Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra

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Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra



Tour Description:

The past informs the present in the biblical lands of Israel and Jordan, offering guests an interlacing tapestry of cultural history millennia strong. From the rose colored stones that blend Jerusalem's urban landscapes with its ancient archaeological roots to Dead Sea destinations scrolled with the sands of time, Red Sea resorts that sail into the future to Jordan's sculpted ruins and age-old cities with tales to tell, the places you'll discover on this new 11-day journey speak volumes about daily life, then and now. 
Explore Jerusalem from different perspectives on a tour of the Old City and a tasting in the new. Discover religious relics in Bethlehem or Jaffa's arched alleyways and the architectural heritage of Tel Aviv as you please. You'll visit a kibbutz in the Israeli countryside, a hilltop mecca in Masada, and soak in the salts at a Dead Sea resort before crossing into Jordan for a Red Sea cruise. Adventure awaits at a desert oasis in Wadi Rum, treasured sights astound in Petra and dinner with a local family whets your appetite for an authentic cultural connection. Visions of the Promised Land entice at Mt. Nebo, and in Jerash, a wealth of sights, remarkably preserved, reflect Roman rule here thousands of years ago. Amman mixes old and new with a youthful exuberance all its own, inviting you to experience Middle Eastern hospitality.

Map for Jerusalem, The Red Sea & Petra
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Dates & Pricing

Saturday 07 Sep 24 — Tuesday 17 Sep 24Starting at $7,690 Get a Quote
Saturday 14 Sep 24 — Tuesday 24 Sep 24Starting at $8,690 Get a Quote
Saturday 26 Oct 24 — Tuesday 05 Nov 24Starting at $8,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 09 Nov 24 — Tuesday 19 Nov 24Starting at $8,690 Get a Quote
Saturday 15 Feb 25 — Tuesday 25 Feb 25Starting at $6,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 15 Mar 25 — Tuesday 25 Mar 25Starting at $7,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 22 Mar 25 — Tuesday 01 Apr 25Starting at $8,990 Get a Quote
Saturday 10 May 25 — Tuesday 20 May 25Starting at $9,390 Get a Quote
Saturday 18 Oct 25 — Tuesday 28 Oct 25Starting at $8,390 Get a Quote
Saturday 08 Nov 25 — Tuesday 18 Nov 25Starting at $8,990 Get a Quote


Destination & Sightseeing

The past informs the present in the biblical lands of Israel and Jordan, offering guests an interlacing tapestry of cultural history millennia strong. From the rose colored stones that blend Jerusalem's urban landscapes with its ancient archaeological roots to Dead Sea destinations scrolled with the sands of time, Red Sea resorts that sail into the future to Jordan's sculpted ruins and age-old cities with tales to tell, the places you'll discover on this new 11-day journey speak volumes about daily life, then and now.  Explore Jerusalem from different perspectives on a tour of the Old City and a tasting in the new. Discover religious relics in Bethlehem or Jaffa's arched alleyways and the architectural heritage of Tel Aviv as you please. You'll visit a kibbutz in the Israeli countryside, a hilltop mecca in Masada, and soak in the salts at a Dead Sea resort before crossing into Jordan for a Red Sea cruise. Adventure awaits at a desert oasis in Wadi Rum, treasured sights astound in Petra and dinner with a local family whets your appetite for an authentic cultural connection. Visions of the Promised Land entice at Mt. Nebo, and in Jerash, a wealth of sights, remarkably preserved, reflect Roman rule here thousands of years ago. Amman mixes old and new with a youthful exuberance all its own, inviting you to experience Middle Eastern hospitality.

