FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 – ARRIVAL TO TEL AVIV | FREE DAY

Shalom! Welcome to Israel. We will start our journey in the ultra-modern, vibrant city of Tel Aviv, the economic center, and, in many ways, the beating heart of Israel. Arrive at any time, transfer to your hotel and have a free day to explore the city or simply relax. For those of us arriving early in the day, we will plan an optional Tel Aviv city tour.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Metropolitan Hotel Tel Aviv (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Dinner.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 – THE JOURNEY BEGINS! | MASADA | MUSEUM OF BEDOUIN CULTURE | RAMON CRATER | EILAT

We will start our journey by driving all the way to Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel, stopping at several amazing places on the way.

First we will visit the famous historical ancient fortress of Masada. Built by King Herod at around 37 B.C., Masada was the last Jewish stronghold in the Jewish-Roman War in 73 A.D. We will have an amazing view from the top, including our first sight of the Dead Sea. 

From there we will continue to Tel Beersheba Museum of Bedouin Culture, where we will learn about the fascinating Bedouins, the Arab people that have lived in the Arabian deserts for millennia.

We will continue by visiting the breathtaking Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater), the world largest erosion crater. 

We should arrive in Eilat right before dinner. After dinner we can go for a walk by the Red Sea.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Astral Maris Hotel Eilat (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 – EILAT | MT. TZFACHOT | UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY | SNORKELING IN THE RED SEA

Today we have an optional (no cost) special treat for those of us who are ready to wake up early for an unbelievable sunrise hike (moderate intensity) to the top of Mt. Tzfachot, where, in addition to the sunrise and beautiful views, we will be able to see four different countries: Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and even Saudi Arabia!

We will be back at Eilat for breakfast. We will follow it with a visit to the Underwater Observatory, where we will get to see the Red Sea from below the water!

After that, we will get to go and jump in and snorkel in the Red Sea at Coral Beach. Those of us who scuba dive will also have the opportunity to dive, so we can brag that we have officially dived in the Red Sea!

We should be done in the afternoon and will have the rest of the day to relax at the pool at our hotel, or explore Eilat on our own.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Astral Maris Hotel Eilat (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18 – CROSS INTO JORDAN | WADI RUM DESERT | PETRA BY NIGHT

Today we will cross into Jordan and explore Wadi Rum Desert. We will check in and settle in our hotel in the afternoon, and at night we'll attend Petra by Night, a guided excursion of Petra at night, as the city is completely lit by candles!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Petra Moon Hotel (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 – PETRA | WADI RUM | OVERNIGHT AT MEMORIES OF AICHA

Today we'll wake up early to tour Petra for a few hours and get to explore this magnificent place. 

After lunch we'll go on a Jeep exploration of Wadi Rum, where we will see the Lawrence House (where the British General T.E Lawrence, AKA Lawrence of Arabia, lived), surreal rock bridges, and more.

At the end of the day, we will continue into a surreal night as we stay at the totally exclusive and unique Memories Aicha Luxury Camp!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp (Luxury) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 – DEAD SEA | AMMAN

On our last full day in Jordan, we will visit another surreal place: the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth (1,414 ft. below sea level!) and one of the world's saltiest bodies of water. The water in the Dead Sea is so salty that nothing can survive in it, you can float by simply laying on your back, although you must not open your eyes underwater! The water, and the mud of the Dead Sea, however, holds many healing properties, for they are very rich in minerals. We will spend half the day enjoying the Dead Sea and its spas.

In the afternoon, we will head up to Amman, the capital and most important city of Jordan. We'll go on a city tour where we will see the King Abdullah Mosque, the Citadel, Temple of Hercules, Nymphaeum, Rainbow Street, and the bazaar.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Centro Mada Amman (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 – MT. NEBO | JESUS' BAPTISM SITE | MARY'S WELL | SYNAGOGUE CHURCH | OVERNIGHT IN A KIBBUTZ

Today we start our historical Holy Land leg of the trip. And we'll start with a bang!

We will begin by visiting Mt. Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land and died (Deuteronomy 34). 

Then we will head to Al Maghtas, the site where Jesus was baptized.  

We will then cross the border back into Israel and head to Galilee. We will go to Nazareth and visit Mary's Well, the site where the Annunciation took place. We will also visit the Synagogue Church, the church built on the site where the synagogue that Jesus attended stood. According to the Bible, it is also the place where Jesus first revealed himself as the Messiah, and was rejected. 

Late in the afternoon we will check in our hotel located inside a kibbutz.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 – BOAT RIDE ON THE SEA OF GALILEE | JESUS BOAT | CAPERNAUM | TABGHA | MT. OF BEATITUDES | ST. PETER'S FISH LUNCH | MAGDALA | MT. ARBEL

Today we continue our Galilee exploration with a full day of incredible historical sites.

We will begin by going on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. If available (likely), we will sail on a boat that is a replica of the boats used during the time of Jesus. Then we are going to see an actual boat from the time of Jesus. 

From there, we go to Capernaum, one of the villages where Jesus lived, and one of the villages cursed by Jesus for their lack of faith. 

