REVIEWS
for both Jewish and Christian Easy Israel Tours
to help you decide if these tours are a good fit for YOU!
Scroll down for Jewish reviews ....
Enjoying a visit to the Garden Tomb, Jerusalem in May 2023
May 2023 A sample of the Reviews for the Christian tour...
Ann Kekic
I want to tell you how much our trip went above my expectation!
Your planning and communication beforehand made my preparation easy.
I loved our luxurious hotels and transportation.
The itinerary was very good considering how much there was to see.
Thank you so much Trish for using your skills to help us to experience the places that Jesus loved.
Greg Goelz (USA High School Principal)
THANK YOU for a life changing trip. I will never forget it.
When people back home ask me about how my trip was, I always describe it in two words: AMAZING and POWERFUL.
I sometimes add the words LIFE CHANGING, as well.
Here's more specific feedback......
HOTELS: Top-notch accommodations.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a hotel in Israel, but it is obvious that you searched for the best hotels for your guests. Staff were responsive and helpful, the rooms were updated and clean, the common areas (lobby, restaurant, pool) were amazing......and the views!
The views were unreal. I loved that we moved around the country and stayed in different locations.
FOOD: The food was so fresh, authentic and offered a wide variety of options. Selecting quality hotels with quality restaurants in them was very smart. Especially with a large group and the potential for picky eaters. The fresh fruit and vegetables were probably my favorite parts. Made to order omelettes, meat serving stations and fancy desserts was also such a nice addition. I never went hungry or got bored of the options. Just wonderful!
TRANSPORTATION: The bus and driver were great! Very comfortable (and cool) bus. Having water available for purchase and onboard wifi was very nice. Having a great bus driver just adds to my highest regards for the transportation that was provided.
Khaled was a talented, skilled, kind, hard-working and patient driver. He got us in some tight places and always was very considerate of his passengers. I also appreciated that you gave your guests a lot of very specific details and instructions on how to cab to and from the airport.
That was very helpful.
SITES: You selected the perfect sites for us to see. A great mix of historical and biblical sites......along with the history of how they were all interconnected. The sites were placed a nice distance from each other so even on longer travel days it did not seem like we were on the road all that long. With Tal there with the Jewish/historical perspective and you offering the Christian look at things, it was a perfect combination of knowledge and experience. All along the trip I just kept thinking to myself, I can't believe I am seeing and walking the lands that Jesus did!
STAFF: I already spoke about Khaled. He was awesome. Tal was THE BEST guide. Her knowledge of the sites was out of this world (as noted by my pages and pages of notes I took on my phone every day!). Her special skill set lies in taking the facts of a place or an event and expressing them in a way that tells a story.......or paints a picture.....of what happened, where, why, the effects it had on the world then and how it has impacted us now.
On a personal note, I appreciated Tal for her compassion for what I was going through and making me feel safe and supported in a foreign place.
She is a very special tour guide, and person, for sure.
Then there's YOU! Trish, you make it all happen, don't you? The amount of time and energy to put together and run a tour like this is something I can't even begin to comprehend. The people who are best at their jobs make it look easy, and you make it look easy. Now, I realize that what you do is FAR from easy, but you shield all of that from your guests and all of your planning pays off. It shows in every single, small detail throughout the trip. All of the prep work, the pre-trip virtual welcome conference call, the personal phone calls beforehand, the emails, the detailed info, all of the coordination of hotels, meals, transportation......everything you do to meet everyone's needs is simply remarkable. Also, your passion for Israel and desire to share it with as many people as you can is inspirational.
All in all, I had a trip of a lifetime .
You made us feel safe and cared for, and when you are in a foreign place, those things are very important.
You made me fall in love with Israel. Israel is now my favorite place on earth.
THANK YOU.
Shirley Talbot
I have received way more than a tour of Israel and loved every minute of this trip!
I learned so much culturally, academically, personally and spiritually.
It was as if every minute had been crafted for maximum outcomes in every area.
Some of that was probably me of course, and the kismet of the intersection between me as a person with this tour
you have crafted over many years, and the invisible hand of God bringing “all things together” for our good.
This was the 'Mary Poppins' of vacation trips for me.
Absolutely perfect in every conceivable way with a lot of fun and whimsy thrown in on the side.
One last thought...
In Israel I went on a tour led by a female Christian lay pastor (Trish), a female Jewish tour guide (Tal) and a male Islamic bus driver (Khaled).
The three of you worked together in this place of political and religious conflict and created something of significance for a bunch of
Christian pilgrims from around the world.
Take care Trish! Be well and abundantly blessed.
Thank you.
Shirley
Diane Dallas
We had a wonderful time, thanks to you and your crew. Thanks for introducing me to the scooter! That surely saved my legs.
I really liked the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
The food was great. The hotels were fine. The service was fantastic.
Thanks again for all of your caring and sharing. We shall have great memories of you and your work.
Dianne and Steve
Connie Fiock
I have been dreaming about Israel ever since I got home all but one night. So thankful I was physically and financially able to take the trip of a lifetime. So excited to share with my family all the places and pictures of the places we had been. Thank you for helping us take a little side tour of a few places we wanted to see. Tears fill my eyes when I think of all the places my Saviour walked, prayed , taught and suffered for me and I was there. Those moments I will never forget. Thank you Trish for helping make those moments come to life. God Bless, Connie
Suzanne and Walt Dunbar
I don’t know how you could improve the itinerary. It was so well planned. Tal, our guide was fantastic and Khalid, our driver was so kind and efficient getting equipment out of the bus.
I wish we had considered getting there at least a day earlier and perhaps staying another day.
Hope you’re all rested! Thanks for an awesome pilgrimage!!
Loyanne Perry
The tour was absolutely wonderful! I could never thank you enough for putting it all together and the privilege of being able to go along with you to the Holy Land.
The Bible has really come alive for me. Can just picture things as never before.
It was a joy getting to know you and all the other wonderful people we met on the tour. Wish I could go back and do it all over again.
Thank you again, Trish and God‘s blessing on you and yours. Loyanne
Lori Sowers
I LOVED THE TRIP!
I cannot think of anything that could have been done better.
I was very moved by Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught.
I have a video of Kent going down to the sea at the sight where Jesus had been.
It has really opened up the Bible seeing the places of the stories, as you said!
We so appreciated the knowledge of Tal and the skill of our bus driver.
They could not have been better.
My husband was sceptical about a slow walking tour since he is more able than me, but you proved that slow walking was not a problem. We did not slow down and the people on walkers and scooters did not impede the tour. Kent was surprised at how much we did.
Thank you for all your hard work to make our dream trip the best it could have been.
You have opened up the Bible and brought us closer to God and Jesus.
The details you attended to did not go unnoticed.
Lori Sowers
Ann Kekic
I want to tell you how much our trip went above my expectation!
Your planning and communication beforehand made my preparation easy.
I loved our luxurious hotels and transportation.
The itinerary was very good considering how much there was to see.
Thank you so much Trish for using your skills to help us to experience the places that Jesus loved.
Greg Goelz (USA High School Principal)
THANK YOU for a life changing trip. I will never forget it.
When people back home ask me about how my trip was, I always describe it in two words: AMAZING and POWERFUL.
I sometimes add the words LIFE CHANGING, as well.
Here's more specific feedback......
HOTELS: Top-notch accommodations.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a hotel in Israel, but it is obvious that you searched for the best hotels for your guests. Staff were responsive and helpful, the rooms were updated and clean, the common areas (lobby, restaurant, pool) were amazing......and the views!
The views were unreal. I loved that we moved around the country and stayed in different locations.
FOOD: The food was so fresh, authentic and offered a wide variety of options. Selecting quality hotels with quality restaurants in them was very smart. Especially with a large group and the potential for picky eaters. The fresh fruit and vegetables were probably my favorite parts. Made to order omelettes, meat serving stations and fancy desserts was also such a nice addition. I never went hungry or got bored of the options. Just wonderful!
