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        We're not trying to be the biggest tour company in America...Just the Best 

The year was 1961...John F. Kennedy was in his first year in office and Rev. Edward B. Hill made his first trip to Israel.  He was so impacted that he returned with a vision that every minister would  have an opportunity to visit the Holy Land.  Ed Hill Tours was founded in 1964 and has operated continuously ever since.  We are now America's oldest travel company specializing in Christian group travel and we work with ministers and churches of  every denomination and faith.   

OUR VISION...                                                                                                       Many things have changed in 46 years, but our basic values remain the same...a commitment to quality and integrity.  We don't believe anyone can match our years of experience or the personal attention we give our clients. 

Ed Hill states, "Visiting Israel is faith-deepening and one of life's most rewarding spiritual experiences.  Walk the land, view the land, and most of all - experience the Land of the Bible."

             "Honoring 'Buddy' and Sylvia Hill"               Class of 1935 

(reprinted from Vision - Official publication of Zion Bible College)

Rev. Edward (Buddy) Hill, a man of great vision, dreamed of being a professional baseball player as a young man.  An encounter with Jesus Christ at a Pentecostal meeting where he was born again opened the door to a lifetime of even grander dreams and visions.  Many of those were realized at Zion Bible Institute.  This multi-talented man would use his gifts to enhance the ministry of the Institute and bless the lives of generations of students.

A native of Massachusetts, Buddy enrolled in The School of the Prophets in 1932 and was soon elected class president.  He also met the love of his life, classmate Sylvia Gibbs.  Born on the beautiful island of Barbados, her own association with Zion began at the age of four.  After her father passed away, Sylvia's mother entrusted her into the care of her uncle and aunt, Revs. Rueben and Christine Gibson (founder of Zion).  Thus she grew and was nurtured in the Children's Home, a part of Faith Home in East Providence, Rhode Island.  As she matured, Sylvia served as a traveling companion for Sister Gibson.  Her lovely singing voice often blessed the church...one of her favorite songs being, "Ho, Everyone That is Thirsty in Spirit."

After graduating in 1935, Buddy and Sylvia were married on December 28th of that same year.  Sister Gibson performed the ceremony.  Buddy Hill said of Sister Gibson, "Two decades of close companionship with our beloved founder, has stamped an indelible impression of faith deep in my life."

The Hills were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Carmen, Portia and Meredith. Sadly, tragedy struck when Carmen was hit by a car near East Providence High School and her young life was ended.

While still a student, Brother Hill was instrumental in creating the first annual for Zion.  He founded and built the Zion Press as well as the Zion Book Store.  A skilled writer, Bro. Hill utilized the Press to produce gospel tracts and the Faith newsletter.  Perhaps one of his greatest achievements was the launching of Temple Time, Zion's own radio program, which eventually became a daily feature in Rhode Island.  His rich voice was heard far and wide as the recorded program was also broadcast in Maine, New York and New Jersey. In 1962, he founded the Christian Broadcasting Association. The powerful radio ministry of Zion continued for 30 years.

Bro. Hill served Zion as a faculty member, teaching Doctrine.  He also was Zion's public relations director, and an inspiring song leader from 1935 to 1980.  Together with Rev. Donald Bickford, he helped pioneer a full gospel campground on Whited Lake in Bridgewater, Maine.  He also toured the country with trios and quartets from Zion, singing and preaching the gospel.

Instrumental in founding the Zion Evangelistic Fellowship, Bro. Hill served as field secretary and evangelistic director of its Home Missions Department.  He helped establish strong churches in a number of cities throughout the New England states including: Hyannis, Middleboro, Fitchburg, Greenfield, North Adams and Fall River in Massachusetts; Apponaug and Pawtucket in Rhode Island; and several others in Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut.

Bro. Hill served on the board of Zion for nearly 40 years and as alumni president for over 30 years.  Throughout his life, his passionate interest in the Holy Land has brought him to Israel more than fifty times, often leading groups of pilgrims to that sacred place.

This December marks Buddy and Sylvia Hill's 72nd wedding anniversary.  Theirs is a testimony of lives and abilities given to Christ and His kingdom. One day, in His presence, they will receive the rewards of their diligent and loving service. The family of Zion will ever be grateful for their dedication to this institution.

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Friends and Partners of Ed Hill Tours

We are grateful for special relationships with pastors and friends that we look to for counsel and prayer support.  We are pleased that they are from various faiths and backgrounds, and we are uniquely graced by each.        

