Grand Middle East Adventure

Day 1: Istanbul

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your starting hotel. After checking in, please look out for the Peregrine noticeboard in the hotel lobby, which has a list of suggestions for things to see and do in your free time. As today is an arrival day, there is no formal sightseeing planned. Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world, with a history spanning thousands of years. It has been through several incarnations, firstly as Byzantium, then Constantinople and finally Istanbul. The city today is bustling and its streets are crowded with locals busily going about their daily lives. Our hotel is situated in the old town and is mere minutes walk to attractions such as the Grand Bazaar, Spice Markets and Blue Mosque. If you arrive early enough, you can wander and absorb the vibrancy of this exciting city that links Europe and Asia. In the evening there will be a Welcome Meeting (please check noticeboard for exact time) held in the hotel, where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travel companions.

Day 2: Istanbul

Today our guide introduces us to the treasure-trove of the historic old town. We visit the iconic 17th century Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I and a unique piece of architecture because of its six minarets, rather than the usual four found across the rest of the Muslim world. Another striking feature is its 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. The ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are also visited. A free afternoon enables us to explore the famous covered Grand Bazaar or Spice Market, armed with advice from your leader as to how to get the best bargains and become more savvy in the art of haggling! There is everything from clothing to jewellery, sweets and spices on offer in the bustling marketplaces. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 3: Istanbul-Izmir-Ephesus-Selcuk

This morning we transfer to the domestic airport for the short flight to Izmir. From here it is a short drive to Ephesus - one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean and a great example of Roman architecture. Always an important religious centre, Ephesus was founded by Ionian Greeks in the 11th Century BC and flourished under Roman rule. The Greeks replaced the cult of the Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele with Artemis and built a fabulous temple in her honour. With the coming of the Romans, it became the Temple of Diana and was one of the original seven wonders of the ancient world. We visit the vast amphitheatre, walk the marble street once trodden by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and wonderfully restored Library of Celsus. Nearby is the last home of the Virgin Mary, who as legend has it came here accompanied by St John and lived out her days in this beautiful spot. Later in the day we continue on to the town of Selçuk where we spend the night and have a chance to reflect and fully comprehend the history and splendour of our days discoveries. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 4: Selcuk-Troy-Canakkale

This morning after breakfast we begin the drive to Çanakkale, located on the shores of the Dardanelles, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea and touches both Europe (with the Gelibolu Peninsula) and Asia (with the Biga Peninsula). On the way, we visit an important historical site near Canakkale, Troy. Troy was a city that existed over 4.000 years ago and was known as a major ancient civilization. For many years people believed that it was the city mentioned only in the tales and never truly existed, as the area had become known as Ilium, or New Ilium. Archaeological digs subsequently proved that there had been nine separate periods of settlement (3000 BC-AD 400) on what became accepted as the site of ancient Troy. Each successive period of habitation lies on top of its former incarnation. Here we can see the remnants of the ancient city walls in addition to a replica of the famous wooden horse. Historian's are still at odds as to whether or not this fable or indeed the battle itself is stuff of lore or reality. Arriving in Çanakkale where we have the remainder of the day free to wander around this vibrant waterfront town and perhaps view the Trojan horse used and subsequently gifted to the city by the producers of the movie Troy filmed in 2004. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 5: Canakkale-Gallipoli-Damascus

We cross the Dardanelles and to 'Europe,' where we visit the Gallipoli Peninsula - a place of enormous significance to Australians, British and New Zealanders. Located at Turkey's most westerly point this area is now serene, but the role it played in April 1915 during the First World War is now firmly etched on the psyche of the New Zealand and Australian nations. We visit the beach and cemeteries of Anzac Cove, then head up the hill to pay homage at the poignant memorials of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. The latter the highest ground secured in the campaign on the 8th of August, 1915 (by New Zealand and British troops) before being beaten back due to lack of reinforcement. From the Ataturk Memorial at this spot we can view the Allied troops goal - the Dardenelles. We can look down upon the rough and barren hills and gulleys that became the graveyard for so many thousands of young men from both sides. Around this area we can find remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers. After touring the former battlefields we head back to where our adventure began - Istanbul. We will arrive back in Istanbul in the late afternoon or early evening before we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Damascus. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 6: Damascus

