In Transit: International overnight flight to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Arrive To: Flight arrival to Ben Gurion Int’l Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Meet your Road Scholar representative and guide and coach transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem. The transfer time from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is approximately 45 minutes.

Afternoon: Check into the hotel followed by orientation to your program.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Prima Kings Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip to the Mount of Olives dotted with churces marking the sites of Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On-site lecture ‘Understanding Jerusalem’s topography and demographics, the Old City.’ Continue to the Old City for a Field Trip and on site lectures ‘Jerusalem in the times of Jesus’. You will also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre while in the Old City. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre marks Golgotha, also called Calvary, the site of the crucifixion.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in the Old City.

Afternoon: Proceed to the Israel Museum for a docent visit. The museum is where the fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited in a special building known as the Shrine of the Book. The distinctive white, domed-shaped ceiling of the building is modeled after the clay jars in which the scrolls were found. The Museum also has a wonderful sculpture garden with masterpieces by Rodin, Henry Moore and others, galleries with works by modern and classical artists, including Rembrandt, Chagall, Picasso and Miró, and archaeological relics dating as far back as the Early Stone Age. Then coach back to the hotel and learn about the current state of affairs in Israel from a leading Israeli scholar to get a local cultural perspective.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Prima Kings Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip to the Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on Mount Moriah, here see a stunning display of mosaics and metallic domes, the complex is the third-holiest Muslim site, after the Ka'ba in Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. Learn about ‘Jerusalem and Islam’ then proceed to the Western Wall. PLEASE NOTE: Entrance inside the Al Aqsa Mosque & the Dome of the Rock has been prohibited since Sep. 2000. Your visit will cover the grounds of the temple enclosure. Modest dress for men and women is required. Men: Shorts must cover the knee, t-shirts are OK. Women: No tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Skirts or pants must cover to the ankles.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Jerusalem.

Afternoon: Field trip to the Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial), on the way to the Memorial, pass by important Government centers. Yad Vashem was established by Israeli Law in 1953 to commemorate the six million Jews and their communities wiped out in the Holocaust. It has the largest and the most comprehensive archive and information repositories on the Holocaust, housing more than 50 million pages of documents and hundreds of thousands of photographs and films. Then coach back to the hotel and Learn about contemporary Palestinian Socitey: its Hopes and Challenges by a leading Arab scholar.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Prima Kings Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Ascend the Fortress of Massada by Cable Car. Walking up to 1 hour continuously with stops in shaded areas. Walking on gravel and uneven grounds but not uphill. Rails available at all sites on the mountain. Descend by Cable Car (visit time approximately 2 hours) Qumran: Walking on uneven ground and gravel for 30 minutes with stops on the way. Rails available. Visit time is approximately 1hr 25 minutes.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Discover the Fortress of Massada, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This magnificent mountain fortress was built by King Herod the Great and later became a refuge for the Zealots who stood the attack of the Roman Legion. Explore the Bathhouses, ritual baths, store houses and the Herodian Villa. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Dead Sea and the mountains of Jordan.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Qumran.

Afternoon: Explore Qumran, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the biblical community of the Essenes. Discover the history of the Dead Sea Scrolls, considered the most extensive set of religious texts outside the Bible. Gain insight into the Second Temple period, the Roman conquests and the Jewish revolts. Later in the afternoon, continue your drive north along the Jordan Valley to Tiberias. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Kibutz hotel Ein Gev

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Field trip to Capernaum. Located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, the ruins of Capernaum were first discovered in 1838 by American explorer Edward Robinson. Numerous archeological excavations have taken place since the 1900’s. Most recently, excavations have uncovered the remains of a synagogue and several residential complexes, one of which is believed to be the home of the Apostle Peter. Discussions focus on Capernaum’s significance to Christianity. Also visit the Mount of Beatitudes, The so-called "Sermon on the Mount" is recorded in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6. Visit Kibbutz Degania. Explore the history of the Kibbutz movement in Israel and learn about the early settlers. Traditionally based on agriculture, the kibbutz is a form of communal living that integrates elements of socialism and Zionism.

