Hi all!

Now that Africa is all planned for 2008 ( thanks Julian!) I'm already on to the next trip which we are planning on being Egypt and Israel for 2009.

Here is what we are thinking and hope you can all have some good input

1. We would prefer to travel privately with guides and services all the way through. However, we are not totally opposed to a traveling with a small tour group, but its got to be 15 or less people and very upscale.

2. We are upscale luxury travelers. We are thinking we can spend $15,000 to $20,000 total for the trip for both locations combined not counting international airfare.

3. We are thinking about a few accommodation choices:

Jerusalem: King David or American Colony
Luxor Cruise: Oberoi Zahara
Cairo: Four Seasons at First Residence

Have not explored the rest, but know that we'd want 5 star all the way

4. We are thinking about 10-11 nights in each

Egypt: Cairo
Luxor
Aswan
Abu Simbel

Israel:
Jerusalem
Tel Aviv
Eliat
perhaps Haifa

5. We must have very knowledgeable guides, preferably historians and scholars not just someone who is a local( even though I am sure they know what they are talking about), but our preference is a high level of education.

6. My husband wants to be there for his birthday in 2009, during July. I know, you think its crazy, but we can withstand high temps. But if any of you think we are just right out of our minds especially for Egypt to be there mid July, please put your 2 cents in.

7. My husband also thinks we can do less than 10 days in Egypt and he is interested more in spending time in Israel. If any of you were to cut down on your time in Egypt, what would you do? I, on the other hand have had a very close friend just return from Egypt ( 3 weeks on a super luxury tour that is actually not open to the public, as it was a privately set up from a University) and I'd like to see some semblance of what she saw. My husband just wants to see the pyramids and basically leave; but he does admit he has not studied Egypt yet ( he is reading up on Africa as we depart for there in a few short months and I am always WAY ahead of him)and so he'll be flexible.

However, some posts I have perused, have suggested that posters here are glad they saw Egypt, but wish not to return. But LOVED Israel and would return in a heartbeat. I am Jewish so of course I also do want to spend a good enough of time here.

8. We want unique experinces and want to go with a company that can provide some "normally closed to the public" experiences. We usually travel this way and enjoy it very much. We don't mind paying the premium for this.

9. Any ideas out of the zillion companies/ travel agents that are around, who might come closest to our needs?

I checked into National Geographics Private Journey to Egypt (
private tour) . The trip is for 10 days. 2009 prices are not noted yet. Here is the link: thoughts? They do not have one for Israel. I don't mind dealing with two separate companies/agents for this trip, but it would be nice to find someone who can handle both.

Here is the link, once there, click on Egypt. note: I know I said I wanted the Oberoi, they use the Sun IV.

http://www.nationalgeographicexpedit...+Journeys.html

10. And now just to throw another wrench into it; if July is just brutally and unbearably hot in Egypt, then we might consider Turkey/Israel with 5 nights in Istanbul ( Four Seasons or Kempinski) , 3 nights Cappadocia and 3 nights Bodrum. DH thinks perhaps if even Egypt is brutal, we still go but shorten the time there and fit in Turkey anyway.

Anyway.. lots of info, hope you can help

Thanks a mil....

ttt

anyone please???

Contact an Israel specialist, as Isram (located in NYC), who also does trips to Egypt and Turkey.

Their trips are mostly groups, but they do individual itineraries; just tell them what you want and they should be able to design as you wish, where, hotels, Nile Cruise (I'd go for the Oberoi Zahara - all suites... their new boat), # of days, guides, etc.

Egypt is terribly hot in July, but so too will be Turkey and Israel.

Thanks sandi,

Can they accommodate upscale travelers?

Do you have a website address?

If you are specific with the accommodations you wish, cruise boat, etc, they should.

Try: www.isram.com or www.isramtours.com

or do a Google search. They're located in NYC on 3rd Avenue.

tripgirl - see my post - link here

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35105688

Suggest you do it yourself with Ahmed......

Oops - should qualify that post - we booked Egypt/Jordan with Ahmed but I assume he could do Egypt/Israel as well......

elizabeth,

Thanks

are you confident he can put together something very upscale and special. We are used to traveling this way and anything less would be a compromise.

If so, would it be alright to e mail you? Just let me know.

Hi tripgirl - at least as far as Egypt and Jordan goes - yes I'm confident - don't know about Israel though.

For example - the guide Ahmed arranged for us in Jordan had previously guided Laura Bush and Pope John Paul.....he appears to be the go-to guide for VIPs.....

Feel free to email me.

great, what is your e mail address?

