Jordan and Turkey in two weeks

Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative who will help you with visa procedures and airport formalities. After completing immigration, you will be transferred to your hotel in Amman for check-in. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the Jordanian capital at your own pace. Overnight in Amman.

After breakfast, you will travel north from Amman to visit the spectacular ruins of Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Walk along its colonnaded streets and discover ancient temples, theaters, and plazas. After exploring Jerash, continue to the hilltop fortress of Ajloun Castle, built during the time of Saladin to defend the region from Crusader attacks. After the visit, return to Amman for overnight.

Today begins with a short city tour of Amman, visiting highlights such as the Citadel and the Roman Theatre. Afterwards, travel to the town of Madaba, famous for its Byzantine mosaics including the historic mosaic map of the Holy Land in St. Georgeu2019s Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, the biblical site where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land. From here the journey continues south along the scenic desert highway to Petra where you will check into your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Petra, the magnificent Nabataean city carved into rose-colored rock and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Walk through the narrow Siq canyon to reach the iconic Treasury, then explore the ancient tombs, temples, and Roman theater. In the afternoon, continue south to the spectacular desert landscape of Wadi Rum where you will experience an exciting jeep tour through the red sand valleys and dramatic rock formations. In the evening, enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality and dinner at your desert camp with overnight under the stars.

After breakfast at the desert camp, depart Wadi Rum and travel north toward the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Upon arrival at your resort, you will have time to relax and experience the unique sensation of floating in the mineral-rich waters or enjoying the therapeutic mud known for its healing properties. Overnight at the Dead Sea.

After breakfast and some leisure time at the resort, you will be transferred to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman for your departure flight to Turkey, where the next part of your journey will begin.

Arrival in Istanbul

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, your private guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the historic city of Istanbul. After check-in, you will have free time in the evening to explore the historic district of Sultanahmet at your own pace, where many of the city's most famous landmarks are located. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide and begin exploring the historic heart of Istanbul. The tour starts with a visit to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, followed by the stunning Blue Mosque. You will continue to the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople where Roman and Byzantine ceremonies once took place. After lunch, the tour continues to the impressive underground Basilica Cistern and the famous Grand Bazaar. In the evening you will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Istanbul. Optional evening activities include a Bosphorus dinner cruise, a Whirling Dervish Ceremony, or a traditional Turkish bath experience.

Today your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to the pier for a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus. During the boat tour you will see famous landmarks along the shoreline including Dolmabahu00e7e Palace, u00c7u0131rau011fan Palace, Maidenu2019s Tower, the Bosphorus bridges, and the historic fortresses of Rumeli Fortress and Anatolian Fortress. After lunch, you will visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace and the colorful Spice Bazaar. At the end of the tour you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir, where your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel to begin exploring the biblical sites of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. The day begins with a visit to the Church of Saint Polycarp and a short tour of the ancient city of Smyrna. After lunch, you will travel to the remarkable ancient port city of Ephesus, where you will walk along the marble streets once used by the apostles Paul and John, visit the grand theater, and explore the remains of Roman houses and temples. Highlights include the famous Temple of Artemis and the historic Basilica of Saint John. After the tour you will return to your hotel in Izmir for overnight.

After breakfast you will depart from Izmir and travel north to Pergamon, the third of the Seven Churches. Here you will explore the spectacular Pergamon Acropolis where the Temple of Zeus once stood. You will also visit the famous Asklepion and the monumental Red Basilica. After lunch, continue to the ancient trading city of Thyatira, associated with Lydia, the purple cloth merchant mentioned in the New Testament. In the evening you will arrive in the area of Sardis where you will check into your hotel and enjoy its thermal baths.

Today you will explore the impressive ruins of Sardis, once famous for its wealth and the Temple of Artemis. You will also visit the remarkably preserved ancient synagogue, one of the largest from antiquity. After lunch, the journey continues to the ancient city of Philadelphia, another of the Seven Churches. Later in the afternoon you will travel to Pamukkale, known for its white limestone terraces and thermal springs. Here you will visit the nearby ancient city of Hierapolis. In the evening you can enjoy the thermal pools at your hotel.

After breakfast you will visit the final church of the Seven Churches, Laodicea, an impressive archaeological site that is still being excavated. Your guide will explain the biblical reference to being u201clukewarm,u201d which originated from this cityu2019s water system. Afterwards, you will travel through the scenic Taurus Mountains toward the remarkable ancient city of Aphrodisias, famous for its marble sculptures and grand stadium. After exploring the ruins, you will continue toward Antalya, Izmir, or take a flight from Denizli back to Istanbul depending on your travel plans.

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your international departure flight, bringing your memorable journey through the biblical and historical sites of Turkey to an end.