Waking up every morning to an indulgent buffet then being indulged by your wonderful Story-telling and most interesting way of seeing the past meet the present in a truly magical world and country of Israel. Your patience is sincere as well as your interest in us all having the most amazing trip!
These Past Memories Keep Me Motivated to Create More!
Already traveled with me?
Flawless from arrival to departure, it was by far our best family vacation. Every day exceeded our expectations with an itinerary that was perfectly balanced. We were amazed by the wide range of interesting, engaging and fun activities that succeeded in being both educational and bringing us literally in touch with Israel’s remarkable natural resources through hands on experiences like our own archaeological dig and cave explorations.
The trip also provided context for our kids who often wonder why they go to Hebrew school. Iddo did a masterful job of bringing the relevance of Israel, past and present, to our lives as American Jews. It goes without saying that Iddo was a gift. Without his scope of knowledge, passion for Israel, talent for conveying information in an interesting and accessible manner, flexibility, and good humor, all of the best planning would not have created the wonderful trip we experienced.
Finally, despite a full and complex itinerary, Larry and I have never had a more relaxing vacation which of course enhanced our family time together. Each step of the way, from the personalized brochure of our journey through Israel, prearranged late check out on our last day, and seamless transitions and small changes in itinerary throughout our stay, we felt pampered and secure.
Having been eavesdropping on our kids phone calls over the past few days I have been delighted to hear them telling friends that Israel was the best vacation ever, and the biggest compliment of all that “Israel rocks”.
I always enjoyed your talks at St. Bart's so I knew this tour would be good. However – you more than exceeded my expectations! Hope to see you again!
Nestor Danyluk
New York City, NYThe most informed guide I have ever had! 4X in Israel! I love your delivery of details and stories and love for knowledge period! Thank you!
Judi Lessin
USAThank you for guiding us through the best spots in Israel. In all seriousness, you have illuminated the rich history, both ancient and modern, that have allowed our people a chance in the world. Thank you for bringing forth the importance of Judaism and Jewish culture in the world and our role in preserving some sort of faith and future. I know we are all so grateful for your knowledge and storytelling. Our trip would not have been the same without you. Thrilled to have had you with us for our time in Israel and hopefully we can meet up with you again in the future.
Rita Herzog
USAThank you, thank you, thank you! Your passion, care and enthusiasm are an inspiration, We could not have asked for a better guide for our family's visit to Israel! (I can't believe we have to do the rest without you). Your knowledge on everything from history (ancient and modern) to politics to botany to language, culture and beyond has added such depth and richness to our experience here – and we are grateful. We will miss you and we very much hope to see you again. We wish you all the best.
Tal, Rob, Layla, Michael & summer Copen
USAAlthough we have been to Israel multiple times, in some ways you made it seem like our first time. We thank you for making this visit so wonderful, different, fun and easy! Your depth and breadth of knowledge on so many things is fantastic and we learned so much. Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to help us see and do some out-of-the-typical things. We feel fortunate to have met you and now we call you a friend. We look forward to seeing you again! Thank you also for your willingness distinguishes between the culture, people, history, religion and politics. For the first time we were able to understand what people really think on the ground.
Irene, Dan, & Nina Simpkin
Maryland, USA
My first look at these buildings came during a general architectural walk guided by Iddo Katz, an archaeologist with a clear love of the city. That day, the sky shone a crystalline blue and the sun beat down benignly. Bougainvillea bloomed, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the city’s copious palm trees danced a little in the breeze.
Our small group met outside my nondescript hotel, one of several that hulk over the beach promenade. Katz pointed out a few nods to the International Style that these 1990s buildings offer: the vertical strip of “thermometer” windows that run along their sides, the notched corners, the horizontal ribbons of room windows that band the buildings.
Katz also indicated a skyscraper a few blocks away, the Shalom Tower from 1965. A rectangular slab that echoes such modernist classics as the Secretariat Building of the United Nations (designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier) and the Seagram Building (Ludwig Mies van der Rohe), the tower represents the height of the “ideology that was behind Tel Aviv,” Katz observed. “It says, ‘We’ve moved beyond mud and stone. We want modernism.’ ”
Thank you for an amazing week of discovering and rediscovering Israel. You are a fantastic guide, a wonderful new friend, and a tremendous human being. Your insight, your wisdom, stories, alongside your caring and kindness made this truly special. Come visit in LA soon. And we look forward to travelling with you again.
Robin, Stuart, Hanna & Sam
Los Angeles, CAOur eyes & ears & hearts are full awed by the majesty of this incredible country. We cannot thank you enough for sharing the love of Israel with us! You astounded us with the breadth and depth of your knowledge and we deeply appreciate your political insights, your funny stories and the warmth of your personality. You are a National treasure and surely the "Best Guide in Israel"! We look forward to seeing you again!
Debbie, Allan & Ben Weksberg
USAWe are convinced that there is nothing you don't know! Spending the week with you was enlightening, informative and enjoyable… also fattening! We leave with you so much knowledge, appreciation for Israel: culture, and history, we thank you providing this wonderful experience for us and for putting up with our "meshugas". Hoping to see you in New York soon and look forward to exploring other countries with you in the future!
Shari & Barry Lubman, Debbie & Marty Rifkin
USAYour Charm, wisdom, knowledge & most of all kindness has been so enjoyable to Steve & me in our 1st time visiting Israel. We are so lucky to have you literally explain so much about the geography, biblical ancestors, stories & so much more. We will miss you, Thanks a lot for all your hard work!
Nancy & Steve Frenkil
USANever have I experienced so much love and care and grace. It is so hard to think about leaving not just this stunning place but what withdrawal it will be not to hear your voice on a daily basis. I will never forget you and will keep you in my heart and prayers forever. You are a gift and I am blessed. Thank you!
