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While a trip to the Holy Land may be the dream destination,
plenty of equally worthy adventures await churches that organize trips forcongregation members. A church travelprogram can include everything from localgetaways to faraway places. Some trips arefaith-based, others purely recreational. All promote fellowship.
For a small-town church, it might be a weekend jaunt to the nearest big city.Many groups from the Midwest, for example, come to Chicago for museums,architecture tours, a Lake Michigan cruiseand a visit to the lofty Sky Chapel underthe spire of the Chicago Temple, down-town’s First United Methodist Church,the tallest church building in the world.
Few places in the world fuel my wander-lust more than the Middle East. Though itcalls for a substantial commitment in timeand money, traveling to the holiest sitesin Christendom creates memories to last a lifetime. A trip to the Holy Land,moreover, is a magic-carpet ride to cities,villages and desert outposts where peoplekeep camels, haggle at exotic bazaars, and speak Hebrew and Arabic. My articleon page 12 offers tips on planning a tourto Israel and Jordan.
For ideas on types of church group tripsthat might not have been on your radar, seeKevin J. Wright’s piece on page 24. Amonghis suggestions: Cruises, wildlife safaris andagritourism experiences.
When Christian ladies get together fora retreat, there can be plenty of meaningfulmoments, but it’s not always a bed of roses.Our feature on women’s retreats by RachelGilmore, author of The Complete Leader’sGuide to Christian Retreats, talks abouthow to handle thorny problems.
Also in this fourth annual edition of Religious Travel Planning Guide are CindiBrodhecker’s interview with Gigi Graham,a daughter of Dr. Billy Graham, and“Making a Splash with Church YouthTrips,” which spotlights opportunities forenergizing a youth travel ministry.
Complementing our print publicationare online resources for planning yourgroup trip. With listings and links to
group-friendly destinations and businesses,ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com is thepremier research tool for the faith travelmarket. Our monthly e-newsletter, InSiteon Religious Travel, offers plenty of ideasas well.
As many of you know, planning fortravel is half the fun. With that in mind,we hope this 2014 edition of ReligiousTravel Planning Guide, combined withour online resources, will inspire you todevelop the best group trip ever and chartnew paths for your community of faith.
Happy traveling,
Randy MinkManaging Editor
Vol. 4, No. 1, 2014 Edition
Editorial Office621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406
Willowbrook, IL 60527P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652
Publisher – Jeffrey [email protected]
Managing Editor – Randy [email protected]
Contributing WritersCindi BrodheckerRachel GilmoreKevin J. WrightDaniel Morrill
Director, Design & Production – Robert [email protected]
Advertising Sales OfficePhone: 630.794.0696
The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well asadvertising, but assumes no responsi bility for statements made
by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure theaccuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not
responsible for the return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts.
Religious Travel Planning Guide is published annually byPremier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Rd., Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY.
The magazine is distributed free to religious group travelorganizers and travel suppliers catering to
the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95.
Send Address Change to: Premier Travel Media
621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406Willowbrook, IL 60527
All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.
A publication
Though it calls for a substantial
commitment in timeand money, traveling
to the holiest sites in Christendom
creates memories tolast a lifetime
6 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com
Roaming About God’s Green Earth
Randy Mink
Touring with Globus or Cosmos on a faith-based journey
means we take care of all the planning and navigating for
you, leaving you to explore the roots of your faith, walk in
the footsteps of your spiritual leaders, and have your most
cherished beliefs come to life. From Ireland, Italy, Poland,
Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal to Greece, Israel
and Jordan, you can discover the world’s most sacred
sites while savoring the unique culture around them. Your
only task is to experience the joy in each destination!
To book a religious vacation you can have faith in, visit
or call
†Per person, based on double occupancy, land only.
WHERE THE LOVE OF TRAVEL MEETS THE JOY OF FAITH.
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