible experiences we’ll never forget. The Jordanian people are the most friendly and welcoming we’ve ever come across, from the brilliant hotels we stayed at to just passing people in the street. We were also really lucky with our fellow travellers as we all got on so well. The night at the desert camp we stayed up star gazing then eating marshmallows around the fire until late. All the other groups went to bed straight after dinner so maybe weren’t as lucky with their groups! Everything went very smoothly overall, our only issues were with the rude guy who met us on arrival at the airport. It definitely needs to be made clearer about the visa - this is included in your tour but we got a Jordan pass to save money on entry to sights and this also comes with a visa. The information wasn’t clear as to where to meet the tour rep which is what caused the issues. We also felt the itinerary should have been better described in terms of difficulty level. As 29/32 year olds who do a lot outdoors we had no problem but there was a 70yr old on the tour who couldn’t take part in some things. I felt it most difficult on the guide as he’s trying to cater for a big variation in ability while pleasing everyone but also sticking to the itinerary. It would just make more sense to explain this more before people book. For example Wadi mujib was a great experience but it’s hard going swimming through fast current and climbing ropes, there isn’t much info about this online so a video showing you the experience would have helped. Also a little update to things to pack as a waterproof phone case is super handy. But overall we had an incredible time and would definitely look at more on the go tours in the future.

Jordan & Egypt Uncovered

Cannot arrange for this type of trip on my own. I am glad we joined the tour and saw and experienced so many different places. For this is a great value. Hope folks will not take following two points as criticism but opportunity to improve .... 1) We spent 8 hrs to reach Cairo and early next morning has another 3 hr drive to reach Alexandria ... does not make sense. There are few other places where trip planner can do a better job of time management. 2) Felucca had only about 35 - 40 inch of clearance. It took few days for my back to recover ... This may be more for me but I had difficult time crossing Egypt ... I was suspected to be somebody else whose first name was spelled differently and had different last name. Either folks in that crossing were grossly incompetent or they did not Americans ... If I had known all these issues I will still take the trip. We had good time ... very good trip guides and we lucked out with excellent bunch of folks in our group.

Heritage of the Holy Land

I cannot recommend this tour because there are other companies that offer wifi service on their buses and they use headphones to hear theur guide. We could barely hear or understand our gude at times. The accomodations we've been in on this tour is dreadful. The first one was the best of the 3 we stayed in. The last 2 both looked depressing and dirty. Especially the last one, Jerusalem Gate hotel. The mattress was disgusting with large stains, I only noticed because the sheet they placed on it wasn't a fitted sheet and would come off everytime I moved. I wouldn't rate these hotels as 3 or 4 stars.

• Coach / Bus

Heritage & Holy Land - 8 days

The tour, Heritage and Holy Places was terrific!.We packed an enormous amount into the 8 days, and saw Christian, Jewish, Roman and Byzantine places of great interest. Also the borders of Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Our tour guide gave us history, commentary and much insight into the history and current situation in Israel, as well as the Abrahamic religions. The hotels were very comfortable and our other travellers became a close group who were lots of fun. My only problem was the weather - I would not recommend travelling in Israel in high summer when the temperature can reach 45C. Thank you for facilitating our tour. Trenna Bridge

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Israel and Jordan - 11 Days

All 5 star except tour guide Naomi was atheist, and didn't mind holes in my faith...IN ISRAEL!!!

Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Dead Sea 4-Day Excursion

The tour was amazing! Masada sunrise - Ein Gedi - the Dead Sea - a wonderful mix of mountain hiking (not easy, but such a satisfaction from a successful ascent!), walking in the park and then relaxing in the Dead Sea. Jerusalem - history and modernity - it was interesting to see two sides of this city. And a cherry on the cake - a Tel Aviv bike tour - it was fantastic! Architecture, parks, history and especially the promenade - I enjoyed it so much! And also a complete delight from the hostel! There is a lovely lounge where a lot of events, nice bar and rooftop for guests to relax. Stunning atmosphere! The staff is friendly and professional - any help at any time. Thank you all, guys, you are amazing!

Holy Land Discovery - Faith-Based Travel - Catholic Itinerary

Guide and driver great, place great, food decent enough. Well organised. Downsides - needed more time in Jerusalem and some of the accommodation was not good - very cold and staff rude.

• River Cruise

Experience Egypt & Jordan – 5* Cruise

We had a wonderful trip to Egypt and Jordan!! Our guide, Mina Nash (the King) was so very informative and made our trip so much fun. We saw unbelievable antiquities and it was an adventure of a lifetime! This tour was jam packed! We were so sorry to leave Mina behind and travel on to Jordan. Dr Ahmad Ababnah was also wonderful. He helped bring Jordan’s history to life! I would advise anyone to take this trip with Timeless Tours!

Holy Land Discovery with Jordan - Faith-Based Travel - Catholic Itinerary

The tour was excellent in scope. Our Tour Guide Samir is the best I have ever had!!!! In retrospect and talking with fellow tour members I would have done thing differently if I had direct contact with either Tourradar and Cosmos. I.e plane arrangemets and trip modifications. Mike Steven

Journey Through the Holy Land with Jordan - Faith-Based Travel

Our guide for Jordan Tour, Suhaib was fantastic! - he was very organised and knowledgeable. Everybody loves him.

Journey Through the Holy Land - Faith-Based Travel

The only thing that I would have liked was a guide, that for the reading and interpretation of the scriptures , was a Christian and not a Jew

Egypt & Jordan Jewel with Nile Boat Cruise

The trip was very good organized, some things need some polishing but overall it was very good.

What people love about Holy Land Tours

Mo was an excellent tour leader in that he has such passion and enthusiasm about Jordan. I learnt so much about the history and culture and so enjoyed all of the activities. Mo went over and beyond to ensure my dietary needs were met as I have coeliac disease which was much appreciated. Highly recommend this tour.

We had the most amazing guide Leah Dor and the best driver Hassan they both was so lovely, accomodating and went out their way to be so helpful and gave us some extra nice suprises throughout the tour. Everything was a good pace, never rushed and saw so much place and Leah was an expert with knowledge. Transfer drivers was on time when arrived plus to leave. Reliable company and organised well. Only thing, if you want to visit where Jesus was born inside the church, there is a big que and it is not part of this tour as this is just the highlights, they visit the church but not to que for certain things like that which many was not aware of so read the intinary clearly

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