Day 1: Arrive Cyprus

Arrive Larnaca International airport. Transfer to hotel In Limassol.

Day 2: Kourion – Paphos

Visit the amazing archaeological site of Kourion, one of the most spectacular sites on the island, built in 2nd century BC with it’s Greco Roman theatre and mosaics. Depart for Paphos on the west coast. Brief stop to view Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock). It is here where according to the legend that the goddess of love & beauty was born from the sea. View the amazing landscape of the area combining sea and mountains. Paphos town is a UNESCO ‘World Heritage Site’. Visit the tombs of the Kings with impressive underground tombs carved out of solid rock. Visit the archaeological park. View the Roman Villas with their extensive floor mosaics are of particular interest with new ones still being excavated since it is widely believed that there are many treasures still to be discovered. Admire a series of beautifully preserved mosaics depicting scenes from Greek Mythology such as the House of Dionysos (the god of wine) is one of the largest and best known of the mosaic houses and other smaller ones are the House of Theseus and House of Aion. Return to hotel in Limassol. (B, L)

Day 3: Lefkara village and Larnaca

Tour begins with the visit to the small mountain village of Lefkara, which is famous for its handmade lace, known as “Lefkaritika“, for silverware and olive oil. Visit the Embroidery and lace museum, with a large collection of old Lefkara embroidery, for which the village is renowned. Many houses in Lefkara have been declared ancient monuments. Depart for Larnaca, first stopping Kiti village to visit Panayia Angeloktisti, 11th century Byzantine church, whose name means “built by angels” Erected over the ruins of an Early Christian Basilica. The original apse survived together with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art of the Justinian period, a rare 6th century mosaic of the Virgin and Child between two archangels. Drive past Larnaca’ s Salt Lake, an important migratory route. If lucky we may see the pink flamingos in the lake and various species of water birds. Pass by Hala Sultan Tekke on lake, which is the 4th important mosque in the Moslem world. Visit the magnificent Church of St Lazarus, built by Emperor Leo Vl, in the 9th century and restored in 17th century – a fine example of Byzantine architecture. Walk along the Finikoudes Promenade the famous palm tree lined seafront with the fort along the seashore. Return to Limassol. (B, L)

Day 4: UNESCO heritage painted churches – Troodos mountain and villages

Visit the mountain village of Omodos, a picturesque wine producing village, built on the Troodos hillsides amidst expanses of vines, with its narrow-cobbled streets and 4th century Holy Cross monastery, built in the shape of the Greek letter Pi. Visit the medieval winepress, evidence that production of traditional wine took place since ancient times. Travelling through the winding roads amongst tall pine trees is Kakopetria village and the painted church of St Nicholas of the roof (UNESCO) completely painted with murals dating from 11th to 17th Centuries. The church took its name from the steep pitched timber roof that was built to protect it from the weather. Continue to Galata village and visit church of Panayia Podithou, (UNESCO), the mural paintings are of the Italo-Byzantine style that appeared on the island towards the end of the 15th century. Visit one of the principal mountain resorts, Platres village heavily forested with pine and cedar trees located at the foothills of Troodos Forest, a resort visited by many famous personalities, poets and royalty. Return to hotel in Limassol. (B, L)

Day 5: Nicosia the capital

Visit the only divided capital city in the world – Nicosia or Lefkosia in Greek. Walking tour of the old city within the Venetian walls, from the East is the Famagusta Gate, which is one of the three entrances into Old Nicosia. The Venetian walls have a perimeter of 4.5 km with 11 heart shaped bastions and completely encircle the old City. Continue to St John’s cathedral, see the colourful frescoes mostly inspired from stories of the Bible. Pass by the House of Hajiyiorkatzis, the resorted building houses the Cyprus Ethnological Museum and given the “Europa Nostra” award. Walk around the Laiki Yitonia (old folk neighbourhood) with winding alleys. This area has seen the restoration of houses that are typical examples of traditional Cypriot urban architecture and are used today as shops, restaurants, and craft centers. Visit the Leventis Museum (closed Mondays) whose exhibits portrays ways of life in the city from ancient times to the present, including collections of old maps, medieval ceramics, embroidery and lace, silver work and more. Visit the northern territory by crossing the green line which divides North and South at the Ledra Street checkpoint and visit Buyuk Han, an ancient stone building from Ottoman era and Selimiye Mosque which was once St Sophia cathedral. Continue to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum (closed Mondays) where most of the treasures of Cyprus past are housed with artefacts discovered during numerous excavations on the island as well as an extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities. (Passports required to be shown at the checkpoint). Return to Limassol. (B, L)

Day 6: Depart Cyprus to Israel

Departure transfer to Larnaca airport. Depart Larnaca 0935 arrive Tel Aviv 1040. Transfer to hotel in Tel Aviv rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 7: Dead Sea and Masada

Depart Tel Aviv via the Judean hills to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth; Visit a Dead Sea cosmetic products shop. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada and learn about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters. Ascend by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod, where the Zealots of the first century made their last stand against the Romans. Visit the remains of the walls, palace, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors, roman baths and other findings. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea. Lunch at local restaurant, payable locally in shekels or U.S dollars. Enjoy the unique opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud that many believe has its therapeutic effects. Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bathing suit and towel are recommended. (B)

