Israel and Jordan Cultural Journey

The area around the Sea of Galilee abounds with a deep past; it was even once the seat of the Roman government. Biblical stories of Peter and Paul also have roots in this region. Unfold a picnic lunch overlooking Upper Galilee and then visit an ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. It’s hard not to get caught up in the feeling that you are standing on hallowed ground at the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus issued his Sermon on the Mount.

Your private guide will lead you through the Old City, a fascinating pocket of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths. See worshipers bowing heads in prayer at the Western Wall while the golden dome of the Al-Aqsa Mosque shines nearby. Follow the Way of the Cross winding through markets and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of Christ. Sing the praises of Middle Eastern delicacies during a private tasting. See the oldest copies of the Hebrew Bible in the world and learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Israel Museum. Pay homage at the somber Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

This is Jordan’s can’t-miss desert gem. Explore its sandstone tombs and temples, ending the day in a tented Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, the desert made iconic by Lawrence of Arabia. Later, give your desert-weary feet a rest with a float in the Dead Sea.

End your journey in Amman, a bustling city bursting with energy. Walk around the shopping areas and enjoy the view from one of its many hilltops. Day trips into the desert reveal Roman sites and Umayyad dynasty castles and fortresses. At the Ajloun Castle your private guide will explain how this land was defended against Crusaders.