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Missions and Delegations to Israel

I had a fantastic week in Israel thanks to WeRIsrael and I’m coming back for sure!

For a long time, I wanted to arrive to Israel and finally I got the chance to do it. We spent here 10 days that left us with beautiful memories!

Cao Chufeng

We came to Israel to shoot a film. A big thanks to WeRIsrael and their tour leader, for being such a great team, for taking care of us, and show us around all the important places that we couldn't explore without them.

It's my 6th time in Israel, and I love this country so much, and for many years I have a dream having a convention in Israel, and I'm really glad we chose WeRIsrael to run our convention!

Dome of the Rock:

This structure dominates the old city. It is the shrine for Islam’s third most holy site. It covers a black stone in the mountain where Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven. It was the first dome shrine to be built and is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. It’s made of wood with marble slabs inside and covered with Persian tiles on the outside.

Known in the bible as Sea of the Arabah or Salt Sea, it gets its name from the high mineral content preventing anything from living in it. The lowest point of dry land on earth is the shoreline of the Dead Sea. Nearly 7 million tons of water evaporate from it every day, but the minerals remain.

Dead Sea Scrolls:

The first seven of many Dead Sea Scrolls were found by 3 brothers while gathering their goats high in the mountains. The brothers were not aware of what they found and sold the scripts. Years later, all scripts made their way to one location where the full content was finally revealed. See the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum to view the scrolls on display.

This is the birth place of Jesus. Christians all over the world consider this a holy site, but it is also significant to Jews because it is the burial place of the matriarch Rachel and birth place of King David. Manger Square is the main focus during Christmas celebrations three times a year.

Destination Must-Do's

Explore Jerusalem:

This historic location plays a major part in the 3 monotheistic religions. The heart of Jerusalem is in the Old City. This section is surrounded by a wall divided into 4 quarters: Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. Inside are important holy sites of the 3 major religions. Jerusalem also has a New City as well that still captures the original charm of the city.

Sea of Galilee:

This is a mountainous region in Israel’s north that is divided into two parts. It is densely populated and has the largest variety of ethnic communities in Israel. Its natural beauty and landscapes make it a main tourist destination. However, it is also popular for its national antiquities parks, farming communities, nature reserves, Jewish holy sites, Christian holy sites, and the Jordan River. One of the best ways to experience Galilee is to take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Visit the Western Wall:

Located in Jerusalem's Old City, the Western Wall is one of the holiest Jewish sites in Israel. Also known as the Wailing Wall or the Kotel, this sacred place is visited by millions of pilgrims each year so that they may pray and reflect. It is the only intact remnants of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and dates back to 2nd century BCE.

Enjoy Tel Aviv:

Tel Aviv is Israel’s economic and cultural center and it’s referred to as the “city that never stops.” It is the country’s first modern Jewish city in Israel, but it still holds quite a bit of history. Visitors can find several important Christian sites there, but it’s also teeming with restaurants, shops, old courtyards, fishing ports and night clubs that attract tourists from all over.

Expert Advice

As you prepare to explore Israel, enjoy a casual dress style and be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. Please dress conservatively when visiting holy sites throughout the country; shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted when visiting churches and other religious sites.

You’re in for a treat as you explore the many delicious flavors of Israel. Israeli food is based off Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine. Common ingredients include lentils, nuts, raw vegetables, lamb and beef. Common beverages include mint tea, mint lemonade, egg cream and fruit shakes. Coffee lovers will enjoy Israel's Turkish style cup of java with its sweet notes of cardamom and caramel.

In Israel, religious items make popular souvenirs; these are not too hard to find in the "Holy Land." Many travelers love to collect beautiful glass-made products, ceramics and silver in Israel. Olive wood carvings are extremely popular here. For those who love beautiful jewels and jewelry, Israel is one of the world's leading diamond manufacturing and trading centers.

Featured Tours to Israel

Iconic Israel

Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Israel: A Journey of Faith

Jordan & Israel: Cultural Crossroads

Brochures that Feature Our Israel Tours

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Whether your visit to Israel stems from the desire to connect with the country's Jewish past or motivated by religious feelings towards the Holy Land, G.U.Y. Tours will help you design the perfect trip.

