FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

After you have sent in your deposit along with your registration form and a copy of your valid passport, we will send you by mail a confirmation letter and information regarding travel insurance. You will then be considered officially registered! We will mail out final invoices approximately 90 days before departure.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance; however, it is not required.  We do not sell or provide travel insurance.  Some countries still require proof of health or trip insurance with COVID-related coverage; your deposit letter will inform you if a country on your tour requires this.

TripAssure is a company that we have worked with for many years and a company we recommend.  Policies must be purchased from them directly.  Please review their website carefully for explanations on coverage options and exclusions. All questions relating to insurance should be directed to the insurance company at 888-595-8747 or you can visit their website at:  https://www.tripassure.com/main/?welcome=INSP5433TX 

When calling TripAssure, select Option 1 – Inspirational Tours, when prompted.  You will then have 5 automated choices to choose from:

  1. Policy coverage questions
  2. Purchase a new policy
  3. Modify or cancel an existing policy
  4. Confirmation of Coverage (send out policy information)
  5. Claims

The following information will be needed:

AGENCY NAME:  INSPIRATIONAL TOURS

AGENT NAME:  INSPIRATIONAL TOURS

LAND – TOUR OPERATOR:  INSPIRATIONAL TOURS

TRAVEL AGENCY ID:  INSP5433T

All payments should be made directly to the insurance company. Do not send insurance payments to Inspirational Tours. Although we endorse TripAssure services, you are more than welcome to compare with other agencies.   You may purchase a policy with any trip insurance company you are comfortable with.  For a good source for comparing policies and providers, you may visit the following link: www.travelinsurance.com

Possibly; this depends on what country your current passport is from, and what countries will be visited on your tour.  Please see this link on our website under Helpful Travel Information/Passport, Visa Information and Travel Alerts:  

This program has now been postponed to 2025 and will require almost every traveler to Europe to apply for and obtain an ETIAS visa.  There is no specific date set yet.  More detailed information can be found at this link:  ETIAS (europa.eu).  It will be your responsibility to apply for and obtain the ETIAS visa in a timely manner.  As to what information will be needed, when filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

 

  • Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number;
  • Travel document details;
  • Details about your level of education and current occupation;
  • Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
  • Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

Our office cannot apply for this visa on your behalf.  The cost for the visa application is 7 EU (est. $8.00) and can be paid online at the time of completing the application.  The visa, once issued, will be good for 3 years or through the expiration date of your passport, whichever is sooner. We strongly advise that you apply for the ETIAS visa at least 90 days before your intended departure date.  The ETIAS website has answers to FAQ’s that can be found at this link:               FAQs on ETIAS (europa.eu)

Passengers can bring medications in pill or other solid form through security screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, as long as they are screened. TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.

Passengers should inform officers of medications and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Medication is usually screened by x-ray; however, if a passenger does not want a medication x-rayed, he or she may ask for an inspection instead. This request must be made before screening begins

The passenger will be responsible for displaying, handling, and repacking the medication if an inspection is requested. If the medication cannot be cleared visually, it will need to be x-rayed and may be subject to additional screening, including explosive trace detection screening.

If you have medications and injection needles in your carry-on luggage, it’s advisable to have a doctor’s certificate with you which confirm that it is medical material for personal needs. If you want more information, please go to TSA’s website. (http://www.tsa.gov)

Sometimes, yes.  A seat upgrade can include a request for premium economy seats, assigned seats (aisle/window), additional leg room seats, and business class seats.  Each airline offers different upgrade options.  Additional fees will apply and are set by the airlines and are subject to availability; all requests for seat upgrades must be made in writing.  Please email your request to David, our ticketing agent, david@inspirationaltoursinc.com.  All seat assignment requests must be requested in writing.

Some flight schedule changes can be done; we call these requests “flight deviations.”  Examples may be if you wish to depart the US from a different city or to fly earlier or later than the tour dates.  These types of requests must be made in writing, and there is no guarantee that these options will be available.  These types of requests will carry a “deviation request” fee and are based on the airline’s rules and fees.  These fees may be required to be paid up front.

 

Our prices are based on double-occupancy rooms.  Your registration form includes a spot to request a specific roommate who is also on the tour, or to indicate that you need a roommate.  If you are traveling alone and need a roommate, we will match up participants who are in need of roommates as we get closer to your departure date. If we do not have a roommate for you, you will be placed in a “forced single room”- this means you will have a single room at half the cost of the full single rate (full single rate is listed on your registration form and the Tour Brochure).  If at any time prior to departure, a roommate becomes available, you will be matched with that person.  Should you decide at that time to remain in a single room, you will be responsible for the full single rate charge.

