Israel & Jordan Travel

Message Submitted by Wanda on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 07:18

<p>Would like to hear from anyone who has recently returned from Jordan and Israel or is planning a trip there in the near future. With the esculating Mideast unrest, how safe did you feel while there? If you are planning a trip there in the next few months, what stance has your tour company taken -- business as usual or ????? I am watching the news and am aware of State Department advisories. </p>

Reply Submitted by Jack Manes on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 09:22

We were in Israel in January 2009 during the war with the Palestinians in the Gaza strip. We had no problems at all, went to Jordan and Egypt as well. Never had one problem during the entire trip.

Reply Submitted by Stan on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 09:25

With the situation subject to change so quickly and unpredictably, I wouldn't base a decision on anyone else's experiences, even if only from months or even weeks ago. I think the best thing to do is to keep as well-informed as possible and make your own decision. Then weigh the terms of the tour company's cancellation policies and whatever insurance you have. For example, does your policy cover you in cases of "civil unrest," which is how a company might now characterize events in Jordan but no longer in Libya? Also consider that if you cancel, you're probably subject to at least some cancellation penalty, whereas if the company cancels the tour, you've got a better case to expect a refund. Also, if your plane tickets are non-refundable, check if the airline will make an exception for you.
I speak from experience, I was supposed to be in Libya earlier in March!

Reply Submitted by Patsy on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 06:28

AM PLANNING TO GO TO SYRIA, JORDAN, AND LEBANON 4/9/11. SPOKE WITH THE TOUR CO. AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REROUTE IF NECESSARY- SO FAR THEY ARE HOPEFUL TRIP WILL BE A GO. INS. COVERS FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS OR IF TOUR CO. CANCELS BUT NOT IF I CANCEL BECAUSE OF UNREST. WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE TIME LEFT SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Reply Submitted by shandi on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 10:38

We were in Bangkok last June during their "civil uprising."' As an Amercan it is hard to imagine it. No one was in the hotel, no one on the streets, sirens, an escort to the airport. And we were told by our travel agent and transasiapacific all was safe . All was safe but a holiday is supposed to be joyful and free of stress. this was most definitiely not.
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Moderator note: light editing.

Reply Submitted by rxmarty on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 05:42

We're going to Israel in 10 days. We have been waiting 20 years for a safer time to go.
Everyone I speak to says "go, the Israeli's have dealt with this for years. You will be safe".

Reply Submitted by Wanda on Thu, 05/19/2011 - 08:35

To follow up my earlier query, we did not cancel our scheduled trip to Jordan and Israel and are happy that we did not. During our week in Jordan, we did miss seeing the market adjacent to the main mosque in Amman since Friday is the day protests usually are held and police did not allow tourists in. Everywhere else, we felt welcome and safe. During our two weeks in Israel, we felt safe, even with the Nakba protests marking the 1967 capture of the West Bank. As rxmarty wrote earlier, "The Israeli's have dealt with this for years..." As I recoup from jetlag and the chaos of catching up at home, I'll write a more complete trip report.