israel2

1 - Departure

A convenient flight takes you over the Atlantic on your way to Israel

2-Arrive Tel Aviv

Arrive Tel Aviv, meet and transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem

After breakfast depart your hotel for a full day tour of the old city of Jerusalem and Bethlehem beginning with a panoramic view of the old city of Jerusalem from the top of Mt. Scopus. From here, descend to the old city and enter through the Zion gate for a walking tour of the Jewish, Christian and Moslem quarters. Visit the Cardo, the main thoroughfare of Jerusalem in Byzantine times which now houses modern shops and the excavated Herodian mansions. Continue to the western wall, Judaism's most sacred site and the only remnant of the second temple. Ascend the temple mount to visit the silver domed el Aksa Mosque and the gold capped dome of the rock. Walk along the via Dolorosa passing the stations of the cross, ending at the last one within the church of the holy sepulcher. end the old city tour with some shopping and bargaining in the colorful "shuk" (bazaar). Following lunch continue to Bethlehem to visit manger square and the church of the nativity built over the site of the manger where Jesus was born. Return to Jerusalem and your hotel for overnight.

4 - Jerusalem

Depart Jerusalem for a full day tour of the Galilee region, traveling through the Jordan valley to Nazareth and visit the church of the annunciation. From here, drive to Tiberias with its ancient hot springs and modern seaside promenade on the sea of Galilee. Enjoy a lunch of a freshly caught St. Peter fish at a restaurant or while crossing the sea of Galilee by boat. visit the ruins of a second century synagogue and the church of St. Peter at Capernaum. Continue to Tabgha where the miracle of the loaves and fishes was performed and then on to the Mt. Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus' sermon on the mount. Return to Jerusalem for overnight at your hotel.

5 - Jerusalem

After breakfast at your hotel, head south through the Judean wilderness to the ancient city of Jericho, to explore the excavations of this 10,000 year old city. Continue south along the shores of the Dead Sea, which at 397 meters below sea level is the lowest point on earth. Drive past the Qumran caves, where the dead sea scrolls were discovered, and the oasis of Em Gedi, which today boasts a thriving kibbutz to the famous fortress of Masada. Ascend by cable car to explore the unique archaeological sites, including Herod's magnificent palace. descend to the shores of the dead sea for lunch and a float in the buoyant waters, before returning to Jerusalem.

6 - Jerusalem/Amman

Arrival meets assistance, and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner and overnight.

7 - Amman/Petra/Amman

After breakfast at your hotel, full day tour of Petra. Once the ancient Nabatean capital, this city has a lot to tell. Your visit starts at the visitors center, where each person is assigned a Bedouin guided horse for the journey into the lost city. After passing some tombs, which are, located outside the city, pass through the siq and immense crack in the Nubian sandstone. It is a winding, anekilometer long fissure between overhanging cliffs that seem to meet more than 300 feet overhead. Near the end of the passage, the siq with great style, makes one last turn and out of the gloom in towering brightness appears Petra's carved and built structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a carved roman theatre, large and small houses, burial chambers and much more. The Victorian travelers gave Petra a description which holds to this day "match me such a marvel save in eastern clime, a rose red city half as old as time'. After the tour back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

8- Amrnar/Jerash/Amman

After breakfast at your hotel, start a city tour of Amman,

the capital of the hashemite kingdom. Often referred to as

the white city because of the white stone used to build

houses, Amman offers a contrast between oriental and

cosmopolitan. The tour will take you to the museums, the

citadel, the amphitheater, the souks and the modern part

of town. After the tour depart to jerash in the north of

Amman for a 45 minutes drive to the best preserved example

of roman civilization. Jerash part of the Decapolis (the 10

big roman cities of the east) has been called the Pompeii of

the east, for its unique state of preservation. The city

features theatres, churches, temples (Zeus and Artemis),

a nymphaeum and colonnaded streets. After the tour return

to Amman and your hotel for dinner and overnight.

9-Amman/Syria

Transfer for your flight to Demascus. Arrive Demascus, meet

and transfer to your hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight.

10 - Damascus/Aleppo

After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Damascus. Continue to

Aleppo visiting en-route Sidi Khalil Mosque, the site of the

tomb of Khalid lbn Walid, Krak Des Chevaliers, the best

preserved Crusaders Castle in the world. Visit Hama home

of the famous water wheels, Apamea with the largest

known theatre. Overnight at your hotel.

11- Aleppo/Palmyra

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour including the triumphal

arches and colonnades, the temple of Bel and Baal Shami

which date back to the second century. Continue to

Maaloula, a Christian village where the Aramaic language

is still spoken. Arrive in Damascus in time for overnight.

12 - Departure

Transfer for departure flight.