Each traveler is allowed:

-1 carry-on bag, with total dimensions of 49.5 linear inches (length + width + height) with a maximum weight of 18 lbs.;

-1 personal item, such as a purse or computer bag; and

-1 piece of checked luggage, with total dimensions of 62 linear inches (length + width + height), and maximum weight of 50 lbs.

It is always best to check with the airline being used for your tour for updated information.

World currencies used by country can be found at this link:  https://currency.world/countries

US dollars are widely accepted in Israel. Euro is the currency in almost all of Europe. You should bring approximately $300.00 cash for lunches and small incidentals; $20.00 to $50.00 in $1.00 denominations for water. Credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa are welcome at all stores. Please make sure that you call your credit card companies to notify them of your intended use while overseas; this will help avoid charges being declined.

Casual throughout the tour. No shorts or sleeveless shirts are allowed in any churches. Pants, capris, and jeans are okay to wear. Please dress respectfully.

In Israel, Jordan & Egypt, electricity is provided at 220 v.  You will need a current adapter from 110 to 220, as well as plug adapters (2 round prongs) for your tour.

Europe is mainly at 230 v.  You will need a current adapter that supports that voltage for any European countries to be visited on your tour.

As for the water, it is safe to drink water from the tap; however, we highly recommend bottled water.

Most hotels offer laundry services, but they are not self-service (meaning not done in-house) and this service can be pricey. We advise not to use the laundry services since they are expensive; also turn-around time cannot be guaranteed. We advise to bring your own travel size detergent in your checked-in luggage.

All hotels on this tour have hair dryers in the rooms.  Towels and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) are provided at almost all hotels.  Washcloths are not common overseas; we suggest buying a 10 or 12-pack of washcloths at Walmart or any wholesale warehouse to take with you; these can be disposed of overseas.

There is Wi-Fi available at hotels, but some hotels do charge.  You would have to inquire about the charge upon arrival to the hotel.  Wi-Fi is available on most of our buses, but can be spotty depending on where you are in your journey.

Breakfast and dinners will be at your hotels and will be buffet-style, with various meat, fish and vegetarian options as well as soups, salads, breads, fruits, vegetables, and pastries.  If you have a food allergy, please alert the hotel/restaurant staff so they may direct you to items are appropriate.  Lunches are on your own each day, unless included in the tour price as per the brochure.  Lunches will typically be had at local restaurants and cafes providing local cuisine.

Please see your tour brochure as to whether tips are or are not included in the tour cost. Most of tours include tips already, unless otherwise indicated on the back of the brochure. Please note that our guides and drivers make their living from tips. If you believe the guides and drivers are doing an exceptional job, extra tips are always welcome.

All cancellations MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING VIA FAX, E-MAIL OR REGULAR U.S. MAIL. You may send your cancellation via email to jeremy@inspirationaltoursinc.com.  Please carefully review the cancelation policy (these terms and conditions are also printed on the Tour Brochure).    Deposits are always non-refundable.  Cancellation fees (as to any monies paid over the deposit) depend on the timing of the cancellation request.  The date the cancelation request is received is the date used for purposes of calculating any refunds.  Requests received between time of registration and up to 59 to 45 days prior to departure—the cancellation fee is 50% of the tour cost.  Requests received 44 days or less prior to departure through date of departure are assessed 100% of the tour cost (air and land, and any deviation fees) as the cancellation fee.  Additional charges/fees for deviations and/or upgraded seats may require full payment at time of booking/confirmation, and may be non-refundable; if a non-refundable air ticket has been issued prior to receiving notice of a cancellation request, you will be 100% responsible for those fees, in addition to the cancellation penalties listed above. Package cancellation fees include airfare. Once airfare is purchased, either at time of booking or after, including but not limited to, deviations or seat upgrade requests, or at time of full payment, airline tickets will be issued and are always subject to a 100% penalty. Once full payment is received, Inspirational Tours, Inc. will issue airline tickets, which are non-refundable. If the tour is canceled for any reason, including but not limited to, tour leader’s decision, decision of Inspirational Tours, Inc., weather or natural disasters, strike, acts of war, terrorism, acts of god, quarantine, disease, virus, epidemic, pandemic, compliance with government orders, travel restrictions issued by the U.S. Department of State, or any other force majeure event, Inspirational Tours, Inc. reserves the right to charge a minimum $300.00 administrative fee per person, plus any non-reimbursable expenses incurred from airlines and/or overseas operators. ALL RESERVATIONS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.

After you have sent in your deposit along with your registration form and a copy of your valid passport, we will send you by mail a confirmation letter and information regarding travel insurance. You will then be considered officially registered! We will mail out final invoices approximately 90 days before departure.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance; however, it is not required.  We do not sell or provide travel insurance.  Some countries still require proof of health or trip insurance with COVID-related coverage; your deposit letter will inform you if a country on your tour requires this.

