Itinerary

Day 1: USA – LARNACA, CYPRUS

Friday, October 10, 2008

Depart the USA for Larnaca, Cyprus

Day 2: LARNACA – NICOSIA

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Arrive in the Republic of Cyprus. Transfer to Nicosia and check in to our centrally located hotel. Tonight, enjoy a festive welcome dinner. (D)

Accommodation: HOLIDAY INN (view website)

Day 3: KYRENIA

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Cross the border into the Turkish-occupied region to explore the St. Hilarion and Buffavento Castles, then enjoy lunch in the bustling coastal town of Kyrenia. Tour the massive Byzantine-era Kyrenia Castle and view the remains of Cyprus’ oldest shipwreck, circa 300 B.C. Visit an Augustinian abbey in the charming mountain village of Bellapais before crossing the border back to Nicosia. (B,L)

Day 4: NICOSIA – LIMASSOL

Monday, October 13, 2008

View the island’s finest collection of archaeological relics on a tour of the Cyprus Museum. Visit the Famagusta Gate, explore the Byzantine Art Museum and view the Agios Ioannis Church’s colorful frescoes. After lunch, peruse craft shops in the Ottoman-era Büyük Han (Turkish for “Great Inn”) and the Gothic Selimiye Mosque. Journey to Limassol, located on the island’s southern coast and check into our comfortable hotel before dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MEDITERRANEAN BEACH HOTEL, LIMASSOL (view website)

Day 5: TROODOS MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Take a scenic drive north to the mountainous Troodos Massif, with its Byzantine churches, thriving pine forests and traditional way of life. Shop for handicrafts or taste the famous Cypriot “Commandaria” wine in the village of Omodos, then go deep into the mountains to 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 Kakopetria village, visit the Churches of Panagia tis Podythou (“Virgin Mary of Podythou”) and Archangelos (“Michael the Archangel”), both dating to the 16th century. Explore the quaint village of Platres before an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Accommodation: MEDITERRANEAN BEACH HOTEL, LIMASSOL

Day 6: PAPHOS – AKAMAS PENINSULA

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Visit the 13th-century Kolossi Castle and then drive along the coast to the spectacular Neolithic era site Kourion to enjoy views of the stunning Petra tou Romiou (“Rock of the Greeks”). Continue to the lovely coastal town of Paphos for lunch and explore the Hellenistic and Roman Tombs of the Kings and visit the Agios Neophytos Monastery, built deep within the rocky mountainside. If time permits, we journey north to the quiet, unspoiled Akamas Peninsula before returning to Limassol. (B,L)

Accommodation: MEDITERRANEAN BEACH HOTEL, LIMASSOL

Day 7: LIMASSOL – LARNACA – SALAMIS

Thursday, October 16, 2008

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. Lunch is on your own before a tour of the Church of Agios Lazarus, then cross the border again to visit the impressive ancient city-kingdom of Salamis. Afterwards, check into our hotel on Larnaca Bay. Tonight enjoy a festive farewell dinner. (B,D)

Accommodation: GOLDEN BAY HOTEL, LARNACA (view website)

Day 8: LARNACA – USA or AMMAN, JORDAN

Friday, October 17, 2008

Enjoy breakfast and depart for the Larnaca airport for connections back to the USA, or join the extension to Jordan. (B)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO JORDAN:

Fly to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival, check into our hotel, have lunch,and enjoy an afternoon 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 museums, citadel, amphitheater and bustling marketplace (or souk) before dinner on your own. (B,L)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, AMMAN (view website)

Day 9: JERASH – AJLOUN – UMM QAIS

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Today 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. Travel to Umm Qais, where spectacular ruins overlook Tiberias Lake and the Golan Heights. Return to Amman for a specially arranged traditional Jordanian dinner in the home of a local family. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, AMMAN

Day 10: MADABA – MOUNT NEBO – KERAK – PETRA

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Travel south to the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest known map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of the Basilica of Saint George. Enjoy lunch, then continue southward to Mount Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses that overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. The remnants of a4th-century Byzantine monastery lie atop the mountain, where Franciscan monks have built a protective structure as a means of preservation.Next, take a short drive to Kerak via Wadi Al Mujibin the biblical land of Moab, one of the most important defenses guarding the Latin Kingdom. Arrive in Petra and dine together at the hotel this evening. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA RESORT, PETRA (view website)

Day 11: PETRA

Monday, October 20, 2008

Enjoy a full-day tour of Petra, the ancient Nabataean capital city settled by Arab traders more than 2,000 years ago. Guests can walk or take a 1/2-mile horse ride (led by a local Bedouin guide) up to the gorge, the spectacular main entrance to the city. Then, enjoy lunch at the centrally located Basin restaurant, before exploring one of the world’s most incredible antiquities, Al Khazneh (The Treasury), as well as Petra’s soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, colossal Roman theater, burial chambers, banquet halls, water channels and reservoirs, baths, staircases and markets. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA RESORT, PETRA

Day 12: WADI RUM – DEAD SEA – AMMAN

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Travel to the charming village of Wadi Rum,where we will be welcomed with fresh mint tea, then board 4 x 4 jeeps for a thrilling tour of the Rum Nature Reserve. Here, magnificent rock formations and awe-inspiring mountain ranges cast eerie shadows over red and yellow moon-like desert terrain. Interact with local Bedouin guides and behold the land that inspired T.E. Lawrence to write his famous book The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and where movies such as Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. After lunch we travel north for perhaps the highlight of our trip – the opportunity to swim and float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on Earth (towels and showers will be provided). Arrive in Amman for dinner and an evening at leisure. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, AMMAN

Day 13: AMMAN - USA

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

After breakfast, depart for flights to the USA. (B)