Pastor Dick Bernal - Jubilee Christian Center, San Jose, CA                                                                       Dennis Brewer, Sr - Attorney & Counselor at Law - Irving, TX                                                   Dr. George Callahan - Sr. Minister Emeritus, Trinity Presbyterian -  Big Canoe, GA                                        Dr. Ross Collette - Sr. Pastor - Deeper Life Ministries, Warren, MI                                          Rev. Alberto Delgado -Sr. Pastor - Iglesia Alpha & Omega, Miami, FL                                       Dr. J. Don George - Lead Pastor & General Presbyter, Calvary Church, Irving, TX                Pastors Mike & Kathy Hayes - Covenant Church, Carrollton, TX                                          Dr. Barry Johnson - Sr. Minister, Jupiter First Church, Jupiter, FL                                                                   Fr. Clement Machado -  Evangelist & author - Rome, Italy                                                    Rev. Paul Pierpoint - Sr. Pastor Emeritus - Hobe Sound Bible Church, Hobe Sound, FL             Rabbi Elliott Sparr - Retired - Palm Beach Gardens, FL & Netanya, Israel                                Karen Swanson - Teaching Leader- Bible Study Fellowship. Hearts for Israel,  Fort Collins, CO      

Our overseas partners...

Ed Hill Tours has partnered in Israel with IGT (International Group Travel) for over 20 years. Owned by long-time friend and colleague, Benny Sivan, IGT is Israel's largest incoming tour company.  Their divisions include Transglobal Tours managed by David Frank, and IGT Sunrise managed by close friend Danny Hamani.  The Sunrise division specializes in Christian tours and handles operations for Ed Hill groups in Israel.   

Other travel partners: Cruise Club - Athens | Collette Vacations - Pawtucket, RI | The Difference Travel - Rome | Europe at Cost - Milan | Adelanta Travel - Nottingham, England | Wings Tours - Cairo, Kawar Travel - Amman | Bluebell Travel - Amman.

Partners we support...

Giving Back...Through good and not so good times, we believe in "giving back" by supporting organizations and ministries that we know are doing good work. We currently support Urban Youth Impact, an organization in West Palm Beach, FL that does outstanding work with inner-city youth; the Shriners, which are well-known for their work with handicapped children; the Make-a-Wish Foundation; and Missionary Flights International which has flown supplies and personnel into Haiti. We have also contributed to the recent Assemblies of God and the Jupiter First Church Haiti relief efforts.    

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A brief history...                                                                                                                                                      We are now celebrating 46 years in Christian group travel, and we are grateful for all those who have left footprints in our lives through the years. 

After Ed Hill's first visit to Israel in 1962, he returned wanting to help pastors visit the Holy Land. He founded Ed Hill Tours in 1964 and 46 years later, we have sent hundreds of groups and untold thousands of passengers to Israel and many other destinations.  Through the years, Israel has remained our #1 destination with the most popular extensions being Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Italy or areas of Europe.  We specialize in "Footsteps of Paul Tours" of Greece, Sightseeing & Catholic Tours to Italy, "Seven Churches of Revelation" tours to Turkey and Church Heritage Tours to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany are also popular.  We offer vacation and adventure tours to many other fascinating destinations.  Our staff has over 200 years of experience in travel and working with all church denominations.  

Remembering and reminiscing...                               Things were much different in Israel when we started taking tour groups in 1964.  Holy Land tourism was in its early stages and Jordan still controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem.  We remember taking our groups through the long-since gone Mandelbaum Gate, then the  border-crossing point from East to West Jerusalem.  The famous King David Hotel was the only deluxe hotel in Jerusalem.  We remember when Israel captured the Old City during the Six-Day War in 1967 and Jews could again pray at the Western Wall.  We remember the 1973 Yom Kippur war, and other periods of unrest and the negative impact on tourism.  After the Yom Kippur war, an Ed Hill tour group was the first to cross the Suez Canal by barge and tour Egypt.  On a humorous note: we remember the look of the Israeli border guards when Ed Hill's daughter Meredith, drove a Jordanian ambulance across the Allenby Bridge carrying a tour member who had sprained a foot in Jordan. The Jordanian driver could not go to the Israeli side, so Meredith decided to do the driving!  (We don't remember who drove it back.)  We remember being in Israel when King Hussein of Jordan made his last trip home after medical treatments in the U.S.  As his plane entered Israel's airspace, he was escorted by Israeli jets who dipped their wings in a farewell salute to a former adversary. We are grateful to be the recipient of several travel awards and recently received a special Integrity in Travel award from the Israel Department of Tourism.  Ed Hill Tours has also received a special commendation for bringing over 50,000 passengers to Israel through the years.  In February 2004, we were particularly honored to be named an official "Friend of Israel" for continuing to promote tourism during the difficult period from 2001 to 2004. And more than anything, we remember the friends we have made through the years.