Highlights
With an expert local guide, experience an authentic taste of old and new at an iconic market in the heart of Jerusalem, dating back to the days of the Ottomans and today renowned as a symbol of daily life in one of the oldest cities in the world.
Venture into the lunar-like landscapes of Wadi Rum, nicknamed the "Valley of the Moon," on an exciting 4 x 4 excursion that culminates in a tented Bedouin feast with music, sword dancing and camel rides, made more memorable by stargazing under the desert's stunning night sky.
Set out from the port city of Aqaba aboard a private boat for a sundowner cruise on the Red Sea, where the waters were once parted by Moses and today open up to coral reefs renowned for rewarding diving adventures. 
Visit a historic kibbutz in the Israeli countryside en route to the ancient mountaintop fortress of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by King Herod in the first century AD with views of the Dead Sea, and your 5-star resort located right on the shores of the famous salt lake. 
Two nights in Jerusalem with guided exploration of the Old City, a walk along Via Dolorosa, and food tasting in the Mahane Yehuda Market
A choice of visits to Bethlehem, or cosmopolitan Tel Aviv and Jaffa, its 4,000-year-old Arab port city. 
A sundowner cruise with wine and snacks in the Red Sea during a two-night stay in the port city of Aqaba

ITINERARY

Arrive Jerusalem
Tour begins: 5:00 PM, Orient Jerusalem Hotel. A transfer is included from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, often referred to as Tel Aviv Airport, to Orient Jerusalem. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is just 1 km from the Old City and 2 km from the Western Wall, as well as close to a vast array of local attractions. Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel.

The Temple Mount & Via Dolorosa
Few cities in the world evoke the sense of spirituality and history as Jerusalem's Old City does, where people of all faiths have come to worship for thousands of years. Sightseeing today begins with visits to the medieval Tower of David, the historical entrance to the Old City and the symbol for Jerusalem for generations; the Western "Wailing" Wall, built by King Herod in 20 BC and considered the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people; and the Roman cardo, the main street of the Old City over 1,500 years ago and now a vibrant marketplace. Walking through the Jewish Quarter reveals a look at life in a neighborhood that has stood firm for two thousand years, where alleyways lead to historic sites, synagogues, shops and more. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Yad Vashem, Israel's moving memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring as you wish.

Old City sights & the Jewish Quarter
Layered with ancient relics and treasured shrines, Jerusalem's Old City is home to places that inspire quiet awe as you view in person sacred biblical sites like the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and more. Our expert local guide leads the way today on your walking tour back in time that starts with a visit to the Temple Mount venerated as a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike, where the iconic domed rock reigns as its crown jewel. Listen to insights about its significance for each religion as you explore here today. Continue along the Via Dolorosa route, believed to be the solemn path taken by a condemned Jesus as he carried the cross to his crucifixion. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to have been built over the biblical Calvary, or Golgotha, where Jesus was nailed to the cross, died and rose from the dead. A change of pace and place follows as you taste your way through lively Mahane Yehuda Market for lunch, sampling a mix of traditional and modern-day culinary fare at Jerusalem's largest outdoor market and foodie hotspot. This afternoon, tour the Israel Museum, home to some 5,000 years of cultural treasures, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, among the world's oldest biblical manuscripts.

Bethlehem or Tel Aviv
A choice of excursions this morning travels outside of Jerusalem and includes a walking tour of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, or a visit to the 4,000 year-old seaport town of Jaffa and modern-day Tel Aviv. No longer a little town, Bethlehem is a thriving Palestinian city that evokes the story of Jesus in Manger Square, from the Basilica of the Nativity, the oldest surviving church in the Holy Land, still in use today, to the cave-like Grotto below where Mary is said to have given birth to the baby Jesus. Visit its must-see sights with a local guide and enjoy lunch, before returning to Jerusalem for free time. Alternatively, travel to seaside Jaffa, a romantic enclave of medieval buildings and cobblestone streets, for a guided walking tour and lunch, followed by a visit to Tel Aviv, teeming with architectural wonders and modern-day cultural delights. Return to Jerusalem where your evening is free.

A Kibbutz, Masada & the Dead Sea
Journey into the countryside today, stopping at a rural kibbutz for a close-up look at this integral part of Israeli society, en route to hilltop Masada.  Originally built by King Herod as a palace complex in the last century BC, the rugged desert fortress of Masada was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role as a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, but you may remember it for the stunning panoramic views of the Dead Sea you will see during today's visit. Get a closer look when you check into your resort this afternoon, nestled on the shores of the great salt lake. Dine at your leisure tonight in the hotel.

