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27 Days The Enchantment of the Middle East Tour Package
Duration: 27 Days / 26 Nights
Priced From: $6,554 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: Oct, Mar, Oct
For an excitement-packed 30 days, we immerse ourselves in the unique landscapes and cultures of three of the most rewarding destinations in the Middle East: Israel, Jordan and Syria. The first leg of our incredible tour sees us admiring the beauty of 'the pearl of the Middle East' in Damascus, Syria, where we find grand mosques, traditional markets, abundant museums and picture-perfect mountain panoramas of the city. We enter the Syrian Desert to see some of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world at Palmyra, the great city of the Palmyrans; we browse lively Bedouin markets and the Grand Bazaar, wherein we learn about indigenous lifestyle and tradition; and we bask in the unique glories of ancient Mesopotamia, a land of mystery and intrigue. In Jordan, we take trips into the desert to see palaces dating from the 8th century AD and mingle with authentic nomadic Bedouin herdsmen, travel along the King's Highway to tour Crusader castles and discover the ancient secrets of Petra, former capital of the Nabatean Kingdom and a closely guarded secret of local tribes for eight centuries. From the buzzing, modern streets of Tel Aviv -- Israel's cultural centre and largest city -- we travel north along the glorious coastal sceneries of the Mediterranean to Caesarea, a historic port city that once served as Roman capital of the Holy Land. Making our way through the ancient land, we come across Biblical sites by the dozen; from the site where the archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary of the coming of Jesus, now situated under the Church of the Annunciation, and the place where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, to Megiddo, named in the Book of Revelations as the setting for the coming Armageddon -- the place where the forces of good and evil will meet in the final battle for mankind -- and the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. Before leaving Israel, we make sure we have sufficient time to explore fully the many bounties of Jerusalem, a wondrous city that displays features of the three religions that together formed the nature of this magical place -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- around every corner.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Damascus
Today we arrive in Damascus, Syria, and transfer to our hotel. Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and reports run back at least 3,500 years. Many claim that Damascus is THE oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. While modern Damascus is a standard Middle Eastern city, it was famous for centuries, and often referred to as the "Pearl of the East". Overnight in Damascus. Dinner if required.
Day 2 Damascus - Maloula - Palmyra
Travelling northward today, we arrive first at Maloula, where we visit one of the oldest churches in the world, the Church of Saint Sergis. Here we can see how a Christian altar table has been adapted from a pagan sacrificial stone, and perhaps hear the priest recite some of the liturgy in Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ, which today is spoken in only three places on earth. The people of Maloula, most of whom are Syrian Christians, still speak Aramaic among themselves. Late this afternoon we travel into the Syrian Desert and arrive at Palmyra. Overnight in Palmyra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 Palmyra: Area Tour
Today we have a full day in Palmyra and the desert oasis in which it is situated. We will visit the spectacular Archaeological Museum where we will see a well preserved collection of statuary from the Palmyra site, as well as collections from prehistoric Palmyra. We will visit the necropolis, comprised of multi-storey tombs that were rented out rather than sold. The builders of the tombs themselves become rich through the rent they collected. In the afternoon, you may wish to walk through the oasis with its palm and olive groves and its gardens separated by irrigation canals. In the evening the small town of Tadmor is busy with locals and visitors. Overnight in Palmyra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 Palmyra - Homs - Apamea - Aleppo
Arriving in Hama, we view a unique and lovely example of ancient engineering: the great Noria water wheels, first constructed in Roman times, which still turn and groan under the power of the Orontes River, delivering water to the fields around the town. Still in Hama we visit the 18th century inn that now houses the local museum. North of Hama, in the heart of the Orontes Valley, we visit the impressive second century BC ruins of the Roman city of Apamea. This huge site was once a city of one-half million inhabitants which was visited by Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. The focus of the site is the long double row of fluted columns rising from the surrounding fields. The museum near the site contains several beautiful and extensive mosaics. Above the Roman site stands the thirteenth century Arab castle of Qala'at al-Mudiq. We arrive in Aleppo in the early evening. Overnight in Aleppo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5 Aleppo: City Tour
