Why hire a guide?
Many tourists planning a trip to Israel never think of hiring a guide. Actually there are certain advantages. So here are some good reasons for hiring a tour guide:
- A guide will work with you to create a tour customized to you and your interests.
- A guide can handle all the logistics (itinerary, accommodation, food, transportation) for you.
- A guide can take you to places that you would never even know about and point out things that you would never notice.
- A guide will explain and make sense of what you are looking at.
- Using a guide is the best use of your time, you’ll get to do and see more.
- A licensed guide is educated and trained to guide.
- A guide is experienced and up-to-date.
So on your next trip, think about hiring a guide, maybe for part of your trip or for a special site or subject that you are particularly interested in. Consult with your guide about recommendations for less expensive accommodations, interesting hotels, hostels or B&Bs, best deals on car rentals, cheap but good restaurants. Get together with friends or others at your hotel and together hire a private guide, it will turn out to be cheaper than a larger, fixed itinerary group tour. But don’t take my word for it, ask your friends or Google “Why hire a guide” to read other peoples’ views. I think you’ll be surprised.
Why hire this guide?
Here are some things that clients have said.
I guided an extended family of 8 (both sets of grandparents, parents and children, 11 and 13) for 5 days.
“A million thanks for being a great guide. Your high energy but mellow demeanor was perfect for our group and your deep historical knowledge kept it all interesting and in context for us.”
I guided a mother and her 16 year old son on their first trip to Israel.
“Thank you for helping to make our trip to Israel so memorable!
Without your vast grasp of the beautiful land of Israel and Jerusalem we would have been lost…
Thanks for your great service. Take care and good luck with your guiding.”
I guided a couple who were interested in archaeology and specifically Herod’s palace/fortress at Herodium.
“The tour of Herodium was awe-inspiring, largely because of Shmuel Browns, our guide. He is highly knowledgeable, and comes equipped with graphic documentation that fills the gaps of what one sees. He gave us a taste of the detective work of archaeologists. Further, Shmuel is very professional and a real “mensch”.”
I guided a couple who were visiting their daughter who is studying International Medicine here.
“We are back in the US with lots of wonderful memories from our time in Israel. We want to thank you for being our guide in Jerusalem. You well earned your fee and we are grateful… Know that your skills as a guide are recognized and deeply appreciated.
I guided a father and his 2 grown daughters around Herodium, visiting for a family bat mitzva.
“… my thoughts often drift back to that memorable afternoon with you and my kids at Herodium. I appreciate the time that you took and the knowledge that you shared.”
[...] Why [...]
By: What to see in Jerusalem « Israel Tour Guide on March 9, 2009
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