Then we will visit Tabgha, the place where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes (John 21) and Mt. of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount. 

We will take a break for lunch, and have St. Peter's fish, the must-have dish of Galilee. 

After lunch, we will visit Magdala, the city where Mary Magdalene was from, and finish our day with a drive to Mt. Arbel, where we will be able to take a moderate hike to the top of the mountain for the most spectacular view of Galilee.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 – MT. OF OLIVES | PALM SUNDAY PATH | GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE | POOL OF BETHESDA | LION'S GATE | VIA DOLOROSA | ISRAEL MUSEUM | DEAD SEA SCROLLS | TOWER OF DAVID MUSEUM | SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW

Today we have an early start and head out to Jerusalem. We'll start the day by driving to Mt. of Olives. Mt. of Olives is mentioned multiple times in both the Old and New Testament, and it's the starting place of the Palm Sunday Path, the biblical road that Jesus followed when he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We will travel the Palm Sunday Path, passing by several holy sites, including the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Jesus's Agony in the Garden, where he prayed for God to deliver him from his impending suffering, while also accepting God's will. Palm Sunday's Path ends at the old city of Jerusalem. 

We will then visit the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a paralytic man, and head to Lion's Gate, the beginning of the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried his own cross to his crucifixion. We will walk the Via Dolorosa, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 

Today we will also visit the Israel Museum, where we will enter the Shrine of the Book and see the Dead Sea Scrolls.

We will finish the day by going to the Tower of David Museum and experiencing the Sound and Light Show.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 – TEMPLE MOUNT | CITY OF DAVID | HEZEKIAH'S TUNNEL | WESTERN WALL | JEWISH QUARTER | YAD VASHEM HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | CHRISTMAS EVE AT MANGER SQUARE 

We will start the day with a visit to the Temple Mount, a holy site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. We will then continue to the City of David archeological site where we will walk Hezekiah's Tunnel.

After lunch, we will visit the Western Wall, the last remaining outer wall of the ancient Jewish temple, and the most important religious site for the Jewish People. 

We will then visit the Jewish Quarter and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.

Late at night we will head out to Manger Square, where we will witness the Midnight Mass conducted in the Church of the Nativity, which is a church built next door to the Milk Grotto, the exact place where Jesus was born. NOTE: It is very difficult to get tickets to actually enter the church on Christmas Eve, but we are on the waiting list. However, the mass is televised at the Manger Square, so if we don't manage to get in, we will still see the mass from the place where Jesus was born right at midnight of December 25th.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 – CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY AND MILK GROTTO | SHEPHERD'S FIELD | RACHEL'S TOMB | HERODIUM | HEBRON

On Christmas day we are going back to the Church of the Nativity to now enter inside for certain, and also enter the Milk Grotto, the place where Jesus was born. We will also visit Shepherd’s Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. 

We will then visit Rachel's Tomb, burial place of the Biblical matriarch Rachel, Herodium, an archeological site of the palace built by King Herod, and also his burial site, and Hebron, the burial site of Abraham.  

ACCOMMODATIONS: Prima Kings Hotel Jerusalem (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 – ZEDEKIAH'S CAVE | EIN KAREM | ELLAH VALLEY | TRANSFER TO TEL AVIV | FLIGHT TO EGYPT | OVERNIGHT IN CAIRO

This is our last day in Israel, but we still have a few amazing places to see! 

We will start at the fascinating Zedekiah's Cave, a massive quarry built over thousands of years under the city of Jerusalem. We will then proceed to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and the Valley of Elah, where the battle between David and Goliath took place.

After lunch we'll head to Tel Aviv for our 6:00 PM flight to Egypt. 

We'll arrive in Cairo at 7:15 PM and get transferred to our hotel, because tomorrow morning we head down to Aswan for our 4-day Nile River Cruise!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Heliopolis (5-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27 – FLIGHT TO ASWAN | DAY 1 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE | HIGH DAM | PHILAE TEMPLE

After breakfast at our hotel, we will be transferred to Cairo Airport for our flight to Aswan. Once we arrive in Aswan, we will be met and assisted by our tour guide then go on an exciting tour of the world-famous High Dam, an engineering miracle built in the 1960s.

Thereafter, we head to the island of Agilkia to visit the majestic Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis.

Later in the afternoon we will embark on our luxury Nile cruise for the next 4 days, 3 nights.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 – DAY 2 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE| ABU SIMBEL | KOM OMBO | TEMPLE OF HORUS

Early this morning at 4 AM we will go on a trip by private van to the impressive Temples of Ramses II in Abu Simbel (3-hour drive). The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments," which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae (near Aswan). With a qualified Egyptologist as our guide, we will enjoy a personalized visit to the temples of Abu Simbel. Our guide will explain the history behind this magnificent site, including how the temples were discovered by accident in 1813.

We return to our cruise ship and enjoy lunch while sailing to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, we will be escorted by our Egyptology guide to visit the Kom Ombo Temple, built for the god Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility and creator of the world.

