The ETS Travel Podcast

Join hosts John and Bethany from the ETS Travel Podcast as they take listeners on a destination-focused episode exploring the biblical significance of Egypt. The episode frames Egypt not just as pyramids and temples but as a land woven through Scripture—from Abraham and Joseph to Moses and the Holy Family—and explains why ETS includes Egypt on its faith-based itineraries that trace the footsteps of Joseph and Moses.They outline a full Egypt itinerary and point out the places travelers will visit: Cairo and the new Grand Egyptian Museum (with artifacts that bring Pharaoh’s court to life), Abu Serga Church (traditionally marking the Holy Family’s stay), the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, and a Nile cruise beginning in Aswan. In Aswan listeners hear about the High Dam, the unfinished obelisk at the granite quarries, the Aga Khan Mausoleum, and the island Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis and Hathor.The conversation highlights river stops including Kom Ombo (the unique dual-temple to Sobek and Horus), Edfu (one of Egypt’s best-preserved Horus temples), and Esna Locks en route to Luxor/Thebes. John and Bethany describe the monumental complexes of Luxor and Karnak (Amun‑Ra’s temple and the hypostyle hall), the avenues of sphinxes, obelisks, and the Sacred Lake, then cross to the West Bank necropolis for the Colossi of Memnon, Deir el-Bahari (Queen Hatshepsut), and selected tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Queens (including the option to visit Tutankhamun’s tomb).They explain why the Sinai and Mount Sinai/St. Catherine’s Monastery form the spiritual climax: the traditional mountain of the Ten Commandments, the monastery protecting the site of the burning bush, sunrise hikes to the summit (typically starting around 2 a.m.), and a memorable Bedouin dinner in the desert. The hosts also describe the Exodus route in reverse—tracing the vast wilderness Israel crossed—and why standing in those places deepens the biblical narrative.A major theme of the episode is reading the Ten Plagues as a theological confrontation with Egyptian religion rather than just a string of natural disasters. The hosts map specific plagues to Egyptian deities—Hapi and Osiris (the Nile), Hathor/Apis (livestock), Ra/Amun‑Ra (darkness and sun worship)—and show how visiting surviving temples adds context to the Exodus account.Practical takeaways for travel advisors and group leaders are included: how to position Egypt as an integral biblical destination (not just a bucket-list stop), suggested scripture preparation (Genesis and Exodus), logistics and highlights to emphasize to travelers (Nile cruise, Karnak’s scale, Grand Egyptian Museum’s collections, Sinai hike), and popular extensions such as Jordan’s Mount Nebo to continue Moses’ story. The episode closes by underscoring Egypt’s spiritual power—standing before ancient gods and then the open desert to see how the biblical God is presented as sovereign and rescuing.

In this episode of the ETS Travel Podcast, hosts John and Bethany explore the history, devotion, and recent Vatican developments surrounding Medjugorje, the small village in Bosnia and Herzegovina that has become a major Catholic pilgrimage site since alleged Marian apparitions began in 1981. The hosts outline the origin story told by the six visionaries, the recurring themes of the messages—peace, prayer, fasting, reconciliation, and renewed sacramental life—and explain why the site has drawn millions of pilgrims over four decades.John and Bethany discuss the Catholic Church27s cautious, decades-long process of investigation, and clarify what changed in 2024 when the Vatican27s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a nihil obstat allowing official diocesan and parish pilgrimages. They emphasize the important distinction that the nihil obstat recognizes the spiritual fruit of Medjugorje without formally declaring the apparitions themselves to be supernatural.The episode also provides a practical look at what a visit to Medjugorje entails: attending daily Mass (including English Masses at St. James Church), climbing Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain, participating in evening rosary processions and Adoration, and opportunities for confession, Stations of the Cross, and veneration at the statue of the risen Christ. Listeners hear tips for travel advisors on how to present ETS27s Medjugorje pilgrimage—highlighting its devotional focus, suitability for Catholic parish groups, and the inclusion of nearby Croatian destinations like Split and Dubrovnik for broader travel experiences.Throughout, John and Bethany stress that Medjugorje remains one of the most compelling examples of the Church27s careful discernment of private revelations, and they invite listeners to contact ETS Tours for more information about booking a pilgrimage. The episode closes with a reminder to like and subscribe to the ETS Travel Podcast and a blessing for listeners.

