We have now returned from our last two Insight tours for this year. Firstly Israel. We visited some amazing places. We would sugest doing the optional extra to Bethlehem, a definate highlight as the local guide was both caring and a Christian. The Jerusalem night extra tour was nothing special. We feel Insight let us down in Israel. There was no Insight rep waiting at the airport for us as usual. The airport staff were very helpful but could do nothing and an hour later, as we were making our way to find a taxi I spotted a guy talking on his phone and holding a piece of paper. I had to take it out of his hands to look and sure enough it had our names on it. Our tour guide was very unhelpful. Our group included a man of nearly 80 and a lady on a walking stick and he kept leaving us behind, even though my husband had pointed out the problem. There was no aparent co operation between the driver and the guide, not the usual happy Insight atmosphere. We purchased cheaply a small book, Ín the footsteps of Jesus Christ' which gave us information about the sites we were going to. The guides information was not helpful.
Jordan, on the other hand, was a wonderful experience. Back to the great Insight service. Met at the airport by a very helpful rep and assisted getting through customs. We had purchased our visa at home, but there was no problem getting one at the airport. Another rep was waiting at the hotel to make sure we arrived and were looked after. Our tour director was very helpful, as is the norm for Insight. The hotel in Amman is great,the one in Petra is all about location! Petra was amazing, although a lot of walking. We caught a little horse and cart back up most of the hill. There were plenty of donkeys and horses to ride up if you wanted to. We were taken to the airport on the last day and had our baggage checked in for us. Can highly recommend Jordan and would also recommend Israel, if only for the sites visited.

Welcome home

What a disappointment for you for Israel.What was the food like and the hotels. Apart from your guide did you enjoy what you saw?

Tupps

Hi Tupps,

The hotels and the food were all good. The hotel in Tel Aviv was especially nice and a great location. We arrived a day before the tour started and it is just a short walk from the hotel to a most amazing beach. One night was in a Kibbutz near the sea of Gallilee, another great experience. We had an afternoon at the Dead Sea and you could swim, very theraputic! We always enjoy the experience of different countries from our own and to be in the land where Jesus lived, moved us very much.

Joy

Joy are you going to write a tour tale on Israel would love to hear about your experiences. Like how everything went going through Immigration coming into Israel also the Kibbutz if I remember it was a working farm many years ago.
Also the time you went to Masada did you find that interesting and the cable car. Did you do all the optionals and how did you change your money. Did you buy anything over there and did you have to bargin. I shall stop there.

No body has come back and told us about the tour all I hear that people are worried they wont be safe, and I dont have that issue.

Thanks in advanced.

Tupps

Hi Tupps,
We had no problems with immigration. As the company rep wasn't there to meet us when we arrived we were pleased all went smoothly. Actually much easier and quicker than other countries. Leaving again was no problem, they scan your baggage before you check in, and although a little slow, no problems either.

We bought some Israeli money in Australia before we left home and the hotel changed our Euros for us. Not sure about Aussie dollars. We don't take them overseas, only Euros. We have had a problem with changers in the past, being unsure about Aussie dollars.We didn't make a lot of purchases in Israel, only little bits and pieces, but in the markets you can bargain.

There are only two optionals. Jerusalem by night and Bethlehem, and we did them both, although would only recommend Bethlehem.

Masada was very interesting. Thank heavens for the cable car. You can walk up to the top of the mountain, but it is a long way and takes too much time.

I know the Kibbutz used to be a working farm, but it seems to us to be a long way from that now. It had a central two storey building with some rooms and restaurant. Our huts/cabins were scattered around outside under the trees, on very large grounds. Probably to us the most interesting thing about being there was that it is by the sea of Gallilee, where they took us out on a boat for a very intertaining morning.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. We are not sure what things preople want to know, but are only too willing to tell our experiences.

We didn't have an issue with safety either. We are sure Insight wouldn't take a tour into an unsafe area. We have always had comments about safety no matter where we are travelling to, be it China, Egypt or even Europe!

Happy travelling
John & Joy

Joy what airline did you use to come into Tel Aviv. What was the weather like, did you have buy water. The Shabbat dinner was it a traditional Jewish affair or just an ordinary meal served up at the hotel and being Friday everything would be closed or difficult to get to? Are you going to post any photos?

Tupps

Hi Tupps, We travelled to Tel Aviv from Malta therefore we went first to Rome and then by Eurofly flight GJ 5520 to Tel Aviv. The weather was warm and pleasant and yes we did buy water. The bus driver sold it to us.
The Sabbat dinner was traditional at the hotel we were staying in. The men were supplied with kiffers and the tour guide, who was Jewish, said a Jewish grace. There were lots of Jewish families in the dining room celebrating Sabbat. Most things are closed on Fridays, but we only travelled with the insight bus, so don't know about public tranport. I took lots of photos, came home with 7,500 after 2 months away! Will have another look at putting some on but last time I looked I couldn't work it out. Let me know if you want to see anything in particular. I also have some posted on my facebook you could have a look at.

Joy Face book would be good, how would I find you? This tour is looking good for us, thought we might do Turkey before the tour, it will depend who we fly with.

Tupps

Thank you Joy

Tupps

Hello John and Joy, have just read your comments with interest. I am assuming you combined 2 separate tours for Israel and Jordan. We are considering doing Land of the Prophets in 2010. I am a bit disappointed that your tour director wasn't more knowledgeable and helpful. We have travelled with Insight before and loved it, and are tossing up what sort of tour to do as far as Israel goes. Would you go with Insight again to Israel with hindsight? We are interested in seeing Egypt also, so thought this combined tour could suit. Grateful for your comments.