Compare Holy Land Discovery with Jordan - Faith-Based Travel - Catholic Itinerary by Cosmos vs Jordan & Israel in 12 days - Hashemite Kingdom & Holy Land Highlights - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1: ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Welcome to Israel! Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 2: TEL AVIV–JAFFA–CAESAREA–MEGIDDO–NAZARETH

Enjoy a full day exploring some of the Holy Land’s ancient biblical and modern sights. Begin by driving to the old port of Jaffa, an atmospheric town, where Jonah set sail before he was swallowed by the whale. Continue to Caesarea, an ancient port turned incredible archaeological area. Built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BC, the city was one of the most splendid in ancient Palestine and its capital for more than 600 years. Admire what remains of Herod’s grandiose building works, including the restored 3,500-seat Roman theater, the aqueduct, the harbor, the stadium, and the crumbled moat and towers from the 12th-century Crusader fortress. From here, travel to the archaeological site of Megiddo, an age-old fortified town with 25 layers of ancient findings and one of the most important biblical sites. According to the New Testament, this is where the Battle of Armageddon will take place, the final struggle between good and evil, which will prompt the return of Jesus to defeat the Antichrist and cast Satan into the abyss. Continue to Nazareth to visit St. Joseph Church and the Church of the Annunciation, where the Archangel Gabriel told Mary she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. This evening you may have an opportunity to join a candlelight procession starting from the Church of the Annunciation square.
Today's Distance: 121 mi / 195 km (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 3: NAZARETH. EXCURSION TO BET SHE’AN

Attend one of the early morning Mass services if you wish, then join today’s included excursion. Bet She’an is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of this region and well worth some time to wander around. Ongoing excavations at this UNESCO World Heritage site reveal time-worn colonnade-style streets, bathhouses, and a theater with perfect acoustics.
Today's Distance: 48 mi / 77 km (Breakfast)

Day 4: NAZARETH. EXCURSION TO MAGDALA–SEA OF GALILEE–TABGHA–CAPERNAUM–MOUNT OF BEATITUDES–CANA

Today, celebrate [M] Mass in Magdala, home to Mary Magdalene, then skirt the Sea of Galilee, and enjoy its scenic beauty. Continue to Tabgha and visit the church commemorating the miracle of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves. On to Capernaum, home to the Apostles Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew, and to Jesus himself. Here, you’ll see its ancient synagogue and the house of St. Peter. Spend some time in the gardens on the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered his famous sermon, and meditate its significance. On the way back to Nazareth, stop in Cana, site of the wedding miracle.
Today's Distance: 91 mi / 147 km (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 5: NAZARETH–BETHLEHEM–JERUSALEM

Enjoy a spectacular drive through the Jordan Valley. Stop at the Qasr El Yahud baptismal site where, according to tradition, Jesus was baptized by St. John the Baptist. Continue to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus and King David. Visit one of Christianity’s holiest places, the Church of the Nativity, built over the cave thought to be the spot where Jesus was born. Here, you will have time to pray and attend [M] Mass if you like. Reach the holy city of Jerusalem in the late afternoon.
Today's Distance: 119 mi / 192 km (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 6: JERUSALEM

A day of reflection awaits as you set off on a walking tour of Jerusalem’s Old Town. From the Mount of Olives, take in memorable views over the city’s domes, walls, and rooftops before strolling in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed on the night before his arrest. Your guide will then lead you into the Jewish quarter, pointing out the Western Wall with its prayer notes tucked between the stones, and the Dome of the Rock, the gold-topped mosque on Temple Mount. Walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross), following in Jesus’ footsteps as he bore the cross to Calvary for his crucifixion and burial, where the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre now stands. Later this afternoon, attend [M] Mass, if you like. (Breakfast)

Day 7: JERUSALEM. OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO MASADA & THE DEAD SEA

Today is free to relax, explore Jerusalem at leisure, revisit some of the most significant places of worship, or join an exciting optional excursion to the Dead Sea, the planet’s lowest point on dry land. Travel through the mountainous Judean Desert and pass the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Ride the cable car up to the magnificent Fortress of Masada, perched high on a clifftop plateau above the Dead Sea, where 960 Jewish rebels made their last stand against Roman forces in 73 AD. Later, head for the shores of the Dead Sea, where you’ll have some time to experience the incredible buoyancy in the salt water. Toward the end of the afternoon, return to Jerusalem. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 8: JERUSALEM, ISRAEL–PETRA, JORDAN

