Israel/Jordan November 2013

Hi All,

I took about five Tauck Tours and I love the company.

On my bucket list is Israel.
I was excited to see there's a trip to Israel but I do not have a feeling to go to Jordan because I'm a lil afraid.
I hope I am not offending anyone. The world is different now with terrorism. I am a solo traveler.

The hotel in Jordan is the Movenpick Resort & Spa which is *****.
To see the place where Moses looked out upon the Promised Land must be extraordinary, and Petra is astonishing, yet I have concerns.

I have a big birthday coming up at the end of November 2013. I want to go somewhere that is special to me. Israel would be it. I am of the Jewish Faith, and although I am not religious, I have a place in my soul pushing me towards Israel. I'm not getting any younger, (unfortunately), and if I'm going to do this, I feel I should do it sooner than later.

I've asked ten people about it, they said "just do it"....the only one who said not to go to Jordan was my doctor. She said she just doesn't feel comfortable, and she doesn't advise I go. I told her plenty could happen in Israel, too. She repeated, no I would just go to Israel.

If you have an opinion or a comment....please feel free to post it. I must make a decision very soon.

Thank you.

Comments

  • My husband and I went on this trip in May 2012. It took me about 5 years to decide to go, even though it was my 7th Tauck tour. I too was very afraid of Jordan. I am also Jewish and had never been to Israel. The entire trip was amazing. My favorite part was actually Jordan. The resort at the Movenpick Dead Sea reminded us of Hawaii. Very tropical and beautiful. We didn't go to Jerash, but instead spent a wonderful day at the resort. Petra is something indescribable that shouldn't be missed. You are only in Amman for the afternoon and evening. You are given a 5 star hotel room to rest in before your trip out of Jordan. At the airport you are met by a special Tauck representative that holds your hand throughout the check in process and security. I was never afraid. There were even a few single women on our trip. The tour director is named Matt and has been doing this tour for about 20 years. He was wonderful. I highly recommend going on this trip. There is nothing to worry about. In true Tauck style every tiny detail is handled for you.
  • Hi Lenora,

    Thanks so much for responding.

    It's amazing your favorite part was actually Jordan. I heard he Movenpick Resort is even nicer than the Intercontinental David. I was thinking I would skip Jerash and stay at the hotel, too.

    You said you were met at the airport by a special Tauck representative. Is that in addition to the limo taking you to the airport? I usually book my airline reservations myself because I find bettter rates, although I'm finding flights out of Amman a little tricky. Did you use Tauck for the airline reservation? Where did you fly to from Amman to make another connection? So far, I saw a connection in Paris with a long layover (I'm on the East Coast).

    Your post was encouraging.

    Shalom.

  • There were actually 12 of us that left the Amman hotel at the same time so we were taken to the airport by Tauck bus. The representative met us at the airport for the sole purpose of helping us negotiate check-in and security. We left on Lufthansa at 2am and flew to Frankfurt. Most flights leave there in the middle of the night. The airport is very small, but the duty free store is very large. From Frankfurt we connected to LA, but others connected all over the US. I also booked my own air, have never booked air through Tauck. There is no reason to stay any longer in Amman, and we were advised not to leave the hotel.
  • edited July 2013
    Hi Lenora,

    Yesterday, I called Tauck, and rep explained I could leave on day nine after Masada, or before if I don't want to see Masada. A taxi would take me to the airport to leave Israel. I asked if I do the whole tour would someone meet me at the airport. She said, she didn't think so, but from what you wrote perhaps is it Matt who was the representative? Or someone does, and she wasn't aware. She said we drop you off, and the tour is over. I said, okay. My flight out of Amman would be around 2AM (unless I find an earlier flight). I know you must be at the airport three hours earlier.
    I just don't like the idea of being in the airport alone. I'm sure others will be leaving too, but everyone is taking different flights. If I could be reassured what you wrote would happen to me, I would be relieved.
    Matt, or someone from Tauck who knows about this, if you are reading this help!!!

    I can't go away being afraid, it will not serve the purpose of taking a vacation. I will have to think this out, but right now, I am heading towards just Israel.

    Did you change your money in Israel or did you charge items?

    Thanks Lenora, I really appreciate your advice.

  • Hello EnjoysTraveling,

    I have forwarded your concerns to the tour managers to see what they say. I will let you know once I hear back.

    Thanks,
    Emily
  • Emily, I appreciate your help. I am very undecided about Jordan.
    I will keep checking the boards to see your response.

    Thank you very much.
  • Hi EnjoysTraveling,


    According to our Tour Manager:

    Guests have a staff member from our ground operator take them from the hotel to the airport and assist them with checking in. They leave the guest at the line for security, as they cannot pass that point without an airline ticket (like how it is in the US nowadays). The Amman airport is large and modern with multiple shops and cafes that are open late. It’s a brand new airport that just opened this year. With the extra security that is always in place at the Tel Aviv airport, the Amman airport is much easier to depart from.

