Testimonials
April 14, 2013
Our family got the best experience, and royal treatment by this company, the tour guide was exceptionally good, bringing her own material to make us understand the past in just few minutes, they made us feel very comfortable and relax throughout the entire time, there were always available even after hours to answer questions, the company made all the arrangements for us to visit Amman and Petra, and again the experience was exceptionally good!!, We have travel the world always choosing private tours and this company stands all the way in the top!!!!Sincerely,Abby Pastor
Our family got the best experience, and royal treatment by this company, the tour guide was exceptionally good, bringing her own material to make us understand the past in just few minutes, they made us feel very comfortable and relax throughout the entire time, there were always available even after hours to answer questions, the company made all the arrangements for us to visit Amman and Petra, and again the experience was exceptionally good!!, We have travel the world always choosing private tours and this company stands all the way in the top!!!!
Sincerely,
Abby Pastor
Florida, USA
April 8, 2013
We had a terrific time in Israel. So much to take in on so many levels. It is still all sinking in and will continue to for a while. Inon was a big part of that and the Touring Israel team really helped me think through how to frame out our trip – so I thank you all.
We had a terrific time in Israel. So much to take in on so many levels. It is still all sinking in and will continue to for a while. Inon was a big part of that and the Touring Israel team really helped me think through how to frame out our trip – so I thank you all.
Aaron Lapat
Boston, MA
April 8, 2013
"I am a very experienced 60 yr. old first-class type traveler and I took my 15 yr. old son and 12 and 13 yr. old daughters to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for almost 2 weeks over Spring Break. I decided to work with Touring Israel as a result of all of the positive comments from my Internet investigation. From my very first contact, I could tell they were a knowledgeable, responsible and caring travel/touring agency.But their ability to get things done and their attention to detail exceeded my expectations from their arranging airport VIP treatment to their ability to get my accommodations upgraded (at internet costs) at the King David Hotel. They also referred us to excellent restaurant choices suitable for teens (and me) and helped plan and make all arrangements for private touring for historical and religious sites and events also suitable (and fun) for teens.But even though their planning and recommendations were great, their choice of Jonathan as a private tour guide for us was even better. He was everything a private tour guide should be in Israel--knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, protective, interesting, well-spoken, flexible, punctual, etc.My bottom line--anyone thinking about a private tour to Israel should contact these folks, they will very likely make your visit one of the greatest events of your life!"
"I am a very experienced 60 yr. old first-class type traveler and I took my 15 yr. old son and 12 and 13 yr. old daughters to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for almost 2 weeks over Spring Break. I decided to work with Touring Israel as a result of all of the positive comments from my Internet investigation. From my very first contact, I could tell they were a knowledgeable, responsible and caring travel/touring agency.
But their ability to get things done and their attention to detail exceeded my expectations from their arranging airport VIP treatment to their ability to get my accommodations upgraded (at internet costs) at the King David Hotel. They also referred us to excellent restaurant choices suitable for teens (and me) and helped plan and make all arrangements for private touring for historical and religious sites and events also suitable (and fun) for teens.
But even though their planning and recommendations were great, their choice of Jonathan as a private tour guide for us was even better. He was everything a private tour guide should be in Israel--knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, protective, interesting, well-spoken, flexible, punctual, etc.
My bottom line--anyone thinking about a private tour to Israel should contact these folks, they will very likely make your visit one of the greatest events of your life!"
(Name witheld by request)
Los Angeles, CA
April 4, 2013
Joe Yudin changed my life - plain and simple. He opened my eyes and my mind to a world about which I knew very little. When I heard that our entire family was going to Israel for two weeks last year, I immediately decided that I didn't want to go. I was, in a word, afraid. We arrived and were met by Joe and I instantly knew I had nothing to worry about - he wasn't going to let anything happen to us. But then something did - he introduced us to, and took us into, a world full of color and sound, full of history and progress, full of magic and wonder. Those two weeks with Joe not only showed me a beautiful country full of amazing people, but he taught me more than I had ever known about my ancestory, about my heritage, and about how that fits in to the modern world in which we live. I joke that Joe has forgotten more in a day than I'll ever be able to learn. He is brilliant - really, I do mean brilliant. And he's super fun, very accommodating, completely delightful, and a kind and generous man. This was a trip that changed my life and the way I think about my place in the world. And even though I'm now home and he is many many miles away, Joe still takes the time to answer my crazy questions - always making the time to explain things to me - and always does it with kindess and cool. To Joe, I am forever grateful.
Joe Yudin changed my life - plain and simple. He opened my eyes and my mind to a world about which I knew very little. When I heard that our entire family was going to Israel for two weeks last year, I immediately decided that I didn't want to go. I was, in a word, afraid. We arrived and were met by Joe and I instantly knew I had nothing to worry about - he wasn't going to let anything happen to us. But then something did - he introduced us to, and took us into, a world full of color and sound, full of history and progress, full of magic and wonder. Those two weeks with Joe not only showed me a beautiful country full of amazing people, but he taught me more than I had ever known about my ancestory, about my heritage, and about how that fits in to the modern world in which we live. I joke that Joe has forgotten more in a day than I'll ever be able to learn. He is brilliant - really, I do mean brilliant. And he's super fun, very accommodating, completely delightful, and a kind and generous man. This was a trip that changed my life and the way I think about my place in the world. And even though I'm now home and he is many many miles away, Joe still takes the time to answer my crazy questions - always making the time to explain things to me - and always does it with kindess and cool. To Joe, I am forever grateful.
Jess WinerNew York, USA
April 4, 2013
I wanted to add to the accolades posted by others for the company Touring Israel. Joe contacted me within just a few hours of my initial inquiry about our trip and he was helpful right from the start. He was very patient as we worked through the details of the itinerary. He then handed it over to Maria who did a terrific job of finalizing the details and booking terrific hotels even though we planned the trip on rather short notice at a very busy time of the year (Obama’s visit, Passover and Palm Sunday all took place while we were in Israel). Maria also booked our hotels for the portion of the trip when we were on our own without a guide. Our guide Yoni was extremely knowledgeable but also had a fun sense of humor and was able to keep our teenage children engaged. His Chevy Traverse was really comfortable and he was a great driver who knew how to get around (again, this was critical since we were in Jerusalem at the same time as the Obama visit). Highlights of the trip included the hike on the Arbel cliffs (Yoni’s recommendation), the Jeep tour in the Golan heights and visit to OZ77, and of course all of the sites in Jerusalem (enhanced by Yoni’s knowledge of history, religion, and politics).
Thea Obstler
New York, USA
April 2, 2013
Touring Israel created the perfect 2 week trip for our Son's Bar Mitzvah. Touring Israel was responsive and detailed oriented from the day we began working on this trip to the day we left. The service we received far exceeded our expectations. We were a group of 30 of us and each and everyone of them had the time of their life. Joe Yudin and his team have built a terrific company and we cannot wait until we return. Our guide Ari was very passionate and knowledgeable. Simply the best!
Jonathan Greller
New York, USA
March 28, 2013
Touring Israel's services were impeccable. Joe and his staff were very responsive when we were?creating our itinerary. Our guide Bena was equally amazing. He was knowledgeable about the history, theology and archaeology of the region. Best of all, his kept the trip fun, off beat and humorous. This was our third trip to Israel but first with a private guide. Our experience was so much better and we cannot wait to go back.
James Yoke
Maryland, USA
March 28, 2013
We spent 10 days in Israel. We travel a fair amount and would rate this trip as the family's favorite. Israel is a fantastic country whose historic and biblical features are endless. It seems that it would be overwhealming without a guide. Our guide Ron was nothing less than perfect. His political, economic and historical knowledge seems endless. Best of all, our 13 and 10 year old loved him. Ron became part of the family which made a memorable trip all the better. We also appreciated all the logistics that Maria and Touring Israel put into the trip for us which allowed us to relax and enjoy the jammed packed days of exploring. When we arrived back to the US there have been 2 common questions: (1) what was your favorite part of the trip and (2) did you feel safe? The answer to the favorite part is too difficult to answer because there were so many highlights. The answer to whether we felt safe, the answer was absolutely. We strongly recommend Touring Israel as a tour company and Ron as a guide.
Michael Prescott
Rhode Island, USA
January 20, 2013
The entire experience for our trip was perfect. The scheduling and development of the itinerary was focused on what we wanted to see and tailored to a family of 5 with a broad 9 year age range for our children. The office staff was helpful and responsive to all of our questions. Once the trip began, Gil was an unbelievable guide. Gil's broad knowledge of world history, his incredibly detailed knowledge of everywhere site we visited and a great personality made this trip one of the best we ever experienced. And the Hummus in the Old City was THE best ever!! I would recommend to anyone Touring Israel Luxury Tours, and if we ever go back, I hope Gil is available!!
Robin Brazell,
Geneva, Switzerland
January 13, 2013
Thanks to Joe Yudin's Touring Israel Luxury Tours, my family and I had the very best vacation we've ever had. Joe's team put together an extraordinary itinerary; we had access to places and met people that without Luxury Tours, would not have been possible. Our guide, Dror, was terrific -- smart, knowledgeable, kind and thoughtful, Dror was always a pleasure to be with. Having visited Israel many times, my husband and I thought we knew it all, but Dror taught us so much more. At the same time, Dror engaged our children and kept them fascinated from beginning to end. We are already talking of our next trip to Israel, we can't wait to return, and we owe it all to Joe's team.
Ellen & Stephen Dubner
New York, NY
January 8, 2013
From start to finish, our 6 day tour with Touring Israel was absolutely flawless. We took advantage of the VIP airport service in Tel Aviv. Within 90 minutes of landing we were walking along the beach stopping for lunch. Our family of 5 (kids ages 9, 11, and 12) spent 6 days touring with Keren. We learned so much from her and we are very grateful. Keren knows the country like the back of her hand and was able to time all of our visits perfectly. She knew where to go and when and how to avoid the crowds.
We looked at taking a large group tour with other companies and found that (with the 4 star hotel selection- our kids are not worthy of satying in a 5 star hotel) this private tour cost $1000 less. More importantly, we had personalized attention and got to visit only the places that we chose. I can't imagine having travelled to Israel any other way.
Gretchen Whitman
Hudson, OH
January 8, 2013
I just wanted to drop you a note to say "thank you" for such a wonderful,
unique and beautiful experience in Israel. On behalf of all nine of us, we
could not have asked for more.
