The Ultimate in Private Near East Tours
Egypt , Jordan and Turkey

A la Mediterraneo - With a Private Gulet cruise and Red Sea Stay
A 33 - Day True Grand Tour of the former Ottoman Empire gems

For guests who want and can afford the best : This dream vacation Includes an in-depth tour of Istanbul,
Cappadocia , a drive along the Turkish coast, a private deluxe yacht cruise in the Mediterranean .
An ultra deluxe Nile Cruise on board the Sonesta Star Goddess or Sonesta Moon Goddess all suites with private balconies cruises
Cairo , Giza and even a stay on the Red Sea in Egypt. we conclude with Lawrence of Arabia's Petra in Jordan .
Arrive weekly in Istanbul . March though end of Oct

AAAAH .. Egypt , the Nile : on board your all suite
Sonesta Moon Goddess or Sonesta Star Goddess

Compare with the Jewels of the Near East with an extended stay in Jordan

Indiana Jones himself couldn't squeeze more adventure into this Mediterranean and Near East Vacation . You will journey through the Ottoman Empire most exotic cities and regions :
In Egypt : Tour Cairo and Giza most important sites : Sakkara , Memphis, Dahshour and the Pyramids, a sailing cruise on the Nile on board a deluxe all suite private balcony cruise , the fabled temples and tombs of Luxor and Thebes, take a break on the shore of the Red Sea in Hurgada at the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh all suites hotel . In Jordan you will trek to the mysterious ruins of Petra in Jordan . In Turkey : A true GRAND tour of Istanbul , the Turkish Riviera and Anatolia .

In the Mediterranean : we will provide the Captain! Isn't this the escape you really want? You'll cruise aboard a comfortable, romantic gulet, the traditional wooden sailing vessel used for centuries along Turkey's pine-fringed Mediterranean coast. You'll also spend some time in exotic Istanbul to see its imperial palaces, world-class museums, chic restaurants, bazaars and boutiques. Your accommodations? An Ottoman-style mansion inn. We'll even give you the award-winning Lonely Planet guidebook to Turkey, and even drive along the Turquoise coast with your own private chauffeur , in your own private air-conditioned vehicle . Click here for the 12 day edition including Cappadoccia

Day 1 - ISTANBUL / Izmir / Kusadasi - Sunday
Our local rep. meets your international flight at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and escorts you to your connecting domestic flight . Domestic air fare is included to Izmir in economy class with tax. Ticket issued & delivered in Istanbul. In Izmir , you will find your private air-conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur waiting for you to drive you to Kusadasi and your hotel , for boutique style hotel lovers we suggest Kismet Hotel, or for a more contemporary style : Korumar Hotel .

Day 2- Kusadasi - Ephesus - BODRUM- Monday (BL)
After breakfast we head for Ephesus, always with your private guide , tour this most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. We continue to the fine Ephesus Museum, then on to Bodrum. Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, Bodrum was once the capital of King Mausolus, whose elaborate tomb, the Mausoleum, gave its name to all grand tombs which followed. Our staff drives you to your hotel : the Marmara Hotel .
Lunch is included enroute in a charming local restaurant.

Day 3 - Yacht (Gulet)- Tuesday (BLD)
We drive to the waterside Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders in the early 1400s, where your yacht awaits you, moored beneath the castle walls. Step aboard and enjoy a welcome cocktail as you meet your captain and crew, after which they'll prepare the first of many delicious shipboard dinners for you. Settle in and relax: you're a l-o-n-g way from any cares or worries here!

Day 4 - KNIDOS & MERSINCIK (BLD) - Wednesday
Weighing anchor at sunrise, we sail south through Gokova Bay, passing close to the Greek Island of Kos (Karaada) and around the Resadiye Peninsula to Knidos, famous in ancient times for its superb statue of Aphrodite sculpted by Praxiteles. We drop anchor in Knidos's ancient harbor and go ashore for a tour of the ancient city. Sailing south and east around the peninsula, we reach the mouth of the Dalyan River, where we board a motor launch for a voyage upriver to the Roman ruins at Caunus. The sheer rockface overlooking the river is pierced by Lycian rock-cut tombs dating from 600 BC. We return to our yacht and continue our leisurely "Blue Voyage" to Mersincik, where we drop anchor for the night.

