Itinerary Details
Abercrombie & Kent: Jordan & Israel: Ancient Wonders
DAY 1 Amman, Jordan
Arrive in Amman, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest
of your day at leisure.
Four Seasons Hotel Amman
Meals:
DAY 2 Amman & JerashToday 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.
Four Seasons Hotel Amman
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 Mount Nebo/MadabaThis 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.
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.
Mövenpick Resort Petra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 PetraSpend 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.
Saraya Rum Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Wadi RumThis 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.
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6 The Dead SeaToday, 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.
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 Jerusalem, IsraelCross 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.
The King David
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 JerusalemJoin 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.
The King David
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9 BethlehemVisit 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, 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.
The King David
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10 MasadaExplore 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.
The King David
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11 Acre & NazarethDrive 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.
Scots Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12 Sea of GalileeEmbark 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.
Scots Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 13-14 Tel Aviv & JaffaVisit 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.
Dan Tel Aviv Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 13), Breakfast (Day 14)