Drive to Allenby Bridge and cross the border into Jordan. Arrive at Bethany Beyond the Jordan. Stop at Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land and where he is believed to be buried. Next, travel to ancient Madaba, the “City of Mosaics.” See the spectacular Byzantine mosaics and the precious 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, and visit St. George Church.
Today's Distance: 174 mi / 280 km (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 9: PETRA–AMMAN

This morning, visit the archaeological site of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of the World®. Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you walk down the siq, the narrow gorge made famous in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and stand in awe in front of the iconic Treasury. This afternoon, travel north to Amman for two overnight stays.
Today's Distance: 155 mi / 250 km. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 10: AMMAN. EXCURSION TO JERASH, AJLOUN & ANJARA

Begin your day with a stop in Jerash, which was inhabited as early as 3200 BC. Although the city was impacted by the earthquake of 749 ADinner, it is the site of the best-preserved Greco-Roman ruins in the Middle East. Travel through beautiful pine forests and olive groves before arriving in Ajloun. This town’s most important feature is a Moorish castle that dominates a wide stretch of the northern Jordan Valley. Next on the agenda is the biblical city of Anjara, where Jesus, his disciples, and the Virgin Mary stopped and rested in a cave as they traveled between Jerusalem and Galilee. Today, the cave is a holy place for pilgrims.
Today's Distance: 155 mi / 250 km (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 11: AMMAN

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the cultural treasures of Jordan? Arrive at your US departure airport to board a flight to Amman.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Amman

Touch down in Amman and transfer to your hotel.* Amman is the modern capital of Jordan but possesses dozens of ancient historical sites, set into the hillside in northern Jordan. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Alternatively, if you arrive early in the day, why not take an optional city tour to get to know the most emblematic sights in the city? ** Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.**** Possibility of booking early check-in in the next step of the booking process.*Optional Amman City Tour with Dinner: Explore Amman this afternoon, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom founded 7000 years ago. See the city's most emblematic sights including Amman Citadel, Hercules Temple, the Byzantine Church and the Ummayad Palace and pay a visit to the fascinating Amman Archaeological Museum. Head downtown to see the incredible Roman Amphitheatre and the old markets before exploring the newer part of the city. End the tour with an authentic Jordanian dinner at a local restaurant. *** Please note: If you arrive at the hotel after 9:00 p.m, dinner will not be included. Instead, you will have the option to reserve a cold packed dinner for an additional charge in the next step of the booking process.

Day 3: Amman - Jerash - Ajloun Castle - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a brief city tour of Amman. See both the new and old parts of the city on a panoramic bus ride. Afterwards, continue to Jerash, known as the 'Pompeii of the East'. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this amazing Greco-Roman city is the best-preserved example of Roman-era ruins in Jordan. See the impressive Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Roman Theatre, among other highlights, as you explore this amazing archaeological site. Next, continue to Ajloun Castle, built by Saladin in the 12th-century. One of the most amazing castles in the Middle East, here you can soak up the fabulous views of the Dead Sea from its hilltop vantage point. Return to Amman and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 4: Amman - Desert Castles - Dead Sea - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Head east today to discover the Desert Castles of Azraq, Kharanah and Amra. Dating from the early Islamic era, the castles were built as retreats for the Caliphs of the time. Explore these historic fortresses and learn more about the history of 7th-century Jordan. Afterwards, continue to the eternal Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at an amazing 400-meters below sea level! Take in the spectacular views before enjoying some free time to relax, swim and float in the salty waters! The mineral-rich mud is said to be therapeutic so be sure to treat your skin to a little indulgence! Return to Amman after an action-packed day. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 5: Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Shobak Castle - Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Madaba this morning to see the oldest mosaic map in the world, housed within the historic St. George Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Believed to be the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land and later buried, take in the spectacular views of this sacred place. Next, drive to the fascinating Shobak Castle, a Crusader Castle dating back to 1115. At the end of the visit, head to Petra and check in at the hotel. Spend the evening at your leisure, ready to discover the ancient city in the morning! If you can't wait, we recommend an optional Petra by Night excursion!* Dinner and overnight stay in Petra. *Optional Petra By Night Excursion: Savour the opportunity to discover the legendary sights of Petra by night! Walk along the Siq Gorge before arriving at the iconic Treasury to admire its legendary candlelit facade. A spectacular sight!

