On the Wings of the Sun


The Best of the Near East - Jordan . Syria . Egypt . Lebanon
A true Grand Tour of the Near East
A 27 -Day Tour of Jordan , Syria, Lebanon and Egypt Including the Dead Sea
For Guests who want the BEST when touring the Middle East
We have even included all the tips. No hidden charges. No additional tax

See the top sights in Jordan , Syria , Lebanon and Egypt on this locally escorted tour, including Cairo , Abu Simbel , a Nile Cruise , Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum . We'll show you the wonders of fabled Syria--Roman citadels, Biblical sites, great Omayyad mosques--and the ancient/modern city of Damascus . We'll show you the wonders of fabled Lebanon --Roman citadels, Biblical sites, and the ancient/modern city of Beirut a fully escorted tour. Discover what in-the-know Sheiks, Jet-Setters, historians, and adventurers have been keeping to themselves: Lebanon glitters and gleams, with exquisite beaches, fine restaurants, storied sites, age-old traditions, cedar-clad mountains, and tranquil valleys. Europe and the East mix and mingle at this crossroads of three continents. Take a week in Lebanon, and you’ll experience a good slice of the world in one small country. Find out why the New York Times ranked Beirut the top place to go in 2009. Come and discover Lebanon with us

DAY 1 - CAIRO Tour Starts weekly in Cairo - Year Round - Arrive Wednesday or Friday .
Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa fee is included and will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for : Australian, NZ, American, EU , Canadian, Singaporean, Mexican & Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.

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 , always in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur to the hotel . Start from Athens , Greece ? please click here.

DAY 2 - CAIRO - Thursday or Saturday (BLD)
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum, including the "Mummies Room" , the Citadel of Saladin, the Rifai Mosque and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster , lunch is included at a charming local restaurant : Naguib Mahfouz or similar , after lunch at Hadaik Al-Azhar or Naguib Mahfouz , enjoy a walking tour of the legendary Khan El Khalili bazaar district . Dinner is included at La Bodega restaurant. When in Cairo touring is always in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private Egyptologist

DAY 3 - CAIRO - Friday or Sunday (BLD)
After breakfast it is off to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and Cheops Royal Barge Museum , a short camel ride , more of photo opp is included with our compliments. Lunch is included at the Mena House Oberoi or Meridien Pyramids . The afternoon is for Memphis , Sakkara , the Mastabas of the Nobles and the Step Pyramid . Dinner is included at Abu El-Sid restaurant , transfers and touring in Cairo are always on a private basis.

DAY 4 - LUXOR ! (or Aswan) - Saturday or Monday (BLD)
We fly to Upper Egypt to board your Nile Cruise : Free upgrade to business class on the domestic flights in Egypt ( subject to availability),we land in LUXOR ( or Aswan subject to cruise availability at the time you book with us ) 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 throughout Luxor souks and water front .

DAY 5 - LUXOR , EDFU - Sunday or Tuesday (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)

DAY 6 - EDFU, KOM OMBO - Monday or Wednesday (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.

DAY 7 - CAMEL CARAVAN, NUBIAN VILLAGE , ASWAN - Tuesday or Thursday (BLD)
First we tour Aswan dams, then on to the new Nubian Museum then 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 . In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile. For those who are interested : a short camel caravan and ride is included ( almost a half hour ride) to visit a local Nubian Village. Evening Sound and light Show : Philae Temple .Our farewell dinner this evening is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers, including of course a belly dancer.

DAY 8 - ASWAN , Abu Simbel - Cairo- Wednesday or Friday (BL)
Lunch box will be prepared by your chef and includes bottled water .
Board a short flight to Abu Simbel, upon arrival, your private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and your private guide will be waiting for you at Abu Simbel Airport :
Ramses the Great's huge desert temple at Abu Simbel marked the southern border of the pharaoh's dominions. Rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser by an international effort, it is a marvel of sacred engineering. Twice a year ,and only then the sun penetrates to the Holy of Holies, illuminating the stone figures of Ramses and Nefertari. Group tour exploring the two huge temple, admire their ancient aura and artistry.

Jacquie Kennedy & Abu Simbel: All Americans alive during the 1960s remember President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Most Americans from that time also remember Abu Simbel, the dramatic, ancient Pharaonic temple threatened by the rising waters blocked by the new Aswan High Dam. It's worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have been lost. Read More . Fly back to Aswan and connect with your our return flight to Cairo and your hotel.

