Day 1: Arrival to Tel Aviv
Arrive at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on international flight. Meet with representative after passport control for assistance and transfer to hotel. Remainder of day at leisure.
Day 2: Israel Coach Tour - Jaffa, Caesarea, Haifa, Nazareth, Cana
Begin multi-day Best of Israel Coach Tour departing through Jaffa, an ancient port city. Continue to Caesarea, the ancient city built by King Herod the Great along the Mediterranean coast. Proceed to Haifa to see the famous Bahai Gardens at Mt. Carmel. Visit Nazareth and the Church of Annunciation. Drive to Cana, site of Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine. Overnight in Galilee region.
Day 3: Israel Coach Tour - Galilee Sea, Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha
Enjoy boat ride on the Galilee Sea. View the ancient Jesus Boat from the time of Christ. Ascend Mt. Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Capernaum, the Town of Jesus, including the synagogue and Peter's house. Lunch featuring St. Peters fish. Visit Tabgha, site of the miracle of loaves and fishes, and view the famous mosaic under the altar. Overview of the Golan Heights. Return to Galilee hotel.
Day 4: Israel Coach Tour - Jordan River, Qumran, Masada, Dead Sea
Drive along the Jordan River to Yardenit Baptismal Site. Visit Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Travel to Masada, ascending by cable car to explore the famous Jewish fortress including King Herod's palaces, synagogue and bathhouses. Descend and proceed to the Dead Sea for relaxation and floating experience with access to spa facilities. Overnight at Dead Sea.
Day 5: Israel Coach Tour - Mount of Olives, Yad Vashem, Bethlehem
Journey to Jerusalem through the Judean Desert. Ascend Mt. of Olives for panoramic views of Jerusalem. Visit Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial. Depart for Bethlehem to see the Church of Nativity at Manger Square. Overview of Judean Desert and Shepherd's Field. Experience the vibrant Mahane Yehuda Marketplace in Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6: Israel Coach Tour - Jerusalem Old City
Begin at the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before crucifixion. Visit Mt. Zion including David's Tomb and the Upper Room, site of the Last Supper. Enter the Christian Quarter to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus was crucified. Walk the Via Dolorosa, the Stations of the Cross. Visit The Cardo, the main street during Roman rule. Spend time at the Western Wall for reflection and prayer. Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Israel Coach Tour - Jerusalem New City
City tour of New Jerusalem passing the Israeli parliament Knesset and famous menorah. Visit the Israel Museum, the national museum, to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and model of the Second Temple. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Border Crossing to Jordan & Transfer to Wadi Rum
Private transfer to Allenby Bridge-King Hussein border crossing with VIP service for border formalities. Meet Jordanian driver and transfer to Wadi Rum desert camp. Dinner under the stars. Overnight at desert camp.
Day 9: Wadi Rum Jeep Tour & Petra by Night
Board open-backed 4x4 for three-hour desert ride through Wadi Rum, passing enormous cliffs and colorful rock formations. Visit Um Fruth rock bridge, naturally formed through erosion, with opportunity to climb for panoramic views. Transfer to hotel in Petra region.
Day 10: Full Day in Petra & Transfer to Amman
Visit Petra, Jordan's top attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around 6th century BC by the Nabataean Arabs. Meet local guide and pass through the narrow Siq canyon with colorful sandstone walls. View the magnificent Treasury. Continue via Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. Guided tour for 4.5 hours with free time to explore independently. Late afternoon drive to Amman. Evening at leisure.
Day 11: Amman, Jerash, Ajloun & Flight to Egypt
Visit Jerash with local guide to see the spectacular Roman forum, colonnaded street, Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis. Continue to Ajloun, the 12th century Islamic castle built by Salah al-Din. Return to Amman to visit the Citadel with Umayyad Palace remains and Hercules Temple, plus Archaeological Museum. See the Roman Theatre and traditional souks. Evening flight via Cairo to Luxor. Transfer to hotel.
Day 12: Board Nile Cruise - Luxor East Bank
Transfer to board four-night Nile River cruise. After lunch, private guide takes you to visit Karnak Temple, the largest Pharaonic temple complex with sections by Ramses II, and Luxor Temple established around 14th century BC. Overnight on cruise ship.
Day 13: Nile Cruise - Luxor West Bank
Explore West Bank of Luxor with private guide. Visit the Valley of the Kings with its fascinating ancient tombs. See the Temple of Deir el-Bahari constructed during Queen Hatshepsut's reign. View the Colossi of Memnon, two huge statues remaining from Amenhotep III's funerary temple built in 1350 BC. Return to ship for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 14: Nile Cruise - Edfu & Kom Ombo
Dock at Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, the finest preserved ancient Egyptian temple. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to local deities. Return to ship for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 15: Nile Cruise - Aswan Highlights
Explore Aswan with cruise guide. Visit the High Dam constructed in the 1960s. Travel by motorboat to Agilkia Island to visit the Temple of Philae, center of worship for Goddess Isis. See the Unfinished Obelisk discovered in the granite quarry. Return to ship for afternoon tea and dinner.
Day 16: Flight from Aswan to Cairo
Disembark from cruise and transfer to Aswan Airport. Domestic flight to Cairo. Meet at arrivals for transfer to hotel. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 17: Cairo - Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids of Giza
Full day tour with private guide visiting Memphis, the ancient capital now an open-air museum. Explore Saqqara necropolis featuring the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. Proceed to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Visit the Valley Temples. Return to hotel with evening at leisure.
Day 18: Cairo - Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Old Cairo, Khan el-Khalili
Meet private guide to visit the Egyptian Museum with its magnificent collection of ancient civilization artifacts. See the Mosque of Mohammad Ali and the Citadel. Visit Ben Ezra Synagogue, home to over 2,000 medieval manuscripts of the Cairo Geniza. Tour El Mullakah Church, the famous Hanging Church, one of Egypt's oldest Coptic churches. Visit the City of the Dead. End at the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Return to hotel with evening at leisure.
Day 19: Flight from Cairo to Istanbul
Transfer to Cairo Airport for international flight to Istanbul. Meet representative at arrivals and transfer to hotel. Afternoon and evening at leisure to explore Istanbul.
Day 20: Istanbul Classics & Ottoman Relics Tour
Join full-day group walking tour of historical Sultanahmet area. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. Tour ends around 17:00-17:30 with evening at leisure.
Day 21: Flight to Denizli & Pamukkale Tour
Early morning transfer to airport for domestic flight to Denizli. Join group tour visiting Pamukkale's natural travertine formations, the Cotton Castle, along with the ruins of Hierapolis. Transfer to Kusadasi after sightseeing. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 22: Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour
Full day group tour of Ephesus, the best-preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. See the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, Roman Baths, Grand Theatre and Marble Street. Visit the House of Virgin Mary where she spent her final days. Short stop to view remains of Artemis Temple. Return to hotel with evening at leisure.
Day 23: Departure from Turkey
Very early morning transfer to Izmir Airport for domestic flight to Istanbul. Connect with international departure flight. Check-in for both flights available at Izmir with luggage sent through to final destination.