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The
Grand tour
North Africa
and the Middle East
From
Morocco to Jerusalem
And including Egypt and Jordan in 15 Days, Air Included from New
York
Departure : Weekly on Tuesday , year round.
Compare
with the 19-Day version touring : Morocco, Egypt, Jordan & Syria
Here's
Travel in Style's own
version of the Grand Tour. We'll take you to the walled desert city of
Marrakech, and across the sub-Saharan countryside of Morocco by train
to fabled Casablanca. You'll journey alongside the Nile from Cairo in
your private rail compartment to view the temples of the ancient Pharaohs
at Luxor, and live an Indiana Jones adventure at the Nabatean stone city
of Petra in Jordan. To conclude it all, you'll ascend to Jerusalem, the
goal of pilgrims and Crusaders over the centuries. "Grand Tour" is an
understatement for this incomparable feast of sights and experiences.
DAY
1 - DEPARTURE FOR MOROCCO - Tuesday - Weekly - Year Round
Take
off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on a British
Airways jet, bound for Casablanca via London. Air fare add -on available
from major cities in the USA , for a supplement. Compare
with the 20-day version including Syria
DAY
2 - CASABLANCA, MARRAKECH - Wednesday
You'll
land at the international airport of fabled Casablanca . After the formalities,
you'll board a southbound flight to the magical city of Marrakech. Our
local staff will greet you and usher you directly to your accommodations.
Welcome mint tea.
DAY 3 - MARRAKECH - Thursday (BLD)
This
morning you'll take a private tour of ancient Marrakech by horse-drawn
carriage. You'll see the Koutoubia, the landmark mosque of the city, and
perhaps you'll note its similarity to its sister tower, the Giralda of
Seville, in Spain. You'll continue to the Bahia palace, built in the nineteenth
century, with room after stately oriental room of intricate plaster work
and finely detailed columns, and sedate hidden gardens. Lunch will be
served in a restaurant redolent with local color. In the afternoon, you'll
take a walking tour through the labyrinthine souks, the bazaars where
goods from near and far have changed hands for centuries. Of course, you'll
want to try your hand at bargaining! After our eventful day, dinner will
be served at our hotel.
DAY 4 - MARRAKECH - Friday (BD)
Now
that you've been introduced to Marrakech, it's time to adventure out on
your own! Head for the old city, and always-lively Djemaa El Fna Square,
populated by water sellers, magicians, peddlers, politicians, and animal
tamers, who carry on an endless flurry of activities straight out of the
middle ages. If you have a spare moment, the souks of Marrakech will always
keep you entertained. Return to bargain for that carpet or tea service
that caught your eye yesterday. Or pass part of the day at a sidewalk
café in the new city, where Paris and the Orient come together. Of course,
there are many restaurants where you can enjoy the culinary adventure
of Morocco's superb cuisine. We also offer optional tours, at an additional
fee, to a Berber village, or through the souks. Evening Dinner & show
at the famous "Chez Ali" in a small man made oases on the edge
of the Sahara & the outskirts of Marrakech.
DAY
5 - BY TRAIN TO CASABLANCA - Saturday (BLD)
It's "all aboard" today as as our local personnel see you to the Marrakech
railroad station. You'll roll in comfort toward Casablanca past green
fields, fruit-laden orchards, and traditional villages, backdropped by
the stunning Atlas Mountains. Our escort provides commentary and answers
questions, filling us in on the daily life of Moroccans. Once you detrain,
you'll visit the Hassan II Great Mosque, a monument to Moroccan artisanry
and architecture, second in size after the Great Mosque of Mecca. Then
we'll continue to see modern Casablanca, and on to the traditional souks.
After dinner, we'll head for the airport, where we'll board the Royal
Air Maroc flight that will take us across the Sahara to Egypt.
DAY 6 - CAIRO - Sunday (BL)
We
land at Cairo airport . Our local escorts see us through customs and immigration,
for American , EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens, visa will b issued
upon arrival at the Airport, your passport must be valid at least for
6 month beyond the date of arrival, and onward through the awakening city
to our hotel.
The
Egyptian visa will be issued upon arrival in Cairo .
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 your name “……………… “.