Today we explore the city of Aleppo, beginning with a visit to the Citadel, situated on an eminence at the centre of the city. In the past anyone who took control of the citadel took control of Aleppo, and it's easy to see why. During the time of Saladin, the walled fortress we see today was given its present shape. This afternoon, you may wish to make your own explorations or join your Tour Leader on a tour of the Grand Bazaar. It is often said that if you did not get lost in the market then you have not seen it! You will find for sale Bedouin goat hair tents, felt shepherds' coats lined with sheepskin, Bedouin carpets and headscarves amidst a tumult of activity. The bazaar has a real "Thousand and One Nights" atmosphere with narrow, cobbled streets lined with vendors of every kind. The market is particularly famous its gold and silver items. Overnight in Aleppo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6 Aleppo - St Simeon's Monastery - Aleppo
From our base in Aleppo, we journey into the countryside to visit the monastery of St Simeon, where the famous anchorite spent 42 years in meditation atop a pillar in the fifth century. Here we visit the basilica which represents one of the most graceful and important examples of early Byzantine architecture. From this spot, we have lovely views over the landscape of northern Syria and into Turkey. We will stop to see a beautifully preserved section of Roman road. In this area there are many Byzantine "Dead Cities" whose populations were devastated by the Black Death brought via the Silk Road in the Middle Ages. Today they stand as empty testaments to the advantages and pit-falls of living from trade. Returning to Aleppo city, we tour the museum with its excellent collection of artifacts from the period of the great Mesopotamian kingdoms, including the water-bearer statue from Mari and some excellent cuneiform tablets from Elba. Overnight in Aleppo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 Aleppo - Saladin's Castle - Safita
From Aleppo we cross the coastal mountains, a lovely area famous for its fruit orchards. We take a spectacular mountain road up to the dramatic ruins of Saladin's castle, a crusader fortress situated above a breathtaking pine-covered ravine. Before reaching the Mediterranean coast we visit Ugarit, the Phoenician trading city where the world's oldest known alphabet was discovered. We arrive this evening at Safita, situated on the coast. Overnight in Safita. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8 Safita - Crak de Chevaliers - Damascus
From Safita we make our way to Crak de Chevaliers, situated at a strategic break in the coastal mountain chain. This huge castle stands guard over the valley pass below, controlling the route from the Mediterranean coast through the mountains to Damascus and the interior of the Levant. It was considered by Lawrence of Arabia to be the most perfect castle in the world, a splendid place to gain a sense of how these medieval adventurers lived in their kingdom of Outremar--"the land across the sea." We visit the great hall, kitchens, chapel (later converted to a mosque when Muslim forces won this redoubtable stronghold) and walk along the extensive ramparts. From Crak de Chevaliers we drive to Damascus. Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 Damascus: Great Ommayad Mosque & Azem Palace
Today we walk within the old city, surrounded by an ancient wall which originally had seven gates named in Roman times after the stars that made up the constellation of the Seven Sisters. We see the remains of the massive Roman Temple of Jupiter, walk through the absorbing Hamadieh Market, and visit the Great Ommayad Mosque, one of the first great mosques of the Muslim world built in AD 718 by the Caliph el-Walid. After a visit to Saladin's tomb, we continue to a visit of the lovely Azem Palace, seat of the Ottoman governor during the 18th and 19th centuries. In its airy courts, we can imagine the Ottoman ruler savouring a warm Damascene evening, looking up at the three minarets of the great mosque illuminated by a full summer moon. The Azem Palace is today an ethnographic museum displaying the costumes of the different classes of Syrian society in the different parts of this varied country. You will have some free time later in the afternoon for shopping or exploring on your own. Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10 Damascus: National Museum & Christian Quarter
This morning we visit the immense National Museum with its monumental gateway transported from an Umayyad (Ommayad) fortress in the Syrian Desert. The collections in the museum span a period of over 9,000 years and include the brightly-painted frescoes from one of the oldest synagogues in the world. At the Takiyyeh as-Sulaymaniyyeh we see a beautiful Turkish mosque built in 1554. Next to the mosque is a Sixteenth Century Ottoman caravanserai which has been converted into a handicraft centre where you can see traditional Syrian handicrafts being made and sold. In the afternoon we will enter the Christian quarter to walk along the Street Called Straight (mentioned in the Bible). Near the great gate, Bab as-Sharqi, we visit the Chapel of Ananias where St Paul hid after his conversion to Christianity. This afternoon is free for you to explore old Damascus. This evening we finish our day by driving up to Mount Kassioun for a view over all Damascus Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11 Damascus - Bosra, Syria - Amman, Jordan
Today we cross from Syria into Jordan across the fertile Hauran Plain, Syria's breadbasket. Off in the distance, to the west, we might catch a glimpse of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. En route we visit Bosra where we discover a beautiful Roman amphitheatre hidden inside an Arab castle. Bosra is rich in its layers of history; at various times in antiquity it has been a capital city under the Nabateans and the Romans, when it became the capital of their province of Arabia. An important Christian city, it was here that a monk met a young man named Mohammed and foretold of his imminent prophethood. We will pass through the Gate of the Wind and see one of the three oldest mosques in the world, among other sights. The ancient city is especially striking because of the dark basalt rock used in its construction and the fact that there are still people living on the site itself. From here we drive southward to Amman, the modern and ancient capital of Jordan, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city's modern buildings blend with the remnants of ancient civilizations. Overnight in Amman. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 Amman: Jerash & Amman City Tour
This morning we leave Amman by bus for a tour of the extensive Roman site of Jerash. In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Jerash was a wealthy city and is today considered one of the most important and best preserved of all Roman sites. We visit the famous elliptical forum, the beautiful amphitheatre with its superb natural acoustics, and the site of the huge Temple of Artemis. This afternoon we tour Amman, visiting the Roman amphitheatre, Folklore Museum, Museum of Popular Traditions, Archaeological Museum, and the ruins of the Temple of Hercules. Overnight in Amman. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13 Amman - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Petra
This morning we travel to Madaba, a small town famous for its magnificent mosaic floors. A unique mosaic covers the floor of St. George's church and consists of a huge map of the Holy Land as it appeared in the 6th century AD. Driving to the edge of the Jordan Valley we reach Mount Nebo from where Moses and the Children of Israel first saw the Promised Land. On a clear day you can look down to see the Dead Sea and the River Jordan. On the other side of the valley is the city of Jerusalem. Here we see a huge mosaic of hunting scenes covers the floor of a ruined Byzantine church. We leave Mt Nebo and travel south via the Dead Sea Highway to Petra, arriving in the afternoon. Overnight in Petra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14 Petra: Site Tour
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom from the fourth century BC to the 2nd century AD. From the 12th century until its rediscovery in 1812, Petra was lost to the world -- a closely guarded secret of the local tribes. Today the 'rose red city half as old as time' is probably the most impressive archaeological site in the Middle East, rivaling the temples and pyramids of Egypt in grandeur. This morning, on our way into the hidden valley of Petra, we will see the Obelisk Tomb and the irrigation system that carried water from a dam throughout the desert city. Access to the monuments of Petra is through a narrow gorge in the towering rocks called the 'Siq'. As we emerge from the 'Siq' you stand in awe in front of the 'Treasury' (El Kazneh), a graceful structure carved from the living rock. After pausing to admire the elegant columns and carvings we carry on into the valley where elaborate tombs are carved into the multi-coloured walls. Everywhere the sandstone swirls and twists in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and white. Next we will see the Roman amphitheatre, carved directly out of the mountain, with space for over 3,000 spectators. Further on in the main valley of Petra, are the Royal Tombs including the Palace Tomb and the Silk Tomb. We visit the temple of the Nabataeans' main god, Dushara, and we also see the 'Temple of the Winged Lion'. Our formal guided tour of the site terminates with a visit to the Petra Nabataean Museum. At this point, you may explore further on your own, or return to our hotel to relax and / or shop. You may also take a strenuous walk up a narrow pass to see the magnificent 'Monastery' building, El Deir. The views of Petra and the surrounding area are expansive. The walk is steep, mostly on steps carved into the rock, and will take APPROXIMATELY one hour up (30 minutes down). This evening after dinner you may like to go for a drink in a bar partly built into a 2,000 year-old Nabataean tomb! NOTE: Access to Petra is by means of footpath only. The main sites occur near ground that is level and well-worn, though the overall site is huge. Our pace is leisurely with frequent breaks; however, to fully experience Petra you must be prepared for a considerable amount of walking and little shade. Overnight at Petra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15 Petra: El Beidha & Leisure Time
This morning we take a tour by bus to the nearby site of 'el Beidha' (known as 'Little Petra'). We will also see a settlement dating from the Neolithic period, some 8,500 years ago. This is one of the oldest sights in the Middle East; it shows evidence of habitation by a Pre-Pottery population who were herders experimenting with agriculture. We return to our hotel by bus. This afternoon, you can either relax or re-enter the breathtaking main site of Petra (the entrance fee today is at your own expense). You can join your Tour Leader on a steep walk to the 'High Place', which (some believe) was the site of human sacrifice to the Nabataean gods. From here it is possible to see the tomb of the Jewish prophet, Aaron. This site offers the best views of the entire site of Petra, but should be attempted only by the fit! Overnight at Petra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 16 Petra - Aqaba - Wadi Rum - Aqaba