Day 5 - ÇATI, YEDI ADALAR & INGILIZ LIMANI - Thursday (BLD)
We continue our meandering route through these classical waters, stopping at peaceful Çati cove, at Yedi Adalar (the Seven Islands) and at Sedir (Sidera) Island. On Sidera we explore the Roman theater, ruined Byzantine monasteries, and Cleopatra's Beach, a gift from Marc Anthony to the Egyptian queen, with sand said to have been brought from Egypt. Onward, we head for Marmaris, where Lord Nelson's fleet took shelter as it prepared to attack Napoleon's forces at Abukir in 1798. For us, "Green Marmaris," as it is called because of its surrounding pine forests, is a welcome shore excursion with a wonderful bustling bazaar, a long palm-shaded waterfront promenade, and a fortress that's now a museum. We return to our yacht for dinner, moored at Ingiliz Limani (English Port).

Day 6 - SEDIR & ORAKLAR - Friday (BLD)
Today is filled with the pleasures of sun and sea: swimming, reading, relaxing, and enjoying a lazy shipboard lunch. Your yacht has everything you need for water sports: facemasks and flippers, sailboard, canoe and fishing tackle. We drop anchor at Oraklar for a calm night aboard, gently rocking in the pellucid waters of the Mediterranean.

Day 7 - Disembarkation - Check-out from the Gulet : Drive - Saturday (B)
Sail to Sogut and Marmaris , Wonderfully refreshed by our voyage, we bid farewell to our captain and crew, we drive to Kaunos and Fethiye . Check in at your hotel : Ece Saray Hotel.
This afternoon is your opportunity to explore this charming Mediterranean paradise , on your own. These coming few days of driving along the coast, are designed to allow you more flexibility with your program, the private air-conditioned vehicle , and private chauffeur are at your disposal, yet we are suggesting the following route . If you have any other suggestion , we will be happy to explore with you and custom tailor your tour.

Day 8 - Fethiye - Sunday (B)
These are independent days, yet vehicle and driver are at your disposal ( cost included in our rate )
Today drive covers : Blue Lagoon . Patara. Xanthos. Kalkan : Patara Prince Hotel ( where we spend the night)

Patara, birthplace of St. Nicholas. The Roman theater is worth your attention, and if you wish to linger on the long, deserted beach, Xanthos, and beyond to the Saklikent Gorge. Adventurers from the world over come to scale its walls and hike and raft its waters. You might choose to sample an adventure yourself . . .

Day 9 - Kalkan -Monday (B)
These are independent days, yet vehicle and driver are at your disposal ( cost included in our rate )
Today drive covers : Kas . Kekova . Myra. Demre . Finike : Di Presa Hotel ( where we spend the night)

We'll set out after breakfast, with your driver and private vehicle and the travel books we will send you :
You'll continue to the port of Kas, favored by sailors ancient and modern.
Follow the course of the Demre River. You may wish to stop and cross a small bridge on foot, proceed through fields, and come across what looks like an ancient apartment building. It's actually one of the surprises of Mediterranean Turkey, Lycian tombs hewn into the rock face. We'll reach the sea again at Myra, where yachts and Turkish sailing vessels gently bob in the waters. You 'll give in to temptation ??? .... :-)
and embark on a sailing trip to the island of Kekova, passing the remains of castles, tombs, and arches, ample proof that the ancients knew the best places to settle. Again this is on your own , and additional cost locally to be paid by you . Then it's on to the little harbor of Finike to spend the night and, if you wish, to explore nearby ruins.