Day 8: Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Tour begins with a drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the City. Enter the Old City through Jaffa Gate 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 Sepulcher. Lunch at local restaurant, payable locally in shekels or U.S dollars. Continue to Bethlehem for an overview of the Shepherd’s field. Drive past Rachel’s tomb to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger’s square. (B)

Day 9: Nazareth, Capernaum and Galilee

Depart Tel Aviv via the coastal road and outstanding landscape of the Lower Galilee to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St Josef. Continue via Kana and proceed to the town of Tiberias. Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue. Continue to Tabgha, site of the miracle of loaves and fish, located at the foot of the Golan Heights. Continue to Yardenit, famous site of baptism, where the Jordan River exits the Sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea. (B)

Day 10: Depart Israel to Jordan

Pick up time from hotel at approximately 15:00 hours (time to be reconfirmed). Private transfer to Tel Aviv airport for departure to Amman Jordan. Flight departs 19:10 arrive Amman airport 20:00 hours with Royal Jordanian airlines.

Meet and assistance, where our representative will assist you with all customs and immigration procedures. Look out for your name on a signboard. Your visa will be pre-arranged and collected on arrival. Transfer to hotel in Amman. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D)

Day 11:  Jerash – Madaba – Mount Nebo – Petra

Your driver will take you to visit the ancient city of Jerash, where a local guide will show you around the ruins. Jerash is often referred to as “Rome away from Rome” the best-preserved Roman city of the Decapolis, a dynamic commercial league of ten Greco-Roman Cities. Enter the city through the monumental south gate and then make your way up the ‘Street of Columns’ (the Roman Cardo). See the 2nd Century Hadrian’s Arch, the Forum’s oval colonnade and columns of the Temple of Artemis. See marketplace, temple of Zeus, the Omayyad residential quarter and 4th century cathedral.

Visit Madaba known as the City of Mosaics. Visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St George, to view the 6th century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.
Continue to Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land. It is here where Moses was buried. See the serpentine cross which symbolises a serpent taken by Moses into the desert. The panoramic view encompasses the Jordan River valley, Dead Sea, Jericho and the Holyland. (B)

Transfer to Petra along the desert highway. (approx. 3.5 hour drive) Dinner and overnight hotel in Petra.

Day 12: Petra and Wadi Rum

Meet your driver for the entrance tickets of Petra and start your guided tour. Visit ancient Nabatian city of Petra, a World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Petra is also known as the rose-red city, a name it gets from the wonderful colour of the rock from which many of the city’s structures were carved. Unknown to the World, except to the local Bedouins, until 1812 when a Swiss explorer named Johannes Burckhardt set out to ‘rediscover’ Petra. He dressed up as an Arab and convinced his Bedouin guide to take him to the lost city. After this, Petra became increasingly known in the West as a fascinating and beautiful ancient city and began attracting visitors until this day. It is also here were the final sequence of the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was made.
Ride on horseback (optional) to the entrance of the siq, approx. 400 meters, then walk through a narrow chasm from where the spectacular sight of Petra will be revealed. Your private guide will tell you about the ancient city’s history and those who made it their home. The tour is approx. 1.5 hours, you then have some time to explore further on your own.
Bring your walking shoes and be prepared for an inspiring but energetic day!

After Petra, depart for Wadi Rum, (approx 1.5 hour drive), also known as the Valley of the Moon. Many movies were filmed in Wadi rum such as The Martian, The Last days on Mars and many more. Tour of Wadi Rum, which is for approximately 1.5 hours in a 4×4 vehicle to view the desert landscape, rock formations, inscriptions, canyons, and sand dunes.
The landscape of Wadi Rum with its immensity, colour and awe-inspiring shapes creates an almost supernatural atmosphere. It is here where the film Lawrence of Arabia was made and the actual location where T.E Lawrence set his camp, whose book “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom” was named after the seven natural columns varying in height located on route to Wadi Rum.

Dinner and overnight at Wadi Rum (B,D)

Day 13:  Dead Sea Jordan

Depart for Dead Sea, journey time is approx. 4 Hours and 15 minutes. (325km) arrive by afternoon. Relax and enjoy swimming or “floating” in the therapeutic salty water at the lowest point on earth, a truly unique experience! A natural wonder with buoyant waters enables one to float in its saline waters which has ten times more salt than regular sea water. The high salt and mineral content along with the mud from its shores have many healing benefits for any skin problems, muscle aches, back pain, arthritis and more.
Due to low humidity and elevated atmospheric pressure, the air has a high content of oxygen and magnesium which makes breathing a lot easier.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel, Dead Sea. (B,D)

Day 14: Departure to your destination

Buffet breakfast at hotel.
Perhaps today (time permitting) you may like to indulge in a massage or spa treatment! (Spa treatments are best booked in advance and payable locally).
Private transfer to Amman airport for your onward destination.