Leaving Petra we stop briefly at 'the Spring of Moses', supposed to have magical properties. We then continue down the Desert Highway to Jordan's only port, Aqaba, on the Red Sea. We will have time this afternoon to relax or visit the Red Sea beaches. Later this afternoon we make an excursion to Wadi Rum where Lawrence of Arabia conducted many of his campaigns during the First World War. While at Wadi Rum we take four wheel drive vehicles out into the desert where the sand is red and the rocks look like gigantic multi-layered chocolate cakes melting in the setting sun. We may be invited into a goat-hair tent to share a glass of tea with some Bedouin tribesmen -- the nomadic herdsmen of the desert who made up Lawrence's army. Running along the floor of the valley is the Hejaz Railway that Lawrence blew up repeatedly. After sunset we return to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 17 Aqaba - Shobak - Kerak - Dead Sea
Today we travel along the historic King's Highway. Along this route castles and towns were positioned a one day's travel distance apart. The first castle we come to is Shobak Castle, built by the Crusaders in 1115 and sacked by Moslem forces under Saladin in 1189. Farther north we explore Kerak Castle, also a 12th century Crusaders fortress. The castle's huge water cisterns and commanding position on a hill top allowed it to hold out against many sieges. We continue to the Dead Sea. King David, King Herod, Jesus, and John the Baptist were closely linked with the Dead Sea and its surroundings. During the Egyptian conquest it is said that Queen Cleopatra obtained exclusive rights to build cosmetic and pharmaceutical factories in the area. Later the Nabataeans discovered the value of bitumen extracted from the Dead Sea used by the Egyptians. Our hotel is located on the shores of the sea where you will have the chance to swim and experience your amazing buoyancy in the ultra-salty waters. Overnight at the Dead Sea. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 18 Dead Sea, Jordan - Tel Aviv, Israel
Today we travel overland across the border to Israel. Stretched along the beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean, Tel Aviv is Israel's largest city and biggest commercial center. It is a busy metropolis that inspires its visitors with a unique energetic atmosphere. Tel Aviv presents a lively combination of entertainment venues, shopping malls, exotic markets, and golden beaches. It is also the country's greatest cultural center, home of a variety of museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls. Overnight in Tel Aviv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 19 Tel Aviv & Jaffa
Today we have a tour of vibrant Tel Aviv, a modern city with a unique mix of European and Middle Eastern influences. We see the Independence Hall and the colourful Carmel Market before visiting the Museum of the Diaspora, a multi-media depiction of the history of the Jewish people. This afternoon we will visit the Old Port City of Jaffa (Yaffo), an ancient and beautiful city located in the south of Tel-Aviv. Jaffa claims over 4,000 years of history and is the place where the prophet Jonas was swallowed by the whale, and the Rock of Andromeda can be seen jutting from the water. The Turks, Napoleon and the British also established their rule of the region through control of this city. We have a walking tour of the old city of Jaffa, a major attraction with winding alleys full of cafes, restaurants and art galleries. You will have free time for independent exploration. Jaffa is a mixed city with Jews, Christians and Muslims living together in harmony. Return to Tel Aviv. Overnight in Tel Aviv. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 20 Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Akko - Haifa
Travelling north along the scenic Mediterranean coast road, we will cross Netanya and visit the impressive ruins of Caesarea, once Roman capital of the Holy Land. Caesarea, whose construction began in 22 BC was dedicated by Herod to his patron Augustus Caesar. When it was completed 12 years later, only Jerusalem outshone it in its grandeur. The Roman theatre here once seated 3,600 people. By the main gate to the theatre is proof that Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea during the time of Jesus, actually lived in this area. At various times in its history, this beautiful coastal town has been a Roman Capital, a port and a major conquest for the Crusaders. We continue through this historic and dramatic landscape to Haifa via Megiddo, named in the Book of Revelations as the place of Armageddon, the place where the forces of good and evil will meet in the final battle for mankind. Of particular interest are the outlines of 5,000 year old early Bronze Age temples. After visiting Acre (Akko), with it's underground Crusader city and the crypt of St John, we arrive at the beautiful city of Haifa. Overnight in Haifa. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 21 Haifa - Nazareth - Tiberias
We begin our day with a visit to the summit of Mount Carmel with its breathtakingly panoramic view of the town, the bay, and a considerable part of western Galilee. Later we will tour the Persian Gardens and the Bahai Shrine. We travel onwards to Nazareth where we visit the largest Basilica in the Middle East--the Church of Annunciation. According to one of the ancient traditions, it was here that the archangel Gabriel foretold the coming of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. The interior of the present church has a most beautiful design, incorporating fragments of much older buildings. We continue to Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Yam Kinerett). Overnight in Tiberias. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 22 Tiberias - Capernaum - Tabgha - Tiberias