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 air conditioned vehicle)
to the hotel
We'll
have breakfast and take a break to refresh, then head out to see the wonders
of this thriving metropolis. First, we'll explore the Egyptian Museum,
with its treasures of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, and precious
stones and metals. Travellers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on
these sights, but your day includes much more. We'll visit the Citadel
of Saladin with its Alabaster Mosque, and view the panorama of Cairo.
Then we'll set off for Khan el-Khalili, the labyrinthine bazaar district
with its array of spice shops and clothing merchants and purveyors of
baskets and brass ware and a thousand other specialties. After lunch at
a charming local restaurant, we'll return to our hotel. The rest of the
day is yours for exploring on your own. Venture out amid the shops, cafés,
peddlers from bygone days, modern-day professionals, and an unforgettable
array of sights, sounds, and aromas. Visit Cairo's museums, or try a restaurant
frequented by locals.
DAY
7 - CAIRO - Monday (BLD)
After
breakfast, we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, where we'll view the mysterious,
timeless Sphinx, the awesome Pyramids of Giza, and the Valley Temple.
After lunch, we'll continue southward to Dahshour, where still more ancient
wonders await. Among the monuments we'll visit is the Great Pyramid of
Senfru, the father of Cheops. Dinner is included at the hotel
DAY
8 - LUXOR - Tuesday (BLD)
Very
early breakfast at the hotel. We fly to Luxor , air fare is included in
economy class , tax included .
From the airport we cross the Nile to view an array of ancient splendors:
the tomb chambers of the Valley of the Kings; the imposing tomb-temple
of Queen Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Queens; and the Colossi of Memnon.
We'll be back in Luxor for lunch, then tour the imposing Great Temple
of Amon at Karnak, and visit the Sacred Lake and red granite quarry, with
its huge unfinished obelisk. We'll have time for a look at the Great Temple
of Amon Ra in Luxor on our way to catch a flight to Cairo. Dinner is included
at your hotel
DAY 9 - AMMAN - Wednesday
Our
Cairo personnel will see you to the airport, where you'll board a flight
for Amman. Upon landing, our Jordan hosts will greet you, assist you with
the formalities, for American , EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens,
visa will b issued upon arrival at the Airport, your passport must be
valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival, our local rep will
escort you to your hotel. You'll have time to get acquainted with this
city built on hills, its cafés and shops, and its surprisingly cosmopolitan
population of Bedouins, Palestinians, and the descendants of migrants
from the Caucasus.
DAY
10 - MADABA, KERAK, PETRA - Thursday (BD)
From Amman, we drive south along an ancient caravan route to Madaba, site
of a church containing the oldest known map of the Holy Land. At Mount
Nebo, we will behold the panoramic view of the Promised Land as seen by
Moses in his last moments. Further on, at Kerak, we walk among the ruins
of the Crusader castle of Renaud de Chatillon, one of a line that stretched
from Aqaba to Turkey. At the end of the day, we reach fabled Petra.
DAY
11 - PETRA - Friday (BD)
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. Our discoveries
complete, we'll savor another evening and overnight in Petra.
DAY
12 - WADI RUM, AMMAN - Saturday (BD)
It's
a day of desert adventure, as we board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an
expedition to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon," where Lawrence of Arabia
organized the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during World War I. As
you pass Bedouin encampments, you'll believe that nothing has changed
in the intervening years. Our day of adventure concludes in Amman.
DAY
13 - JERASH, JERUSALEM - Sunday (B)
We
drive to Jerash, among the best-preserved cities of the Romans, and walk
among its churches, theaters, and colonnaded temples. We then cross the
Jordan River to the West Bank, and ascend to our goal for the evening:
Jerusalem.
DAY
14 - JERUSALEM - Monday (B)
This
day is yours to spend as you wish in Jerusalem. Mix with the crowds on
Ben Yehuda Street, admire the new City Hall, visit museums, gaze at the
city walls at sunset and dawn, visit the orthodox Mea Shearim quarter.
Walk the cobbled lanes of the Old City, to the Western Wall and the Dome
of the Rock. Follow the Stations of the Cross. There's so much to see
and do, and we'll provide a guidebook with our compliments to help you
make your selections.
Day 15 - DEPARTURE - Tuesday (B)
Our
Jerusalem-based staff will call for you after breakfast, and see you to
Ben Gurion Airport, for your flight home.