Gil, you are amazing - Thank you for being so helpful and patient on those
days when it was needed and thank you for sharing your insight, knowledge
and, most of all, passion with us. You are not only a remarkable tour guide,
but a remarkable human being as well. We will all miss you! Maria, thank
you for taking care of everything when things needed to 'happen and Joe,
thanks for getting things started and moving in the right direction when
they needed to be! (Your taste in restaurants, by the way, is truly
impeccable!)
As the saying goes, "We hope to see you in Jerusalem next year."
If there is ever anything I can do on this side of the ocean for any of you,
please let me know!
Be Well,
Sherriann Manci
Illinois
January 6, 2013
Dear Gil:
Al and I have now been home just over 24 hours. We're unpacked, laundry is done, mail opened and bills paid! Our memories of a beautiful trip still linger. I have shared many stories with friends and neighbors and each time I explain that what truly made the trip spectacular (other than the country itself) was our phenomenal guide, Gil. Your knowledge is extraordinary and your passion is contagious. Your patience is unending. Thank you for teaching us so much and ensuring that my mother had the trip of a lifetime.
Again, thank you for being such an extraordinary Guide.
With great fondness and admiration,
Susan Kaufman Cohn
November 1, 2012
Dear Gil,
You are an outstanding tour guide with a wealth of knowledge on so many subjects. You planned an interesting and meaningful itinerary for us and made our trip to Israel extra special.
May Hasem always watch over you, your wife, children and all of Israel.
Fondly,
Laurie and Arthur Zagelbaum
New York City, NY
December 12, 2012
My wife and me (Estela and Juan de Urbina ), we went to Israel, a month ago for a rather long trip: twelve days. Wonderful, interesting, trip. We were more than 35 persons in a group of friends of Spanish and American origin. So, although we were all good friends, and all decided to have a splendid voyage, it was not an easy trip to be prepared. My wife and I, personally, and all our friends of this trip, we are very happy to have been excellently monitored and guided by the touristic organisation Touring Israel. Everything from the very moment of our arrival to Ben Gourion airport, perfectly prepared. We had all the rooms at the different hotels we stayed exactly ready. We voyaged in extremely good buses, wisely driven. As an example we can tell that we went to the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv, in a very interesting trip - the view of the countryside, in this already mountainous area is very attractive and demonstrative of the effort of reforestation made there –, but the road is difficult/dangerous in some parts, full of bends (right-and-left) but we were driven so professionally that we all congratulated the driver. The guides, Ari and David, were really first class; David speaking perfect Spanish, and both English, plus, naturally, Hebrew. My wife and I we are Christians/Catholics, and we have to say that we were shown the Sacred Christians Sites with a wonderful respect and even unction and earnestness, that we have to thank very precisely. Even reading aloud very appropriate passages of the New Testament, in accordance with the Site visited; as well, of course, of passages of the Bible connected with the also unforgettable visit to the Sites. Particularly places as the reproduction of King David palace, the New Temple, and the Wall.
In Spanish:
Mi mujer y yo hicimos un largo viaje hace un mes por Israel: 12 días. Maravilloso, interesantísimo viaje. Componíamos un grupo de 35 personas de origen español y americano. Lo que, aunque todos amigos y decididos a que aquel viaje fuera un éxito, no se trataba de un viaje fácil de organizar. Mi mujer y yo, personalmente, y todos nuestros amigos compañeros de éste viaje, hemos estado felicísimos de haber tenido a Touring Israel, preparándolo y llevándolo a cabo. Desde el mismo momento que llegamos al aeropuerto de Ben Gurión estaba todo perfectamente organizado. Nuestras habitaciones en los distintos hoteles visitados en todo momento perfectamente dispuestas. Hemos viajado en estupendos autobuses, bien conducidos por expertos chóferes. Cómo ejemplo recordamos un muy interesante viaje al Mar Muerto desde Tel Aviv - la observación del paisaje, ya muy montañoso en esa área, es especialmente interesante y atractiva, y una demostración del admirable esfuerzo de reforestación realizado -, pero la carretera es difícil/peligrosa, de cerradas vueltas, pero la fuimos tan bien conducidos profesionalmente por un experto chófer que todos se lo reconocimos y aplaudimos. Los guías, Ari y David eran/son de primerísima; David habla un perfecto español, ambos inglés, además, naturalmente que hebreo. Mi mujer y yo comos cristianos /católicos, y tenemos que decir que fuimos guiados, enseñándonos los Santos Lugares Cristianos con un maravilloso respeto e incluso unción. Incluso haciéndonos leer en voz alta pasajes del evangelio y Hechos de los Apóstoles correspondientes al Lugar visitado; cómo asimismo pasajes de la Biblia conectados con Lugares Santos e Históricos tales cómo la reproducción del Palacio del Rey David y el Muro.
Estela y Juan de Urbina
Madrid, Spain
December 5, 2012
Hello Shira,
Mom and I just returned from Egypt where we had a fascinating tour of Cairo and the Nile. . .again in the political hotseat!
I want to thank you, Joe, and Gil, for pulling together a fascinating trip for us, despite the political circumstances.
As you know, Mom and I were debating, up until the morning of our departure, whether to proceed with our travel plans. I can say unequivocally we are immensely glad we did not cancel. Thank you Joe for your assessment of the situation before our departure, putting it in perspective and allaying our concerns about where we would be touring vs. where we could potentially run into problems. Interestingly, the current political climate gave us a better understanding of what Israel is facing against Hamas and the PLO.
Your attention to our welfare was appreciated as well as reassuring, and the decision to move to the King David Hotel was an excellent suggestion. Besides which, when else will we be able to say we mingled with the staff and body guards of Hillary Clinton?
The King David is a first class hotel, professionally run, well located, with very generous and comfortable rooms.
Our four days with Gil were amazing. He is a wealth of information, as well as being a genuinely lovely person. We were always greeted with a smile and a flexible attitude. To be truthful, our heads were spinning at the end of each day. Gil is like an encyclopedia, or your favorite college professor. His grasp and ability to intelligently and enthusiastically communicate Israel's current politics, history, and the ancient history of Palestina, are formidable.
I suppose there is no better recommendation for a tour operator than to have their clients say they would like to return. Certainly this is the case for Mom and me. I only wish we had planned additional days.
So. . . many, many, thanks and I hope to see you at a future date and we will certainly recommend Touring Israel to our friends.
best regards to all
Heidi Charleson
Seattle, WA
PS Mom and I are still talking about our lunch at Diana and our dinner at Chakra
I am now addicted to middle eastern food!
November 25, 2012
Shira,
Our group of eight (4 couples) were very pleased with the tour services provided by "Touring Israel" for our one day port visits at Ashdod and Haifa on 9 and 10 November. Haim, the guide you assigned us, was great! He was reliable, competent and provided outstanding personalized tours of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Galilee. Haim impressed us all with his historical knowledge of these sites and everyone in our group enjoyed and benefitted from his commentary. His van was immaculate and easily accommodated the eight of us. Additionally he was a superb driver and we all felt very comfortable driving with him. Traffic around the Holy sites in Jerusalem is hectic as you know and Haim did a great job getting us where we needed to go. His commentary covered Christian, Jewish and Moslem heritage of the area as well as balanced political commentary when appropriate. In sum, we were all very pleased with the arrangements provided us by "Touring Israel" and would highly recommend your company to anyone going to Israel for a tour. I would also add that we found our dealings with you, Leigh and Jonathan to be most professional and responsive.
Thank you again for a most memorable tour to the Holy Land.
Sincerely,
Terry and Mary ClarkVA
November 16, 2012
Dear Joe, Jonathan and John:
Now that we are settled back in the US and we have returned to our normal daily lives, I am reaching out to you and express our feelings about our experience in Israel.
But, before I begin, Cindy and I wish and hope for you a safe period during this current problem with Gaza.
Since we have returned to the states, we have spend many hours discussing and thinking about all the we experienced in Israel. We have relived the trip with many of our friends and family. Our conclusion is that the trip was a positive life altering experience.
Cindy and I have toured many countries and we have hired many tour guides. Hands down, John was by far the most insightful tour guide we have ever hired. He is filled with experiences and knowledge that he was able to put into words in a manner that was thought provoking, challenging, and enriching.
Overall, the trip was well planned. John slightly modified the overall plan once he met us and made the decision that there were additional sights we would like to see. We are not the type of travelers that want to put a checkmark in a box on a "to do" list so that we can say we were there. Rather, we want to experience the country and the people in their daily lives. We choose to be participants on this earth, not just merely inhabitants. John made that happen for us.
This is a trip that I have wanted to do since my Bar Mitzvah. As a young child, my family planted many trees in Israel in memory of many of our relatives. It was wonderful to see what Israel has done with all the trees that have been planted since 1948. Additionally, it was great to feel the depth of nationalism and civic pride that the Israelis personally hold for their country. All that has been developed on that small plot of desert is truly remarkable.
Please accept this letter as a hearty "thank you" from Cindy and me. If you ever need a recommendation for a potential client, without any hesitation, please give them my name and number.
-----------
Sherwood Elkind
Denver, CO
November 7, 2012
Hi Shira
Our time in Israel with Muki was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and we left Israel with a much greater understanding of the country today, its history and the complexities of the region. We doubt Touring Israel could have matched us with the better guide. Thanks so much.
Regards
Neil and Robyn FowlerNew Zealand
November 6, 2012
Dear Shira,
Everything went very well as I already told Leigh at our phone call during the tour. The weather was marvellous (OK, this isn't within your power).
I have to say, that Bena has been a most experienced, informative and well educated guide. We went along very well. He did everything he could to make it possible we could see everything according to the planned itinerary - and much more!
We can't complain about anything about the tour. OK, it would have been nice to spent more time at some locations, but we knew before the start, that the itinerary is very tight. Bena and of course the perfect organisation of Touring Israel did everything that all went to plan.
From both of us, my wife Rosie and me, please accept our sincere thank you for this tour. W couldn't have done such a tour with a regular bus tour (and we wouldn't) nor with public transport. At the end. we took home a good impression not just about the tour but about Israel as a country also thanks to this tour.
We will recommend you to others and we really hope, we can come back one day to see more about Israel! You can be sure we will contact you again.
Best regards
Peter and Rosie Sohns
Hannover, Germany
November 2, 2012
We are finally back home and able to gather our thoughts after negotiating the mess in NY due to Sandy. Even after fracturing my foot the 1st night in Tel Aviv getting home was the hardest part of our trip.