Damascus has a long and colourful history and today we have a full day to explore this wonderful city. Once a Persian capital, it fell to Alexander the Great and became an important Greek city and later a keystone of the Byzantine Empire. In the 7th century it fell to the Muslims and then had a chequered history before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire. Today it is a marvellous jumble of architectural styles and you will be captivated by its spell. We visit the superb National Museum, where we see numerous artefacts found at Palmyra, including an underground tomb. We also see the superb 2nd century AD synagogue, with its brightly coloured frescoes. In the west wing, a tiny clay tablet found in Ugarit bears the 30 characters of the Ugarit Alphabet, considered one of the oldest in the world. We then head to the Old City, where we visit the Umayyad Mosque. Built on the site of a Roman temple, it is an adaptation of a Christian cathedral and is considered the fourth most holy Muslim site after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock. For those lucky enough to visit, it is a place of remarkable beauty and calm, a transcendent aesthetic experience. The courtyard is particularly beautiful with its monumental arcades and brightly-coloured mosaics. We then walk through winding streets to the Souk al-Hamidiyya, a grand covered arcade of shops and one of the most evocative places in the Middle East, where traders have sold their wares for hundreds of years. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 7: Damascus-Palmyra

Leaving Damascus we make the 3.5 hour drive to ancient Palmyra. Although its history dates back to the Assyrian Empire, Palmyra's 'Golden Age' was during the first two centuries A.D, first as a Greek city and then as part of the Roman Empire. It was a major link in the ancient Spice Route to India and pack-camels once arrived here laden with spices and perfumes. Agatha Christie described it as 'lovely and fantastic and unbelievable, with all the theatrical implausibility of a dream'. We visit the splendid Temple of Bel, Palmyra's principal deity, often identified with the Roman god, Jupiter, and the Greek god, Zeus. We walk along parts of the ceremonial colonnade (once the main street) and explore the various other places of interest including the Baths of Diocletian and the remains of the agora (marketplace). In the late afternoon we make our way up to the Arab castle that overlooks the site. Palmyra at sunset is at its most atmospheric and, as the sinking sun drains the sky of light, the surrounding landscape is suffused with colour. We then head out to a Bedouin tent, where we enjoy a traditional dinner under the stars (please note that this option may not be available in the colder months, in which case we will dine at our hotel). Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 8: Palmyra-Crak des Chevalier-Aleppo

irst stop this morning is the great crusader castle of Crak des Chevalier. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), having visited some 37 castles in the region, described Krak as simply 'the finest castle in the world' and it is hard to deny this sentiment. Krak rises from the floor of the desert like a fairytale fortress and is one of Syria's premier attractions. It dates back to 1031, but it was the 12th century Crusaders who expanded and extensively remodelled the castle. Somehow, against the odds, it has withstood the test of time and we enjoy a thorough exploration of this ancient garrison. The Great Hall is particularly impressive and we ascend to the southern ramparts for a great view of the surrounding countryside. The loggia, with its Gothic façade, is the castle's most impressive structure and we also visit the chapel that was later converted into a mosque. Heading north, we stop at the pretty town of Hama. Situated on the banks of the Orontes River, the tree-lined streets, peaceful gardens and ancient water wheels make this a very pleasant place to visit. After our visit, we continue to Apamea, known as Pharnake before the conquest of Alexander the Great, and, in its heyday, one of the most beautiful cities in the region. Today, Apamea is celebrated for its magnificent colonnaded street (Cardo Maximus) which runs for about 1.85 kilometres. It is approximately 37 metres wide and was lined on both sides with civic buildings and elegant porticoes. We walk the full length of this splendid street. We also visit one of the 'Dead Cities', an abandoned 1500 year old Byzantine town. Few travellers visit the Dead Cities but they are well worth the stop. We'll most likely visit Serjilla; eerie and fascinating, the condition of the stone houses, tavern and church are remarkable. It feels as though the people left last week, not 1500 years ago. It is a long day, but a superb one and we finally reach Aleppo in the late afternoon. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 9: Aleppo - St Simeon's Monastery - Aleppo

This morning we travel to Qala'at Samaan, or St Simeon's Monastery, where the ascetic Simeon Stylites supposedly spent 40 years sitting on top of a column. We visit the 5th century church, which was built in a burst of brilliant architectural activity commemorating the life of St Simeon. We return to Aleppo where the balance of the day is free to explore the great vaulted bazaars - its major attraction. Here the thick pall of ground spices hangs in the gloomy submarine light and we have ample time to soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful medieval souk. The city is also renowned for its Turkish bathhouses (hamams) and the Hamam Al-Nasri is a fine example, dating back to the 14th century. If you would like to experience a traditional bath, your tour leader will help organise a visit this evening. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 10: Aleppo-Damascus