TRANSPORTATION: The bus and driver were great! Very comfortable (and cool) bus. Having water available for purchase and onboard wifi was very nice. Having a great bus driver just adds to my highest regards for the transportation that was provided.
Khaled was a talented, skilled, kind, hard-working and patient driver. He got us in some tight places and always was very considerate of his passengers. I also appreciated that you gave your guests a lot of very specific details and instructions on how to cab to and from the airport.
That was very helpful.
SITES: You selected the perfect sites for us to see. A great mix of historical and biblical sites......along with the history of how they were all interconnected. The sites were placed a nice distance from each other so even on longer travel days it did not seem like we were on the road all that long. With Tal there with the Jewish/historical perspective and you offering the Christian look at things, it was a perfect combination of knowledge and experience. All along the trip I just kept thinking to myself, I can't believe I am seeing and walking the lands that Jesus did!
STAFF: I already spoke about Khaled. He was awesome. Tal was THE BEST guide. Her knowledge of the sites was out of this world (as noted by my pages and pages of notes I took on my phone every day!). Her special skill set lies in taking the facts of a place or an event and expressing them in a way that tells a story.......or paints a picture.....of what happened, where, why, the effects it had on the world then and how it has impacted us now.
On a personal note, I appreciated Tal for her compassion for what I was going through and making me feel safe and supported in a foreign place.
She is a very special tour guide, and person, for sure.
Then there's YOU! Trish, you make it all happen, don't you? The amount of time and energy to put together and run a tour like this is something I can't even begin to comprehend. The people who are best at their jobs make it look easy, and you make it look easy. Now, I realize that what you do is FAR from easy, but you shield all of that from your guests and all of your planning pays off. It shows in every single, small detail throughout the trip. All of the prep work, the pre-trip virtual welcome conference call, the personal phone calls beforehand, the emails, the detailed info, all of the coordination of hotels, meals, transportation......everything you do to meet everyone's needs is simply remarkable. Also, your passion for Israel and desire to share it with as many people as you can is inspirational.
All in all, I had a trip of a lifetime .
You made us feel safe and cared for, and when you are in a foreign place, those things are very important.
You made me fall in love with Israel. Israel is now my favorite place on earth.
THANK YOU.
Shirley Talbot
I have received way more than a tour of Israel and loved every minute of this trip!
I learned so much culturally, academically, personally and spiritually.
It was as if every minute had been crafted for maximum outcomes in every area.
Some of that was probably me of course, and the kismet of the intersection between me as a person with this tour
you have crafted over many years, and the invisible hand of God bringing “all things together” for our good.
This was the 'Mary Poppins' of vacation trips for me.
Absolutely perfect in every conceivable way with a lot of fun and whimsy thrown in on the side.
One last thought...
In Israel I went on a tour led by a female Christian lay pastor (Trish), a female Jewish tour guide (Tal) and a male Islamic bus driver (Khaled).
The three of you worked together in this place of political and religious conflict and created something of significance for a bunch of
Christian pilgrims from around the world.
Take care Trish! Be well and abundantly blessed.
Thank you.
Shirley
Diane Dallas
We had a wonderful time, thanks to you and your crew. Thanks for introducing me to the scooter! That surely saved my legs.
I really liked the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
The food was great. The hotels were fine. The service was fantastic.
Thanks again for all of your caring and sharing. We shall have great memories of you and your work.
Dianne and Steve
Connie Fiock
I have been dreaming about Israel ever since I got home all but one night. So thankful I was physically and financially able to take the trip of a lifetime. So excited to share with my family all the places and pictures of the places we had been. Thank you for helping us take a little side tour of a few places we wanted to see. Tears fill my eyes when I think of all the places my Saviour walked, prayed , taught and suffered for me and I was there. Those moments I will never forget. Thank you Trish for helping make those moments come to life. God Bless, Connie
Suzanne and Walt Dunbar
I don’t know how you could improve the itinerary. It was so well planned. Tal, our guide was fantastic and Khalid, our driver was so kind and efficient getting equipment out of the bus.
I wish we had considered getting there at least a day earlier and perhaps staying another day.
Hope you’re all rested! Thanks for an awesome pilgrimage!!
Loyanne Perry
The tour was absolutely wonderful! I could never thank you enough for putting it all together and the privilege of being able to go along with you to the Holy Land.
The Bible has really come alive for me. Can just picture things as never before.
It was a joy getting to know you and all the other wonderful people we met on the tour. Wish I could go back and do it all over again.
Thank you again, Trish and God‘s blessing on you and yours. Loyanne
Lori Sowers
I LOVED THE TRIP!
I cannot think of anything that could have been done better.
I was very moved by Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught.
I have a video of Kent going down to the sea at the sight where Jesus had been.
It has really opened up the Bible seeing the places of the stories, as you said!
We so appreciated the knowledge of Tal and the skill of our bus driver.
They could not have been better.
My husband was sceptical about a slow walking tour since he is more able than me, but you proved that slow walking was not a problem. We did not slow down and the people on walkers and scooters did not impede the tour. Kent was surprised at how much we did.
Thank you for all your hard work to make our dream trip the best it could have been.
You have opened up the Bible and brought us closer to God and Jesus.
The details you attended to did not go unnoticed.
Lori Sowers
Scroll down for more Christian reviews ....
Jewish group at the Cardo, Old City Jewish Quarter
Jewish tour May 2023
Marty Fineberg
I was worried that I would not be able to keep up, but we went at a pace that I was able to keep up with, while also being able to see everything that I wanted to.
I had a wonderful trip with Easy Israel and you.
I was able to see so many wonderful places in Israel. I found it very moving to be on the sea of Galilee, singing Hatikvah while sailing along. I was also moved being at the Wall and at the Holocaust Museum. The accommodations were fabulous, much better than I expected. I am so glad that I went.
You designed a great trip. Thank you very much.
Marty Fineberg
Wendy and Jack Scull
Thank you, Trish for a very enjoyable and well-planned trip!
My husband and I had a wonderful travel experience in Israel on the Spring, 2023 tour. It appealed to us because of my mild mobility and balance issues.
It truly met all of our expectations, we visited many interesting sites of interest, and the needs of the tour group were always taken into consideration. Wendy
Elizabeth Brumfield
Easy Israel tour was great. We went to places of interest and learned more than if we’d just visited tourist sites. Highly recommended.
Many thanks, we had a remarkable time.
Alan Weinstein MD
Trish,
Donna and I had a lovely and memorable time on your tour. We are very happy we took the "easy" Israel tour as we were challenged but capable. Much more strenuous or concentrated tours would have been impossible for us. It is likely that this will be our last land tour and we will be relegated to river boat or ocean liner touring from now on.
We can’t say enough about our tour guide Rachel, who was not only extremely knowledgeable but also very cognizant of the limitations of the group. It is amazing that she knew so many people at the various stops. She is a real gem. Our driver Hatim was perfect. Quiet and observant and with excellent skills is everything one would wish for.
It was a pleasure to work with you and we will recommend your trip highly if asked.
Alan S Weinstein MD and Donna F Weinstein
Dianne Miller, daughter of Letha Bloom
Hello Trish! Just wanted to let you know that my mom had the most wonderful trip! What a gift it is that you provide this experience!
Everything was just perfect!
Your caring and compassion are evident in every little detail that allowed my 86-year-old mom to take this trip alone because she wasn’t alone from the moment she arrived - actually even before.
Also, we greatly appreciated your communication beforehand (and to me during the trip) to answer every question and provide just the right amount of information to be helpful, but not overwhelming. Thank you, a thousand times! I very highly recommend this trip!
