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Geopolitical reviews

Unedited reviews from Tripadvisor, Google and Facebook.

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Tripadvisor

“A neutral account of the contentious parts of Israeli history.”

“Samuel is an engaging story-teller, has a great sense of humour and recommendations for food, music, souvenirs! He is genuine and gives you a neutral / factual account of the more contentious parts of Israeli history that you are unlikely to get from other guides (trust me: I had a not-so-great experience with another guide at Yad Vashem). I spent eight days in his company and he is one of the reasons I had the time of my life in Israel!”
Independent traveller, Tripadvisor Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Presents multiple perspectives on complicated topics.”

“My Graduate program toured Israel with Sam and he was incredible. His knowledge base is wide and his humor is on point. Sam truly knows how to present and discuss multiple perspectives on complicated topics, delve into history’s lesser known facts, and keep groups engaged for days on end. Thank you, Sam! My tour was amazing!”
Graduate-programme participant, Tripadvisor Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Fifth year running our 50-student policy trek.”

“It was a great pleasure and honor to have Samuel return for the fifth year to guide our annual policy trek, a delegation of 50 graduate students from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, throughout Israel. As one of the trek leaders, Sam did an excellent job at studying our itinerary and carefully weaving stories, multiple narratives and, when applicable, anecdotes into every stop on our tour. It is clear that Sam takes great pains to give a balanced and even-handed account of highly complex and contested sites in Israel. Sam certainly knows how to work a crowd to maintain good morale and vibes on long tour dates, often providing some comic relief with his corny "Dad" jokes and sharing some of his favorite Israeli songs accompanied by group dances on a charter bus. Sam made our trek experience deeply informative and memorable. This experience will undoubtedly remain with me and my colleagues for years to come.”
Fletcher School policy-trek leader, Tripadvisor Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Balanced and honest; he won’t indoctrinate you.”

“Samuel is super knowledgeable about Israel and knows how to explain complex issues and concepts in a clear manner. Straightforward, balanced, and honest-- If he has an opinion on an issue, he’ll tell you, but he’s not trying to indoctrinate anyone with his views.”
Private traveller, Tripadvisor Read on Tripadvisor →

“Happy to offer different narratives on complex and controversial topics.”

“Having been to Israel multiple times in the past, I was looking to go a bit off the beaten path and learn in depth about the early development of Tel Aviv and through it, the beginnings of modern Israel. Samuel readily tailored a tour to match exactly what I was looking for and also to fit in with my schedule between other appointments. He was a brilliant guide and I learnt so much about Israel’s development, the growth of Tel Aviv and patterns of migration. He was happy to offer different narratives when exploring complex and controversial topics in this historical period, and to have open discussion about contemporary challenges. I would certainly recommend Samuel for anyone looking for a tour that is perfectly matched to your interests, no matter how specific, and in general for anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable experience in Israel.”
The Rt Hon Ian Austin MP
Tripadvisor

“Perfectly Tailored Tour”

“Samuel’s five-day tour of Israel was life-changing. We started in Tel Aviv, spent the night in a Bedouin camp in the desert (complete with camel ride!) then woke to hike Masada at sunrise, soak in the Dead Sea, tour the tunnels of Jerusalem, dance on tabletops, explore the ancient city, be moved by Yad Vashem, take in the Sea of Galilee and wander the Golan Heights. Any one of these experiences would have been transformative, but the whole week with Samuel was beyond incredible! Along the way, Samuel’s wit and wisdom enlightened us. He was so knowledgeable and hilarious! One of the best parts of the trip was how diplomatic Samuel was with his historical knowledge. This is a part of the world where religions collide, emotions run high and "truth" is relative. Samuel did an amazing job of explaining historical significance without a personal or political slant, so I felt like we learned even more of the nuance of events. If you’re keen to learn as much as to see the sights, Samuel is the perfect guide. And he’ll tailor the tour to what you’re interested in learning most, including the best fabric in the souk!”
Tripadvisor

“An Incredible Experience”

“I contacted Samuel to organize a private guided tour for my father and I as we traveled, and I cannot adequately express how happy I am that we chose him as our guide. He was courteous, knowledgeable, and professional while also being totally flexible when my father and I needed to make adjustments to our daily itinerary for one reason or another. He was very thoughtful in the itinerary he prepared for us, bringing us to open air markets to enjoy Israel’s incredible food culture and to the Supreme court after learning that both my father and I work as attorneys. Truly, I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Tripadvisor

“Awesome (and knowledgeable) guide”