Daphna was an absolutely fabulous guide and person. How she took care of me for the next two weeks was amazing. Even though I was In a wheelchair that she arranged for me through Yad Sarah, she made sure we stuck to our itinerary and then some. This wonderful women and my husband wheeled me all over Israel including Masada. She arranged for a young man, Sion, to push me through the tunnels under the old city of Jerusalem. We didn't miss a trick. I rode a camel, went on a jeep ride through the GolanHeights and another at Mitzpe Ramon. She wheeled me through the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem and more. Where she got the strength, who knows. She was extremely knowledgeable, eager, pleasant and comforting to have around. I was sad when she left as in Eilat and we went on to Petra without her. Even there; however, we had a terrific guide who wheeled me when he could. We took a carriage ride into the city and a donkey ride once in the city. Somehow we managed to do it all. What a breathless and fabulous experience.
Leigh from the office made sure that my accommodations could be met and was always on top of things. Whatever Daphna couldn't do, Leigh made arrangements for.
Our trip to Israel was phenomenal. We would highly recommend Touring Israel to our friends and family. Thank you for everything.
Judie and Norm Reich
Rochester, NY
November 1, 2012
Hello Shira,
My 3 daughters and I had a great time in Israel. It was an educational experience that we needed and it was much appreciated. Our guide was exceptional, knowledgable, friendly, and he was fun. We loved him. We look forward to returning to Israel soon. We will expect to have Haim again and we will recommend him highly to anyone else that is coming your way and need a tour guide. Thanks so much for giving us Haim, he was loving, kind and most importantly, we could relate and understand him. lol
With Blessings
Betty Fossum, Becky, Janelle and Vicki
Colorado
September 28, 2012
Five of my friends and I took the Princess Holy Land cruise this past August that stops at two ports in Israel. We wanted to make the most out of our very short time there, just two days, so we decided not to take the tours offered by the ship in order to be more efficient and squeeze more attractions in. To do this, we hired the most professional looking tour agency that we could find online- Touring Israel. Everything about them pre-trip was great. Jonathan, the Sales Director, answered the emails very promptly and helped me plan out the itinerary. I kept on emailing him asking him questions over and over and he was always very patient and helpful. The only thing that made me doubt the company was that the require full payment upfront. Since we always hear about scams on TV and such, I was hesitant about paying them like this, however nothing went wrong. Ziv Cohen, our guide, arrived at the port to pick us up exactly at the time we had requested. His van was roomy, air conditioned, nice smelling and very clean. Ziv was, at all times, friendly and informative. He told us about everything that we saw in great detail and got us to and from the cruise ship exactly on time both days. At moments he looked a little pressured with the amount of things that we had requested to see, but it all went well. The entire agency was very professional and courteous. I even got welcome and good bye phone calls from Shira which was a nice touch. Overall, we are very pleased with Touring Israel and their services and would highly recommend them!
Sara Echeveria
Monterrey
Mexico
September 20, 2012
My wife and I are regular travelers and this summer we were able to get our two children (in their 20’s) to join us, so I wanted to pick a very memorable experience. It took a few weeks to settle on Israel. For this trip, I wanted to work with a tour operator on the ground in Israel so that the arrangements and feedback were direct – nothing lost in translation. After some research, recommendations and conversations with the few “finalists”, I picked Touring Israel.
As I know recognize, a trip to Israel can have many different focuses. Jewish, Christian, post-1948 development, beaches, nightlife etc. Our tour was tailored for our interests. Our guide, Shannie, was fantastic. He did a great job changing some of the itinerary on the fly, adjusting to our interests, stamina and other factors.
I look forward to coming back and will be using Touring Israel for my next trip.Russ Mayerfeld
Illinois
September 1, 2012
During the month of June our family took one of the most memorable trips of our lives. I began planning for this trip almost a year ago and did a lot of research into different tour options and kept on coming back to Touring Israel. This turned out to be the best decision.
Firstly, big thanks to Maria for working with me in putting together a great itinerary. Admittedly, I am obsessive about details and wanted this trip to be just right and Maria proved to be patient, responsive and very knowledgeable in dealing with my never ending e-mails with questions, requests and changes.
On a day of our arrival to Tel Aviv, even though we were not to meet with our guide Daphna for another 2 days, she reached out to us to make sure that everything was ok and offered us recommendations for things to do and places to eat while in Tel Aviv on our own.
Then, once we met, our time together began and for the next 9 days we became friends, explorers, students and perhaps even athletes as Daphna took us throughout the country on a non-stop adventure. She was funny, informative, sometimes opiniated and always accommodating to all our needs. I can't help but marvel at her energy since after all the walking and hiking (she even accommodated us by climbing up to Masada with us at 4 am to meet sunrise!) she would get behind the wheel and drive for hours to our next destination as we would slumber in exhaustion in her van (although stop and go driving was something to get used to!). She was thoughtful of our needs (she was the one to call the restaurant to request a birthday cake so that our son can blow out a candle on his birthday while in Jerusalem), responsive to our comments (she got the hotel to refund us for a one night stay when we mentioned to her that air conditioner wasn’t working properly). Despite all my worries, Daphna, who is closer to my age, got along beautifully with my sons ages 24, 19 and 13 and we appreciated her sense of humor as she responded to ours.
This was one unforgettable trip! Thank you.Olga Metz
San Diego, CA
October 22, 2012
Joe,
I want to also join in Stuart's thanks to everyone. Especially Ari and David. It was an incredible trip. Filled with great memories and moments. David, Ari thank you for your professionalism, thorough explanations and sense of humour. I hope we will meet again.
Antonio
New York, NY
October 22, 2012
Dear Jon, Yasmin,Maria, Shira, Ari and David, and Joe,
Words can not describe how wonderful our Holiday in Israel was thanks to all of you. From the moment we landed till the moment we left, all of your hard work and planning payed off. This trip was flawless. Nothing was overlooked. Everything exceeded my and my guests expectations. The mixture of history, cultures, antiquities, modern israeli society and celebrations blended perfectly. OUr Guides were outstanding, they were organized, knowledgable, kinnd, gentle, giving,and in control at all times. The venues flor each of the parties I threw were outstanding and upscale. The use of two busses was great in organizing and allowing flexability. The hotels as promissed were first rate. Everyone was able to get what they needed out of the trip.
I suggest you save this Itinerary and bottle it up for any large group coming to Israel.
To sum it up I would just say you all made this experience the trip of a lifetime I wanted it to be for me and for all of my guests.
Thank youStuart Kahn
New York, NY
August 5, 2012
Shabbat Shalom Shira
The tour with Tamar was the perfect transition from the intensity of our stay in Jerusalem to going to Petra and then heading home.
It was almost impossible for us to leave Jerusalem, the attachment we had formed was just so strong. But the thought of getting to see the north and especially the Galilee was enough to coax us away and Tamar's relaxed, friendly approach suited us very well.
Thankyou for co-ordinating the tour for us. We felt it was good value and really appreciated the personalized service.
Kind regards and best wishes
Stephen and Sandra Binks
August 1, 2012
Hi everyone,
What a glowing report I got from the Martins. They had the most wonderful tour in israel. They felt that it was the trip of a lifetime and I could not have been happier.
I have always felt that the most important element in a family tour to Israel is the guide. He or she is their connection to the people, the politics and the history of Israel. Ari was was incredible. His personality was a perfect for them!!! He was cerebral, atheltic, so well versed in Israeli history and they just loved his political views which dovetailed with their own on what is happening in Israel.
Please send him my special thanks.
Regards,
Marlene ShustermanM&N Travel
Washington DC
July 24, 2012
Amir
Now that we are safely home and less jet-lagged, I wanted to thank you again
for being such an amazing guide! Your knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm are
boundless, and you are a friendly and engaged conversationalist. We learned,
saw, discussed, and did so much on this trip! We had a tremendous time as a
family, and we will always remember this as a wonderful family trip.
Thank you again!
Gina Jorasch
July 11, 2012
Hi Shira,
I would like to thank you, Yasmin, Jonathan and everyone else that contributed to our stay. All services were EXCELLENT!!!!!. Of course they were last time as well.
We will contact you if we decied to come for another visit.
Thank you again,
David Golden
June 25, 2012
I wanted to thank you very much for making our once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel in May so memorable. We worked with Jonathon for several months prior to create an itinerary that would allow us to maximize our time and cover the areas we wanted. Jonathon's suggestions on other areas and sites to possibly include during the trip were very helpful and I am not sure we would have seen them otherwise, but they actually ended up being some of the highlights! Our guide was Tamar, we had such a great time with her! She not only was very knowledgable about the sights and could explain things to us in any level of detail we needed, she had a deeply personal connection that allowed the sights to reach out to us personally as well. We could almost put ourselves into the time and place and situation she was describing. Even our 11 year-old son, who at times can easily be distracted, comments on the great time he had. I think in the years to come he will appreciate the trip even more! Thanks again!
Bradley B
Encinitas, CA
June 13, 2012
Shira,
This trip for us was both an education and pilgrimage. A better guide could not have been selected. Daphne was amazing! She hauled us all over the country. She educated us and somehow managed to show us everything. Her special treats for our sons with the tank and firing range were very special and well-timed.
Daphne was very sensitive and insightful to not insist certain events took place at specific locations, She was quick to point out the different views and advised us to erase what was visible and to imagine what took place.
Arranging a meeting with a Messianic Jew at his home looking over the sea of Galilee was a memory I will never forget. To be given the honor of visiting someone's home in Israel was a treat for us all. And his wife even played the harp.
We feel as though four years of college were crammed into two weeks. Daphne advised us wisely on what to expect and what to avoid. She made excellent restaurant recommendations and the best means of visiting specific sites. She had a great sense of humor and was able to "humanize" our pilgrimage.
Walking the Old City, meeting the grandson of one involved with discovering the dead sea scrolls, peaking into the temple mosque, insisting we visit the children's memorial in the holocaust museum, recommending a high energy restaurant in Jerusalem, visiting Ben Gurion's grave at a moment's notice (while a military graduation ceremony happened to be occurring) and the archeological dog were all amazing, just to name few.
We could not have been more satisfied with the tour company and guide for the journey of a lifetime! Thank you for everything.
Scott, Ann, Joe and Case SouthFlorida, USA
June 5, 2012
I recently did a one-day tour of Jerusalem with Odelia from Touring Israel. Best touring experience i have ever had. Odelia met me for coffee at my hotel where we discussed our options for the day. Because there is so much to see in the old city, and because i had such a short window, there was some nuance in the decision making.
Here's what was so great about Odelia:
1) She knows and is loved by everyone - from the police to the merchants, to the priests, rabbis, and caretakers of the museums and holy sites throughout the old city. She speaks Hebrew and Arabic and was greeted all day with hugs, kisses, and conversation. Jerusalem can be crowded and chaotic. There are lots of lines. Scheduling a tour of the tunnels underneath the Western Wall, for instance, is sometimes a 6 month wait. You can imagine how helpful it would be to have someone like Odelia touring you through Jerusalem.
2) She speaks Arabic and Hebrew and negotiates. cab drivers, merchants, etc. I bought nice jewelry for my wife and got a 50% discount. enough said.
3) She knows her history. All day long, I got a tremendous and articulate history lesson with current socio-political analysis as it relates to jerusalem yesterday and today.
4) She developed an understanding of my interests and dispositions and tailored to the tour as we went along. In particular, she strongly encouraged me to go to the 1948 museum and watch the film about the war over the jewish quarter. We watched with a group of soldiers, whom she engaged in conversation with me. It was amazing. I resisted going in, and it was one of the best things I did. also, the unit commander was going to give a talk to the soldiers in Hebrew before the film started. She convinced him to lead the conversation after the movie because we were on a tight schedule. There were a half dozen situations like this during the day.
You get the picture. If you think Touring Israel is expensive, this was worth the price. This will be a lifelong memory for me. Really amazing.

I could keep going, but you get the picture.
Michael Cohen
Brooklyn, NY
May 11, 2012
We just returned from an AMAZING 11 day tour of Israel on May 5th. Using Touring Israel is the ultimate way to experience Israel--no buses packed with throngs of people! Touring Israel planned a custom itinerary for us with our input--it was a collaborative effort--not a one size fits all.
Israel has it all--religion, history from ancient times to contemporary geopolitics, gorgeous scenery, a botanists dream with the variety of plants, great food and wonderful hotels.
Our guide made our trip rise to the best trip of my life -- his knowledge was like opening the bible, the Talmud and the Encyclopedia all at the same time. But the best attribute of our guide was the consistent effort to make sure this travel experience was the best. He was always positive, flexible and truly fun. He'd see a plant, "this is mustard"--open it and eat it. A kindred spirit full of life and positive energy. Couple these character attributes with nearing completion of his doctorate in religion studies--you have a world class guide.
I am a 43 year old seasoned traveler, visiting 5 continents and staying in properties ranging from Hilton to Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons. I am offering you an honest assessment of my experience--no smoke, no mirrors, no games--straight up. Like tasting thousands of wines, past experience helps to ascertain the quality of your current experience. We had an amazing time--you will too!
If you go to Israel, you will be absolutely delighted with this country--it has a little bit of everything in a relatively small land--and I would encourage you to contact Touring Israel--they will make your trip SPECTACULAR!
Travis Schmitt
Austin, MN
March 12, 2012
Hi Shira
Thanks for your email, please find my comments as follows:
Great schedule, completely tailored to our individual needs. Great tour guide, very knowledgeable and competent. We loved every minute of our trip. Would love to do it all over again. Many thanks !
Regards,Joachim Leitner
Germany
March 23, 2012
Joe-
Please share this with your whole team.
We are back in New York and I am jet lagged enough to be awake before dawn.It was a wonderful visit--beyond what we were expecting. Sandy proved to be an inspired choice of guide. He was everything we hoped a guide would be. He certainly knew his material, but also was a splendid companion on our tour. We enjoyed his company so much that we asked him to be our guest at dinner two nights in Jerusalem.
Some old sports injuries have given me some mobility problems and Sandy took that into consideration every step of the way. He always managed to set a pace that was just right for my wife and myself.
Scott's Hotel was a delight. I know that the American Colony was not your first choice but we loved it. They upgraded us to a suite for not all that much more. We had three rooms and two balconies.
You and your team got it all together and gave us an unforgettable tour of Israel. I will certainly recommend Touring Israel to friends. If you want to use us as a reference, feel free to do so.My best to all of you and I sincerely hope we can do it again.
Shalom
Gordon WilliamsNew York, NY
March 27, 2012
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful tour of Israel. We all felt that Noam our guide really was fantastic. He showed us all the areas we wanted to see and provided us with concise bullet points on each area which helped us to completely understand the sights and all the history of the area. Where we wanted more information on certain areas – he was always able to provide us with the details. He was always on time and really recognised the needs of each of us and particularly my father who did not want to walk too far or too fast. He allowed us all to enjoy each area at our own pace whilst ensuring that we managed to see everywhere we wanted to. He took us to great places for coffees and lunch and was always at hand to help us where and when we needed. Finally, I have to add that I always felt very safe in the tour bus with him as he is a very careful confident driver around Jerusalem and to Masada and the Dead Sea.
Our Palestinian guide was also very helpful and confident at his explanations about everything in Bethlehem. We really enjoyed the trip there and felt we learnt and saw an awful lot in the time we spent there. We all agreed that Monday’s excursion was excellent.
Finally I would like to thank Jonathan for his help in organising the tour and will not hesitate to recommend your company to everyone.
Kind regards.
Sarah BakerOxford, UK
March 30, 2012
Hi Shira-
Ronen was terrific and truly made our trip something to remember always. He
is the best guide I've ever had, bringing a sense of history and letting Rua
& I glimpse into the real Israel. It was a perfect fit for us and I would
request him again when we return for our 2nd visit! thank you so much for
elevating our trip into an incredible experience.Susan Mordecai
April 16, 2012
Dear Touring Israel,
We had a wonderful trip and have been looking over all of our pictures. We went to so many interesting places and saw so many interesting sites and the time just flew. The restaurants that were chosen for us were all different and in local neighborhoods which we loved. Also the restaurant that you sent us to our last night in tel aviv, herbert samuel, was terrific. The atmosphere was special and the food was delicious.
We could not believe how quickly the two weeks went. We loved israel and feel such great pride for what the country has accomplished. Yoram was a very good guide. He is extremely knowledgeable. He also volunteered to take pictures for our son's bar mitzvah. Considering his background that was very lucky for us.
This was a very special vacation for our family and we enjoyed every minute of it. We could not believe how quickly the two weeks went. We hope we can come back again one day and would gladly use and recommend touring israel to our friends.
Thanks agan for making our trip so memorable.
Caren Brooks
April 25, 2012
Hi Tamar,
I am guessing you don't miss us YET (it is just after 7:30) but we miss YOU! I hope you are still sleeping and that you will enjoy this time with your mother. I just wanted to say how much our three days with you meant to us.. You are the most lovely, charming, intelligent, compassionate lady, not to mention a most informative guide.. You made our travel in Israel the most it could be in our very short challenging schedule.. We had so much fun and learned so much and feel as though we have a new cherished friend. I do hope you will keep in touch with us, and anytime you find yourself in the states we hope you would add us to your list of stops. I will definetely send you more pictures than you probably want once we get settled back home. And definitely one of Kara wearing her 21st birthday present when that time comes. We will all think of you too when we see that beautiful stone...
We did go to dinner on Rothschild last night and then walked to Rabin square. What fun and what fiireworks!! It was so wonderful to experience and see all the joy first hand. Kara and her group was there, we did not see them, and then went to a roof party somewhere. Needless to say I have not heard from her he this morning! We should have brought some shaving cream! But maybe we are too old for that!!
I will let the tour company know how perfect our trip was although I know they know what a gem they have in you. all our best to you and your family...
Your new friend,
Wendy Twing
May 3, 2012
Hi Shira,
We had an AMAZING trip to Israel and cannot wait come back! I want to highlight how your team contributed to our wonderful experience. First, You and Maria were so helpful before we left the States. You assisted us with our preparation by providing us with your trip packet (what to pack, what to expect) and by aswering all my questions via email so promptly. Also, Maria was so helpful with making dinner reservations (and recommendations) for us. I am a person who likes to plan ahead and I felt very prepared after dealing with you and your team.
Once we arrived in Jerusalem we met Phil, our guide. He was wonderful! He had a great way of keeping all of us engaged at the level we wanted. This is not an easy feat as our 13 year old only wanted so much information and my husband and I wanted more. This was especially noticeable at Yad Vashem. Phil really paid attention to our daughter and made sure she was not overwhelmed. Phil was able to balance our needs and somehow show us so much of the beautiful and complex city of Jerusalem. We never felt rushed (he never seemed rushed) but looking back I am thrilled we were able to do and see so much! We also enjoyed the lunches. I still cannot believe my daughter tried falafel and shwarma. If we had suggested she never would have tried! And, the Austrian apple strudel at the Austrian hostel was a much needed and delicious break. We could really tell that Phil is very knowledgeable and loves his adopted home. He was really a great match for our needs. Lastly, it was really great that Maria checked in with us throughout the trip. We really felt so well cared for!
We will recommend Touring Israel and Phil our guide to our friends.
Thanks again for all of your assistance.
We hope to be contacting you on our next trip!
Sincerely,
Jodi Narahara
February 24, 2012
Ari:
Just a quick note of thanks for wonderful trip.
We could not have a had a more fun and meaningful time in Israel.
Thank you for teaching us so much and letting me see Isreal through your eyes!
You are a great guide for a great country!
Please look us up in the US.
Happy Hanukkah and best Regards from cold New York,
Richard, Chris and the Boys
Richard Mack
New York, NY
February 7, 2012
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Israel. We want to thank everyone at Touring Israel for the excellent trip planning, accommodations etc. We were able to gain a full appreciation of Israel that included the an insight into the beauty of the country, the history and the politics both internally and externally that affect it.
The above was made easy and enjoyable due to the truly exceptional guide we had..Daphne B. You never know when you are spending 8 days with someone you don’t know beforehand whether it will be a pleasant experience. Besides being an excellent driver she has exceptional background on all the important sites and made the trip fun and most informative. We enjoyed her company. In short, she is a “gem”..
Again thanks to everyone for making our visit to Israel memorable..
Regards,Ernest Abrahamson
Rhode Island, USA
January 26, 2012
Dear Shira,
Margaret and I were extremely pleased with Touring Israel. You listened to our interests and put together a great itinerary. This includes Independence House and Palmach Museum in Tel Aviv. Very moving. I have been to Tel Aviv several times but never visited either. We especially enjoyed the hikes in the Negev, visiting Ben Gurion’s Hut and rappelling at Makhtesh Ramon (neither of us had rappelled before). We also appreciate getting us in to Chez Eugene, a delightful and unusual hotel. Benny was an excellent guide, very informative and accommodating.
Ted Gold
Virginia, USA
January 2, 2012
Dear Touring Israel,
Yasmin and Jonathan both did a great job to get us organized and make all the arrangements within 2 days before our travel date and Yasmin looked after us throughout the trip ... everything was well organized and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We managed to get into the Church of St Catherine in Bethlehem and attended the service on the evening of 24 Dec. Each of the stops was a highlight - Dead Sea, Masada, Galilee, etc. Both guides were very good and we learned a lot throughout the trip. The vehicles and hotels were very good. We learned much about the country and enjoyed our visit.
