Jordan & Israel: Ancient Wonders

Arrive in Amman, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

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.

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 King Abdullah Mosque, with its iconic blue dome, and admire the contemporary architecture of this mosque commemorating the first king of Jordan. Relax in the Four Seasons Spa, indulging in the spa facilities and a 50-minute massage. Journey to Mount Nebo, in the footsteps of Moses, for expansive views of the Holy Land. After lunch, 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.

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.

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 camelback, 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.

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.

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 Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s largest food market, which takes up an entire neighborhood between Yafo and Agripas. Enjoy lunch and experience the market’s vibrant energy. After a full day, check in and later, dine at your hotel’s restaurant.

Join your expert local guide for a full day’s exploration of the Old City, with its four corners: Christian, Muslim, Armenian and Jewish. Start at the Cardo, in the center of the Jewish Quarter, then stop at the Western Wall, Judaism’s most sacred site and a tangible link between Israel’s past and present. In the background, view the Temple Mount area with its mosque of the Dome of the Rock. After lunch at a local café, walk the Stations of the Way of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Witness the devotion and prayer exhibited by many denominations, here at the momentous sites of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of Christ. Later, visit the Israel Museum to view the Second Temple Model, the Shrine of the Book and a portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Finish with a refreshing Scenic Sundowner overlooking the city.

Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to Holocaust victims and witness how its striking art and architecture frame compelling exhibits devoted to remembrance, research and education. Drive to Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, for a lunch served in the home of a local family, enjoying an 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.

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.

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.

Embark on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. View the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount, and stop at Capernaum to see the remains of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught as well as St. Peter’s house, which was later converted into a church. 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.

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.

After breakfast, transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for your departing flight.