TESTIMONIALS
On the way home Lenna asked me what the highlight of the trip was. After thinking a moment, I said the highlight was Aran! Without your suggested itinerary, navigation, insight, access, knowledge, and your wonderful demeanor that made our time together so enriching, our visit to your wonderful country would not have been nearly as interesting or fulfilling.
Brian Blauvelt, US
Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author
Aran Yardeni is the best tour guide I’ve ever had - enthusiastic, flexible, fun, high-energy, and incredibly knowledgeable. He arranged a terrific, exciting trip around Israel for my family - from the Dead Sea to the lush beauty of the Golan Heights, from the Old City of Jerusalem to the astonishing caves at Bet Govrin, from volcanoes to archaeological digs. As a trained professional archaeologist, he was able to take us to sites we never would have seen otherwise and show us the ruins of ancient cities in a hands-on way that brought them to life for us. Aran is also an expert in the history of Israel, from biblical times to today, and best of all he’s a natural storyteller with a great sense of audience - a rare talent among tour guides, I’ve found, but probably the most important. He was able to connect with our teenage daughter as well as he connected with my wife and me. Since my wife isn’t Jewish, he made a point of showing us places central to the life of Jesus and the early Christians, which made this ancient history feel real and immediate. He was a real pleasure to spend time with - he became a part of our family, and we miss him immensely. Thanks to Aran, our visit to Israel was absolutely, far and away the best trip we’ve ever taken. I can’t recommend him more highly. You’d be lucky to see Israel with Aran Yardeni. We sure were.
Our trip in Israel with Aran Yardeni was a highlight experience for us, as Aran is a generous, wise, energetic man who is passionate about many subjects but a humanist at his core.
Avery Rimer, Boston, US
Dear Aran, You have given our family the greatest trip of our lives. We’ve traveled often, and for so many years, before meeting you, and we’ve had wonderful trips together. But our trip with you was beyond anything we’ve experienced before. Your deep knowledge of archaeology, history, Torah, the New Testament, Islam, ancient and modern political issues, the arts (and much more) brought to us a richness and excitement we’ll treasure forever. Your way of imparting knowledge is the best way, we feel, because we learned everything in the form of great stories, great myths, and great questions. You’re a terrific and spell-binding storyteller. We also treasure your sense of adventure and great fun. We loved the music you played for us while we drove through the most breath-taking landscapes. We loved swimming near and under waterfalls, floating in the Dead Sea and covering ourselves with its precious mud, sipping wine at the Golan Heights winery and staying in the inn you arranged for us. We loved riding the camels. We loved digging for ancient artifacts (and finding them!) at archaeological dig sites that you knew and worked with. There’s so much more we’re grateful for. We’re especially grateful that you tailored everything to our interests, desires, and energy levels. And you did everything with warmth and grace. We look forward to returning to Israel and to you as our guide. Best regards, Michele Souda, PhD Founder and President Wordpower Communications
... when we arrived back in New York, my grandson, nearly 7, asked, "Why isn't there someone like Aran in Manhattan?"
Marty Peretz, The New Republic publisher and editor
Aran somehow has the magic that allows him to construct a trip that would stimulate both children and grandparents. He has the joyous spirit of Israel in his soul. So whether one is staying overnight in his own professionally erected tents on a 'tel' in the Negev or visiting archaic sites in the Galilee, he has the gift of making the general specific and the specific general. One of Aran's specialties is Jerusalem, Old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem. As an archaeologist, trained at the Bar Ilan University and seasoned at some of the most historically important sites, he can make all of this vivid to you: from the excavations at the City of David that concertizes our deepest roots in Jerusalem to the present.
Aran Shalom!
All i can say to you is that you were the best guide we've ever had... anywhere in the world. We made it home today and returned with a rich appreciation for Jerusalem and Israel. Your insights were wonderful. My kids are alive with stories when they speak to family about this trip. Just wanted to drop you a note of thanks!
John Urbik
Pilot - Delta Air Lines
My family has had the pleasure of having Aran as our tour guide twice, in Israel and Jordan. You can tell that we are thrilled with his service just from the fact that we used him twice. Aran possesses incredible wealth of knowledge across wide range of subjects, be it history, religion, geology or architecture. He can take you to Ttzfat and talk knowledgeably about Kabbalah, take you to a winery and discuss grapes and local wines, take you to kibbutz and compare and contrast various forms of government and social structures. Besides being knowledgeable Aran is adventurous. Be prepared for him to take you out of your comfort zone and give you an experience of a lifetime, visiting caves, watching stars and riding camels in a dessert, going to a cavern or running barefoot down a sand dune. However, Aran’s most unique characteristic is sensing what his customers want and creating an itinerary that will delight all travelers, old and young alike. So relax, trust his choices, and prepare for an unforgettable experience. Irena Vilensky, NY, USA
Dear Aran,
It's raining in Brussels and it's kind of cold, but I don't care - I carry in my heart the sweet memory of wonderful days spent with you.
I would have liked you to share with me much more of your immense knowledge, Aran. We were too short of time, but there will hopefully be another occasion.
Thank you for bringing such a lovely picnic - I cannot believe that I was actually sitting on the "Mont des Oliviers", having lunch with you all - under an old olive tree !
In the meantime, thank you again for the unforgettable days -
Bente
Belgium
Dear Aran,
I finally have your email.
I must tell you that I still think of my trip to your country and have only fond memories.
I really miss picking your brain.
However I am very happy to have you as a friend. Both Ruby and I will never forget your hospitality and your ocean of knowledge.
Please please give your Family and Uri lots and lots of our love and come soon. We are dying to spoil you.
Lots and lots of love to you
Sandeep,
Mumbai, India