At the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee we visit Capernaum, one of the most important Jewish and Christian sites of the Roman and Byzantine period and home of some of the Disciples. Jesus is believed to have moved here from Nazareth because it was the home of his first converts, Peter and Andrew. Continuing, we arrive at Tabgha where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. The mosaic floor is incredible, featuring ancient Egyptian motifs. We then board our boat for a delightful cruise across the emerald Sea of Galilee to ancient Tiberias, a relaxed seaside resort located in the cradle of Christianity. Overnight in Tiberias. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 23 Tiberias - Kibbutz Ein Gedi & the Dead Sea
Today we journey through the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea Highway to Ein Gedi, an Israeli collective kibbutz, where we spend the night. We can visit the Ein Gedi spa adjacent to the kibbutz where we will have the chance to bathe in the mineral-enriched mud or have a float on the Dead Sea. Overnight in Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 24 Kibbutz Ein Gedi - Masada - Wadi David - Jerusalem
This morning we travel south to visit Masada. This great flat-topped mountain and natural fortress was once held by a small band of Jewish zealots for three years despite the force of Roman armies. On this site 1,000 people committed mass suicide rather than be enslaved. Flavirus Josephus said, "Who decided a long time ago, brave soldiers that we are, not to be slaves of the Romans or of any person other than God; for he alone is the true and just master of men." From Masada we travel northward to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. After a short walk we reach Wadi David (David's Spring), a waterfall hidden in an oasis of luxuriant green vegetation that hangs clustered in a canyon wall. We continue our journey toward Jerusalem. On the northwest shore of the Dead Sea we encounter the settlement of Qumran. In 1947 it was here that two shepherd boys made one of the most significant discovery in religious history, the Dead Sea Scrolls (written texts of the Old Testament) hidden in the caves. The people who wrote them are believed to have been the Essenes who lived here until AD 68. Later in the day we arrive in Jerusalem, the City of David. Overnight in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 25 Jerusalem - Bethlehem - Jerusalem
Old and new merge seamlessly in Jerusalem. This sophisticated, sleek and reverent capital welcomes visitors to share its heritage. Our tour takes us by way of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to the President's House and the Yad Vashem Memorial and Museum to the Holocaust. We will visit the inspiring Chagall Windows that depict the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and the incredible model of Old Jerusalem, a miniature of the city at the time of Jesus. From Jerusalem we continue to Bethlehem.* We visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Built like a citadel over the cave where it is believed Jesus was born, the original 4th century church commissioned by Constantine was altered in AD 530 by Emperor Justinian. It was later captured by the Crusaders and then came under the jurisdiction of Saladin and then the Mamluks. *NOTE: Due to security concerns / procedures that change frequently, Bethlehem exists in our programme on a provisional and tentative basis only. In the event that a visit to the West Bank is not appropriate by departure time, we may remain in Jerusalem and expand our sightseeing there with a visit to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea scrolls and a model of the second temple. Overnight in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 26 Jerusalem: The Old City
Today we will see the Old City from the vantage point of the Mount of Olives. We then enter through the Jewish Quarter to witness the Herodian Mansions, a lavish palace in antiquity and built formerly of white marble, followed by a visit to the most important site in Judaism, the Western Wall. This is followed by a tour to one of the glories of Islamic Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. Following the last steps of Christ along Via Dolorosa, we approach Calvary and the most sacred site in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Most Christians venerate this site as the location of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In Jerusalem, you may hear the Muslim call to prayer competing with the clanging of bells from Christian churches and the prayers of Jews bobbing before the Western Wall. Everywhere you turn you'll see reminders of the three religions - Islam, Judaism and Christianity - that have shaped this part of the world. Overnight in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 27 Departure
Our tour ends in Jerusalem this morning. Land & Air customers will be transferred to Ben Gurion International (the airport serving Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - TLV). We can arrange airport departure transfers for Land Only passengers for an extra cost. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE!!
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10/09
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