IMPORTANT: Safety and security. We take the safety of our groups very seriously and if we ever did think it was unsafe or unwise to travel to any area, we would advise against traveling. If the U. S. Department of State were to issue a ban on travel to any area, we would certainly not be going. Out of thousands of passengers through the years, we have never had anyone harmed in any way in Israel or any other country and to the best of our knowledge, no tourist has ever been targeted or harmed in Israel. Israel is generally a very safe country and the crime and violence prevalent in areas of the U. S. is basically nonexistent.  Security in Israel is excellent and ELAL Israel Airlines is known as the world's most secure airline. 

It is said that information is the best antidote for fear and uncertainty, and we know that travelers need reliable and clear-headed information to help them make their travel plans.  Members of our staff travel to Israel and other countries several times a year and we invite tour hosts and their passengers to call us for honest and up-to-date information. 

                ________________________________________                                                                                                                                 Straight Talk About Group Travel...                                                                                                                We are certainly not the only honest or experienced tour company specializing in Christian group travel.  However it concerns us when we hear of groups who have had the wonder and meaning of a tour clouded by disappointments and unpleasant experiences due to dishonest or inexperienced tour operators. Most tourists and pilgrims will make only one journey to a special place such as Israel, and we believe they should enjoy the best experience possible.  We also believe it is important that tour hosts are aware of the challenges they may face in selecting a tour company, and the unhappy results of choosing the wrong one.  

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

"What makes Ed Hill Tours such a respected company?"  Our family name is on the door, and honesty, integrity and professional service are the framework of the relationships we endeavor to build with every client.  We have received numerous government and travel industry awards and have never been accused of unethical or dishonest practices.  We believe in treating our tour hosts and  passengers with respect and everyone else we work with...hotel staffs, shopkeepers, even street vendors. It has been said that "the person who treats you nicely, but treats a waiter badly, is not a nice person." 

"How can I be sure a tour company understands working with ministers and churches?"  Ask a lot of questions - even tough ones - and get a feel for the company.  Smooth-talkers are usually not difficult to detect. Ed Hill Tours is a family-owned and operated business that believes in operating with Christian principles.  We also believe that it is a plus for churches to work with a company that has broad experience in the "church market", and understands the unique aspects of working with pastors and their congregations.    

We advise tour hosts not to be misled by low-priced (bait and switch) tours. Sometimes prospective tour hosts ask us why another company's tour is priced much lower than ours.  It's usually a matter of comparing apples to apples.  The other tour may be shorter, using cheaper hotels, leaving out a lot of sightseeing with entrance fees, and may solicit passengers during the tour for so-called optional tours, extra meals, tips, and other "extras" we include. Some tours use unscheduled charter airlines which may make one or more stops between the U. S. and the destination...sometimes with inconvenient "misconnects."  Neither should it be assumed that more expensive tours always offer better hotels, buses, guides, more sites, or a better quality tour overall.   

Asking the following questions of a tour company can help a prospective tour host make better "apples to apples" comparisons.

"Does Ed Hill Tours include all meals?"  All of our Holy Land tours include the famous Israeli buffet breakfast and full dinner, and tours to other countries usually include a full breakfast and dinner.  In Israel, we also include one lunch - the "St. Peter's fish lunch" at the Sea of Galilee and the farewell dinner.  However, unless the tour host prefers, we do not include lunches...and that saves most people money.  Here's why: Israeli buffet breakfasts are large with a wide variety to choose from.  Many tour members only eat a light lunch or bring a snack.  When a tour company advertises "lunches included," they must add about $15 a day to the tour cost. So instead of adding about $100 to the tour cost, we give tour members the option of paying only for what they eat.  A large slice of pizza or a Falafel (the national sandwich of Israel) and a soft drink, is $6 or $7 everywhere. 

"Why don't some companies state the actual hotel our group is staying in?"  A tour company may state a certain hotel, "or similar," which allows them the option of using any hotel they consider similar.  A group will be switched to a lower priced hotel, but will never receive a refund. A tour company may promise a well-known hotel, then switch the group to a cheaper hotel at the last minute with explanations such as: "we just found out the Hilton is being renovated" or "the Hilton is overbooked."  The group was probably never booked at the promised hotel and the dishonest tour company makes a considerable extra profit and no one know the difference. During the busiest seasons, hotels sometimes do overbook to protect themselves from cancellations.  When a group's space is cancelled due to overbooking, the hotel is obligated to switch the group to a comparable or better property.

"Are the expectations of American travelers different than those of travelers from most other countries?"  Americans generally expect a higher level of quality than travelers from many other countries. However some Americans have unrealistic expectations and think hotels and food should be the way it is "back home."  We encourage travelers to expect different and unique experiences...isn't that one of the reasons for travel?  But there are expectations that every traveler should have, based on the level of the travel package they purchased. Most American travelers expect quality hotels, good food (even if different from back home), deluxe coaches, and they want to know where they will be staying before they leave home.  And no one enjoys being solicited for unexpected contributions to guides, drivers & service personnel, entrance fees, or "optional sightseeing tours" for sites which should have been included in the selling price.  We operate on a No Surprises basis.  With Ed Hill Tours, all tips for guides, drivers, wait staffs, baggage handling, etc. are paid before departure...no passing the hat on tour.  Any legitimate optional tours or other expenses are specified upfront.

