Barbara Neistat

I have visited Israel many times and each time I go, I see it in a new way. I have explored the country as an independent traveler, on a group tour, and as part of a mission. Because there is so much to see, and so much history, the one thing that I advise everyone, especially those visiting for the first time, is to hire a private guide.  

Guides offer an insider’s view of the country and can arrange access you cannot easily get on your own. For example, I had a client who was exploring on her own for a few days before joining a group tour; she wanted to see the Palmach Museum, an experiential museum dedicated to the Palmach warriors who helped establish the state of Israel. Reservations are required and hard to get but her private guide was able to arrange her visit, and also get her into the intriguing Ayalon Institute, a former secret munitions factory on a kibbutz that has been converted to a museum, on the same day.  

A guide also maximizes what you can accomplish and will narrate as you go, so are learning about what you see. Plus, with a private guide, you can often see swoop in and see a site in ten minutes that a group tour would bypass or require an hour to get through.  

The route from Tel Aviv to the Galilee, for example, has many attractions along the way. You might want to stop in Akko (Acre), one of the oldest ports in the world, whose history and museums tell the story of Crusader and Ottomans times, or try an adventure such as river rafting or jeep tour. Your guide may also suggest you see Safad, the highest city in Galilee; it is an important religious town with amazing art and craft work and one of the best places to buy souvenirs in Israel. 

Another wonderful experience is staying at a kibbutz. Many of these cooperative communities run hotels. The hotels are set up like traditional accommodations, but because they are run by members of the kibbutz, there is a very different feeling. The food is usually excellent because many of the ingredients may come from the kibbutz and its surroundings.  

I have arranged Bar/Bat Mitzvah trips where the ceremony is held at the Western Wall or at Masada, as well as Christian heritage tours whose highlights can include a baptism in the Jordan River, a visit to the site where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, and a guided walk retracing the path Jesus took on the way to his Crucifixion. 

Jerusalem is a must-see for everyone. My favorite hotel, for those who can afford it, is the five-star King David Jerusalem. This 1929 landmark hotel has hosted world leaders and celebrities and offers stunning views of the Old City. The David Citadel Jerusalem, which is at the edge of the Old City, is another great choice.    

If Israel is on your bucket list, I hope you will let me put my experience and contacts to work to create the trip of your dreams.