Who are behind the Highway Trust?

Travel tips	Group leader questions
How much luggage? Your health? Insurance? Passports and Visas? Local Customs? Tipping? Travel money? Clothing? Weather conditions?	Group sizes? Pricing tours? Marketing your tour?
	Using this site
	Adding links and Contributing to the pinboard. Making enquiries or bookings?

Christian topics
How will Highways Christian commitment be reflected?
For anyone wishing to know 'How do I become a Christian'?

Where can I find Christian Church and Charity links and site reviews?

Interested in becoming a Highway Agent?

• Who are behind the Highway Trust?

The Highway Trust Council is drawn from across the mainstream Christian denominations. The trustees are divided into boards that administer the various operations of the Trust. The Trust itself and the boards all have chairpersons that liase closely as representatives of each body. We believe that this system maintains equitable government and a centering of policy away from a particular doctrinal stance, yet benefiting from all.

Our present Highway Trust Chairman is Rt. Rev. John S. Richardson — respected as a man of many talents with a ‘getting things done’ reputation. At present he is also behind the Faith Millennium project in Bradford where he is Provost. Provost Richardson is also Vice-President of Christ’s Mission to the Jews (CMJ) and Chairman for Parish Holidays.

Highway Journeys Chairman is Rev. John Woodger of St. Mary’s in Watford. A man profoundly affected with a concern for his fellow Christians in the Holy Land especially those labouring amongst the Palestinian communities.

Thornleighs Chairman is Canon John Hunter. Rector of Buckhurst Hill, advisor to the Archbishop of York and Principal of a theological College in Rwanda. Canon Hunter has a vision for the upbuilding of Christian leisure facilities for the benefit of the body at large, run well yet accessible to all.

Other members include active group travel leaders, people with an express theological contribution and businesspersons that share their acumen.

• What happens to the profits made through Highway?

The various business arms contribute their profits to the Trust Charity which then presides over their disbursement. This may mean reinvesting into one or all of the arms for a refurbishment or new business equipment or the recruitment of new staff etc. But the Trust also seeks to identify worthy beneficiaries of funding outside of Highway. In the past there has been a concerted effort to provide educational opportunities for those in ministerial training so that issues raised by the Holy Land can be included in their studies and later in their ministries. One project raised funds to buy a mini-hovercraft for missionaries working along the Amazon river whose only alternative was a dugout canoe. We also actively support Charities and Christian Communities abroad by routing groups through their facilities and contributing to their funds by drawing upon their staff.

• Are subsidies available for people in need?

Yes. We welcome applicants who feel that we can in any way help them within the perimeters of our influence and all such applications will be given our best attention although we cannot offer any guarantees as all such requests are subject to discretion.

Travel tips

• How much luggage?

A small amount of hand luggage is permitted on airlines and on the passenger shelves in coaches. This amount varies depending on the carrier but as a rough guide — a small bag containing personal items sufficient for the journey and any particular valuables or breakables.

We highly recommend money belts as secure means of protecting tickets, passports and currency.

Other luggage is dependent on the season, destination and duration of travel. The golden rule however is ‘Travel light!’ Versatile clothing and foot ware are the key to avoiding unnecessary time and effort being wasted.

• Your health?

Health information is supplied with the itinerary of our tours. Often it will be necessary to consult your GP and take whatever extra precautions are prescribed. In the event that a destination should be considered where the standards of medical facilities is of concern you will be informed.

• Insurance?

Prudence requires that you take out travel insurance when purchasing a holiday of any sort. Highway work with an insurer that covers travellers to the Middle East but who will be happy to offer you cover whatever the destination.

Bookings made by credit card have a certain degree of cover built in.

• Passports and Visas?

European passport holders are welcomed without visas to a great many countries the World over but in certain cases visas are necessary. Highway supply information regarding this with the itinerary. It may therefore be necessary to contact the embassy or Consulate of the country you are wishing to travel to obtain the visa. Bear in mind as well that there are certain borders that are closed for political reasons. For example it is still not possible to travel into some Islamic countries with an Israeli stamp from previous travel in your passport. It is also not possible to pass from Greek Cypriot territory directly into Turkish territory. Holders of other passports need to consult their embassies or the embassies of the host nations for information.

• Local Customs?

