Recommendations for Private Tour Guides In Israel

Old Mar 13th, 2012, 04:12 AM
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Recommendations for Private Tour Guides In Israel

Hi. We are traveling to Israel in June of this year. We are 2 adults and three kinds (ages 10,10 and 9). Does anyone have any recommendations for a tour guide that can act as a driver as well? Our plan is to spend the first couple of days in Tel Aviv, drive North to the Galillee for 4 days and then to Jersualem for 6 days which will be used as a base for some day trips. Also, we have already booked some (not all) of the places that we want to stay and I now understand that some tour companies will only work with you if they book the hotel reservations as well. Thanks for any and all suggestions.
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Old Mar 13th, 2012, 08:22 AM
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My wife and I highly recommend Arnon Eschel ([email protected]).
He is in his mid-forties, is fully licensed and was a Major in the IDF.
He is extremely knowlegeable, intelligent and personable - a most wonderful Guide and person.
Additionally, his rates are extremely reasonable.
Tell him that Ann and jerry recommended him.
Have a great trip. Israel is so special to visit and I know that you and your family will love it.
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Old Mar 13th, 2012, 04:03 PM
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Despite the advertising above --basically saying, ' hire us, we are good" I do not see nor recommend you hire an agency. When you hire an agency you end up with the guide who THEY assign you. When you hire a guide directly ==you interview, you pick. You interview first by email and then by phone ( or skype) This way--you decide if you can understand the guide's English. You judge how open they are to your questions. You listen to their suggestions and have a dialogue.

That being said I recommend Oreet Segal. If you look around you will find she also answers questions on this forum. YOu can contact her via her webpage
http://seeingisrael.com/

or directly via email

[email protected]
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Old Mar 14th, 2012, 08:20 AM
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Hi

i can recommend Adi Eshed, whom i know personnaly. check:
http://www.aditour.co.il/?lang=en&ca...les&subcat=248
he's a very nice guy, knowledgeable and experienced.
since i also guide (in a few corners of this planet) i know a good guide when i meet one...

enjoy

aby
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Old Mar 14th, 2012, 09:43 AM
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Please note that my comments above refer to a post that was removed NOT the recommendation for Arnon Eschel--who I do not know but obviously is NOT a company.
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Old Mar 14th, 2012, 07:50 PM
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Thank you all for your replies. I greatly appreciate the suggestions.
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Old Mar 16th, 2012, 07:00 AM
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We (2 families of 4, older kids) used Dina Horn ([email protected], http://www.enjoy-israel.com/). She was GREAT! She was both guide and driver for most of the trip, but did use a separate driver for the longer legs. She is extremely knowledgeable and personable. By the end of our trip (9 days) it was as if she was an old friend.
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Old Mar 16th, 2012, 07:02 AM
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Also, Dina can make hotel suggestions, and in some cases can get a special rate, but you can do your own booking if you like. We did a little of both, but I did my own research as well.
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Old Mar 16th, 2012, 09:22 AM
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Every guide is capable of making hotel suggestions and booking for you. Any guide who says they can't ( or won't) deserves a rethink, IMO!
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Old Mar 16th, 2012, 07:40 PM
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I also used Arnon. He really went up & above what I expected for a tour guide. I was on my own in Jerusalem and he called to make sure I was ok. I have used many private guides for many parts of many trips, but I'm a DIYer and know what I think are important sights. He blew me away by arranging a visit to an Israeli water treatment plant. Believe me, I thought, "hm, I'm not on a school field trip, what's he doing?" But it was so interesting, off the beaten path and opened my eyes to lots of info about Israel I had never thought of. This was my 3rd trip there, so impressing me wasn't easy. I had seen all the A list sights. He knows his history, has many opinions, and will make it an unforgetable trip.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2012, 01:07 PM
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Thanks for all the responses and I will reach out to these recommendations.
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Old May 5th, 2014, 10:21 PM
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I had a chance to visit Israel 2 times so far. Once I went with my family and second time it was a israel jordan egypt tour. I would say don't miss out every single locations specially dead sea as I found it as one of my favorite place. You can also get some good tips and information over here: http://www.wonders-tours.com/israel-...gypt-tours-266
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Old Mar 27th, 2016, 06:34 AM
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Sarelpoy, the OP's trip was 4 years ago. I'm impressed with your ability to find old threads.
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Old Mar 28th, 2016, 12:36 AM
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abram--you should be impressed with his ability to advertise. He tried on other travel sites and his posts were removed.
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