GoIsrael Community

I`m sure this question's been asked about a thousand times, but here goes.

My family would like to visit Israel this summer.  We`re five, with two adults and three kids (6-14).  We`d like to visit all the Christian sites, especially Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Cana, etc.

We`re not big on tour groups.  Ideally, we`d like to have a guide but don`t want a big production.  We don`t want an all-day babysitter.  Is it possible to just move from town to town and meet up with guides in various places?  Also, we`ve no idea about accomodations. 

 Recommendations, advise or suggestions about reputable tour companies who could arrange these things would be appreciated.

Hi

First of all, I suggest that you check the very comprehensive website of the Israel Ministry of Tourism at www.goisrael.com

There you'll find info about all the places you've mentioned, excluding Bethlehem, which is under Palestinian rule. To learn about visiting Bethlehem, check these post on our forum: http://community.goisrael.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=Bethlehem

as for tour guides, please see a list of licensed tour guides at: http://www.tourism.gov.il/Tourism_Eng/Tourist+Information/Planning+your+trip/TourGuideSearch.htm

You can negotiate with them the exact scope of guidance you need. it shouldn't be a problem.

For accommodations, look at: http://www.tourism.gov.il/Tourism_Eng/Items/Accommodations.htm

best regards and see you soon in israel

Ami 

Hi. Yup - this question is asked a lot. As you know there are numerous Christian-oriented tours that you can join - whether it be with an organization, church group, or a guaranteed departure tour here (where you come as your family and travel with one of many tours that offer a guaranteed weekly program and pick you up from your hotel as well as others from a number of other properties. The next option is to come as what is called an FIT (free independent tourist). It is quite possible to build your own trip and it doesn't have to be so cumbersome. There are numerous things you can do "on your own" where you don't really need a guide. The Israel Parks Authority, for instance, are extremely well market and can be a ton of fun for you and your kids. Depending on when you come (summer vs winter) many parks have waterfalls, or areas where you can wade through water. Its easy to rent a car here and the maps are good and the signs are in English - its really a matter of what you personally are comfortable with. As for the numerous Christian sites - some are easy to access and others are more difficult. I would not recommend meeting up with a guide from town to town. Rather, I would take a guide for say, one or two days in jerusalem, ( an excellent guide can really provide you with all sorts of insight and make the region come to life which enhances the trip for you and the kids). There are a number of places in J where you can easily do it yourself and others that you should most definitely hire the services of a guide. As long as you are okay with either the driving or taxiing it. AGain, its what you are comfortable. Most people take tours because they don't want to deal with the hassle of planning and getting from point a to point b. Other places where it makes sense to have a guide is Masada and certainly several holy sites in the Galilee that can be more difficult to access and are much more interesting when you have a guide bringing it to life (Capernaum, Katzrin, Mt. Tabor, Cana, and Nazareth). Bethlehem, as well you should see with a guide.  There are a number of Christian guesthouses that you can stay in that are reasonable as well as Israeli Zimmers (kind of bed and breakfast places as well as the kibbutzim) which all offer reasonable acccommodations. There is a company called travelujah (check out their blog) that specializes in christian guest houses and tours for those who want more of an off the beaten path christian experience. They have access to excellent tour guides that specialize in Christian holy sites.