Since 1975, G.U.Y. Tours has been an industry leader in guiding and handling tours for individuals, business travelers, families, special interest groups, and cruise ship passengers. All of our guides are highly trained, multilingual, and government licensed with many years of experience in guiding tourists. We maintain a fleet of comfortable and brand-new vehicles ready to show you all the beauty that Israel has to offer. read more >

Join us every Saturday to the holy city of Jerusalem, renowned the world over for it's beauty. From there we will travel through stunning desert scenery to the Dead Sea where you can experience floating on water at the lowest point on earth.

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We provide airport VIP pickup services and transportation to all destinations throughout Israel.

Let us help you reserve and book accommodations at leading hotels and guest houses. read more >

Rent a SIM card for your iPad/tablet, MiFi device or phone while in Israel and stay connected!

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Israel tours

Whether you’re interested in history, religion, architecture, culture, or food, there are so many unforgettable experiences to have on our trips to Israel.

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While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about .

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What travelers say about their tours to Israel

Travel tips for israel trips.

There are so many interesting things to do on our guided tours to Israel. You could float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea or take a cooking class with Israelis in Tel Aviv on our  Israel, Jordan & Egypt tour . You could also visit a kibbutz on our Israel Adventure Tour , and see how members work together on agricultural, technological, and industrial projects.

We offer package trips to Israel that explore Jewish heritage, Christian heritage, the wonders of Ancient Israel, and more. You’re bound to find an Israel tour package to fit any interest.

Every season has its benefits, so no matter when you visit Israel, there is something to do. Spring and fall bring milder weather, which is great for  adventure trips to Israel . If you’re looking to spend some time at the beach, summer is a great time to see Israel. And winter is perfect if you want to avoid the crowds. It can snow up north, so just pack a winter coat.

There are so many unforgettable things you can experience on our Israel tours. These are a few of our picks for the best places to visit in Israel:

• The Western Wall.  Also known as the Wailing Wall, it’s the only remaining portion of the retaining wall that surrounded the Temple Mount. That’s where the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem were destroyed in 587-586 B.C. and 70 A.D., respectively. It’s a place filled with life, faith, and emotion—you won’t want to miss this site on our Israel tours.
• Bethlehem.  On our  Christian Heritage Israel  tour, you can enter the Church of the Nativity. There, you’ll see a large silver star embedded in the ground to mark the exact spot where Christian text says Jesus was born.
• Jerusalem’s Old City.  The neighborhood has four quarters: The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. Each has incredible food, shopping, and people to meet. All of our Israel travel packages stop here.

Our group tours to Israel range between 10 to 14 days in duration, so you should have plenty of time to see and do the activities that appeal to you in the Holy Land.

For such a small state, Israel has a lot to offer. The biggest benefit of choosing one of our guided Israel tours is that we do all the planning for you. You’ll visit all the best spots without ever having to worry about where you’re going and how to get there. Each trip is led by an expert guide who will teach you all about the history and culture—and you might even make new friends in your group.

For more trip-planning tips see our Israel travel guide >

Israel is a religious place, so most establishments are fairly modest. You’ll want to bring some modest clothing to wear in main areas like Jerusalem, as well as in temples or churches. Women should pack a shawl or sweater to cover their heads and shoulders as well as a skirt or dress that hits below their knees. Men should bring pants and a shirt that covers their shoulders, too. Tank tops are a no-go at most local destinations, except for beaches and downtown Tel Aviv.

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RG Israel tours Ltd. is a leading tour operator specializing in unique, customized tours of Israel, for individuals or groups​

We aim to create unforgettable experiences.

We design and operate bespoke tours that enable groups, families, individuals, and business people to discover Israel on their own schedule, their own style, and within their budget. For example, we can arrange Christian pilgrimages, Jewish heritage tours, and trips for bar/bat mitzvahs.

We are proud to be experts in customizing tours of Israel. We make sure that each of our clients receives the individual and personal attention they deserve.

We welcome you all year round, Please contact us for more information

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Few travellers make it to this icy continent, but the lucky ones who do get to explore a frozen Eden ruled by the elements and teeming with wildlife.