Day 10 - Finike- Tuesday (B)
These are independent days, yet vehicle and driver are at your disposal ( cost included in our rate )
Today drive covers : Olympos . Phaselis. Antalya ( where we spend the night) : Sheraton Voyager Hotel

We'll drive along the coast, with its influences from all over the Mediterranean. We'll pass through Phaselis, a port in Roman times, for the export of rose oil, perfume, and timber. A substantial stone aqueduct remains. The little beach town of Olympos. You'll feel that it's your own discovery, concealed among hills and orchards. Stay as long as you like. Nearby is a natural flame that burns endlessly.

Day 11 - Antalya - Wednesday (B)
These are independent days, yet vehicle and driver are at your disposal ( cost included in our rate )
Today drive covers : Perge . Aspendos , then back to . Antalya ( where we spend the night) : Sheraton Voyager Hotel .

Today you may wish to take time to delve into history in nearby Roman towns. You'll set your own pace, and in consultation with the travel books we will mail you , emphasize the sites that most intrigue you. You'll see Perge, from which Paul and Barnabus set out to spread the Gospels. Its monuments include a theater, agora, stadium, and triumphal arch and colonnades. Then it's on to Aspendos, a Roman trading center with a theater preserved almost perfectly intact. Perhaps you'll choose to concentrate on Side, with its temples of Athena and Apollo, and recall the romantic meeting of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra that took place here. We'll return to our lodgings in Antalya for the night. Extend to Cappadocia ?

DAY 12 - Kayseri , Cappadocia - Thursday (B)
We fly to Kayseri for an adventure into fabled Cappadocia. This is a four-hour journey back into time. Possible stops along the way include the ruins of Hattusas, and Yazlikaya, capital of the ancient Hittite empire. Finally, we'll reach the heart of Cappadocia. Here, you'll check into your hotel Cave Suites Hotels , relax, and begin your discoveries.

DAY 13 - CAPPADOCIA - Walking Tour - Friday (B)
While you 'll have your own private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur and private guide , expect a lot of walking today, as the vehicles can go so far, then we must descend into a valley or climb up some hills .
We'll tailor your Cappadocia itinerary according to your preferences. Most likely, we'll see the Open Air Museum of Goreme, with its twelfth-century frescoed churches carved right into volcanic pillars. Then continue to Zelve, with its curious troglodyte dwellings, and even entire monasteries excavated into solid rock.

Day 14 - Cappadocia - Drive and walking tour- Saturday (B)
This is a private tour , so feel free to mix and match and/or change our suggestions .
While you 'll have your own private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur and private guide , expect a lot of walking today, as the vehicles can go so far, then we must descend into a valley or climb up some hills .
Today We'll cross landscapes of rock and boulders in the Devrent and Pasabag valleys that look as if they belong on the moon. We'll espy "fairy chimneys," pillars of stone formed by wind and water over millennia. We'll see painted landscapes in the Red and Rose valleys, and more churches carved from stone, and enjoy traditional regional specialties at dinner. And there are many more possibilities. We have the contacts to arrange for a spectacular ascent in a hot-air balloon, when available, to arrange a traditional steam bath, or even a workshop on the venerable craft of carpet-weaving. We can plan for these activities beforehand, or you can discuss the possibilities with your guide as your interests develop.

Day 15 - Kayseri - Istanbul- Sunday -(B)
Fly back to Istanbul and your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure .

DAY 16 - ISTANBUL - Monday (BL) ISTANBUL- "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:"

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour.
In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon). Then go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar.
Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 17 - CAIRO - Tuesday ( B)
Air fare is included in our rate , in economy class with tax : Istanbul Cairo . Ticket issued and delivered in Istanbul . Upon arrival in Cairo , our Egypt-based staff greets you in bustling Cairo airport and escorts you to your hotel . At your hotel, complimentary coffee or tea ( please advise your preference), one bottle of water for each guest, and a platter of Egyptian sweets will await you at your room.
Hotel : Four Seasons Hotel : Nile Plaza or the First Residence ( standard room)

Our Egypt-based local rep. greets you in bustling Cairo airport and escorts you to your hotel . Egyptian visa may be secured by our guests upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of nationalities such as American,Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU and Japanese citizens, please pay the $ 15 in cash upon arrival . Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival). After exiting the terminal