Local customs are both interesting to learn from and important to respect. They mostly pertain to preparation of food or codes of dress. Many places of worship will require that people do not wear shorts or off the shoulder tops, in some cases head coverings may be expected or the removal of shoes before entry. Some restaurants will not serve certain meats or combinations of food. The consumption of alcohol may also be forbidden or restricted. Law in general may be less lenient so care to avoid antisocial behaviour is well advised. Particularly in Islamic countries some matters considered to be of a personal nature in Britain, especially in regard of sexual morality, are legislated against and the rulings enforced on visitors as well as citizens.

• Tipping?

Tipping is in general not included in the price of your holiday and although it is not insisted upon, provided that the services rendered have been of a satisfactory or excellent standard we feel that tipping is to be encouraged. Guides, coach drivers, some waiting and hotel staff are the usual beneficiaries as we might practice in Britain. It means that although the contract with them is with Highway, the final word comes from you the traveller.

Sometimes a visit will be organised to a Charity or place of Worship and you may feel that you would like to give something towards the work. These visits are chosen selectively and often as an expression of our support so we would be delighted to think that you would feel free to support them yourselves.

• Travel money?

Travellers cheques and credit cards are the safest way to transfer spending money. However, banks, building societies and the Post Office are all competitive when it comes to buying some foreign currency in advance and many will buy back what you do not spend on your return. We must add a cautionary note that exchanging money on the streets in destination countries which is solicited at times is illegal in some places and inadvisable in most, we recommend that you use established Bureau de Change. The US dollar and Pounds Sterling are now accepted currency in many shops, hotels etc. throughout the World and especially the Near East and Levant.

• Clothing?

Summer - Sensible shoes, lightweight and airy clothes, a cardigan, shawl or jacket, perhaps a Windsheeter and the all important hat. Don’t forget your swimming costume!

Depending on your destination requirements may vary.

• Weather conditions?

There are geographical factors that affect weather conditions as well as seasonal. Deserts can be very cold at night for example, mountainous areas are usually much cooler than lowlands and areas by the sea can be very humid. So a county like Israel that is thought of as ‘hot’, can actually be surprisingly cool depending on where you are and temperatures up in the hundreds in the Negev desert can seem surprisingly bearable because the heat is so dry. The Near East and Levant have two seasons in effect, the Dry and the Wet. Rains usually begin around the end of October but are interspersed at the beginning with bursts of intense heat. They last through until April but again the final period of the season is interspersed with hot spells lasting up to ten days in length. Between April and October there is minimal rainfall and nightly dew is the only precipitation. Temperatures rarely fall below zero throughout and may climb past the hundred mark, especially in the South.

Group leader questions

• Group sizes?

We suggest that a group size of 16+ should be the aim of a general group. This affords attractive rates from Hotels and airlines and make travelling as a group worthwhile from that point of view. Groups over 25 could consider two leaders and three for groups over 35. Generally the responsibility of the leaders could be 1/ Tour Director. 2/ Directors Assistant. 3/ Bus Captain.

• Pricing tours?

Price depends on duration, number in group, season of travel, destination, standard of accommodation and flight arrangements. Because of this it is impossible to give guide rates. However it is fair to say that it is possible to plan a tour based on budget, or to moderate a price planned on standards.

e.g. A leader that comes to us with a per/head price of £900 will be advised of a programme that keeps to budget. (Or) A leader that comes to us with a destination, time of year, hotel type etc. will be given a price.

The more information you can give us about your requirements the better. We may be able to advise on economical options that you may not have considered.

• Marketing your tour?

We would like to offer you all the help we can to make your tour a success. First and foremost we will provide you with brochures once the date, price and itinerary is agreed. Brochures are the primary tool for selling your tour. Secondly we upload your brochure on-line so that people visiting the site (either recommended by you or not) can view the brochure, print it out if needs be and book onto your tour (unless you do not require this service). We can help by giving talks to your group, maybe showing slides and answering questions.

But the most important factor of all is going to be you so it is paramount that you have all the information and resources you need. There will be a commitment of time and effort which will pay dividends.

 Using this site

• Adding links and Contributing to the pinboard.

Are there sites we ought to be linked to? Please let us know. Also, do you have a site you would like to link to ours? Again, send us an e-mail. But perhaps most importantly do you have a comment, an opinion or some information we really ought to have on the pinboard? Eail it in to us. We welcome anything relevant to our work and will publish whatever we can on the pinboard.

