Frequently asked questions.

Our journeys are built for Christian groups — churches, ministries, seminaries, Bible colleges and Christian universities — traveling together with a leader. In Israel we also welcome individual travelers on select open departures. Greece and Italy are currently offered as group and study-tour programs, with individual join-in departures opening as each destination launches.

For Israel, no — you can join one of our scheduled Holy Land departures as an individual or couple. For Greece and Italy, our first seasons are group-led; as we open public departures, individuals will be able to join those as well. If you'd like to gather a small group of your own, we can build a private itinerary around you.

For group journeys we recommend starting the conversation 9–12 months out — this gives you the best choice of dates, hotels and guides, and time for your travelers to register and pay over a schedule. Israel can sometimes be arranged on shorter notice; Greece and Italy, especially in peak season, book up earlier. Land-only and day-tour options in Israel can often be confirmed within a few weeks.

A typical group journey includes licensed guiding, modern touring transport, hand-picked hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, entrance fees to all sites on the itinerary, tips for guides and drivers, and our full planning support. Flights are usually arranged separately so your group can fly from your home airport; we can help coordinate group air. Greece and Italy itineraries follow the same inclusive model, with ferries or high-speed rail included where the route calls for it.

Yes — custom group journeys are our specialty. Share your group size, dates, themes and any sites that matter to your community, and we'll design an itinerary around your leadership. In Israel you can also start from one of our proven itineraries and adjust. Greece and Italy programs are built from the ground up around your study or ministry goals.

Group journeys typically require a per-person deposit to hold your dates and block hotels and guides. The exact amount depends on the destination and group size; your journey designer will confirm it in your proposal. Deposits are applied to your final trip cost.

Final payment is usually due 30–45 days before departure, once your group is finalized and rooming is set. For Israel day tours and short-notice land packages, payment is due at confirmation. You'll always have a clear payment schedule up front.

Yes. For group journeys we set up a payment schedule with milestones — deposit, interim payments and final balance — so your travelers can spread the cost over time. Each traveler registers and pays individually through your group's portal, and you can see who has paid at any moment.

Cancellation terms are stated in your proposal and depend on how far in advance you cancel and what has already been committed to suppliers. We always aim to be fair — during the pandemic we held traveler funds as vouchers so no one lost their journey — and we recommend travel insurance for medical and unforeseen cancellations. Full terms are provided before you pay.

Israel: U.S. and Canadian citizens don't need a visa in advance, but Israel now requires visa-exempt visitors to complete a short electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) online before departure. Once approved, you receive a B/2 tourist visa on arrival for stays up to three months. Greece and Italy are Schengen countries — U.S. and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. The EU is introducing ETIAS, an electronic travel authorization similar to the U.S. ESTA, for visa-exempt travelers; once it takes effect you'll complete a brief online application before your flight. Travelers from other countries should check their requirements — we'll advise based on your group's nationalities and make sure everyone is cleared before departure.

No special vaccinations are required for Israel, Greece or Italy for most travelers. We recommend checking current CDC and WHO guidance before departure and being up to date on routine vaccines. We'll share any entry health requirements with your group before travel.

Comfortable walking shoes are the most important item — you'll be on your feet at sites every day. Dress in layers, bring a sun hat and modest cover-ups for holy sites (shoulders and knees covered for churches, monasteries and mosques). In Israel pack swimwear for the Dead Sea; in Greece and Italy a light scarf is useful for monastery and church visits. We send a full packing list before your trip.

Our journeys involve a fair amount of walking — often over uneven, ancient ground. A typical day includes several hours on your feet with breaks. We pace each itinerary to your group and can arrange easier alternatives for travelers with limited mobility. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or has concerns, tell us and we'll plan accordingly.

We hand-pick hotels for location, comfort and character — often family-run or well-located properties near the sites and old cities you're visiting. In Israel you'll typically stay near the Sea of Galilee and in Jerusalem; in Greece near the Thessaloniki and Athens centers; in Italy in the heart of Rome and the Umbrian hills of Assisi. We're transparent about hotel categories and happy to upgrade where you'd like.

Yes. Every journey is led by a licensed, English-speaking guide who stays with your group from morning to evening. Our Israel guides are Israel Ministry of Tourism licensed and deeply knowledgeable in biblical, archaeological and modern history. In Greece and Italy we use licensed local guides who know the Pauline and early-church sites and the layers of history around them.

We monitor the situation continuously and follow official travel guidance. Israel itineraries are built around areas that have long been calm for visitors, and we adjust in real time if needed. Greece and Italy are generally very safe for travelers. We're always reachable during your trip and prioritize your group's wellbeing above the itinerary.

Absolutely — this is the heart of a Verity journey. We build in times for worship, communion, Bible reading and quiet reflection at meaningful sites: baptism in the Jordan, communion at the Garden Tomb, prayer at Meteora, reading Paul on Mars Hill, reflection at the catacombs or in Assisi. Your leader shapes these moments, and we make space for them.

Your guide and leader often capture group moments along the way, and we can arrange a shared photo collection after you return. We also love hearing your stories — many groups share testimonies and photos we can feature (with permission) to encourage other travelers.

We'd be honored. You can write to us directly, leave a review on our TripAdvisor listing (which continues the Shalom Journeys legacy), or share your story with your journey designer. Many leaders also invite us to share their group's experience with other churches considering a trip.

Yes — returning travelers and groups receive preferred pricing on future journeys, and many leaders bring a new group back each year. Once you've traveled with us, you're part of the Verity family, and we'll keep you posted on new destinations and departure dates.