18 Days Ancient and Modern Middle East

About the destination: Cairo, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East, is the capital of Egypt. Cairo has been a centre of great importance to many civilisations, cultures and religions. From Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Ottoman and European, and passing by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic, each of its identities has left a strong imprint on Cairo, thus making it one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The Giza Plateau, that includes the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, is the only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the country's most famous tourist attraction. The sheer mass of the pyramids is awe inspiring. Islamic Cairo, the centre of historic Cairo, is best done on foot. Located east of downtown, it is full of charming little mosques and water fountains. The most important sites to visit are the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili, the main bazaar, some historic mosques and displays of medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths or Hammams. No visit to Cairo is complete without seeing the Egyptian Museum. Exotic atmosphere, chaotic traffic, thousands of minarets, noise, charming people, Cairo is a fascinating city. Few cities in the world surpass Cairo in number of monuments or architectural styles. Cairo is not an ordinary city, Cairo is a whole world.

About the destination: Amman, considered by some the cultural capital of the Middle East, is the capital of Jordan. Situated on a hilly area between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley, Amman today is a modern and cosmopolitan city full of ultra-modern buildings, hotels, smart restaurants, art galleries and boutiques but you can see evidence of the city’s extensive past everywhere. The heart of all the town is the Citadel with Romans and Ammonites ruins. From the top of the Citadel you can see a wonderful landscape over the hills of the city. Whilst the city we see may not be very old, on the hill of the Citadel there is evidence of the ancient history of the city that was Greek Philadelphia. There is an interesting Archaeological museum worth visiting. Nearby, there is the Roman theatre and some museums with interesting displays of mosaics, jewelry and costume. A walk around the city brings you to mosques and a surprising variety of churches, souks and shops. Amman is a busy city where the modern and the traditional coexist side by side. Moreover, Amman is the perfect starting point if you want to visit all the area around this town. From Amman is very easy to reach Jerash, Ajlun, Pella, the Dead Sea and the Desert Castles.

About the destination: The Dead Sea known in Hebrew as Yam Ha-Melakh (the Sea of Salt) is the lowest point on earth, surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert. The shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest point on the surface of the earth, and the saline water of the lake give lead to the name ‘Dead Sea’ because no fish can survive in the salty waters. The other result of the salty water of the Dead Sea is their renowned health and healing properties and the unique feature that one can float naturally in them.

About the destination: Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel and it’s a holy city to the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Jerusalem is located in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Despite all the troubles surrounding the city, the city presents a harmonious whole you feel that the weight of the spiritual environs descends on your shoulders as soon as you enter the city. The Old City and its Walls form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city is home to holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and is filled with sites of massive religious significance and a bustling approach to life. The three main sights inside the Old City are the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Supulchre and the Temple Mount area which includes the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa mosque. Via Dolorosa is the most popular street inside the Old City, especially among the Christian pilgrims since this was the path that Jesus Christ walked on the way to his crucifixion. There are 14 Stations of the Cross along the way .The 14th Station of the Cross and the final and most important location in Christianity is located in the Center of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Modern Jerusalem, where most of the hotels and restaurants are located, is built around the Old City. Jerusalem is the holiest of Holy Cities and offers so much to see and explore. The city is a fascinating blend of tradition, religion and modern life. It manages to feel totally exotic and mysterious, and yet completely familiar and welcoming.

About the destination: Tel Aviv, located on the Mediterranean coast, is the second largest city in Israel. Tel Aviv is Israel’s center of entertainment and it has everything you need, wonderful beaches, luxury restaurants and small trendy cafes, interesting architecture, theaters, museums, shops and lots of great clubs and bars. Roaming Old City of Jaffa and the beautiful parks and gardens around it, is probably one of the more authentic things there is to do in this city. The Old City of Jaffa is near the Jaffa Port, claimed to be the oldest port in the world. Today there are restaurants, galleries and shops and street festivals in this picturesque port. One of the major landmarks of Tel Aviv is the rise of the Old City of Jaffa with the spire of St Peter's Church. The promenade from the northern beaches to the walls of Machmoudia Mosque runs along the shoreline and it is one of the must-do of any time in Tel Aviv. Whatever the weather and whatever the time of the day, with the Mediterranean on one side, this is a superb walk. If cosmopolitan life, interesting cafes and restaurants, hip clubs, beautiful beaches and stunning deserts are your thing, then Tel Aviv is definitely your place.

About the destination: Dubai is the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is a hive of activity and a cosmopolitan and modern city. The city of Dubai is split by a creek, with Deira on one side and Bur Dubai, the historical district, on the other. The luxury beach hotels are situated on the outskirts of the busy city center, in the area of Jumeirah. Dubai already exhibits some stunning architecture and it has the only 7-star hotel in the world, the highest building in the world, amazing beaches and luxury shopping centers. The Bastakiya Quarter, in the core of Dubai’s Old Town, is still traditional and evocative of Dubai’s past. Here you’ll find traditional Emirati houses, bustling souks, museums, galleries, and the only remaining piece of the old Dubai city wall. Another major attraction in Dubai is the Jumeirah Mosque, that although outside the Old Town, it is a wonderful example of traditional Islamic architecture. Dubai is forward-looking city in constant development yet it has managed to retain its traditions and culture. So it's fair to say that Dubai is one of the most exciting places in the world.