DAY 18 - CAIRO- The Egyptian Museum - Wednesday (BLD)
Your exploration of the ancient world begins today! First stop is the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, precious stones and metals. You have all morning to spend at the Museum . Lunch around 1 PM at the Hadaik Al Azhar Park , or similar . Then off to the Islamic Medieval Cairo : We'll stop at the Citadel of Saladin , the Alabaster Mosque, Sultan El Rifai Mosque a true master-piece in Arabic & Islamic Architecture , brief stop inside the mosque to see the Shah of Iran and King Farouk mausoleums .
Finally , we wander through the Khan El Khalili 12-Century bazaar district and scenes that are out of the Raiders of the Lost Arc" movie set. Return to your hotel late afternoon for a brief rest before we head for the sound & light show .

DAY 19 - CAIRO- Dahshour, Memphis, Sakkara - Home Hosted Dinner - Thursday (BL)
A morning tour takes us to the time capsule treasure of Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo: DAHSOUR - we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour: For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.

After lunch at a local restaurant : The afternoon is for Memphis and Sakkara, including the Step Pyramid of Zoser & Nobles tombs/Mastabas.

DAY 20 - Giza Pyramids - Friday (BL)
Drive to the edge of Cairo and on to Giza and the mysteries of the Pyramids , the Cheops Royal Barge Museum , the Valley Temple and Sphinx. Lunch is included at the Mena House . Afternoon is at leisure

Dinner is included at a local home: Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town): This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 21 - Luxor - Sonesta M/S Moon Goddess - Suite with Private Balcony .Nile Cruise - Saturday (BLD)
Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private Egyptologist even for the cruise shore excursiones

If / when using Sonesta Star Goddess , we may have to change to boarding Friday
Very early morning breakfast and transfer to Cairo Airport. Flight is included in our rate, in business class , tax included . Morning arrival at Luxor . We'll meet you at the airport , and escort you to your deluxe air conditioned Nile cruise . Board Luxor ( or Aswan ) .

We fly to or Luxor, or Aswan All transfers and tours are always on a private basis , and board our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin.
The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the afternoon. We'll return in time for the afternoon tea served on deck. You'll have a chance to explore your ship before dinner. In the evening your guide will call on you for a horse drawn carriage ride through Luxor bazaars and souks , as well as the waterfront

DAY 22 - LUXOR , EDFU - on Board your Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise- Sunday (BLD)
We tour today as well the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings including Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our cruise. Afterward, we'll continue on Luxor's west bank to get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.

We sail in the afternoon we cruise to Esna to go through the locks , and on to Edfu where we dock for the night. In the evening , we'll celebrate in Egyptian style, dressed in galabias, the flowing national costume, a galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments) . All transfers and tours are always on a private basis

DAY 23 - EDFU, KOM OMBO - on Board your Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise- Monday (BLD)
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt's best-preserved temple. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we enjoy lunch as we sail further south upriver .
We disembark downstream at Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, the continue our voyage to Aswan, while we party after dinner with music & dance. All transfers and tours are always on a private basis

DAY 24 - ASWAN - on Board your Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise -Tuesday (BLD)
First we tour Aswan dams, then on to the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :

The Mystery of Isis : Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.
In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile.

Our farewell dinner this evening is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers, including of course a belly dancer. All transfers and tours are always on a private basis

Unique interiors at the Cairo Four Seasons Hotel

Day 25 - Wednesday - Aswan- Abu Simbel - Cairo ( BL)
Breakfast on board and check-out . Today we will be flying to : ABU SIMBEL :
Ramses the Great - Master Builder of all Times (Lunch Box.)
Lunch box will prepared by your cruise chef.
Take a short flight to the great temples of Abu Simbel . Air fare is always included within Egypt, in Business class, tax included.
In Abu Simbel : Your private air-conditioned vehicle, and private Egyptologist will be waiting for you at Abu Simbel Airport , off to the larger temple dedicated to Ramses the Great , colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable hotel for refreshments. Then we fly back to Aswan and connect back to Cairo and the J. W. Marriott by the airport ( Junior Suite) or similar .

