Compare Abrahamic Peace Tour by Mejdi Tours vs Jordan & Israel in 12 days - Hashemite Kingdom & Holy Land Highlights - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1: Arrival , July 30, 2018 (No Guides, No Bus)

Accommodation: Tel Aviv

Transfer to your hotel on your own, check-in, and enjoy some time to relax. This evening, meet with your fellow travelers for a welcome meeting.

Day 2: Tel Aviv/Yafo, July 31, 2018 (2 Guides)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Tel Aviv

Meet your MEJDI guides this morning and have a brief facilitated discussion (tools for dialogue, respectful discussion) Meet with the MIFALOT –Education Through Soccer at the Community Center Enjoy a guided tour of the Old City and then lunch on your own in Jaffa.  This afternoon meet with representatives of the Arab Jewish Community Center in Jaffa and learn about their efforts to bring people together in this diverse city. Stop by Rabin Square to discuss his life and legacy. Free time in Tel Aviv

Day 3: Galilee, August 1, 2018 (1 Guide)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Tiberias

Drive up to the Galilee.  Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee before exploring the ancient town of Capernaum, home of Peter and site of Jesus’ ministry.  Enjoy a hilltop prayer in the gardens at the Mount of Beatitudes, and then visit Tzippori to see the synagogue mosaics.  End the day with a dinner of Saint Peter’s fish overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and some time for enjoying the evening breezes and nightlife along the pier.

Day 4: Nazareth, August 2, 2018 (1 guide- Palestinian)

Meals: Breakfast and Light snacks

Accommodation: Jerusalem

This morning take a tour of Nazareth including the White Mosque, the Church of the Annunciation and Nazareth Village.  Meet with representatives of Tsofen, an Arab-Jewish organization promoting the integration of Israel's Arab Citizens into its hi-tech industry. This afternoon, enjoy coffee and light snacks with representatives of the Nazareth Peace Center - Lights of Peace Society run by Sufi spiritual leaders, who are reaching out to the whole community with programs ofdialogue within Islam & dialogue with other faith and community groups Head south to Jerusalem.  Along the way, stop at the Jordan River and visit Jesus’ site of baptism. Check-in to your hotel.

Day 5: Ramallah, August 3, 2018 (1 guide- Palestinian)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Jerusalem

Meet with reps from ALLMEP, a network of around 90 organizations that conduct civil society work in conflict transformation, development, coexistence and cooperative activities on the ground in the Middle East among Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs, and Jews.  Have lunch on your own in Ramallah Visit the Mahmoud Darwish Museum. Enjoy Shabbat Dinner with a local Jewish family

Day 6: Dead Sea/Masada, August 4, 2018 (1 guide- Israeli)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jerusalem

This morning meet with representatives of EcoPeace Middle East, a unique organization that brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists with the primary objective of promoting cooperative efforts to protect our shared environmental heritage.  Visit Masada, an ancient fortification in the Judaean Desert. Meet with Kids 4 Peace, an interfaith youth movement. Free time in Jerusalem

Day 7: Jerusalem “Three Religions in One Kilometer”, August 5, 2018 (2 guides)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jerusalem

Begin your day at the Mt. of Olives for an overview of the city.  Take an alternative tour of the Old City’s Jewish, Christian, and Muslim holy sites with two guides, one Arab and one Jewish. Visit the hotly contested Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount, to see the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque and then explore the Muslim Quarter. Next, visit the Western Wall and Jewish Quarter. Continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to learn about its history and challenging sectarian conflicts. Enjoy lunch on your own in the Old City. This evening enjoy coffee and dessert with representatives of One Voice Palestine & One Voice Israel, an international grassroots movement that amplifies the voices of mainstream Israeli’s and Palestinian’s.

Day 8: Jerusalem, August 6, 2018 (1 guide-Israeli)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Jerusalem

At Yad Vashem, Israel’s moving memorial to the Holocaust, meet with a Holocaust survivor for a personal glimpse into one of history’s darkest moments. Members of Knesset (Israeli Parliament) This afternoon meet with Combatants for Peace, a group of Palestinians and Israelis who have taken an active part in the cycle of violence in the region and now hope to stop the cycle of violence together.  Visit to Mahane Yehuda

Dinner at the hotel

At dinner this evening meet with representatives from the Parents Circle Families Forum, a joint Palestinian Israeli organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost a close family member as a result of the prolonged conflict.