Barbara Davis
Hi Trish, I must tell you that there isn’t anything I would change about the recent Israel tour you hosted! It was so well organized, entertaining and really easy.
Each day when I woke up in the morning, I was so anxious to get going on our adventure of the day! The van was comfortable and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, thorough and pleasant. Our hotels were comfortable which was important after our busy, entertaining days! It seems nothing was missing!
The experience I had traveling with the you and the group was wonderful and I can’t imagine any trip could have been better!! Thank you so much, Barbara Davis
Jodi Ferrari
Hi Trish! We are home and missing Israel. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. You made it accessible and doable for us.
Your attention to our comfort and your itinerary was just the best. Thanks again
Jodi and Frank
David B. Weisfuse
Thank you for the wonderful time we had on the Spring 2023 Jewish tour. The bus driver did an excellent job. He was skilled and careful in his driving. He also helped my wife off the bus and had her walker ready for her.
The Israeli guide was a wealth of knowledge and made all of the sites very interesting. She did an excellent job.
You and your son were very attentive and helpful to all of the guests on the tour.
The other guests were very pleasant to each other. The food was excellent.
Thank you, David and Irene Weisfuse
Allan Ain
Elaine and myself thoroughly enjoyed our time touring the wonderful sights and sounds of Israel.
We are home, tired but very pleased with our Israel experience.
We slept very well at night.
You certainly packed lots to do in the course of the day.
We realize there are many, many things to do and see in Israel.
We feel you selected some of the best.
Rachel (our guide) was absolutely wonderful. Her knowledge of the history of Israel is incredible. I would highly recommend her for anyone looking for a tour guide of the area. Our driver Hatim knows the area well, and was able to fight the incredible traffic in Jerusalem.
You will receive our nomination to any of our friends or acquaintances who are heading to Israel, and looking for a great tour, and a wonderful host.
Stay safe, and have a safe trip home.
Allan and Elaine Ain.
Scroll down for more Jewish reviews...
Our post-pandemic celebration Christian tour to Israel October 2022
What they said about their tour...
Arnie USA
As I reflect on my trip, I realize that it completely exceeded all my expectations.
Trish, the trip and your leadership was impeccable and most wonderful. Thank you again.
Ilene USA
There wasn't a moment that I felt unsafe or that I wouldn't be able
to perform the necessary "steps" to get where we needed to go.
I agree with Arnie that we were in the hands of angels with Trish and Tal.
I have told everybody what wonderful care you provided for us.
A friend of mine had returned from Israel about a month before my departure and warned me
about the hills in Jerusalem and the amount of walking required.
I was pleased to tell her that I was driven over all of that territory in style.
I loved the small size of our group. It allowed us to form friendships.
In summary, I could not have seen Israel with a regular tour.
Trish, your gentle expertise allowed me to complete my bucket list safely and have some very special spiritual moments.
There is no way to say THANK YOU because I will cherish these memories forever.
We will meet again as promised!! Shalom and Much Love
Susan and Bruce USA
So many new insights into the Lord and Scripture as well as
such a love and understanding of Israel and the Jewish people.
We looked a long time for a tour that would manage mobility and energy issues, yet still be meaningful and fun.
Finally we just typed in 'easy tours' and found Easy Israel Tours.
Trish, this is a perfect name and led us right to your wonderful site!
We are grateful we did this tour with Trish and her excellent team (our guide, Tal and bus driver, Bilal
as well as Dafna from Legends); we truly doubt our first trip to Israel could have been any better or richer.
Israel is fascinating, ancient, complex and vibrant; it also provides a profound opportunity to connect with God and Scripture.
The type and variety of locations, along with the depth of commentary while underway in the bus and on-site,
provided history, archaeology, culture and scriptural context. Each day was enriching and stimulating.
But none of that would have mattered much had the tour not suited the people actually on the bus!
Trish clearly knows what is needed but continues to tweak to accommodate the individuals
on this particular tour and the changing conditions along the way.
There must have been surprises for Trish and her team, but they made each moment as seamless
as possible for us. We felt cared for and well-attended.
Trish's process from initial connection onward was positive and purposeful.
We recognize now how important it is for her to assess whether or not the tour is a good fit for those interested.
Traveling has its demands, but the thought and preparation put into this tour made them
as minimal and manageable as possible. For those of us who could have done a more strenuous tour,
there were opportunities to extend ourselves, but the pace suited us as well.
Trish is kind, generous, thoughtful, thoroughly engaged, conscientious, knowledgeable and competent,
but without any pretense. She also has a great sense of humor and fun! It is wonderful to travel with her.
She and Tal together gave us the trip of a lifetime.
Jane Sparling USA
You planned such an awesome trip for us, Trish.
Anna and I thank you very much
Dwight USA
Trish, you have been a wonderful host.
We want to thank you for a wonderful trip to Israel.
I would recommend your Israel tour to anyone. It was great.
Marlene (Dwight’s sister) USA
Thanks again for enriching my life and showing such a great perspective of Israel.
You made everything go so smoothly. Fantastic trip.
What an amazing time with the people, tour guide (Tal) and tour director (Trish).
So grateful to be part of this great experience with you all.
Forever in your debt. Thank you so much
Priscilla (Dwight’s wife) USA
I’ve been on lots of tours but NEVER one as fantastic as this.
I had such an awesome journey through the Holy Land!
You are “THE BEST”.
I feel so blessed to have been able to tour with You, Tal, and Bilal. It was most amazing.
All of you took such great care of us and seemed to just love us from day one and went over and beyond anything I expected…..
I have shared with lots of my friends that they MUST go to Israel with ya’ll.
Maria USA
You planned a perfect trip with the perfect guide and perfect bus driver!!
We did see lots and learned even more. I’m so excited to tell people about it when they ask me.
A wonderful and most memorable trip. Thank you for all of your hard work!
I do miss everyone especially hearing Tal’s voice explaining the history of a site or your voice Trish
connecting it to our spiritual lives.... and Carol asking, “Larry, where’s Larry???” Lol
Larry and Carole, USA
A Jewish man and Christian ‘significant other’ (for 41 years) wrote…
Larry… The trip was a life experience for us!
I want to tell you that as a Jew my experience on your Christian tour was terrific.
We covered all of the Jewish sites that I could have wanted to see as well as so many Christian sites.
Experiencing the tour with my significant other, Carole who is Catholic made the tour even more enriching.
Our tour guide Tal was fabulous, the best tour guide I have encountered.
So knowledgeable about the Christian and Jewish, details of where we went, all with good humor.
Our fellow travelers from around the world were so interesting and kind.
(Mainly from the US with a mix of Canadians, Scottish and Australians.)
Carole wrote…
Such an inspirational trip that I believe God had chosen for us.
Larry and I totally enjoyed it.
Michelle and Peter from Canada
Every one of the 25 guests LOVED the tour and all of us want to go back for another 10 days with them.
Trish, (tour director) Tal (guide), Bilal (driver) and Dafna (agent) make a wonderful team!
You all were so enthusiastic and attentive to our needs, however big or small.
You will absolutely LOVE traveling on Trish's tour.
I am at home now and telling all my friends they have to go on Easy Israel Tours.
You will NEVER enjoy another tour as much as the one with Trish and her team...happy travels!
The experience was beyond words.
We had a wonderful time in Israel and stayed at the most luxurious hotels with absolutely delicious meals included in the trip.
There were two highlights for me.
The boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, beginning with the singing of the Israel’s national anthem,
to the time of quiet meditation and on to dancing to Hava Nagila were deeply moving.
I just learned that the translation to Hava Nagila is ‘Let Us Rejoice’. How appropriate!
The second highlight was Yardinet.
The grounds are beautifully kept which enhances the spiritual experience and adds to the beauty of the river Jordan.
Having our own quiet place for baptism was excellent.
