Welcome

Coronavirus update (6/27/2022): I’ve received 4 shots of the Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19 so I’m ready to guide. When we weren’t in lockdown here in Israel I took the opportunity to travel the country, finding new sites, rechecking familiar sites and exploring off the beaten track (I mean really off the beaten track) so now I’m even a better guide. I’m looking forward to showing you Israel on your next visit.

Columbarium (for keeping doves) cut out of limestone at Luzit in Ela valley – off the beaten track

Business Travelers The next time you’re going to be in Israel on business plan to spend a day at the beginning or end of your trip (even the day you’re flying out) to experience something of this incredible country, the best way to do that is with a private guide, you deserve it.

Shalom. My name is Shmuel Browns and I am a tour guide, licensed by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. If you’re looking for a private guide and help in planning your Israel trip (I also do sites in Jordan) then contact me to get started.  I help individuals, families and groups create personalized itineraries that balance their interests, time, and budget.

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With a guide and a map you’re ready to discover Israel.

I guide the whole country, from “Dan to Beersheva” (actually from the Golan in the north to Eilat at Israel’s southern tip including tours of Shomron to visit Sebaste/Samaria and Mount Gerizim, a few Palestinian sites, Jericho, Bethlehem and Rawabi) and sites in neighboring Jordan like Petra, Wadi Rum, Jarash (one of 10 Decapolis cities) and Amman. I am a native English speaker (also fluent in Hebrew) and made aliyah/immigrated to Israel in 1986. When you hire me, you get a knowledgeable and experienced guide who is passionate about Israel.

“… a very professional and dedicated guide – Shmuel was super – he went above and beyond what was expected and left us with one of the most beautiful days of memories of our trip – He was patient and kind and incredibly knowledgeable! An exceptional guide who I highly recommend!!!”
– posted on Tripadvisor
“Please put our comment on your web site that the tour was excellent, full of very interesting information, you led it at our pace and we learned so much. You are truly an expert in all things Herod. The personal attention to our needs and the warm friendship made the day so memorable. Oh! and by the way the day was great value for money.” Ray and Beryl Briddon (UK)
“We recently completed our tour to the Dead Sea with guide Shmuel Browns” and it was wonderful. The region, sights and locale we give a 10, but our guide deserves more than an 11. He was the perfect choice for us… fielding questions regarding places not even on the tour. Certainly a well versed guide with knowledge, integrity and a means of making the seemingly unrelated pieces… relate. His empathy was even able to bring a 47 year old memory back to life, making him a large part of a now lifetime memory.” Rick Cohen (US)
“It is difficult to put into words just how good this tour – and guide – actually is. Let’s start with the route. It ticked all the boxes of the main things you would expect to see, but I saw things that you would NEVER find on a self-guide or group route. The route was well-thought out and personalised to my PRECISE needs. That is priceless! So, now to the guide, Shmuel. What he didn’t know was not worth knowing. He was a walking, talking, smiling, happy encyclopaedia. Book this guide with confidence!” Phil Day (UK)

If you’re still unsure whether hiring a guide is right for you then put your cursor over the ABOUT tab above and click WHY HIRE A GUIDE? from the menu for some of the advantages of touring with a professional guide, and WHAT CLIENTS SAY for clients’ recommendations.

TOURS

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If you’re looking for ideas of special tours click here or on the TOURS tab in the menu – I am happy to customize any of these tours to match your interests. If you already have your own ideas for a tour then contact me to help you with the itinerary.


Left things to the last minute? — contact me right away, phone number/WhatsApp/Telegram and email are on my business card. The image is from a photograph that I took on a trip on the Golan.

Israel is a deeply fascinating and varied country. I do tours focussed on archaeology, art and architecture; religion, history and culture; nature; food and wine. As a guide who is also a photographer I do special photography tours covering the country.

To get ideas for your trip and a better sense of touring with me as your private guide, click here (or on BLOG tab in the menu bar at the top of the page) and take some time to read my blog posts, more than 350 views on Israel in words and pictures. Under the HOME menu item is a link to a sitemap of the entire website. In general, use the menu to navigate and explore this website and discover the incredible country that is Israel. For specific information use the Search field below.

Lehitraot ba’aretz  (See you in Israel soon).
Shmuel