Shalom Travelers! On this page, you will find all of the information about our tour. I will keep this page updated with the latest information. Much more of the information on this page will be filled in as we get closer to the tour. But, this page will be a resource for you to use as a collection of all of the tour information.
Contact Information
Barry Britnell
Cell Phone: 256-541-3405
Email Address: barry.britnell@exploringbiblelands.com
Date
October 5-16, 2026
Airline Information
Departing Flights to Israel:
Flight #1 - Lufthansa #401 - Departing John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Monday, October 5 at 3:40PM and arriving at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) on Tuesday, October 6 at 5:25AM.
Flight #2 - Lufthansa #686 - Departing Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) on Tuesday, October 6 at 10:10AM and arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on Tuesday, October 6 at 3:25PM.
Returning Flights from Israel:
Flight #1 - Lufthansa #691 - Departing Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on Friday, October 16 at 4:45AM and arriving at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) on Friday, October 16 at 8:25AM.
Flight #2 - Lufthansa #400 - Departing Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) on Friday, October 16 at 10:55AM and arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Friday, October 16 at 1:35PM.
Hotel Information
Netanya - DAVID’S HARP
This beautiful hotel will be the perfect welcome to our time in Israel. It offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, which can be viewed from the balcony in your hotel room. We will have dinner and breakfast in their resturaunt which has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea. All in all, you will love your time here.
Website: https://davidsharphotels.com/netanya
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ruV5AANNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHwd9E6IGqo
Tiberias - Ron beach hotel
I will openly admit that this is one of my favorite hotels in Israel. This hotel was built and has been managed by a single family for decades. It is located directly on the Sea of Galilee and has some of the best food that we will eat over there. Their staff is always very accommodating, and you will never forget watching the sunrise from your private balcony. We will stay here for three nights as we use this hotel as our “home base” as we explore the Galilee.
Website: https://www.ronbeachhotel.com/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-Z4kAgwJM
EIN BOKEK (dead sea) - david’s dead sea resort & spa
A few years ago, I added one stop on my tours here in the city of Ein Bokek. This small town is a resort on the shore of the Dead Sea. This luxury hotel offers the best amenities for you to enjoy. While we are here, be sure to go down to the lowest point on the face of the Earth and float in the waters of the Dead Sea. We will spend one night here. On Sunday morning, we will offer a period of worship before we continue on our travels.
Website: https://www.grandhotels-israel.com/david-dead-sea-hotel
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4s2T0Hf51A
Jerusalem - Grand court hotel
To be honest, I have lost count of how many nights I have stayed in this hotel. It is located about a quarter-mile north of the Damascus Gate leading to the Old City of Jerusalem. Therefore, it is perfectly located for us to have easy access to everything that we want to see. We will spend five nights at the Grand Court. And just wait until you see the table of desserts!
Website: https://www.grandhotels-israel.com/grand-court-hotel-jerusalem
Resources
October 2026 Traveler List - Here is a list of all of the travelers on the tour. (Please use discretion with this list. Some on the tour may not be telling others about their travels. So, please respect their confidentiality.)
2026 Israel Tour Book - This 27-page document contains answers to most of the questions that you may have as we prepare to journey together. I recommend that you read it soon after the final deadline and then once again with a few weeks to go.
Israel Electronic Travel Approval - This approval is REQUIRED for all travelers going to Israel. Please complete this approval as soon as your exact travel arrangements are known. Once you have been approved, please let me know, as I like to track everyone’s status.
Interesting Links
Western Wall Live Webcam - During the first century BC, King Herod greatly enlarged the Temple Mount and rebuilt the temple. The Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism as it is the closest that the Jewish people can get to the original site of the temple. This camera will be pointed at the Western Wall 24 hours a day, except on the Shabbat.
Zefat Live Webcam - The city of Zefat (Sefad) is about 5 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. Most of the modern population of Zefat is Jewish. This camera is pointed southwest toward the hills of Lower Galilee. When it is clear, you can see the northwestern corner of the Sea of Galilee on the left hand side of the screen. The lights going up the hill from the sea is the modern city of Tiberias.
Email Update Links
Update #1 - October 5, 2025 - Topics: One year away!
Update #2 - November 5, 2025 - Topics: Eleven months away!, Caesarea Maritima
Update #3 - December 5, 2025 - Topics: Ten months away!, Sea of Galilee
Update #4 - January 5, 2026 - Topics: Nine months away!, Jerusalem
Update #5 - February 5, 2026 - Topics: Eight months away!, Capernaum
Update #6 - March 5, 2026 - Topics: Seven months away!, Shephelah
Update #7 - April 5, 2026 - Topics: Six months away!, Jordan River
Update #8 - May 5, 2026 - Topics: Five months away! Update on Current Situation
Update #9 - May 25, 2026 - Topics: Updates from Israel, Final Deadline Reminder
Update #10 - June 5, 2026 - Topics: Four months until we leave!
Update #11 - June 17, 2026 - Topics: 10 Days until the final deadline!
Update #12 - June 27, 2026 - Topics: 100 days until we leave!
Update #13 - July 2, 2026 - Topics: Flight Information!
Update #14 - July 11, 2026 - Topics: New Travelers, Travel Arrangements, ETA-IL
Update #15 - July 21, 2026 - Topics: Hotel Information
Update #16 - August 1, 2026 - Topics: Meet the rest of our team!
Update #17 - August 3, 2026 - Topics: Updated flight schedule!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the COVID-related requirements and restrictions for our tour? None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Nothing. As of June 12, 2022, the United States dropped its requirement to have a negative COVID test before boarding an aircraft bound to the United States. This was the last remaining requirement from either Israel or the United States. Our trip should be COVID worry free!
When do I send in the remaining portion of my payment for the tour? All of the final payments are due to me by 100 days prior to departure. For this tour, that date is Saturday, June 27, 2026.
I have a lot of questions about the tour, like “What type of clothes do I pack?” and “Do I need to exchange currency before traveling?” How can I get those questions answered? Well, you are welcome to email me at any time, and I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. However, after we pass the final deadline of June 27, I will be sending everyone a lot of information about the tour. This includes a special 27-page booklet that I have written that answers many of these logistical questions.
What if I need to cancel my reservation for the tour? Well, I would be sad to hear that, but sometimes circumstances change, and that becomes a necessity. For everyone who had sent in a $500 deposit to Nawas International Travel, $300 of that deposit is non-refundable. The rest of the funds, as well as other funds that you may pay, are subject to the cancellation policy on the Terms and Conditions page on the Nawas website.