Friendship Tours
reviews and complaints

My recent tour to Israel through Friendship Tours sponsored by Pastor Heidi from Prince George Church was more than I ever expected. It was well planned with plenty of instructions to make the trip seamless. Our needs were taken care of and we were given days full of Epic experiences. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch the Bible come to life. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, organized and even entertaining. We were kept on a schedule which allowed us to visit a maximum amount of places and to enjoy the Israeli culture. I am grateful to have had this opportunity.

If you're looking for the best experience without the worry or hassle of international travel, then Friendship Tours is your travel company! I have been on three separate trips with FT to Israel and every trip has been wonderful. You will not find a better experience for the price. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. The hotels and accommodations surpass than the price. The travel from location to location is comfortable and without worry. So many from my groups have returned for a second and a third time because of Friendship's ability to provide custom tours. The entire staff, whether in the states or on site in Israel, treat you like family and are a joy to work with. I highly recommend entrusting Friendship Tours with your trip of a lifetime.

I am a Pastor in VA and this year took 3 different churches to Israel. Two groups were Community Churches and one church was a large Catholic Church. Words cannot express how absolutely phenomenal our journey to Israel with Friendship Tours November 28-December 7, 2022 was this year. Taking two different religious traditions at first was a bit concerning for me as a Pastor. But once we landed in Israel both the Catholic and Community Churches were accommodated beautifully. Every spiritual experience for each traveller was met beyond expectations! Every detail, our tour guide and hotel were outstanding! I have taken tours with Friendship Tours for the past 5 years and I have NEVER been disappointed! I am planning on taking several churches again this October to Greece, "In the Steps of Paul" with Friendship Tours and honestly...I CAN'T WAIT! BLESSINGS! Pastor H

Our group of 31 enjoyed our tour of Israel and Jordan! We were blessed with a fantastic guide and driver - which matters greatly on tours. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and worked with us to add in a couple stops not originally scheduled. The overall experience in Israel was excellent - there would be a couple of small adjustments I would make next time such as a different beach at the Dead Sea - but our group ended the time in Israel on a spiritual high. Our excursion into Jordan was highlighted by Mt. Nebo, Petra, and visiting mosaic shops, but the drive was long and customs was chaotic. Having our own bus was a blessing because it helped us to bond as a group and to have devotions and times of worship together. Friendship Tours did a good job helping us prepare for the trip despite us being one of the first groups post-Covid and the airlines making massive schedule changes leading up to the trip. Thanks to Nasser and his team! Pastor Chris P

I recently went on a trip to Israel with Friendship Tours and Pastor John Smith, and it was an amazing trip. We got to see so many wonderful places, learned so much about the country and the people who live there. The stories from the Bible came alive as we toured this magnificent country. The tour was very well organized. Our flights were long, but comfortable. We were told what to expect as we negotiated the foreign airports. Our accommodations were fabulous. The bus was comfortable and our driver exhibited some fantastic driving skills getting us through some pretty tight spaces. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and a good trumpet player. You could tell how well respected he was as he was greeted by many other guides. Since I have returned home, I think family and friends are getting tired of hearing about this experience of a lifetime. I look forward to traveling with this group again and have been recommending Friendship Tours to others.

We just returned from our second church trip booked with Friendship Tours - and it was wonderful. A little history: My first trip to Israel in 2019 was with Friendship Tours - but we were not leading the trip. While on the tour I knew we wanted to start taking groups -and emailed Friendship Tours. Nasser called me the next day. (as a comparative - I also emailed another company 3 times and never received a reply). Our Nov 2021 trip was originally scheduled for April - but due to COVID was postponed. Friendship Tours worked with us throughout the process to refund those who were not able to tour on the new dates, or didn't want to or able to meet the vaccination requirements at the time, etc. In fact, we ended with 22 travelers after having around 45. Nasser was in constant communication on the requirements which were changing by the day. Israel opened to tourists Nov 1, 2021 - we departed Nov 8. Israel closed for tourism again about 10 days after our return. Our trip this year was MUCH smoother due to elimination of the COVID requirements (vaccination & testing (3)), but of course with tourists returning to Israel it was busy. We have enjoyed our guide (Bernice) and driver (Hadi). Every day was packed with the sites you want to see while you are there. Friendship Tours has always communicated quickly and from my view did everything to make the situation right with cancellations. Their team on the ground in Israel has been wonderful as well. We have already set travel dates with Friendship for November 2023, with Bernice as our guide, and are excited to return.

Our church had scheduled a tour to Israel in April . Friendship tours canceled due to a covid virus. Frienship Tours sent everyone a letter saying they would not refund any monies. After complaints to the AG some were each refunded a portion of the total. Those using a credit card were not refunded anything. THIS IS TERRIBLE!

I have been traveling with Friendship Tours for over 20 years. FT will make certain your group has the best guide, accommodations, and transportation your budget can provide. (I have searched multiple competitions.) Also, when your trip has an unfortunate event, (count on it) FT will provide advice and resources beyond your expectations. This is the goal: for you to feel safe and to maximize your adventure. Friendship Tours will make that a real experience. One more point: The ownership will make it a personal goal for you to be pleased. They authentically care.

Horrible customer service. I went on a tour with our pastor Fr Ray Caldran in Marietta, Ga. I was assault on my second day in my trip and had to be airlifted to a hospital and stayed in the hospital for 11 days. My travel insurance is requesting various documents in order to process my claim. They are not difficult requests. They request 3 letters, 1. saying that they have not refunded me for my trip. 2. A letter stating that the airline did not refund my return home trip. 3. A letter stating my cost of trip since I only used 1 1/2 days of expenses out of the $5,000.00 that I paid for the trip.

I would give this agency no stars if that was a choice. Travelers beware! My husband and I were part of our church group going to Israel in March when Covid hit and Israel closed their borders to tourists. We were told a refund was not possible because "The money was already spent" which was not true! It was only when we contacted lawyers and the Attorney General that we suddenly were getting a partial refund (we lost the airline $$). One couple is still fighting with Friendship Tours to get their money back as they paid with a credit card that is insisting they get refunded through Friendship Tours and Friendship Tours is saying "no deal." We definitely would NOT recommend Friendship Tours.