The moment I stepped into the Jordan, the Spirit came upon me and I started to weep.
The experience was beyond words.
Jill, Australia
Our comfort and safety were obviously Trish’s prime concern.
Thank you for a great trip AWESOME! It met all my expectations and more.
I would like to highly recommend the tour of Israel offered by Trish Duke founder of ‘Easy Israel Tours’.
Her tour is tailor made for seniors and elderly.
Despite the slower pace of the tour we visited many and varied sites which were of special
and authentic significance to both Jew and Christian.
The priceless first-hand experience and knowledge gathered at each of these sites has added
a deeper layer to my understanding of the Scriptures.
I can now picture with more accuracy the many stories recorded in God’s Word.
I have always longed to visit Israel, being a Christian with Jewish roots and can honestly say
that the tour was invaluable and went over and above my expectations.
I am hoping that, God willing, I can visit Israel again to experience and learn more about God’s Holy Land.
Keep scrolling down for more CHRISTIAN TOUR REVIEWS...
JEWISH TOUR reviews...
Erika Gelber from Uruguay on the Jewish tour (with her American cousin Arlene on the left).
Thank you Trish for such an enjoyable experience. You are professionally appreciated,
and personally, a lovely lady! I felt very happy in your company!
And will be very glad to encourage people to choose your tour!!
It was my dear cousin, Arlene, who found you, following somebody's recommendation.
I did not feel very sure I would be able to go, because of my handicap with my hip, which
frightened me. But I am very pleased and happy to have gone!
Thanks to Arlene! She encouraged me!!
The website description is very good, and for me, a complete ignorant on this subject, was very helpful.
The organisation was so good, you cared about every little detail, for each and every member, in the hotels,
during the tours, and any other smaller or silly problem was solved by you, even when a toothbrush was lacking!!
The hotels were nice.
The days were enjoyable, not too long, a bit tiring perhaps, but so interesting, I could have continued happily
after a short break! Assume sleeping was wasting precious time!! But that is crazy me!
A good rest helps a fuller appreciation!
Arlene and I, chose to stay on in Jerusalem after the tour. We were very happy to have done that, and enjoyed it fully.
You will never see enough of Jerusalem, there are always new and different surprises. Personally, I did not like the Shuk
experience we had by ourselves and not included in your tour. The place is not recommendable for people with our
handicaps because of the many stairs and crowds running over people.
Trish, you were clever not to include it in the tour.
We enjoyed every minute of the tour, and the group members turned out to be so nice, we made friends with everybody,
and plan to remain keeping in touch through WhatsApp, what we are already doing, and you can judge by yourself,
because you are included in the FRIENDS Group!!
The guide, Gidi, is clever, enthusiastic and encouraging. He was very informative, knows so much and has a very nice way
of transmitting history, not only the written history but its interpretation, personal comments, and documentation about
different stages regarding culture, manners and ethics, as well as the cause of rebellions and different attitudes of powerful
embers of the population. It was never too much, and he would very nicely answer any question we made, and did not feel
bad if he did not know the answer!! He also shared personal acquaintances, which we enjoyed, and I doubt other tour guides
would do. 10 out of 10 for him!
And you Trish, turned out to be not only a very good tour agent, but a very nice and lovely person, whose company we all enjoyed.
Arlene
Trish, want to let you know once again that I had a fantastic time on your tour. A once in a lifetime fabulous trip.
If you’re ever in the New York City area I have an extra bedroom & bathroom you can have.
Stay well,
Arlene
Thank you Trish for such an enjoyable experience. You are professionally appreciated,
and personally, a lovely lady! I felt very happy in your company!
And will be very glad to encourage people to choose your tour!!
It was my dear cousin, Arlene, who found you, following somebody's recommendation.
I did not feel very sure I would be able to go, because of my handicap with my hip, which
frightened me. But I am very pleased and happy to have gone!
Thanks to Arlene! She encouraged me!!
The website description is very good, and for me, a complete ignorant on this subject, was very helpful.
The organisation was so good, you cared about every little detail, for each and every member, in the hotels,
during the tours, and any other smaller or silly problem was solved by you, even when a toothbrush was lacking!!
The hotels were nice.
The days were enjoyable, not too long, a bit tiring perhaps, but so interesting, I could have continued happily
after a short break! Assume sleeping was wasting precious time!! But that is crazy me!
A good rest helps a fuller appreciation!
Arlene and I, chose to stay on in Jerusalem after the tour. We were very happy to have done that, and enjoyed it fully.
You will never see enough of Jerusalem, there are always new and different surprises. Personally, I did not like the Shuk
experience we had by ourselves and not included in your tour. The place is not recommendable for people with our
handicaps because of the many stairs and crowds running over people.
Trish, you were clever not to include it in the tour.
We enjoyed every minute of the tour, and the group members turned out to be so nice, we made friends with everybody,
and plan to remain keeping in touch through WhatsApp, what we are already doing, and you can judge by yourself,
because you are included in the FRIENDS Group!!
The guide, Gidi, is clever, enthusiastic and encouraging. He was very informative, knows so much and has a very nice way
of transmitting history, not only the written history but its interpretation, personal comments, and documentation about
different stages regarding culture, manners and ethics, as well as the cause of rebellions and different attitudes of powerful
embers of the population. It was never too much, and he would very nicely answer any question we made, and did not feel
bad if he did not know the answer!! He also shared personal acquaintances, which we enjoyed, and I doubt other tour guides
would do. 10 out of 10 for him!
And you Trish, turned out to be not only a very good tour agent, but a very nice and lovely person, whose company we all enjoyed.
Arlene
Trish, want to let you know once again that I had a fantastic time on your tour. A once in a lifetime fabulous trip.
If you’re ever in the New York City area I have an extra bedroom & bathroom you can have.
Stay well,
Arlene
Watch the video above with Kay and Jay from California on the Jewish tour...speaking from Yad Vashem .
Then read their written review when they got home...
Knowing that I had promised my husband, who is Jewish, that we would one day travel to Israel, my morning walking buddy
asked if I had heard of “Easy Israel”. So, I went online and read the whole website. I was intrigued with the Jewish Tour,
because growing up “Christian” and knowing all the New Testament pretty well, I thought I’d learn the “other” side of the story.
So began the adventure.
I contacted Trish, who sent me all the pertinent information right away and over the following days, answered all my questions promptly.
As a seasoned traveler, I knew there would be paperwork, funds transfers and all the minutiae involved in international travel.
Trish made it easy, with detailed instructions as to how to do it all.
Neither of us has ever joined a “tour” before, so we had some misgivings as to whether we’d enjoy being herded around a strange country
with a bunch of strangers– but believe me, in retrospect, I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Every detail was handled with speed and accuracy. Even when all our four bags were mis-directed by the Galilee hotel onto the wrong bus
instead of to our Jerusalem hotel. Dafna, (Trish’s local agent) tracked them down and got them back to us before we went to sleep that night.
So, we had our toothbrushes – not to mention every other item we needed. If I’d have had to sort it out myself, I would have missed a night’s sleep and a whole lot of angst.
The group consisted mainly of Americans, and most from the East Coast. After a couple of days, we didn’t need name tags any more, and people were bonding over common interests. We are still in touch via WhatsApp, and I think we’ll stay in touch. We all invited the others to visit our various homes in the future.
Everyone was cooperative and duly thankful that we chose Easy Israel.
Then there was Gidi (Gideon), our Israeli Guide. What a character he is! He is steeped in the historical knowledge of his country and
led us into places that we would never have done on our own. There was a rocket attack from Gaza on our first morning near the hotel in Tel Aviv, and Gidi, along with all the staff at the hotel handled the whole affair with charm and humour. I learned a local saying that day –
"They tried to kill us. They didn’t succeed. Let’s eat”.
