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Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great — and later, Mark Antony and Cleopatra — with a visit to the great port city he founded in 331 BC. Often called the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” both its coastal and cultural climate set it apart from the Egyptian destinations you’ve visited thus far. And thanks to its storied past, Alexandria boasts a wealth of cultural and historic sites — many of which you’ll tour during your sojourn here. Explore its rich past as a center of learning at the celebrated Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Discover the mysterious underground world of its ancient Greco-Roman catacombs. You’ll also enjoy visits to the Alexandria National Museum, Roman Amphitheatre, and Pompey’s Pillar.
Panoramic tour of Alexandria
Upon arrival in the celebrated city of Alexander the Great, have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you’ll visit the world-renowned Bibliotheca Alexandrina — a discus-shaped, contemporary library, cultural center, and museum complex built to reincarnate what was once among the ancient world’s most important libraries. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a panoramic city tour showcasing its highlights. Your evening is at leisure and dinner is on your own. Included Features:
Included meals:
Alexandria’s ancient architectural marvels
This morning, visit the ancient Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, an extensive underground burial site from the Greco-Roman era that’s considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. According to legend, the great archaeological site was discovered in 1900 when a donkey working the farmland above fell into one of the shafts. You’ll also visit Alexandria’s tallest monument — Pompey’s Pillar. Constructed from a single block of red granite from Aswan, this massive Romanesque column is the largest of its kind ever found outside of ancient Rome and Constantinople. Then, explore the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, splendidly set on the Mediterranean Sea. Following lunch at a local dining establishment, your tour continues at the Roman Amphitheatre and National Museum. Your evening is at leisure and dinner is on your own. Included Features:
Return to Cairo
We’ll conclude our explorations of Alexandria with a visit to the Royal Jewelry Museum, home to the vast collections of jewelry and acquired by the royals of Egypt’s Muhammad Ali Dynasty. After, transfer back to Cairo, stopping en route at a local restaurant for lunch. Spend your final evening in Egypt at leisure, and seek out dinner on your own.
Fly home
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Cairo airport for your flight home to the U.S.
Jordan is rich in biblical history, breathtaking natural beauty, and a vibrant culture that has a long tradition of welcoming others with open arms. Begin your journey with this discovery-packed extension and experience firsthand what others have only dreamed of. Visit ancient and UNESCO-listed Petra and journey to Mount Nebo, from where Moses first laid eyes on the Holy Land. Explore the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash, legendary outpost of the Empire. Float on the Dead Sea’s famously buoyant waters and meet a local artisan to learn about the region’s renowned mosaics. And see more of the remarkable “White City” of Amman, a fascinating blend of Roman-era monuments, busy souks, and urban sophistication.
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Fly to Amman
Today you’ll board an overnight flight to Amman, Jordan.
Arrive in Amman
Enjoy an evening at leisure to acclimate before beginning your discoveries on Day 3.
Jerash’s legacies of ancient Rome and floating on the Dead Sea
Enjoy a morning briefing before we check out of our hotel for a city tour of Amman, featuring lunch at a local restaurant. After, we’ll visit the ancient Roman city of Jerash, touring this astonishing site with a knowledgeable guide. Stroll its dramatic colonnaded street, see the expansive Oval Forum, and more before continuing to the Dead Sea, the Earth’s lowest land elevation. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to take a swim. The sea’s high salinity lends it a unique buoyancy and for centuries, locals and visitors have come here to partake of its water’s alleged curative properties. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with dinner at the hotel.
Discover the Dead Sea Museum, then transfer to Petra
Get an introduction to the geology, history, and unique environment of the Dead Sea today with a visit to the Dead Sea Museum. We’ll have lunch on our own after a tour, then transfer by coach to Petra. The afternoon is at leisure, with dinner on your own.
Uncover the Lost City of Petra
After breakfast, we’ll embark on a half-day visit to one of the world’s most magnificent archaeological treasures — awe-inspiring Petra. Dating back to approximately 300 BC, this prehistoric city was carved into the pink sandstone cliffs of Jordan’s southwestern desert by the ancient Nabataean people. As you explore Petra’s Great Temple and tombs, you will listen to some of this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site’s long and intriguing history. Lunch is on your own, followed by an afternoon at leisure.
Visit Madaba and Mount Nebo, then join the base tour
After breakfast, we’ll embark motorcoaches for a drive back to Amman to join Day 2 of the base tour. Along the way, we’ll take in more of Jordan’s inspiring beauty and rich culture. Ascend to the summit of Mount Nebo, from where Moses is said to have first laid eyes on the expanse of the Promised Land. Then, stop in Madaba to view the spectacular Mosaic Map in the Greek Orthodox Basilica of St. George. Some two million colorful tiles were laid out here in the 6th century to represent the Holy Land as it was then.
Back in Amman, we’ll fly to Cairo, where we’ll join Day 2 of the base tour.