Aqaba & the Red Sea
Cross the border into Jordan this morning on a leisurely drive to your beachfront hotel in the port of Aqaba, Jordan's only coastal city. This afternoon, join us aboard a private boat for a sunset, cocktail cruise on the marine life-rich Red Sea, inspiring with views of the city and sea and inviting with colorful coral gardens renowned for underwater diving adventures. As you gaze across this historic body of water, the story of Moses and the parting of the seas that allowed the great exodus of Israelites to escape from Egypt may come to mind, reminding you of the biblical significance of so many of the sights you'll see this part of the world. Enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight in the hotel.

A desert adventure to Wadi Rum
Spend the morning at leisure at your seaside hotel, where the white sandy beach is right outside your door. This afternoon pack your spirit for adventure as you ride aboard a 4x4 vehicle bound for the "Valley of the Moon" at Wadi Rum, the movie-set location for Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian and more. The lunar landscapes you'll drive through are stunning and include desert valleys, spectacular sandstone mountains, canyons, dunes and arches. Arrive at Wadi Rum for an evening steeped in tradition and local culture. Enjoy a special dinner with entertainment in Bedouin tents and stargazing with an expert.

Well-preserved Petra
Drive to the town of Wadi Musa for an overnight stay near the ancient city of Petra, one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World." Dating back to 300 BC, this "Rose City" served as the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, whose master builders carved palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms and stables from the soft stone cliffs you'll see on a guided visit today. Enter the ancient city through a high-walled crack called the Siq, walking through a narrow rock-sided pathway that opens to one of its most famous sites, The Treasury, where scenes from the movie Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade were filmed.  Guided exploration here views the tomb-lined Street of Facades, the 700-seat Theatre, the Great Temple, the Royal Tombs and the Monastery. Enjoy lunch and free time this afternoon before choosing to dine tonight with a local family at their private residence or dining at the hotel.

Mount Nebo, Madaba & Amman
Depart for Amman today, stopping en route at Madaba and Mount Nebo. Madaba is a Bronze-age market town best known for the Byzantine-era mosaic map you'll see on the floor of St. George's Church, said to represent the oldest map of Palestine in existence. Continue on to Mount Nebo where, according to the Bible, Moses was granted a glimpse of the Promised Land before his death. On a clear day you will be able to enjoy the same views that Moses did from atop the summit, including the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, the West Bank, and sometimes even Jericho and Jerusalem. Your destination this afternoon is the "White City" of Amman, the lively modern capital of Jordan. Settle into your hotel in the heart of the city and spend the remainder of the day exploring as you wish.

Sightseeing in Jerash
This morning, a choice awaits you. On one, stay close to home on a tour of Amman's Old City; including a tour of the Amman Citadel, an archeological site dating back to the Neolithic period and home to the remains of the Temple of Hercules. Other highlights include a Roman Theatre visit and a walking tour of the old city itself. Alternatively, drive north through the rolling hills of Gilead, dotted with grazing sheep and goats, to the ruined city of Jerash, inhabited since the Bronze Age and once a thriving Roman settlement. Buried under sand and rubble for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1806 by a German traveler and not excavated until the 1950s. What you will discover on a guided tour offers you a look at life for some of the estimated 35,000 Roman residents who lived here in the first and second centuries. See the triumphal Hadrian's Arch, built in AD 129 in honor of Emperor Hadrian's visit, the hippodrome which hosted chariot races for up to 15,000 spectators and the 5,000-seat South Theatre. Pass by the elegant remains of the Temple of Zeus, built in 162, the huge 56-columned Forum, the main fountain and more as you stroll down the colonnaded cardo maximus, the main street of Jerash, with your informative local guide. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Amman for time at leisure. Join us tonight for a private farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.

Journey home
Tour ends: Amman. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Ritz-Carlton Amman to Queen Alia International Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for check in at the airport.

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

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