TripAssure is a company that we have worked with for many years and a company we recommend.  Policies must be purchased from them directly.  Please review their website carefully for explanations on coverage options and exclusions. All questions relating to insurance should be directed to the insurance company at 888-595-8747 or you can visit their website at:  https://www.tripassure.com/main/?welcome=INSP5433TX 

When calling TripAssure, select Option 1 – Inspirational Tours, when prompted.  You will then have 5 automated choices to choose from:

  1. Policy coverage questions
  2. Purchase a new policy
  3. Modify or cancel an existing policy
  4. Confirmation of Coverage (send out policy information)
  5. Claims

The following information will be needed:

AGENCY NAME:  INSPIRATIONAL TOURS

AGENT NAME:  INSPIRATIONAL TOURS

LAND – TOUR OPERATOR:  INSPIRATIONAL TOURS

TRAVEL AGENCY ID:  INSP5433T

All payments should be made directly to the insurance company. Do not send insurance payments to Inspirational Tours. Although we endorse TripAssure services, you are more than welcome to compare with other agencies.   You may purchase a policy with any trip insurance company you are comfortable with.  For a good source for comparing policies and providers, you may visit the following link: www.travelinsurance.com

Possibly; this depends on what country your current passport is from, and what countries will be visited on your tour.  Please see this link on our website under Helpful Travel Information/Passport, Visa Information and Travel Alerts:  

This program has now been postponed to 2025 and will require almost every traveler to Europe to apply for and obtain an ETIAS visa.  There is no specific date set yet.  More detailed information can be found at this link:  ETIAS (europa.eu).  It will be your responsibility to apply for and obtain the ETIAS visa in a timely manner.  As to what information will be needed, when filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

 

  • Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number;
  • Travel document details;
  • Details about your level of education and current occupation;
  • Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
  • Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

Our office cannot apply for this visa on your behalf.  The cost for the visa application is 7 EU (est. $8.00) and can be paid online at the time of completing the application.  The visa, once issued, will be good for 3 years or through the expiration date of your passport, whichever is sooner. We strongly advise that you apply for the ETIAS visa at least 90 days before your intended departure date.  The ETIAS website has answers to FAQ’s that can be found at this link:               FAQs on ETIAS (europa.eu)

Passengers can bring medications in pill or other solid form through security screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, as long as they are screened. TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.

Passengers should inform officers of medications and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Medication is usually screened by x-ray; however, if a passenger does not want a medication x-rayed, he or she may ask for an inspection instead. This request must be made before screening begins

The passenger will be responsible for displaying, handling, and repacking the medication if an inspection is requested. If the medication cannot be cleared visually, it will need to be x-rayed and may be subject to additional screening, including explosive trace detection screening.

If you have medications and injection needles in your carry-on luggage, it’s advisable to have a doctor’s certificate with you which confirm that it is medical material for personal needs. If you want more information, please go to TSA’s website. (http://www.tsa.gov)

Sometimes, yes.  A seat upgrade can include a request for premium economy seats, assigned seats (aisle/window), additional leg room seats, and business class seats.  Each airline offers different upgrade options.  Additional fees will apply and are set by the airlines and are subject to availability; all requests for seat upgrades must be made in writing.  Please email your request to David, our ticketing agent, david@inspirationaltoursinc.com.  All seat assignment requests must be requested in writing.

Some flight schedule changes can be done; we call these requests “flight deviations.”  Examples may be if you wish to depart the US from a different city or to fly earlier or later than the tour dates.  These types of requests must be made in writing, and there is no guarantee that these options will be available.  These types of requests will carry a “deviation request” fee and are based on the airline’s rules and fees.  These fees may be required to be paid up front.

 

Our prices are based on double-occupancy rooms.  Your registration form includes a spot to request a specific roommate who is also on the tour, or to indicate that you need a roommate.  If you are traveling alone and need a roommate, we will match up participants who are in need of roommates as we get closer to your departure date. If we do not have a roommate for you, you will be placed in a “forced single room”- this means you will have a single room at half the cost of the full single rate (full single rate is listed on your registration form and the Tour Brochure).  If at any time prior to departure, a roommate becomes available, you will be matched with that person.  Should you decide at that time to remain in a single room, you will be responsible for the full single rate charge.

Each traveler is allowed:

-1 carry-on bag, with total dimensions of 49.5 linear inches (length + width + height) with a maximum weight of 18 lbs.;

-1 personal item, such as a purse or computer bag; and

-1 piece of checked luggage, with total dimensions of 62 linear inches (length + width + height), and maximum weight of 50 lbs.

It is always best to check with the airline being used for your tour for updated information.