Thank you again for arranging a good trip,Regards,
Louis Van Pletsen
UK
January 23, 2012
Hi Shira,
We had a wonderful, wonderful time in Israel. We really enjoyed Gil. He is a wonderful tour guide. His enthusiasm, intelligence, and cheerful personality really made our trip enjoyable and memorable. We really appreciated the respect he showed for each religion and his knowledge of each historical site. We learned so much from him. Thank you for your help in making the arrangements. If we ever return to Israel, and do any further touring, we will specifically ask for Gil. We will definitely recommend Touring Israel to friends and family should they decide to visit Israel.
Sincerely,
Mandisa and Phillip McIverRaleigh, NC
January 22, 2012
Dear Shira,
i just want you to know how wonderful our trip was thanks to your company and Daphne. Your help and professionalism were invaluable, and I will definitely be giving your names to my friends!!
thank you so much for everything!!Hope to come back again one day--so you will be hearing from me!!
June and Karl Warman
New York
January 22, 2012
Dear Joe,
We cannot begin to than you enough for our amazing trip to Israel this past December, Word cannot accurately convey the complexity of emotions we all felt and experience during our trip.
Your passion for your country and the enthusiasm for sharing your knowledge and history of this great land was contagious. Each one of us could relate to everything that you were saying. Not an easy task since we had a 9, 12 and 14 year old with us.
You made the history of our people and the land from over 3,000 years ago come to life.
As far as the logistical planning every detail was perfectly executed from the moment we arrived off the plane till the final moment we left. Yasmin and Shira took care of coordinating every detail. Our accommodations, the meals, the transfers all went off without a hitch. Our trip to Israel is an experience that our family will forever cherish. Truly a once in a lifetime event. We loved every moment and cannot even come up with a top 10 list.
We look forward to seeing soon in NYC.
Best,
Amy and Jeffrey SilvermanNew York, NY
November 30, 2011
Dear Maria, Gil, Shira & Jonathan,
We want to thank you so much for the outstanding service and assistance
you have provided our family to ensure that our trip to Israel would be
outstanding and unforgettable.
The selection of sites and itinerary worked perfectly. My in laws, who
had visited Israel 5 times, enjoyed this trip more than ever and for our
selves (2nd time) and our kids (1st time) it was an extremely enlightening
experience.
We must give Kupi 100% of the credit for the making this trip extremely
special. We all were fascinated by his knowledge, passion, communication
skills, as well as his thoughtfulness on every action he took over the 7
days we spent together.
He was definitely the reason why this trip was so special for all,
including our Rabbi, that now is retired and living in Tel Aviv, who joined
us for a couple days with his wife, and also commented on how enjoyable and
enriched this trip was due to Kupis contribution.
We certainly will refer your company to our friends and family who will be
coming to Israel in the near future and we look forward to returning back
and organizing another trip with you.
Sincerely,
Elisa & Diego Loret de MolaConnecticut, USA
November 4, 2011
Hi Maria and Shira,
Now that I am home, I wanted to share some additional thoughts with you. First, thank you for helping me organize things and for the attention you gave me while I was in Israel. Although I had intended on doing everything myself, for example, booking hotels, it was much easier to do it through you. I am very happy that I "gave in" at every step and let you take care of things for me. So thanks for being patient with me.
Amir is a wonderful guide and an excellent teacher! He carries a backpack full of teaching aids that I really enjoyed. We covered a lot of ground both physically and intellectually. I would recommend him to anyone who is traveling to Israel and wants to have a good learning experience.
I am not sure how to express this in a politically correct manner, but the saying that "you get what you pay for" applies to Israeli tour guides. I know several individuals who are studying to be tour guides and am impressed with the amount of information that they are expected to know. However, there is a difference between someone who has just finished studying and someone who has been doing it for some time. I earn more money than new faculty, and I think that I deserve it; I have more experience and more knowledge. You can say the same about tour guides.
Feel free to use me as a reference.
Hopefully, we will get to work together again.
Best regards,
Deborah Lebman
November 13, 2011
Dear Joe;
We have now been home for just under two weeks. In those two weeks we have reflected upon our trip to Israel. Words cannot describe the wonderful experience and feeling we had. Like Moses wandering the desert for 40 years, my wife Karen and I had not been to Israel in 40 years. It was a cultural shock. It opened our eyes. This was a trip of a lifetime.
This could not have happened without you and your team. Your constant stream of information to (all of us). The up-dates and personal touches we received from Shira and Maria and the attention we received from Gil and Jon - our tour guides.
To Shira and Maria - A mighty thank you for all your efforts in planning our trip. It is with your understanding and personal attention that this trip was made easy. From entering into Israel to leaving for home. Your guidance was very much appreciated. You were like mother hens, ensuring that we were well taken care of.
To Gil and Jon – Without your inspiration and love of the country we could not have experienced the understanding of Israel and its people as much as we did. You were like the well-known painters of yesteryear. With each brush stroke of information, you brought about a different meaning and interpretation. Your knowledge of the history of the Jews and Israel was amazing. We now interpret the information about Israel and its problems in a different light and are more aware of the continued problems for the search for PEACE and the existence of Israel as our mother country.
Thank you for making this happen. It is indeed a pleasure knowing both of you and wish you continued success in all you endeavors.
Once again to all members of the Touring Israel group thank you for this most memorable experience. It will not be forgotten..
Yours truly,
Karen & Norman Goldfield
(Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
November 8, 2011
Dear Touring Israel,
Our tours were Excellent! Both Kupie and Dafna exceeded our expectations. Their knowledge of the history pertaining to the sites that we visited was very impressive as well as their knowledge of the Bible. Also our Bethlehem guide was excellent. Another important factor is that they are excellent drivers. We were comfortable at all times. Thank you for this excellent service.
Thanks
Roger FreidlineUSA
October 25, 2011
Our experience withTouring Israel and Shannie was wonderful. Jonathan worked with us to plan our itinerary, Maria always followed up with us, and of course Shannie was the absolute best guide ever!! We truly enjoyed our days in Israel and our time with Shannie. Everyone at Touring Israel was extremely professional to work with and very accommodating to our needs. We would recommend Touring Israel to any friends who may be planning a trip to Israel. Our thanks to everyone at Touring Israel.
Best,
Barbara Kaplan
October 23, 2011
We are home after a wonderful cruise. The days spent with Kupi (Reuven) in Jerusalem and the Dead Sea were the highlight of the tour and I can honesly say that I speak for all of us when I tell you how pleased we were with
Kupi. He is a mine of information and we all felt we had got the best out of the two days touring because of him.
Many thanks for your help in organising this. I will definently recommend your company to anyone heading in towards the Holy Land.
Regards,
Ann Hutchinson
October 17, 2011
We loved our tours with Yuval and Dafna.
Obviously, our guides have very different personalities and both were excellent. I appreciated Yuval's passion and he managed to get us to many meaningful sites on a packed one day tour of Jerusalem. My family had been to Israel in the past, but never together and the day was great.
Dafna has a strong personality and a wealth of facts that never stopped coming. She made a great effort to speak in great detail about all that we saw in the Galilee. She drove and talked and managed to get us to Lake Kinneret and back to Haifa where her obvious love for her city pushed her to make sure we had views of the city and then views of the Ba'Hai Gardens even as darkness was descending.
We took this cruise in recognition of our special 35th Anniversary and the opportunity to travel with our son's to celebrate. We felt that a cruise was an economical way to send 4 adults on such an ambitious trip. I was naive and then surprised to find out how much our day excursions were going to cost. It was a big commitment to spend that much in order to see all that we wanted to see. I am happy to say that we were not disappointed.
We had never taken private tours before and we really appreciated the chance to make the tour our own and see what we wanted to see with wonderful guides.
I would highly recommend your company to anyone who is interested.
Thanks so much.
Nancy BermanUSA
September 20, 2011
A GREAT, albeit too short visit
At the end of a busy mission to Israel, we had one exrtra day to try to visit as many sites as possible on our first visit.
Our guide , Bena, picked us up at the hotel at 8am.... We proceeded to enjoy ATV riding in the Judean desert...after that , it was on to Massada. A private tour of Massada was great,. We took all the time we wanted. Bena had a great comand of the history... Then it was on to a hike at Ein Gedi, and a refreshing dip in the water ....Then off to a Dead Sea for some "floating around", without the mud!!!!....then off to dinner at Abraham's tent...I never realized that Abraham was Australian... well, live and learn!!!!!...It was a GREAT day with a great guide!!!!... the office even called during the day to speak with us and make sure all was ok...they really care!!!!....we would definately recommend to others and would use them again....you get what you pay for!!!!Jack Stein
Montreal, Canada
September 18, 2011
We had a fabulous time with Gil R - he was really awesome! So knowledgeable & funny... We really enjoyed our time with him.
We especially enjoyed our time in the old city with Gil- he showed us so much. There didn't seem to be a stone in that city that Gil didn't know a story about!
We will be very happy to recommend Gil & touring Israel to all our friends & family.
Thanks for all your help.
Kindest regards,
Kerry & Michael GonskiSydney, Australia
September 5, 2011
We enjoyed touring with your Co. Even though the ship never made it to Ashdod, your company did the best they could under the circumstances by picking us up those 2 days in Haifa. Both guides were very knowledgeable & I would not hesitate to recommend your company in the future to anyone wishing to tour in Israel.
Thank you.
Edwin Budd Jacobs & Carolee Fox-Jacobs
September 5, 2011
Judy and I were completely satisfied with the guides (Gil and Yuval). They were very knowledgeable and took us places we never thought existed.
We were able to work around the security issue and I think all people involved were happy with the tour.
