Hamdi El-Shora, a guide in Egypt...

Though Egypt is not generally the type of place I might feel comfortable traveling alone, I did so in May 2007 with a fabulous guide named Hamdi El-Shora. Hamdi is a young Egyptian man who speaks wonderful English and guides singles or groups to locations around Egypt. He, a driver named Hamed, and I traveled to the remote western oasis of Siwa for four days. Hamdi arranged for my travel and lodging as well as showing me the sights and being my translator. He was very conscientious and respectful, and I never felt uncomfortable, even when we went on a 4x4 trip to the Great Sand Sea in the middle of a sandstorm! He also threw in little things to make my trip more memorable including a Berber BBQ on our last night in Siwa. I will admit to being nervous about traveling on my own in Egypt, but Hamdi put me at total ease. I highly recommend him as a guide. His company is called Adventure in Egypt, and Hamdi can be reached at www.adventureinegypt.com
Rebekah, Little Rock, USA

Bassam Al Bouz, a guide in Jordan...

My traveling pal and I (two 50-something women) would like to recommend Bassam Al Bouz as a driver and guide. We were allocated Bouz through the Hertz desk at the Movenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea in Amman. Bouz was full of interesting information including the history of the places we saw, knew all the best places to stop and went out of his way to make sure we saw the real Jordan. Even on the way to the airport he went off the highway to a side road so we could see the olive groves and grapevines. We think he did a good job. You can contact Bassam Al Bouz in Jordan, tel:+962797206028, email: bassamtrans@yahoo.com
Jeny, Wellington, New Zealand

Mohamed El-Hamid, a guide in Luxor, Egypt...

If you are going to Luxor, Egypt I can highly recommend the guide that my friends and I used there. We travelled in a party of 4 (3 of us women), and had guides in each city we visted. However, the guide we had in Luxor stood head and shoulders above the rest. His English was excellent, and the tours we had were informative and well-paced. But even beyond our day tours, he was tireless in making sure that we found everything to our liking in Luxor. even taking us to buy some wine, when we discovered the hotel did not serve any. All around a very helpful, friendly and fair guide. His name is Mohamed El-Hamid and his email is m.elhamid@yahoo.com.
Jillene in the USA

Gideon Har-Hermon, a guide in Israel...

Gideon is the terrific guide who made my life so easy during the 9 days I was in the Holy Land. He drives a 7-seat Mercedes Van Limo (so comfortable) and boy does he know his country, its people, religions, history, etc. Other folks he has guided are Claire Danes (Golden Globe's award for Best Actress), J. Tanner, US NASA Astronaut, and Goggle's Sergei Brin. Gideon not only gave me great info and took me to wonderful little restaurants, he also introduced me to lots of folks I never would have met without his help. Thank you, Gideon! Website: www.gideonguide.com
Evelyn, Toronto, Canada

Madeleine Lavine, a guide in Israel...

I just recently returned from a four day tour of the Holy Land out of Jerusalem with licensed Tour Guide, Madeleine Lavine. I went with two other female friends and I found Madeleine to be extremely knowledgeable, professional, prompt, flexible and personable. Due to our limited time in the area, we were unsure if we could fit in all the sites and activities that we hoped to, but Madeleine was able to meet and exceed our expectations on the tour. Her command of both English and Hebrew was extremely beneficial for us as we traveled to multiple towns and regions. I would highly recommend Madeleine Lavine to any female planning a trip to Israel. Contact: madl@zahav.net.il
Pamela, San Jose, USA

Jeannie, a guide in Hong Kong...

If you are looking for a Hong Kong guide for business or pleasure, I am delighted to pass along the name of Jeannie Hau. She served as my guide when I researched GirlTalk Hong Kong and she was fabulous (many of her personal tips are included in our guide). Jeannie knows everything there is to know about Hong Kong, she's especially pleasant to be with and will make your assignment or sightseeing very much easier. For rates and further information contact her at: jhau@netvigator.com
Evelyn Hannon, Toronto, Canada

Jane, a guide in China...

OCDF China Tours is a touring company headed by Dr. Jane Liedtke who is a member of our Journeywoman Network of classified advertisers. We thought it made sense to display her ad in this article. When my daughter and I travelled to China, Jane was a great help to Journeywoman. Through her company, she arranged for a car and driver to pick us up at the Beijing airport, rates were reasonable and the transfer worked smoothly.

OCDF CHINA TOURS provides family-friendly tours and programs for independent travelers throughout China. From Beijing to Tibet we can help you fall in love with the country. Our licensed travel planners and guides are selected carefully by OCDF's CEO (Chief Energy Officer), Dr. Jane Liedtke, who lives and works in Beijing (with her 10 year old daughter, Emily).We do tours for groups of families, groups of educators and/or businesspersons, and independent travelers - families, pre-adoption, couples, etc. Contact: Jane@ocdf.org or visit: www.ocdf.org/tours.
Evelyn Hannon, Toronto, Canada

Lee, a great guide in Guilin, China...

I'd like your readers to know that I found a great guide in the Guilin/Yangshuo (Li River area). Lee is terrific and she will take you anywhere you want and really personalize your tour. Her English is good and she will go that extra mile for you. She did for me, bringing my leather jacket to me after I left it in the hotel. You can email her at: tom_5665@163.com
Trysh, Tianjin, China

A great guide in Cambodia...

I'd like to recommend Mr. Brem Sopheap a guide I hired in Cambodia. He is outstanding and his driver Sohka was also outstanding. Brem speaks English well and is steeped with knowledge on Cambodia -- history, war, angkor wat, etc. There is much poverty in Cambodia and to be a guide takes much study. Brem now works for a tour company but is hoping to establish his own business and is quite willling to work for individuals. He will also pick up at airport, hotels, etc. This man and his driver were the kindest, gentlest, most helpful of all the guides I have ever met. Brem's email address: sophiapprem@yahoo.com
Melanie, Albuquerque, USA

Eloy, a great guide in Oaxaca, Mexico...

I've just returned from Oaxaca, Mexico, a magical city rich in culture and art. For years Oaxaca has been an annual destination for me, my sister and other women friends. Our visits to Mexico have always been greatly enriched by a very kind and knowledgeable young English-speaking guide who has now opened his own travel agency. I highly recommend Eloy Gutierrez Cruz whose office in the town center is on the 5 de Mayo No.101-B. He can be reached at tel: (01-951) 516-8687 or email: go_lanny@yahoo.com.mx. I hope you like him as much as we do.
Wallace, Tucson, USA

Garry, a guide Camino to Santiago de Compostela...

Last May, three other women and I walked 115 km. of the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, something that had interested us for a long time. We didn't know if we were up to it (age range 59-70). We searched the internet and found tour groups walking what we thought were too long days, and some walks were very pricey. Then we found a young Australian man named Garry Budin who will design your Camino. Gary made all our accommodation reservations at very reasonable prices, and had our major luggage transferred each day so that we could walk with day packs only. He also gave us his service as guide and provided transportation for a few days sightseeing in the area prior to dropping us off at Sarria from where we walked days that ranged from 10 km to 24 km. That last day was long but we were got yo our hotel before 3 pm. It was a great experience, and a very pleasant peaceful one where we had nothing to do after breakfast, but walk and walk and walk. The countryside was beautiful in May with heather and gorse in bloom and we had no rain! Any descriptions we had read led us to believe we were facing difficult terrain, and a somewhat bleak scenario. On the contrary with all the people who walk it in May, we had interesting encounters and enough company to dispell any fear about safety. If you've thought of the Camino, contact Garry@spanishadventures.com.
Barbara, Toronto, Canada