HERMES TOURS: WONDERS OF ISRAEL & JORDAN

March 10-20, 2010

No matter what your beliefs, Israel and Jordan are essential. Christian, Judean, and Islamic histories live large here, precisely the appeal to curious travellers seeking inspiration. Our Hermes small group conducts our own Holy Land pilgrimage, visiting the most revered sites of Jerusalem, and the rock-carved city of Petra.  In the midst of our adventure, we stop on Dead Sea shores to “take the waters” at a luxury resort and sample Tel Aviv’s gay night life.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Tel Aviv & Jaffa Tour, including Tel Aviv’s bohemian and gay districts
• Masada & Qumran Tour, including Dead Sea Scrolls
• Jerusalem Tour, including Mount Zion, Jewish Quarter, Roman Cardo, Herodian Quarter, Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Mount of Olives
• King’s Way Tour, including Madaba, Mt. Nebo, and Wadi Mujib
• Petra Tour, including treasury, Royal Tombs, and burial chambers
• Amman Panorama Tour
• Free time to luxuriate at our Dead Sea Resort
• Accommodations for 10 nights in 4- and 5-star hotels
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• Entrance fees to all sites visited
• All gratuities to local guides and drivers
• $100 per person savings if you reserve 5 months before departure!

Tel Aviv: Prima Hotel, Tel Aviv (seaview rooms) In the heart of the city that never rests the Prima Tel Aviv hotel combines business amenities with relaxing atmosphere, one block from the lively seaside promenade and popular commercial districts. This intimate and affordable hotel offers 60 lovely rooms, complete with on-premises secretarial services, internet access in the Hotel's lobby , ample meeting rooms and more. Prima Tel Aviv… The spirit of the White City

Galilee: HaGoshrim guesthouse, deluxe rooms. HaGoshrim Kibbutz and Resort Hotel - on the site of Emir Fa'ur 's ruined winter palace: the Emir controlled the northern Hula Valley in the days of the Ottoman Empire. The hotel lies in the center of the valley, facing the Golan Heights and the snows of Mount Hermon. Its unique combination of ancient and modern architecture blend together in pleasant harmony and the pastoral landscape, splendid views and crystal-clear air promise an ideal holiday-site - both for those seeking tranquility and relaxation, and for those wishing to enjoy a wider range of activities.

Jerusalem: Prima Kings Royale 4 stars: Situated on a quiet street in Jerusalem's Talbieh residential neighborhood, the Prima Royale is no ordinary hotel; it is a haven. It was created to reflect the unique spirit of Jerusalem with its magnificent atmosphere, art, literature, and religious heritage. Prima Royale provides a "private hideaway" for business, leisure and arts travelers who want to relax in a club-like atmosphere.

Dead Sea: Movenpick Resort Dead Sea 5 stars The resort is located on a tranquil spot at the lowest point on earth where the soothing, therapeutic benefits of the surroundings give you a most relaxing and revitalising experience. Style is of oriental flair with an impressive collection of antiques and artwork. It consists of 340 rooms and suites and several culinary outlets.

Petra: Crowne Plaza Guesthouse 4+ stars: Set against a breathtaking view of the Petra Mountains, Crowne Plaza is the only real choice for your visit to discover 9000 years of history.

Besides the unique view provided from the hotel's patio of the dramatic Petra Mountains, the Crowne Plaza is only steps away from the visitor's entrance to the siq and the old city with its world famous archaeological sites.

Amman:Landmark Hotel

Included:
Services of professional gay tour guide throughout the trip. Accommodations as listed, rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. Transfers to/from airports. All meals as per itinerary, Transportation in luxury air-conditioned mini coach. Tips and gratuities to local drivers and guides. Entrance fees to all sites on itinerary.

Not Included:
Round-trip air transportation to Tel Aviv and returning from Amman; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes and any other expenses of a personal nature. Usual tips to Hermes Tours escort. Departure tax from Amman Airport ($10 apprx).

Flights:
This tour will start in Tel Aviv (TLV) and end in Amman (AMM). Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance with booking flights.

Visas:
American & Canadian passport holders are DO NOT require visas to enter Israel for tourism purposes.
Israel Embassy in the US: Click Here .
Israel Embassy in Canada: Click Here

Visas ARE REQUIRED for both American and Canadian travelers for travel to Jordan. The current visa cost is $15. Please contact us about Jordan visas as we will attempt to secure a "group" visa. This is subject to change should the government change the rules and regulations.

Departure Tax:
There is currently a departure tax from the Amman airport that is approximately $10 USD.

Shots and Immunizations:
There are no shots that are required for travel to Israel & Jordan but Hermes Tours does recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date.

Currency and Money Issues:
It is very easy to withdraw money from ATMs located throughout the country as well as to use your Visa or MasterCard. The American Express card is less widely accepted. Travelers checks are also accepted however can carry a heavy commission fee. We recommend to travelers to bring only a small amount of cash and/or travelers checks and to rather use their ATM and credit cards while traveling.

Making a reservation with a deposit will be considered to be consent to the following conditions:
Hermes Tours reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 8 participants.

Hermes Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure. Travel cancellation insurance would cover these costs should the tour be cancelled.

Hermes Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.

Arrival in Tel Aviv today.  Upon your arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.  Meet your fellow travellers at this evening’s Hermes welcome dinner.  Overnight Prima Tel Aviv.