Gidi was able to take us to places that are not commonly on tour routes. For example, we planted trees in the Golan Heights and then
went up to a memorial to the various wars that have happened since Israeli Independence. We passed old minefields and burned-out
tanks, tank barriers and barbed wire. Also, we were privileged to attend a meeting of the Knesset the day before Netanyahu was indicted.
We saw a young woman, a new member of the Knesset, giving her maiden speech.
We also met with a former Mossad agent, an old friend and mentor of Gidi. He was fascinating.
And speaking of EATING. OMG!! The food is outstanding. The variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available throughout the trip
as incredible! And so healthy… I even lost 5 pounds over the two weeks. Of course, some of that might be due to pushing my husband up and down the cobbled streets of Old Jerusalem in a wheelchair.
On the subject of wheelchairs. My husband has MS, and can walk for short periods, but not on uneven surfaces. Trish and Gidi and Bill-Al
(our driver throughout the trip) had wheelchairs available and waiting at every stop and sight-seeing area. They also made sure his walker
(which isn’t the easiest thing to fold) was out of the bus before we even disembarked. Bill-Al is astounding. He managed to navigate our bus through the narrow streets and parking lots like a greased sheep (no pigs in Israel) in a barrel.
The hotels we stayed in were great. The Alexander in Tel Aviv was a “boutique” hotel right on the beach. Very modern, very comfortable, with a wonderful bathroom. The breakfasts were primo. The Hod Hotel at the Dead Sea was, again, right on the water, with a great view of the beach and an incredible buffet. In the Kinar Hotel, on the shores of Galilee, which I believe is a Kibbutz, we were surrounded with groups from all over the world, from Japan to Russia, and again, the buffet was amazing.
I am so glad we chose Easy Israel. It lived up to everything I read about and more.
Trish is a wonderful organiser and advocate for the less-able folks like my husband.
She’s quite fierce when stopping the crowds from pushing and shoving us around. Not like England and the US, where queuing is the norm, people tend to rush to be first in Israel. She’d make a good member of an Australian Rules rugby team!
I must say that a couple of things came as a surprise.
One... the Sea of Galilee is a lot bigger than I had imagined.
Two ... Seeing pimpled teenagers, laughing and chattering while carrying lethal looking machine guns through the street of Jerusalem
was at first shocking. Then I realised how much safer I felt the whole time I was in Israel, than I feel on the streets of San Francisco.
And Three ... The Dead Sea feels weird. Wonderful, but weird. You have to experience it to understand. I loved it.
So – maybe the “Christian Tour” in a year or so? I will most certainly do it with Trish again.
Kay (and Jay) Oppenheimer
Sonoma County, California
Then read their written review when they got home...
Knowing that I had promised my husband, who is Jewish, that we would one day travel to Israel, my morning walking buddy
asked if I had heard of “Easy Israel”. So, I went online and read the whole website. I was intrigued with the Jewish Tour,
because growing up “Christian” and knowing all the New Testament pretty well, I thought I’d learn the “other” side of the story.
So began the adventure.
I contacted Trish, who sent me all the pertinent information right away and over the following days, answered all my questions promptly.
As a seasoned traveler, I knew there would be paperwork, funds transfers and all the minutiae involved in international travel.
Trish made it easy, with detailed instructions as to how to do it all.
Neither of us has ever joined a “tour” before, so we had some misgivings as to whether we’d enjoy being herded around a strange country
with a bunch of strangers– but believe me, in retrospect, I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Every detail was handled with speed and accuracy. Even when all our four bags were mis-directed by the Galilee hotel onto the wrong bus
instead of to our Jerusalem hotel. Dafna, (Trish’s local agent) tracked them down and got them back to us before we went to sleep that night.
So, we had our toothbrushes – not to mention every other item we needed. If I’d have had to sort it out myself, I would have missed a night’s sleep and a whole lot of angst.
The group consisted mainly of Americans, and most from the East Coast. After a couple of days, we didn’t need name tags any more, and people were bonding over common interests. We are still in touch via WhatsApp, and I think we’ll stay in touch. We all invited the others to visit our various homes in the future.
Everyone was cooperative and duly thankful that we chose Easy Israel.
Then there was Gidi (Gideon), our Israeli Guide. What a character he is! He is steeped in the historical knowledge of his country and
led us into places that we would never have done on our own. There was a rocket attack from Gaza on our first morning near the hotel in Tel Aviv, and Gidi, along with all the staff at the hotel handled the whole affair with charm and humour. I learned a local saying that day –
"They tried to kill us. They didn’t succeed. Let’s eat”.
Gidi was able to take us to places that are not commonly on tour routes. For example, we planted trees in the Golan Heights and then
went up to a memorial to the various wars that have happened since Israeli Independence. We passed old minefields and burned-out
tanks, tank barriers and barbed wire. Also, we were privileged to attend a meeting of the Knesset the day before Netanyahu was indicted.
We saw a young woman, a new member of the Knesset, giving her maiden speech.
We also met with a former Mossad agent, an old friend and mentor of Gidi. He was fascinating.
And speaking of EATING. OMG!! The food is outstanding. The variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available throughout the trip
as incredible! And so healthy… I even lost 5 pounds over the two weeks. Of course, some of that might be due to pushing my husband up and down the cobbled streets of Old Jerusalem in a wheelchair.
On the subject of wheelchairs. My husband has MS, and can walk for short periods, but not on uneven surfaces. Trish and Gidi and Bill-Al
(our driver throughout the trip) had wheelchairs available and waiting at every stop and sight-seeing area. They also made sure his walker
(which isn’t the easiest thing to fold) was out of the bus before we even disembarked. Bill-Al is astounding. He managed to navigate our bus through the narrow streets and parking lots like a greased sheep (no pigs in Israel) in a barrel.
The hotels we stayed in were great. The Alexander in Tel Aviv was a “boutique” hotel right on the beach. Very modern, very comfortable, with a wonderful bathroom. The breakfasts were primo. The Hod Hotel at the Dead Sea was, again, right on the water, with a great view of the beach and an incredible buffet. In the Kinar Hotel, on the shores of Galilee, which I believe is a Kibbutz, we were surrounded with groups from all over the world, from Japan to Russia, and again, the buffet was amazing.
I am so glad we chose Easy Israel. It lived up to everything I read about and more.
Trish is a wonderful organiser and advocate for the less-able folks like my husband.
She’s quite fierce when stopping the crowds from pushing and shoving us around. Not like England and the US, where queuing is the norm, people tend to rush to be first in Israel. She’d make a good member of an Australian Rules rugby team!
I must say that a couple of things came as a surprise.
One... the Sea of Galilee is a lot bigger than I had imagined.
Two ... Seeing pimpled teenagers, laughing and chattering while carrying lethal looking machine guns through the street of Jerusalem
was at first shocking. Then I realised how much safer I felt the whole time I was in Israel, than I feel on the streets of San Francisco.
And Three ... The Dead Sea feels weird. Wonderful, but weird. You have to experience it to understand. I loved it.
So – maybe the “Christian Tour” in a year or so? I will most certainly do it with Trish again.
Kay (and Jay) Oppenheimer
Sonoma County, California
|
Glen and Caryn on the Jewish tour
Thank you for arranging such an exciting trip. Overall, we were pleased with the sites and activities.
The itinerary hit most of the spots we were interested in.
We were concerned that our bodies would not hold up. Luckily, they did.
Gidi, our guide was excellent.
Communication and admin with Trish pre-tour was excellent.
Thank you for all your coordination.
Glen’s comment after the tour on WhatsApp
It was great travelling with you all and kudos to Trish for setting up this fine adventure.
Thank you for arranging such an exciting trip. Overall, we were pleased with the sites and activities.
The itinerary hit most of the spots we were interested in.
We were concerned that our bodies would not hold up. Luckily, they did.
Gidi, our guide was excellent.
