Highlights of Israel, Dubai and Egypt

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel.



Dinner and
Overnight in Tel Aviv

Depart Tel-Aviv and drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. Visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre, an aqueduct. Continue to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel valley and the lower Galilee. Travel to Megiddo, known as the site of Armageddon. Study the impressive history of this extraordinary battlefield as you visit archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. From there you will head to Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt. Walk through the Old City recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the local market, and harbor.




Overnight on the Shores of the Sea of Galilee

After a short tour of Tiberias, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Yigal Allon Center where the \"Jesus Boat\", an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, is displayed. Continue to Capernaum to visit the remains of the 2nd-century synagogue. Stop at Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th-century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount. Drive to Banias Springs and tour the Golan heights.




Overnight on the Shores of the Sea of Galilee

Drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Josephs workshop, and Marys well. Proceed to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Next, you will stop at Beit Shean to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheater. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.



Dinner and
Overnight in Jerusalem

Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Visit the Church of All Nations, King Davids Tomb and Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the Old City; walk through the Cardo, the ancient roman road; visit the Jewish and Christian quarters; admire the Temple Mount and walk along the Via Dolorosa and oriental Bazaar to visit the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Next, drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance.



Dinner and
Overnight in Jerusalem

Drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation. Proceed to Yad Vashem, the Official Israeli Memorial of the Holocaust. From there you will discover the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. Proceed to Bethlehem*, the birthplace of Jesus. Visit Shepherds' Field and walk through the Manger Square to visit the remarkable Church of Nativity. Return to Jerusalem.



Dinner and
Overnight in Jerusalem



*Visit subject to availability

Drive through the Judean hills to Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue your journey along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend Masada by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod. Visit the remains of the walls, water cistern and Herods Palace; descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Enjoy the opportunity to float in the unsinkable water and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects.



Dinner and
Overnight in Jerusalem

Today you will be transferred back to Ben Gurion International Airport for your flight to Dubai. Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.




Overnight in Dubai

Today you will explore this fascinating city with a tour of Dubai. While the vast swathes of Dubai have been transformed with contemporary architecture into a modern and luxurious city, traces of the historic town from 40 years ago are still evident in certain areas. This tour will take you on a cultural journey through time into mini mazes of wind-towered buildings, narrow lanes, and meandering pathways of the lively souks. During the tour, you will visit the heritage area of Bastakiya and the 225-year-old Fort Al Fahidi, which houses the Dubai Museum. Pay a visit to the Spice and Gold Souks. With tantalizing scents and shimmering jewelry, you will drive by the Burj Al Arab, the iconic hotel in the shape of a sail. Enjoy a photo stop at the Jumeirah Mosque, an architectural landmark. Spend the afternoon at leisure.




Overnight in Dubai

Enjoy your morning at leisure. Later this afternoon you will be picked up for a dune drive through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. This mysterious desert beckons you for a magical evening out — an adventure you will never forget. Leaving behind the bustle of the city in the afternoon, our safari guides will take you on a thrilling journey over rolling dunes deep into the heart of the desert. From the crest of a high dune, watch the setting sun cast its orange glow over the vast expanse of rippling sand all around you. Like a shimmering mirage in the distance, you will see the flickering lights of your camp where a traditional Arabian welcome will await you. The encampment conjures up images of Arabian nights. Relax on comfortable cushions in Bedouin tents and quench your thirst, have your hands painted with intricate henna designs, head on a short camel ride, or just enjoy the aromatic shisha. A feast of grilled meats, fresh salads, and delectable Arab sweets will be served under a galaxy of stars. You will be entertained by the bewitching belly dancer swaying to the haunting strains of Arabian music.




Overnight in Dubai

Today you will be transferred back to Dubai International Airport for your flight to Cairo. Cairo, called Al-Qahirah in Arabic, is not only one of the largest cities in Africa with a population of 17 million but is the political and cultural center of the Arab World. The citys old quarters retain their ancient charm with many streets known by descriptions given to them by medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairos architecture is distinguished by Ottoman and later European influences, particularly in commercial architecture as the citys population boomed during the 19th century. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.




Overnight in Cairo

This morning you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for a flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be escorted to the cruise ship for boarding. This will be your home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon you will visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Luxor Temple was the center of the most important festival; the Opet Festival. Built primarily by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the royal family began at Karnak and ended at the Luxor Temple. Karnak Temple was erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, the god of Thebes. The Temple of Karnak consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples — all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu, and Amun are enclosed by enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun in the center. Karnak is now the largest and oldest temple compound on earth



Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor

After breakfast, you will cross the freshly constructed Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings. This includes the tombs of the Theban rulers, Seti I and Tutankhamen. The Valley of the Kings is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and title are inscribed in his tomb, adorned with images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. Explore several incredible Royal Tombs. From there you will visit the Valley of the Queens which includes 75 to 80 tombs. These tombs belong to Queens of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Among these lies the famous tomb of Nefertiti, one of the five wives of Ramses II. From there you will tour The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacred. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank. After lunch on board, you will sail to Edfu via Esna. Ancient Nubia was known to the pharaohs as the “Land of Gold,” and its wealth and lands were eventually incorporated into Egypt around 1500 BC. You may join your shipmates for afternoon tea.



Dinner and overnight on board in Edfu

Enjoy breakfast on board before you visit the Temple of Edfu. This temple is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt but also the second largest after Karnak. It was believed that the temple was built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth. Hence, the current temple was but the last in a long series of temples built on this location. You will then sail to Kom Ombo and have lunch and afternoon tea on board the ship. In the afternoon you may disembark the ship and enjoy a short walk to the Temples of Kom Ombo. This temple complex consists of two temples: The Temple of Sobek and the Temple of Haroeris. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank nearby. The Temple has scanted remains, due first to the changing Nile, then the Copts who used it as a church, and finally by builders who used the stones for new buildings. As we sail toward Ancient Nubia you may participate in an Egyptian Galabeya Party.




Overnight on board in Aswan

After breakfast, you will visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old Dam (completed in 1902). You will also visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction. The High Dam, just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan lies the Aswan High Dam, a huge rock-filled dam that captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as “Sadd El-Aali” in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work. Later you may enjoy a short trip on a motorboat to discover the Philae Temple. The boat ride will bring the visitor to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after he was murdered by his brother Seth




Overnight on board in Aswan

Disembark the cruise after breakfast. From there you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. There, you will be met and escorted back to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or perhaps take an optional tour.




Overnight in Cairo

Today you will visit the Pyramids and Sphinx — reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  A single pyramid is built from 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing approximately two and one-half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the awe and wonder which so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is particularly interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, dating to the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Sculpted from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lions body. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.  Explore the city or perhaps book one of the following optional tours.




Overnight in Cairo

Today you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.