This
tour departs weekly , year round. Compare
with the 20-day version including Syria
RATES
per person in USD FROM JFK IN $:
| Hotel
Category |
Deluxe |
First |
Modest
Tourist
Class Hotels |
| Triple |
$
6450 |
$
5590 |
$
5010 |
| Double |
$
6598 |
$
5630 |
$
5120 |
| Single |
$
7760 |
$
7020 |
$
6501 |
Flying
Business Class
RATES per person in USD FROM JFK IN $:
West Coast Passengers need not to fly via JFK, you'll fly on LH, KL, or
BA non-stop West Coast to Europe ( Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam etc.,
then onward to Morocco ) . West Coast add -on applies ( $800 roundtrip
tax included )
| Hotel
Category |
Deluxe |
| Triple |
$
12660 |
| Double |
$
12810 |
| Single |
$
14050 |
-
Holiday supplement: For
departures during the weeks of Easter, Christmas, and New Year's, DEc
20 - Jan 3 ) please add a supplement of 15 percent to the above rates.
- Airfare
Supplement: $350 for traveling : May - Sep . (This supplement doesn't
apply when you handle your own air fare.
- West
cost special add on (Subject to availability): $350 for most west
coast cities
Prices
include:
-
International air fare from New York City to Amman via Casablanca, and
back to New York from Tel Aviv , including tax. in economy class.
(Add-on
air fare is available . Please contact us about add-on fares available
from other cities.) .
- Domestic
air fare within Egypt and within Morocco , including tax. All air fare
is in economy class
- All
ground transportation as described in itinerary, including first-class
seating on day train from Marrakech to Casablanca, with tax and service
charges.
- All
airport transfers in the four countries are on a private basis .
- Hotel
accommodations including tax and service at fine deluxe ,first-class
,or tourist -class hotels as selected.
- Meals
as specified from pre-set menu (B = continental breakfast, aB = full
American or buffet breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner).
-
Sightseeing with guide and entrance fees as indicated .
- Visa
fee for Jordan & Egypt. (Valid for : American, Canadian , EU , Australian
, NZ & Japanese citizens), your passports should be valid at least
for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival. Israel & Morocco do
not require visa for these listed nationalities. For other nationalities,
please contact the consulates or visa service in your home country.
-
Jordanian departure tax.
Not
included:
-
Personal
expenses and beverages
-
Gratuities
-
Additional
meals and services
-
Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance (please see your insurance
agent).
Back
to Jordan Tour List
| Egypt Home Page | Syria
Home Page
Visit the Royal Society for the
Conservation of Nature in Jordan
Suggested
tips: Per Person : Never required. Always Appreciated :
Drivers : $ 3 USD for Transfers or :$5 for Full Day
Guides : $ 10 USD for Full Day
Sample
Charming Boutique Hotels in Syria :
Talisman Hotel: Damascus
Talisman is more than an hotel: it is more like a home. We will provide
you all the services and luxury of a five stars residence. Two wide opened
courtyards with outdoor swimming
pool. Private and exclusive Turkish Hammam.
The Talisman is a luxury «charm» hotel situated in the old
town of Damascus, twenty minutes from the airport, a hundred yards from
the old Roman straight way (Medhat Pacha) and the historical Bab Sharqi,
famous now for its souks and street markets. This old Jewish palace, built
in a quiet side street and easily accessible by car, has been restored
in the most authentic tradition of an Arab house.
Each
of the 16 rooms and suites at Talisman is unique with its personalized
lay-out and decoration. All the rooms are equipped with the latest commodities:king
size bed, mini bar, central heating, individual air-conditioning, plasma
television set with decoder so that you may choose any channel you please,
DVD reader, wi-fi internet connection, telephone. Executive suites are
larger and have a desk corner. The bathrooms are spacious and planned
for your rest and well-being: finely worked wooden basins with their matching
mirrors, old cement tiled or beige marble floors, bath tub or shower cabin,
or both, hair-drier and comfortable bathrobes.
Zenobia hotel: Palmyra
built in 1920 … Agatha Christy was one of the welcomed guests ,
the Zenobia Hotel is ideally located in the middle of Palmyra archeological
site; rooms offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations,
which you can explore at your ease.