We have some free time this morning before driving back to Damascus, arriving in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop or further explore the 'Old Quarter'. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 11: Damascus-Jerash-Amman

This morning we head for the Syrian-Jordanian border where we farewell our Syrian Tour Leader. Clearing customs and immigration we are joined by our Jordanian leader and continue down to the old Roman city of Jerash. Jerash is extremely well preserved. Founded in the time of Alexander the Great, it had become a centre of considerable importance by the 3rd century AD. Today it is one of the grandest ancient cities in the world, with an imposing collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. We have ample time to explore the site before continuing on to the Jordanian capital of Amman. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 12: Amman-Madaba-Dana Village-Shobak Castle-Petra

This morning we drive to Madaba, where we visit the Greek Orthodox church of St George that houses a 6th century mosaic map depicting the old city of Jerusalem. This is of particular interest, as it clearly depicts Palestine and Lower Egypt around 550 AD. We continue on to Mount Nebo, where a monastery believed to be the burial place of Moses is located on a hill overlooking the Holy Land. The custodians of this monastery are Franciscan monks and it also contains some of the most impressive mosaics in the world. We then travel to Dana, where we stroll though the ancient village. Recent finds have revealed evidence of Palaeolithic, Egyptian, Edomite, Assyrian, Nabataean and Roman civilisations. We visit workshops where local artisans sell attractive silver jewellery and charms to support their families and their local community. Our final stop before arriving in Petra is the imposing Crusader fort at Shobak. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 13: Petra

For most people the image of Petra is a narrow chasm with glimpses of the famous Treasury in the distance. We are sure to be surprised by the size of this ancient city, built by the Nabataean people. With our guide we explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs. We also climb up to the Monastery for a fine view of the entire site. It is a memorable day and sure to be one of the main highlights of our trip. There is a cafeteria on the site where you can buy a light lunch. In the mid-afternoon we return to our hotel and our tour leader will try hard to persuade us to take a Turkish bath! This is a great experience and Petra is an excellent – and safe - place to try one. The rest of the day is at leisure. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 14: Petra - Wadi Rum - Amman

Leaving Petra behind us we now head for imposing Wadi Rum - a truly beautiful place with towering red sandstone mountains rising from the desert. The area is home to Bedouin tribes who live in scattered camps throughout the area. Wadi Rum is probably best known because of its connection with the enigmatic British officer T.E. Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18. Much of David Lean's movie on his exploits, 'Lawrence of Arabia', was actually filmed in Wadi Rum. We enjoy a fantastic jeep tour into the desert and later we continue our journey returning to Amman in the late afternoon. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 15: Amman-Jerusalem

Today we make an early start for the Jordanian/Israeli border located only 40 kilometres from Amman. After clearing Customs and Immigration formalities you will be met by your guide. Our first stop today is Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, where tradition holds Jesus was born. We continue to nearby Beit Sahour where the angel announced the birth of Christ to the Shepherds, before heading to the extraordinary city of Jerusalem. Our base for the next 3 nights. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 16: Jerusalem

We begin our tour of Jerusalem with a panoramic view of the city before driving via Gethsemane, through one of the ancient gates into the Old City. We'll walk to the old north-south axis known as the 'Cardo' in Roman times. We visit the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchure. The rest of the afternoon is free to further explore this fascinating ancient city. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 17: Jerusalem - Masada - Dead Sea - Jericho - Jerusalem

We drive via Ma'aleh Adumim and the Inn of the Good Samaritan in the Judean Desert on our way to visit Masada, the fortress of King Herod and the last stronghold of the Zealots. Descending to the Dead Sea we then have time to enjoy the Ein Gedi Spa and take a dip in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth (360 metres below sea level). At the end of the day we return to Jerusalem via the ancient town of Jericho. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 18: Jerusalem - Bethlehem - Cairo

An early start sees us visit Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) before we say goodbye to Israel and transfer to Tel Aviv airport for our flight to Cairo. The flying time to Cairo is less than an hour. Our Egyptian Tour Leader will meet us upon arrival in Cairo and transfer us to our hotel. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 19: Cairo

