This East Mediterranean tour starts every week Year round!!!
A 19 days guided Tour in the countries: Turkey – (Byzantine Empire)
Israel the Holyland, The kingdom of Jordan with the Wonder of Petra i
you can short the tour in one day skip Gallipoly & Troy
Visit the old world of the Bible ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the historic Worlds Wonders among the colorful lively Mediterranean culture.
a unique journey in the history learning seeing touching and feeling the Bible time.
The Tour starts in Istanbul on Friday every week throughout the year. Ending after 19 days in Tel Aviv or Amman on Tuesday.evening.
Tour Route & Highlights
Visit Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Kaymakli
Pamukkal,Konya, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Troy , Gallipoly Bosphorus
Tel Aviv, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Biat shean,Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Cfarnaum, Golan heights, upper Galiee,Nazareth,kafar Cana , Akko, Carmel Ceasarea, Jerash, Amman,Petra ,Mt. Nebo & Madaba.
Customer Service
USA: +1-510-342-5714
Israel: +972-3-522-5253
Email us for more info and bookings
info@wonders-tours.com
FRIDAY
Istanbul Turkey
Arriving to the airport for a flight to Istanbul Turkey for overnight
SATURDAY
Istanbul City Tour
Visit the Topkapi Palace which was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856). The Palace contains the Muslim holy relics of Muhammad’s cloak and sword, and a fabulous display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry, including the fourth largest diamond in the world featured in the famous 1965 film “TopKapi”. From there continue to the unique Blue Mosque, called for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior, nown for its six minarets. Then to the Roman Hippodrome Square and the Hagia Sophia, a former Orthodox
Christian basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum. Famous for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and served as a model for many other Ottoman mosques. We end the tour with a visit the world’s famuse Grand Bazaar with over 4,000 tiny shops
SUNDAY
Istanbul-Ankara-Cappadocia-Göreme
In the early morning transfer from your hotel to the airport for a flight to Ankara, the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of 938 m. and a population of 4,500,000. The city tour will start from the airport and will include both the ancient and the modern parts of the town. Among the highlights is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey. Completed in 1953, it is located on an imposing hill and constitutes an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles. To learn more about the history of Ankara we shall visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Situated at the entrance of Ankara Castle, it is an old “bedesten” (covered bazaar) that has been beautifully restored and now houses a unique collection of ancient Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, and Roman treasures. By the way Ankara was formerly known as Angora, famous for its “Angora” cats and fine “Angora” wool.
From Ankara drive Cappadocia. Dinner & overnight.
MONDAY
Tour in Cappadocia- Kaymakli
Cappadocia in Central Anatolia, is a region of exceptional natural wonders, and a unique historical and cultural heritage. We shall explore the best and the most important.After breakfast , morning visit to the Kaymaklı Underground City consisting of houses constructed around the nearly one hundred underground tunnels. Kaymakli is one of several historical underground cities carved out of unusual geological formations formed via the eruptions of ancient volcanoes. The cities were initially inhabited by the Hittites, then later by early Christians as hiding places. From underground we go to the hill and Citadel of Uçhisar. After lunch continue to the Göreme valley, where the rocks have eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. The volcanic soft rocks have been carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. The Göreme Open Air Museum, contains more than 30 rock-carved churches and chapels, some of them have superb frescoes inside, dating from the 9th to the 11th centuries. The tour continues to the Paşabağları valley with the highest concentration of fairy chimneys. Here, they have particularly sharp points and thick trunks. Finally, a visit to the old city of Avanos, with its superb view overlooking Turkey’s longest river the Kızılırmak (Red River). The town’s most famous historical feature, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery.Return to hotel for dinner & overnight.
TUESDAY
Cappadocia- Konya-Pamukkale
After breakfast early departure for Konya, passing on the way Seliukain Caravanserai Sultanhan from the 13th century . Visit Konya with the famous Mevlana museum and Dervishes Theological School of whirling after drive for dinner & overnight in Pamukkale. .
WEDNESDAY
Pamukkale-Kusadasi
Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, contains hot springs and terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. We shall visit the ancient city of Hierapolis which was built on top of the white “castle”. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years and formerly was a healing centre where doctors used the hot thermal springs as a treatment for their patients A Jewish congregation grew in Hierapolis with an estimated population as high as 50,000 in 62 BCE. Several sarcophagi in the vast adjacent necropolis attest to their presence. The area has been declared a world heritage site. The tour will include a visit to the Basilica and the impressive calcium cliffs. Drive to Aphrodisias the Greco-Roman settlement dedicated to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite and also famous for its marbles. Drive to Kusadası, dinner and overnight.
