Private driver for Israel touring?
Feb 6, 2013, 2:40 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
On the positives: Location is good and staff friendly.
Still over-priced, IMHO.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:25 am
#18
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
FWIW, we did hire the driver/tour guide that thepla recommended for next week. Reasonable rates, and so far great communication.
In terms of hotels we booked the Inbal Jerusalem, Emily's Hotel in Tiberias and the Sheraton in Tel Aviv (plats for life, so that was a no-brainer, especially with my wife's corporate rate).
Thanks to all for the advice and help. Very much looking forward to the trip!
In terms of hotels we booked the Inbal Jerusalem, Emily's Hotel in Tiberias and the Sheraton in Tel Aviv (plats for life, so that was a no-brainer, especially with my wife's corporate rate).
Thanks to all for the advice and help. Very much looking forward to the trip!
Feb 17, 2013, 9:58 am
#19
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
Can't say enough about how wonderful the driver that thepla suggested was.
He was a great driver with a nice-size minivan, but more importantly his breadth and depth of knowledge about everything from agriculture to politics (and everything in between) and ability to convey it in an interesting way made spending a couple of days with him delightful.
And all for under $500US per day!
If anyone wants his contact information, I am happy to provide it via PM along with my strongest positive recommendation.
He was a great driver with a nice-size minivan, but more importantly his breadth and depth of knowledge about everything from agriculture to politics (and everything in between) and ability to convey it in an interesting way made spending a couple of days with him delightful.
And all for under $500US per day!
If anyone wants his contact information, I am happy to provide it via PM along with my strongest positive recommendation.
Feb 21, 2013, 2:00 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
Glad you had a great experience. Just don't forget--since you mentioned his knowledge of politics. There is no way to talk politics in this country without doing it from your political point of view. Now the guide may agree with my "correct" view or he may not (note: I am NOT sharing my POV) Just be aware--his comments came from someplace!
Feb 21, 2013, 7:06 am
#21
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
Glad you had a great experience. Just don't forget--since you mentioned his knowledge of politics. There is no way to talk politics in this country without doing it from your political point of view. Now the guide may agree with my "correct" view or he may not (note: I am NOT sharing my POV) Just be aware--his comments came from someplace!
It's complicated.
Feb 24, 2013, 2:07 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
You can neither drive a Jordanian car in Israel ( or an Israeli car in Jordan) nor use a Jordanian guide in Israel. So, getting into a vehicle in Jordan and staying with that vehicle and that driver in Israel is impossible.
What you can do, is make arrangements for an Israeli driving guide to meet you at the border. You would then have your tour with this individual.
Feb 18, 2017, 1:19 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Feb 18, 2017, 6:39 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Welcome to FT!
A few years ago, we used Richard Woolf. He was pretty expensive, but we felt that we had a good (and safe) tour. He is former Israeli Army.
http://www.safed.co.il/woolfguide.html
A few years ago, we used Richard Woolf. He was pretty expensive, but we felt that we had a good (and safe) tour. He is former Israeli Army.
http://www.safed.co.il/woolfguide.html
Feb 20, 2017, 12:53 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Programs: UA Gold 1mm, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 662
Just today finished a five day private tour with Moti Barness owner and operator of www.privateguidetoisrael.com . You can read his reviews on Trip Advisor. Wife and I were very impressed and 100% satisfied. If you have further questions feel free to PM me.