Day 26 - Thursday - Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurgada ( based on your preference) (B)
Breakfast and check-out. Fly to Sharm El Sheikh or Hurgada ( please advise your preference ) . Air fare is always included : in business class ( when available based on the plane's configuration) with all taxes.

Hotels: Ultra Deluxe Category : Sharm El Sheikh: Four Seasons or the Ritz ( Deluxe Suite- with private plunge pool )
Hotels : Hurgada : Sahl Hasheesh Oberoi ( Suite)

Hurgada Sahl Hasheesh all suites hotel on the Red Sea .

DAY 27 - Sharm El-Sheikh , Friday (cB)
The day is yours to enjoy this unique desert beach resort. Relax by the cerulean waters, take a camel ride at your option , and observe in the distance the steady line of ships heading to and from the Suez Canal.
Sunset Camel Caravan or on Horse Backs :
A one hour caravan on camels, if you prefer to enjoy a one hour of horse back riding, please do let's know, but in this case the horse ride will not be into the Sahara . The camel caravan is fully escorted & guided as well by local Bedouins through the desert and through the mountain passes of El Aat mountain , we stop at the highest point in the valley for a cup of tea with the Bedouin, take in the the evening charm of the desert & nature before we head back to your hotel.

Four Seasons Sharm El-Sheikh : Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite
Ideal for families travelling together or for private entertaining, Deluxe One-Bedroom Suites provide outstanding space for privacy and relaxation. Each suite features its own terrace with a private plunge pool, and partial views of the Red Sea and Resort courtyards and pathways.

The One-Bedroom Suite features a private plunge pool on its own terrace, furnished with a table and chairs, coffee table and built-in loveseat.
The elegant living room offers a sofabed, separate closet and an entertainment centre with a television, DVD player and stereo system with CD player.
The bedroom offers a king bed, a "Bose" Wave radio/CD player with MP3 player connection, a 107-centimetre (42-inch) LCD flat-screen television and a walk-in dressing room with ample closet space.
The marble bathroom features a deep soaking tub, separate glass-enclosed shower, large vanity and WC; a guest powder room with shower is located off the living

Enjoy your deluxe suite with a private plunge pool at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh

DAY 28 - Sharm El Sheikh, Snorkel or Dive- Saturday (B)
The Red Sea just off "Sharm" is replete with fascinating coral and aquatic species unique to this area. With our compliments , please enjoy exploring these wonders as you snorkel or scuba dive (for which proof of certification is a must, 2 dives are included )

DAY 28 - Saladin's Castle - Pharaoh's Island - SHARM EL SHEIK- Sunday (B)
Morning tour of Saladin's Castle on Pharaoh's Island then head back to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon set aside as a strategic mid-journey break. Spend some time in the sun, but don't miss your chance to snorkel or dive under Red Sea waters for an array of coral and glittering tropical fish.
Enjoy the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Enjoy a seaside resort experience unparalleled in the Middle East. Superb dining, spa, fitness, diving and sports – and luxurious guest rooms clustered like a hillside village above the shimmering drama of the Red Sea.

Sample Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Sharm El Sheikh

DAY 30 - Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo - Monday (B)
Breakfast and check-out, fly back to Cairo ( business class ) and your hotel.
Hotels : J. W. Marriott ( Suite ) , or of course upgrade to the Four Seasons Hotel ( standard room )or the Mena House Oberoi ( Palace wing) , ok to mix and match stay between Four Seasons and Oberoi Mena House hotels

DAY 31- Cairo , Amman / PETRA - Tuesday (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Cairo Airport for your flight to Amman, air fare is included in economy , with tax .