THURSDAY
Kusadasi-Ephesus
Kuşadası is a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast. The area has been a centre of art and culture since the earliest times and has been settled by many civilizations. After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Meryemana The House of the Virgin. Some believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption. The site is venerated by Muslims as well as Christians, and pilgrims drink from a spring under the house which is believed to have healing properties. Continue to Ephesus, an ancient Greek city, and during the Roman period for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire. Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean that give some idea of the city’s original splendor. We shall visit the most important: The Library of Celsus, built c. 125 AD which once held nearly 12,000 scrolls. The Basilica of St. John, built in the 6th century AD, over the supposed site of the apostle’s tomb. The Odeon, a small roofed theater seating about 1,500 people as a “small” salon for plays and concerts. The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, unfortunately represented only by one inconspicuous column. The Temple of Hadrian dating from the 2nd century that has been re-erected from the surviving architectural fragments. The Temple of Domitian, one of the largest temples on the city. The Theater with 44,000 seating capacity was the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world. Two Agoras, one for commercial and one for state business. ovenight in a locale hotel.
FRIDAY
Kusadasi-Troy – Canakkale
After breakfast drive for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion and Acropol with the well preserved remains. In the afternoon continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight.
SATURDAY
Caakkale-Gallipoli-Istanbull
After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul with visit to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I
sites like Kabatepe museum, Brighton beach, beach cemetery, Anzac cove, Ariburnu cemetery, Anzac commemoration site, Lone Pine Australian memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Drive to Istanbul transfer to the hotel.
SUNDAY
Istanbul- Bosphorus Tour
Take a cruise on the Bosporus which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, and divides the city between the two continents of Europe and Asia making Istanbul the only bi-continental city in the world. On the way we shall have the opportunity of photographing marvellous marbles; ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential and luxury apartments. We stop to visit Beylerbeyi Palace, built in the 19th century and used by the Ottoman Sultans as a summer residence and a place to entertain visiting heads of state and Camlıca Hill that presents the best panoramic view of Istanbul and the Bosporus.
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Israel for overnight in Tel Aviv
MONDAY
Tel Aviv – Beersheva – Arad – Massada – Jerusalem
Leave Tel Aviv to – Beersheba. for a short visit to the Negev capital and the site of Abrahams well. Then via Arad to Massada. Mountain which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Ascend by cable car to the fortress, Visit the excavations, Herod’s palaces, the synagogue, bathhouse, etc. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea.
Descend to the Dead Sea the lowest place on earth. Take a break near Ein Gedi for a short Swim or float in the salty minerals water.
Proceed to Jerusalem for overnight.
TUESDAY
Jerusalem – sightseeing of the new city
Drive to Mt. Scopus for a panoramic view of Jerusalem.
Then to the Garden of Gethsemane and Church of the Agony.
Visit the tomb of King David on Mt. Zion, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Visit the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book with the famous Dead Sea scrolls,Drive by the Supreme Court bldg & Mt. Herzl.
visit in “Yad Vashem” (the memorial for the millions who were killed in the Holocaust). visit the model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem dating back to the time of the Second Temple. Afternoon visit of the Hadassah medical center in the synagogue with Marc Chagall stained glass windows, then drive thrue the old village of Ein Karem (the birth place of John the Baptist) to the Hotel for overnight.
WEDNESDAY
Jerusalem (Old City) and Bethlehem*
Walk through one of the Gates to the walled Old City: the renewed Jewish Quarter;
visit the Temple area, the last standing Western Wall or the Wailling wall, walk the Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Walk out of the old city of Jerusalem via the colorful bazaars; and drive to Bethlehem* to visit Rachel Tomb and the Church of the Nativity and return to Jerusalem for overnight.
THURSDAY
Jericho* – Jordan river – Tiberius – Galilee
Leave Jerusalem, driving via Bethany and Jericho*, the oldest city in the world. continue northward via Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit Shean. After a short visit stop in Yardenit when you can walk into the Jordan river , proceed to Tiberius the old center of Jewish learning. Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue. Continue to a Kibbutz hotel for overnight.