In this episode John Kovara (ETS Business Development Manager) hosts ETS Live with special guests Bethany (ETS Business Development Manager) and David (VP of Business Development). The conversation walks travel advisors through a simple, repeatable process for selling faith-based travel, explaining why the niche matters, how it differs from leisure travel, and how to turn initial contacts into long-term, repeat business.Topics covered include: the value of faith-based travel (high loyalty and repeat bookings, spiritual and community benefits), how to find leads by starting in your own network and praying for direction, and a practical outreach sequence — Think (identify contacts), Ask (request a 10-minute call), Give (deliver ETS sales kits and the Expand Your Ministry materials), and Share (frame the offer as ministry impact, not a sales pitch). The hosts address common pastor objections (safety, logistics) and describe how ETS supports advisors with three-way calls, credibility-boosting resources, and ready-made marketing materials.The episode clarifies roles once a group is committed: advisors handle logistics, registrations, payments, and promotional meetings while pastors lead vision-casting, invitations, worship, and spiritual teaching. Timing and product options are explained (standard/guaranteed departure dates vs. custom departures, suggested group sizes and ideal lead times), plus tips for building groups (interest meetings, multi-generational recruitment, handwritten invites and follow-up).Resources and next steps highlighted include the ETS Travel Specialist course (training, mock pastor conversations, certification and website badge), the January Holy Land FAM for advisors, Advisor’s Corner on etstours.com, and ongoing support from ETS Business Development Managers. Key takeaways: faith-based travel compounds in value for ministries and advisors, start small with a clear process, lean on ETS support, and remember the payoff — “let’s get paid twice.”

Join John and Bethany (ETS Business Development Manager) for Part 2 of the ETS Travel Podcast’s look at Jerusalem, this episode focusing on the New Testament story. The hosts trace Jesus’ presence in the city from his childhood visits to the temple through his teaching during festival seasons, the events surrounding Holy Week, and the birth and early growth of the church in Acts.
Topics covered include the Herodian Temple and the lived religious life on the Temple Mount, the Western Wall (the Kotel) and its continuing significance, and practical visitor etiquette when approaching these sacred sites.
They explore Gospel scenes tied to Jerusalem’s urban landscape: the healing at the Pool of Bethesda, the miracle at the Pool of Siloam and the Gihon Spring (with Hezekiah’s Tunnel), and how these water sites functioned for pilgrimage, purification, and symbolic teaching in John’s Gospel.
The episode also examines locations just outside the city—Bethany and the Mount of Olives—highlighting the raising of Lazarus, the intimate rhythm of Jesus’ ministry before Holy Week, and the panoramic geography that helps explain movements recorded in the Gospels.
Listeners will hear a balanced discussion of Holy Week sites, including the traditional Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb alternative, with reflection on how both places invite remembrance of crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The hosts describe the Upper Room and Mount Zion as the gathering place for the disciples and the context for Pentecost, noting how Jerusalem’s festival crowds made the church’s early witness far-reaching.
The episode follows the early church’s life in Jerusalem—teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, baptisms—and covers turning points such as Stephen’s martyrdom, persecution-driven scattering, Paul’s arrest, and the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. The conversation emphasizes how opposition and dispersion actually advanced the gospel beyond the city.
Practical takeaways for travelers and travel advisors include how to connect Scripture to place responsibly and respectfully, what to expect when visiting the major sites, and the overarching message that Jerusalem is both a deeply rooted historical setting and the launching point for the church’s mission to the world.