Jordanian visa fee (valid for American, Australian , NZ, EU , Canadian, Mexican & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival). At your hotel, complimentary coffee or tea ( please advise your preference),

Upon arrival , you'll drive from the airport south under a towering ridge of mountains, we will be driving along the King's Highway, an ancient caravan route, to Madaba to visit the church containing the oldest known map of Palestine and the Holy Land. Continuing to Mount Nebo, we enjoy the panoramic view of the Promised Land the way Moses saw it for the first time. Further on, at Kerak, we tour the ruins of its romantic Crusaders' castle of Renaud de Chatillon, one of a line which stretched from Aqaba to Turkey. Finally, we arrive to PETRA for the night. Movenpick Petra hotel or similar . Lunch is included enroute

Complimentary Jordanian visa fee (valid only for American , Australian, NZ, Canadian , EU , Mexican , & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival).

Come to Egypt and enjoy your private honeymoon or Anniversary cruise

DAY 32 - PETRA- Wednesday (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel . We'll spend the entire day at Petra, the stunning desert city hewn by the Nabateans from solid cliffs of pink and violet sandstone. Petra was known in the bible as Sela, and rediscovered only in 1812. You'll feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark as you penetrate into the city through a narrow sandstone gorge, the Siq, and wander among the Temple of the Winged Lion, tombs, Roman theater, and the imposing Treasury.
Lunch & Dinner are included today at the hotel .

DAY 33 - DEPARTURE (B)
We escort you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage.

Ultra Deluxe:
RATES per person in USD
Four Seasons Level Hotels in Cairo , Istanbul, and Amman
Private Deluxe Yacht / Gulet in the Mediterranean
As well as and all Suites -Private Balcony Nile Cruise

Easter ( two weeks) , Christmas, New Year's Dec 20 - Jan 5 : 10% supplement will apply.

Standard Deluxe
RATES per person in USD
Hilton - Sheraton - Hyatt Level Hotels - Outside cabins on the Nile Cruise
( M/S Monaco , M/S Mojito or similar )
Four stars Gulet cruise in the Mediterranean

Easter ( two weeks) , Christmas, New Year's Dec 20 - Jan 5 : 10% supplement will apply.

Prices include:

• All transfers , always on a private basis, private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur .
  
  
• Air fare between : Cairo , Amman and Istanbul in economy class , tax included .
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
  Bottled water ( one per person) delivered daily to your cabin.
  Bottled water / tea / coffee with every meal on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Air-conditioned hotel accommodations with tax and service charges as listed
  
• Deluxe Nile Cruise with all meals & shore excursions, cabins are always all suites cabins with private cabins
  
  
• Sightseeing with private professional guide and entrance fees as indicated , except while on board the Gulet / yacht in the Mediterranean .
  
• Meals as indicated, with pre-set menu (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
  
• Lonely Planet guidebook to Jordan , Turkey and Egypt
  
• Jordanian departure tax.
  
  
• Domestic air fare within Egypt and Turkey in economy class with tax
  

• Jordanian visa fee (valid for American, Australian , NZ, EU , Canadian, Mexican & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival).

• A private cruise aboard a private Turkish gulet, staffed by a licensed captain and crew.
  
• Hotel accommodation as per itinerary, including tax & service charges
  
• All meals aboard the yacht, and other meals as listed (cB = continental breakfast; B = Breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner).
  
• All transfers ( private basis) in Turkey (between airport, hotel, yacht, etc.), including portage
  
• Private Guided sightseeing tours in Istanbul, and , Ephesus as listed including admission fees.
  
• Travel Planet guidebooks for Turkey , Egypt & Jordan .
  
• Private air-conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur for the drive along the coast : Day 7 thru Day 11
  ( there is no guide with you for the Day 7 thru Day 11 drive)

Not included:

• Personal expenses and beverages .

• Air fare from / to your home country .
  
• Gratuities
  
• Additional meals, drinks and services
  
• Visa fee for Turkey : Pay in cash upon arrival or from the nearest consulate. Due to tight security at the Airport in Istanbul, the local reps are not able to meet guests inside the security zone to help with the visa , that's why you need to secure the visa upon arrival in Istanbul or from any Turkish Consulate.
  