The
26-room hotel offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations,
which you can explore at your ease. The hotel is a masterpiece of elegance
and warm hospitality that is part of our commitment to tradition particularly
amidst this historical surrounding. You are welcome to the world of Zenobia
hotel where you relive the past and feel the glorious days of Palmyra.
The hotel rooms; all are air-conditioned, with central heating and a telephone.
The Countess suite is a duplex room, with two double beds and a private
bathroom on each deck. ( Supplement applies, and you must really book
in advance to get this suite)
The
Oasis restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious cuisine whether it
is indoors or in the open air with a direct view on the ruins.
Palmyra
was known as the bride of the desert, where once stood as one of the greatest
Roman oasis cities of all times. The extensive roman ruins, only a three-minute
walk from the hotel; stand gracefully to remind us of the glory of Palmyra's
past
Beit Wakil Hotel: Aleppo
A true example of the distinguished 16th century Aleppine architecture,is
a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly
preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements
of time,ranks among the most elegant and
beautiful palaces in the region.
The
Hotel is in " Jadidah" which is a particularly picturesque quarter.
Next to the main Maronite church is Sissi Street, which is full of old
Arab residences. Most have now been converted into small boutique hotels
and restaurants serving the delicious local Arab-Syrian cuisine for which
Aleppo is famous. Beit Wakil is one of the loveliest examples. Simple
on the outside, but you enter a beautiful courtyard with a fountain, a
majestic arch, coloured marble flooring and arabesque glass windows. You
can descend past an underground bar into stone-built cellars with a labyrinth
of tunnels, said to lead all the way to the Aleppo Citadel.
Beit
Wakil,a true example of the distinguished 16th. century Aleppine architecture,is
a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly
preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements
of time,ranks among the most elegant and beautiful palaces in the region.
Faithful to the old Aleppine tradition the exterior is castle like,simple
and void of any decoration,but as soon one enters inside a magical oriental
story like world comes into existence
The
beautiful courtyards with breathtaking relief and tracery work of their
walls, the marble fountains among the jasmine and lemon trees, the unique
iwan with its majestic arch and colors marble flooring,the elegant arabesque
woodwork of the wall cupboards,the hand drawn wooden ceilings with corniche,
the famous central Qa'a (large room: Lobby ) with its suspended dome and
coloured arabesque glass windows,the stone built cellars and the lime
stone caves below with a labyrinth of tunnels , one of which , links the
palace to the Citadel of Aleppo , are just few of the many elements which
distinguishes the Aleppine masonry art and Arabian architectural genius
Today,
Beit Wakil welcomes its guests as a four star hotel with all the modern
comfort facilities. Beit Wakil rooms and suits are centrally air conditioned,
with traditional comfortable Aleppine furniture, minibar, music, T. V
and satellite services, phone and private bathrooms. Both our summer and
winter restaurants offer a wide verity of delicious Aleppine mezes and
specialties together with an oriental entertainment program of classical
Arabic music and dancing.
Aleppo
includes a virile population, a splendid architecture,and a fine Arab
tradition. Aleppo AL-Chahba, 355 Kilometers from Damascus, has been a
prosperous city since the 3rd millennium B.C. and has maintained its status
through town development and an increasing population. It has played a
vital role in the history of the area from the time of the Akkadian and
Amorite Kingdoms. Until recently it has always been the center of the
junction of the ancient trade routs. The old city was surrounded by a
wall incorporating defense towers and fortified gates built during the
Islamic period. A large part of the wall still standing, for example Bab
Qinisrin, Bab Al-Nasser, Bab Al-Hadid, Bab Antakia. Aleppo is also known
for its mosques and churches and is considered the third city in the Islamic
world because of the number of its mosques and schools. The Archaeological
Museum contains exhibits from the stone age to modern times. It has particularly
interesting collection of antiquities from some of the most ancient site
in Syria (Mari, Ugarit, Ebla) , objects found in the Euphrates Basin,
Hama, Tell Halaf and Ein Dara, in addition to remains from Greek, Roman,
Arab and Islamic periods. Most famous of Aleppo's sights is the citadel,
from where all of the city can be seen.
More
choices :
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