Day 9: Bethlehem, August 7, 2018 (1 guide- Palestinian)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Jerusalem

Meet with members of a local NGO in Bethlehem, a unique network of local Palestinians and Israelis who have come to see each other as partners.  Enjoy a simple lunch at the Tent of Nations, an organization that is building bridges between people, and between people and the land.  This afternoon visit the Hope Flowers School, which teaches non-violence, citizenship, social and community skills to children aged 5-14. MEJDI facilitated discussion. Enjoy dinner with a local Palestinian Family

Day 10: Tel Aviv, August 8th (2 guides)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Tel Aviv

At breakfast this morning meet with representatives of the Abrahamic Reunion,  Travel to Neve Shalom Wahat al Salaam for a discussion about alternative communities and WAS-NS as a case study as well as a tour.  Enjoy free time in Tel Aviv (don’t miss Nachlat Binyamin, the open arts and crafts fair!) Farewell dinner and discussion

Day 11: Thursday, August 9th (no guides, no bus) Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the Airport on your own for you flight home.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the cultural treasures of Jordan? Arrive at your US departure airport to board a flight to Amman.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Amman

Touch down in Amman and transfer to your hotel.* Amman is the modern capital of Jordan but possesses dozens of ancient historical sites, set into the hillside in northern Jordan. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Alternatively, if you arrive early in the day, why not take an optional city tour to get to know the most emblematic sights in the city? ** Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.**** Possibility of booking early check-in in the next step of the booking process.*Optional Amman City Tour with Dinner: Explore Amman this afternoon, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom founded 7000 years ago. See the city's most emblematic sights including Amman Citadel, Hercules Temple, the Byzantine Church and the Ummayad Palace and pay a visit to the fascinating Amman Archaeological Museum. Head downtown to see the incredible Roman Amphitheatre and the old markets before exploring the newer part of the city. End the tour with an authentic Jordanian dinner at a local restaurant. *** Please note: If you arrive at the hotel after 9:00 p.m, dinner will not be included. Instead, you will have the option to reserve a cold packed dinner for an additional charge in the next step of the booking process.

Day 3: Amman - Jerash - Ajloun Castle - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a brief city tour of Amman. See both the new and old parts of the city on a panoramic bus ride. Afterwards, continue to Jerash, known as the 'Pompeii of the East'. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this amazing Greco-Roman city is the best-preserved example of Roman-era ruins in Jordan. See the impressive Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Roman Theatre, among other highlights, as you explore this amazing archaeological site. Next, continue to Ajloun Castle, built by Saladin in the 12th-century. One of the most amazing castles in the Middle East, here you can soak up the fabulous views of the Dead Sea from its hilltop vantage point. Return to Amman and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 4: Amman - Desert Castles - Dead Sea - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Head east today to discover the Desert Castles of Azraq, Kharanah and Amra. Dating from the early Islamic era, the castles were built as retreats for the Caliphs of the time. Explore these historic fortresses and learn more about the history of 7th-century Jordan. Afterwards, continue to the eternal Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at an amazing 400-meters below sea level! Take in the spectacular views before enjoying some free time to relax, swim and float in the salty waters! The mineral-rich mud is said to be therapeutic so be sure to treat your skin to a little indulgence! Return to Amman after an action-packed day. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 5: Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Shobak Castle - Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Madaba this morning to see the oldest mosaic map in the world, housed within the historic St. George Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Believed to be the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land and later buried, take in the spectacular views of this sacred place. Next, drive to the fascinating Shobak Castle, a Crusader Castle dating back to 1115. At the end of the visit, head to Petra and check in at the hotel. Spend the evening at your leisure, ready to discover the ancient city in the morning! If you can't wait, we recommend an optional Petra by Night excursion!* Dinner and overnight stay in Petra. *Optional Petra By Night Excursion: Savour the opportunity to discover the legendary sights of Petra by night! Walk along the Siq Gorge before arriving at the iconic Treasury to admire its legendary candlelit facade. A spectacular sight!

