DISCOVER ISRAEL AND JORDAN

Group One: 18 days. March 27 - April 13, 2013
Features Easter in Jerusalem
18 days/16 nights accommodated

Group Two: ISRAEL. 15 days. October 21 - November 2, 2013. Optional extension to Jordan

Group Three: ISRAEL AND JORDAN. 18 Days. December 21 - January 7th 2014
Features Christmas Eve in Bethlehem

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO EGYPT OR TURKEY from any tour - minimum 6 required.

Following completion of my 13th highly successful Middle East tour in April, 2012 I am delighted to offer further opportunities to explore this fascinating area.

The Middle East is the cradle of civilisation and is still in the news daily! 5,000 years of history to absorb with every day a different experience. Experience it for yourself and understand the world we live in as well as the past. History is still being made here.

Escorted by Stephen Greenfield, many times visitor to the Middle East.

Itinerary easter Tour
(Christmas tour will follow a similar itinerary with changed order of sightseeing and will feature Christmas Eve in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.)

Day 1. Wednesday. 27th March, 2013. AUCKLAND - SEOUL
Meet your escort at Auckland airport and depart this morning aboard Korean Airlines flight to Seoul. Arrive early evening and transfer to our hoteL.

Day 2. Thursday. 28th March. SEOUL - TEL AVIV (B)
Tour Seoul, capital of South Korea, this morning before returning to the airport for our flight to Tel Aviv arriving late evening. Transfer to the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem for 5 nights. The hotel is a short walk from the Old City.
PLEASE NOTE: For those who would like more economy we will arrange accommodation at St George Guest house 3 minutes walk from the Olive Tree. Cost reduces by $300

em>Day 3. Friday. 29th March. JERUSALEM. (BD)
This morning visit the Mt of Olives for a panoramic view over the old city and Temple Mount. Walk down the hill to visit the Church of all Nations and spend a few minutes in reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane. We enter the old city through the Lions Gate to explore the old city, walk the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Room of the Last Supper. We also visit the Temple Mount to see the Al Aksa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. Visit the Wailing Wall at the start of Shabbat.

Day 4. Saturday. 30th March. JERUSALEM. (BD)
Visit the Garden Tomb and explore the excavations of Davids City including a walk through Hezekiahs tunnel (thigh deep water) or the Canaanite Tunnel (dry) under the city. We enjoy a guided tour of the Western Wall tunnel under the site of the first temple to see part of the structure of that temple. You will have time to explore the old city at your leisure.

Day 5. Sunday. 31st March. JERUSALEM. (BD)
The morning is free to visit the church of your choice or explore on your own. We recommend the sunrise service at the Garden Tomb. This afternoon we take a sobering visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. See also the exterior of the Knesset and visit the Israel museum to see the model of old Jerusalem and visit the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Day 6. Monday 1st April. JERUSALEM (BD)
Explore the ruins of the Herodium (Herods Palace) then on to ancient Hebron, now famous for its pottery, grapes, and dairy products. Visit the Ibrahimi Mosque over the traditional site of the Cave of Machpelah - burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the Souk before continuing to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. Return to Jerusalem.

Day 7. Tuesday. 2nd April. JERUSALEM - DEAD SEA (BD)
Drive down the road towards Jericho into the Jordan Valley to visit the Qumrun Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue to the oasis of Ein Gedi for a short visit. Continue south to Massada and ascend to this ancient fortress by cable car to explore the ruins. Continue to our resort on the Dead Sea and its your chance to experience floating in the Dead Sea.

Day 8. Wednesday. 3rd April. DEAD SEA - AQABA (BD)
Travel south through the Negev to explore Timna National Park. See King Solomons Pillars and the actual size model of the ancient Tabernacle then continue on to the resort of Eilat for a short tour before crossing into Jordan. Meet our Jordanian guide and driver and stay overnight in Aqaba at the Movenpick Resort

Day 9. Thursday 4th April. AQABA - WADI RUM - PETRA. (BD)
Drive north to Wadi Rum for an exciting jeep ride through the dramatic landscape. Continue north to ancient Petra for 2 nights at the Marriott Hotel.

