Day 1 - Arrive Amman, Jordan
Arrive in Amman, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest
of your day at leisure.
Day 2 - Amman & Jerash
Today begins with a visit to Jerash, a city founded by
Alexander the Great, to marvel at its Greco-Roman ruins.
Walk the Roman cardo, viewing grooves made by chariot
wheels. Return to Amman and, after lunch at a local
restaurant, explore the city and its Citadel and Roman
Theater. Tonight, gather for a festive welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Mount Nebo/Madaba
This morning, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Set Out on a Walking Tour of Amman to experience this
fascinating, modern capital city from ground level.
Visit the Royal Automobile Museum, home to King
Hussein’s personal collection of cars and motorcycles.
Relax in the Four Seasons Spa, indulging in the spa
facilities and a 50-minute massage.
After lunch, journey to Mount Nebo, in the footsteps of
Moses, for expansive views of the Holy Land. Proceed to
Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics” for its spectacular
Byzantine and Umayyad examples. Finish the day with
check-in at your hotel in close proximity to Petra.
Day 4 - Petra
Spend a full day exploring Petra, passing through the Siq to view the majestic Treasury, the Temple of the Winged Lions and the Palace Tomb. Once a rich merchant city and a stop for camel caravans bringing spices, silk and slaves from Arabia to the Mediterranean, Petra was lost for 1,000 years, emerging from antiquity in 1812 when it was rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Later, depart for Wadi Rum — the Valley of the Moon — which, with its immense size, color and awe-inspiring shapes, creates an almost supernatural atmosphere. Tonight, experience a Bedouin dinner and stargazing at your comfortable desert camp.
Day 5 - Wadi Rum
This morning, venture into the rose-tinted mountains and
marvelous desert vistas where T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of
Arabia) lived with his Bedouin friends and allies during
World War I. Bedouin camps are evident in the wadi (valley),
which is still home to a number of Bedouin families. Traverse Wadi Rum by four-wheel-drive vehicle, and then Ride Like
a Local, on camel back, to take in the stunning landscape
in an unforgettable way. This afternoon, travel north to the
Dead Sea, and settle into your accommodations upon arrival.
Day 6 - The Dead Sea
Today, visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, known as the
place of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. This UNESCO
World Heritage Site features Roman and Byzantine remains
and is a place of pilgrimage for many. Return to your resort hotel for time at leisure and a float in the buoyant,
mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.
Day 7 - Jerusalem, Israel
Cross into Israel and drive to the Mount of Olives for a
view over the Temple Mount (Al Haram el-Sharif). Visit
the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is said to have
prayed with his disciples before his crucifixion. Stroll Mahna
Yahuda, Jerusalem’s largest food market, which takes up an
entire neighborhood, between Yafo and Agripas. Cap off
your market tour with a delicious lunch. After a full day,
check in and, later, dine at your hotel’s restaurant.
Day 8 - Jerusalem
Join your expert local guide for a full day’s exploration of the
Old City, first stopping at the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s
most sacred sites. View the Temple Mount area with its
Dome of the Rock. After lunch at a local café, walk along
the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried the cross, arriving at
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditional site of Jesus’
crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Later, visit the Israel
Museum’s Shrine of the Book to view a portion of the Dead
Sea Scrolls, and see the Second Temple Model. As your day
ends, view the city’s skyline with a Scenic Sundowner.
Day 9 - Bethlehem
Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to Holocaust victims. Drive to Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, for a lunch served in the home of a local family, providing a unique opportunity to engage in authentic cultural interaction, on an A&K-exclusive Chef’s Table experience. Then, visit the Church of the Nativity, a sixth-century basilica that stands over a cave held to be the birthplace of Jesus. Dine tonight at a top restaurant in Jerusalem.
Day 10 - Masada
Explore Masada, built by King Herod in 31 BC atop a rocky plateau with views of the Dead Sea. Take a cable car up to this final stronghold, where Jewish Zealots made their last stand against the Romans, ultimately taking their own lives rather than becoming enslaved. Return to Jerusalem for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
Day 11 - Acre & Nazareth
Drive to Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s oldest ports, to see the Crusader Halls, markets and the old town. Then, journey to Jesus’ boyhood town of Nazareth. After lunch, visit the Church of the Annunciation, built on the traditional site of Mary and Joseph’s home. Continue to Tiberias and your hotel, which occupies a historic building along the Sea of Galilee. Prior to dinner, experience an artisanal wine talk and tasting organized by a professional sommelier.
Day 12 - Sea of Galilee
Enjoy a private boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and then stop at Capernaum to view St. Peter’s house and the synagogue where Jesus taught. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. After lunch, drive to the Golan Heights to learn about the rich history and strategic importance of this rugged landscape. A source of the Jordan River, it was home to the Tribe of Dan and has remains dating to the Roman, Hellenistic and Persian periods. Gather tonight for a memorable farewell dinner.
Day 14 - Tel Aviv & Jaffa
Visit Caesarea, built to honor Augustus Caesar and later
occupied by the Crusaders. Discover Israel’s largest city,
Tel Aviv. Located along a beautiful stretch of beach on the
Mediterranean, Tel Aviv is Israel’s commercial center — a
busy metropolis that inspires visitors with a unique and
energetic atmosphere. Set out on a walking tour of Jaffa, an
ancient port town that has become a noted artists’ colony,
located just south of Tel Aviv. The next day, transfer to the
Tel Aviv airport for your departing flight.