    Chances are there will be other guests on your flight so you will not be on her own. Even if you are, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable as there will be plenty of tourists around at that time. Many flights do depart late.

    The Tour Manager for this journey has flown out of the Amman airport multiple times as a single woman and has always felt safe. She also wanted you to know that the
    Petra and the Dead Sea are amazing, once in-a-lifetime experiences. She would hate to see you miss them


    Hope this helps. If you have any other questions or concerns please do not hesitate to ask.
    Emily
  • Hi Emily,

    Thank you for the information.

    Does Tauck give this service because of the location or is it because it's in the middle of the night?

    It is comforting to know the ground operator assists with checking in (he has a lot of people to help) because the flights leaves late and, of course, I have no way of knowing if anyone else will be flying back to the East Coast. By the way, when I asked Tauck about this special service they were unaware of it, but if you got it from the Tour Manager, I guess I can say "you got it from the horse's mouth".

    If I decide to travel to Israel ONLY, does Tauck provide the same service?

    Thank you very much Emily. I really do appreciate your response.


  • EnjoysTravel - what special service are you referring to? If you mean the ground operator escorting Tauck folks to the airport and getting them as far as they can (i.e., up to immigration), my experience is that this is the norm for non-English speaking departures - or at least the one's I've been on (three).

    In reading your posts, not sure what it is that has you so concerned about Jordan. Certainly bad things can happen anywhere - Israel, Jordan, Boston, London.... Some parts of the Middle East are maybe more tense than others but not sure Jordan is one of those places. Have you looked at State Department site? There don't seem to be warnings for areas you'll be in.

    Gather your courage and go - as Emily notes, Jordan is wonderful and sites are not to be missed.
  • OlySue I was referring to the ground operator.

    If you to go Travel.Site..Gov and scroll down to THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: It starts off saying:
    The threat of terrorism remains high in Jordan. Transnational and indigenous terrorist groups have demonstrated the capability to plan and implement attacks in Jordan. There's a few more paragraphs.

    Despite some of the negative things I've read, I'm concentrating on positive things. For example, I'll be with a group, and Tauck is a good company.

    I would be more comfortable if I was with a friend, but since I won't be, I'll just pray all will be peaceful, fun, and have a memorable trip.
  • To Enjoys Traveling.

    I did the Israel-Jordan trip in Feb. 2012 and it is amazing. You MUST see Petra. There is no danger anywhere and all the hotels, food, sights are the best and if Matt is the tour director, you are in luck! Edris
  • Hi Emily,

    Thank you for the information.

    Does Tauck give this service because of the location or is it because it's in the middle of the night?

    It is comforting to know the ground operator assists with checking in (he has a lot of people to help) because the flights leaves late and, of course, I have no way of knowing if anyone else will be flying back to the East Coast. By the way, when I asked Tauck about this special service they were unaware of it, but if you got it from the Tour Manager, I guess I can say "you got it from the horse's mouth".

    If I decide to travel to Israel ONLY, does Tauck provide the same service?

    Thank you very much Emily. I really do appreciate your response.


    Hello EnjoysTraveling,

    We provide departure transfers to airport with assistance in airport check-in many of our "exotic" journeys, it has nothing to do with the location or time of day.

    Hope this helps,
    Emily
  • Edris wrote:
    To Enjoys Traveling.

    I did the Israel-Jordan trip in Feb. 2012 and it is amazing. You MUST see Petra. There is no danger anywhere and all the hotels, food, sights are the best and if Matt is the tour director, you are in luck! Edris


    I'm hearing a lot of wonderful things regarding Matt. I hope he will be the tour director. Thanks Edris.
  • Emily, I appreciate your help. I am very undecided about Jordan.
    I will keep checking the boards to see your response.

    Thank you very much.



    Thanks.

    I was reading information on the CDC site about vaccinations.

    Did anyone have to take a Hep A, Typhoid, or any vaccinations for this journey?
  • Dear enjoys travelling,
    My husband & I will be on the November 2013 trip. We were also a little concerned about traveling out of the Amman Airport. However, I am reassured by the responses to your post. I have also heard from others that the Amman Airport is very modern and safe. We look forward to meeting you on the tour.
    R&R

  • Hi R&R,

    Are you traveling from the states? I'm on the east coast.

    I feel better about Amman Airport reading the responses too, and especially the part about the ground operator. I printed it, and will bring on the trip. My flight home is around 2:30AM. I figure they will drive me over to the airport about 11:00.

    Still waiting to see what transpires with Obama, Assad, and Russia, but things look better.


    Looking forward to meeting you :)
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