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SPECIAL GROUP PROGRAMS
14 Days GREECE – EGYPT - ISRAEL
 

A fascinating journey from the Acropolis to the Pyramids and to the Holy Land

Day 1: ARRIVAL ATHENS.  Upon arrival at Athens international airport, you will be met by our representative and board motor coach to the city of Athens and check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. [D]

Day 2: ATHENS SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, board the motor coach on to enjoy a fascinating tour. Your sightseeing includes an overview of the modern part of town, blending in harmony with its glorious past. Drive by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Syntagma Square; the Panathenea Stadium (site of the first Olympic Games in 1896). Continue to The Academy, the University, the National Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Emperor Hadrian’s Arch and the crowning beauty and glory that were Athens- the Acropolis with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylae, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens. After some free time in the picturesque district of Plaka- beneath the Acropolis, transfer back to the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure, presenting a good opportunity to explore the city at your own pace. Dinner at the hotel and overnight. [B,D]

Day 3: DELPHI After breakfast, enjoy a drive through the fertile plains of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes, Livadia and Arachova, and reach Delphi, situated in a landscape of unparalleled beauty. This is the site of the famed Oracle, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of ancient Greece. The visit to the extensive grounds includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, and the famed Treasury of the Athenians. In the outstanding archaeological Museum see such masterpieces as the bronze statue of the Charioteer and that of the famous athlete Aghias. Brief visit to a local store to shop for souvenirs, then lunch. Late afternoon drive back to the hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight. [B,L,D]

Day 4: ATHENS (Optional One-Day Cruise)
Either free day to explore the city at your own pace and do some shopping (hotel rooms are at disposal till late in the evening),
Or take advantage of the Optional One-Day Cruise in the Saronic Gulf, visiting the lovely islands of Hydra–Poros-Aegina. Cruise ship sails out of Piraeus by 8 a.m. and returns by 7:30 p.m. Included: Lunch and Greek folkloric show.
In the evening enjoy Dinner at a selected restaurant with local specialities, and around midnight, transfer to the Athens airport for check-in to your flight to Cairo. [B,D] or [B,L,D]

Day 5: CAIRO Arrival and sightseeing in the afternoon
Very early morning flight to Cairo. On arrival, you will be met with our representative who will assist you in quickly obtaining the entry visa and whisk you through Customs. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. By noontime, meet with your guide and drive to the plateau of Giza, site of the many Pyramids built for the mighty Pharaohs and their families, including the magnificent Great Pyramids of Cheops, and Khephren and Mykerinos. Nearby stands the awesome statue of the Sphinx. In addition to spending time to view these magnificent structures and learn all about them, you will have the chance to optionally enter (fees paid on the spot) the Chephren Pyramid, and the nearby „Solar Boat‟ Museum.
Before driving back to the hotel, you will have the opportunity to indulge in shopping at selected stores with good value for the money. Dinner at the hotel. [B,D]

Day 6: CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Early morning drive to the ancient capital of Memphis with its large statues, followed by a visit to the very impressive Step Pyramids at Sakkara, built quite earlier than the Giza Pyramids. On to „Old Cairo‟ to visit the Citadel with its huge and beautifully decorated Mohamed Ali Mosque. After Lunch at a selected restaurant, short drive to the outstanding Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, containing priceless treasures such as a wealth of statues, artefacts, sarcophaguses, paintings, clothing, and ornaments, all indicative of the great Ancient Egyptian civilization. In a separate chamber, the „Mummies Room‟ (a separate fee applies), one gets the chance to see the preserved remains of great pharaohs, high priests and other important figures. In the evening enjoy your special Dinner and a great Egyptian folkloric Show, aboard a beautifully decorated Nile Cruiser sailing along the banks of the mighty Nile! Return to the hotel for by midnight. [B,L,D]

Day 7: CAIRO – SINAI - ST. CATHERINE’S
Early departure and on to the city of Suez, where, via the tunnel, cross the famous Canal into the Sinai and a south-bound drive along its shores. After a stop for Lunch, continue through the rugged mountains and plains to reach the St. Catherine‟s area. This is the site of the famous Greek-Orthodox Monastery, nested in the foothill of Mt. Sinai. This sacred mountain is the biblical site of the Burning Bush, where God had delivered the 10 Commandments to Moses, as well as the site where the Sinaiticus Codex was found. Check in at the hotel in the vicinity for Dinner and overnight. [B,L,D]