Can’t wait to return to Israel
Thanks for the memories
Arthur Belchic
Pennsylvania
August 30, 2011
Israel is one of the most remarkable and spiritual vacations I have ever been on. Partly because we are a Jewish family and partly because of the amazing company "Touring Israel" that we booked to guide us through our entire trip. To begin with, they have a toll free number, which alot of companys don't, so you can reach them easily (except for the time difference..so it was mostly early mornings!!) However, they did work late occasionally to speak to us.(Thank you Shira & Yasmin!) They also responded quickly to emails as well. All correspondences were courteous and professional. You can have them arrange a schedule for you..however, we chose to arrange it with them and since we were visiting Tel Aviv, Haifa, Tiberias and Jerusalem in 9 days, and since there was so much to do and see, this required a great deal of communication, time and patience!!! They made all of our touring reservations in advance, hotel reservations,and even a reservation at a special restaurant in Tiberias since we were celebrating a special occasion there. Our personal guide for the entire stay was Jon (Yoni) Cutler. He met us at the airport, we dropped our suitcases at the hotel and we were off and running. He knows Israel from top to bottom...He pointed out sights of interest, he got us to all our reservations on time, he made unscheduled stops when he felt it would be of interest, he took us to unusual restaurants for lunch..but most important, everywhere we went, he took the time to teach us, not only about what we were seeing, but the history behind every sight. He lives in Israel and he has been in the Israeli army so we saw & learned about the birth of Israel as an independent state through his eyes and his heart. It would take 10 pages to write about everything we saw..so I'll just say that he was waiting for us in our hotel lobby every morning bright & early and on time. He was very patient and with the help of his office staff, was able to make changes in the itinerary when we asked him to. He made sure we were prepared with bottled water (keep drinking...keep drinking!!!) We were able to bypass tour guides at some attractions and go at our own pace. The car was air conditioned and he would constantly get the car & meet as at the exits so we wouldn't have to walk as much in the heat. We always felt safe there and never took public transportation. He drove us everywhere!! To be honest, touring Israel this way is a luxury and it is not inexpensive...but we felt it was worth it since we had never been there before and have no idea if we will ever get back there (although I certainly would like to one day). If you want to see Israel comfortably, efficiently and safely, soaking up as much history as you can in the time you have there, "Touring Israel" is the only way to go!! When Jon dropped us at the airport to fly back to New York, his final words to us were "Remember...Israel is your home and you are always welcome here."
Diamond Family
New York City
July 19, 2011
Hi!
Wow! What an experience! To say we enjoyed our trip would be a colossal understatement. To refer to our time in Israel as merely a trip or vacation would not do it justice. Where do I begin? From the moment we landed in Israel and were met at the gate, I knew we were in good hands. No need to be tortured at customs or baggage claim. Joe took care of that. No need to worry about checking in at our hotel. Joe took care of that. No need to worry about where to eat. Joe took care of that. No need to know where to go. Joe took care of that. No need to worry about entrance fees. Joe took care of that. No need to be perplexed by what I’m seeing. Joe took care of that. No need to worry that our athletic teenagers would be intellectually stimulated and physically extended. Joe took care of that. No need to worry that my young athletic first wife (Rhonda loves when I call her that) would enjoy pampering and hiking. Joe took care of that. Even after more than twenty years of marriage I think my job is to be a good date; to make sure everyone is having a great time. Joe takes care of that. No need to worry that her 50 year old less than agile husband, me, would love every minute and get home in one piece. Joe took care of that. While we were in Israel, my brother and his family were in Italy. He told me how much they loved their trip. He mentioned how everywhere you go there is history from two thousand years ago. I had to smile. The Sistine chapel depicts Moses and G-d. I stood where Moses met G-d. And where David met Goliath. And where two thousand years is only the half-way point. It’s a little different. When we returned from our first trip to Israel I quickly set up our second trip. I am now setting up our fourth trip to be taken in August of 2012. Each trip has been with Joe. I can’t imagine going there and not having his team arrange everything. I can’t imagine going to Israel and not having Joe guide us expertly, teach us contextually and lead us enthusiastically. Mostly, I can’t imagine going to Israel and not seeing my friend Joe. People take lots of vacations. Going to Israel is the only trip that makes me feel athletically, intellectually and spiritually reinvigorated. One doesn’t feel the same upon returning from Epcot. Each trip to Israel makes me feel better and makes me a better person. I always come home feeling re-focused and revitalized. Joe takes care of that.
Thank you and see you soon,
Mark Fleisher
Jacksonville, FL
July 10, 2011
If you are looking for a great company to book your trip and tours in Israel, Touring Israel Luxury Private Tours is the company for you. I just sent my 21 year old son and a friend to Israel and put them in the hands of Touring Israel. From the moment they stepped off the plane in Tel Aviv they were taken care of. Right off the plane and with in a matter of minutes the VIP Express service representative walked them through security and to their awaiting transfer representative to take them to their hotel. According to my son this service saved them “hours” at the airport. They were transferred to the Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem. This hotel was recommended by Touring Israel and was a great location, had great rooms, and provides a wonderful breakfast for the guys during their stay. The location next to the Old City was perfect for the guys to walk the streets and see the sites. The guide provided by Touring Israel, Sandy, was fantastic. My son has traveled many times before and said Sandy was the best guide he has ever had. Sandy’s knowledge of Jerusalem and surrounding area was amassing. He was a great communicator and really related to my son and his friend. After a week the transfer service picked them up at the hotel and drove them back to the airport into the hands of the VIP Express who moved them through security with ease and back on the plane to return home.
Working with Yasmin at Touring Israel was easy. She handled all of the details and gave me a great comfort feeling that my son was in good hands during the trip. One of the things I like the most was that I prepaid Touring Israel for all of the services including the guide and hotel. This made things simple and better for my son. I was also provided with a detailed itinerary, names and numbers of every service, and emergency numbers if necessary.
I would strongly recommend Touring Israel to anyone who wants to visit Israel, get the best guides, receive VIP treatment upon arrive, and feel very secure either while traveling or when back at home as I was having sending my son.
Again a special thanks to Sandy their guide, for making their visit so wonderful for my son, and to Yasmin and all those at Touring Israel for making the trip easy and comforting for me.
Gary Chitty
Houston, TX
June 15, 2011
Dear Joe,
We cannot thank you and your staff enough for making our 3 days in Israel so complete. Your staff's help in planning the limited time we had, as ship passengers, was extraordinary and our group was able to accomplish all they wanted to see and do on their wish list. Thank you for all of your attention to detail and making our trip so memorable.
Of course the master of accomplishing this extensive to do list was our guide Ari. His unwaving patience was so much appreciated and his knowledge and sensitivity exceeded our expectations. Ari has won all our hearts and has many places to visit in Canada and Great Britain should he want to. Ari has left us all with the desire to return to Israel and spend more time in your beautiful country.
Margaret and Steve Norris
Montreal, Canada
June 10, 2011
Dear Joe,
Just wanted to thank you and your entire staff, Shira, Yasmin, and of course Ari. Your professionalism and constant updates and communications, before and during our visit made our visit great success and so much FUN. Your company met and surpassed our highest expectations, thank you sooo much, hope to see you all again in the near future.
Alan and Sandra (newlyweds), Belinfante
Boston, MA
May 18, 2011
Our tour on April 6 with Gil was fantastic. He was well-received by all members of our group of seven. He was knowledgeable, personable, a careful driver, had excellent communication skills, and had a great sense of humor. We have only positive things to say about our tour with Gil.
Thanks to Joe Yudin and other Touring Israel staff members for helping us to set up the tour on short notice. It was confusing as our ship’s itinerary was changed multiple times and the date of our visit kept changing. We appreciate the flexibility everyone exhibited.
We would definitely recommend Touring Israel to others as well as use your services for any future visit.
Ann (and Lorrin Garson)
April 29, 2011
Dear Joe:
Now that we arrived home, and have had the time to reflect on our experience in Israel, my wife and I wanted to thank you and your staff for the excellent itinerary prepared by you, for the arrangements you made, and for the flawless execution by everyone associated with you, from the time we were met at the airport to the time we departed. Of course, we have to especially thank you for choosing Jonathan as our guide. He was a remarkable asset to our Israel experience. We learned about not only the history of Israel and its people throughout the ages, but also the political and social climate in Israel today. We have become much more aware of the challenges of the Israeli people thanks to Jonathan. We have already, and will continue to, recommend both you and Jonathan to our friends and family, even to people who have been to Israel before. You will be happy to note that we even check the Jerusalem Post before we look at our local newspapers.
Hope you had a wonderful Passover holiday.
Shalom
Ken and Maryanne Poller
Kenneth G. Poller, PA
Paramus, NJ
April 26, 2011
Yasmin,
Our trip was fabulous - we could not have hoped for anything better. Of our many international vacations, this was by far the most intellectually stimulating. Jon's part in this cannot be overemphasized. He has the detailed historical knowledge and lucid presentation style one would hope for in an excellent guide. Yet he is even more remarkable for having both a passionate attachment to the State of Israel and an open-mindedness which allowed for extensive thoughtful discussions on current events. There was lively intellectual sparring on interpretation of current Palestinian-Israeli relations between Jon and our 21 year old son Seth, who has developed a distinct perspective after spending the past 2 months on a kibbutz. This dialogue kept all of our minds humming. A different kind of sparring occurred one evening when Jon invited Seth to join him at his mixed martial arts gym- which Seth thoroughly enjoyed.
We also appreciated the start to finish customization of the tour, both during the initial planning stage and some on-the-fly adjustments. The small boutique-style hotels in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were tasteful, and the hotel in Eilat, though much bigger and grander than we are accustomed to, was a good choice for that city. Great breakfasts at all of them. We loved Adam's tour of the Ramon Crater. Again in his case, we appreciated his expert geological knowledge but equally his thoughtful perspective of Israeli social issues based on his own 25 years in the country since making Aliyah from South Africa. The Amphorae winery turned out to be a great choice - interesting tour, beautiful setting. The snorkeling, Red Canyon hike, Timna Park, and the Dead Sea swim were fun. Yad Mordechai, the IDF air museum and Cesarea were opportunities for valuable historical context. Transfers were all flawless.
The high point of the trip was the day in Jerusalem when we visited Yad Vashem and then shortly afterwards went on an "alternative" tour of the City of David presenting the viewpoint of the Palestinian residents of Silwan, after which we debriefed with Jon in an in-depth point-counterpoint style. I would not recommend that alternative tour as a routine part of a Jerusalem visit, because their facts are scanty and distorted. But for us it was valuable as a window into the Palestinian narrative. The contrast was striking in the shadow of the intense Yad Vashem experience.
I would be delighted to serve as a reference if you have any potential clients with questions.
Thank you again for all of your help making arrangements. Attached are a few photos.
Cindy Grande
SeaTac, WA
April 6, 2011
I couldn't have said it any better [than the Fassbergs (see below)] if I tried. We have been home for 5 days and our family hasn't stopped talking about everything we did. We miss Israel and Joe. We are counting down the days till we can come back to tour other parts of the country with our Sababa guide Joe Yudin. Thanks for our best family trip we have ever taken.
The Sandlers.
NYC
April 5, 2011
Dear Joe:
We wanted to let you know that we are experiencing a most wonderful trip here in Yisrael. The planned tour is going along beautifully, and we are gaining an appreciation of a country we have always felt close to, but which we have appreciated only from afar.
