Middle East Explorer Tour  (14 DAYS)
Lebanon & Syria
Valid to December 2010 • Departures Every Thursday

Day 01 (Thurs) JFK /Beirut
Evening departure from the U.S. to Beirut by widebody jet via Amman, Jordan.

Day 02 (Fri) Beirut
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport by our representative, assisted through customs and formalities, and escorted to the Deluxe Le Meridien Hotel or First Class Lancaster Hotel.

Day 03 (Sat) Beirut / Jeita Grotto / Byblos
We leave this morning for a full day tour in Beirut, visit the Banking Center, the American University, the National Museum, and the War Memorial Inscriptions at Dog River. Continue to visit the Phoenician City of Byblos, Ancient Crossroads of the Mediterranean. Jbail (Byblos) is a true microcosm of the civilizations that have populated Lebanon over the centuries. Believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. After lunch visit Jeita Grotto, a compound of crystallized caves located in the Valley of Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River). This grotto is made up of two limestone caves, upper galleries and a lower cave through which a 6230 m long river runs. Sail underground lake by boat and experience the sound and light show in the caverns. After a stop at Harissa, erected in 1908, the gigantic bronze statue of the Virgin Mary was inaugurated by the Maronite Patriarch Hoayek to mark the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Doctrine. Return to hotel in Beirut. (B,L)

Day 04 (Sun) Baalbeck /Aanjar
After breakfast, visit Baalbeck, exploring the wonders of this ancient city, the imposing Temples of Jupiter, Bachus and Venus in Baalbeck. Baalbeck’s awe-inspiring temples and city ruins are among the largest and finest examples of Roman architecture in the world, from the grandeur of the columned temples to the intricately carved stonework, and the sheer size of the stones used to construct the temples. Visit Aanjar most notable for its graceful stone arches and wide arcades. Continue to Damascus check in to hotel. (B,L)

Day 05 (Mon) Damascus
Our full day tour of Syria’s capital and the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, includes visits to the Damascus University, National Museum, the Citadel, Bazaars, Adlia, Zahirieh schools, Mausoleum of Saladin, Umayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, Street called Straight, House of Ananias, and St. Paul’s Window and Cathedral. Overnight in Damascus. (B,L)

Day 06 (Tue) Palmyra
This morning we leave for Palmyra, one of the most important archeological sites in Syria. It was an oasis city on the northern edge of the Syrian desert. Under the rule of Queen Zenobia in 266 AD, Palmyra became an important power even conquering Persia and Egypt. When Palmyra rebelled to Roman Allegiance in 272 AD the Roman Aurelien sacked the city and placed Queen Zenobia, hands bound in chains of gold, at the head of his triumphal procession. Today’s visit includes the Great Colonnade, the Temple of Bel, the Theater, the Agora and Tetrapylon, the Funerary Towers and the Museum. (B,L)

Day 07 (Wed) Damascus / Bosra / Jerash
Today we leave Damasus visit to Bosra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first Nabatean city in the 2nd century BC. Continue to Jerash part of the Decapolis, referred to as the “Pompeii of the Middle East” for its unique state of preservation. Late afternoon, return to the hotel. (B)

Day 08 (Thur) Madaba / Mt. Nebo / Kerak/Petra
Depart to Petra, Visit the Mosaic Church at Madaba, the alleged burial site of Moses on Mt. Nebo overlooking the Dead Sea, and the Crusader Castle at Kerak,. Overnight in Petra. (B)

Day 9 (Fri) Petra
Our whole day is devoted exploring this Nabatean City including the Treasury carved in from Solid Red Rose Rock. (B)

Day 10 (Sat) Petra / Wadi Rum / Amman
We leave Petra to visit the moon shape sandscape at Wadi Rum and photo-op with Bedouin guides, if time permits we visit Aqaba before returning to Amman for overnight. (B)

Day 11 (Sun) Amman / Jerusalem
Morning bid farewell to this ancient city as you are escorted to Amman Airport in time for your flight to Tel Aviv, transfer to the the Holy City of Jerusalem. (B)

Day 12 (Mon) Jerusalem / Bethlehem
Full day tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Enter the Old City and walk through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the recently excavated and restored Cardo, the Roman road. See the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Kotel, and continue to the Christian Quarter. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue to Bethlehem for an overview of Shepherd’s field. Drive through Rachel’s tomb to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s square. (B)

Day 13 (Tue) Massada
Today visit Massada and the lowest place on earth: the Dead Sea. Ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors, roman baths and other findings. Descend by cable car and enjoy free time to swim and float on the Dead Sea. (B)

Day 14 (Wed) Galilee / Nazareth
Enjoy a lovely day traveling the outstanding landscape of the Lower Galilee to Nazareth. Visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. Visit Capernaum, Tiberias and Galilee. Overnight Jerusalem. (B)

Day 15 (Thur) Jerusalem / Amman / JFK
Transfer via Allenby to Amman airport for your flight back to JFK. (B)

Visas Requirements: Visas are required of US citizens to travel to Syria, Lebanon Egypt and Jordan. Border crossing fees Israel/Jordan are subject to $50 payable locally.

• AIR FARE SEASONAL SUPPLEMENTS:
  • SHOULDER SEASON: $150: MAY 1 - MAY 31 AUG 01- AUG 31, DEC 11 - DEC 22, DEC 25 - DEC 31
  • PEAK SEASON: $450: JUNE 01 - JULY 31
• *SEASONAL TOUR/HOTEL SUPPLEMENT APPLY: $100:
  • MARCH 01 - JUNE 01, SEPTEMBER 01-NOVEMBER 31, DECEMBER 20 - JANUARY 08
• MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS REQUIRED FOR THIS TOUR.
• ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON IN DOUBLE OR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY. RATES ARE SUBJECT TO AIRPORT TAXES AND SEPT. 11 SECURITY FEES (OF $2.50 PER SEGMENT, NOT EXCEEDING $10 TOTAL), WHICH CAN BE IN THE RANGE OF $118 TO $198 PER PERSON. OTHER GATEWAYS AVAILABLE.