We hope that those of you that have experiences to share from your travels or studies could share them here at Highway to benefit future travellers and enrich the debate.

• Making enquiries or bookings?

On the ‘contact us’ page you will find the necessary details for posting cheques for deposits. We do not receive finances via the internet through credit card transactions so please do not send us your card details. However we will happily reserve you a place on one our tours on receipt of an e-mail from you specifying the tour you wish to join provided we receive your deposit within five working days. If there is more information you need or especially if you would like us to arrange a private tour for you please send an e-mail with as much information about yourself and the group and of course the trip you have in mind. We welcome phone calls, letters, visits and faxes as well so don’t hesitate to get in touch and if necessary we will visit, call, write or fax you.

(Why not save or print pages from the site for reference later or let a friend know about it by sending the details to them.)

To print a page from within a frameset you will need to view that specific page first: Position your cursor over the chosen page then click and hold down your right mouse button (or your mouse button on a Mac) and select the 'view this window' option. The page will then appear in a new window which can then be printed from your browser's menu. However most pages that you are likely to want to print have be created as non-framed pages to make printing easier for you.

 Christian topics

• How will Highways Christian commitment be reflected?

1. We aim to be up-front in our business dealings offering the best value for money and the best customer care that we can.
2. We aim to be open for people who are not practicing Christians, introducing them into a stable, enjoyable Christian social enviroment where they can be relaxed.
3. We aim to identify means by which our travels can enrich our faith whether it is through adding historical accuracy, geographical familiarity, social encounter or good sound Bible teaching.
4. We aim to further enrich our experience of the faith by introducing Christians to eachother from a broad denominational background.
5. We aim to be flexible and accommodating with our valued customers.
6. We aim to be an open door to faith for those who wish to enter.

• For anyone wishing to know 'How do I become a Christian'?

Becoming a Christian involves taking a few steps of faith.

Christians believe that the Jesus described in the New Testament was sent by God the Father to be the Saviour of the whole world, and that included you and me. So the first step of faith is to accept that fact.

Secondly, we need to respond to that fact by allowing ourselves to experience the relief that Christ has saved us through His cross, so we don’t any longer have to try and save ourselves. This too is a step of faith, we are saved, not because of anything good we have done, but because of the Good that God is. This allows His Spirit of joy and peace to enter our hearts where it will stay to reassure us all our days of His unfailing love for us, giving strength.

Thirdly we need to acknowledge these two facts by taking yet another step of faith. We need to come into Communion with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in His Church.

All these good things and more can be found in the pages of the Bible that all Christians use as the source of counsel in their new lives. We at Highway would be happy to help you in your pursuit of the Christian life or put you in touch with someone in your area that can. So why not send us an e-mail with any questions you may have or just to tell us you have just taken the big step. Complete confidentiality is assured and we will take no steps without your express permission.

Where can I find Christian Church and Charity links and site reviews?

The Church sites Represent the UK’s main denominational streams and activities these sites are all well resourced. Certainly kicking any notions that the Church is out dated into touch. Highway has an interdenominational commitment to Christian outreach so embraces the excellent work of the whole Church in this country and abroad. All the Charity sites are excellent too! They are a must for anyone wishing to be aware and active in the Global issues facing people today. We are very keen to raise international awareness for the purpose of promoting ethical tourism.

We have provided a range of web sites for you to explore in our Christian Church and Charity links section

Interested in becoming a Highway Agent?

Are you involved in the Church, interested in Travel, looking for involvement in further Christian work, got free time, good organisational and interpersonal skills and open to another source of income? Maybe agenting for Highway is the way forward.

We will require a covering letter for your application from your Minister (unless of course you are a Minister), a brief C.V., a letter from you about how you would envisage conducting a local marketing campaign. Access to the internet is essential and the ability to bring at least 16 paying passengers per year in order to renew your annual agreement. We don’t want any high pressure salesman stuff, just friendly, helpful people willing to be outgoing and proactive.

 Agenting offers a position as a retail agent for us, the ATOL holder (ATOL is the licence needed to be a tour organiser) the agreement would stand that you make use of our training and on-line resources for marketing. Bookings and monies are sent direct to our offices and we pay you on a monthly account a 5% commission on everything we receive from your reference. On a sample tour costing perhaps £800 per person you would stand to gain £40 per booking, take a group of 10, and you have £400. We also offer our holidays at cost to agents so you can enjoy the products you are selling.