Middle East Tours

HIGHLIGHTS: Cairo - Sinai - Mt Sinai Ascent - Aqaba - Wadi Rum-Petra - Dana - Kings Highway - Amman - Jerash

Petra (the Indiana Jones bit) is huge. After a long day of exploring you should indulge in a Turkish bath back at the hotel. They'll slap, slather, slough and scrub until you're as shiny as a billiard ball.

HIGHLIGHTS Amman - Umm Qais - Petra - Umm ar-Rasas - Madaba - Jerash - Dead Sea - Wadi Rum - Mt Nebo

Celebrate a Bedouin New Year's Eve Bash in the heart of Wadi Rum desert. Add to this the fascinating Lost City of Petra, swimming in the Dead Sea and exploring heaps of Roman ruins and you can be assured that you'll be welcoming 2013 in in memorable style.

Amman - capital of Jordan - the ancient Citadel, fascinating Archaeological Museum and the downtown local souqs
Umm Qais ruins - a rarely visited blend of Roman ruins and intact Ottoman village.
The Rose Red city of Petra - UNESCO World Heritage site and Jordan's most visited site.
Umm ar-Rasas - ancient walled city on the caravan trading route.
Madaba - Christian market town, Church of St George and Jordan's finest Byzantine mosaics.
Jerash - sprawling ruins of an ancient Roman city.
Dead Sea - saltiest body of water in the world.
Wadi Rum - monolithic rock scapes, 4000 year old rock drawings and amazing desert camp.
Mt Nebo - stunning views across the Promised Land

Day 1, Tel Aviv
Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival you will be met at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
No meals included.
Day 2, Jerusalem
Tel Aviv - breakfast. Today enjoy a full day coach tour to UNESCO Listed Jerusalem, one of the world's oldest and most holy cities. First stop is the holy Mount of Olives where there are amazing panoramic views of the Old City. Continuing on, take a walking tour of the atmospheric Old City; wander through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the Cardo (ancient Roman road). We continue on through the Old City and the Christian quarter, visiting the famous Wailing Wall. The Western Wall (better known as the Wailing Wall) attracts thousands of Jewish worshippers each day, who come to pray, write notes to God and place them between the ancient stones of the Wall because they believe that the presence of God resides there.

Retrace the final laboured steps of Jesus, burdened under the weight of the cross, along the Via Dolorosa to the hallowed Church of the Sepulchre. The Holy Sepulcre is considered one of the holiest places in Christian Religion as it believed to be the site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial. Inside the church is a rocky outcropping which is the traditional place where the cross was placed. Inside the lavishly decorated church is the opulent marble tomb (Sepulcre) of Jesus, where you will find many pilgrims in prayer and paying homage.

In the afternoon visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial (closed on Saturdays and holidays) which is located at the foot of Mount Herzl on the Mount of Remembrance. The Yad Vashem Archive, has the largest and most comprehensive Holocaust collection in the world. Explore the complex which includes the Holocaust History Museum, memorial sites, the Museum of Holocaust Art, sculptures and outdoor commemorative sites such as the Valley of the Communities. After visiting Yad Vashem, return to Tel Aviv and spend the evening at leisure. Please note: The tour price above is based upon a Jerusalem coach tour, guided in two languages (including English). Should you wish to have a private tour of Jerusalem this can be arranged at an additional cost.
No meals included.
Day 3, Tel Aviv your way
Stretched along the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, Tel Aviv - Jerusalem's largest city, provides an enticing blend of beach and urban life. There is plenty to entertain in this thriving metropolis, with its golden beaches and sea front sky scrapers, chic shops and exotic markets. Not to mention the city's wonderful restaurants, museums, galleries, theatres and a lively nightlife!

Enjoy a free day exploring Tel Aviv, often called 'the city that never stops'. Sunbathe on the wide stretch of beach, stroll along the promenade, visit many of the cities cultural attractions or perhaps indulge in a spot of retail therapy!
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 4, A lazy morning
After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure or maybe opt for one last swim in the Meditteranean. Hotel check out at noon and onward departure to the airport
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

HIGHLIGHTS: Cairo - Sinai - Mt Sinai Ascent - Aqaba - Wadi Rum-Petra - Dana - Kings Highway - Amman - Jerash

Petra (the Indiana Jones bit) is huge. After a long day of exploring you should indulge in a Turkish bath back at the hotel. They'll slap, slather, slough and scrub until you're as shiny as a billiard ball.