Elizabeth Levin
USAThis has been a trip of a life time for me. I am so impressed with you and the way you talk about your country and its history. It is a blessing to learn from you. It is a blessing to know you. Thank you for sharing so much with us.
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USAFrom the Horowitz Bat-Mitzva Tour:
I am most grateful for your leadership, your calm manner, your patience, your expressive knowledge and so much more!! This has been a great trip and I look forward to doing this again!
Kevin Bean
New York City, NYWell where do I start? My first trip to Israel and all very memorable thanks to you – your special insight & knowledge- I shall treasure the memories and thank you endlessly for your special care of all of us.
Cindy H.
New York City, NYDear Iddo You were the Glue of our trip! I've never met anyone so knowledgeable. We'll stay in touch!
Art Wrubel
New York, USAYou are the keystone of a trip that moves me every minute. You have introduced Israel to me as if I’d never been here before, or don’t think of the country daily or dream of its everlasting place on the map. It’s easy to let Israel stand on its own but you’ve brought to life each city and stop. It’s as if the country is larger than the U.S; the difference between the Hula Valley, Tzfat and the Golan Heights may be small in somebody else’s hands. Yad Vashem, the western wall; old city became more sanctified by your voice and detail. You’re all Israeli including a great sense of humor... almost self deprecating by the 10th day. I’m eternally grateful for what you’ve given my boys. Thank you.
Brad Rothenberg
USAYou showed us Israel in such a unique passionate and personal way – even though I’d been here before I felt that everything was new. You brought such incredible perspective and knowledge to each and every day and shared your wealth of information with patience, humor and kindness. Your love for what you do, for your country showed through in everything and was an inspiration for me and my family every day of this one-in-a-lifetime trip. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Dena Rothenberg
USAOur first family trip to Israel and it was not just our first trip home, but our first Iddo experience. It was an important trip for our family & you helped complete us& our return home. I will never forget what you old my children on top of Masada & their look of learning, the look of understanding that this is their home & that for them the "Welcome" mat is always out. I don't let go of people I love & of people who love my family & for better or worse you now fall with that category. Just as we can always come home – our door is always open to you!
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USA
I have a profound appreciation for your knowledge, expertise and ability to relate on a personal level. This along with your curiosity for learning, in my eyes puts you head and shoulders above any one I have previously worked with in Israel. Seeing Israel, including but not limited to Old and New Testaments, through your eyes and heart made this a very special trip- the best of any trip I have led to Israel before.
My warmest regards and thanks. I look forward to seeing you again
Thank you for bringing Israel's history alive for us in such an entertaining and informative way. We've learned so much from you and you've made our forth visit to Israel the most special and memorable one.
Joann & Jerry Chaser
USAWe can't thank you enough for turning our trip to Israel into a trip of a lifetime. We could not have had a better time and it was largely due to your diligence, tenacity and good sense of humor. Thanks again.
Stacy Halpern
USAIt was just a universal agreement from our group: You were so special, your personality. Your passion touched us constantly. Every day, was enhanced by your presence. I personally thank you for your kindness and caring for “me”. You make it possible to enjoy even the most difficult areas to climb. Thank you again and again, Bob and I were genuinely thrilled to be on this trip. You made it truly special.
Micki and Bob H.
USAThere are really no words to express how wonderful this trip has been. Not only did the kids have fun but your interesting stories intermingled with past & present history created a truly meaningful experience. When we planned the trip I was hoping that we could somehow convey to the kids that this was not the trip to the Caribbean or Skiing, it was so much more! But how could we do that when Larry & I have limited Jewish experiences ourselves? Remarkably you succeeded in creating both most fun family vacation experience & we have had one in which we all learned about the importance of Israel to us personally. Larry & I knew this is just the beginning of a lifelong connection with you & Israel. We will be back & hope you will be there again to share the fun!
Donna & Larry Shelley
New York, USAI can only tell you for myself , katie and Donna we are thrilled to have had the privilege of meeting you and learning about our homeland from you. You were as impressive to the seniors as you were to the adolescents and youths (Rubie, Eli and Kimmie) What a sight it must be to see assimilated American Jews toting new kipas. I could not have had a better experience, a trip of a lifetime with old friends, family and friends that became new friends and hopefully lifelong friends. The story of Israel its history and its ongoing struggle against all odds is unparalleled in the history of mankind. Seeing it up close is real.
Lloyd D. Landsman
USAWe had a great time with you and learned so much. I will spend many hours in the days and months that come gaining a better understanding of the many things you taught us. I am sure I will spend much time studying my bible and trying to better understand the basis for my Christianity. I don’t think I could do this without understanding Judaism much better. You certainly started me on the road to such an understanding. Politically, you gave me incredible insight into the problems facing the Israeli people. Most of all, you enabled us to gain a most unusual insight into the everyday lives of people that live here. We come away from this trip with a new love for your country and the people that have made it such a great success. You are a tremendous representative of your people and country. Anne and I both hope to be able to entertain you and your family one day in our country.
Richard Hamlin
Park City, UtahJust wanted to say “Thank you” again. I and my family had a fantastic time in Israel and we owe much of that experience to you. We enjoyed your stories and your history but most important of all we enjoyed your friendship and I know in my heart that I have made a new friend and I will see you again. You are more than a tour guide; that is clear.
Steve Schwat
USAThank You! This trip helped to re-establish my deep connection to Israel and Jewish history. From Canaanite to Biblical archaeology to, Rome, Crusaders, Islam, peace and amazing modern Israel. I could connect the dots and feel the continuity between today and thousands of years back. We established a deep relationship and hope to do many trips with you of discovery and self-discovery. Hope to come back and see you soon.
