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| Day 1 |
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DEPART US
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Depart the U.S. for Cairo, Egypt.
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| Day 2 |
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ARRIVE CAIRO, EGYPT
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Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where you will be met and accompanied to your deluxe hotel nearby. Conrad Hotel (5-star) |
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| Day 3 |
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EIN EL SOKHNA * EMBARK MS MONET
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Leave after breakfast by private motor coach for Ein El Sokhna, a Red Sea resort community 85 miles southeast of Cairo. This afternoon embark the luxury small ship MS Monet, settle into your cabin, and join fellow guests for the Captain’s Reception and Welcome Dinner. B/D
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| Day 4 |
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MONASTERIES OF ST. ANTHONY & ST. PAUL
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Disembark this morning for a visit to the Monasteries of St. Anthony & St. Paul, among the famed Monasteries of the Arab Desert* that stretch from the Nile to the Red Sea. These two are the oldest monasteries in Egypt, honoring two saints who are considered founders of the monastic way of life. Shortly after St. Anthony’s death in 356, the monastery was founded near the cave where he had lived. It flourished until it was plundered in the 15th century and today is a self-sufficient village with gardens, a mill, a bakery and five churches. Just over a mile from the monastery is St. Anthony’s Cave, offering stunning views of the Red Sea. The Monastery of St. Paul, slightly further west on the mountain Gabal al-Alaa al-Qibliya, built on the site of the cave where St. Paul is said to have lived. Probably founded in the fifth century, the monastery was destroyed several times before its reconstruction in 1701. During your excursion you will make a stop for lunch. Later return to the MS Monet in Ein El Sokhna for dinner and the night. B/L/D
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| Day 5 |
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CRUISE THE RED SEA TO SAFAGA
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Enjoy the Red Sea and the facilities of the Monet as you spend the day cruising toward Safaga. B/L/D |
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| Day 6 |
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OVERNIGHT EXCURSION TO LUXOR * THEBES * KARNAK TEMPLES
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Disembark for your excursion to visit the great temples at Luxor.,* the ancient city of Thebes. Today travel into the mountains and across desert, then watching the land become green as you enter the flood plain of the Nile. This afternoon, visit the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex, completed under Ramses II and dedicated to the Egyptian sun god. Walk through the entrance and along the avenue of ram-head sphinxes into the Great Court. A ceremonial path once lined with sphinxes leads to the Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II to serve as the ritual center of the most important festival in Thebes. Tonight have dinner and spend the night at a deluxe hotel near the site. B/L/D Steigenberger Nile Palace (5-star)
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| Day 7 |
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LUXOR * VALLEY OF THE KINGS * VALLEY OF THE QUEENS * TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT
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Cross to the west bank of the Nile to visit one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, the Necropolis at Luxor. See the Valley of the Kings, where some 65 tombs including Tutankhanmen’s have been excavated, the Valley of the Queens, which includes the tomb of Nefertiti, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. With your expert site guide you will also visit the Colossi of Memnon. After your visit to Luxor, return to Safaga and board the Monet before dinner. B/L/D
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| Day 8 |
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MONASTERY OF THE SEVEN SISTERS * ST. CATHERINE’S MONASTERY
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This morning you arrive at the seaside resort city of Sharm El Sheikh. After breakfast, disembark for an excursion to The Monastery of the Seven Nuns, also called the Greek Seven Girls’ Monastery, is located at the desert oasis Wadi Feiran. Joshua is said to have defeated the Amalekites at this spot, while Moses and Aaron watched from the top of nearby Jhabel Tehuna. The Monastery, or convent, was established in the fourth century, though there was a Christian community here even earlier. Visit the monastery and the Church of the Prophet Moses, and enjoy the oasis, where dates and other crops grow surrounded by palm trees.
Continue to the St. Catherine’s Monastery, a major pilgrimage site since the 6th century, when the Emperor Justinian had the structure built around the site thought to be Moses’ Burning Bush. The Monastery, a great granite fortress, has withstood attacks over the centuries and protected the artistic treasures within: precious mosaics, icons, oil paintings, ceremonial items and a major collection of illuminated manuscripts. Visit St. Catherine’s and some of its collections, including the Library and Gallery of Icons, and the Chapel of the Burning Bush. Enjoy lunch at the Monastery then return to Sharm El Sheikh on the coast for dinner and the night aboard. B/L/D |
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| Day 9 |
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BEDOUIN CAMP
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Cruise to Nuweiba for an excursion to Ein Hudra Oasis. Traveling on from the Oasis by coach or camel, visit a traditional Bedouin camp to learn about their pastoral way of life in a seemingly harsh desert environment. Enjoy a dinner of Arabian specialties and watch a demonstration of belly dancing before you return by coach to the MS Monet. B/L/D
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| Day 10 |
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DISEMBARK * WADI RUM
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Disembark the ship and travel to Wadi Rum for a jeep excursion. Wadi Rum is a Bedouin village where the British office known as Lawrence of Arabia based his operations for several years. Then continue to your 5-star hotel in Petra. B/L Moevenpick Petra (5-star) |
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| Day 11 |
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PETRA
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Enter the ancient city of Petra on horseback. Petra, built from 800 B.C. to 100 A.D., was a fortress tha defended the city until Romans conquered it. As shipping displaced caravan routes the city declined, but over 800 fascinating monuments remain from earlier times in this "rose-red city half as old as time." Explore the Roman Theater, the Royal Tombs, the Courthouse, Roman Street and Triumphal Arch, and other features of this ancient city. Have lunch at the Basin Restaurant inside Petra, and more time at this site which many consider the most impressive in the region. Return to your hotel for dinner on your own. B/L Moevenpick Petra (5-star)
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| Day 12 |
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PETRA * KERAK * MADABA * MOUNT NEBO * AMMAN
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Drive north along one of the world's oldest trade routes, where you will first visit the crusader castle of Kerak. Continue your journey to Madaba, the "City of Mosaics." See the fames mosaics at St. George's Church and the Church of the Apostles. As you get closer to Amman, stop at the Byzantine Church of Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Holy Land. Arrice late this afternoon in time to check in and enjoy dinner at the hotel. B/L Le Meridien Amman (5-star)
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| Day 13 |
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AMMAN * FAREWELL DINNER
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Tour Amman, stopping en route to explore the Roman ruins of the Citadel Hill and the second-century Roman theater. Take some time to walk through the bazaars and the Gold Market and have the balance of the day at leisure before your farewell dinner. B/D Le Meridien Amman (5-star)
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| Day 14 |
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RETURN TO US
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Leave after breakfast for the airport and your return flight home. B
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