By Chris Meyer

Several ingredients make up a successful adventure:

• Fascinating destinations.
• Efficient logistics.
• Congenial fellow travelers.
• Insightful interpretation.

We struck gold on all counts on our Cosmos tour of Israel and Jordan.

INSIGHTFUL CONTEXT

Ori Katzir delivered insightful context for familiar Biblical accounts with expert storytelling and pacing.

Why was Pilate in Jerusalem at Passover and not it luxurious Ceasarea, which we had visited earlier? To make sure he got is cut of the money changing hands at this busy time, the same money changing that incensed Jesus because it was occurring in a holy place.

Why did certain Jewish leaders want to get rid of Jesus? He threatened their comfortable, corrupt lifestyle.

Throughout our tour, as we marveled at walking in the footsteps of Jesus, Ori provided perspective that helped historical scenes come alive:

• Jesus delivering his Sermon on the Mount and offering hope to throngs of people trying to live good lives in an unfair and corrupt world.
• Jesus and his disciples gathered in Capernaum, where they could view potentially threatening activity in Tiberius across the Sea of Galilee.
• Boating on a peaceful Sea of Galilee and learning about how storms sometimes rise out of nowhere.
• A tortured and exhausted Jesus struggling to carry his cross.
• Fearless disciples proclaiming the Resurrection and facing persecution.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Ori also fluently connected dots. Jesus and the Messiah prophecies. John’s baptism and the many archeological mitzvah baths Jews used for symbolic spiritual cleansing. The 27 destructions of strategically located Tel Megiddo and the description of Armageddon the Book of Revelation. After exploring Jerusalem’s Old City, Ori pointed out key sites on the wonerful scale model of First Century Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.

Ori – a historian, journalist and former government official – also provided expert commentary on the emergence of modern Israel and complexities of today’s political situation.

A poignant example is the fact that Ori, an Israeli citizen, could not join us in Bethlehem, which is in the Palestinian Authority, so we had a local guide for that part of the tour.  Then, when we transitioned from Israel to Jordan, we were handed off to a Jordanian guide. This makes sense as a Jordanian would be the best interpreter of his country.

However, Ori has never been to Jordan and Osama “Sam” Zyoud, our excellent Jordanian guide, has never been to Israel. This despite the fact that they must be immensely curious about their neighbor.

While tension and complexity remain (they go back thousands of years), it’s good that the two countries have long ago stopped fighting each other and are reaping mutual benefit of peace and  tourism. We felt perfectly safe and welcomed wherever we ventured, including Palestinian towns of Bethlehem and Jericho.

In Jordan, Sam, provided excellent commentary. An archaeologist as well as a tour guide, he offered a wealth of knowledge about the ancient city of Petra and the impressive Roman ruins of Jerash.

Both guides effectively used humor, which is always welcome.  Sam, for example, explained with a wink why he does not go by Osama. While this generated laughter, along the way he also described authentic Islam, in contrast to the perverted terrorist version that makes headlines.

It is one thing for guides to narrate a tour and another to engage in dialog, and our group was full of questions. Both guides demonstrated skill in dealing with curious travelers and appreciation for our deep interest.

EXPERT GUIDANCE LEADS TO FULFILLING TRAVEL

The magic was that they delivered what we expected and more. This was travel at its best -expanding perspectives, puncturing pre-conceived notions (nothing is exactly as I had pictured in my mind), providing newfound appreciation for others, and offering much to ponder.  

We have been blessed with excellent guides before. On a Tauck tour through South Dakota and Wyoming, where tension between Native Americans and those of European descent endures, our guide was able to offer unique insight as the daughter of an American Indian mother and caucasian father.

You really know what great guidance is when you get a stinker. All of the local guides on our Viking Danube River cruise were excellent, except the one in Regensburg, Germany, who seemed to be dully reciting a memorized script. I did not say anything until after the next day in Passau, where our guide was outstanding. When I mentioned our one disappointment to the cruise director, he told me that Regensberg was a last-minute replacement when the regular guide was suddenly unavailable. Things happen.

I often talk to people who say they can do it on their own with a Lonely Planet book or some notes from a friend. Or that they are a savant about finding that random taxi driver who will provide awesome commentary on the cheap. But, for my money, I will take an expert guide vetted by a travel company of good reputation any day. My unguided days have never been as fulfilling as the guided ones. And I simply don’t want to waste precious vacation time. From Mauna Kea, Hawaii to Waterford, Ireland, I have benefitted from insightful guidance. Have you noticed that even Rick Steves, promoter of independent travel, always has a local guide on his television shows?