Sorry - here it is

eseibertca AT yahoo DOT ca

tripgirl:
Let me respond to Israel. We are leaving for there on May 2 to be there for Israel's 60th anniversary. We have been there before, and therefore have put our own agenda together. We are going with my brother and sister - law who have also been several times. If you e-mail me at [email protected] and title the e-mail Israel Iteniary, I will send it to you.

If you want to go to places normally not included on tours you might contact the Jewish Federation where you live. They sponsor many different kinds of trips.

Regarding Hotels in Israel I would suggest the Inbal or the Citadel. We have stayed at the King David and although lavish and wonderful the rooms have become slightly tired I am told. Do try to have one Shabbat dinner there, however. We tried to get into these two for our trip but because there are so many tours going when we are they were fully booked.

I do not know where you are located but we used a travel agent in New York that specializes in Israel travel even though we are from LA.I do not know about Egypt.

Regarding temperature, anywhere you go in that area during the summer will be hot. We were in Turkey in July/August a few years ago and when we were there the heat was brutal. I thought I would pass out in Ephesus with heat well over 100 degrees.

In Israel, you can choose a tour guide that is certified by the Ministry of Tourism. To be certified, a potential guide must pass a rigorous 18 month training program. Google "Israel tour guides" and there will be several sites that list certified guides with their specialties, e.g. history, nature etc., and other useful info. All will tailor a trip to your interests.

Dear tripgirl,

We are like you preferring private guides and top luxury travelers. We are also Jewish and we are doing Egypt/Jordan this November. I have contacted A&K and Big Five tours but then also heard from this site about Ahmed Yousif who sounds wonderful. We would also love to do Israel so if you get any info on who to use that would be top notch but also very safe please let me know. My e-mail is [email protected]
Thanks

Tripgirl,
we are going to israel in October. We are using a TA recommended to us named Steve Jacoby 800-247-7235. We also travel upscale. I believe he can help you. Good luck

We are all set for Israel

We are using a TA named Susan Weissberg, she is so far fantastic

We'l let you know how it all pans out

I was in Israel over the summer and had a wonderful guide who very well informed. She also helped us make hotel bookings. I can highly recommend contacting her. Her name is Gila and her email is: [email protected]

First of all, thank you for the excellent posting on South Africa. I'm leaving for Singita and Capetown towards the end of August and will be visiting many of the restaurants and sites you recommended. I'll be carrying your detailed list of wines.

With regards to visiting Egypt in July, I don't recommend it. Our first visit in 2004 was at the beginning of November, and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings was still very warm, high 90's. We went back in January of 2008 and spent 2 weeks in Cairo, Luxor and cruising the Nile. Magical! The weather was perfect in Luxor, high 60's to low 70's. Our travel agent, Richard Kaufman of Specialty Cruises (richard @specialtycruise.com), booked our itinerary with Egypt Express, a company he has used for many years. The service was outstanding - an Egyptian Express representative at each city, private cars, private guides, tours, etc. All our lodgings were 5 stars - in Cairo we stayed at the Four Seasons The First Residence. Beautiful, huge rooms with a view of the zoo and the piramids. We flew to Luxor and boarded the Sonesta Star Goddess for a 5 day cruise (Luxor to Aswan). The french singer Charles Aznavour was on board and the cruise company arranged for a concert at the Luxor Temple. When the cruise ended, we checked into the Aswan the Old Cataract Hotel. Absolutely lovely hotel. Our room was beautiful, with french windows that opened up to a view of the river. They were closing down for renovations. If they are already open, I would definately recommend staying there. Our guides were all superb, particularly Karina in Cairo. If you are interested, I can get her telephone number and/or email address for you. My mother, who was traveling with me, has problems walking, so at Abu Simbel our Egyptian Express representative was able to get permission to take our car up to the entrance of the temple. All the other tourist who were there with a group were asking how we were able to get the car to the entrance of the temple when they had to walk such a long distance! We traveled from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Abu Simbel via Egypt Air. The planes are brand new and the crew very nice. All in all, a magnificent trip.

With regards to Israel, did it on a cruise. Can't help you with hotels, etc., but is a wonderful country.

Tripgirl, hope you enjoy Egypt as much as we did.

Thanks all

We are all set we are using Ahmed Yousif for Egypt and Jordan and we are all set for Israel.
Yes, we are going in June/July : that is all set. We know about the heat and do not care. We are going for a significant birthday celebration for DH.

Thanks for all your suggestions, but we are all set now and do not need any further recommendations for guides etc.

Feel free though to share any experiences you have had in Egypt, Israel and Jordan.