Grand Tour Of the Levant
Tour starts in Athens , year round

Greece, Israel , Palestine , Egypt and Jordan
we show you the top sights in these  historic Countries in 12 days ,
including Petra and a one day Greek Cruise

Greece, Israel, Palestine , Egypt & Jordan: we show you the top sights in these  historic Countries in 10 days - Including Two days Greek Cruises

DAY 1 ATHENS - First Saturday of each month : April - Nov (B)
Our staff greets you at Athens airport and escorts you to your hotel in the Greek capital. The rest of the day is yours: Athens awaits you!

 
DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour - Sunday (BL)
A half-day private city tour shows you this great city's layout: we visit Syntagma Square, the heart of Modern Athens, drive by the parliament, and climb up to the Acropolis. Private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur .. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.
The afternoon is for a leisurely walk through the old Plaka district. Remainder of the day is yours to explore Athens as you like. Take in some shopping, or relax at a real Athenian cafe in the Plaka.

 
DAY 3 - Greek Cruise Monday (BL)

Cruising to Antiquity Epidaurus – Mycenae – Aegina Islands

After an early breakfast at the hotel , we'll assist with your transfer to Piraeus to board a luxurious cruise boat and enjoy an unforgettable journey by crossing the Saronic gulf and visiting the temple of Aphaia in Aegina island - explore the Mycenaean civilization – meet with the perfection of the acoustic and harmony of dimensions at the unique ancient theatre of Epidaurus and feel the smell of Mediterranean sea, relax under the sun in the golden sandy beaches of Aegina below the temple of Aphaia or swim on the magical scenery of patricianly sunken ancient port of Epidaurus.

Sail: 08:15 Sailing from Piraeus to the Argolis ancient port of Epidaurus, arriving at this lovely fisherman village, with patricianly sunken ancient city, the picturesque valley with olive and orange trees and the well-preserved small Roman theater on the side where concerts and drama still performance.
Things to do:
1. Swim on a clear blue water of the ancient port and relax in one of the beaches with typical Greek restaurants and cafes.
2. Choose one of the optional guided tours with air-conditioned coaches to
a) The unique well-preserved Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (built 2.500 years ago) where famous artists give performances. a perfection in the acoustic and harmonious dimensions .
b) The ruins of the famous palace of the Mycenaean King Agamemnon-the leader of Greek army during the Trojan War with the Cyclopean Wall, the Lion’s Gate was (built 3.300 years ago), and the well-preserved tomb of King Agamemnon.

At 14:00 we leave from the ancient port of Epidaurus ,enjoying lunch onboard while being entertained with Greek music, we arrive at the picturesque port of Aegina Island, famous all over the world for the excellent quality of peanut production.
Things to do:
Strolling in the narrow streets of the port, tasting Greek coffee or peanuts and shopping or taking an optional tour at the top of the hill to the famous Temple of Aphaia to admire the infinity view of the Saronic Gulf discovering the mystery of the equilateral triangle with Parthenon (at the Acropolis of Athens) and the temple of Poseidon in Sounio (God of the sea).
Back on board we'll enjoy a Greek folklore show before heading back to Piraeus and on to your hotel.

 
DAY 4 - GREEK ISLANDS CRUISE - Tel Aviv Tuesday (BL)
We drive to the Marina Trocadero and board a boat for a tour of the Saronic Gulf and its islands Aegina, Poros and Hydra. After our delightful day at sea, the evening brings us traditional Greek dancing and entertainment, after which we drive to Athens airport for our evening flight to Lod Airport, near Tel Aviv. (Ask us to help you arrange the best airfares; international airfares are not included in the tour rates.) Upon arrival in Israel, we drive up into the Judean Hills to our Jerusalem hotel.

 
DAY 5 - JERUSALEM & BETHLEHEM Wednesday (B)
The Holy City is at our feet: we visit the Western Wall, Temple Mount, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Roman Cardo, fabled Mount Zion, and King David's Tomb, then drive to biblical Bethlehem to visit Rachel's Tomb and the Church of the Nativity, returning to our Jerusalem hotel in the evening.

 
DAY 6 - JERUSALEM Thursday (B)
Today fabled Jerusalem is yours to explore as you like, guidebook in hand. Go at your own pace, fulfilling your own interests. See the renowned Israel Museum, probe the labyrinth of the Old City with its bazaars and scents of spices, or just relax in a cafe in modern West Jerusalem-the choice is yours.

 
DAY 7 - Petra Jordan Friday (B)
We drive across the border into Jordan, change of vehicle at the border , expect about 1-2 hours at the borders for formalities, then off to Jordan , Amman and your hotel.