Day 8: ST. CATHERINE’S►ISRAEL; MASADA– EIN GEDI– DEAD SEA– QUMRAN- JERICHO
Early breakfast, drive to the Taba border and cross into ISRAEL, where you will meet your local guide and board the local coach. North-bound drive to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against the Romans, to see the fortifications and castle. Then drive to Ein Gedi for some free time by the Dead Sea shores, where one literally „floats‟ in its waters! [The Dead Sea is 422 meters (1385 ft) below sea level, and its shores are the lowest point on the surface of Earth on dry land]. Continue to Qumran to see the Caves where the famed Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Later drive to the hotel in Jericho for Dinner and overnight. Jericho is by the Biblical „Mount of Temptations‟. [B,D]

Day 9: JERICHO – BEIT SHE’AN - TIBERIAS
Morning visit to the town‟s archaeological site. Jericho is the oldest city known to man. Almost 20 layers of civilization have been unearthed and future excavations will surely discover a wealth of fascinating findings. Time permitting, one can ascend to the Mt. of Temptations by cable car (extra cost), to view the spectacular scenery and have some personal time for meditation. Depart Jericho for a north-bound drive along the Jordan River and the border with Jordan, to reach Beit She’an with its rich history dating from the 5th millennium B.C. Through the centuries, many local and foreign powers had occupied this strategic location. Visit the grounds to see the impressive remains built by the Romans, such as the theatre and baths. Later drive by the southern shores of the Sea Of Galilee and reach your hotel in Tiberias for Dinner and overnight. [B,D]

Day 10: SEA OF GALILEE – NOF GINOSAR – CAPERNAUM – TABGHA – TIBERIAS
Short drive to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a relaxing boat ride in its holy waters. Reach Nof Ginosar where you will visit the museum of the local kibbutz, to see the over 2000 years-old boat (also known as the “Jesus boat”), which belonged to traditional fishermen. Then drive to visit Capernaum home of apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as of Mathew- the „tax collector‟. See the house of St. Peter, the remnants of the Roman settlement, and the ancient Synagogue where Jesus taught during the Sabbath days. On to visit Tabgha, site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. See the large Monastery and the Church of the Multiplication with its wonderful mosaic of fish and bread on its floor. Nearby is the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. This area is traditionally considered to be the place where Jesus appeared the third time after his resurrection. Later return to the hotel in Tiberias for Dinner and overnight. [B,D]

Day 11: MOUNT CARMEL – NAZARETH – CAESAREA MARITIMA – JERUSALEM
Morning departure from the hotel in Tiberias and an enjoyable south-bound drive to visit Mt. Carmel. The mountain and its surrounding area are associated with the story of Prophet Elijah. It is here that the Carmelite order was founded and have built a monastery. It is also a sacred place for the Bahai faith. From atop the mountain, a rewarding scenic view of the lush valleys awaits the visitor. Later, drive by Druze villages and reach the holy city of Nazareth to see the Church of the Annunciation and Mary‟s Well. Depart from Nazareth heading towards the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea and reach the vast Roman site of Caesarea Maritima with its fortifications, the amphitheatre, remains of palaces and the port. You will also see the aqueducts, an ancient technological marvel, which carried water from a very long distance to supply the city with water. Late afternoon drive to the holy city of Jerusalem and check-in at the hotel for Dinner and overnight. [B,D]

Day 12: JERUSALEM SIGHTSEEING Today‟s visits include the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic view of the city, the Garden Tomb, (Gordon‟s Calvary & Garden), the Church of the Ascention, walk down the Palm Sunday Road, the Garden of Gesthemane, the Old City to see the Western Wall („Wailing Wall‟), walk along Via Dolorossa and the “14 Stations of the Cross” , the St. Peter in Galicantu Church, the Pool of Bethesda, and St. Anne’s Church. At the Old City, there will be some time for shopping. Return to the hotel for Dinner and overnight. [B,D]

Day 13: BETHLEHEM & JERUSALEM SIGHTSEEING Start the day with a visit to Bethlehem, to see the Church of The Nativity, the oldest continuously operating church in the world, built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ. It is administered jointly by Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic authorities. The „Grotto of the Nativity‟, an underground cave beneath the basilica, enshrines the marked spot where it is said that Jesus was born. Later drive to Jerusalem in order to visit the Israel Museum where the famed Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed, and where you will see the „Model of Jerusalem’- a miniature structure portraying the city‟s ancient lay-out. On to visit Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum), built in commemoration of the millions of Jewish people murdered by the Nazis during World War II. After some free time for walking around and shopping, transfer to the hotel for Dinner and overnight. [B,D]

Day 14: TEL AVIV - DEPARTURE
Very early wake up and drive to the Tel Aviv airport in time for your flight back home. [B]

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