We will then return to our ship and set sail towards Edfu. In Edfu we will visit the Temple of Horus, which is considered to be one of the most well-preserved temples in Egypt.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 – DAY 3 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE | VALLEY OF THE KINGS | TEMPLE OF QUEEN HATSHEPSUT | COLOSSI OF MEMNON

After breakfast we will start our magical tour in Thebes, the sacred land. We will start by exploring the west bank of Luxor including Valley of the Kings, which is considered the royal cemetery of the Theban kings and rulers of ancient Egypt, and the place where Pharaohs were buried, including the famous King Tutankhamun. We will proceed to visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, considered one of the most wonderful examples of the Architecture in ancient Egypt, completely carved inside a mountain. At the end we will visit two colossal statues of Memnon (Colossi of Memnon).

We will return to our ship early in the afternoon for lunch and have the rest of the day and evening free to enjoy the pool and other amenities of the ship.

Tonight we will also have an incredible opportunity to see the Sound and Light show at the Temples of Karnak, which highlights the dramatic history of ancient Thebes (optional activity).

ACCOMMODATIONS: Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 –DAY 3 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE | HOT AIR BALLOON OVER LUXOR | KARNAK TEMPLES | LUXOR TEMPLE | FLIGHT TO CAIRO

We will start our last day with a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over Luxor (optional, extra cost). After breakfast, we will be accompanied by our guide to visit the Karnak Temples, the largest place of worship ever built. Its ancient name Ipet-isut means “the most sacred of places.” The temple, or, more correctly, the complex of temples, was built over more than 2,000 years by generation after generation of pharaohs. Within the complex, we will find the great “Hypostyle Hall,” which is an incredible forest of giant pillars. 

After this, we will visit the Luxor Temple, which was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II for rituals and festivals dedicated to the god Amen. 

Later in the afternoon we will then be driven to the Airport for our flight back to Cairo and get transferred to our hotel in Cairo.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 – GIZA PYRAMIDS AND SPHINX | SAKKARA | MEMPHIS | PYRAMIDS SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW | NEW YEAR'S FIREWORKS CELEBRATION AT THE PYRAMIDS

After breakfast at our hotel, we will go on a tour of the Giza Plateau, about 30 minutes from Cairo. Once in Giza, our Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to each of the three pyramids: Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure, the only survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We will have free time to enter the burial chambers of the pyramids (optional).

When we are finished we will have the option to go for a camel ride by the Pyramids!

We will then continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the three pyramids rising from the sands with the Cairo skyline in the background, and, after a short drive to the city side of the plateau, we will find ourselves standing at the feet of The Sphinx, for thousands of years the enigmatic symbol of Egypt.

After our tour of the Giza Pyramids, we will drive to Sakkara, which was built in 2650 B.C., and is home to Egypt's oldest pyramid. Our guide will provide a brief history of the famous Step Pyramid and we will have free time to walk around.

Our final stop is Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here we will see artifacts from many of the great rulers of Egypt, including the fallen statue of Ramses II. After touring Memphis, we will have a chance to visit a Papyrus Institute to see how this famous artwork is made and have the chance to purchase genuine items if we wish.

In the evening we will indulge our senses with the Pyramids Sound and Lights Show, where we will see The Great Pyramids and The Sphinx awash in a colorful light and sound show, as we hear the stories of the kings who built them. We will then have dinner and come back to the Pyramids for the most memorable New Year's Eve of our lives, where we will see an incredible fireworks show with the Pyramids in the background! 

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

NOTE: THE FIREWORKS SHOW IS ONLY CONFIRMED CLOSER TO THE DATE. IN THE EVENT OF THEM NOT HAVING IT THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE CELEBRATION, LIKELY AT A ROOFTOP OVERLOOKING THE PYRAMIDS.

MONDAY, JANUARY 1 – CAIRO CITY TOUR | GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM | COPTIC CAIRO | BEN EZRA SYNAGOGUE | CITADEL OF SALAH EL DIN | KHAN EL KHALILI BAZAAR

Today we will do a Cairo city tour, which will include the new Grand Egypt Museum, the largest archeological museum in the world, which is set to open in late 2023. On January 1, 2024, we will be one of the first people in the world to see the greatest archeological museum of all times!!! The museum will house over 100,000 Egyptian artifacts, including the entire treasure of King Tutankhamen and his magnificent mask.

We will continue to the ancient sites and culture of Coptic Christians where we will learn about Christian life in Egypt, visit Abu Serga, where the Holy travel companions sought refuge, and Ben Ezra, one of the oldest synagogues in Cairo.

We will then visit the Citadel of Salah el Din and the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque, and finish the day at Khan el Khalili Bazaar.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star) or similar.

MEALS: Breakfast.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2- FREE DAY AND DEPARTURE

After 19 of the most fascinating days and the most incredible Holiday Season of our lives, it is now time to go home. We will have a free day in Cairo if we would like to explore it more until departure. Check out at the hotel is at 12:00 PM.

ACCOMMODATIONS: N/A

MEALS: Breakfast.