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G adventures sailing & cruises, g adventures private travel.

Whether it’s a family retreat or a girls trip, you can surround yourself with a hand-picked crew and customize a tour that fits you all perfectly.

The Geluxe Collection

Our new line of premium active adventures is officially here. With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining, this is adventure at its finest.

National Geographic Journeys

Go deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. More is included and you’ll enjoy greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and freedom to roam.

National Geographic Family Journeys

Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

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Solo travel

Travel with g, myself and i.

Got an inner urge to get out and explore, but none of your travel buddies can make it happen? Sure, you could hit the road all on your own. But going with a small group gives your solo trip more structure, guidance and safety, letting you get head-to-toe immersed in our world.

Our most popular solo trips

Why travel solo with g adventures, you’re in good hands.

All our trips are led by a Chief Experience Officer, aka CEO. These locally based expert guides are your adventure’s captain, keeping things moving, organized, and as safe as can be.

Easy on the wallet

Why should traveling solo be more expensive? We treat single travelers the same as the rest of the group, which is why we don’t charge single supplements.

Freedom to do you

Your trip is just that – yours. Want to linger at the market or grab a table at that cozy café? Go right ahead. We give your trip structure, but also plenty of free time.

Connection comes standard

With group sizes typically ranging from 12 to 16 people, you’ll have built-in community and connection with equally adventurous travelers from all over the world.

Always female friendly

Traveling solo as a woman can feel risky, but we’re committed to keeping everyone on our trips as safe as possible at all times. From our CEOs to our same-sex roommates, all women can adventure with confidence.

Some privacy, please

Want a room all to yourself? We offer single travelers a "My Own Room" option, meaning you could have a private room (and personal washroom) for your entire trip.

Know before you go

Never traveled solo or gone as part of a group before? We can get you sorted. Check out some of our most frequently asked questions or  get in touch with us any time.

We offer the “My Own Room” option on most of our tours, which guarantees you a room of your own for a modest additional fee. Cost and details of “My Own Room” vary according to the specific trip, so be sure to consult our trip summary pages for full details. On some tours, a single room may not be available at certain overnight stops, depending on the style of accommodation.

Wherever your heart takes you! Just about any place worth exploring is a good spot to venture out on your own.

Our groups often experience a good mix of ages, everything from travellers in their early-20s to those aged 60 and over. We sort all of our trips into Travel Styles, which guarantee that you’ll be travelling with people who share the same interests you do. Over the years, we’ve found that a good range of ages within a group often adds to the experience

On most evenings, your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will organize a group meal. It’s pretty flexible; you can choose to dine with the group or head off and do your own thing. Other nights, your CEO may recommend a few nearby restaurants you can try. Again, you determine whether you want to stick with the group or go it alone.

Most of our trips split pretty evenly down gender lines. We average roughly 60:40 female-to-male, so you’ll never feel outnumbered.

On most G Adventures tours, the ratio of solo travellers to others (couples, friends travelling together, etc) is roughly 40:60. For privacy reasons, we can’t share information about your soon-to-be travelling companions ahead of time. Our tours appeal to a wide cross-section of adventurous people from all over the world united by a desire to experience our planet from a grassroots level. Our tours are conducted in English and tend to attract travellers from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

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Some visitors to Israel have a new stop on their tours: Hamas’ destruction in the south

For people visiting Israel, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. This is a new kind of tourism that has emerged in the country in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. (AP Video: Ami Bentov)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the home of the Siman Tov family on Friday, June 21, 2024. The parents and three children were killed and their home was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

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A group of Israelis visit a damaged house following the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel in Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israeli soldiers watch a virtual tour of the destruction of the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel near the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel, Thursday, May 30, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

An Israeli reservist poses for a picture with a tourist from Mexico, who is holding the soldier’s M16 rifle, at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

FILE - Danny Danon, a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, left, and Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, visit a home torched by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, Monday, May 27, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

A woman stands next to photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event to commemorate the Oct. 7, massacre near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A woman stands next to a shelter at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the dining hall that was damaged during the Oct. 7, Hamas attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews from central Israel visit a bomb shelter where Israelis were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel, near Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

KIBBUTZ NIR OZ, Israel (AP) — A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza .

Jerry Seinfeld, Elon Musk , Michael Douglas, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley , and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are a few who have visited, at times posing for photos in front of burned-out homes. Many Israelis, including soldiers and security officials, are also visiting on organized trips.

“It’s our personal story, but it’s also the story of all of the state of Israel,” said Irit Lahav, spokeswoman for Kibbutz Nir Oz, who gives many of the tours.

A quarter of the approximately 400 Nir Oz residents fell victim to the attack. Hamas militants killed more than 20 and kidnapped over 80. In the dining hall, a wall of post office boxes is plastered with stickers — red for killed, black for kidnapped, blue for released.

While it’s uncomfortable to open the community to visitors, she said it’s important for people to “come here and smell the burned smell of death, to imagine your friends or parents here.”

Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people as they rampaged through southern Israel, and kidnapped around 250. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that followed.

Prior to Oct. 7, Lahav ran a tourism company. Now she has turned those itinerary-building skills to the kibbutz where she grew up. Her tour includes the spot in the fence where Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, along with small details that humanize the scale of destruction, like the candy eggs that melted when the general store was torched.

Many of the kibbutzim and towns that experienced the worst destruction are closed to the public, accessible only via organized tours like those for dignitaries or celebrities, or by invitation from a resident.

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Nir Oz decided that the guides must be residents. Rena Bazar, who lives with most of the community in temporary housing elsewhere, is among those giving tours.

At first, it was difficult to return to Nir Oz. She didn’t like the idea of strangers on the lawns and in the dining hall with its bullet-riddled windows. But eventually, she understood the importance of helping visitors understand not just what happened, but also what life had been like before Oct. 7.

“I want to make it less about the combat and more about the personal stories of people who were there,” Bazar said.

For visiting dignitaries and VIPs, trips to Israel have long included stops at famous religious or cultural sites, such as the Western Wall, Masada, the Sea of Galilee or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. The visits to the battered kibbutzim and border towns are the latest way to build support and solidarity with Israel’s allies abroad.

Other parts of southern Israel are open to the public and encouraging visitors — both foreigners and Israelis from elsewhere.

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The city of Sderot runs “resilience tours,” connecting groups with survivors who share their memories of Oct. 7 or highlight cultural or culinary offerings. In contrast to the hardest-hit kibbutzim like Nir Oz, most of Sderot’s residents have returned.

Hen Cohen, the city’s tourism director, estimated that about 200,000 visitors have come during the first half of 2024, compared with 100,000 total in a normal year. Most come via solidarity missions from abroad or are local visitors such as soldiers and police officers on educational tours.

Birthright Israel, an organization that provides 10-day free trips to Israel for Jewish Americans, said that nearly all of the 13,500 participants expected this summer will visit Sderot and the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 364 people died. These visits provide an economic and morale boost to residents, Cohen said.

The Sderot police station, where 10 officers were killed on Oct. 7 in a standoff that left the station in ruins, is a main attraction. Visitors stop at the local museum, and watch security footage of what happened on Oct. 7, then walk to the empty lot where the police station stood. Twisted metal remains. Israeli flags flutter in the wind. A sign says a memorial will be built there.

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

“In this dark hour, I wanted to do my part to make sure the people of Israel know that the people of the United States are with you,” former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said while visiting the site. Seinfeld later cried while talking about his own visit to a kibbutz, describing it as “the most powerful experience” of his life.

Zehava Ben Zaken, a lifelong Sderot resident, said it has taken time to adjust to seeing visitors every time she walks by. “I’m happy they come to see this place, so they can understand and stand with us,” she said.

Hearing the booms from Gaza a few kilometers (miles) away, she hoped that visitors can finally understand Sderot’s precarious security situation. “We’re totally broken,” she said.

South of Sderot, the site of the Nova music festival has become a pilgrimage site for hundreds of visitors per day. Photos of victims are arranged around what had been the main stage. Loved ones have left candles, sculptures, photos and other mementos.

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Standing there helped her understand the enormity of loss of life, said Naomi Hanan, a medical student from San Francisco. “It’s right in front of your face and there’s no denying or ignoring what you’ve been hearing or seeing through the media,” she said.

