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JORDAN & EGYPT HIGHLIGHTS
JORDAN
Amman
Steeped in biblical history known as the capital of the Ammonites as Rabbath Ammon, and as Philadelphia in the Roman rule, it became the southern Greco-Roman city of the Decapolis (ten Roman-controlled cities settled by Greeks). Today, the city is an unique blend of old and new, situated on a hilly area between the desert and the Jordan Valley. Ultra modern buildings, hotels, restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques rub shoulders with traditional coffee shops and artisans’ workshops.
Eilat
A desert resort on the shores of the Red Sea – Israel's southernmost town. The astonishing fish and corals of the temperate gulf waters are unique in their color and variety. Twice yearly, millions of birds fly over Eilat on migration between Europe and Africa, above the stunning red mountains and azure waters of the Red Sea Gulf.
Jerash
A close second to Petra on the list of favorite destinations in Jordan, the ancient of Jerash boasts as unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6500 years. Jerash is acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years. Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal, provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, hilltop temples, theatres, public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates.
KERAK
Today, the city boasts a number of restored 19th century Ottoman buildings, restaurants and, places to stay. It is undoubtedly Karak Castle which dominates. Several strategic 7th century casttles took place here: the Battles of Muta, Yarmouk and Fahl (Pella).
Madaba
One of the most memorable places in the Holy Land. Dubbed, “the city of Mosaics”, Madaba offers many sites to explore. The chief attraction is the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St. George. It is a wonderfully vivid, 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.
Mt. Nebo
This is the place where Moses was buried and the most revered holy site in Jordan. Atop this mountain, one can see, as Moses did, the vast panorama that encompasses the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem. Mount Nebo remains a place of pilgrimages for Christians. Mount Nebo’s first church was built in the late 4th century to mark the site of Moses’ death.
Petra
A world wonder, Petra is without doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab civilization who settled here more than 2000 years ago. It became an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India, and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece, and Rome. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
WADI RUM
The largest and most magnificent of Jordan’s desert landscapes, a timeless place, virtually untouched by humans. A maze of monolithic rockscapes rise up from the desert floor to heights of 5741 feet. This vast wilderness holds 4000 year old rock drawings and many other spectacular treasures.
EGYPT
CAIRO / COPTIC CAIRO
Some Egyptologists believe that there was a settlement here as far back as the 6th century BC. Later, it became a Christian stronghold, with as many as 20 churches built within an area of one square mile. There are only five remaining, along with the earliest Mosque ever built in Egypt. After the fall of Jerusalem in about 70 AD, the area saw an influx of Jews into the area, where the oldest synagogue Ben Ezra Synagogue is also located. Today Ben Ezra Synagogue is a historical monument and the most-visited Jewish site in Cairo.
PYRAMIDS OF GIZA & SPHINX, CAIRO
THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA considered one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World, The three pyramids are named for Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus who were father, son, and grandson. THE SPHINX, a mythical sculpture with the head of a king or god, and the body of a lion. Carved almost entirely from one huge piece of limestone left from the carving of the stones for Cheops’ pyramid, the Sphinx is about 164 feet long by 72 feet high.
THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, CAIRO
The museum of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities has a collection of over 180,000 pieces. These items are arranged chronologically. You will be accompanied by a fully qualified Egyptologist and cultural specialist highlights of each historical periods, including the glittering treasures of King Tutankhamun, with its stunningly preserved.
THE CITADEL OF SALAH AL-DIN
The Citadel was built between 1176 and 1182 AD, the Citadel fortress provides a panoramic view of Cairo from the Moqattam Hills. The Citadel complex includes the famous Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Aly the founder of the late Royal Family on the throne of Egypt.
THE TEMPLES OF ABU SIMBEL
The TEMPLES OF ABUSIMBEL could date to 1270 BC. The first, and largest of the temples, is dedicated to the sun god Ra-Harakhte, while the second, which is smaller, and a few meters to the north, was dedicated by Ramses II to his beautiful wife, Nefertari, to be worshipped together with other deities. These two temples attracted world-wide attention when they were threatened by inundation by the waters of the High Dam. In response to an appeal by the Arab Republic of Egypt, UNESCO, in 1959, initiated an international donations campaign to save the monuments of Nubia, the relics of the oldest human civilization. The salvage of the Abu Simbel temples began in 1963, and cost some 36 million dollars. The Abu Simbel temples were relocated on the plateau to greet the sunrise every morning.
KARNAK TEMPLES
The sprawling complex of TEMPLES AT KARNAK is the result of generations of builders who expanded and embellished the site for their gods and pharaohs. The remains of Karnak are now the largest surviving religious complex in the world.
LUXOR TEMPLE
LUXOR TEMPLE was built in the heart of the ancient city of Thebes, and was connected to Karnak by a 3 kilometer processional way lined with sphinxes. Like most of the Karnak complex, Luxor Temple was dedicated to the god Amun. Much of the temple core was built by the pharaoh Amenhotep III and then was added to over the years by other kings including Ramesses II.
WEST BANK OF LUXOR
The first site is the VALLEY OF THE KINGS that has its 62 tombs mainly of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The TEMPLE OF QUEEN HATSHEPSUT a remarkable mortuary temple built in the form of three elevated terraces. We will stop at the pair of massive, 64-FOOT-TALL STATUES OF AMENOPHIS III, their eyes cast in the direction of the Nile.
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