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
• Our Egypt-based local rep. greets you in bustling Cairo airport and escorts you to your hotel . Egyptian visa may be secured by our guests upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of nationalities such as American,Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU and Japanese citizens, please pay the $ 15 in cash upon arrival . Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival). After exiting the terminal

• Add a short stay in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  
• Add Wadi Rum 
  
• Add a short stay in Istanbul
  
• Add the Ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis and the Step Pyramid in Sakkara
  
• Extend your stay in Egypt in a 14 day with or without Abu Simbel
  
• Add a cruise on Lake Nasser in Nubia
  
• For the Egyptologist at heart :
  An in-depth 17-Day Edition With Alexandria , Dahshour Pyramids , Abu Simbel & Jerash .
  
• The Wonders of Egypt & Arabia 22 days
  
• Add Morocco and Syria , in a Grand North African Crossing 
  
• Compare with flying in and out of Cairo , or the Ultra Deluxe Version

• Mediterranean Fantasies
  Luxury Nile Cruise & The Greek Isle of Santorini
  This 12 -day itinerary combines a Nile Cruise of Ancient Egypt with Classical Athens & the romance of the honeymoon Greek Isle of Santorini .

• Honeymoon Wishes
  A "Dream Come True" tour. 14 days , Cairo and the Pyramids. A Nile Cruise of course, and a beach resort at Hurgada or El Gouna, on the Red Sea. Including the welcome Zaffa (procession that will resemble an Arabian/Egyptian wedding party) with a troupe of dancers and musicians dressed with the Egyptian typical clothes, welcoming guests by singing and dancing Egyptian Folklore).

• The Gems of the Near East: Tour Egypt, Palestine , Israel and Greece
  The Ultimate Private Adventure Tour of the Near East : Triangle of Ancient Lands , or without Greece.

Saladin’s Castle and Pharaoh’s Island

Just off the Sinai along the northern reaches of the Gulf of Aqaba lies one of the more curious and scenic locales in this part of the world.

The rulers of the Nile might once have held sway over these rocks and sand and water of Pharaoh’s Island (or Coral Island, or Geziret Faroun). More certain is that Crusaders established an outpost here, on the site of a onetime Phoenician port, and erected a castle in 1115 A.D. to protect pilgrims on the way to St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai wilderness. The island did double duty as a base from which to attack Arab traders, which led to its capture by Saladin (or Salah El-Din). The legendary Arab leader strengthened the fortifications, and his name remains attached to the castle. Later, it was a Mameluke and Ottoman outpost.

We’ll have a treasured half-day opportunity to board a boat to visit this rarely seen fortress island. We’ll motor northward from Sharm El Sheikh, following the rocky coast, passing Bedouin travelers on camels, and secluded beaches, with occasional sightings of desert foxes. At Dahab or Nuweiba, we’ll embark for our short crossing to the island.

Once ashore, we’ll wander through the precincts of the reconstructed castle, with its courtyard, storerooms, galleys, and dining rooms, and appreciate the natural harbor that made this such a coveted outpost. And we’ll take in the unusual offshore vista of the breathtaking azure waters of the Gulf, backdropped by the grandeur of the mountains of Sinai and a cloudless sky.

Then, at your option, you can don scuba or snorkeling gear for a close encounter with the world-famous underwater life of coastal Sinai: corals, reefs, and schools of fish in every gradation of the rainbow, before we return to our lodgings at Sharm El Sheikh.

The King's Chamber in the Great Pyramid was not meant to be visited:
Getting to it is challenging, and once you enter, it is very difficult to turn back. The stone passage is only wide enough for one person. You must be in good physical condition, able to climb several flights of stairs, bend double, crouch and duck-walk for short distances. The King's Chamber itself is the world's most claustrophobic place, with dim light and heavy, hot, oxygen-poor air. There is no ventilation. If you are at all sensitive to claustrophobia or confinement, or if you have any sort of respiratory condition, for your own safety and the safety of others, you must not enter the pyramid because it is impossible to remove a person or to bring aid to them quickly .