Tamar Barkan
Travel Expert
+972-52-8803096 | tamar.barkansh@gmail.com
Customized Journeys
Planning a vacation is half the fun! Let us put our years of expertise to work.
Personal experience • Local connections • Tailor made itineraries • A one of a kind journey created especially for you.
Family Adventures
Sightseeing is great, but as a family the memories are priceless. Explore landmarks.
Create stories • Deepen relationships • Traveling together creates an indelible bond that stands the test of time.
Mitzvah Celebrations
Celebrating a milestone should be joyful and rewarding. We can make this significant time even more special.
Traditional ceremony • Exquisite venues • Festive reception • A celebratory journey that is unforgettable.
Community/Group Travel
Arrive as a group and leave as a family. Traveling with others can be both rewarding and fun!
Reunion gatherings • Special occasions • Shared interests • The connections created will last a lifetime.
Personal Passionate Partners
Our mission is all of the above and more when it comes to creating travel experiences. Individuals’ interests vary as much as the destinations themselves. We take a personal approach to each tour we plan, experience we create, and mitzvah we help celebrate. One constant is our commitment to be with you every step of the way. From our home base here in the U.S. to our team on the ground, we are at your side every step of the way, and as we like to say:
Your wish is our command. Your dream is our vision.
Why us?
As your partner, we think it’s important that you get to know us.
Growing up in the city of Jerusalem and the fields of the Kibbutz, our passion for Israel is deep-rooted. Led by Tamar, we have planned and coordinated a lifetime of memories for hundreds of travelers over the past decade. Israel Is Real holds true its name, taking you “inside” the most authentic experience.
Our love of travel is without boundaries. Throughout the years, our clients have journeyed to every corner of the world. Northern Europe and Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Central Europe and Morocco are just some of the other destinations we have brought to life.
At Israel Is Real, complete concierge services include airline and hotel reservations, fully- and semi-guided tours and point to point travel arrangements right down to the best hummus in town. We customize trips for travelers at every age, every budget and every group size. Whether you are a world traveler, a “never been there before” or anything in between, let us plan the perfect journey for you.
SEE THE SITES |
SEE THE SITESA First-Timer Tour of History,
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TASTE THE FLAVORS |
TASTE THE FLAVORSA Culinary Celebration of Sugar,
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WALK IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS |
WALK IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPSAn Israel Christian Journey of Lifelong Faith and Discovery
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MIND, BODY AND SOUL |
MIND, BODY AND SOULAn Escape Into A World of Purity
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FEEL THE RUSH |
FEEL THE RUSHA Non-Stop Race Through
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CELEBRATE B’NAI MITZVAH |
CELEBRATE B’NAI MITZVAHA Once In A Lifetime Coming of Age Experience
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DABBLE IN EUROPE |
DABBLE IN EUROPEA Traveling Trifecta of Judaic Heritage and History
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EMBRACE MOROCCO |
EMBRACE MOROCCOA Majestic Journey From
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BEHOLD EUROPEAN GRANDEUR |
BEHOLD EUROPEAN GRANDEURA Worldly Venture to
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Tamar Barkan
Travel Expert
+972-52-8803096 | tamar.barkansh@gmail.com
Tamar Barkan
Israel Is Real flourishes under the direction of its founder, Tamar Barkan. A native of the United States and daughter of Jewish Educators with a love for Israel, Tamar and her family emigrated to Jerusalem when she was young. Together the whole family connected with the land, its language and its culture. Tamar went on to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, further strengthening her life long bond with the country and its people. All bi-lingual, much of Tamar’s family still lives in Israel.
In 2006, Tamar and her family received an opportunity of relocation to the United States. She and her husband, Nir, along with their four children embraced the new adventure and embarked on a journey from the Promised Land to The Land of Opportunities. It is this combination of deep-rooted connections to Israel and experience as an educator in Jewish communities within the United States that sparked Tamar’s passion and knowledge of travel.
“I grew up in a strong Zionist home in Washington DC. In my teens, my parents immigrated to Israel where I completed my high school education and served two years in the IDF. It is a country in which I also built my own home and raised four children in a small farming community,” Tamar says in her own words. “The multi-cultural upbringing gave me an understanding of the educational, religious, and professional aspects of both American Jewry along Israel’s orthodox and secular sectors. This remains with me today, decades later, and is at the heart of each trip I plan and itinerary we create. To me, this is as personal as it is for the individuals, families and groups who set out on a life-changing journey of discovery.”
Partners
With truly personalized service and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we partner with only the best guides and educators, hand-selected based on your specific needs. Everyone is different. Some travelers need a guide every step of the way. Others like to explore a city on their own. And then, of course, there are those who prefer the best of both.
At Israel Is Real, we make the perfect match and find the proper balance. All our guides are licensed and fluent English speakers with years of experience. We (and they) want to make sure that you get the most out of every day, and still travel at the pace most comfortable for you.
Travel Tips
Traveling to Israel? Here are some tips and resources to help.
Having worked with many tour organizers over the years, I can honestly say that Tamar is the best! What sets her apart from the others is her eagerness to listen and learn. Before she ever makes arrangements or accommodations, she develops a meaningful relationship with those who are traveling. Tamar isn't simply interested in your "likes and dislikes", nor does she start with a list of things she thinks you'd like to see. Tamar takes the time to really understand you, and that's what turns a journey into the adventure of a lifetime. From the top tourist sites to the most hidden, off-the-beaten-track locales, Tamar takes you there. Constantly on the search for the new and different, Tamar brings both experience and innovation to her planning, and it shows. Tamar treats you like you are family; she only wants the best for you, and that's exactly what you get.
This was an amazing trip… thanks to Tamar and Israel Is Real. This was not our first trip, but definitely the best! Well planned, within our budget, delightful (affordable) lodgings with amazing Israeli breakfasts (of course). Our guides were phenomenal… friendly, funny and knowledgeable… and able to adapt based on our interests and needs. Most important, on the really rare occasion when a question/issue arose, Tamar was avaiilable (day or night) to resolve it immediately and painlessly. Whether this is your very first trip to Israel or a repeat… whether you are alone, a couple or a group… Israel Is Real is the way to go. We would never do it any other way!
Tamar – What you provided …I will never thought or dreamt…I had a different dream… A Bat Mitzvah Journey to Israel wasn’t even on my RADAR…but you gave of your time and countless sleepless nights to create a Journey that will remain in our hearts as a family forever. You brought ISRAEL to life not just for Carly but for Rachel also. As a parent it was amazing watching the connection take place. You thought of everything down to the last detail. You are absolutely Tiggerrrrrrrriffic.