In a eucalyptus grove near the site, an organization called Triumph of the Spirit offers virtual reality tours of three kibbutzim, including Nir Oz. The tours are currently only open to soldiers on official educational visits, but an English version will be available in the coming weeks for international tourists.

“I feel like I’m in Fortnite!” one soldier said as he slipped on the headset, then went silent as images of destruction appeared.

The videos were created by Miriam Cohen and Chani Kopolovich, who had created such tours of Auschwitz for a Holocaust education experience for people who don’t travel to Poland.

“We’ve made it accessible to go on this tour without damaging peoples’ privacy,” said Pinchas Tosig, who runs the tent and has 300 to 700 soldiers visit per day.

Some residents of southern Israel are looking beyond the visitors to the future.

In the coming weeks, Nir Oz will start demolishing some buildings to make way for new construction. Residents wonder how to preserve what happened while making space for new lives. Some say part of the destruction should remain. Others don’t want reminders — or visitors.

On one tour, Bazar pointed out the safe room where she spent hours hiding on Oct. 7. Her home was mostly spared. Others were burned. She doesn’t want the destruction to remain inside Nir Oz and hopes any future memorial will be elsewhere.

“I don’t want any child to be impacted by the ruins,” she said. “Our cemetery is full. Isn’t that memorial enough?”

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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Israel Tour Companies

List of israel travel companies & tour operators with 129665 reviews.

Bein Harim Tourism Services…

• Excellent - 109 reviews for Israel tours

Dan Porges, excellent and knowledgable of the History and events. This was quite an experience for me. He kept the group engaged on the tour. I will definitely be back to complete more tours. RW

Well worth the money. I'd recommend it to friends and family.

On The Go Tours

• Excellent - 2,988 reviews for Israel tours

We had a good trip with a group of wonderful people. Tour guides in Egypt and Jordan were very knowledgeable.

The parts of our Tour we were provided were excellent. The service provided in the aftermath of the cancelation of our Israel and Bethlehem tours and flights homes was not helpful.

Holiday Travel Israel

• Excellent - 34 reviews for Israel tours

I had a wonderful time! Our tour guide Orna was very knowledgeable, caring and with very good sense of humor! The same thing I would also say about our bus driver Namir. We felt very safe and cared of.

Could been more time,because one days walk 8 miles in very hot. But Neil did very excellent job

Europamundo

• Good - 3,232 reviews for Israel tours

Far too much time hanging around in Saudi Arabia (on one day with no access to breakfast or lunch. Madinah visit a waste of a day really. Not enough time spent in Jordan (Dead Sea and Little Petra missing) And, Egypt would have been as good self guided. Otherwise fairly well organised and the reps tried hard. Was surprised to have to pay US$100 for ‘tipping’ in Egypt, hidden charges are a big no no, and no evidence of good use of there funds. We would like it refunded.

Overall our trip was very good. The logistics, at times, were not well handled. Our airport pick up in Tel Aviv was not there and we had to wait for him. The process of crossing the border between Israel and Egypt was very confusing and the guide did not give good assistance. Neither of these guides spoke English very well making it all the more difficult. Our tour guide in Israel was very knowledgeable but often said things to us regarding our not having a son and marrying off our daughters to a Jewish man that were offensive and degrading. Our group was mixed English and Spanish. He did not know that one of us spoke Spanish and he often gave important information in Spanish but did not give it to us in English - such as a change in time of pickup one morning. I would give him a poor rating at best. Our guides in Egypt, Mr. Cesar and Wael, were fantastic! They went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed every minute of the trip to the fullest. I cannot say enough good things about them.

Booking Tours

• Excellent - 383 reviews for Israel tours

very good trip saw all the sites, a few cancellations due to the conflict but compensated for that, I would recommend the tour

A well planned visit. Abu, the guide in Cairo was excellent and things were quite well organised. The hotel in Cairo could have been better. Otherwise, would recommend the tour and operator!!

Consolidated Tour Operators

• Good - 51 reviews for Israel tours

I loved the Heritage of the Holy Land tour. Our tour guide Leah was very knowledgeable and informative. Our bus driver Hassam was very good about navigating the narrow streets with a tour bus. We all became like family by the end of the week.