Communication and admin with Trish pre-tour was excellent.
Thank you for all your coordination.
Glen’s comment after the tour on WhatsApp
It was great travelling with you all and kudos to Trish for setting up this fine adventure.
Keep scrolling down for reviews on the Christian tours...
The 2019 Jewish group having a 'pit stop'
at the Cardo in Jerusalem
Howard Cohen above (with his mom and wife)
The trip was great…the itinerary, food, accommodations, our guide, the weather and most of all the company.
Thank you all for making for making this a wonderful trip.
What’sApp comments about the Jewish tour...
Kathy Klingsberg
All of us have such unique and wonderful memories.
Erika Gelber
Good to hear from you all. It is part of enjoying a wonderful trip. We had all this with very nice people.
Arlene Kemp
I enjoyed everything about this trip. Trish, Gidi our guide and Bill-Al, the driver. What wonderful memories of our trip,
the camaraderie, laughter, sharing of ourselves and of course the many photos I can share with my family.
Erika Gelber
I feel this tour has made a big difference in my life…and filled my soul with adorable new friends.
Special thanks to dear Trish. You are such a thoughtful, sensible and dedicated person with sincere good feelings.
I appreciate your professional assistance and sincere spontaneous care of us all.
We enjoyed the excellent guide, Gidi, you picked for us.
You all made this tour and unforgettable experience which I will treasure forever…..
Thank you, again dear Trish, for your dedicated care.
Like Mother Hen looking carefully after all her chicks!
Kathy Klingsberg
Thank you Trish for offering and leading the best tour ever. So glad I found you and Easy Israel Tours. Will cherish the memories …
Kay Opppenhiemer
Thank you SO MUCH for making a once-in-a-lifetime trip so awesome!
Erika Gelber
I enjoyed every minute of this trip!
Kay
We’re at the airport waiting to board. Farewell Israel. What an experience!
Ingrid
Thanks to everyone for contributing to a magnificent and thoroughly enjoyable holiday!
Kay
I really appreciate the good fellowship we have formed through our incredible journey through The Land of our ancestors.
It has been a true blessing to both of us and something that will stay with us forever.
Erika
We just had our farewell breakfast. We are are going to miss you dear friends and let’s keep in touch.
THANK YOU DEAR TRISH FOR THIS OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY!
Kay
Thank you everybody for your wonderful spirit and co-operations throughout this whole trip. It was a joy spending time
with the whole group. Be safe and love the rest of your life. Take the spirit of the Israelis back home with you.
Kathy Klingsberg
All of us have such unique and wonderful memories.
Erika Gelber
Good to hear from you all. It is part of enjoying a wonderful trip. We had all this with very nice people.
Arlene Kemp
I enjoyed everything about this trip. Trish, Gidi our guide and Bill-Al, the driver. What wonderful memories of our trip,
the camaraderie, laughter, sharing of ourselves and of course the many photos I can share with my family.
Erika Gelber
I feel this tour has made a big difference in my life…and filled my soul with adorable new friends.
Special thanks to dear Trish. You are such a thoughtful, sensible and dedicated person with sincere good feelings.
I appreciate your professional assistance and sincere spontaneous care of us all.
We enjoyed the excellent guide, Gidi, you picked for us.
You all made this tour and unforgettable experience which I will treasure forever…..
Thank you, again dear Trish, for your dedicated care.
Like Mother Hen looking carefully after all her chicks!
Kathy Klingsberg
Thank you Trish for offering and leading the best tour ever. So glad I found you and Easy Israel Tours. Will cherish the memories …
Kay Opppenhiemer
Thank you SO MUCH for making a once-in-a-lifetime trip so awesome!
Erika Gelber
I enjoyed every minute of this trip!
Kay
We’re at the airport waiting to board. Farewell Israel. What an experience!
Ingrid
Thanks to everyone for contributing to a magnificent and thoroughly enjoyable holiday!
Kay
I really appreciate the good fellowship we have formed through our incredible journey through The Land of our ancestors.
It has been a true blessing to both of us and something that will stay with us forever.
Erika
We just had our farewell breakfast. We are are going to miss you dear friends and let’s keep in touch.
THANK YOU DEAR TRISH FOR THIS OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY!
Kay
Thank you everybody for your wonderful spirit and co-operations throughout this whole trip. It was a joy spending time
with the whole group. Be safe and love the rest of your life. Take the spirit of the Israelis back home with you.
NINA wrote...
|
The tour in general was amazing and I want to thank you again for helping me when I was stumbling around with painful feet.
The hotels were great and the food was wonderful, (especially the desserts). The days were not too long, and I found that I had enough time to rest and take it easy after dinner. I thought we covered quite a bit in the 10 days. You and Gidi (our guide) went all out to look after us and give us the very exciting information about the places we visited, especially meeting the three young IDF soldiers. The music museum was of great interest to me personally, so thanks for that, especially the 3D video placing me right in the middle of the ancient Temple. What a treat! My Father was a LEVI, and he told me when I was a child that Levis sing in the choir, in addition to assisting the High Priest. (My father had a lovely baritone voice and he and my Mom were members of a Yiddish Folk Choir in Montreal, where I grew up). The tour of the Knesset was awesome. In conclusion, I am so happy that I made the trip to the Holy land when I did, and hopefully I will be able to go again in the not too distant future. All the best, Nina |
Reviews for the Christian tours
Deborah on the Christian tour
Trish, I would personally like to thank you for such a spectacular tour of Israel.
I was somewhat reluctant at first because I previously visited Israel with a lovely group of people however,
the tour had a very demanding schedule making it almost impossible for a senior to keep up.
Your tour allowed me to visit and participate in all the activities that you had pre-arranged.
Your time frame was slower, and you were so considerate and attentive to everyone's health challenges.
The knowledge that I acquired helped clarified many unanswered questions about that special place.
I highly recommend seniors with any health challenge to join you, or a person who prefers a smaller group.
I will forever cherish this magnificent tour of the Holy Land.
Here Again, Thank You
Deborah Turner
I was somewhat reluctant at first because I previously visited Israel with a lovely group of people however,
the tour had a very demanding schedule making it almost impossible for a senior to keep up.
Your tour allowed me to visit and participate in all the activities that you had pre-arranged.
Your time frame was slower, and you were so considerate and attentive to everyone's health challenges.
The knowledge that I acquired helped clarified many unanswered questions about that special place.
I highly recommend seniors with any health challenge to join you, or a person who prefers a smaller group.
I will forever cherish this magnificent tour of the Holy Land.
Here Again, Thank You
Deborah Turner
Wayne and Sally wrote...
Trish,
The tour was a spectacular success from the moment we first read about it on line through to right now as I am remembering
it to write this review. In brief Sally and I cannot imagine how you could have apportioned the time better.
Searching the web we settled on Easy Israel Tours because it specifically addressed (and completely satisfied) three specific issues
of concern to Sally.
The first two were the pace, she was concerned about lagging behind and delaying others, and high temperatures, heat.
The tour was conducted so graciously and considerately that ”keeping up” was never an issue, in any sense.
The time of year was perfect: dry, balmy and gorgeous.
The scope of the tour was, of course, the central concern for Sally. She wanted to walk in Jesus’s footsteps and feel some of His experiences.
She came home with a new and higher appreciation of her faith. The tour satisfied that need perfectly.
From the initial internet/phone contacts with you we felt comfortable with and confident about your ability/knowledge.
We were completely justified. You demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills…
not one hiccough occurred.
Your knowledge of biblical and historical subjects was amazingly insightful and comprehensive.
Your participation in every event shone through every aspect of the tour and revealed your very real spiritual commitment.
This tour exceeded any and all expectations established through previous excursions elsewhere around the world.