DAY 9 - AMMAN- Thursday or Saturday
Air ticket is included Cairo Amman in business class, tax included. Fly to Amman .
Our staff will meet you upon arrival and help with the transfer to your hotel in Amman .Transfers are always with a private air-conditioned vehicle, and a private chauffeur .
Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for American , Australian, NZ, EU , Singaporean, Mexican & Japanese passport holders. Passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival.

DAY 10 - MADABA, KERAK & PETRA Friday or Sunday (BLD)
Breakfast is always included at your hotel daily.
Your English speaking guide will escort you from Amman all the way throughout Jordan.
We drive south along the King's Highway, an ancient caravan route, to Madaba to visit the church containing the oldest known map of 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 . Lunch is included enroute. Dinner is included at your hotel in Petra. When in Jordan always touring in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private guide

DAY 11 - PETRA - Saturday or Monday (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. When in Jordan always touring in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private guide

Now open in Petra, 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 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.

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

DAY 12 - Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea - Sunday or Tuesday (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch is included enroute
We board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon" where T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") organized Arab resistance to Ottoman rule during World War I. After our visit, proceed North to the lowest spot on Earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea, where we spend the night : Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea , the Mövenpick Dead Sea or similar.

DAY 13 - Galilee Syria - Monday or Wednesday (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch enroute. Today we continue northwards to Pella in the Jordan Valley. Visit Um Qais, Gedara of the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34) for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River , then on to The Syrian border, visit Bosra before continuing to Damascus.
Do you Speak THE LANGUAGE OF THE JESUS IN THE LAND OF THE BOOK ? Visit Maaloula in Syria . Jordanian departure tax is always included in our rate. When in Jordan and Syria always touring in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private guide

DAY 14 - DAMASCUS - Tuesday or Thursday (BD)
Morning day at leisure. Breakfast & dinner are included at the hotel. Afternoon leisurely guides walking tour of the local souks and the Bazaar. Itinerary in Syria is subject to change slightly to accommodate changes for local souks and museums hours. When in Jordan and Syria always touring in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private guide

DAY 15 - DAMASCUS - Wednesday or Friday (BD)
Today we explore the Syrian capital, visiting the National Museum, with treasures dating from the 1400s BC; the bustling Old Bazaar, the Eastern Gate (Bab ash-Sharqi) in the Roman city walls; the Street Called Straight (Via Recta); the house of Anania; and the chapel with a window from which disciples lowered St. Paul so he could escape those who sought to kill him (Acts 9:24-25).

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home: We are proud to be the only ones that are able to afford you such window on the true warm and hospitable Syrian people , come and 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 Syria 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. As some have inquired after they returned , feel free to ask about the recipes for the local dishes you will enjoy tonight , please let us know in advance of you prefer vegetarian meals , of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 16 - PALMYRA - Thursday or Saturday (BD)
We drive to ancient Palmyra (Tadmor), in a desert oasis on the trade route between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, to visit its museum, the temples of Bel, Baal Shamin and Nebo, the Roman baths, the Tetrapylon, Diocletian's camp, and the Valley of the Tombs, before settling in at our Palmyra hotel. When in Jordan and Syria always touring in a private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private guide

DAY 17 - KRAK DES CHEVALIERS, HAMA & ALEPPO - Friday or Sunday (BD)
Get your camera ready, for today we see the famously photogenic Krak des Chevaliers, the most spectacular 12th-century Crusaders' castle of all. From this marvel of military architecture we head north to Hama, one of Syria's prettiest towns, to see its great norias (water wheels), some up to 65 feet in diameter, scooping water from the fabled Orontes River. We continue to Aleppo for the night.

DAY 18 - ALEPPO- Saturday or Monday (BD)
The sights of Aleppo (Halab) include the Grand Mosque, the vast Ottoman bazaar, the 12th-century Citadel, and a camel caravanserai. We visit them all, then continue to the church (Qala'at Samaan) built to honor the Byzantine ascetic St. Simeon Stylites, who lived atop a column for over 35 years in the 5th century. We return to our comfortable Aleppo hotel for the night.

DAY 19 - SERGELLA, APAMEA, MAALULA - DAMASCUS - Sunday or Tuesday (B)
We head south to Sergella, one of the 500 Dead Cities, fabled ghost towns built between the 4th and 7th centuries which were abandoned mysteriously around the 9th century. Our next stop is Apamea (Qala'at al-Mudiq), the Hellenistic "city of a thousand columns" built by Seleucus I Nicator in the 2nd century BC and named in honor of his wife. We continue to Maalula, where villagers still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus, for a visit to the chapel of St. Sergius, before returning to Damascus for the night .

