Tour Cancellation Policies, Refund & Travel Insurance

[Updated October 23, 2025]

Cancellation Policy
After registration (US) $50/person for cancellation at any point, plus:
Until April 14, 2026: No additional penalty
April 15 – May 19, 2026: 25%
May 20 – June 9, 2026: 50%
From June 10, 2026: No refund
If a refund needs to be issued it is sent by Agnon House via bank transfer.

Important Disclaimer: In the unlikely event of the cancellation of the tour on account of exigent circumstances, emergency security situation, suspension of international flights, etc., Agnon House and Shai Bar-Ilan Tours will do their utmost to refund your entire payment, contingent upon our ability to arrange such with our European suppliers, service providers, and hotels. However, absent that, we reserve the right to deduct up to $400/person. Passengers booking their own airline travel are advised to seek refundable or exchangeable tickets.

Travel Insurance
It is strongly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical (including pre-existing conditions), personal, baggage, and cancellation. This is a smart way to safeguard against life’s surprises. Unsure of your final costs? Insure now the amount you have paid (deposit, airfare, etc.) – and then after any future payments your policy can be amended. It is suggested to insure an additional day at the end of the tour for coverage in the event of a return delay. While we recommend the services of the agents below, you can and should consult your own insurance broker and check other providers to see who offers coverage that best fits your needs. Agnon House does not take responsibility for your personal insurance nor do we have any financial interest in the sale of policies. Please note: We have been advised that to receive maximum coverage, one should purchase insurance within 21 days of the first payment of a deposit or any portion for an upcoming trip, regardless of whether this payment is refundable. It is also advised to insure one additional day at the end in the event of a return delay to your final destination.
[Check with your credit card—some companies or plans offer cancellation and luggage insurance as a perk of using their card to pay for a tour.]

Non-Israeli citizens living abroad are usually best served by a local insurance/travel agent. Consult with your local experts.
However, for American citizens: You might also check with Travel Insurance Center, a division of SMS (Senior Market Sales) and members of UStiA (United States Travel Insurance Association). They offer comprehensive travel insurance for American residents or for American expats living in Israel. Non-USA citizens: They offer medical travel insurance only. Contact Yonah Engel and mention reference code: AGNON HOUSE TOUR. Email: [email protected]

For Israeli citizens: Consult with your personal insurance agent or check what travel insurance packages can be added to your existing coverage through Kupat Holim, or speak with:
Chacoty Insurance: https:/chacoty.co.il/en/insurance/travel-insurance
Goldfus Insurance: https://goldfus-ins.co.il/en/personal-insurance/travel-insurance-from-israel

Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from our date of departure (until at least December 2026)! Israeli, USA, Canada, UK and EU passport holders do not require travel visas for Italy. Citizens of other countries should check visa requirements.

Agnon House, Shai Bar-Ilan Tours, or the tour organizers cannot accept responsibility for any losses or expenses that you may incur as a result of failure to secure adequate coverage.

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Fine Print:
Are you “up” to it? Traveling can be exhausting. While we design an itinerary mindful of the typical demographic attracted to join our tour, and try to pace the group accordingly, the days are full and you are the best judge of whether or not you are up to traveling with us. While we won’t be hiking the Alps or running marathons, there is a good deal of walking. Ask yourself if you can walk 1.5 km (about a mile) over gently inclined or mostly flat ground (but with occasional patches of cobblestones) in about 25-30 minutes? Are you able to go at least 2 hours or so on a bus without a bathroom break? In the larger cities tour busses are unable to enter the city center. This means there is sometimes a bit of a walk from where the bus will drop us off or where we will rendezvous with it before/after any given site.
Is this trip for you? Our group typically numbers around 30 or so travelers plus our staff, forming a collegial, open-minded, accepting and respectful assembly of people interested in touring and learning together. While we attract friendly folks from all corners of the Jewish world and everyone is welcome to join us irrespective of his or her level of Jewish observance, the group activities enable traditional halakhic standards, including accommodating full Shabbat observance and Kashrut. Typically there are minyanim 3 times a day for those who wish to join.
Security: Your health, safety, and security are our first concern. We are mindful that this trip is taking place at a time of heightened anxiety for Jewish travelers worldwide, and we appreciate the trust you have placed in us. We are all tasked with keeping ourselves safe and keeping our eyes open. The tour leaders take this very seriously. If you feel unsafe or suspicious of anything please bring it to our attention immediately. As a safety measure we expect all travelers to have an active WhatsApp account (which we use constantly to communicate information while abroad) and a data package for your cell phones so you can make contact/be contacted by the group leaders while we are out and about or at need.

Note that all hotels, flights, and itinerary arrangements are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. The itinerary may be impacted by unexpected flight-schedule changes by the airline. If necessary, all efforts will be made to substitute accommodations with equivalent quality.