More than anything, we have to thank you for giving us Jon. He is a remarkable person and a truly gifted guide. Not only is he knowledgeable and communicative, but he has the ability of weaving the past and the present into a mosaic befitting the antiquities we are seeing. He is thoroughly engaging, welcoming questions, discussions, impressions and an exchange of ideas and perceptions. He is also a regular guy, easy to be around, and we insist that he join us for every meal.
We (the Pollers and the Seidenbergs) want very much for him to visit us when he comes to the U.S.
We wanted you to know that we feel lucky to have Jon as our companion and guide, and that our Israel experience has been and will continue to be enriched well beyond anything we could have anticipated thanks to Jon.
Thank you for your assistance and for Shira's assistance as well.
Regards,
Ken and Maryanne Poller, and Boyd and Mary Seidenberg
New Jersey
March 31, 2011
Ari-
Just want to thank you for making our trip so memorable. We had such fun being with you and learning about Israel and its incredible history. The kids spent our last dinner talking about you the whole time! Julie wants to come back just to hear you imitate her!
We learned so much from you and I think we all have a whole new appreciation for what Israelis have endured over the years.
Wishing you all the best for health and safety. Please come visit us in New York. We'd love to tour you!!!!
Have fun with your next group.
Fondly,
Jill Cornet
NYC
April 3, 2011
Dear Joe,
The Fassberg family, Edith and Jonathan and children: Sarah (10) Emily (7) and Simon (3) want to thank you for the most memorable trip to Israel. Your deep biblical, historical and political knowledge was simply incredible. Not only did you help us see and feel Israel in a very special way, you were able to relate to our children without dumbing down any information and making it exciting and fun for them and for us at the same time. We just arrived back to NYC yesterday and we already feel "homesick" for the beautiful country you brought so close to us. You taught us about Israel, our Jewish heritage, the Torah and opened our hearts for Israel in a really deep way. I quote Simon when he woke up this morning "I miss Joe and Israel".
I would recommend that anyone visiting Israel for the first time or a "regular" should experinece Israel with you or your guides -- it is unforgettable.
Thank you so much. It was SABABA!
Edith, Jonathan, Sarah, Emily and Simon Fassberg
NYC
March 14, 2011
Mishpocha Dana is a diaspora of Judaism in knowledge, practise and interest that all came together in Israel, under the care and guidance of number one tour guide Jonathan C. My two sons, both in their early 30's, wife Jackie and I (Rick) found Jon able to deal with a variety of personalities, problems and details that left us only to enjoy the incredibly rich experience Jonathan was able to craft with his vast knowledge of history,culture and politics! Many a time we would be standing in a place,whether Jerusalem or Masada or Independence Hall, and Yoni would produce stories of ancient past to what may have happened last year-we could feel it!! Connection was what my wife and I were seeking for our family and individually to the land of Israel and Jonathan provided us with everything we needed to make this possible. Thank you Jonathan you truly became our third son for two weeks (even putting up with me in the car!!) and to Joe and Shira(who helped make all the in trip changes and adjustments) and anyone else at Touring Israel who helped make our trip very memorable!
Shalom, Rick Dana
Boston, MA
January 24, 2011
Joe Shalom,
On Tuesday we went for a family walk in Gush Etzion and Jerusalem.
Ronen was our guide. The trip was so successful. We enjoyed every minute. Ronen knew the pace and the sites that fit my family's character. In itself it was wonderful and fun to walk and talk with him. There were three generations: in the group, me, the grandfather age 60, my children, and grandchildren aged seven and nine. Ronen managed to engage them all with accurate and entertaining explanations. We recommend him highly as a guide and we plan to use Touring Israel and Ronen for our next trip.
A big thank you to you and Shira and Yasmin for all the help.
Wishing you all plenty of tourists and travelers….
Shabbat Shalom,
Alex Kadar Cohen
Israel
January 13, 2011
Hey Joe,
We've been back for a week and the jet lag is finally gone !
Usually when I return from a memorable vacation , the good feelings wear off quickly , but this trip to Israel still feels like yesterday, from the first minute that we landed , with the 'Mossad ' meeting us at the airport , to the totally encompassing whirlwind trip through the country . It was fantastic !
We were constantly amazed at the amount of intricate knowledge , history and passion you shared with us about Israel and creation of the country .Dorian , the three Boys and their traveling football and are still talking about the trip.
We would gladly recommend you and your company to anyone interested in making the journey .
See you at the Travel Show in NYC !
The Dreyfuss Family
NYC
January 12, 2011
The moment we disembarked from the plane in Tel Aviv we knew we had hired the right guide. We were met at the gate by two young Israelis who immediately whisked the eight of us past all the lines through immigration, baggage check and customs. It was the model of military precision. Boy were we impressed! And that was just our first 10 minutes in Israel. For the next 12 days, Joe guided us from the top to the bottom of Israel. My wife and the wife of the other family we were traveling with had developed an itinerary with Joe several months in advance of the trip. We covered every major site in the country and then some. Joe was with us the entire time discussing the history and significance of what we're looking at. Joe's experience as a college lecturer certainly shone through. His explanations were both interesting and humorous (you can take the New Jersey boy out of Jersey but you can’t take the Jersey out of the Jersey boy). At no point were we anything but completely engaged by what we were learning. Even the four teenagers we were traveling with enjoyed the discussions and dialogues that we had. Joe and his entire team were at her disposal 24 hours a day to smooth out any problems or concerns we had . They're also able to improvise on the fly and change our itinerary when the spirit moved us. It's hard to point out any highlights of our trip since almost everything was a highlight. All of us really enjoyed the entire tour and our children are very much moved by the whole experience. I would certainly recommend Joe without exception or qualification. By the way, as impressive as our arrival in Tel Aviv our departure was even more impressive. We were met at the airport by another young Israeli who navigated us around what would have been an hour-long check-in, immigration and security line in what seemed to be the blink of an eye. It was a fitting farewell to a truly magical trip.
The Pearlstein and Wacht Family
NYC
January 5, 2011
Hi Joe,
We had an incredible journey through Israel and our guide (Avi) was simply terrific. The itinerary was well organized and action packed so we covered a lot of ground and many cultural and historical sites in only 5 days.
We appreciate the attention to detail and service that you provided and would gladly recommend you and Touring Israel to any of our friends and family in the future.
Best regards,
The Lurier Family
Westborough Mass.
January 3, 2011
Ofer, Shira and Joe,
Just back from the travel day yesterday and wanted to send you an email thanking you for such a great trip. From beginning to end, we had a fabulous time.
As you know, the six of us had varied levels of experience in Israel – I had been there on business a long time ago, but barely toured; my wife spent a summer there 20 years ago; my mother-in-law has been in Israel two times before, as recently as 2 years ago; and the three children had never been to Israel. What is amazing is that despite our varied experience in Israel, we all had a great time and came away with new and unique experiences.
Touring Israel made the planning stage rather easy and streamlined. Joe and Shira – you asked us about who was coming and what we generally wanted to do and then planned a great agenda and booked the whole trip, hotels, activities, and transportation. Perfect execution.
Ofer, thank you -- you are a fabulous guide. You are incredibly knowledgeable, fun, affable and brought a contagious positive energy to the trip. You engaged both the adults and our three children (12, 10 & 7) and took care of all the little details so that all we had to do was show up each day and enjoy ourselves. We would highly recommend you, Ofer, as a guide to anyone traveling in Israel.
Thanks again.
Best,
Gregg Kaplan
Wilmette, IL
December 7, 2010
Dear Yasmin,
I would like to thank you very much for all your work and for the fantastic guide we had today. Ronen was unbelievable. Please tell him once again that we really appreciated his full commitment and enthusiasm in introduce us to the beauties of the cities. We won't forget this day!
Thanks also for the hotel and restaurant recommendations.
We really enjoyed our trip.
We will for sure recommend Touring Israel to our friends and relatives who will visit Israel.
Isotta Enrici
Milan, Italy
November 24, 2010
I'd like to add also how great Joe Yudin was - the tour was exactly what we wanted and yet in advance we could never have described so accurately what we were looking for. And the way he presented all that info was so engaging that it lodged in our brains -young and old(er). I wish he could have heard us all at the Dome of the Rock on Monday quoting back at each other verbatim various pearls of info and wisdom he had given us.
And we should add that he suggested and reserved a great place for dinner for us Sun nite that was spot on. All in all he went a long way to making that weekend the marvellous experience that it was. I'd recommend him to others without reservation. And yes, we certainly look forward to booking him again in the future.
Helena Cook
London, England
November 23, 2010
When Joe Yudin kicked off with his biblical narrative, first thing in the morning, my first thought was “oh no, too much detail for the kids, too early, too fast, to unexpected, too loud ...”. But very quickly we all got into it. And the whole day was outstanding. Joe provided the historical and cultural input for our entire trip and did it in a way which made it sound like adventure rather than a lesson. It gave significance and meaning to everything we saw and connected all the dots that we were looking at. He gave all of us, and especially the kids, one helluva lot more than just an enjoyable day – it was more a cultural foundation stone crossed with a memorable adventure.
In a word: SABABA! We will definitely book him again.
Laurie Fransman
London, England
November 18, 2010
Joe Yudin was a great guide for a whole host of reasons. He was organized, efficient, and a master of all there was to do and see – or really more than that, since he arranged for some Joe-Yudin-special-admissions to places one would not normally be able to go. We have two high school age children, and Joe has a very special skill in how he provides background and explanation on an enormous variety of topics. First, he is enthusiastic, passionate, and with a deep and broad knowledge of all the many topics that come up in touring Israel; and, second, he has a knack for picking out essential points and explaining them in very clear, direct terms. All of us absorbed a tremendous amount from him. We also decided to diverge substantially from our planned itinerary, and Joe was adaptable and creative in suggesting and working out various changes (which he often did almost instantly on his cell phone). He was also very hard-working and was always willing to go the extra mile for us -- many times he offered to drive back across a city to help us with some errand or other needed transportation. I don’t think we could have asked a guide for anything more than Joe gave us.
Dan Blickman
Philadelphia, PA
November 17, 2010
Ari,
Hope all is well with you. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my email. We want you to know we had a wonderful time in Israel. The experiences we had left a profound impact on our lives and also left a special place in our hearts for the people of Israel.
Shalom,
Glenda Davault
Dallas, TX
November 17, 2010
Yasmin,
I hope this email finds you well. We are back home now and I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our day in Jerusalem with Jonathan. He is passionate about Israel and shared his extensive knowledge and insights with us. He also was able to get us back to the ship on time after sitting in a major traffic jam leaving Tel Aviv.