The tour was simply fantastic! Our group had an excellent dynamic that was created by our fabulous tour guide, Ditza Kornfeld. There is no other way to describe the professionalism Ditza commands other than superior! Her knowledge and professionalism is only exceeded by her passion to share, educate and enliven all aspects of the Holy Land tour and Israel in general.

Agate Travel

• Excellent - 284 reviews for Israel tours

Awesome trip… one small issue was resolved really quickly… thanks.. highly recommend

Click Tours

• Good - 703 reviews for Israel tours

We make reservations for Highlights of the Holy Land Israel & Jordan & Cairo Tour - 13 Days" with Click Tours. Upon arrival at the airport we could not find our transfer to the hotel, as the tour was subcontracted by CTG. After over 1/2 hour of seeking for our transportation, we finally figured out by moving around and asking transportation reps holding signs. Our tour guide with CTG was fantastic and sites visited were all great. Two hotels were poor (Tel-Aviv, and Petra). The driver that took us from Israel to border with Jordan, overcharged us for country fee, he also delayed by at least one hour our crossing from Israel to Jordan because he decided to pick up a lot of passengers from another bus, thus we ended up arriving too late at Iman to appreciate some of the sights during daytime. Even worst, that driver was often reading text messages on his cell phone while driving a coach. CTG's staff in Egypt was very good, as well as food and hotel was decent.

Well done with scheduling and good hotels and good choices

Receptivo Aborigen Tours

• Good - 97 reviews for Israel tours

I have never been on a worse tour in my life! Despite the fact I contacted you several times regarding my issues with the company you sub-contracted with, I never received a response on how you were going to remedy the problem. I paid over $4000 extra for a small group tour that I did not receive Instead, after I paid in full, the Aborigine tour operator changed my booking to a large group tour. I provided you with documentation and you still have not responded on how you were going to handle the situation. The tour operator totally ignored my complaint and denied it was ever supposed to be a small group. I can only surmise the whole operation is a scam. I would appreciate a personal call from management of TourRadar before I get legal assistance.

We looked forward to the “Egypt, Jordan & Israel - 14 days” tour sponsored by Receptivo Aborigen Tours of Buenos Aries with high expectations, since it was fairly-well packaged for the price. Even before we departed, it went downhill. I generally take no pleasure in posting anything less than a stellar review, because bitterness is no companion. But other good people will look at this tour, and should have a full appreciation of what may lie ahead. Much of the tour was wonderful, and greatly enjoyed. But… First off, the itinerary was inexact and poorly written, or poorly translated to English, perhaps, causing a number of unnecessary problems and missed opportunities. Most unacceptable among them was the all-day van drive to St Catherine’s only to learn then that the monastery viewing was an all-night pilgrimage in very cold temperatures which we were unprepared for. Why? Because the itinerary clearly said the pilgrimage would be the next morning. So we spent the entire day doing nothing but sitting in a van. Plus, instead of two rooms we had only one and were given a plywood board for the third bed, which collapsed in the middle of the night… The next day, some last minute changes in the transportation routing required us to spend all day in transit, arriving in Petra too late to do anything. So we lost two days, doing nothing. In Amman, we stayed at the Jordan Ayassa hotel and had to call the front desk three times over 1.5 hours for maintenance to finally come and turn off a thundering sauna baking us in the room. Stuff happens, all travelers know, but the tour operator should reconsider using a 3-star hotel that performs like a single star. At the border crossing from Jordan to Israel, the poorly written itinerary didn’t say how to cross the ‘middle zone’ and the agents on each side couldn’t communicate what had to happen. So we had to fight with local authorities to learn how to cross, hail a taxi ourselves, spending an hour dealing with this. It was all doable, but the tension on a border between countries that don’t get along is not something that should be inclusive of such a tour. The tour operator advertised that tour buses would be a maximum of 10 people but in Israel the buses held 18. So they were not small intimate tours, at least in Israel. Again, it was not the end of the world. But it was deceptive advertising (apparently the laws are lax in Argentina). Next the tour operator claimed that they “just lost” the local operator handling the northern Israel leg of the trip, and perhaps they did. If so, they logically should have replaced it with something substantial. Instead they scrambled and just added a couple of lame alternatives including several more handicapped-made tchotchke tourist traps to the agenda that we were mildly aggravating for being forced into. For instance, they could have added the Temple Mount in Jerusalem which definitely should have been on the initial itinerary anyway, since it’s arguably the most important site in Jerusalem. But they did not and that was near to inexcusable. So a lot of good, and a lot of bad, and we hope the operator gets their act together…since the tour is worth doing and a memorable experience, if better managed.