"Do you offer different levels or types of accommodations?"  Yes. Most of our tours use Deluxe or Superior First-Class hotels, but we always try to accommodate the preferences and budget of a group.  However, to protect our reputation and the reputation of the tour host, we never recommend less than Superior First-Class hotels.

UNBEATABLE TOUR HOST BENEFITS!

 What we offer our Tour Hosts...

Promotional Materials:  We offer a simple, yet proven step-by-step process for promoting a successful tour.  We can provide you examples of Tour Announcements, systematic Follow-Up Letters and Tour Flyers.  Pre-printed tour "Shells" may also be available to your destination.  Once you have people committed to the tour by making a deposit, we will follow up with the tour member and handle most all the details for you!                                                                     Computerized Summary:  When you send us the Tour Host Application Form, we start a file on your tour.  All information regarding your tour will be recorded (payments, rooming lists, domestic flight requests, individual deviations/extensions, etc.)  The Summary is continuously updated and any questions you have can be quickly answered.                                                                           Internet Advertising: Ed Hill Tours may publish your tour free of charge on our website and other appropriate websites such as the Israel Government Tourism website.                                                                                        Passenger Information: After a Passenger Application and deposit is received by Ed Hill Tours, a letter of acknowledgement is mailed to the passenger along with an itemized statement.   We also include general information on your destination which will answer questions about weather, clothing, passports, visas, travel insurance, etc.                                                                                     Statements: After your passenger is enrolled in the tour, we will begin sending them monthly statements.  The tour member then makes installment payments with the entire balance typically due 45-60 days prior to departure.                         Tour Information: Ed Hill Tours will regularly mail, email or fax you a Status Report on your tour providing current names, addresses and payment status of all registered tour members.                                                                 Tour Host Benefits: Ed Hill Tours typically offers tour hosts One Free Tour for every Five full-paying passengers enrolled.  This may vary depending on the needs of the tour host.  For a detailed explanation of all our benefits please call or email Ed Hill Tours.                                                                                Passenger Final Documents: Approximately 20 days prior to tour departure, each tour member will receive a personalized Flight Packet containing final travel documents: airline tickets (unless emailed or sent to Tour Host), itinerary, contact information for hotels and land operator, name badges, and color-coded luggage tags.                                                                                             Tour Host Final Documents: In addition to the above, the Tour Host will receive a list of airline ticket numbers for the entire group, a complete rooming list, a check for tips with the distribution breakdown for guides, drivers, dining staff, baggage handlers, etc., extra luggage tags and name badges.                                      Tour Finances: Ed Hill Tours has always considered the protection of sensitive information to be a foundation of client trust and a sound business practice.  It is our policy that information regarding tour financials and tour host benefits be kept in strict confidence and discussed or communicated by any means only with authorized individuals.  

The above is a overview of our tour procedures and does not represent each and every service we may provide.  Some items are necessary procedures while others may be modified or omitted as agreed by Ed Hill Tours and the tour host.   

The Responsibility of the Tour Host:  Your responsibility to Ed Hill Tours is to actively promote your tour through various forms of advertising which may include: direct mail, media, brochures/flyers, website, bulletin inserts, public announcements, personal networking, informational meetings and multi-media presentations.  And importantly, the tour host collects and returns the Passenger Information sheets to us.  These sheets include passport information necessary for travel.  Most important?  Get people involved and excited about a wonderful event in the life of the church.  If nothing more than a brief mention of Israel (or another destination) in a sermon, keep the tour before the congregation.  Your own enthusiasm will be the most important key to a successful tour promotion!                          

"Do I have to be an experienced tour host or an expert on the destination?"  Absolutely not!  With Ed Hill Tours, after you arrive at your destination, literally everything is done for you.  Often someone from our staff will escort the group and since we have worked with our foreign operators for many years, they are familiar with the special treatment our groups receive. They will meet and assist you on arrival and escort the group to your waiting motor coach.  There you are met by your guide and driver.  Once on tour, all transfers, baggage handling, express check-in, and entrance fees are taken care of for you.  When you need any type of assistance on tour, the guide and our local office are well-prepared to handle it.  At some sites, the tour host may wish to teach and have a brief service after the guide's explanation.  You will never be rushed away from meaningful sites.  Our goal is to do everything possible to take any pressure or unnecessary responsibilities off the tour host so you can relax and enjoy the tour and the fellowship of your group!

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Edward B. Hill