DAY 20 - Beirut - Monday (B)
Our local rep. escorts you to the airport for your flight to Beirut. Air ticket issued and delivered in Damascus , Syria . Arrival in Beirut . You fly in over the blue Mediterranean and clusters of trading vessels of every size and shape in the great curve of the port and bay of Beirut sheltering under green mountains. Our representative will be on hand to greet you, and to assist with entry formalities. Visas are issued upon arrival to citizens of the USA, Canada, the European Union, and several other nations. We’ll see you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax, recuperate from your travel, stretch your legs, and make your first discoveries of Beirut. Our representative will be pleased to suggest a restaurant or an informal café, or a night club, depending on whether you prefer music into the wee hours, fine cuisine, or an authentic Arab meal . . . you’ll find it all in Beirut.

Day 21—Beirut, Sidon, Beiteddine, Deir El Kamar (BL)

After breakfast, we’ll call for you at your hotel, and whisk you off toward the south. Our first stop is the port city of Sidon, an ancient Phoenician city that tells its story through a heritage of sandstone mosques, a medieval Crusader castle, an Ottoman palace, and a Roman theater. We’ll continue inland to Beiteddine, known for its intricate nineteenth-century palace where medieval armaments and Phoenician treasures are displayed. Just outside of town is Deir El Kamar, with its tile-roofed sandstone palaces, and center of tradition and the arts where you can stroll pleasant lanes and stop in at galleries. Lunch is included today at the Baadaran Village with the locals : The village of Baadarane up in the Chouf mountains is known for its traditional Lebanese architecture from the period of the Emirs. Some say the origins of the name origins are Phoenician and translate Baadarane as “a rest station,” citing its role as a Roman army post in 20 B.C. The local tradition of looming is still in evidence here and visitors to the village can view Nazih,a local craftsman demonstrating his skill.

Day 22– Beirut, Ksara, Anjar, Baalbek, Bshareh (BL)

We’re off in a different direction today, toward the Bekaa Valley. Ksara is the oldest winery in Lebanon, developed by French Jesuits in the nineteenth century following a long local tradition. We’ll continue to Anjar, a mountain-girt village where Armenians from Turkey found refuge in the last century, and developed their own Christian community. Farther on is Baalbek which, as Heliopolis, whose majestic Roman temples were a sonder of the ancient world. We’ll wander through and wonder at the ruins, before we continue to Bshareh. Lunch is included today at Deir El Ahmar WADA village with the locals: Deir El Ahmar :
Visiting WADA, the Women's Association of Deir El Ahmar, in the Bekaa region , is an authentic rural experience. The local women are known for their culinary talents and offer lunch to visitor as well as and selling traditional products. Many farmers are happy to play host and open their homes for an authentic bed and breakfast featuring true Lebanese hospitality and traditions. The surrounding area has several unknown historical sites such as the Roman temple of Jupiter and Astarte. Visitors can also participate in seasonal farming activities.

Day 23– Bshareh, Cedars, Gibran Museum, Qadisha, Byblos (BL)

Bshareh is the home village of painter and writer Khalil Gibran. We’ll visit the museum dedicated to the life and work of the author of The Prophet. We’ll continue through countryside carpeted with Lebanon’s famed cedars, used to make the ships that plied the seas in ancient times. We’ll traverse the Qadisha, or Holy Valley, its steep slopes perforated with cave chapels and monasteries cut from solid rock by monks, its peaks marked with some of the highest red-roofed villages in Lebanon. Finally, we’ll reach Byblos, where we stop for the night.
Picnic lunch is included today in Qadisha Valley .
Qadisha : The impressive Qadisha Valley, classified as an UN World Heritage Site, in Lebanon’s northern region is one of Lebanon’s best kept secrets. Inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC to the Roman period, the valley is scattered with cave chapels, hermitages and monasteries cut from rock. Since the Early Middle Ages genera­tions of monks, and hermits found asylum here. At the bottom of this wild gorge runs the Qadisha River whose source is at the foot of the Cedars. Several walking trails lead through the valley along wild bushes, fir and pine trees to shady spots to enjoy a picnic.

Day 24– Byblos (BL)

Byblos is one of the oldest inhabited cities anywhere, well worth the day we spend appreciating its many layers. Phoenician temples remain from thousands of years before the time of Christ, while a castle and the Church of St. John the Baptist bespeak the ebb and flow of the Crusades through the city. But Byblos is more than history. Its seaside location and backdrop of mountains make it a favorite locale for browsing, shopping, and lingering over a repast and beverages on terrace with views to ships, slopes, and treasured buildings. Seafood lunch is included today at a local restaurant, if you prefer other cuisine / dishes , please let's know in advance .

