Day 1
Our tour begins today as we depart on our overnight flight from Lambert Airport to Cairo, Egypt.  

Day 2
Upon arrival in Cairo we will be met at the airport and transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free for optional sightseeing or exploring Cairo. Included Meal: Day 2 – Dinner

Day 3
This morning we will drive to Giza and view the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Continue to Memphis, capital of the Pharaohs during the Old Kingdom. Visit the recumbent statue of Ramses II and the 80-ton Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakara to see the prototype of the pyramids, the Step Pyramid, built for the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Zoser by the exalted architect Imhotep. Continuing south, we view the Pyramid of Dahshour, which is also known as the Red Pyramid.  
Included Meals: Day 3 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4
Drive to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities for a guided tour of the treasures of ancient Egypt. Among other fascinating exhibits, see the contents of the treasures of the Tomb of Tutankhamen, which fill the entire second floor. Next to the Citadel to see the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Then visit Old Cairo and walk backwards in time, visiting the Old Coptic Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Khan el Khalili Bazaar. This evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the Nile.  
Included Meals: Day 4 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5
Depart Cairo today and drive across the Suez Canal and the barren desert of the Sinai Peninsula to the seaside resort town of Taba.  
Included Meals: Day 5 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6
Depart Taba and cross the border into Egypt and then drive a short distance to Aqaba, where we will cross into Jordan. We will then travel north to the ancient city of Petra. Lost to the world for centuries, Petra lay hidden in the mountains of southern Jordan. It had been a stronghold and capital for the Nabateans until 106 A.D. when it fell to Rome.  Included Meals: Day 6 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7
This morning will be spent exploring the “Rose Red City” of Petra, which is literally carved into the sides of a deep gorge. The only entrance is through the “Siq,” a narrow slit in the rock enclosed by beautiful limestone cliffs. Riding on horseback (no riding experience required) between the 100 foot cliffs, we will see a remarkable sight: temples, tombs, and dwellings chiseled right into the limestone walls. Following our sightseeing of Petra, we drive to Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Included Meals: Day 7 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8
Amman is a city of wide streets, modern shops and spacious villas dotting the hills – all signs of growth; yet the entire area reflects a bygone civilization. This morning’s drive around the city takes us to the impressive Roman Amphitheater, which once accommodated 6,000 spectators. Looking across the horizon, it’s possible to see the hilltop citadel that contains an Arabian castle. Drive north to Jerash, which was founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great in 300 B.C. Jerash now stands as the most complete and best preserved ruins of a provincial Greco-Roman city in the world. Along a 2-mile stretch we’ll see the oval shaped forum encircled by 56 graceful Roman columns, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, and the massive Roman Theater. Continue to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and cross into Israel. Transfer to our hotel in Tiberias.  
Included Meals: Day 8 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9
This morning we will enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, where we will visit the ancient synagogue where Jesus is said to have preached. Then drive up to the mount of the Beatitudes to visit the site of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. In the afternoon we will ascend the Golan Heights to visit the Banias Spring that rises from under a cave and is one of the sources of the Jordan River. Then see Nimrod’s Fortress before returning to Tiberias.  
Included Meal: Day 9 – Breakfast

Day 10
Following breakfast, drive to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood town, to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Then proceed to the sparkling port city of Haifa to visit the beautiful Ba’hai Temple and Gardens. Then ascend Mt. Carmel for a scenic view of the city and port. Continue south along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, the capital of the ancient Roman Procurators of Judea, where we will see the Roman Theater, Crusader’s Moat, and the Byzantine Churches. Drive on to the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, our home for the next 4 nights. Included Meals: Day 10 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11
This morning we will drive to the Mount of Olives to enjoy a spectacular view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem. Then visit the Temple Area of the Old City, featuring the beautiful Dome of the Rock, Mosque el Aqsa, and the Wailing Wall. Then enter the Old City of Jerusalem and walk along the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is believed by most Christians to mark the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus. We will conclude the day with a visit to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, where we will walk along the excavated Cardo, once a main street of ancient Jerusalem.  
Included Meals: Day 11 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12
This morning we will drive to Bethlehem and visit the Nativity Church, which was built by the Roman emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the traditional grotto of Jesus’ birth. Then proceed to the Israel Museum where we will see the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls (the oldest biblical manuscripts ever found). While at the museum we will also visit a scale model of Jerusalem as it appeared during the 1st century. Then proceed to Yad Vashem, which is a memorial and museum of the Jewish Holocaust. Continue to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, which is the site of Jesus’ famous Last Supper with his disciples, and King David’s Tomb.  
Included Meal: Day 12 – Breakfast

Day 13
This morning we will enjoy a full day excursion outside of Jerusalem. Drive down from Jerusalem through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) to Masada. Here an exciting ascent by cable car will take us to this last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans in 73 A.D. Then proceed to the beautiful Oasis of Ein Gedi, famous for its spring and waterfalls. Enjoy a dip in the unsinkable waters of the Dead Sea and proceed to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue on to Jericho, the oldest known city in the world, to visit the ancient “tel.” Return to Jerusalem and enjoy a farewell Middle Eastern dinner this evening.  
Included Meals: Day 13 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14
Transfer to the airport Tel Aviv to catch our return flight home.  
Included Meal: Day 14 – Breakfast

Special Notes:
Passport Required.

A $250 deposit per person is required. Special payment and cancellation policies apply. Inquire at time of booking.

General Air Policy:
The base fare is guaranteed, but taxes and fuel surcharges are obtained upon ticketing 30 days prior to departure.