Thank you for your role in what proved to be a fantastic “best ever” family trip to Israel.
All too often, the anticipation of a trip like this exceeds the reality, but not this time. Nasty weather notwithstanding, it was a truly memorable trip for all of us. The itinerary was excellent, your choice of hotels was perfect, and the logistics were handled professionally and flawlessly. I would be remiss, however, if I did not single out our guide, “JaJa”, as adding a completely separate, and wonderful, dimension to the trip. He was knowledgeable, insightful, engaged, but also warm and welcoming. Honestly, he was one of those people you just never forget, and for all the best reasons. He truly made us feel as if he enjoyed his time with us as much as we enjoyed our time with him. So thank you for your excellent planning, meticulous execution, and most of all for JaJa. We are still talking about the trip, and I suspect we will be for some time to come.
Thank you for your role in what proved to be a fantastic “best ever” family trip to Israel. We just returned from our amazing first trip to Israel. I first spoke to Susan about a year and half in advance of our trip. I was very specific about what I wanted for my 3 young kids, ages 13, 11 and 11. I did not want a traditional trip. I wanted more of a hands on/adventure sort of a trip. I did not want my kids to be bored by museums, lectures, etc.
I got exactly what I wanted! Susan planned an unbelievable itinerary for us that included many activities that my children loved. We traveled all over the country and went from digging, farming, donkey riding, shooting, jeep riding, hiking, swimming in the dead sea and camel riding. I also did a little of my own research, and Susan was very helpful in that regard as well. During the planning stages, when I wanted to add something, Susan tweaked our itinerary without taking something important away. Leading us from activity to activity was our amazing guide, who Susan recommended. He was incredible! At least 3 times a day, people would greet him and then tell us we have the best tour guide. They were right! Besides being incredibly knowledgeable, he kept us laughing the whole trip. He shared with us his interesting life, and his wisdom. Our kids all want to return to Israel. That says it all! From the moment I contacted you, approximately 11 months before our trip, you were right there, available always, connecting back immediately, answering every question and concern.
From the delivery of our final travel documents and itinerary in a beautifully wrapped package, to adding things at the last moment, to all of the ironies of being in the right place at exactly the right time (like getting to see an IDF class graduate at the tank museum- unbelievably moving and special) - it is as though you waved a MAGIC WAND! Beginning with the VIP service arriving at the airport and being ushered past all lines quickly and efficiently the MAGIC began. In natural progression the trip took shape; we were first in Jerusalem, taking several trips from there before moving to the Galilee, and then on to Tel Aviv. Every day was a full adventure that told us a piece of the story and kept us intrigued, taught us what we didn't learn in school and fed our souls. As for our guide, Lior, you certainly have an EXCELLENT EXTENSION OF YOURSELF in Israel. I am by nature a type A manager in charge all the time of everything. While in Israel, I was able to fully relax not concerning myself with time, directions, decisions, confirming things, or looking up last minute anything. Lior thought ahead every step of the way and figured out anything and everything necessary - and believe me, traveling with kids in a place so different and far from home - we put him to the test, but we felt safe always because he was like being with family. Among the highlights of our visit were visiting Bethlehem on Christmas day where the energy of the city was alive - people were dancing in the square - and my children were really wowed that we were there on Jesus' birthday. During the archaeological dig and excavated cave visit which you arranged for us, my husband found the remnants of a pot that we were able to piece together dating back 2000 years!! After the Twinning Program at Yad Vashem which you set up for our family, I believe that my son walks a little taller knowing that he now has someone else for whom he is living. Having the Bar Mitzvah at Masada was just the perfect spot. At the Machane Yehuda Market BITES Tasting which you planned for us in Jerusalem, I had one of my most memorable experiences; I love markets live, living, breathing markets and the sounds, the people, the smells -- this place is somewhere that I left a piece of my heart. There will definitely be another visit for us down the road, and we look forward to working with you again. Thank you for doing what you do, I certainly COULD NOT have planned it better myself! |
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