An example of your clever insight was the itinerary arrangement to vacate the hotel at the Sea of Galilee on the eve of Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath) and repositioned your Christian entourage in Ein Bokek a very cosmopolitan, if small enclave on the shore of the Dead Sea, thereby side stepping most of the creature-comfort-rigors of Shabbat.
Your itinerary positioning, then, neatly blended that location into a logical beginning point for the second half of the tour.
It was just brilliant.
Sally and I would recommend this tour to any Christian capable of maintaining a mind open to other beliefs and observances.
While Israel is the home of Christianity, and that fact is the primary focus of this tour, Israel remains a land of many other ancient
peoples and beliefs all living equably side by side. While their beliefs are disparate, their tolerances of each other are real and deep.
The structure of this tour revealed this fact and graciously elevated participants’ awareness to enable their acceptance of it and
even embrace it.
A significant factor cultivating this appreciation was your choice of Gideon as tour guide. “Gidi” adroitly and consistently addressed the sensibilities and sensitivities of the disparate tour members by continuously alluding to the context of what we were seeing and doing,
how the stops “fit into” the “story” that interested everyone. The contexts, of course, addressed the Christian nexus, but continued beyond
that to interpolate the Jewish involvement and perception of exactly the same events, since, of course, in the beginning all were one.
He was able, seamlessly, to bring the venue into modern context, as well, to allow tour members a more complete wedding of what was presented before them with their understanding of Biblical stories and context. Gidi’s insight was always a perfect balance of presenting
factual content with the means, a moth of, for personal assimilation of it. He was absolutely brilliant. His brilliance was all the more in
relief since he is absolutely Jewish, a reserve Israeli Army officer and a proponent of acceptance of all in a region of divisive hostility.
The tour was an amazing and even life changing experience. Yes, we sincerely recommend it.
Sally Siler and Wayne Lonngren
The tour was a spectacular success from the moment we first read about it on line through to right now as I am remembering
it to write this review. In brief Sally and I cannot imagine how you could have apportioned the time better.
Searching the web we settled on Easy Israel Tours because it specifically addressed (and completely satisfied) three specific issues
of concern to Sally.
The first two were the pace, she was concerned about lagging behind and delaying others, and high temperatures, heat.
The tour was conducted so graciously and considerately that ”keeping up” was never an issue, in any sense.
The time of year was perfect: dry, balmy and gorgeous.
The scope of the tour was, of course, the central concern for Sally. She wanted to walk in Jesus’s footsteps and feel some of His experiences.
She came home with a new and higher appreciation of her faith. The tour satisfied that need perfectly.
From the initial internet/phone contacts with you we felt comfortable with and confident about your ability/knowledge.
We were completely justified. You demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills…
not one hiccough occurred.
Your knowledge of biblical and historical subjects was amazingly insightful and comprehensive.
Your participation in every event shone through every aspect of the tour and revealed your very real spiritual commitment.
This tour exceeded any and all expectations established through previous excursions elsewhere around the world.
An example of your clever insight was the itinerary arrangement to vacate the hotel at the Sea of Galilee on the eve of Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath) and repositioned your Christian entourage in Ein Bokek a very cosmopolitan, if small enclave on the shore of the Dead Sea, thereby side stepping most of the creature-comfort-rigors of Shabbat.
Your itinerary positioning, then, neatly blended that location into a logical beginning point for the second half of the tour.
It was just brilliant.
Sally and I would recommend this tour to any Christian capable of maintaining a mind open to other beliefs and observances.
While Israel is the home of Christianity, and that fact is the primary focus of this tour, Israel remains a land of many other ancient
peoples and beliefs all living equably side by side. While their beliefs are disparate, their tolerances of each other are real and deep.
The structure of this tour revealed this fact and graciously elevated participants’ awareness to enable their acceptance of it and
even embrace it.
A significant factor cultivating this appreciation was your choice of Gideon as tour guide. “Gidi” adroitly and consistently addressed the sensibilities and sensitivities of the disparate tour members by continuously alluding to the context of what we were seeing and doing,
how the stops “fit into” the “story” that interested everyone. The contexts, of course, addressed the Christian nexus, but continued beyond
that to interpolate the Jewish involvement and perception of exactly the same events, since, of course, in the beginning all were one.
He was able, seamlessly, to bring the venue into modern context, as well, to allow tour members a more complete wedding of what was presented before them with their understanding of Biblical stories and context. Gidi’s insight was always a perfect balance of presenting
factual content with the means, a moth of, for personal assimilation of it. He was absolutely brilliant. His brilliance was all the more in
relief since he is absolutely Jewish, a reserve Israeli Army officer and a proponent of acceptance of all in a region of divisive hostility.
The tour was an amazing and even life changing experience. Yes, we sincerely recommend it.
Sally Siler and Wayne Lonngren
Cathy (91 years young) and her daughter Lynn sailing on the Galilee
Cathy died in January 2022. Her son Rob sent me this email....
Dearest Trish,
I wanted to share this with you and thank you again for getting Mom on that trip in 2019.
Without your kindness and efforts to make it happen that year, we now know she would have never been able to make it.
That trip was amazing and you took such care to ensure she was attended to. She talked often about your kindness and the others that managed the tour group. She was just thrilled to be there! I do believe it was the Lord’s will to get her to his Holy Land, as evident by what you told me. He touched your heart to get her on that trip and I hope she touched you in some way to have known her. I hope this eulogy will help you know her even more. As you saw, she is such a gentle and kind soul.
I cannot thank you enough Trish. I tell the story you told me often. Feel free to post / edit any snippet of this on your website, as I believe everyone should know how extraordinary you and your tour group are. Mom would definitely want folks to know. I recommend your tour to everyone I speak to. With COVID, international travel is almost impossible. When this blows over, I am sure others I know will make plans to get there and I will strongly urge them to choose you.
May the Lord bless you Trish. You are a wonderful woman.
Sincerely,
Rob Clark
Dearest Trish,
I wanted to share this with you and thank you again for getting Mom on that trip in 2019.
Without your kindness and efforts to make it happen that year, we now know she would have never been able to make it.
That trip was amazing and you took such care to ensure she was attended to. She talked often about your kindness and the others that managed the tour group. She was just thrilled to be there! I do believe it was the Lord’s will to get her to his Holy Land, as evident by what you told me. He touched your heart to get her on that trip and I hope she touched you in some way to have known her. I hope this eulogy will help you know her even more. As you saw, she is such a gentle and kind soul.
I cannot thank you enough Trish. I tell the story you told me often. Feel free to post / edit any snippet of this on your website, as I believe everyone should know how extraordinary you and your tour group are. Mom would definitely want folks to know. I recommend your tour to everyone I speak to. With COVID, international travel is almost impossible. When this blows over, I am sure others I know will make plans to get there and I will strongly urge them to choose you.
May the Lord bless you Trish. You are a wonderful woman.
Sincerely,
Rob Clark
Robert Clark (Cathy's son)
I want to say to anyone looking to experience Israel, regardless if they may have an elderly or disabled person in the party,
Easy Israel Tours is the way to go! My mom and sister had a terrific time.
The hotels were all very nice, the tours well planned and food fantastic!
I am so thankful to Trish and her team for making this a trip of a lifetime.
I am sure the Lord had a hand in making this happen the way that it did.
This past summer 2019, I asked my mother Cathy Clark if there was anything she really wanted.
She made a comment that she would like to see Israel someday.
My mom rarely ever asks for anything, so I knew this must be something she truly wanted to do.
At 91 years young, she can still get around, but going to Israel would be quite a trip for an older person.
I knew I had to find the right tour that would be a Christian one, as well as cater to older folks requiring walking aids
and wheelchairs at times.
I did a simple Bing search and one of the first ones I saw was Easy Israel Tours.
What caught my eye is that Trish is a licensed physical therapist and she emphasised the tour was at a slower pace.
