Full-Day Trip of Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Good tour! Saw some historical sites. It was quite busy in some places and therefore couldn’t always hear the guide explain the stories or meaning of spaces we visited.

I paid more for a smaller group but they ended up putting me in a larger group. The group included Italians where only one spoke english and translated during the guides explanation. The guide was not as informed as I would have liked not able to answer my questions and felt she took the lazy way through the tour. I am 46 and was 10yrs younger than the youngest so they were a bit slower which is fine, but the guide hounded on me to stay close which I then wasn't able to explore areas further and rushed through. Finally, they took us to a shop that they designated and felt it was pushed upon us to buy something. I would have liked to but was rushed due to time and should have gone after seeing the sights in Bethlehem.

Seeing Jerusalem and Bethlahem, the most important places in our Isreal visit, was made so much more due to Riki, our guide that day. She made the tour such a real experience, with her knowledge, experiences, and diplomatic no-nonsense personality. The tour went smoothly, despite the crowds. A great day, incredible experience in an incredible country. Thank you Riki. Thank you Viator.

<p>Initially we had booked a tour with 52 people and then asked to switch to a smaller tour. We were told the tour would be a total of 8 People. It turned out to be more like 16. In addition, the tour was comprised of 13 English speaking members and 3 Russians. Eli, our tour guide, said he would spend equal time in both languages. However, many of us on the tour felt that he was communicating more in Russian than in English. Something that was discussed in English would take 3 times longer in Russian. The same happened with the guide we had in Bethlehem. Group members complained among themselves about too time being spent in Russian and less in English. In addition, we were the first to be picked up at our hotel in Jaffa and the last to be dropped off even though the bus traveled a few streets past our hotel to drop all the guests staying south of us first. The tour was advertised as taking 10 hours, it was 11.5 with a good hour dropping off other participants first. Choose a different tour company that does what they say they will.</p>

<p>This was the first day tour of our very first visit to Israel, and it was a great way to start our vacation. Our tour guide Ron was very friendly and informative and maintained a great balance of keeping the pace going through the day, but still allowing the group members they needed to enjoy each of the sites we visited. Ron also went beyond the call of duty by personally returning my cell phone with all of that day's photos to me after I had inadvertently left it behind on the bus after the end of the tour. Our tour guide for the Bethlehem portion of the tour, George, was also very knowledgable and friendly and made our visit to the Church of the Nativity very nice. We would definitely use this agency again, and would look forward to working with both of the tour guides on another excursion.</p>

<p>The original idea of the tour is very good, however there were a number of shortcomings. First, the organisation of the pick-up in Tel Aviv. We had to change twice buses because groups were joined and divided again and again and so we lost almost three hours for the 70 km between Tel Aviv. Secondly, the information provided was very repetitive and much more could have been explored in the available time if the guide had been a bit more structured. Thirdly, and that was the worst, we lost more than one hour in shops of the relevant touristic authority which was unnecessary, not part of the programme and should have been skipped. Also the restaurant chosen for lunch was the worst touristic place without any local flavour. We decided to search a place on our own which was much better and provided a local flair. All in all, the tour could have been much better and much more could have been shown.</p>

<p>Pickup was on time. Overall great. It would be nice to include in the itinerary, a visit to the dome of the rock and al-Aqsa mosque since we were in the area closed due to Ramadan . Also would be great if we can spend a little time to buy stuff from the vendors at the Quarters in Jerusalem.</p>

<p>Good tour but guide wanted us to supply all the answers to questions. Could have made it more pleasurable by informing us and giving us more facts</p>

<p>Great tour for a frist impression. Guide Elias was well read and prepared, pit stop on the way to Jersusalem is not necessary only 1 h drive.</p>