Day 6: Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend today exploring the famed Nabatean capital with an excursion to Petra! During the visit, discover the most important and representative monuments, sculpted into the rock by this ancient civilization. Admire the Treasury, the famous and most internationally recognised monument, as seen in one of the Indiana Jones films and other highlights, such as the Colored Tombs and the Royal Tombs. Let your imagination run wild as you learn about life here in ancient times. Petra is one of those places in the world that you must visit at least once in your life! A true wonder of the world, enjoy an unforgettable day exploring this bucket-list site. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Petra.

Day 7: Petra - Little Petra - Wadi Rum

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to a lesser-known site named Little Petra, located north of Petra. A narrow gorge of 2 meters wide, this rocky landscape is adorned with typical Nabatean architecture, making this one of the most unique sites in the country. Originally, Little Petra was inhabited by the Nabateans and is home to a number of tombs, water tanks and riverbeds. Next, continue to beautiful Wadi Rum, the desert made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Take a 4x4 excursion across the lunar-like landscape for an unforgettable experience. We recommend an optional Stargazing Excursion to discover the secrets of the night's sky!* Dinner under the stars and overnight at the camp in Wadi Rum. *Optional Wadi Rum Stargazing Experience: Discover the secrets of the night's sky! Head to an area without light pollution and enjoy a 20-minute presentation before viewing the incredible star constellations with the help of telescopes. This excursion is weather dependent.

Day 8: Wadi Rum - Amman

Breakfast at the camp. At the indicated time, return to Amman and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the culture and atmosphere of the Jordanian capital. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 9: Amman - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem

Breakfast at the hotel.* It's time to leave Jordan behind as you head for Israel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Tel Aviv. Touch down in Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world and a place of immense religious importance for three major religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic streets of this ancient city. Overnight stay in Jerusalem. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.

Day 10: Jerusalem

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover Jerusalem's immortal Old City with a tour of the most revered sights. See the Aqsa Mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock before visiting the Western Wall and the area around Temple Mount, prominent sites in both Judaism and Islam. Appreciate the colourful bazaars along the city streets. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross, before reaching the sacred Church of the Holy Sepulchre, thought to be the site of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Spend some time exploring the old city at your leisure. Around every turn, you'll find priceless historic sites. Take the opportunity to soak up the diverse atmosphere or perhaps dine on delicious Israeli cuisine! Overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 11: Jerusalem - Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy some free time this morning to explore at your own pace or take an optional excursion.* Later in the day, transfer to Tel Aviv, on Israel's Mediterranean Coast. Known for its striking Bauhaus architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, visiting Tel Aviv allows visitors to experience the modern face of Israel. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, strolling along the beachfront promenade or diving into the city's rich gastronomic scene. Overnight stay in Tel Aviv. Please note: you will only be able to choose 1 of the optional activities available on this day. * Optional Half-Day Excursion to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem: Discover the birthplace of Jesus Christ as you walk through historic Manger Square to visit the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the country. Explore the Grotto of the Nativity to see the spot where Jesus was born before visiting the nearby Church of Milk Grotto. * Optional Half-Day Dead Sea Excursion: Journey through the Judean desert to visit the Dead Sea. Float, relax and experience the salty waters of this legendary body of water and take the opportunity to cover your skin in mineral-rich Dead Sea mud at Kalia Beach. Stop at a Dead Sea cosmetics shop included. * Optional Jerusalem New City Tour: Visit the cultural sights of the newer part of Jerusalem city. Explore the Israeli Museum, home of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and visit the neighborhood of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, to discover the historic Church of Saint John.

Day 12: Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure, with the option to take an exciting tour of historic Jaffa and Tel Aviv!* Alternatively, explore the city at your own pace, perhaps enjoying the delicious flavours of Carmel Food Market or visiting Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Overnight stay in Tel Aviv. * Optional Tour of Tel Aviv Jaffa: Enjoy the freedom of two wheels as you discover Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Begin in Jaffa, riding along the coastal promenade to see the home of former Israeli Prime Minister, Ben Gurion. See Rabin Square and Rothschild Avenue before visiting the Hall of Independence. Return to Jaffa, through the charming streets of Neve Tzedek to end the tour. Duration: 2 hours.

Day 13: Tel Aviv - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* It's time to bring your journey through Jordan and Israel to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch your own flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.