Not knowing what tour to choose, I looked back and forth at other operators and did not book anything for a few months.
One day last September 2019, I looked at tour operators again, but kept coming back to Easy Israel Tours, as something
told me this was the right fit for my mom. To my disappointment, after contacting Trish, I found that the tour was fully booked
without an opening until October 2020. I could have chosen another tour, but it just felt right to wait.
With mom having some health issues, we would risk that she would feel good enough to travel 13 months from that time.
Nevertheless, we decided to wait and I paid the deposit to reserve mom’s spot along with my sister’s.
Several weeks later, to our surprise, Trish called and said they had an opening for October 2019, if we could quickly wire transfer
before the hotel room was lost. We did so quickly, but the banks had some issue that delayed the payment for 2 weeks!
Trish was very patient about this issue and we communicated almost daily. Finally, the wire was corrected and we were paid.
Trish took a very personal touch with us, spending a lot of time on the phone with me and later with Mom, answering our many
questions and easing my concerns of sending my 91 year-old mother and 51 year-old sister half way across the globe!
She went out of her way to ensure we had all the info we needed to get to Tel Aviv a couple days early and stay a day later in Jerusalem
to get transportation and hotel rooms.
(I am glad we did this and recommend others do the same so they can rest and acclimatise to the new time and climate for a day or two before the tour and a day after).
During the tour, Trish paid close attention to my mom and made sure she was comfortable and got to see all the sights.
Two of the days, my sister was not feeling well and stayed in the hotel.
Trish came to the room and got my mom so she could do the tour.
Trish, her guide and others on the tour helped mom every day and truly made her experience enjoyable.
We really appreciated that!
Mom is still chatting away about all the experiences she had!
Rob Clark (who funded the trip for them)
I want to say to anyone looking to experience Israel, regardless if they may have an elderly or disabled person in the party,
Easy Israel Tours is the way to go! My mom and sister had a terrific time.
The hotels were all very nice, the tours well planned and food fantastic!
I am so thankful to Trish and her team for making this a trip of a lifetime.
I am sure the Lord had a hand in making this happen the way that it did.
This past summer 2019, I asked my mother Cathy Clark if there was anything she really wanted.
She made a comment that she would like to see Israel someday.
My mom rarely ever asks for anything, so I knew this must be something she truly wanted to do.
At 91 years young, she can still get around, but going to Israel would be quite a trip for an older person.
I knew I had to find the right tour that would be a Christian one, as well as cater to older folks requiring walking aids
and wheelchairs at times.
I did a simple Bing search and one of the first ones I saw was Easy Israel Tours.
What caught my eye is that Trish is a licensed physical therapist and she emphasised the tour was at a slower pace.
Not knowing what tour to choose, I looked back and forth at other operators and did not book anything for a few months.
One day last September 2019, I looked at tour operators again, but kept coming back to Easy Israel Tours, as something
told me this was the right fit for my mom. To my disappointment, after contacting Trish, I found that the tour was fully booked
without an opening until October 2020. I could have chosen another tour, but it just felt right to wait.
With mom having some health issues, we would risk that she would feel good enough to travel 13 months from that time.
Nevertheless, we decided to wait and I paid the deposit to reserve mom’s spot along with my sister’s.
Several weeks later, to our surprise, Trish called and said they had an opening for October 2019, if we could quickly wire transfer
before the hotel room was lost. We did so quickly, but the banks had some issue that delayed the payment for 2 weeks!
Trish was very patient about this issue and we communicated almost daily. Finally, the wire was corrected and we were paid.
Trish took a very personal touch with us, spending a lot of time on the phone with me and later with Mom, answering our many
questions and easing my concerns of sending my 91 year-old mother and 51 year-old sister half way across the globe!
She went out of her way to ensure we had all the info we needed to get to Tel Aviv a couple days early and stay a day later in Jerusalem
to get transportation and hotel rooms.
(I am glad we did this and recommend others do the same so they can rest and acclimatise to the new time and climate for a day or two before the tour and a day after).
During the tour, Trish paid close attention to my mom and made sure she was comfortable and got to see all the sights.
Two of the days, my sister was not feeling well and stayed in the hotel.
Trish came to the room and got my mom so she could do the tour.
Trish, her guide and others on the tour helped mom every day and truly made her experience enjoyable.
We really appreciated that!
Mom is still chatting away about all the experiences she had!
Rob Clark (who funded the trip for them)
|
|
Nancy wrote after she got home...
Thank you so much for organising this trip. I know it takes an enormous amount of time and energy and zillions
of hours of planning. Plus you have to be on your toes 24/7 during the entire tour, always ready for the unexpected
and ready to make that split second decision that will avoid total chaos.
You are a strong woman of faith, an excellent organiser, never panic, great judge of character and you have a heart of gold.
You truly care about each and every person who comes on your tour, and that makes all the difference!
Add to that a lovely Aussie accent, patience and kindness beyond all limits and a great sense of humor...and that only begins
to describe who you are!
I am so grateful that you let me share a room with you. You took a chance on me, a total stranger- not knowing at all what
you were in store for...It was so much fun, and of course, it saved me a considerable amount of money$$$. NANCY
Thank you so much for organising this trip. I know it takes an enormous amount of time and energy and zillions
of hours of planning. Plus you have to be on your toes 24/7 during the entire tour, always ready for the unexpected
and ready to make that split second decision that will avoid total chaos.
You are a strong woman of faith, an excellent organiser, never panic, great judge of character and you have a heart of gold.
You truly care about each and every person who comes on your tour, and that makes all the difference!
Add to that a lovely Aussie accent, patience and kindness beyond all limits and a great sense of humor...and that only begins
to describe who you are!
I am so grateful that you let me share a room with you. You took a chance on me, a total stranger- not knowing at all what
you were in store for...It was so much fun, and of course, it saved me a considerable amount of money$$$. NANCY
85 year old Ivy managed our tour with a walker!
Here she is on the top of Masada. (2nd from right)
She wrote to Trish a long letter afterwards....
"I just want you to know that I had the most wonderful time
due to your caring and the amount of dedication and fore-thought
that you had put into organizing the whole tour.
It was all so memorable and a lifetime experience!
I was amazed at the fulfillment I felt when we drove into Jerusalem...
as if my whole being had been blessed and opened up...
Our very special end to the tour was planting a tree in memory of my
daughter Zoe."
Here she is on the top of Masada. (2nd from right)
She wrote to Trish a long letter afterwards....
"I just want you to know that I had the most wonderful time
due to your caring and the amount of dedication and fore-thought
that you had put into organizing the whole tour.
It was all so memorable and a lifetime experience!
I was amazed at the fulfillment I felt when we drove into Jerusalem...
as if my whole being had been blessed and opened up...
Our very special end to the tour was planting a tree in memory of my
daughter Zoe."
Hi, I’m Sally from Australia, 84 years young!
I give this tour 5 stars! Very good organisation. I loved the classy, comfortable, clean hotels. The food was 1st class. Huge variety of quality dishes and so fresh. The lunches on tour were excellent. Different every day. Comfortable bus. All the ladies fell in love with Bill-al our Muslim bus driver. He was so polite and so obliging… bringing out walkers from under the bus in record time. Tal, the guide is the most amazing woman. Polite, helpful, inspiring, passionate, so well informed. She brought the Bible to life. Trish Duke, our tour leader gets 10/10 for her organisation and caring skills. She adjusted the pace at each site according to the abilities of the guests. The whole tour was wonderful and I would do it again tomorrow if it wasn’t a 30-hour journey from Australia to Israel…and I had the money! I loved the whole tour, but a couple of highlights were so memorable to me. The first highlight was arriving in Tel Aviv and setting foot on The Land. Masada with the spectacular view over the Dead Sea and the history that has always fascinated me was another place I will never forget. |