I would like to visit Israel this year. Since I will be travelling alone I would like to go with a group. However, I am having trouble finding a tour company that offers Israel tours. I called Trafalg
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Cat:Middle East and AfricaForum:0EE6B35C
Cat:Middle East and AfricaForum:0EE6B35CDiscussion:0EEBB9A3
I would like to visit Israel this year. Since I will be travelling alone I would like to go with a group. However, I am having trouble finding a tour company that offers Israel tours. I called Trafalgar and they have just resumed Israel tours, but they are not selling many. Of course, if they don't sell enough seats on the tour it will be cancelled. Can anyone make any suggestions? Thanks.
I am a tour guide living and working in Jerusalem and just now, offer for individuals and small groups private walking tours of the ancient and modern city, BUT you should write to Lisa at GATE 1 (gate1@netvision.net.il) and ask her about joining group tours. They used to offer what they called "brochure tours" but with the situation basically devastating our tourism industry, those were cut back or cancelled, at least until things get "better". I know she'd love to put something together, so maybe she has others, like you, writing in... and hopefully, she'll hire me to guide you!
There are also a couple of companies which offer daily (or 2-day & 3-day) group tours - United Tours, Egged Tours, Galilee Tours - but they don't arrange your basic itinerary or land package (hotel, food, etc.). You have to be here and then contact them to join these tours.
Hope you do get here and let me know what happens!
My two friends and I are going to Israel this year and joining a young adults tour arranged by the Internation Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Check out grafted.org.
I just came back from Israel 2 weeks after attending the Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles.
You can check out Sar-el tours. Our church has been using this tour operator for more than 10 years now and we never had a complaint. We always felt taken cared of, just like family, and I'm sure they will do the same to you.
If you are looking for a Christian Tour in Italian, check with NET (Near East Tours) in Jerusalem (http://www.netours.com/2003/ about_us.htm).
There are surely others, but I specifically remember some years ago meeting a guide who worked for NET. At the time, he was very busy!
You might also check with the Franciscan Christian Information Center in Jerusalem (http://tinyurl.com/5e3my) to see if they offer tours in Italian.
If you are NOT looking for a specifically-Christian tour, please reply with the sort of tour you find of interest, and though I am most familiar with English-language tours, I'll see if I can help you with some contacts & links for that.
I hope it works out, and we'll be happy to welcome you to Israel!
I just returned from a great tour of the Holy Land. I traveled with Maranatha Tours (from Phoenix, AZ) arranged by Three Coins Travel in Mukilteo, WA.and affiliated with N.E.T. Our tour guide Malcolm Cartier was absolutely brilliant. He was well-versed on both old and new testaments, could answer questions about people, places, and events, and quote scripture regarding each. In one short week he showed us more than I would have thought possible. I cannot imagine having a more knowlegable guide. As a Jew, he could not or preferred not to accompany us into Bethlehem, but showed us the rest of the areas near Jerusalem. unfortunately Nazareth and Jericho as well as many other cities were closed to us. so I will have to go back some day to see the rest of Palestine. Oh yes you will find a small book comparing old and new Jerusalem in most museum gift shops, written in part by Malcolm.
Nazareth was closed? Nazareth is not in the administered territories but in Israel proper, and outside of some very severe civil disturbances in the fall of 2000, is never "closed." I think on that piece, at least, you were fed a line. It is true that Bethlehem and Jericho have for the most part been closed off to tourists during the last few years, and few if any Israeli Jews would venture there. But Nazareth is not at ALL in that category.
Thanks for that clarification Doug - Nazareth is NOT closed to anyone and in fact, the Christian citizens of Nazareth welcome all visitors warmly.
Bethlehem and Jericho are closed to Israeli tour guides because the Palestinian Authority does not allow any Israelis to visit or live in its territory, a basic infringement of human rights. A few years ago, when an Israeli tour guide was in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem explaining to the tour group about the Jewishness of Jesus, the palestinian Arab guard stopped the guide in anger and the guide was expelled for telling "lies" (according to the guard). In Bethlehem, Jesus is portrayed as not Jewish at all, but "palestinian".
I have traveled twice with Gate 1 (Roberta is wonderful and the guide we had, Ezra Eini, cannot be beat) and recommend them #1. Used Journeys Unlimited (Gordon Tours) this year and am now in the process of trying to communicate with them to resolve some of the "issues" I had with them.........I'm not one to just "leave things alone". LOL
Just got back from tour with ITC- Israel Tour Connection. Itinerary and guide were good. The 5* hotels we paid for, were not 5*, but total dumps. Be careful of this company. Did not do anything to resolve the problem of misrepresentation.
Yesterday in mail I got a booklet from Cosmos with a list of tours - they've resumed Israeli tours. I didn't check as I've paid my non-refundable deposit to go with Trafalgar.
Check out the Affordable Tour website. They give a 10% discount on tours. Maybe you'll find there what you're looking for.
And they are dependable. This will be the 3rd tour I'm buying through them with a 10% discount.
Has anyone traveled on Margaret Morse or Gama Tours to Israel. Was wondering how your would rate them. I am planning a trip in October or November of 2008.
