Private tour of Mideast

Two weeks before Christmas 2004, my husband and I decided to take a much-longed-for trip to the Middle East. Where to go for information? Our ITN magazine, of course. There we spotted a small ad regarding customized trips to the Middle East via Caravan Serai Tours (3806 Whitman Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103; phone 800/451-8097 or visit www.caravan-serai.com). After only three or four back-and-forth phone conversations, a very friendly and capable travel rep, Maha, put together a fabulous trip for us, Dec. 28, ’04-Jan. 11, ’05.

We had a private driver and guide for each of the three countries we had decided upon: Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Everything went like clockwork — visas, border crossings, pickups and deliveries at airports. We had great hotel rooms and delicious meals. Our guides were very informative, and we were able to do and see just what we had dreamed of without any delays or compromising. It was a wonderful 2-week trip and we felt totally safe in each country.

$4,914 per person covered airfare and all touring — everything but lunches and dinners (we are light eaters and prefer paying our own way for such).

Jerusalem and Bethlehem were the highlights for us, but the entire trip was perfect. I would recommend Maha and Caravan Serai to anyone interested in seeing this historic part of the world.

MARGARET J. PERRY
Ft. Lauderdale, FL