“Samuel guided nearly 100 MBAs this summer on my trip in May 2016. His ability to manage different personalities and interests throughout the entire trip is a testament to his professionalism and adaptability. Whether your interest is ancient Jewish history or the modern socio-political situation of the Middle East, Samuel’s knowledge allowed him to educate and entertain deeply. My favorite memories from our tour are his stories: from Masada to the Syrian border to Jaffa, Samuel’s storytelling engages listeners and reveals different facets of Israeli culture. I also appreciated his ability to be self-critical and present an objective perspective to events and attitudes in a high-tension environment. I would seek his services if you: -want a fantastic, professional tour of Israel -want to enjoy your vacation -are excited about meeting great people I would not seek his services if you: -don’t enjoy life -don’t like learning -are looking for a crappy vacation Samuel also has an incredible secret skill you should ask him about when you meet him.”
Tripadvisor

“Amazing Trip Through Israel”

“Samuel provided a great and thorough background as we traveled across the country. There are so many difficult topics to address ranging from history - religion - to politics, and Samuel was always willing to provide a detailed narrative to help us understand each of our questions better.”
Tripadvisor

“Amazing Guide!”

“Having Samuel as our trip’s guide in Israel was one of the best aspects of the trip. He is a great well of information about Israeli history, music, culture, and anything else you can think of. He was also really engaging for the entire week and kept our groups attention the entire time. Before we came, he researched the kind of topics our group (an IR grad school contingent) would be interested in so he was prepared for all the questions we asked. Also, (as we were studying conflict resolution) I found he gave us a very unbiased perspective of the current happenings in Israel which I really appreciated.”
B2638CHstephaniec Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Sam is Masterclass”

“Sam is the best guide I have ever had. Anywhere. Not only does he seriously know his subject, but he knows how to share his knowledge through stories in an amazingly entertaining way. Sam was my guide for a week-long trip throughout Israel and his expertise, personality, and objectiveness absolutely made the experience what it was - educational, rewarding, enriching, fulfilling. He addresses any question or topic that comes up with ease, and his passion for the subject is palpable. He did a great job exposing us to Israeli culture, history, politics, and society anywhere we went. If you are looking for a tour guide in Israel who will provide you with the best experience you could image, Sam is the one you’re looking for. He goes above and beyond without even thinking twice. In a word, he is masterclass.”
Tripadvisor

“Wonderful guide on a wonderful place”

“Sam is an excellent guide. He welcomes and is ready for hard and pressing questions, but also knows how to entertain a group and keep us all engaged with the issues. He knows quite a bit about the places we visit, and is always happy to research when he does not. I usually am very much against guided tours, but now I really want Sam to give me more tours of Israel. In all, Sam knows very well how to be the guide his audience needs him to be. This is, I believe, the highest quality a guide could have.”
Tripadvisor

“Arizona Law Israel Trek 2016”

“One of the highlight of the trip is our awesome tour guide, Mr. Samuel Green. He positively changes my thought of a tour guide when traveling. From now on, I will consider to pick a good guide for my travel when I can. Samuel is very knowledgeable guide who works hard to make sure we are provided sufficient information for any sites he takes us to. Also, he is very caring and responsible guide who knows how to lead and take care the group of 40+ people to have the best time in Israel and Palestine. On top of that, he has a good sense of humor which really entertains the group. I would definitely recommend him to others.”
Phong_Pham_Law Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Incredible Trip”

“Samuel was our tour guide for my school’s MBA spring break trek to Israel. I was looking forward to visiting Israel but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Samuel was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Israel and the past and present cultures that have made their home there. He was patient and thorough answering all kinds of questions from the mundane to the politically charged. He also managed to remain (in my view) incredibly neutral in all of his explanations. Israel is a complicated place and there are many different points of view and opinions on what has happened and what should happen. Samuel always addressed all sides and he presented a nuanced multi-cultural view of Israel. Samuel is also a friendly, funny, easy-going guy and would be great for trips of all sizes.”
Tripadvisor

“Best guide for Israel, hands down.”

“Samuel is the perfect tour guide. If you are browsing this site looking for a guide for Israel, do yourself a favor and book with Samuel. I’ve traveled through most of Europe and the Middle East, and this was by far our best tour guide experience. My girlfriend and I spent 8 days one on one with Samuel, visiting everything from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to the Golan Heights and the Negev desert. Here is what you need to know about Samuel. 1) First and most importantly, he is very smart & knowledgeable about Israel and its history. We visited sites from ancient Israel to present, and Samuel had a constant stream of interesting and unique stories to share about both the magnificent history of the times and the everyday people who lived in them. 2) He was HIGHLY flexible. Travelling is and should be about learning, exploring and taking part in an experience you will never forget. This means your plans can change, certain sites take more time than you think, and some won’t be as interesting. We changed plans several times - something that can be tricky when you have an itinerary and set amount of days for travel. Samuel not only was okay with this, but was incredibly helpful along the way. 3) He was very responsive in the pre-trip planning process and did a lot of work to help us pick dates, find hotels, book tickets and more. 4) He went above and beyond the line of a tour guide several times. First, our flights were delayed by an entire day. Samuel was on the phone and in contact throughout the process, rebooking drivers and helping us adjust our plans. After my baggage got lost for several days, took point in getting it tracked down. This was all without being asked. 5) We visited Israel during some of the recent unrest and attacks. Samuel was in constant contact with the police and always aware of where we were safe and where we should avoid. We felt safe at all times. 6) Samuel is simply a good and fun person. By the time our tour was over, we had met his wife and been invited into the home of his friends for a Shabbat dinner. Samuel has a bunch of fun interests in addition to history - music, humor and food among them. 7) He also knows a ton about great food and restaurants. If eating at fine restaurants and finding the best out of the way spots for a great bite is your things, Samuel is your guy. 8) We spoke extensively about the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. He presented them in a fair and neutral way that I really appreciated. Thanks Samuel!”
Tripadvisor

“Samuel is the perfect guide for Israel!”