Day 10. Friday 5th April. PETRA (BD)
This morning tour the amazing ancient city of Petra and you have time to climb to the Monastery if you wish. This afternoon continue your explorations or relax at your resort. (Horses are available for hire to take you into Petra but most people prefer to walk)

Day 11. Saturday. 6th April. PETRA - MT NEBO - AMMAN. (BD)
Drive to Madaba to see the Mosaics in the Church of St George. Continue to Mt Nebo from where Moses viewed the promised land and on to Amman for a short city tour and visit to the Citadel and Roman theatre. Accommodation at the Land Mark Hotel.

Day 12. Sunday. 7th April. AMMAN - JERASH - GALILEE (BD)
Visit Jerash, founded by Alexander the great in 322 BC. Explore the amazingly preserved ruins including the theatre and hippodrome and enjoy the display of chariot races and Roman style warfare. Cross back into Israel near Galilee and drive to Ein Gev kibbutz guest house on the shores of Lake Galilee.

Day 13. Monday. 8th April. GALILEE. (BD)
Today we visit Capernaum. Visit Peters House, the Mt of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Magdala, the 2,000 year old boat at Knof Ginossar and Tiberias, main town in the Galilee region.

Day 14. Tuesday. 9th April. GALILEE. (BD)
Today we take the high road along the Golan Heights for panoramic views over Galilee and Syria, past Kuneitra, and on to Caesarea Philippi (Banias) to see the Springs and explore the beautiful area and return to our kibbutz via Bethsaida. Enjoy a tour of the kibbutz and introduction to kibbutz life.

Day 15. Wednesday 10th April. GALILEE - ACRE - MT CARMEL - NACHSHOLIM (BD)
Drive to Nazareth, the town where Jesus was brought up. Visit the Church of the Annunciation and Israel village presenting life as it was at the time of Jesus. Continue to the ancient Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, and Crusader port and town of Acre to explore the castle and bazaar. Continue to Haifa and visit Mt Carmel for a panoramic view over the Bahai temple and city of Haifa before arriving at Nacsholim Kibbutz guest house on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Day 16. Thursday 11th April. MEGIDDO CAESAREA DEPART (BD)
Drive to Megiddo for a guided tour through the excavations of Tel Megiddo and see across across the Valley of Jezreel and the plains of Megiddo (Armageddon). Continue to Caesarea, an ancient Roman port and one of Herod's masterpieces. See the aqueduct and ampitheatre and continue to Tel Aviv and ancient Joppa for a tour. Dinner at a local restaurant before driving to the airport to depart late evening with Korean Airlines for Seoul.

Day 17. Friday. 12th April. SEOUL TRANSIT
Arrive Seoul mid afternoon and depart early evening non stop for Auckland.

Day 18. Saturday. 13th April. AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrival in Auckland is scheduled for 7am this morning.

Tour cost per person
Share twin: $8,960.... Single room $10,500

EGYPT EXTENSION

Day 16. Thursday 11th April TEL AVIV. (B)
Remain in Tel Aviv tonight.

Day 17. Friday 12th April. TEL AVIV - CAIRO. (B)
Transfer to the airport amd fly to Cairo. Transfer to accommodation at the Safir Hotel near the Nile Corniche and Egyptian museum.

Day 18. Saturday. 13th April. CAIRO. (BD)
Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx including a visit to the museum housing the funerary boat. (As at January 2010 admission to the large pyramid of Cheops was available for approx #$NZ25 and to the small pyramid of Menkaure for approximately $NZ8 additional charge). This afternoon visit the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, the main market, and the Coptic "Hanging church" and museum.

This evening enjoy the Sound and Light show at the Sphinx.

Day 19. Sunday. 14th April. CAIRO. (BD)
Visit Memphis, ancient capital of Egypt, and Sakkara, famous for its step pyramid. This afternoon visit the Egyptian Museum including the treasures of Tutankhamen, the Day 20. Monday. 15th April. CAIRO - ALEXANDRIA (BD)
Drive to Alexandria and tour the city including the museum, Pompeys pillar, Theatre of Kom ed Dikka, and the Citadel. Accommodation in Alexandria.

Day 21. Tuesday. 16th April. ALEXANDRIA - EL ALAMEIN - CAIRO. (BD)
Drive to El Alamein to visit the 2nd world War Museum and cemetary. Return to Cairo for accommodation.

Day 22. Wednesday. 17th April. ANZAC DAY. CAIRO - ASWAN (BD)
Fly to Aswan. Visit the Aswan high Dam, the unfinished obelisk, and a Papyrus Institute before boarding our 5 star Nile cruise boat.