HIGHLIGHTS Amman - Umm Qais - Petra - Umm ar-Rasas - Madaba - Jerash - Dead Sea - Wadi Rum - Mt Nebo

Celebrate a Bedouin New Year's Eve Bash in the heart of Wadi Rum desert. Add to this the fascinating Lost City of Petra, swimming in the Dead Sea and exploring heaps of Roman ruins and you can be assured that you'll be welcoming 2013 in in memorable style.

Amman - capital of Jordan - the ancient Citadel, fascinating Archaeological Museum and the downtown local souqs
Umm Qais ruins - a rarely visited blend of Roman ruins and intact Ottoman village.
The Rose Red city of Petra - UNESCO World Heritage site and Jordan's most visited site.
Umm ar-Rasas - ancient walled city on the caravan trading route.
Madaba - Christian market town, Church of St George and Jordan's finest Byzantine mosaics.
Jerash - sprawling ruins of an ancient Roman city.
Dead Sea - saltiest body of water in the world.
Wadi Rum - monolithic rock scapes, 4000 year old rock drawings and amazing desert camp.
Mt Nebo - stunning views across the Promised Land

Day 1, Tel Aviv
Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival you will be met at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
No meals included.
Day 2, Jerusalem
Tel Aviv - breakfast. Today enjoy a full day coach tour to UNESCO Listed Jerusalem, one of the world's oldest and most holy cities. First stop is the holy Mount of Olives where there are amazing panoramic views of the Old City. Continuing on, take a walking tour of the atmospheric Old City; wander through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the Cardo (ancient Roman road). We continue on through the Old City and the Christian quarter, visiting the famous Wailing Wall. The Western Wall (better known as the Wailing Wall) attracts thousands of Jewish worshippers each day, who come to pray, write notes to God and place them between the ancient stones of the Wall because they believe that the presence of God resides there.

Retrace the final laboured steps of Jesus, burdened under the weight of the cross, along the Via Dolorosa to the hallowed Church of the Sepulchre. The Holy Sepulcre is considered one of the holiest places in Christian Religion as it believed to be the site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial. Inside the church is a rocky outcropping which is the traditional place where the cross was placed. Inside the lavishly decorated church is the opulent marble tomb (Sepulcre) of Jesus, where you will find many pilgrims in prayer and paying homage.

In the afternoon visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial (closed on Saturdays and holidays) which is located at the foot of Mount Herzl on the Mount of Remembrance. The Yad Vashem Archive, has the largest and most comprehensive Holocaust collection in the world. Explore the complex which includes the Holocaust History Museum, memorial sites, the Museum of Holocaust Art, sculptures and outdoor commemorative sites such as the Valley of the Communities. After visiting Yad Vashem, return to Tel Aviv and spend the evening at leisure. Please note: The tour price above is based upon a Jerusalem coach tour, guided in two languages (including English). Should you wish to have a private tour of Jerusalem this can be arranged at an additional cost.
No meals included.
Day 3, Tel Aviv your way
Stretched along the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, Tel Aviv - Jerusalem's largest city, provides an enticing blend of beach and urban life. There is plenty to entertain in this thriving metropolis, with its golden beaches and sea front sky scrapers, chic shops and exotic markets. Not to mention the city's wonderful restaurants, museums, galleries, theatres and a lively nightlife!

Enjoy a free day exploring Tel Aviv, often called 'the city that never stops'. Sunbathe on the wide stretch of beach, stroll along the promenade, visit many of the cities cultural attractions or perhaps indulge in a spot of retail therapy!
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 4, A lazy morning
After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure or maybe opt for one last swim in the Meditteranean. Hotel check out at noon and onward departure to the airport
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 1 Amman/Dead Sea/Petra
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Amman offers a fascinating mix of ancient sites and modern culture to explore. Sitting at the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea is seven times saltier than a normal ocean and its mud is said to have healing properties.