“Samuel’s intricate knowledge of politics, history and geography make him a perfect tour guide for a place as beautiful and complex as Israel. He has a wonderful sense of humor, an amazing music collection and very importantly, lots of patience. Hats off!”
kartikeyab2016 Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Amazing guide!”

“Samuel was informative and engaging throughout our tour of Israel. Always respectful, he accepted questions of any kind, and maintained a neutral context whenever discussing controversial hotspots. I hope that Samuel will be also guide my next trip!”
Tripadvisor

“Trip to Israel”

“Sam is BY FAR the best tour guide I’ve ever had. Hands down. I went on a group trip to Israel with 35 Wharton students, and was SO fortunate to have him as our guide. I learned more about the geography, history and conflicts in Israel within the first 15 minutes of Sam’s first lecture than I had in the entire quarter we spent studying the country leading up to the trip. He was impressively objective in his presentation of Israel’s history, society and politics. Our group literally couldn’t stump him with any questions - he knew his facts inside and out. I wish he could cover more countries - I’d travel with him everywhere.”
Z9777XGmichellel Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Great guide and awesome experience”

“It is a completely new and fun experience for me to be in Israel. Thanks for Sam as a good story teller, demonstrating the history from two narratives in such a fun way. Highly recommend!”
Tripadvisor

“Fantastic country tour with My Israeli Guide”

“I toured Israel for about a week with Samuel as my tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and receptive to questions. Samuel was also very caring of our group in terms of keeping us hydrated and safe - he treated us like family. I was impressed by his extensive knowledge on the area’s history, geography, politics, religions, foods, and international relations. All in all a terrific experience!”
mia_penningway Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“Touring the Old City! What a day.”

“Samuel was recommended by a friend in Israel. It was my first time in a country so I was coming in a little blind. He met me after one of my meetings and we headed to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. I was most curious about this history of the region so he spend the cab ride taking me through the rough overview (he even had a book of exhibits to visually illustrate what was going on!). I (only half jokingly) said that the education on the cab ride alone made the day worth it! After a great hummus stop for lunch, he took me through the Old City in Jerusalem. I got to see the obvious sites, and some of the less obvious sites (I’m a foodie so the secret back alley tahini factory was a great addition). I’d say he never left my side, but that’s not entirely true because at the Western Wall he couldn’t join me on the ladies side so patiently waited at the ladies entrance while I took my time in there. We hit all of the major religious sites. He did a great job of walking me through all of the different areas in a thoughtful and unbiased way, which I was definitely looking for. We stopped at the Israel Museum last, where I got an overview of Israel from an archaeological perspective. Overall, I was thrilled. I got the historical, religious, and archaeological perspectives of the day. Both my brainiac and explorer sides were fully satisfied. Thanks Samuel!!”
Tripadvisor

“Outstanding group trip”

“Samuel is the most articulate, informed, professional tour guide I’ve ever encountered. Our group of 50 or so international-relations graduate students was with him for a week in March 2015, touring sites of religious, historical, and political significance all over Israel. His knowledge extends far beyond the typical tourist-oriented subjects, and he has a keen grasp of the current political and social currents in Israel and the history that led to their development. Informative, entertaining, and eminently prepared, Samuel will make your trip to Israel an unforgettable one!”
Explorer414395 Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“An insightful unforgettable visit to Israel”

“This was my first time in Israel. I was traveling with friends from my graduate program(International Relations), many of whom are experts in issues in the middle east. Sam made an amazing job in guiding us through the country leading interesting conversations and discussions balancing those who knew a lot about the region with those who where not familiar with the many historical and political issues Israel has. He allows room for questions and encourages interesting discussions among any type of group. He is a great guide for all types of people and interests, he is a great person to travel with rigorously answering all our questions while also understanding and allowing time to see the attractions and have your own space. He definitely made our experience unforgettable.”
nataliaprietonino Read on Tripadvisor →
Tripadvisor

“As unbiased of an approach as there can be”

“We went all over Israel over 8 days. I highly recommend attending all of Sam’s walking tours, they are highly entertaining and educational!”
Samuel Green, a licensed Israeli tour guide, pointing out the view to two visitors at a hilltop overlook.

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