Recommend May 2013 - (Page 64)

JORDAN TOURISM BOARD ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM d intimate ⏟ “People are grasping for faith to help them persevere in these times. Many are reaching out to us and are looking to travel to holy sites to better understand and strenghthen their faith. A journey to Israel brings solace and peace to pilgrims as well as a better understanding of the beginnings of their religion.” – Brian John, President & CEO, Intrepid Vacations 64 may 2013 62-69 ME IsraelJordan.indd 64 General Tours World Traveler, which does 90 percent of its business through travel agents, is all about keeping it small and offering one-on-one focus. “All of our groups operate with 16 or less passengers. It means we can bring very focused attention to our guests. We can stay at smaller hotels that larger groups can’t stay at and which are off-the-beaten path,” Drumm says. He points to the Shalom Hotel & Relax in Tel Aviv, which he describes as a sophisticated beach house overlooking the Mediterranean. He also says the company offers a range of travel styles, including Freestyle, which are shorter journeys and city stays, as well as private tours. In fact, during our conversation, Drumm pointed to one couple that was traveling to Jordan for 10 days, which he says is quite a long trip to the destination. Just for the two of them, the company set them up with two nights in Petra, “then they are going to Wadi Rum, and are actually going to overnight there in a tent. They are going to spend the day with national guards who preserve and protect the historical sites in the region. They are doing a food thing in Amman.” Those are the types of travelers, he notes, that the tour operator is sending to Jordan this year. “They are a little bit different than those going to Israel.” Drumm suggests ﬁrst-timers to the region should get their feet wet with a trip to Israel. “Even if you are not a particularly religious person, you know a lot of what happened there and it becomes real. I think Jordan is more of an acquired taste.” Package it: When asked which is one of the operator’s more unique trips to Israel and/or Jordan, Drumm immediately points to the 8-day Ancient Pathways to Petra (rates start at $1,999 pp dbl, land-only). The itinerary includes all the best-known sites of antiquity, as well as lesser-known places like Pella and Gadara. Highlights include a visit to an urban art gallery; experiencing culinary traditions at Tawaheen Al-Hawa restaurant, a local favorite in Amman; taking a slow-paced tour of Petra; and exploring the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum by 4x4. The Pay-in-Full 2013 discount saves couples $600 ($300 pp) on any 2013 Small Group or Private Tours journey when they pay in full at time of booking by Aug. 30. recommend.com 4/23/13 12:58 PM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Tour Talk: PerryGolf
Viking Aegir
A-ROSA Cruises
New York City
United States
UK & Ireland
Caribbean
Fairmont Mexico
The Road to Ruins-Peru's Northern Kingdoms
Kush Kelibsiz!: Welcome to Uzbekistan
Touring Israel & Jordan

Recommend May 2013