Small group tours in israel
 

I'm looking for a tourfor a first time trip to Israel. I would prefer a small group ten to twenty people . I don't if that exists . I can't find it searching the web . A private tour would probably too expensive but a large group does not sound appealing . I'm travelling with my husband . We are in our 50's . We could do a high end tiyr . Thank you

A high end (tiyr?) tour would likely cost about the same as a private tour with your own guide & car, staying in nice but smaller, more interesting lodgings. It's what I did some years ago, 4 of us with a guide about half of the time, the rest spent at 2 locations with time to wander. I found it an excellent way to see the country and much easier and more satisfying than a larger group would have been.

If seeking 'group' tours, check out:

In NYC - Isram, believe located on 3rd Ave unless they've moved. Have small groups and different level of hotels.

In Phila burg - Gate 1, also small groups.

Hope this helps

Thank you . I now have been talking to a private guide who also said we won't need him every day. Which places did you do on your own , where was the guide especially helpful ? Also my husband does not want to rent a car. Did your guide drive you from place to place . What was your itinerary?

Also , forgot to ask what interesting lodgings did you stay in?

Yes, the guide drove us. She picked us up at Vered Hagalil, where we'd spent about a week touring the area on horseback and by car with the owners. Drove us to Masada, visited an Arabian horse farm and took us to Bethlehem where she got us past the line into the grotto, very useful. Then to Jerusalem where she left us, for the most part, then took us to Jaffa before our flight from Tel Aviv.

I loved Vered Hagalil, north shore of Galilee. Then just a big hotel, Hilton if I recall, in Jerusalem. When I mentioned "interesting" I was also thinking of a church accommodation I investigated near the Jaffa Gate. Not for everyone but I loved the place and had I gone back, would have wanted to stay there. But I'm sure there are loads of small accommodations of all descriptions that I'd have liked more than the Hilton. It was fine but not intimate.

If you are not going to rent a car then you definitely would need the driving guide for the Galilee area. This area is very difficult to get around by public transportation. If you look on Trip Advisor there are loads of recommended guides as well as a thread that tells you how to interview and find the guide that fits you best. BTW a guide will frequently offer suggestions for the day you are not together. If you are on your own most days, a guide may charge for this service but if you are with the guide most of the time, most will provide this service for free. Note: I am talking about them actually putting together a detailed itinerary for you--not just offering a few idea.

Overseas Adventure Travel has 10-16 max travelers for their tour of Israel with optional Jordan add on. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and the tour was great.

Commercial group tours tend to be an easy way for an overview of an area, but less good for those of us not amenable to traveling on others' schedule and/or have particular interests. I'm not suggesting they're a bad idea but I do suggest that they aren't for everyone and costs can be similar to independent travel. I've been on 1 tour, my first trip to N. Africa, and realized immediately I could easily have done it myself. For those who prefer not to make their own arrangements and are willing to accept the possible down sides of group travel, it can be convenient.