Day 25– Byblos, Jeita, Harissa, Beirut (BL)

Surprises continue today, as we head toward the Jeita Caves, a vast limestone complex south of Byblos and north of Beirut, inhabited in prehistoric times. The caves hold the world’s largest known stalactite, and shelter a river that supplies water to Beirut. We’ll stop at the hillside shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, high above the city of Jounieh, noted for its statue with a chapel inside, as well as for spectacular views. By nightfall, we’ll find ourselves back in Beirut. Lunch is included today enroute : a charming local restaurant.

Day 26– Beirut (BL)

Our last full day includes a full tour of Beirut. Beirut gleams with well-preserved Ottoman buildings and rebuilt quarters with the latest in avant-garde architecture. We’ll see the central neighborhoods, the marina, and of course the National Museum with its treasures from times ancient to Ottoman. There will be time for last-minute shopping today in the many fine and surprising boutiques of the city, where Oriental wares and the latest western fashion are on offer.
We have researched some of the best local Beirut restaurant for your culinary pleasure
( lunch included ) , and this is one of them : the Basha’s Shawarma ! This popular Beirut is the best place in town to try out this tasty Middle Eastern specialty ( the Shawerma ) , if you are vegetarian then we'll go for the excellent spinach pies.

Day 27– Departure (B)

We’ll call for you after breakfast, and see you to the airport to begin your homeward journey.
Bon Voyage !

RATES per person: in USD $

• Hotels in Syria - For the Five Stars modest Deluxe ( or similar)
  Damascus Cham Palace Hotel . Palmyra Cham Palace Hotel
  Aleppo : Chahaba Cham Palace hotel
  
• In Lebanon : Deluxe hotels are not available outside Beirut, so it will; be 3-4 stars outside Beirut , while in Lebanon
  
• For Dec 20 - Jan 3 , Easter , please add %25 supplement to any of the listed rates
  
  

Your locally escorted tour includes:

• All airport , hotel, Nile Cruise transfers, always with a private air-conditioned vehicle, with a private chauffeur.
  
• All guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees. Locally escorted at all times . For example in Jordan you will always have your guide from Amman escorting you throughout Jordan.
  Same in Syria . Private Egyptologist for our group in Egypt even on board the Nile cruise.
  
• Services of local professional guides throughout the tour
  
• Air fare Cairo Amman and Damascus Beirut , in economy class, tax included, ticket issued & delivered in Cairo, Egypt and Damascus , Syria .
  
• Jordanian departure tax.
  
• Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival in Cairo as well as Amman , Beirut and Syria for EU , Australian, NZ, Canadian, American, Mexican and Japanese passport holders. Passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival.
  
• All domestic airfares and transfers in Egypt. With possible free upgrade to business class ( subject to availability)

• A complimentary home hosted family dinner
  
• Bottled water ( one per person) delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board the cruise.
  
• Tea or coffee /bottled water with each meal while on board the cruise.
  
• Hotel accommodation with tax & service charges.
  
• Nile Cruise with all meals & shore excursions.
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin on board the Nile Cruise .
  
• Complimentary galabya on board the cruise for the costume party.
  
• Preset menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner, all as per itinerary .
  
• We have even included all the tips. No hidden charges. No additional tax , all the tips to your drivers, porters, guides and the crew on board your cruise.

Syria and Lebanon will not issue you a visa , if your passport has any Israeli stamps or visa for Israel, you are responsible for ensuring that your passport is valid and in order, please provide us with your passport info and an eligible scan of the info page in your passport at least 45 day sin advance to allow us to secure your visa .

The tour does not include:

• International airfare from / to your home country.
• Travel Insurance, trip cancellation insurance, please ask us for the flyer
• Personal expenditures (beverages, laundry, special meals, etc.)
  

KARAK FORTRESS, JORDAN: Syria and Jordan : : By Dr. Illman : Syria and Jordan 2009

1. Phenomenal crusader fortress with lots of caves and tunnels and overlooks the lower valley of the Dead Sea.
2. The valleys in this area were stark but beautiful. We looked at the possible sites for Sodom and Gomorrah and saw Aaron’s tomb in the distance.

