3 Continents - Europe/Asia & Africa

Turkey Syria & Jordan

Duration: 18 Days / 17 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Damascus, Palymra, Amman, Kerak, Petra, Dead Sea
Departure Dates: Everyday
Note: All tour packages are modular & you can use these itineraries as a starting point & we can help modify the itineraries to accommodate your personal requirements & desires to find your perfect holiday.



Day 01 : Istanbul Arrival
Arrival to Istanbul Airport & meet for transfer on to the hotel. Rest of the day is then at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02 : Istanbul
After breakfast, a visit to Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Then ancient Hippodrome, once the sporting ground of chariots & political riots. After a lunch break, visit Hagia Sophia Museum, once the largest church in the world for 1000 years. Then visit the Blue Mosque, designed with 6 delicate minarets & a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Overnight in Istanbul.
   
Day 03 : Istanbul
We head to explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Market of 17th century origin. Next we take a ferry up Istanbul's winding Bosphorus strait. After a lunch break back on shore, we will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the 19th century lavish Ottoman residence on the Bosphorus. Some free time at the picturesque fishermen's village of Ortakoy before returning back to hotel.

Day 04 : Istanbul / Cappadocia
Early morning flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Kayseri. Arrival & transfer to Goreme. After check in & relaxation, we will begin to explore with Devrent Valley. Next, visit Pasabag also known as Monk's Valley, followed by a short drive to Avanos, famous for its clay pottery. After a lunch break there, we then proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum, featuring the most impressive of all rock carved churches in Cappadocia. Overnight in Goreme.

Day 05 / Cappadocia
After breakfast we start our day with a gentle hike in Red Valley, through orchards & vineyards, fairy chimneys & rock-carved houses. After a short drive we then visit Derinkuyu Underground City where an entire community of Christians lived in a system of subterranean caves & tunnels. Afterwards a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley along the stream. Stop in Belisirma village for lunch & then on to Selime for a panoramic view.

Day 06 : Cappadocia / Ephesus / Kusadasi
Transfer to Kayseri Airport for Izmir flight. Transfer to hotel. Today we visit the Ancient City of Ephesus which is among the best places in the world enabling one to genuinely 'soak in' the atmosphere of Roman times. After lunch, we depart to visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to be brought here by St. John & have spent the last of her days. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 07 : Pamukkale / Istanbul
After breakfast, hotel check out & we will drive to Pamukkale. Pamukkale or "Cotton Castle", is famous for its white lime cascades rise over 300 feet above the ground, with hot, mineral-enriched waters flowing down through the pools & rock formations. Nearby is the ancient Roman health spa of Hierapolis, famous for its hot baths, theater, agora & remarkable necropolis. After Pamukkale, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for Istanbul flight. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 08 : Istanbul / Damascus (Syria)
Transfer to Ataturk airport, afternoon flight to Damascus. On arrival transfer to your hotel with evening at leisure. Overnight in Damascus.

Day 09 : Damascus
Damascus is splendid city of a glorious past. Explore the national museum, the folklore museum, the tomb of Saladin & the straight street of Damascus are to be visited before lunch. This afternoon is an easy visit to the Christian quarter where St. Ananias saw the vision of God who ordered him to cure St. Paul out of his blindness. Free time to do shopping in the souq of Hamdieh. At the end of the day we drive over Qasioun Mountain to overlook Damascus. Back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10 : Palymra / Damascus
Today continue your drive through the famous Syrian Desert to Palmyra, the city of a thousand column. We explore the temple of god Bel, the museum, the viarecta, the tombs, the theater, the Agora, the monumental arch, Zanobia bath & Diocletian camp. Lunch to be included in a local restaurant. Driving back to Damascus for overnight stay.

Day 11 : Damascus / Bosra / Amman (Jordan)
We depart Damascus southward to visit Bosra, one of the ten prominent Roman cities. We start the visit at the Roman gate of the wind & we walk to the underground market, the lantern gate, the Islamic castle, the Roman theater, the water reservoir, the Nabatean gate, the Byzantine cathedral & the church of the nostorian monk Bahira who met Prophet Mohammed & predicated his prophetic mission. Transfer to Jordan, overnight in Amman.

Day 12 : Umm Qais / Jerash / Amman
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Umm Qais (ancient Gadara), one of the most brilliant of Greco-Roman cities, then to the mighty Crusaders Castle of Ajloun. Departure at noon through pine forests & olive groves to the fascinating Greco-Roman city of Jerash. Our guide will take you for a tour through the colonnaded street, amphitheater, churches, temples & the vast Roman Forum. Return to hotel in Amman for overnight.

Day 13 : Amman
After breakfast, go for Amman city tour to visit the Roman Amphitheater & the Citadel, then drive to Desert Castles to visit three surprising examples of Islamic art & architecture: Azraq Fort, Qusayr Amra & Qasr Kharaneh. Back to hotel in Amman for overnight.

Day 14 : Madaba / Kerak / Petra
Breakfast at hotel, then departure for a journey to south of Amman, visit Madaba & Mount Nebo. Then drive into & up out the all inspiring Wadi Mujib via The King's Highway to the Kerak Castle, overnight at Petra.

Day 15 : Petra
After breakfast, full day tour in the Red Rose city Petra. Upon arrival, you will begin an unforgettable trip on horse back through the Siq till you reach the Treasury. The local guide will give a brief history of the city while visiting the Amphitheater, the Triumphal arch, Pharaoh's Castle, & the Monastery. Back to hotel in Petra for overnight.

Day 16 : Petra / Wadi Rum
After breakfast drive to little Petra (Al-Beidah), then south to the largest & most magnificent of Jordan's desert Wadi Rum, optional 2 hours 4x4 tour in the desert, go to camp site, dinner & overnight under a goat hair tent & the wonderful starry sky.

Day 17 : Dead Sea / Amman
Drive down, after breakfast, to the lowest point on Earth the Dead Sea, enjoy swimming in the buoyant waters & get covered in mud. Drive to Amman for overnight.

Day 18 : Amman Departure
Breakfast at the hotel, check out then transfer to airport with assistance.