FRIDAY
Upper Galilee – Golan Heights – Nazareth
Drive to the Golan Heights. Visit the former Syrian fortifications, Birkat Ram, and the Druze villages, Via Banias, source of the Jordan River. Proceed via Kiryat Shmone and the Hula Valley to Safed, city of the Kabala, to visit synagogue and the artists colony and then to Nazareth to visit the Christian Holy Sites. Return to the Kibbutz hotel for overnight.
SATURDAY
Acre – Haifa -Carmel – Eilat
After Breakfast drive west to Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, sightseeing tour of Haifa, including the Bahai Shrine, Persian Garden and Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the city. Proceed southwards to Caesarea to visit the Roman theater and the Crusader fortress. Continue south for a short city tour of Tel Aviv-Jaffa & overnight .
SUNDAY
Jordan:
Tel Aviv- Jerash – Amman
Drive from Tel Aviv to the Jordanian border at Sheikh Hussein bridge. Thence toJerash known as the city of 1000 columns The town is known for the remains of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, considered one of the best preserved Roman cities. Wander among the original temples, theaters, plazas, paths and colonnaded streets, all enclosed within the remaining old city walls. After drive to the Jordanian capitalAmman built on the old Roman city of Philadelphia. During the city tour we shall see the ancient citadel and the theatre; pass by King Hussein Palace, where the late king is buried; the tr
MONDAY
Amman – Petra
After breakfast, leave Amman for Petra (=rock) an archaeological city known for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established around the 3rd century BCE as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and recently was chosen to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is also known as the “Red Rock City” because of the color of its rocks. (you can rent a carriage for all the tour ) Our visit will begin with 700 m. ride or walk to the impressive eastern entrance that leads us on foot or carriage 400 m.down through the Siq, a narrow gorge at the end of which we behold Petra’s most spectacular tomb Al Khazneh – theThresury hewn into the rose colored sandstone cliff. A little further down, is a massive theatre, so placed as to bring the greatest number of tombs obelisks and altars within view. At the point where the valley opens out into the plain, the site of the city is revealed with striking effect. If you like you can climb 900 stairs up the mountain to the Monastery on the top overlooking the Arrava valley . (about 40 minutes each way , optional donkey ride ) after the visit transfer to Hotel for overnight.
Optionals:
optional Petra candels light show at the evening..
extra day in Jordan for a Jeep tour in Wadi Ram with leisure time & over night by the red sea in the Aqaba or Eilat.
TUESDAY
Petra – Madaba – Mt. Nebo – Israel
After breakfast drive to Mount Nebo, where, according to Deuteronomy, Moses was allowed a view of the Promised Land that God was giving to the Israelites. Indeed, the view from the 800 m. summit provides a panorama of the Holy Land and part of theJordan River Valley. According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Moses was buried on this mountain by God Himself, and his final resting place is unknown. Continue toMadaba, once a Moabite border city, mentioned in the Bible.Visit the Basilica of Saint George with the famous Mosaic Map of the Holy land with two million pieces of coloured stone, the 6th century map preserved in the floor depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns and the earliest extant representation of Byzantine Jerusalem, labeled the “Holy City.”
transfer to Amman airport for your flight home or Tel Aviv Israel.
Optional extension tours:
Mount Sinai St. Catharine day visit
Tour in Cyprus The Aphrodite's Island needs extra day or two
Jordan Wadi Ram & the Red Sea
3* hotels
4* hotels
5* hotels
Per Person in a double room w/breakfast
$3100
$3550
$4500
Optional Dinners Supp.
$330
$360
$580
Single room Supp.
$1250
$1550
$2100
you can book this tour online or over the phone and pay with a credit card or money transfer
The Tour Package includes:
– 19 days 18 nights
– Airport Pick up and transfers
– Guided tours, hotels with breakfast, site entrance fees.
– Flights: Instanbul -Ankara,
NOT INCLUDED:
International flights including the Instanbul -Tel Aviv (when you book your flights it easy to add it or we can book it for you)
Visa to Israel Jordan and Turkey& Border tax.
” Tips and all other extra expenses.
(It’s recommended to tip guides, drivers etc.)
Notes:
– In security situation if Sites won’t be permitted
alternate sites will be visited.
– Tour itinerary may change due to operational needs.
– prices can change with out notice due to currency, fuel price, hotels and others.
Item Number: 26 Days Tour of Turkey Israel Jordan Egypt
USA: +1-510-342-5714
Australia: +61-2-8007-4465
Israel: +972-3-522-5253
Email us for more info and bookings
info@wonders-tours.com