PETRA, JORDAN

1. Oh Petra!
2. One of the 7 modern wonders of the world. It deserves this ranking.
3. Guide Hani: “without Petra there is not Jordan.” He was speaking of tourists coming.
4. The walk through the Siq passageway is so dramatic and beautiful – 1.2 km long.
5. Everywhere there are carvings and tombs.
6. Riding the horse to the entrance of the Siq and then the 30 minute donkey road out and up to the Bedouin town was so much fun. I followed Marilyn’s ass the whole way out.
7. Our guide told kids to quit begging and go to school and then he got upset with the schoolteachers because they didn’t have respect for Petra.
8. Walking out of the Siq and seeing the Treasury building carved in stone was so impressive.
9. There are so many other temples and tombs that are dramatic but don’t have the visual impact of the Siq entrance.
10. Our guide: only 10% has been unearthed.
11. The Nabateans were great hydrologists as they took meager desert rains and provided for 100,000 residents plus thousands of camels and merchants traveling the silk and spice roads.
12. It was fun to negotiate for a Nabatean coin. Our guide said it is from the 1st century and the kids find them after a heavy rain.
13. Hani had 65 cats and 1 camel. One of his sons called during the tour as he was having trouble with his donkeys. To get me to hurry, Hani would yell: “yella, Yella.”
14. One evening we ate at the Petra Kitchen. The tourists prepare the meal with the help of 3 local chefs. We were with people from Germany, Philippines and Australia.

WADI RUM, JORDAN

1. The area where Lawrence of Arabia wandered and organized Bedouins to attack the Turks. The film was filmed in this area. Quite lovely.
2. Our guide Saleem lit up when Marilyn asked about his son. His boy is one and a half. They live with brothers and parents in one house. He likes this arrangement.
3. The Bedouin prefer living in their tents. The government built blockhouses for them. They mainly use them for the animals at night!
4. The red sand is so beautiful.
5. It reminds me of Moab, Utah area with Canyonlands, etc.

DEAD SEA

1. Beautiful to see.
2. Jerusalem and Jericho were across from our hotel.
3. Israel had lots of irrigated areas for wheat, olives, fruit, nuts, etc.
4. Our Kempsinki Hotel was beautiful but it was hard to navigate. The Dead Sea was down 4 levels but not all accessible by elevator.
5. There were lots of police/military checkpoints on our drive from Aqaba.
6. The Dead Sea is receding so much as all the water is used before the Jordan River empties into it.
7. The bathers were totally black with mud.

More choices :

• Syria and Jordan Tour : From Petra to palmyra .The Ultra Deluxe Version. Four Seasons Hotels ; 12 Days .
  
  

• Syria, Turkey, and Greece in 11 days

• Add Istanbul , or Syria

• Compare with the Best of Jordan 4 days or the 6 day version .

   

   

• The Best of the Levant and the Middle East
  Tour Israel, Palestine , Jordan , Syria and EgyptA 23-day true in-depth tour of the Near East and Lawrence of Arabia Territory
  Jordan , Syria , Israel , Palestine and Egypt Adventure all in 23 days
  For Guests who want the BEST when touring the Near East, what about adding lebanon ? . We have even included all the tips. No hidden charges. No additional tax

   

  Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

  Amid scenes of exquisiteness and peace, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar will give you the opportunity to enjoy its riches where Marc Anthony, Queen of Sheba, Aristotle and even Cleopatra once strived to unravel mystery. Millennia Of History, Welcome to Ishtar

  
  Surely there is no region on earth where nature and history have more wonderfully conspired, where so exciting a drama has obtained so beautiful a theatre.

  Amid scenes of exquisiteness and peace, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea gives you the opportunity to enjoy its riches - where Marc Anthony, Queen of Sheba, Aristotle and even Cleopatra once strived to unravel mystery.

  Indulge in the ultimate family escape to the Ishtar Royal Villa.
  The Ishtar Royal Villa is a three bedroom masterpiece that allows the comfort of joining two
  Ishtar Beach Chalets located directly on the beach to it, making it an ideal secluded retreat for families seeking unmatched personalised luxury and intimacy.

  
  The Ishtar Royal Villa has an area of 476 Square Meters in addition to 74 Square Meters in each individual Ishtar Beach Chalet, as well as a private garden and pools, totaling a breathtaking 1,830 Square Meters of absolute luxury.

  
  

  

  
  All rooms have natural stone floors and designer furniture, featuring King size beds, a living area, a working desk and a walk-in wardrobe. Rooms are located on the second floor and have an area of 68 Square Meters and a bi-level private terrace of 45 Square Meters with terrace furniture and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
  The Ishtar Spa Rooms feature a state-of-the-art DVD/CD player (upon request) and complimentary suit pressing upon arrival.