Day 23. Thursday 18th April. ABU SIMBEL (BLD)
Drive to Abu Simbel to visit the amazing monuments and return to Aswan. Sail this afternoon.

Day 24. Friday. 19th April. KOM OMBO AND EDFU. (BLD)
Visit the twin temple of Sobek in Kom Ombo then cruise to Edfu. Visit the Temple of Horus and continue our cruise down the Nile.

Day 25. Saturday. 20th April. LUXOR - CAIRO (BLD)
Arrive Luxor this morning and visit the West Bank including the Valley of the Kings, temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the amazing temples of Luxor and Karnak. Fly back to Cairo tonight.

Day 26. Sunday. 21st April. CAIRO- DEPART (B)
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Seoul.

Day 27. Monday. 22nd April. SEOUL TRANSIT
Arrive Seoul at 7.15am and depart at 4.40pm for Auckland.

Day 28. Tuesday. 23rd April. AUCKLAND ARRIVE.
Arrival in Auckland is scheduled for 7am this morning.

Total tour cost 35 days Israel, Jordan, Egypt..$11,900 share twin, $13,800 single room.

ADD LIBYA - SIWA (Egypt), TOBRUK, APPOLONIA, CYRENE, PTOLEMAIS, BENGHAZI, SABRATHA, TRIPOLI, LEPTUS MAGNA.

Please Note: This option is not available owing to security concerns in Libya - maybe 2013! Day 26. Sunday. CAIRO - SIWA. (BD)
Drive across the desert to the beautiful oasis town of Siwa, still retaining much of its Berber heritage.

Day 27. Monday. SIWA. (BD)
This morning we take a 4WD safari into the towering sand dunes of the Great Sand Sea. This afternoon enjoy the leisurely pace of the Oasis and see the remains of the Temple of Amun and Fortress of Shali.

Day 28. Tuesday. SIWA - TOBRUK. (BD)
Explore Siwa before driving to the Libyan border town of Umsaad. A further 140km brings us to Tobruk.

Day 29. Wednesday. TOBRUK - RAS AL HILAL - ATHRUN - APPOLONIA. (BD)
Tour Tobruk this morning including the WW2 cemetaries and drive along the coastal road towards Al Bayda. Visit the churches in Ras al Hilal and Athrunen en route. Overnight in Appolonia at Shahat Resort.

Day 30. Thursday. CYRENE EXCURSION. (BD)
Appolonia (Marsa Sutra)was founded in the 7th century BC in the Graeco-Roman period as a harbour for Cyrene. During the 5th century Appolonia was the most influential town in Cyrenecia. This morning tour Appolonia, and this afternoon Cyrene.

Day 31. Friday. APPOLONIA - QASR LIBYA - PTOLEMAIS - BENGHAZI. (BD)
Visit the former Bishopric of Qasr Libya then on to Ptolemais founded in the 3rd century BC. Visit the remains of the Basilica and Ampitheatre as well as the museum and triumphal arch. Continue to Benghazi.

Day 32. Saturday. BENGHAZI - SABRATHA. (BD).
Fly to Tripoli this morning and tour Sabratha, founded in the 6th century BC, and famous for its ivory trade. Visit the Roman Theatre and well preserved Mosaics. Accommodation in Tripoli.

Day 33. Sunday. TRIPOLI (BD)
Tripoli, the capital of Libya, started as a Phoenician settlement in the 7th century BC. We tour the city including the National Museum, Mosque of Ahmed Karamalli, and the old town with its lively alleyways and bazaars.

Day 34. Monday. LEPTIS MAGNA (BD)
Our full day excursion to Leptis Magna, (some 90km from Tripoli) will be a major highlight. Visit the theatre, baths, Nymphaeum, port, markets, and museum before returning to Tripoli. Leptis Magna is one of the best preserved Roman cities in a brilliant location on the shores of the Mediterranean. It was founded in the 7th century BC although only came to prominence under Emperor Augustus (27BC-14AD). It quickly became one of the leading ports in Africa.

Day 35. Tuesday TRIPOLI - CAIRO DEPART. (B)
Fly back to Cairo and depart for Seoul. Day 36. Wednesday. SEOUL

Arrive and depart Seoul.

Day 47. Thursday. AUCKLAND ARRIVE.
Arrival at Auckland is scheduled for early this morning.

