Itinerary

Day 1: USA - LARNACA, CYPRUS

Friday, June 05, 2009

Depart the USA for Larnaca, Cyprus. Several European cities such as London, Frankfurt, Athens, and Rome offer direct flights to Cyprus.

Day 2: LARNACA – NICOSIA

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Arrive in the Republic of Cyprus. Transfer to Nicosia and check in to our hotel, located within the old Venetian city walls. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

Accommodation: HOLIDAY INN CITY CENTER (view website)

Day 3: KYRENIA

Sunday, June 07, 2009

View the island’s finest collection of archaeological relics on a tour of the Cyprus Museum. Cross the border into the Turkish-occupied region to explore St. Hilarion Castle. Enjoy lunch in Kyrenia and visit the Augustinian abbey of Bellapais. Afterwards, tour the massive Byzantine-era Kyrenia Castle and view the remains of Cyprus’ oldest shipwreck, circa 300 B.C. Return to Nicosia and tonight, enjoy one of the many restaurants in the old part of town on your own. (B,L)

Accommodation: HOLIDAY INN CITY CENTER, NICOSIA

Day 4: NICOSIA – LIMASSOL

Monday, June 08, 2009

This morning, see the colorful frescoes at Agios Ioannis Church and visit the Byzantine Art Museum with its stunning collection of Byzantine icons. After lunch, walk down bustling Ledra Street to the Turkish side of town and see the Ottoman-era Büyük Han (Turkish for “Great Inn”) and the Gothic Selimiye Mosque. Then, travel to Limassol on the island’s southern coast and check into our comfortable resort hotel where sea-view rooms have been reserved. Tonight, enjoy dinner together in the hotel. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MEDITERRANEAN BEACH HOTEL, LIMASSOL (view website)

Day 5: TROODOS MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Take a scenic drive north into the mountainous Troodos Massif, with its frescoed Byzantine churches, thriving pine forests and traditional way of life. Shop for handicrafts and taste the famous Cypriot “Commandaria” wine in the village of Omodos, then visit the 11th-century Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (“Saint Nicholas of the Roof”), home to some of the most impressive frescoes on the island. After a lunch of Cypriot specialties in the village of Kakopetria village, we visit two more of the famous 'painted churches' before returning to Limassol. The evening is at your leisure, a perfect chance for a relaxing sunset stroll along the sea shore and a leisurely dinner in town. (B,L)

Accommodation: MEDITERRANEAN BEACH HOTEL, LIMASSOL

Day 6: PAPHOS

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Drive along the coast to Kourion and enjoy views of the famous Petra tou Romiou (“Rock of the Greeks”) from which Aphrodite allegedly sprung. Continue to the Archaeological Park of Paphos and visit its Roman villas with wonderfully preserved mosaics. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the picturesque harbor. Then, explore the Hellenistic and Roman Tombs of the Kings and visit Agios Neophytos Monastery, before returning to Limassol. (B,L)

Accommodation: MEDITERRANEAN BEACH HOTEL, LIMASSOL

Day 7: LIMASSOL – LARNACA – SALAMIS

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Today drive eastward to the Neolithic-era site Khirokitia, one of Cyprus’ earliest human settlements, dating to 6800 B.C. Shop for homemade lace in the village of Lefkara before arriving in Larnaca to tour the Pierides Archaeological Museum and the Church of Agios Lazarus. Lunch is on your own. This afternoon, visit the impressive ancient city-kingdom of Salamis. Afterwards, check into our hotel on Larnaca Bay. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Accommodation: GOLDEN BAY HOTEL, LARNACA (view website)

Day 8: LARNACA – USA or AMMAN, JORDAN

Friday, June 12, 2009

Transfer to the Larnaca airport for flights back to the USA, or join the extension to Jordan. (B)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO JORDAN:

Fly to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival, drive to the Dead Sea for a swim and lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a tour of Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom, often referred to as the “White City” due to the prolific use of white stone in local architecture. Visit the citadel and the Roman theater. Tonight, enjoy a specially arranged traditional dinner in the home of a local family. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, AMMAN (view website)

Day 9: JERASH – AJLOUN

Saturday, June 13, 2009

This morning, visit the city of Jerash, part of the Decapolis (the ten largest settlements in the eastern Roman empire) and the best-preserved example of Roman occupation in the area. Commonly called the “Pompeii of the East,” the city features theaters, churches, temples, a nymphaeum and colonnaded streets. After lunch, proceed to the 12th-century Saracen castle at Ajloun, built by Saladin in his campaign to drive the Crusaders from Jordan in 1189, and an outstanding example of Arab-Islamic military architecture. Return to Amman for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, AMMAN

Day 10: MOUNT NEBO – MADABA – KERAK – PETRA

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Travel south to Mount Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses that overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Next, we visit Madaba, where the oldest known map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of the Basilica of Saint George. Enjoy lunch and visit the vast Crusader fortress of Kerak, a massive structure with a commanding view over the surrounding landscape. Almost 1,000 years old, the ruined castle conjured up visions of the fierce battles fought by the Christian Crusaders against the great Muslim leader, Saladin. Continue to Petra and check in to our hotel, the closest hotel to the entrance. Tonight, enjoy a cooking class and festive dinner at Petra Kitchen, where we will learn how to make Jordanian specialties under the guidance of a chef. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA RESORT, PETRA (view website)

Day 11: PETRA

Monday, June 15, 2009

Enjoy a full-day tour of Petra, the ancient Nabataean capital city settled by Arab traders more than 2,000 years ago. Walk or take a 1/2-mile horse ride (led by a local Bedouin guide) up to the narrow canyon or 'siq', the spectacular main entrance to the city. Explore one of the world’s most incredible antiquities, Al Khazneh (The Treasury), as well as Petra’s elaborate royal tombs, Roman theater, colonnaded streets, water channels, and staircases. Enjoy lunch at Basin Restaurant before making your way back to the hotel and a refreshing swim in the pool against the backdrop of Petra's famous red rocks. Dinner is at the hotel tonight. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA RESORT, PETRA

Day 12: WADI RUM – AMMAN

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Famous as the haunt of the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, Wadi Rum, with its vast sandstone outcrops, is surely one of the natural wonders of the world. An exciting drive across the sands in four-wheel-drive vehicles brings us in the heart of the valley. Enjoy mint tea in a bedouin tent and gaze in awe at the magnificent rock formations and sand dunes. After lunch, drive back to Amman and enjoy a final dinner together. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, AMMAN

Day 13: AMMAN - USA

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Transfer to the Amman airport for flights back to the USA, (B)