Have you ever been on a tour with a guide who treats you like a school child, drones on with lifeless facts, takes way too long explaining attraction features or refuses to give you a straight answer because, in all probability, they are dancing around the fact they don’t know the answer?
Yea; me too.
But a great guide can bring to life a historic location, city or landmark with their knowledge, passion and intelligence.
I met a great guide like this when I was in Jordan with Exodus Travels recently. Omar Al Hamadeen, a Jordanian born in Petra, joined our group for tours of Petra, Little Petra, Wadi Rum desert, Aqaba and Amman.
“I have been an English speaking tour guide for ten years,” says the 35-year-old with a degree in English Language and Literature. “I am keen to provide the most professional services to clients visiting Jordan.
“I am a passionate tour guide,” he continues. “I would like to leave my everlasting touch and experience to be taken with each client to their countries.”
For me, his excellence brought to life this ancient land; its beauty and its place in world history.
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Tags: Jordan
Yes, having a great guide certainly enhances an experience! All guides aren’t the same!:-)
I agree; all guides aren’t created equal!!
I agree; all guides aren’t created equal!! 🙂
Local guides give you such a different perspective on areas especially those more remote. We have had some really good ones and some really bad ones.
I agree with you 100 percent. A guide can make or break any tour especially if they are with a group several days!
You are so right, Marilyn! I’ve been fortunate that most of the guides we’ve had have been great. But I recall one on a bus tour we took in Greece who was more interested in her makeup and flirting with the bus driver than she was in sharing information with us.
Fortunately I’ve only had two nightmare tour guides, but Omar was probably the best. He was with us throughout — sunrise through dinner for several days and was well versed and very accommodating!
Yes, a good tour guide can add so much to a destination, but how do you find one? You hired Exodus and they presumably vetted your guide. Since I usually travel independently, I’d love to know how to hire one last-minute and get that kind of quality.
That’s a good question. Exodus coordinated the entire Jordan trip. It’s too bad you’ve had bad experiences.
How do you find great guides who take your photos from oerfectvangkescand even sings local songs? I have done it twice and was disappointed both times so I have not used any since and just research on the net.
I just won the guide lottery I guess. Omar is the best!
It does make such a difference! Exodus does a great job finding tour guides which makes me want to take their tours again and again!
I tend to avoid guided tours partly because they give me a lot of information I’m not interested in, and partly because I like to wander around on my own. But it’s a completely different experience if you’re in a small group with a guide who’s interested in the subject and who can answer all your questions. On the best tours it becomes more like a discussion and it can open your eyes to all sorts of things you’d miss on your own.
I have suffered through bad tours myself!! In the case of Exodus Travels, the guide is with you throughout the 13-day tour, so they become a friend almost. We were always given free time at each location, so it worked well. Omar was an exceptional tour guide!!
You are so right about the difference a great tour guide can make! Sounds like Omar Al Hamadeen with Exodus Travels really has what it takes. I’d love to visit Petra and the area sometime. Would definitely consider Exodus (and Omar) for a tour.
You will love Exodus Travels, Omar and Jordan…in addition to Petra there are so many other historic sites to see…I was so impressed during my travels with the welcoming people there as well!