Total tour cost per person - 40 days
2 per room: $15,900 Single room $18,400

DISCOVER DUBAI, LEBANON, SYRIA, JORDAN, ISRAEL, EGYPT, LIBYA.
Travel Notes

Pre-reading

Please take time to do some pre reading and getting the history into perspective. Once on the road we will be assailed with facts and figures daily and the more we understand before going, the greater the enjoyment and the more we will see how it all fits together. For a basic travel guide Lonely Planet is best (They have a Middle East edition which covers every country we go to). For serious insights into the area we do recommend reading more widely. To obtain the best from Israel some knowledge of the Bible is a great asset. I will be providing basic country and historical outlines but these will be by no means exhaustive.

Climate

Expect temperatures between 15-30 degrees on the April tour which makes spring a comfortable time to travel through the area. Expect some rain and a fold up umbrella is recommended.

Packing

As always those who travel light travel easiest! Clothing is casual throughout with a good 'smart casual' set for evening dinners and some shows.

A good pair of walking shoes are essential as we cannot appreciate the glories of the ancient cities without walking among the history. It is worth packing a swim suit if you want to experience a swim in the Dead Sea. A few hotels have swimming pools but not many.

Please make sure that bags are lockable.

We will be visiting a lot of churches and other holy sites during the tour. They do expect a reasonable standard of conservative dress, e.g. sleeved blouses/dresses for the ladies.

A head scarf is needed for the ladies also in some places.If you wish to climb Mt Sinai a torch is needed. A very limited number are available in the Sinai but if you have a small one that will last for about 3 hours we recommend you take it.

Please note that tea and coffee are not usually included as part of lunches and dinners in the Middle East. A small kit to brew up in the room has been most popular with some people. You need to supply your own tea bags, coffee sachets, and creamer.

Health

Be healthy before you come is the best advice!

We recommend keeping your basic vaccinations up to date for Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio, and Hepatitis A, B, and C. An anti diarrhoea injection is advisable and anti diarrhoea pills are essential.

I will have a general health kit but I suggest you pack your own favourite brands. If you are on any special medication please bring enough for the whole journey. If it may be suspect for customs officials etc please bring a note from your doctor.

Basic health precautions are essential along the way in personal hygiene, not drinking tap water, etc. As we stay at first class hotels throughout we do not usually have a problem.

We recommend taking a supply of antiseptic wet wipes.

Biggest health problems are always encountered in Egypt.

Electricity

Electricity supply is 220 volt in all countries.
Adaptors are necessary. A round 2 pin plug covers all countries except Dubai although some points in Lebanon have a flat 2 pin plug! Dubai uses a 3 pin UK style plug.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is essential. Please check the exclusions. We can arrange this through Mike Henry or you are welcome to arrange your own but we need a copy of the details.

Money

US dollar notes are still best and just exchange what you need in each country. ATM's are available in all major cities except in Syria and Libya - carry enough cash to take you through there.

Dinner and breakfast are paid for each day so you only have to buy lunches, drinking water, tea, coffee, juices, and other beverages with lunches and dinners, and other small items. $NZ100 per person per day would be more than ample for most, you can get by on half that. All the main sightseeing attractions are included however there will be some optional tours and evening shows offered along the way.

Tips

A fact of life. Where meals are included at the hotel you do not need to tip except where drinks are ordered. Taxis, restaurants where you may choose to eat separately, etc all expect to be tipped, usually 10-15% of the bill. On escorted sections of the tour tips to drivers and guides are included in your tour cost and paid by your escort.



SAFETY A very important issue on this tour!!

I presume everyone has read the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advisory on their website www.mfat.govt.nz and has made a conscious and informed decision to come on this tour. If I thought there was a major risk I would not of course be going myself or take others to the area. However it is a volatile area of the world and there is some risk. I will give more advice along the way on such matters as keeping off the public buses and out of night clubs in Israel etc. Rest assured millions of tourists visit these countries each year without harm.

The local governments and tourist industry have a vested interest in keeping us safe as tourism is so important to the economies of the area. I will accept the advice of local guides in individual situations and it may be necessary to make some adjustments to the itinerary along the way if local problems flare up. However you have to make the decision yourself to come - and then relax and enjoy the area! Rest assured I and our agents will do all possible to make sure the tour is trouble free.

Our refund policy in the event the tour has to be cancelled through safety issues is that your tour cost can be transferred without penalty to any other CONNOISSEUR HOLIDAY we operate,or receive a full refund of your tour cost less the $500 non refundable deposit which may be refundable through insurance (check your policy for details)