Day 6: Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend today exploring the famed Nabatean capital with an excursion to Petra! During the visit, discover the most important and representative monuments, sculpted into the rock by this ancient civilization. Admire the Treasury, the famous and most internationally recognised monument, as seen in one of the Indiana Jones films and other highlights, such as the Colored Tombs and the Royal Tombs. Let your imagination run wild as you learn about life here in ancient times. Petra is one of those places in the world that you must visit at least once in your life! A true wonder of the world, enjoy an unforgettable day exploring this bucket-list site. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Petra.

Day 7: Petra - Little Petra - Wadi Rum

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to a lesser-known site named Little Petra, located north of Petra. A narrow gorge of 2 meters wide, this rocky landscape is adorned with typical Nabatean architecture, making this one of the most unique sites in the country. Originally, Little Petra was inhabited by the Nabateans and is home to a number of tombs, water tanks and riverbeds. Next, continue to beautiful Wadi Rum, the desert made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Take a 4x4 excursion across the lunar-like landscape for an unforgettable experience. We recommend an optional Stargazing Excursion to discover the secrets of the night's sky!* Dinner under the stars and overnight at the camp in Wadi Rum. *Optional Wadi Rum Stargazing Experience: Discover the secrets of the night's sky! Head to an area without light pollution and enjoy a 20-minute presentation before viewing the incredible star constellations with the help of telescopes. This excursion is weather dependent.

Day 8: Wadi Rum - Amman

Breakfast at the camp. At the indicated time, return to Amman and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the culture and atmosphere of the Jordanian capital. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 9: Amman - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem

Breakfast at the hotel.* It's time to leave Jordan behind as you head for Israel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Tel Aviv. Touch down in Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world and a place of immense religious importance for three major religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic streets of this ancient city. Overnight stay in Jerusalem. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.

Day 10: Jerusalem

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover Jerusalem's immortal Old City with a tour of the most revered sights. See the Aqsa Mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock before visiting the Western Wall and the area around Temple Mount, prominent sites in both Judaism and Islam. Appreciate the colourful bazaars along the city streets. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross, before reaching the sacred Church of the Holy Sepulchre, thought to be the site of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Spend some time exploring the old city at your leisure. Around every turn, you'll find priceless historic sites. Take the opportunity to soak up the diverse atmosphere or perhaps dine on delicious Israeli cuisine! Overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Day 11: Jerusalem - Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy some free time this morning to explore at your own pace or take an optional excursion.* Later in the day, transfer to Tel Aviv, on Israel's Mediterranean Coast. Known for its striking Bauhaus architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, visiting Tel Aviv allows visitors to experience the modern face of Israel. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, strolling along the beachfront promenade or diving into the city's rich gastronomic scene. Overnight stay in Tel Aviv. Please note: you will only be able to choose 1 of the optional activities available on this day. * Optional Half-Day Excursion to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem: Discover the birthplace of Jesus Christ as you walk through historic Manger Square to visit the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the country. Explore the Grotto of the Nativity to see the spot where Jesus was born before visiting the nearby Church of Milk Grotto. * Optional Half-Day Dead Sea Excursion: Journey through the Judean desert to visit the Dead Sea. Float, relax and experience the salty waters of this legendary body of water and take the opportunity to cover your skin in mineral-rich Dead Sea mud at Kalia Beach. Stop at a Dead Sea cosmetics shop included. * Optional Jerusalem New City Tour: Visit the cultural sights of the newer part of Jerusalem city. Explore the Israeli Museum, home of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and visit the neighborhood of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, to discover the historic Church of Saint John.

Day 12: Tel Aviv

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure, with the option to take an exciting tour of historic Jaffa and Tel Aviv!* Alternatively, explore the city at your own pace, perhaps enjoying the delicious flavours of Carmel Food Market or visiting Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Overnight stay in Tel Aviv. * Optional Tour of Tel Aviv Jaffa: Enjoy the freedom of two wheels as you discover Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Begin in Jaffa, riding along the coastal promenade to see the home of former Israeli Prime Minister, Ben Gurion. See Rabin Square and Rothschild Avenue before visiting the Hall of Independence. Return to Jaffa, through the charming streets of Neve Tzedek to end the tour. Duration: 2 hours.

Day 13: Tel Aviv - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* It's time to bring your journey through Jordan and Israel to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch your own flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.