Holy Land Tours: Comparison List

Are you comparing tours? Great!  Admittedly, it is hard to compare DTBL! Tours with other tours to the Holy Lands / Bible Lands – there simply are no apples to apples comparisons.

However, the contrasting points listed below will clearly explain major differences between DTBL! Tours and other tours (which may or may not have all these negatives).
 

DTBL! Tours:  Contrast the High Value & Benefits

Finest & most experienced guides/scholars and drivers in the Land – and who also live in the Land
    Other tours: Guides, pastors, and leaders who “guide” but do not live in the Land – are most likely not equipped to teach from within a deeper biblical context of the Land’s geographic, cultural, and historical connections.  (The experience from living in the Land itself, and knowing the cultural nuances, makes a profound impact on how information is conveyed and understood.  It is a very tangible vantage point!)

Authentic sites only – with cohesive scholarly teaching
    Other tours: Often the emphasis is on tourism, popular sites, and shopping

Group of 35 or fewer:  Personalized attention – more fellowship – and everyone can hear the guide!
    Other tours: “Herding” people, long lines, multiple busses, and people who lag behind while talking with others

Tours that are 12 days or longer (far more cost value efficient – and enough time better to absorb big picture)
    Other tours: The travel industry often remarks that tours "10 days or fewer… are a 'blur' rather than a blessing"   (Most tours also have a schedule and/or itinerary which looses 2 days for traveling to and from the Land)

Visit far more sites!  And new discoveries can be added at the last moment (more freedom of movement with fewer people)
    Other tours: More people demands far fewer sites and much less time at each site

Custom, painstakingly designed tours by scholar guide and host
    Other tours: Cookie Cutter tours with no personal attention to details

Pre-Tour Classes & extensive preparation
    Other tours: No pre-tour preparation leads to being overwhelmed with information in the Land... with less overall understanding

Academic:  Continuing Education Credits (ACSI)
    Other tours: Loss of benefit for those in Christian Education

Keeping the costs as low as possible – for greater participation
    Other tours: Higher costs – with much less value

No celebrity or well-known personality
    Other tours: Higher costs to pay for a travel team & bus hosts.        Valuable time is also wasted while waiting for more people & multiple busses.  A greater loss of personal attention.

All inclusive pricing – no hidden costs
    Other tours: May have hidden fees, tips, surcharges etc

Meet both Jewish & Arab people:  Christians, ministries, and more
    Other tours: May be less dimensional and isolating... rather than    edifying

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Why Group Touring?

Tour cost per day is no more than a semi-luxury vacation in the States!

Individual touring can not duplicate – at any cost – with any DTBL! Tour.  Included in group touring benefits would be the educational approach, number of sites, on-site scholar teaching, costs of air and land rates, food, personal care... and much more.