16 Days | 15 Nights
TÜRKIYE AND JERUSALEM THE MOON AND STAR - 16 DAYS
Would you like to discover the wonders of two ancient civilizations? With this 16-day trip to Turkey and Israel, you will be able to visit some of the most iconic places in the world, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, the pink city of Petra, the Dead Sea, and the holy city of Jerusalem.
The wonders of the Middle East.
On this journey, you will be able to explore the treasures of history, culture and religion. You will visit the impressive pyramids of Giza, the ancient temples and tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the pink city of Petra, the Dead Sea and the holy city of Jerusalem.
Reception and transfer to the hotel.
Night accommodation in Istanbul.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day off. Possibility of taking an optional excursion “Pearls of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus”, to contemplate the spectacular panorama of the ancient Walls of Constantinople and the Roman Aqueduct. We will also visit the old Jewish Quarter in Balat and the Greek Quarter in Fener and contemplate the magnificent views of the “Golden Horn”. Visit of the Cathedral of Saint George, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Spice Bazaar, a place with special charm for its color and aromas, the place par excellence to purchase teas, herbs, nuts, typical sweets and of course spices and we will end with a tour through the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, we will appreciate the wonderful views of the Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas and the bridges that connect both sides of this city. Accommodation.
Overnight in Cairo. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day off. Possibility of taking the optional excursion “Jewels of Constantinople” to enter the historic center of the city, where you can observe the variety of vestiges of the different empires that shaped the current Istanbul, the imposing Topkapi Palace, residence of the sultans and main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia with its majestic Byzantine architecture and mix of Christian and Islamic religious elements, the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque with its more than 20,000 ceramic tiles, the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets and ancient ones in the world and in which haggling is a tradition. Back to the hotel. Accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early departure to Ankara to visit the capital of Turkey and the Mausoleum of the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, we will contemplate the Salt Lake where we will stop for photographs in this spectacular place and then we will visit a Caravanserai, a lodging from the time of the Silk Road. Arrival, dinner and accommodation.
Early in the morning, the possibility of taking an optional “Balloon Ride” to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Breakfast. Today we will visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and original landscape, formed by volcanic lava more than 3 million years ago. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved from volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Visit the impressive valleys of the region with their “otherworldly” landscapes. We also appreciated the views of the symbols of the geological formations of the region, the famous “Fairy Chimneys”. We will make a stop to enjoy the incredible and extensive panoramic view of the Valley of the Pigeons, which owes its name to the numerous pigeons housed in the rocks, since in Cappadocia these animals have long been a source of food and fertilizer. We will visit an underground city in Cappadocia, one of many impressive engineering works built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks throughout history. At the end of our tour, we will visit a carpet center and a center for precious stones and jewelry with exclusive designs from the region. Dinner and accommodation.
Breakfast. Departure to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder, a giant waterfall, stalactites and natural pools. Dinner and accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit of Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in Asia Minor from the 1st and 2nd centuries that maintains treasures such as the Roman Theater, the Library of Celsus and Marble Street. We will visit the last house of the mother of Jesus, and today it is a place of pilgrimage. Ephesus, one of the largest open-air archaeological museums in the world, located in the western part of Asia Minor, Anatolia region, near the Aegean Sea, is one of the cities that houses the most important ruins in Turkey, it is a history thousands of years before Christ. One of the oldest cities in the world, it was built around 1000 BC. C, by the Greeks. The Sanctuary, where the last house of the Virgin Mary is located, is not as ostentatious as St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, it is quite simple, but with an inexplicable energy, a must-see place, Not only for its historical value, but for its surprising and magical spiritual experience, it receives more than 800 thousand pilgrims a year. Among them, Christians, Orthodox Christians and many Muslims, since, in the Quran, Mary is highly respected and cited and called in various ways, as chosen by God, the most notable woman in the world, pure, immaculate and chaste. We will continue with the visit to a store specialized in leather. Dinner and accommodation. We will continue with the visit to a store specialized in leather. Dinner and accommodation. We will continue with the visit to a store specialized in leather. Dinner and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Breakfast at the hotel.
At the indicated time, transfer to Izmir airport (ADB) to take a flight to Tel Aviv (air ticket not included). Arrival at Ben Gurion airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day off. Possibility of taking an optional excursion to Petra. Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for the flight to Eilat. Disembarkation and transfer to the Arava border. After the immigration procedures, meet the guide (in English) and travel to Petra, ancient capital of the Nabataeans since the 11th century BC Visit to monuments carved in Rocha Rosa, such as El Khazne (Tomb of the Nabataean Kings), the obelisks , the tombs, the altar (Al Madbah). Return to the Arava border. After more immigration formalities, transfer to Eilat airport to take the flight back to Tel Aviv. Lodging. (Tour must be booked and paid for in advance (72 hours) upon arrival.)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day with the possibility of taking an optional tour to Masada, cable car ascent, the last fortification of the Jews in their fight against the Romans. Visit to the excavations, Herod's palace and the Synagogue. Panoramic view of the Roman Field and the Dead Sea. If weather permits, we will have free time to swim in the salt waters of the Dead Sea. Accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart the city of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean Sea until you reach Yaffo, the old port of Israel, today an artists' neighborhood. Visit of the Church of San Pedro. Continuation along the coast to Caesarea Maritima, ancient Roman capital, where we will visit its Theater, the Crusader Fortress and the Roman Aqueduct. We will continue our trip to the city of Haifa, we will climb Mount Carmel, where the Grotto of the Prophet Elijah is located and we will contemplate the Bahai Temple and its Persian Gardens, and we will have a panoramic view of the city and the port.
Continuation to Galilee. Dinner and accommodation.
Breakfast. Departure to the Sea of Galilee for an exciting boat trip, as was done in the time of Jesus. We continue towards Magdala, birthplace of Mary Magdalene and where we will see remains of the town and its Synagogue. We continue towards the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Tabgha, place of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes and Capernaum, where the Old Synagogue and House of Saint Peter are located. We continue bordering the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Breakfast. Departure to Yardenit, traditional baptism place in the Jordan River. We will head towards Nazareth via Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle. We continue towards the Mount of the Precipice, where we can have a beautiful view of Nazaré and its surroundings. Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and Joseph's Carpentry. In the afternoon departure to Jerusalem. We continue bordering the oasis of Jericho, where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Mount of Temptation and the Dead Sea. Ascent through the Judean Desert and entry to Jerusalem. Accommodation.
Breakfast. Departure to the Sanctuary of the Book at the Israel Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited, and where the Model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus is located. Visit of the Ein Karen neighborhood where the Church of Saint John the Baptist is located, and visit Yad Vashem, Holocaust Museum and Memorial. In the afternoon visit to Bethlehem, where entering through the Door of Humility to the Church of the Nativity, we will see the Manger Grotto, the 14-pointed Star (Place of the birth of Jesus). We continue for a visit to the Shepherds Field. Return to Jerusalem. Accommodation.
Breakfast. Departure to the Mount of Olives, to appreciate a magnificent view of the city. Finally we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony. We will continue towards the Ancient City, visit the Wailing Wall. Next, we will walk the Via Dolorosa to reach the place of Jesus' crucifixion and the Holy Sepulcher. Visit of Mount Zion where the Tomb of King David, the Cenacle (place of the last supper "The Eucharist" and "Pentecost") and the Abbey of the Dormition-Assumption of Mary are located. Accommodation.
Breakfast. At the indicated time transfer to Ben Gurion airport.
END OF SERVICES.