Bamba Travel

• Good - 1,696 reviews for Israel tours

I'll start with the good. The tour itself is really good, the things that you see are breathtaking but the poor organisation of the tour mean that sometimes you can't enjoy the experience. Just so that other people are aware Tour Radar don't actually organise the tour they give this responsibility to another company called Bamba experience, but they also are not the ones organising the tour, the tour is actually given by Tourist Israel so probably easier to book directly with them. It took me a few days to just find out where the meeting point was. I emailed Bamba experience and this agent replied that the meeting point was in Tel Aviv. Not sure if they realised that is an entire city and not a place. Eventually I did find out where it was. When i first arrived at the meeting point no one knew who the first two companies were. Tourist israel is only mentioned in one of the many emails that they sent me so it was very difficult to know what i should ask about. I asked the driver if i was in the right place he told me he's not the tour guide, just the driver. I tried calling to ask on their 24h phone line and of course no one answered. I asked people around and some were on a 2 day tour some on a 4 day tour. Since mine was 3 i thought it might be a different one. Then i spoke to someone who was on the 3 day tour. On a whim i got on the bus. We drove all the way to the border without anyone checking tickets or anything like that. The border crossing takes about 3h - not the tour's fault but just a heads up. We get on the Jordanian side and there was no one from tourist israel, just this guy saying 'fun time, fun time'. Someone tells him that we're not with fun time but if he knows where the guide from tourist israel is and he's like oh yeah they are the same thing. This is something we were meant to somehow know. We go with him and my name wasn't on the list. I start calling them abd sending emails and they just told me they were gonna look into it. Eventually the border allows me to go and we continue the journey. Few hours later i ask the guide if he has heard anything else from the agency and he's like yes, did i not tell you? When we got to Petra, on our lunch break there was thus guy asking people for payment. I told them that i have already paid but they guy said that he doesn't care that he hasn't received the money and if i want to get back on the tour bus then i had to pay again. Given that my options were wuite limited i paid again as I didn't want to be left in Petra. Then I got back in touch with the agency and they ensured me that they will sort it out in a few days. It took over a month and constant emails for me to get my money back and every day they would tell me i would have my money in 2-3 days. We also didn't get to sleep in the Bedouin camp as promised in the offer, hotels were 2 stars max and the food was pretty bad. Again, the sights are amazing and well worth seeing but the organisation of the tour is deplorable. My advice is to book directly with tourist israel as they seem to be the only ones in the area actually organising tours, but ask first.

Better communication, more organization

• Excellent - 329 reviews for Israel tours

Our tour was well planned and executed by Odynovo. At every stop we were properly greeted by a skilled greeter, had a good car and excellent driver, and an expert guide. Our hotels we quite good. As requested, hotels were not the top end, but just below. All in all, it was an excellent trip. This was our second tour with Odynovo and we will undoubtedly use them again.

We were very specific in our requests for this trip and Odynovo not only met all our requests but went over our expectations. They never missed a deadline in responding to our many questions/emails and were always professional yet warm. It was a great experience.

• Excellent - 5,620 reviews for Israel tours
• This operator has no Israel reviews

Encounters Travel

• Excellent - 1,377 reviews for Israel tours

Overall, the tour was exactly as advertised - from airport pickup, exellent guides, good vehicles and good hotels.

It was very well organised, very comprehensive tour with an excellent guide. Our group was 16 in number, all ages and nationalities. Most enjoyable and would definitely book with them again.

Gray Line Israel

• Excellent - 1,644 reviews for Israel tours

I have traveled with WingBuddy on 3 trips and I loved them all

I was very impressed with all the attention given to our trip

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