TRAVEL INFORMATION:
If you are looking for information about how to prepare for your trip, or any other information about your trip, look no further.
Maranatha Tours strongly recommends the purchase of the Tour Protection Plan. It can save you time and money, and may help to ease your worries while traveling. This plan is affordably priced and provides valuable coverage for those unexpected events that can occur during your vacation, such as needing to cancel your trip due to covered reasons, lost baggage and unforeseen medical expenses.
TSA now requires specific information from your passport to be provided at the time your airline ticket is issued. You can click here to enter your passport information online and attach a copy of the passport.
Obtain a Passport and Visa
Going on Tour? Don’t know how much to pack? The #1 thing to think about when packing is LAYERING! Check out the weather forcast of your destination on the internet and find out what to expect. Always bring a sweater, jacket, umbrella and hat when touring.
Going on Tour? Don’t know what to expect on the international flight? Maranatha Tours uses Turkish Air, Delta, El Al, Swiss Air, US Air, British Airways and Alitalia just to name a few. All ground transportation will be on Air conditioned motor coaches.
Before leaving on your tour make sure you call your Cell Phone provider to find out the rates you will be charged in the countries you will be visiting. It can be expensive to use your phone in some countries and you don’t want to come home to an unexpected phone Bill.
In Israel we have found a great company with some really good phone rates.Phone away from home is the leading provider of personal communication devices for visitors to Israel. Maranatha Tours has paired with Phone away from home to provide the best communication devices at the best price possible. IPhone, hot spot, calling cards, sim card and many more options.
If you have been overseas, you know that tipping is an integral part of travel. While all service charges are included in the tour price, additional tipping is so customary that tipping levels are approved by some departments of tourism. Hotels, guides, bus drivers, restaurants, etc., all expect a tip. This is an All Inclusive tour so the tips are already included in the tour price. NEW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES = ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES
Going on Tour or traveling in the USA? Don’t know how people move ahead of you in line at the airport? Go and apply for the TSA Pre-check. https://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
If you require any special medications, we suggest that you carry them along with you in their original prescription containers. Not all brands of medicine are available overseas. Illness can be caused by overindulging in tree- or vine-ripened fruits, or by drinking too much water containing salt or minerals to which you are not accustomed. Have your doctor prescribe a diarrhea remedy before you leave.
Meals will be delicious and more than ample. Although most meals are American foods, part of the adventure of traveling abroad is trying the cuisine of other countries. For those under doctors care and requiring a special diet, we will request this service from the airlines and hotels if given sufficient notice. However, Maranatha Tours cannot be held responsible if the request is not fulfilled. Water served at the table in the hotels we use is considered safe. Bottled water, coffee, tea and soft drinks are always available at a supplemental charge at lunch and dinner.
Film and Memory Cards are available overseas for most cameras; however, it is double or triple the cost, so we recommend you purchase an adequate supply before leaving. That will include Memory Cards, and Photographic equipment should be purchased from a reliable store in your area and should be fresh stock, since the pictures you will take cannot be replaced. Be sure to bring your charging dock and extra batteries. Take pictures and videos before you leave to make sure your equipment is working properly. Also make sure you bring your camera and valuable equipment packed on with your carry on. DON’T pack your camera in your checked luggage.
Currency exchange rates fluctuate, so check exchange rates in major daily newspapers from time to time. DO NOT change American dollars into foreign currency except upon arrival in each foreign country. We recommend carrying 50 single dollar bills because they are acceptable in most foreign countries and, in the event of needing small local change, you will not end up with excessive local currency. Money should be exchanged only at banks or by the hotel cashier – they are the only ones authorized to do this. Most of the countries you visit will accept credit cards.
The airlines allow you to check 1 piece with a combined linear dimension not over 62 inches. No piece may exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) in size, nor 50 pounds in weight on transatlantic flights. Care must be taken here, however, since flights between overseas cities allow only 44 pounds total combined weight per person. The one carry-on piece allowed may not exceed a linear dimension of 45 inches, and must be able to fit under the seat. A briefcase or camera bag may be considered a carry-on by the airlines. Suitcases should be sturdy and if using locks they need to be TSA approved or will be cut off. Bring an extra key for each case and keep it separate from your regular set. Be sure all bags are clearly identified with baggage tags attached securely inside and outside showing your name, home address, and tour group. Attach special Maranatha Tours baggage labels for easy group identification. We strongly suggest that EACH PERSON TAKE ONE SUITCASE due to the LIMITED STORAGE SPACE on the motor coaches. Any porterage included in your tour price has been based on one piece per person. You may be have to move your own luggage during the tour, so be sure it’s not too heavy! Tipping for handling any additional pieces will be the responsibility of the individual (including any carry on luggage not personally handled throughout the tour) and this surcharge should be given to your tour host before leaving the States. Additional fees or surcharges are the responsibility of the passenger and needs to be paid upon check-in.
As your jet nears New York or other gateway city, your flight attendant will pass out official customs declaration forms. You must declare ALL articles purchased abroad and in your possession if they exceed $400 – $1,200 per person depending on the country. While overseas, you may mail gifts valued under a certain dollar amount to relatives and friends in the U.S. as long as the packages do not contain tobacco, liquor, or perfume with alcohol. You can mail as many of these gifts as you like, as long as you do not mail more than one per day to any individual. Mark each package with “Unsolicited Gift.” DO NOT list these purchases in your declaration. Merchandise acquired abroad must accompany you if it is to be included in your duty-free exemption. Immediately after landing, proceed to the Immigration Department, where your passport is checked and stamped to allow you to reenter the U.S. If you are taking expensive foreign-made cameras or jewelry on your trip, the customs officers may want you to include those items with your purchases on reentry – this is where your having registered these items before departure really pays off! One more tip: Since customs officers may examine your gifts, you will avoid having elaborate wrappings torn open if you loosen the ribbons and wrappings yourself before packing.
The voltage overseas is generally 220v-50 cycle AC, while in the U.S. it is 110v-60 cycle. If you use an electric razor, hairdryer or curler, be sure you have a 1500-watt converter with adapter plugs.
By registering, passengers accept responsibility for being in good health and able to walk
and travel on the tour. Many sites are not accessible to physically challenged and may limit the overall tour
experience. Maranatha Tours does not provide additional assistance to passengers with physical or mobility
limitations as tour itineraries require full mobility. Please advise Maranatha Tours if you have any limitations
that may impact your tour.
Greg and Jennifer’s Grandfather started Maranatha Tours Inc. in 1974 and they want to share that experience with you with a weekly show with special guests, exciting questions, and a fun spin on biblical travels. You can Go to to TravelingThruTheBibleShow.com view all of our shows and how to travel on a Trip of a Lifetime through the Bible.
Since traveling the world and especially through the Bible, Chef Reilly is now putting his “Culinary Prowess” together with his travel experience and created Cooking Thru the Lands of the Bible, where he is the star and producer. A show that incorporates an awesome combination of Food and The Bible with some extras found in the USA! cookingthruthelandsofthebible.com