Again, I want to thank Jon and you for making our visit to Jerusalem so memorable. I certainly will recommend Touring Israel and Jon to others who visit Israel.
Warmest regards. Until next time...
Judy Zeidel
Trumbull, CT
November 16, 2010
Ari,
We are settling back in with such wonderful memories of our trip to Israel. We are so thankful to you for your leadership, friendliness, and openness to all our questions. It was truly a pleasure to see Israel with your fine guidance. Our memories will have to carry us until we return. When Sudy has completed her work on her pictures I know she will be forwarding some to you.
Our only regret was the painting we passed in Safed at the store where we bought Sudy’s necklace. I paid cash and the owner did not give us a business card so we have no way to contact him. If your travels take you back there and you can remember the store we would love to make contact with him.
We have passed on to the Federation how totally pleased we were with you and gave them our strong recommendation to use you more frequently. We also offered to speak to anyone who is considering using your services.
We really hope our paths cross another time. Whether it be our next trip to Israel our your possible trip to Chicago, we would love to be together again.
Thanks again for a trip of a lifetime.
Thomas Altholz
Chicago, IL
November 11, 2010
Dear Joe,
We are all back home safe and sound in Montreal after almost a month of travel.
Our stay in Israel was absolutely fantastic, mainly due to your expert advice, and the professional handling of our accommodations and itinerary. The trip started off with us being whisked through passport control & baggage as if we were royalty, we were in our hotel just about a half hour after landing, now that’s fast, thanks to your recommendation of using your VIP service. It was the same for our departure for Rome, everyone on time, no hassle travel.
Ari [our guide] was the hit of our trip, not only was he an exceptionally knowledgeable guide, but his presentation , driving skills, and friendliness left us wanting more, but time was of the essence. We became like family, the moment we met. Please convey are best personal regards to him on our behalf, we will certainly demand his expertise on our next trip. Send our best to Shira and Yasmine.
Congratulations Joe on your selection of such a great team which insured that our visit to Israel will be forever memorable.
Thanks for taking some time to have a coffee with us in Jerusalem, and we look forward to utilize Touring Israel on any of our future visits. We will certainly recommend Touring Israel to everyone we know.
Shalom,
Marvin Chankowsky
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
November 4, 2010
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you so much for all that you have done for us during the last two weeks. Your insights, intellect and kindness helped to make this the trip of a lifetime for the both of us. We will forever remember you and the wonderful trip you made possible for us.
Be well! Be safe! Keep in touch!
Evie Lester & Neil Godick
Wayne, PA
November 4, 2010
Hi Joe
Now that we're back and no longer jet lagged, I thought I'd write you about our tour experience in Israel with Dafna.
You were absolutely right abour our not being disappointed... Dafna was great. She has a very deep knowledge of history and conveyed that in conjunction with each site we visited, making the visit much more meaningful. Dafna brought us to every site we had on our extensive list and then some, and kept us on a short leash to make sure we viewed as much as we could in our short time. I don't know if she mentioned it to you, but one of the unexpected highlights of our visit occurred after dinner our first night in Jerusalem: after dining with us, Dafna took us on a nightly excursion until after 1 am, with a midnight visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that was indeed memorable and very different from the crowded tour during the afternoon.
Please convery our thanks again to Dafna. What a trooper!
Andy Kosovych
Upper Saddle River, NJ
November 4, 2010
Bena, our tour guide, was excellent. He was able to find things that interested all of us, and most importantly, quickly gleaned what interested my parents. He saw that my mother enjoyed spices and plants and took us to a spice farm. He was professional, accommodating, thorough and very patient in his description and explanation, which was much needed because we don't have the Christianity/Judaism/Islam background that I assume most visitors to Israel possess.
To put it succinctly, we wished we used him for the rest of our trip.
On behalf of my family, thank you very much. Bena made our visit to Tel Aviv and the north very special.
Yours,
Anita Channapati
November 3, 2010
Hi, Joe:
I know that David sent you our pictures, but I wanted to add my two cents worth (so unlike me) about our trip...
Seeing Israel through your eyes was an amazing experience. Your depth of knowledge and perspective on the country gave us a glimpse into Israel's past and present that taught us all many lessons. As for the future, I am concerned about what could lie ahead. But what amazed me most about you, and all of the other Israelis that we met, is how you live your lives everyday without fear of what "might be." That's a lesson that we all can learn from.
I left Israel wanting more, and I hope to return someday to finish where we left off. You will be the first person we call when that time comes! In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy your family!
Keep in touch!
Shalom,
Roberta Brody
Pitt., PA
October 29, 2010
Joe:
Israel is blessed to count you among its sons. You've shown us your home with professionalism, passion and, yes, zeal that is unmatched. We'll be forever grateful to you for our class in Israel 101.
Enjoy your family on your time off and continue to be a great husband, dad and Israeli.
You know how to find us when you are in the U.S. and we hope to serve as your 'tour guides'.
Best,
Jeri & Mitchell Drucker (New York)
Roberta & David Brody (Pitt., PA)
Susan & Jay Smith (Atlanta, GA)
October 25, 2010
We recently returned from Israel and chose Touring Israel for a once in life time experience. Our guide, Joe Yudin, was simply the best. He was able to plan each day in a well organized pace without skipping on any details. His knowledge and passion of each attraction left us wanting to learn more about this country’s rich culture and traditions. We were able to see and experience much more than any of our friends that have traveled on their own or in a large group. We have traveled to five continents and over 32 countries and this trip through Touring Israel is the most moving and memorable expeience we have had. We would highly recommend using Touring Israel for anyone concidering visiting Israel.
Curt and Sandra Edwards
Naples FL
September 27, 2010
Dear Joe,
After our first trip to Israel touring with you in June 2009, I knew the minute it was over that we had to come back again! And so we did…touring with you this past week has been every bit as spectacular as our first time. Once again, we had another perfectly planned Joe Yudin itinerary, jam-packed with the ideal combination of historical sites and adventure, specifically customized for our family. We were continuously engaged by your knowledge of history and passion for Israel; and by your animated storytelling regarding all the new sites we visited. Regarding the “adventure” part of our trip, the hikes you chose for us were absolutely beautiful, and I think we need a “special mention” on your future tours of how our entire family went rappelling off a cliff by the Ramon Crater – what a great addition to our itinerary! As always, your restaurant recommendations and fabulous photo-taking ability is so appreciated - I just developed over 350 pictures!
So thank you Joe, for another extremely SABABA experience in Israel. Be sure to come visit when you are in NY.
Warm regards,
Maureen, Keith, Lindsay and Adam Turkel
NYC
September 27, 2010
Dear Joe,
I am writing you in regards to the tour we had today in Jerusalem. Our guide, Itzik, has an incredible knowledge in the history of the city, not to mention his sense of humor. Itzik managed to show us Jerusalem in a very special way, transmitting his passion both for the history and the diversity of cultures in the city. All this despite the limited time we planned for this half day tour.
I have to mention that the high price we paid for this tour is above any standard we seen before in many countries in which we all traveled, but we were aware of this fact prior to booking with your company and we are still very satisfied with the service we received.
Thanks a lot for giving us such an enjoyable insight of this wonderful city.
PS - Itzik, can you pls send us all the jokes you told us during the trip? They were really good fun!
Gmar chatima tova,
Cecile, Martha, Giacomo and Ron Zeltzer
Switzerland
August 30, 2010
Dear Shira,
Maybe you hear this all the time but these trips, aside from the day I met Rhonda and the birth of my children, have been the best days of my life and I can't thank you enough.
Thanks!
Mark Fleisher, MD
Jacksonville, FL
August 23, 2010
Joe,
Thank you again for a wonderful tour--we found you by accident last year and I do not think we will use anyone else in the future! Shira was patient and accommodating while Gil and Joe N. each offered a professional and unique flavor to our tiyulim (tours).
Warmest Regards and Shabbat Shalom,
Shira and Binny Hahn
Teaneck, NJ
July 8, 2010
Hi Joe,
A short email to tell you how wonderful our vacation was -- a very interesting "National Geographic field-trip" that was educational and fun! Your teaching and commentating were extremely valuable in making sense of and understanding a complex history and geography. You are an entertaining and thoughtful teacher and guide! Thanks for your flexibility in accommodating our interests and needs.
Thanks,
Janet and Mike Shields
Michigan
June 16, 2010
We have been to Israel many times and our family is very connected to the Jewish State. This year we toured with Joe Yudin from Touring Israel. It was like visiting the country for the first time. His passion for Israel and his ability to relate both biblical Israel and modern day Israel for us as adults and our kids was a remarkable experience. He geared many of our experiences for our young kids as they begin their connection to Israel and it has payed huge dividends. Touring Israel was professional and organized and we definitely intend to tour with them again on our next visit.
Andrew Sussman, NYC
May 18, 2010
Our family visited Israel April 2010. Included were our daughter, Gina, age 17, Bob and Jan ("fifty-ish") and Bob's parents, who are 77 and 79. Joe was our guide in Tel Aviv and on a driving tour of the north, including Caesaria, and Jon took us through the old city in Jerusalem and to the Dead Sea and Masada. Jon and Joe made Israel and her story come alive. They are both so knowledgeable and informed, Jon, in the complex sociopolitical climate of Israel, and Joe, in the lore and history. They were extraordinarily considerate of the different needs of the group, picking routes so that the parents could rest when needed, yet also keeping the younger one well-entertained and active. The sights and restaurants that were recommended to us in Jerusalem were excellent, and both guides figured out our tastes and interests quickly, and catered well to everyone. Their perspective as Americans who have moved to live permanently in Israel was very interesting for us, and their accents were particularly easy for the parents to understand, even though, for Californians, a New York accent is a stretch. Before our trip, my in-laws were a little uneasy, since we were not going on a big packaged tour, as they are accustomed to. However, Joe and Jon made the trip so comfortable, easy and fun, we all had a great time, with no worries, and the tour was much more personal, customized and flexible. When I initially read the testimonials on the website, I thought they might be too good to be true, but found that reality exceeded even my expectations. We had the best shawarma, the best guides, the best time.
Thank you so much,
Jan, Bob, Gina, Ron and Arline
Los Angeles, CA
May 7, 2010
Dear Joe,
There is no way we could adequately thank you for the life-changing time we have spent with you over the recent days. Your expertise, patience, kindness and friendship has welcomed us to your beautiful nation and people in such a hospitable manner. You have truly been a gift to us "for such a time as this."
Thank you for not just guiding us, but teaching us and opening up to us. You will always be called friend and we will always love Israel. We thank God for you and pray His blessings upon you and your family in the days to come.
With Love,
David & Sarah Simerson
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
