StanKase

I posted but no response.Please help if you can. I am looking for fellow travelers who have used a very knowlegeable, pleasant guide with a comfortable sedan (relatively new) or van (in good condition) for 4-6 days of touring for 8-9 hrs./day in late Sept.
If you have used one in the past 6-9 months and were satisfied I would appreciate email address and the amount you paid per day (and when, since USD has slipped & gas has gone up).Please help only with first hand experience.
Also, internet hotel rates for King David,Inbal,Sheraton Plaza, etc. in Jerusalem are 1/3 less than hotel websites and in Tel Aviv, Dan and Renaissance are the same 1/3 difference. Do you know anything about internet hotel booking from Israel based internet firms? Which would you choose in Jerusalum for 4-5 nights and Tel Aviv for 2 nights. Any really great 4 star hotels in Haifa? THANKS!!

KatPen

Hi, my family from Sydney just used a guy called Dror and were really happy with him. His phone number is 972-50–7311941. I think they paid 1800-1900 shekels for the day but not 100% sure.They only needed him for one day but they really liked him. The Holiday Inn Haifa is a very nice hotel in a good location. I think it is by far the best choice in the city. If the King David is in your price range it is real style. I think the Dan is better than Renaissance but haven't been inside for years. Have a wonderful time

StanKase

PatPen; I will try to contact him.If not available maybe he can refer someone but I hate to gamble considering we are using the guide for up to 6 days.

If anyone else has ideas of 4-5 Star hotels that were really comfortable in Jerusalum or Tel Aviv where we will spend mulple nights please chime in. The King David is number one though pricey or I hear about the Citidal David about the same priceis unusual.Anyone ever try it.
Thanks.
We may spend a night in Tiberias if not Haifa. Any 4+ star recommendations there.

KatPen

My family just stayed at the David Citadel...extremely elegant and considered the best now in Jerusalem I think. Jimmy Carter was staying there at the same time. I imagine the Inbal would be cheaper and is supposed to be very nice although I haven't seen it.

hat

Hi StanKase,
We stayed at the Inbal for 5 nights in April. It is definitely 5 star, but not as pricey as the David Citadel (we compared at the time). It was very quiet, elegant and we had great service. The morning breakfast were great, and they even packed us a wonderful boxed lunch for our long day to Masada.

We didn't stay in Tel Aviv or Haifa, so no recommendations.

Enjoy your trip.

spiegelcjs

We just returned from Israel and I have the name of a wonderful guide. I will post it as soon as I find his card. What we liked about him is that his is young and very very smart. He could discuss many subjects other than just the typical tour guide information. His first name is Yanniv. We had an airconditioned van for four people and it was great. We used him for 6 days. I will also be happy to e-mail you our actual iteniary if you want it. We could not get into either the Inbal or the Citadel because we were there for Independence Day but friends stayed at the Citadel and liked it a lot. We were at the Dan Panaroma with is around the corner from the King David and it was OK. You spend so little time in your room.

In Tel Aviv we were at the Renaissance and really liked it. The only problem is that they do not have an outdoor pool, but the beach is wonderful. Location excellent for walking. I will be posting a report soon with restaurants etc.

StanKase

spiegelcjs; I very much would like to see your itinerary. We want a fair amount of Jewish history and a bit of Christian & Muslim but we really do not want history to be more than 50% of our 8 days touring. The ways of life of locals in different parts of the country, scenic beauty, possible art communities, agriculture are of interest to us as well. We plan to be out of the hotels from 8:30-~5:30 each day but very comfortable rooms, super clean and a well cared for facility and especially the rooms are important to us. Did you go anywhere that you might suggest you would not recommend to others and if so why? This would be helpful. We do not want our guide to be the sole judge of what we want to see and do. My email is [email protected] If your time permits could you respond by about 6/15? Thanks very much.

spiegelcjs

StanKase:
Our tour guide for Jerusalem was Yanniv Bar . His e-mail is [email protected].

He was great and just tell him that Carol and Ron and Allan and Yoletta recommended him.

We designed our own trip as we had all been to Israel before, but when we met with him he reworked some of it because we had just put to many things into each day.

Contact him and he will give you more information.

StanKase

spiegelcjs; I will make the contact and see what their availability is for 8 days in mid-Oct. as well as the per day rate. With the dollar dropping vs the shekel almost monthly I hope I can get a rate of $400USD/day. or ~$3200 for the 8 days for guide/driver/car/gas.