Experience the treasures of the Middle East on an unforgettable journey that combines the highlights of both Israel and Jordan.
Day 1/ November 30/ Wednesday – Departure
Depart Toronto (YYZ) on TK 18 to Istanbul (IST) at 22:20.
Day 2/ December 01/ Thursday – Tel Aviv
Arrive in Istanbul at 16:00. Flight TK 788 to Tel Aviv (TLV) at 18:25. Arrive TLV at 19:25. VIP meeting and assistance at Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to Dan Tel Aviv Hotel (Executive Sea View Rooms) https://www.danhotels.com/TelAvivHotels/DanTelAvivHotel .
Day 3/ December 02 / Friday – Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa
After breakfast at 9:30 drive around the main streets of Tel Aviv, the center of business and entertainment in Israel. Known as the “White City,” Tel Aviv was declared as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site for its collection of over 4,000 Bauhaus style buildings. Stop at Rabin Square, the site of assassination of Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin in 1995. Continue to Old Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world; visit the Flea Market and ancient ruins and walk along the Artists Quarter. Visit NeveTzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv built in 1887. Welcome Shabbat dinner 7:00 at hotel. Overnight at Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. [B,D]
Day 4/ December 03/ Saturday – Caesarea / Megiddo / Druze village / Haifa
After breakfast, 9:30 drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; see the excavations of the Crusader-era city, the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue to Daliat el-Carmel, a Druze village and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and Gardens. Return to Tel Aviv. Overnight at Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. Dinner at 6:30 at a traditional restaurant [B,D]
Day 5/ December 04 / Sunday – Safed / Katzrin / Golan winery
After breakfast, 9:00 drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism. Visit the ancient synagogues and the Artist Quarter. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Quneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan Heights Winery for a tour and wine tasting. Visit to Nazareth; visit the Church of Annunciation. Visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter, Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive, via Beit Shean and Cana, to Sindyanna and enjoy an Olive Oil tasting. Overnight at Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. [B,D]
Day 6/ December 05 / Monday – Sea of Galilee / Nazareth / Beit Alpha
After breakfast, transfer to Jerusalem. Overnight at Inbal Hotel https://www.inbalhotel.com [B,D]
Day 7/ December 06 / Tuesday – Israel Museum/ Old City / Bethlehem
8:30 After breakfast depart to visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed. See the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. Proceed to enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish Quarter. Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian Quarter and continue to the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem and visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s Square. Walk along the famous and colorful market of Machne Yehuda and enjoy bites of the local food. Overnight at Inbal Hotel. Inspection and dinner at David Citadel or similar. (B,D)
Day 8/ December 07 / Wednesday – Qumran / Masada / Dead Sea
Drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at almost 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level. Stop at Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 AD. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea; cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea that many believe offers therapeutic effects. Overnight at Inbal Hotel. [B,L,D]
Day 9/ December 08 / Thursday – Jerusalem / Allenby / Madaba / Mt. Nebo / Petra
After breakfast, drive from Jerusalem to the Sheikh Hussein border crossing for procedures to enter Jordan. After crossing the border, drive to Mount Nebo to the point where Moses looked across the promised Land. Explore town of Madaba and discover the amazing Byzantine mosaics including ‘Madaba Map’, the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Lands. Transfer to Petra via Wadi AL Mujib. Enjoy the Petra Night Show, where you will see part of the rock city lit by over 1500 candles and explore the old city. Overnight at Old Village Resort http://oldvillageresort.com [B,L,D]
Day 10 / December 09 / Friday – Petra / Little Petra / Wadi Rum
After breakfast, drive to the ‘Lost City’, the Red Rose City of Petra, exploring its many caves and tombs. Walk through the canyon and be astounded at the magnificent Treasury, now one of the Modern 7 Wonders of the World. Continue to Siq Al Barid (Cold Canyon), also known as Little Petra. Drive to the desert of Wadi Rum, enjoy the sunset and gaze at the stars while enjoying the legendary hospitality of the Bedouin. Dinner and overnight in Wadi Rum. Overnight at Palmera camp (Martian tent) https://palmeracampwadirum.business.site/ [B,L,D]
Day 11/ December 10 / Saturday – Jeep Safari – Amman
After breakfast, enjoy the wilderness adventure of a 4×4 jeep tour of Wadi Rum, following in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, climbing sand dunes and rock bridges. Then drive to Amman and enjoy a tour of the old city of Amman exploring the Citadel and the Roman Theatre, two of the most popular archaeological sites in the city. Overnight at the House Boutique Hotel https://www.thehouse.jo/ [B,L,D]
Day 12/ December 11 / Sunday – Amman – Jerash – Ajloun
After breakfast, visit Ajloun Castle followed by the ancient Greco-Roman city of Jerash, including the paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and the city walls. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the House Boutique Hotel. [B,L,D]
Day 13/ December 12 / Monday – Arrival
Depart Amman (AMM) on TK 817 at 10:00. Arrive IST at 13:30. Depart IST on TK 17 at 15:30. Arrive YYZ at 18:35.