Join hosts John and Bethany of the ETS Travel Podcast for part 1 of a two-part study of Jerusalem, focusing on its Old Testament significance. This episode surveys Jerusalem’s geography, archaeology, and long religious history — from King David’s capture of the city and Solomon’s Temple to the prophets, exile, and eventual return. Bethany, a Business Development Manager at ETS, and John guide listeners through how these layers of history shape the modern visitor’s experience.Topics covered include the Ottoman-built Old City and the earlier buried layers beneath it; the City of David and its compact footprint in David’s time; recent excavations such as the Pilgrim’s Road and the newly reopened Pool of Siloam; and the essential role of water in ancient Jerusalem as seen at the Gihon Spring and Hezekiah’s Tunnel (wet and dry routes, practical visitor notes on darkness, uneven footing, ducking in low passages, and why walking shoes matter).The episode examines the Temple Mount’s Old Testament importance — Araunah’s threshing floor, Solomon’s Temple, themes of sacrifice, repentance and covenant — while offering practical guidance for modern visitors about access and respectful behavior around the Dome of the Rock and Al‑Aqsa. Listeners will hear how the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah and others) critiqued idolatry, called for justice and repentance, and held out hope for restoration.Jerusalem’s defining valleys — the Kidron, Tyropoeon and Hinnom — are discussed to help listeners visualize biblical narratives such as David’s flight during Absalom’s rebellion, ritual and reform activity, and prophetic warnings about judgment. The episode also connects Old Testament themes of kingship, worship, prophecy, judgment, exile and restoration to tangible sites and travel experiences, emphasizing how seeing the landscape deepens Scripture reading and ministry.Key takeaways and travel tips: archaeological discovery is ongoing; the visible Old City walls date largely to the Ottoman period; bring good walking shoes and be prepared for uneven and sometimes wet terrain in excavations and tunnels; follow local rules on the Temple Mount and be respectful of other faiths; and expect part 2, which will explore Jerusalem through the New Testament lens, following the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Join hosts John and Bethany on the ETS Travel Podcast as they unpack four travel trends reshaping how people travel—and why those trends matter for churches, ministries, and faith-based groups. Drawing on recent industry observations, the episode explores the rise of microcultures, a renewed hunger for real connection, the growing premium on limited time, and the role (and limits) of AI in trip planning.
John and Bethany discuss concrete examples of how faith-based travel meets these trends: curated, purpose-driven Holy Land experiences (including dinner with a Christian family in Bethlehem and worship on the Sea of Galilee), niche group journeys like quilting fellowship trips, and itineraries built around theological themes and pastoral teaching. They explain how ETS designs faith-centered itineraries that prioritize worship, scripture readings, reflection time, and fellowship—so trips become transformational, not merely checklist sightseeing.
You are also walked through practical planning challenges for church leaders—limited PTO, coordinating rooming lists, transfers, site hours, and covering church responsibilities—and then ETS handles those logistics so travelers can be present and focused on spiritual growth. Typical ETS choices (7–10 day programs, scheduling around Sundays when possible, careful hotel selection, and contingency support for flight delays or missed transfers) are highlighted as ways to maximize precious travel time.
Finally, John and Bethany address AI: useful for research and idea generation, but lacking the lived nuance, pastoral sensibility, and logistical experience that make faith-based trips meaningful. They emphasize the value of human expertise—guides, advisors, and ETS staff—who know which quiet, off‑the‑beaten‑path moments foster reflection and connection, and how to build the right balance of teaching, worship, rest, and fellowship.
Listeners should expect practical tips for leaders, inspiring examples of fellowship-driven travel, and reassurance that thoughtful planning makes faith trips accessible and life-changing. For more on planning a faith-based journey with ETS, the episode points listeners to the ETS website and travel-advisor support.

Join the ETS Travel Podcast as John and Bethany explore one of the most meaningful destinations in the Holy Land—the Sea of Galilee. Discover why so many pilgrims say this peaceful region becomes the highlight of their Israel journey and how walking where Jesus taught brings the Gospel to life.
In this episode, you'll visit the places where Jesus called His disciples, performed miracles, taught the Sermon on the Mount, calmed the storm, and restored Peter after the Resurrection. Learn the biblical significance of Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Magdala, Yardenit, and experience what makes a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee such a memorable part of a Christian pilgrimage.
With Holy Land tours resuming this September 2026, this episode is the perfect introduction for first-time travelers, pastors, ministry leaders, travel advisors, and anyone considering an Israel pilgrimage.
In this episode:
 - Why the Sea of Galilee is central to Jesus' ministry - Capernaum: Jesus' ministry headquarters - The Mount of Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount - Tabgha and the miracles of Jesus - Sailing on the Sea of Galilee - Magdala and recent archaeological discoveries - Baptism and reaffirmation at Yardenit - Why Galilee becomes many pilgrims' favorite destination - Tips for travel advisors sharing the Holy Land experience
If you're planning a Holy Land tour, interested in Christian travel, or want to deepen your understanding of the Bible through the places where Scripture unfolded, this episode is for you.
👉 Learn more about ETS Holy Land journeys at https://www.etstours.com
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What makes a faith-based tour truly unforgettable? Is it luxury hotels, comfortable transportation, or something much deeper?
In this episode of the ETS Travel Podcast, John and Bethany explore what separates a good Christian tour from a truly transformational pilgrimage. They discuss why access to biblical sites, intentional itinerary planning, and seamless travel logistics often have a greater impact on spiritual growth than luxury amenities.
Whether you're a pastor planning a church trip, a ministry leader organizing a pilgrimage, or someone considering your first Holy Land or biblical tour, this episode will help you understand what truly makes for meaningful faith-based travel.
In this episode, you'll learn:
 - Why pilgrimage travel is different from a traditional vacation - How access to biblical sites enhances worship and discipleship - Why timing and itinerary design matter - The hidden role logistics play in creating a stress-free experience - How comfort supports—rather than defines—a transformational journey - What to look for when comparing Christian tours and pilgrimage companies
If you're planning a faith-based trip, this conversation will help you ask the right questions before choosing a tour.
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about Christian travel, biblical destinations, pilgrimage planning, and faith-based group tours.
Learn more about ETS and our faith-based tours:https://www.etstours.com/
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