Out magazine named Tel Aviv the “gay capital of the Middle East.” You’ll get a taste of why as we tour Tel Aviv today, stopping to visit the bohemian and gay districts. We’ll also visit Jaffa, believed to be one of the oldest port cities in the world. This afternoon we have free time to explore on our own, perhaps lingering in a café. 
Remember...The weekend in Israel in Friday and Saturday....so tonight is a big night to go out in Tel Aviv.  We'll of course supply you with a list of places that might interest you.  (Restaurants, bars, dancing, parties, etc)
Overnight:  Prima Tel Aviv

Depart for the port city of Caesarea. Herod built Caesarea into the grandest city other then Jerusalem over the course of 12 years and renamed this city “Caesarea” in honor of the emperor. This is also the site where the Romans tortured and executed Rabbi Akiva following the Bar Kochba revolt in 135 CE. Today the amphitheater is not only a spectacular relic of the past, but a modern performing venue for concerts. A short drive takes you to the Druze Villages of the Galilee. Drive through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, site of Armageddon, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. Climb down the majestic water source and explore this site that Michener used for his inspiration for his book, The Source. Proceed via Nazareth to Tsipori, site of a recently excavated synagogue and mosaic floor, not to mention home of the Mona Lisa of the Galilee. Time permitting visit Nazareth.  Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee and surrounding lands from Mount Arbel.
Overnight:  Galilee – HaGoshrim guesthouse.

We begin the day visiting the sites at the Sea of Galilee.  On Capernaum, home town of St. Peter where ruins of a majestic synagogue were found.  From here proceed to Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of Loaves and Bread and Feeding of the Multitudes. Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the capital of the Galilee, Tiberias. Proceed south to the amazing excavations of Beit Shean. After extensive excavations, one of the best preserved Roman-Byzantine cities was discovered and a very large amphitheater with mosaic floors can be seen.  From here we drive just a few minutes to Kibbutz Beit Alpha, where an amazing mosaic floor of a synagogue was discovered in 1929, when members of Kibbutz Beit Alpha dug irrigation channels for their fields. We now proceed south along the banks of the Jordan River to Jerusalem. 
Check into your hotel
Overnight:  Jerusalem Prima Royale hotel

Begin the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial museum to the victims of the Holocaust. 
We then proceed to explore the city that is home to 3 great religions. Drive up to the Mount of Olives for an overview of the city.  Our appreciation of the Old City of Jerusalem begins as we enter through the gates of the city at the Jaffa Gate.  While admiring the amazing architecture of the city walls, we can pay our respects in front of the two almost forgotten tombs on your left- those of the architects of the Old City Walls killed by the Ottoman Sultan Suliman the Magnificent in 1538 (as they were the only people that knew all of the "secrets of the wall")

Walk past the Citadel of David through the Armenian Quarter and into the Jewish Quarter. Visit the Western Wall (or Wailing) and the Southern Wall excavations.  On to the Broad Wall and the Cardo, the shopping street of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Enjoy the view of the Dome of the Rock (Islam’s 3rd holiest site).  Walk through the Rabbinical Tunnel (pending confirmation) to the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter.  No visit to the Old City would be complete without testing your negotiating skills in the marketplace.

Leave the Old City of Jerusalem through the Dung Gate and return to your hotel.
Overnight:  Jerusalem Prima Royale hotel

An exciting day awaits you as we leave Jerusalem, driving through the Judean desert towards the shores of the Dead Sea.  Drive via Mount Scopus, passing by the campus of Hebrew University. Proceed through the new underground tunnel through the Judean desert eastwards until you reach the shores of the Sea.  Pass the caves of Qumran, where back in 1948 a Bedouin boy herding his sheep discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls.  From here we continue to Massada, the last stronghold in the zealots battle again the Roman Empire. Ascend to the top via the new cable car. After a tour of this mountaintop fortress, we proceed to the King Hussein / Allenby Bridge, where we cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Following the border formalities, it’s only a short drive to our hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea
Overnight: Movenpick Dead Sea, Jordan

Enjoy the magic of the Dead Sea’s healing waters today and relax at our resort.  Your tour includes entry to the Spa.  Relax and enjoy your day.  Overnight: Movenpick Dead Sea, Jordan

After a free morning to enjoy our resort, we head south along the King’s Way, an ancient route that still has marks left from traders, armies and pilgrims who followed it centuries ago. We stop in Madaba, also known as the “City of Mosaics” for the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land that rests in St. George’s Church. We continue to Mt. Nebo, where Moses is thought to be buried, and into Wadi Mujib, a deep valley of breathtaking views. Overnight Crowne Plaza Guesthouse.

Petra is shrouded in mystery. This rock-carved metropolis has been called “a rose-red city half as old as time.” We begin our visit in the most dramatic way: with a walk through the Siq, a long narrow fissure between two overhanging cliffs. We’ll also see its spectacular treasury, Royal Tombs, burial chambers and high places of sacrifice. Its mysteries run deeper at night, as you might discover during our optional return trip here this evening. Overnight Crowne Plaza Guesthouse.

Upon arrival in Amman, we enjoy a tour of the capital city’s ancient and modern sites with our Panorama tour. This afternoon, explore on your own. Then, we begin our special Hermes farewell evening. Overnight The Landmark Hotel.

Our tour ends today. You will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.  You may wish to consider joining us on our tour to Egypt as we visit ancient temples of pharaohs and cruise the Nile.