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Tour writeups, reflections on guiding and the occasional practical guide.
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120 articles
The Western Galilee: behind every dish there’s a story
The fourth day of Israel’s culinary tourism course was the long one, north to the Western Galilee. A social-enterprise kitchen, a widow’s olives in a Crusader village, a logistics manager turned baker, the country’s first boutique distillery and a hummus place named for a father who never saw it open.
Zichron Ya’akov: wine, beer and a long lunch
Day three of Israel’s culinary tourism course was billed as a wine day around Zichron Ya’akov. What I remember is a scorned grape, a brisket queue, a bar mitzvah spent in a brewery and a horse farm that turned into a restaurant.
The Sharon: Israel’s quiet Tuscany
The first field trip of Israel’s culinary tourism course took us to the Sharon: an organic farm run by an ex-lawyer, a cheese-making family spread across the religious divide, olive oil and a boutique winery that revived a forgotten grape.
The theory of a good food tour
Day one of the culinary course was in a classroom. It changed how I think about a food stop, and gave me the line I still use with guests: behind the food, there are always people.
Why I trained as a culinary tour guide in Israel
I love food, and somewhere along the years it became a bigger part of my tours. So I took Israel’s only culinary tourism course for guides. Here’s why, and what’s coming.
What to do on Shabbat during your Israel tour
Some people think you need to plan an Israel trip around Shabbat as if it's an obstacle. I keep it myself, and I think something else. It's the one thing here you can't experience anywhere else.
A new home for My Israeli Guide
After twelve years I've rebuilt My Israeli Guide from the ground up: a new gallery, refreshed writing and easier trip planning. Here's what changed, and why I did it now.
How to visit the Gaza Envelope area in the wake of the October 7th massacre
A first-hand look at visiting the Gaza Envelope after October 7th — the Nova memorial, Sderot, the Shuva Achim rest stop, and the ethical considerations to weigh before you go.
Private tour company of the year award
Honoured to be recognised by the Travel and Hospitality Awards as Private Tour Company of the Year for Israel for 2021, despite all the COVID-associated challenges.
Private tour specialist of the year award
Very special to be recognised by the Luxury Travel Guide as the Private Tour Specialist of the Year for Israel for 2020/21, after a hard pandemic period for tourism.
If you are going to Israel, you would be mad not to give him a call.
Amol Rajan, BBC presenter and broadcaster
Having been on trips in Israel with seven different tour guides, Samuel stood above all the rest.
Seasoned Israel traveller
Samuel is one part walking encyclopedia, one part storyteller, one part stand-up comedian.
Berkeley Haas Business School student