Lunch: Lunch at Kibbutz Degania

Afternoon: Then continue to Nazareth and visit the Church of the Annunciation. Believed by many, particularly those of Roman Catholic faith, to be the site where the Archangel Gabriel informed Mary that she would conceive Jesus. The current church is erected upon the site of an earlier Byzantine period church. PLEASE NOTE: the dress code in the Church of the Annunciation is conservative. Men: no hats, shorts must cover the knee Women: No tank tops or sleeveless shirts, Skirts or pants must cover until the ankles.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Kibutz hotel Ein Gev

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Drive along the Jordan Valley to Bethshean to discover its Roman history and heritage. Absorbed into the Roman Empire in the first century BCE, Bethshean contains some of the best preserved Roman ruins in the region. Continue to the Sheikh Hussein Border to cross into Jordan.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Jerash.

Afternoon: Discover Jerash, considered the Pompeii of the Middle East, archaeological excavations have revealed Ancient Jerash to have been a prominent Greco-Roman City destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century CE. During the Crusades, the ruins of Jerash were transformed into military fortifications.Continue to Amman, upon arrival check into hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Evening at leisure.

Lodging: Grand Palace Hotel - Amman

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Coach Departure for a field trip to discover Amman’s dominating Citadel. Here, visit the National Archaeological Museum for an overview of Jordan’s past. Then participate in an onsite lecture: Jordan and its Capital while discovering Amman’s Roman heritage during an excursion to an amphitheater still in use today and the recently restored Odeon. Continue to Madaba, an ancient city which has been inhabited for nearly 3500 years and contains the most impressive surviving work of art from the mid-6th century - a mosaic map of Palestine, located within St. George’s Church, here learn about the Christian heritage in Jordan. Dress Code inside St. George’s Church: Men: no hats inside church Women: conservative, no tank tops or sleeveless shirts, skirts or pants must cover to the ankles.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Madaba.

Afternoon: Excursion to Mt. Nebo. According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Moses was buried by God somewhere on this mountain. Continue to Petra via the Desert Highway, upon arrival check into the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at your hotel in Petra

Lodging: Taybet Zaman Petra

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Spend the morning exploring the monuments and settlements of Petra. The name, Petra, derives from the Latin word, Petrae, meaning rock. Numerous archaeological excavations have taken place since its “discovery” in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Hidden in a great rift valley east of Wadi 'Araba, 80 kilometers south of the Dead Sea, Petra was the principle city of ancient Nabetaea, though subsequently ruled by several other empires including: Roman, Byzantine, and Persian. Note: Horse rides are available during the excursion to Petra and are included in your program cost. The ride is from the entrance of Petra to the entrance of the Sikh. The horse drawn carriages however, are not included. Any participant wishing to make use of these must pay directly at the time. The cost for the use of these carriages is approximately 30 USD. Please coordinate this with your guide.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Petra.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Petra on your own.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Taybet Zaman Petra

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Depart Petra for excursion to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the planet and has a salt concentration eight times that of ocean water.Free time after lunch to swim in the Dead Sea or to explore the area. Please remember to bring your swimsuit if you are planning on swimming in the Dead Sea.

Lunch: Lunch at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel.

Afternoon: Coach to Queen Alia International Airport, flight to Cairo.

Dinner: Dinner snack on board the flight.

Evening: Arrive in Cairo.

Evening: Arrive in Cairo, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Lodging: Mercure Le Sphinx Cairo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Led by your Egyptologist, explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the only true rival to the Great Sphinx when one thinks of ancient Egypt and its architecture. The Valley of Giza-- with its wonderful monuments-- is truly a marvel of architectural prowess. The three largest pyramids located in the valley consist of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt. Then descend the plateau to view the Great Sphinx and marvel at the presence of the guardian of the necropolis. An imaginary creature that shows the strength of the lion and the intelligence of the human, carved out of one big knoll of rock more than 4600 years ago. The Great Sphinx has also been known for a long time under the name “Father of Fear”. A wise man once said: “Everything fears time, yet time fears the Pyramids”.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Led by your Egyptologist, explore the sites around the Ancient Capital of Memphis and Saqqara; the pyramids of Zoser and Teti. The Pyramid of Djoser (Zoser), or step pyramid is an archeological remain in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the city of Memphis. It was built for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his vizier Imhotep, during the 27th century BC. It is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration. The Pyramid of Teti is located in the section of the Pyramid of Teti in the Necropolis of Saqqara. Its original height was about 52.5 m. It was poor in its architectural design, but inside it are some Pyramid Texts, inscribed all around the walls of the Burial Chamber and the inner corridors. This pyramid is the second to contain Pyramid Texts after the Pyramid of King Unas, the last king of the Fifth Dynasty.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure

Lodging: Mercure Le Sphinx Cairo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Boxed breakfast from the hotel.

Morning: Fly to Aswan, upon arrival discover the Aswan High Dam. Completed in 1970 the dam has proven both beneficial and detrimental to Egypt. While the dam’s construction has been integral in generating electricity; erosion, poor silt deposition, and a slew of other environmental problems have developed. Later continue to the unfinished Obelisque & Philae Temple. Then embark the ms Concerto for the start of your Nile cruise.

Lunch: Lunch onboard the cruise

Afternoon: Cruise Orientation followed by some free time. Later in the afternoon get an Introduction to the Temples from Aswan to Luxor: Kom Ombo and Edfu by your Egyptologist.

Dinner: Dinner onboard your cruise

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: ms Concerto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: This moning discover Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples. Dedicated to the Gods: Sobek and Haeroris, Kom Ombo was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty in the Second Century BCE. Several hundred crocodile mummies were uncovered during initial excavations. The Horus Temple at Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God Horus, is one of the largest in Egypt.

Lunch: Lunch onboard

Afternoon: Learn about the Valley of the Kings on board the ship, led by your Egyptologist while sailing towards Luxor. Then have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the ship's amenities.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: ms Concerto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard

Morning: Explore the Sites of the west bank of Luxor - led by your Egyptologist discover the West bank; Valley of the Kings, King Tut Tomb, Hatshepsut and Memnon. Since the end of the eighteenth century, significant archaeological investigation has taken place at the Thebean necropolis. Between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE, a plethora of tombs were constructed for ancient Egypt’s nobility. Recent excavations, under the direction of the Theban Mapping Project, have unearthed additional tombs as well as providing a more meticulous and cautious approach towards excavation.

Lunch: Lunch onboard

Afternoon: Led by your Egyptologist, spend the afternoon exploring Karnak & Luxor temples. The temple of Luxor, known in the Egyptian language as ipet resyt, or “the southern harem”, was built by King Amenhotep III who reigned 1390-53 BC and dedicated it to Amon-Re, king of the gods, his consort Mut, and their son Khons. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples. Then back on the boat, have an informal question and answer session with your Egyptologist about Modern Egypt. Ask about family life, education or any subject you want to know about.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: ms Concerto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Transfer to the Luxor airport for flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, explore the Citadel of Mohamad Ali. The Citadel: Lying at the heart of Cairo, etched into the Mokattam hillside, was intially constructed by Ayyubid ruler, Salah al-Din between 1176 and 1183 CE. While intially built to resist Crusaders, the citadel now houses several mosques and numerous museums, continue to the Hanging Church and the Ben Izra Synagogue. Dress Code inside the Church and Synagogue: Men: no hats inside church Women: conservative, no tank tops or sleeveless shirts, skirts or pants must cover to the ankles.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Cairo

Afternoon: Check into the hotel, then have a lecture about Islam led by a scholar from the US living in Egypt that is trying to brige religions.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Sofitel El Gezirah Cairo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: With an introduction by your Egyptologist explore the Egyptian Museum.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Cairo.

Afternoon: Explore the Khan Al Khalili Bazaar. Dating back to 1382, the market is peppered with trinkets ranging from traditional jewelry and clothes, to imitation western perfumes.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Sofitel El Gezirah Cairo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Transfer to the Cairo International Airport for flights home.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast