Touring Israel with a tour guide

"Israel was not created in order to disappear - Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom" John F. Kennedy. Last week, I stumbled upon a review on TripAdvisor that had me grinning from ear to ear. They called me "...one part Indiana Jones, equal measure Mary Poppins..." Now, I never thought I'd be compared to the adventurous archaeologist and the magical nanny, but hey, I'll take it! When you tour with me in Israel, I promise you the full WOW factor experience. I'm not kidding; I take my tour guide duties seriously, and I'm always prepared for anything and everything. Forget about dehydration or starvation on my watch - I've got your back! When the sun's blazing, fear not, my friends! I've got not one but a couple of UV sun umbrellas that'll make you feel lik

Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) are small, furry mammals with a robust body, no tail, short legs & small ears.  Also called rock badger, rock rabbit, Cape hyrax, coney & dassie, it is, surprisingly, related to the elephant, manatee & aardvark, as all are descended from the tethytheria. They are mentioned in Leviticus 11:5, Deuteronomy 14:7, Psalm 104:18 & Proverbs 30:26. They eat plants,insects & worms, & have been sighted in Rosh Hanikra, Ein Gedi, Mount Hermon, the Galilee, the Carmel, the Judean Desert, the Negev, Samaria & Zichron Ya'akov! (My home town).  They look cute, but can transmit rabies & parasites; they have a nasty bite! #israeltourguide   #israeladventures   #tourguideisrael #imagineisraeltours   #simonostertourguide   #israeltrip #israeltourism   #onlyinisrael #visitisrael   #holylandtour   #holylandexperience   #israeltravel #touringisrael   #travelisrael   photo: Andrea Abbott  

Travel enriches our lives in ways money can't. Exploring new places & cultures creates lasting memories; broadens perspective, knowledge & personal growth #israeltourguide #simonostertourguide #israeltrip #visitisrael #holylandtour #imagineisraeltours #touringisrael #israeltravel

Last Thursday was a fabulous night guiding a tour bus of fabulous people - friends old & new - from my special hometown of Zichron Ya'akov. Our destination was Beit She'an, (Hebrew: בֵּית שְׁאָן ) a town in the Northern District of Israel situated about 120 m (394 feet) below sea level. It is an ancient Roman city known for its strategic significance & prosperous history. It was originally an Egyptian administrative centre & later became part of the Decapolis league. Under Roman rule, it thrived as a major trading hub & cultural centre. The city boasted impressive structures, including theatres, bathhouses & temples. One of the largest known Roman amphitheatres was also found here. Unfortunately, in 749 CE, an earthquake devastated the city, leaving it in ruins. Today, Beit Shean stands as an archaeological site, providing valuable insights into Roman urban planning & ancient civilization. We drove through the Jezreel Valley past the city of Megiddo, whi

"Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets" - Oscar Wilde. Embrace new experiences & opportunities without allowing fear or hesitation to hold you back. Live life to the full, take risks & pursue your passions without making excuses or succumbing to regret. Seize the chance to explore the world & immerse yourself in different cultures, in pursuit of meaningful experiences. Develop a mindset of adventure, open-mindedness, & a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. #israeltrip #tourguideisrael #israeladventures #visitisrael #holylandtour #holylandexperience #tourtheholyland #onlyinisrael #israeltourism #holylandexperience #simonostertourguide #imagineisraeltours #israeltourguide #israeltravel #touringisrael #travelisrael

Simon says: Welcome to a virtual tour of northern Israel, where unforgettable experiences await! My day began in Tel Aviv, where I had the pleasure of picking up two adventurous couples from the USA and Canada, ready to explore together. Our first stop took us to the breathtaking city of Haifa. We immersed ourselves in the beauty of the Bahá'í Gardens, marveling at the meticulously landscaped terraces that led us to the captivating Golden Mausoleum. Picture-perfect moments were captured as we soaked in the serene atmosphere. Hungry for more, we ventured to Alto Dairy, a charming goat farm nestled in the Western Galilee, near Akko. There, we indulged in a mouthwatering kosher lunch, savoring delectable dishes crafted with passion and farm-fresh ingredients. Energized and excited, we continued our journey to the enchanting village of Peki'in. With its winding cobbled lanes perched atop a hill, it felt like stepping into a fairytale. The village embraced us with its diverse