After breakfast at the hotel we head to the Egyptian Museum for a tour of the various key exhibits. Our guide explains the complexity of Egypt's many dynastic periods, starting with the Old Kingdom and ending with the Greco-Roman occupation. This provides us with an excellent background for our visit south to Upper Egypt. Later we drive out to Giza, where we visit the Great Pyramids and the nearby Sphinx. For an additional charge you may be able to go inside one of the pyramids (although occasionally they are closed). Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 20: Cairo - Luxor

This morning after breakfast we transfer to the Cairo domestic airport for the flight to Luxor, a buzzing little city with a great bazaar and situated close to some of ancient Egypt's most important and extraordinary sights. We take horse-drawn carriages to Karnak - one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 200 years. Our guided tour of the temple reveals the complex's finest sections. For the rest of the afternoon and evening we are free to relax, shop in the bazaar (open until quite late) or perhaps experience the atmosphere of a local tea house. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 21: Valley of the Kings - Luxor

We rise early this morning (very much earlier during summer!) and head into the Valley of the Kings, where buried under the arid hills are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. It's a compelling place, vast and spectacular, and discoveries are still being made. Tutankhamun's final resting place is also located here, but entry to this small tomb is quite limited. It is at additional cost, but you will be given some free time when you will have the opportunity to visit it. Our guide explains the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics. We visit three royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Our final stop is at the Colossi of Memnon - giant statues that were once part of an impressive colonnade. We return to board our cruise boat and enjoy lunch on board. There is time to relax on deck or in your cabin before we set sail for Edfu. Departure time may vary, depending on river traffic – please refer to the note regarding cruise schedules in the 'Other Information' section. We pass through Esna Lock, which can sometimes be a slow process depending on the number of vessels waiting to get through, and continue our journey upstream. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 22: Nile Cruise

Morning finds us moored near Edfu, an excellently-preserved temple dedicated to Horus - the falcon-headed god. We disembark and explore the temple as well as experiencing the bustling town centre. Returning to our cruise boat we continue travelling upriver, relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights - desert hills forming a backdrop to lush riverbanks, fishermen casting their nets and farmers working their land. Arriving at Komombo, our short walk around the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god) that lies picturesquely ruined on the river's edge provides an interesting insight into the Greco-Roman period. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 23: Aswan

We arrive in Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city and a place with an easygoing charm that is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. We visit the beautiful Temple of Isis that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island. It is an absolute gem, its decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings - definitely one of the highlights of Upper Egypt. We'll also visit the Aswan High Dam and at sunset we enjoy a sunset sail aboard a felucca - the traditional Nile sailing. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 24: Abu Simbel

The flight this morning to the temple complex at Abu Simbel takes only 45 minutes. The two temples at Abu Simbel are among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an amazing event in itself. When the temples were threatened by the rising waters created by the construction of the High Dam, the Egyptian Government with the support of UNESCO launched a world wide appeal to raise funds to dismantle the two temples and raise them over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff. Here they were reassembled, in the exact same relationship to each other and the sun. With our guide we explore the site and discuss their amazing history. The afternoon is then free to wander through the Nubian bazaar, visit the excellent Nubian Museum or take a stroll along the 'corniche', the promenade that runs alongside the river. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 25: Aswan - Cairo - Coptic Cairo

This morning after breakfast we bid farewell to Aswan and take the return flight to Cairo. On our arrival we transfer to our hotel where we have time to freshen up before delving further into Egypt's history, beginning with the Graeco-Roman period, as we explore the quiet cobblestone streets of Coptic Cairo, reminiscent of Jerusalem's old city. The Coptic Museum houses artefacts from Greaceo-Roman times, and the Hanging Church, which is still in use, was built between the 7th and 9th centuries and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We then visit the beautiful Ibn Tulun Mosque, considered one of the finest examples of 9th century architecture, before walking across to the Gayer-Anderson Museum, housed in two fine old villas (16th and 17th century) that overlook Ibn Tulun. Once owned by an English army officer, the two houses contain a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts, furniture and memorabilia, giving us a great insight into Cairene life during the Ottoman period. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 26: Cairo

Our Grand Middle East Adventure ends after breakfast this morning. Check-out time is usually around 12.00 noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Cairo. Meals included: 1 breakfast