Treasures of Turkey &
Discover Jordan and Israel

Depart from LAX Airport. AV Travel tour leader fly with the group.

Arrive Istanbul, is the largest city in Turkey, has a timeless charm that owes much to its rich history. The city was historically referred to as Byzantium and Constantinople. It served as a focal point of several ancient empires. Numerous architectural wonders, remnants of these empires, still stand tall in the heart of the city.

Istanbul city tour included the sights of the city’s famous historical landmarks and cultural sites. You’ll see Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. (B/D)

*Haghia Sophia: Also called the Church of Divine Wisdom, it Is a masterpiece of arandeur and proportion. Coveted by the Islamic
East and Christian West, the Hagia Sophia IIS one of mankind*s greatest treasures,
*Blue Mosque: No one who has been to Istanbul at least once can ever forget the feeling of awe and wonder at seeing the Blue
Mosque for the first time.
*Hippodrome and Obelisks: The vast Hippodrome, known as At Meydani or “plaza of the horses” stretches between Hagia Sophia & the Blue Mosque. Shopping opportunity
*Grand Covered Bazaar: The oldest and the largest covered market place in the world is situated in the center of the old city.

Istanbul tour with Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace. Drive to Dolmabahce Palace, which is stuffed with lavish chandeliers, gold and marble, this ornate sultans’ residence will astound you with its opulence! Visit Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side to witness the breathtaking panoramas over the Bosphorus, European side and old city. Drive across the Bosphorus Bridge, the vast suspension bridge that connects Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus Strait. Heading to Pierre Loti Hill to see the city from a different angle, flying over by cable car afterwards. Now time to enjoy the city by the sea, you will hop on board to have buffet lunch served on our boat. We will start cruising from Golden Horn and go all the way to the Black Sea throught Bosphorus. Fly to Cappadocia, which means ‘the Land of Beautiful Horses’, is a historical region in Central Turkey, famous for its unique rock formations and amazing hot air ballooning opportunities, the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia are one of Turkey’s most popular natural wonders. (B/L/D)

From the ground, Cappadocia is already marvelous scenery. From the rock-cut churches to the otherworldly moonscape topography and fairy chimneys, the region packs enough sights to blow your mind. Now, imagine a view of the area from the sky?
Experience this is to take a scenic balloon flight across the Cappadocian skies (as an option). Early morning balloon expeditions let visitors appreciate the true beauty of Cappadocia. The perfect weather conditions and the breathtaking scenery offered above make this one of the most loved ballooning destinations in the world. Cappadocia is one of the world’s best hot air ballooning destinations.

Departure from hotel to Kaymakli Underground City; There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest one is Kaymakli underground city, while the deepest is the Derinkuyu Underground City. Continue to Sinasos Village; like many other small villages of Turkey, Sinasos in the central Cappadocia region of Turkey is steeped in Greek Orthodox history, specifically the Ottoman years before the Turkish War of Independence in the early 20th century, when Turks and Greeks lived side by side in harmony. In the afternoon visit of Goreme Open Air Museum (without Dark Church), to see the early Christian churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. (B/L)

Morning depart to Zelve Open Air Museum is the highlight of Cappadocia. People carved rocks for praying, living, and educating purposes. Cavusin Village is an old settlement used by locals from the Roman Empire period. Most importantly, here is the best viewpoint to watch fairy chimneys of Paşabağ Valley. Above all, you can take great pictures of this historic village. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul, connect to the flight to Amman, is the capital and largest city of Jordan, and the country’s economic, political, and cultural center. (B/L)

Morning journey in Jordan begin with city tour in downtown of Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom. Often referred to as the “White City” because of the white stone used to build houses. Amman offers a contrast between oriental and cosmopolitan. The tour will take you to the museums, the Citadel, the amphitheater, the souks and the modern part of town. Continue to visit Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Here Franciscans have built a structure that protects a 4th and 6th Century Byzantine church. Depart to Petra, is a famous archaeological site in Jordan’s southwestern desert. Dating to around 300 B.C., it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, Petra is also called the “Rose Red City” because of the color of the stone from which it is carved. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. (B/D)

The city of Petra became one of the 7 New Wonders of the World when it was chosen in 2007 by a vote of 100 million people. The city’s carved rose-red sandstone rock facades, tombs, and temples became known around the world with its appearance in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade in 1989. Depart to visit Dead Sea, a lake known for one of the saltiest formations of water in the world, bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Enjoy free time for floating at Dead Sea. (B/D)

Crossing from Jordan to Israel via Allenby Bridge. The trip to Jerusalem’s Old City is around one hour. Rich in history, religion & culture, contested throughout the ages. Jerusalem’s Old City is holy to Jews, Muslims & Christians. And home too many of the world’s most iconic places of religious importance. (B/D)

Today enjoy your full day for visiting Jerusalem. Drive to the top of Mount of Olives for an awe inspiring, panoramic view of the Old City. Walk the “Palm Sunday Walk” to the church of Dominus Flevit. During construction in 1955, archaeologists uncovered artefacts dating back to the Canaanite period and tombs from both the Second Temple and Byzantine eras. Continue walking down to the Garden of Gethsemane. We will visit the Church of All Nations, which contains the stone traditionally believed to be where Jesus prayed on the night of His betrayal. Enter the Old City through Stephen’s Gate to the Christian Quarter. Here is the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the lame man, and St. Anne’s Church, an outstanding example of crusader architecture, with amazing acoustics. Walk the Way of the Cross, passing the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In 325, Constantine’s mother Helen first requisitioned the area for a church. This 4th-century church was largely destroyed by the Turks in 1009 and partially restored in 1048. The impressive stone decorations adorning the facade date from crusader times. In its current form, the church preserves the crusader structure and is shared by two major Christian denominations, the Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholic. (B/D)

Full day explore the sacred town of Bethlehem, the magical city in which Jesus was born. Taking to the heart of the West Bank & dropping off at the end of new city of Jerusalem. Begins on the Mount of Olives (Har HaZeitim) where we have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point we have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath us and beyond that the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. As we look down on the Old City it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on the Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2000 years ago. (B/D)

Leave Jerusalem heading east to the Jordan Valley which we will see from afar head north to Beit Shean to view the expansive excavations taking place at this ancient Roman Decapolis city. Then on to the Sea of Galilee we will take a memorable private boat-ride on the Sea of Galilee (Jesus Ministries) to visit the 2,000-year-old Genosar Boat was discovered in 1986. Nearby, we visit the New Testament fishing village of Magdala. Continue to Tabga, the traditional site of the multiplication of bread and fish and then to Capernaum, with an ancient synagogue where Christ taught.Drive to the Mount of the Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount and the Miracle of the Multiplication. (B/D)

Morning depart to Nazareth to visit the Annunciation Church, where tradition says the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Continue to Megiddo, where archaeological digs have revealed 26 layers of civilization, including fortifications of King Solomon and a water tunnel of King Ahab. Megiddo provides a magnificent view of the fertile Jezreel Valley, the prophesied site of Armageddon, at the crossroads of the ancient Via Maris “freeway.” Drive to Caesarea Maritima, a large port city built by Herod the Great to honor Roman Caesar Augustus. Come to Tel Aviv for a city tour before transfer to the airport for the night flight to USA. (B/D)

Arrive in Los Angeles in the afternoon.