Day 2 Petra
Hewn out of the rose-coloured rock face, the ancient Nabataean city of Petra is one of the Middle East's most spectacular destinations, and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Day 3 Petra/Amman
Amman has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan and today historic sites such as the Citadel offer an insight into the city's intriguing past.

Day 1, Beirut
Welcome to Lebanon! Upon arrival into Beirut International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your city centre hotel. Located along a picturesque stretch of Mediterranean coastline, modern and stylist Beirut holds much appeal. The seafront corniche offers spectacular views of the famous Pigeon Rocks and the National Museum provides a fascinating insight into the country's history. An array of al fresco cafes and restaurants serve delicious Lebanese cuisine, the city offers a lively nightlife and the colourful Souk el Barghou at Martyr's Place, is ideal for a spot of shopping.
No meals included.
Day 2, City tour & Jeita Grottoes
This morning enjoy a tour of the nation's capital Beirut, located on the beautiful Mediterranean coast. In an effort to restore Beirut to its former glory, the city has undergone massive redevelopment, which is clearly evident in the Solidere district, our first stop today. After we take a stroll along the Corniche, Beirut's popular beachside promenade. The Corniche offers spectacular views of the off shore rock arches known as pigeon rocks, and is lined on one side with an array of restaurant and cafes. The final stop this morning is the National Museum located at the site of the most intense fighting during the civil war, the Green Line.

This afternoon we drive north of Beirut to visit the Jeita Grottos - a finalists in the 'New Seven Wonders Of The World' competition. The subterranean caves sit beneath the wooded hills of Mount Lebanon. The 9km labyrinth is spread out over on two levels. On the upper, the cathedral-like limestone caverns are festooned with every shape and size of stalactite and stalagmite imaginable. In the lower grotto there's an opportunity to take a boat trip (when the water level is low) past the 'weeping willows' and the chambers of Pantheon, Grand Chaos and Shangri-la.

Returning to cosmopolitan and glamorous Beirut, spend the evening at leisure or sample some of the city's colourful nightlife!
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 3, Roman Baalbek & Ksara Vineyard
Today we visit Lebanon's most celebrated wine producer - the Ksara Winery in the Bekaa Valley. Take a tour through the winery and sample some of their award winning wines before continuing on to the fortified village of Anjar, a World Heritage Site. The Umayyad city of Anjar, formerly known as Gerrha, dates back to the rule of the sixth Caliph Walid I in 705 - 715AD. It's discovery came about, almost by accident by archaeologists digging in the area in the late 1940s. Take a tour of the extensive walled city (set to Roman town plan) which boasts slender columns and fragile arches which stand in stark contrast against the backdrop of the nearby Anti-Lebanon mountains. The highlight of todays touring is the monumentally scaled temple complex of Baalbek, Lebanon’s archaeological gem! Following the conquest of Alexander the Great, the city became kown as Known as Heliopolis (City of the Sun), a name that was retained by subsequent Roman conquerors. The awe inspiring temples tower high above the Bekaa plain, proclaiming the power and wealth of Imperial Rome. Today the temple ruins are among the largest and finest examples of Roman architecture in the world. This afternoon explore the impressive temple complex, which includes the Jupiter Temple, the adjacent Bacchus Temple and the Temple of Venus, a short distance away. Upon returning to Beirut, the evening is yours to enjoy.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 4, Beirut
Spend a relaxing morning making the most of the hotel facilities or opt for one last dip in the Med. Hotel check out is at 12 noon and included onward departure transfer to airport.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 1 Amman
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Amman offers a fascinating mix of ancient sites and modern culture to explore.

Day 2 Wadi Rum
Full of weird and beautiful lunar-like rock formations, Wadi Rum is home to some of the most sublime desert landscape on the planet.

Days 3-4 Petra
Hewn out of the rose-coloured rock face, the ancient city of Petra is one of the Middle East's most spectacular destinations.

Day 5 Dana Nature Reserve
Featuring a variety of stunning scenery and captivating wildlife, Dana Nature Reserve is a spectacularly unique ecosystem in the middle of the desert.

Days 6-8 Madaba/Jerash
Famous for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, the historical town of Madaba has a friendly village atmosphere.