Sheila T.
So where to even begin:
So where to even begin: Let me just say that AIT does a wonderful job at organizing. I had many questions before I left and everything was so easy, well planned and wonderful. Let me first start by saying that ISRAEL is safe, not once at anytime, did I ever feel unsafe. The people of Israel are gracious, kind, helpful and so happy to have you there. DO NOT BELIEVE ALL OF THE RUBBISH YOU HEAR ONTHE NEWS! Go and enjoy! So here is the scoop: You are usually on the bus everyday by 7:45 AM or 8:00 AM. Sounds early but you get up, eat breakfast and go. You do so much in the day that sometimes you will look back and say WOW! Day ends by 6:00 or so, then you are off to dinner or whatever you want to do. Please have comfortable shoes. You can wear shorts and sleeveless stuff but just remember for religious sites you will need to have something to cover your knees and shoulders. Most women used sarongs and scarfs on days their shoulder were exposed or they had on shorter shorts. I took a lot of $1.00 bills. I think I took 50, then I took another $50 in fives. Everyplace takes dollars and/or credit cards. Your guide will direct you. There was water on the bus everyday for $1.00 a bottle. The hotels are nice, the food is plentiful and if you get to stay at the Dead Sea their displays are fabulous! One of the best things for our group was that you just really become a family. You get to know everyone and when it is time to say good bye it is truly sad. You all embark on a journey that I cannot properly put into words, nor could I recreate. There is so much that will touch you. I am home now for 2 weeks and still wish I was riding around Israel on that bus. Ya, the bus. OMG, the drivers are excellent. We had Meir, and he got that bus into the smallest of spaces, came within what seemed inches of other cars and never hit a thing. They are very talented. Our guide Tamar was stellar. It was like we were her little boot camp and by day 2, she had us all trained and it perfect working order (ha). Needless to say the moral of this story is that the trip was wonderful and fulfilling. We are already looking to the summer of 2020 for a return trip to Israel. Please do note that there is quite a bit of walking and it is warm in the summer, this is not a trip where you are hanging by the pool and reading your favorite novel. It is full. You will love it. Thank you AIT, Tamar and Meir. You are the best.