 
DAY 8 - Jerash - Petra Jordan - Saturday (B)
After breakfast , we had for a half day guided tour of Jerash , private guide will escort you from Amman all the way . Lunch is included enroute, then we head off to Petra and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 9 - Petra Sunday (BD)
Today the fabulous Nabatean city of Petra awaits us. Made famous in the Indiana Jones movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark," its ancient temples, tombs and striking Khazneh (Treasury) were hewn right from the pink and violet sandstone. We spend a full day here, and another night.

In the evening we will call on you for a unique experience :
Dine as a local : The Petra Kitchen is a delightful way to round out your Jordan travel experiences. Like any home kitchen, The Petra Kitchen is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where you’ll gather to prepare an evening meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of our chef.

Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza ( appetizers ) and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. You will have get an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant.

The Petra Kitchen offers an evening of learning, fun and a very special dining experience, with each dish gaining the special flavor of a reward well-earned. Great care has been taken to make The Petra Kitchen a truly Jordanian experience—right down to the furnishings, all crafted in Jordan, the tableware, all produced by the Iraq al Amir Women’s Co-operative, and the aprons and table linens, all hand-embroidered by the Jordan River Foundation.

Tour experience tonight includes the cuisine course, meal and all non-alcoholic beverages as well as take-home recipes for all dishes prepared that evening.

DAY 10 - Cairo Monday (B)
Our staff escorts you to Amman airport for your flight to Cairo, where our rep. Will escort you to you hotel. Our land rates do include the l air fare Amman Cairo in economy class .

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign . Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 11 - GIZA - Tuesday - Home Hosted Dinner (B,L,D)
Welcome to the City of Sultans & Pharaohs! We visit the top sites in an all-day tour, including the Egyptian Museum including the Mummies room and King Tut's Gold Treasure Room , Giza Pyramids, Cheops Royal Barge , the Sphinx and the legendary Khan El Khalili ..Bazaar District.

Lunch is included at the Mena House.

This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo ! 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 a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 12 Departure (B)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home . Bon Voyage

• Hotel accommodation, including tax, service charge and continental breakfast daily.
• Guided sightseeing tours as per itinerary.
• Entrance fees for tours and sites listed ( please note that the Greek Shore excursions are additional $$$)
• Two Greek Cruises as listed . With meals on board as listed
• All transfers ( on a private basis) while on tour as per itinerary.
• Pre-Set Menu Meals as listed : B) for breakfast , L) for lunch, D) for dinner
• Air fare Athens - Tel Aviv and Amman Cairo in economy class , tax included
• Visa Fee for Jordan and Egypt for a limited number of nationalities , such as USA, Canada, Australia, EU, Japan , etc.

• International air fare from/to your home country .

• Greek cruises shore excursions.
  
• Travel insurance, or trip cancellation insurance
  
• Tips.
  
• Any charges that of personal nature, such as phone calls, laundry etc.
  
  

The Great Pyramid of Cheops . . . Are You Up to the Adventure?

A journey into the heart of the Great Pyramid is a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. But it can also be a taxing and frightening one.

You'll follow claustrophobic passages cut into the heart of the pyramid, feel the pull of the mass of stone directly above. For better or worse, you have placed yourself in the hands of the engineering expertise of the ancients.

As you continue along the unventilated passages, the oxygen becomes depleted, the air becomes noticeably warmer and more pungent. The ascent of steep stairways consumes more energy than you imagined, and you find yourself short of breath. Lighting is dim, every footstep must be carefully calculated. Low passageways repeatedly oblige you to advance while bent down, and your muscles protest. Where walls disappear into the dark above, you feel wedged into a shaft. Despite warnings, and your own resolve, claustrophobic feelings are hard to suppress.

Finally, you behold the King's Chamber at the heart of the Great Pyramid. The effort to reach it has made the reward more exhilarating than you imagined. If only you can face the return.

Is the King's Chamber for you? If you're not used to bending and regular exercise, you might find the challenge beyond your capabilities. Turning back is more difficult the farther you go, and the experience could leave you aching for days afterwards.

Be realistic about yourself, your abilities, and your disposition. And remember that there are many other rewarding sights and adventures at Giza, without the physical challenge and risks of the King's Chamber.

The decision is up to you.

• Compare with Jordan , Palestine Israel Version or the Grand Tour of Athens ,Istanbul & a NILE CRUISE
• BIBLICAL ODYSSEY: EGYPT, JORDAN , Palestine , Israel
  Cairo, Luxor, Petra, Amman, Jerusalem, and four days by the Red Sea at Sharm el Sheik- Weekly on Saturdays. All in 11 days
• Greece, Israel, Egypt & Jordan: we show you the top sights in these  historic Countries in 10 days
  
  

More Choices :

• Click here for the first page with more choices but with 7 to 12 day
  multi countries tours in North Africa and the Mediterranean
  
• Tours with 14 day tour or more of multi countries tours in North Africa and the Mediterranean
  
• Tours for Portugal , Spain, Andalusia and Morocco combined tour listings.
  
• Combined Tours of Africa and Arabia