Safety in the Holy Land & the safety of our Pilgrims - Israel - 206 Tours - Catholic Pilgrimages


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Safety In The Holy Land & The Safety Of Our Pilgrims

Dear Pilgrims,

As pilgrims, Israel is our "Home", and Jerusalem is referred to as the "City of Peace" - even though there have been moments that have led many of us to think otherwise. Rest assured that "your" concerns, are "our" concerns. We have been leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land for over 35 years, and from our firsthand experience, this is what we can tell you:

  • We will not send you anywhere that we would not travel ourselves.
  • We are in contact with your Guides and Drivers daily, as well as our Operators and the Israeli Tourism Boards.
  • Not one of our pilgrims, to-date, has been harmed in the Holy Land.
  • Feedback Letters:
    We encourage you to visit www.206tours.com/letters , and read the most up-to-date feedback letters from pilgrims all over the world, who have traveled with us to the Holy Land. There is no better reference than from one pilgrim to another.
  • Our Pilgrimage does not include visits to any areas on the "Alert" list:
    Gaza, Northern Israel, or the West Bank
    (Note: Jericho and Bethlehem are exempted from that list - per the State Department)
  • Your Guide is with you throughout your entire Pilgrimage. From the moment you arrive at the airport in Tel Aviv, until the last day when you are dropped off at the airport for your return flight home.
  • Final Instructions PDF: This PDF is emailed to you approximately 30 days prior to departure. It contains your Guide's cellphone number, the address, and phone numbers to your Hotels, a 24-Hour Emergency Number, and an e-mail to reach 206 Tours in the US (if needed).

State Department Warnings

The State Department has been in charge of warning Americans when traveling conditions are "unsafe", for which it is updated regularly. The departments sensitivity to such threats have increased since 2001, and even more since 2012. We want you to know that there are two (2) kinds of measures the State Department can issue: an "Alert" and a "Warning". The Office of International Affairs notes as follows:

  • Alert: Issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. Citizens.
  • Warning: Issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a region dangerous or unstable.
    View the latest announcements by visiting: www.travel.state.gov
  • Israel and the List:
    In the past, the State Department has issued a "warning" for Israel but only in the areas of: Gaza Strip, Northern Israel, and the West Bank. The warning does not include any sites 206 Tours visits. 206 Tours monitors all of our Pilgrims, as well as all of the alerts and warnings sent out by the State Department daily.
  • Security in Israel:
    Israel takes such issues very seriously. Israel is a combination of countries, and many of them are drastically different from one another. The security measures at Tel Aviv airport are noted in your Final Instructions Booklet, and we advise that you read them thoroughly. Their security goes to great lengths, and heavily monitored, for your safety.
  • Groups going to the Holy Land:
    The Holy Land has been our top selling pilgrimage for many years. Last year, we saw every one of our groups (Tour Series, Diocesan, or Church) materialize and travel to the Holy Land, with not one cancellation. Even more pilgrims are scheduled to travel to the Holy Land this coming year, and in 2018 as well.

Cancellations:
Cancellations are handled on a case-by-case basis. Remember that issues taking place in other countries, do not have an affect on other countries - no matter how close or far they are. Each country has its own advisory, and we must adhere to the information the State Department displays at that moment in time.

If a Pilgrimage is to be cancelled, you will then receive options in the form of:
- Choose another date being offered for the Holy Land
- Choose another pilgrimage itinerary that is departing around the same time (we will provide you with a list - Italy, Poland etc.)
- Receive a Credit towards future travel
- Receive a Full Refund

  • In case of a Warning: Such as the area being deemed dangerous or unsafe, 206 Tours will review and we will contact you immediately.
  • In case of an Alert:
    If you do not feel safe or have hesitations you may cancel your trip. However, it will be subject to the Terms and Conditions that apply at the time we receive your cancellation in writing (email/mail). All cancellations must be received in writing and will be cancelled at point of receipt of the notice.
  • If there is neither an Alert or Warning:
    Being at peace is an important part of a pilgrimage. Should you not feel comfortable traveling, we must receive your cancellation in writing. Your cancellation will be per the Terms and Conditions noted on our website (www.206tours.com/terms), and fees will apply in accordance to when we receive your written cancellation.