Star Travel: Celebrity Tours in Israel

Aviad Amith has an exceptional job: One day he might spend time with U.S. Senator Cory Booker, another day with billionaire Sheldon Adelson, and yet another with actor Jon Voight, Angelina Jolie's father. Amith, a professional tour guide, is accustomed to being in the company of VIPs of all kinds: His tour company, 'Nachshon VIP Tours' (which he co-owns with colleagues Meir Heiman and Yisrael Levison) provides security and guided tours for celebrities from around the world seeking a private, secure, and meaningful visit to the Holy Land.

Amith, a graduate of an elite military unit, started a security company after his military service. His company quickly became the security provider for the 'Taglit-Birthright' project, which brings young Jews from abroad to the country. His current occupation was sparked by the American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, whom he was introduced to by the director of Birthright in Israel about ten years ago. "He was in Israel at the time with his wife Miri and two sons and they asked me to organize a tour for them. I took them to the Judean Desert, showed them the place where Moses ascended to the top of the peak, and we viewed Mount Nebo in eastern Jordan". The Adelson family visits the country several times a year, and after the first time they toured with the young Bible enthusiast, they asked him on every visit to be their tour guide.

Following Adelson, other famous clients arrived, but Amith's tour guidance services took off only after Deepak Chopra came to the country – a doctor and New Age guru whose books are bestsellers in the United States and who is sought after by many celebrities. "He stayed in Jerusalem and was looking for a tour guide. I took him on a walking tour of Jerusalem. Apparently, he liked me, because six months later he returned to Israel with thirty famous friends, including billionaires and well-known actors. Even the Shah of Iran's daughter was in the group. He called me and asked me to organize their entire tour from start to finish. This group essentially established our business: they needed security, scheduling, and guiding arrangements – and we provided all that".

Aviad Amith the guide

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refers some of its clients to Aviad, mainly senior officials from foreign countries. Amith sees a mission in guiding such people to gain a different perspective on the tiny Jewish state. "I guided a very senior figure in the European Union, known for leftist and pro-Palestinian views. We took her to the Judean Desert and showed her how within half an hour of driving east, the country ends... This greatly impressed her." Amith also guides many delegations of U.S. Congress and Senate members, both Republicans and Democrats. "I prefer the Republicans," he admits with a wink, alluding to their more absolute support for Israel. He also has an amusing story about a Democratic Congressman he recently guided: "We asked him if he wanted to plant a tree in Israel, and he enthusiastically replied yes. So we took him to an illegal settlement in Samaria and had him plant a tree. He was so pleased with himself..."

Celebrities of all kinds come to Amith typically through word of mouth. All of them, he says, hope to experience something special in the country, and that hope is always fulfilled. "I have a picture of Ann Romney, Mitt Romney's wife, in the City of David – she cried throughout the tour. I have a picture of the thirty richest donors in the United States sitting at a folding table on the Mount of Olives – they were deeply moved. I've never encountered an indifferent tourist".

Aviad points to the Bible as the factor that causes celebrities of all kinds – like other people – to react emotionally to a tour in Israel. "When people come to places they've read about in the Bible – it touches them. The view from the Mount of Olives, the view to Mount Nebo, the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron... When I guided singer Sylvie Laufer, for example, she was very moved in the City of David. She said the Bible literally came to life before her eyes and that this was the highlight of the visit".

When asked how Amith manages to maintain his confidence when working daily with celebrities, he credits actor Jon Voight (Angelina Jolie's father) "I remember taking him to Hebron relatively early in my career, and he sat in my jeep all excited and curious, waiting to hear what I had to say. Then I realized that my storytelling skills aren't the issue – it's the land of Israel that speaks to people, and I use its power".

What is your personal favorite route?

"I love biblical sites like the Valley of Elah, Ein Gedi, or the City of David. It's a concept. My favorite day tour plan is to fly by helicopter over Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley, land in the Golan Heights, and do a hike near the border. You can see evidence of three wars there. In Gamla is the best-preserved Roman battlefield in the world, with amazing findings of 200 ballistae, 1,600 Roman arrowheads, soldiers' sandals, and more. There are souvenirs from the Six-Day War, when the Golan was liberated. And there are the new battle sites beyond the border, in Syria. You get a very comprehensive view of the history of Israel there".