Overnight in Istanbul

Today, dive deep into the soul of Istanbul on a full-day private guided tour that traces over 1,500 years of imperial splendour.

• Hagia Sophia – Once a cathedral, then a mosque, now a museum again, this architectural marvel reflects the religious and political tides of centuries.
• Blue Mosque – With its six minarets and vibrant İznik tiles, this mosque remains one of the most iconic symbols of Ottoman architecture.
• Topkapi Palace – Home to generations of sultans, this vast complex reveals the secrets of the Ottoman court.
• Hippodrome Square – Once the chariot-racing arena of Constantinople, now a quiet park lined with ancient obelisks.
• Grand Bazaar – Lose yourself in one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops.

Optional Experience: Turkish Night Show with dinner – enjoy folk dances and traditional performances in a festive setting (~$40 pp).

Hotel: Same as Day 1

Meals: Breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant

Note: Modest attire is required for mosque visits; comfortable walking shoes recommended.

Overnight in Cappadocia

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your short domestic flight to Kayseri (approx. 1.5 hrs). Upon arrival, a private transfer takes you into the mystical landscape of Cappadocia.

Begin exploring this otherworldly region with:

• Göreme Open-Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage Site): A complex of medieval rock-cut churches and monasteries, adorned with vivid frescoes that date back to the 10th century.
• Uchisar Castle: A towering natural rock formation offering sweeping views over the surreal valleys below.

Optional Experience: Whirling Dervish Ceremony – witness the meditative Sufi dance of devotion in a historical caravanserai (~$25 pp).

Hotel: Holiday Cave Hotel or similar luxury cave hotel

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at the hotel

Note: Evenings in Cappadocia can be chilly—pack warm layers.

Overnight in Cappadocia

Set off on a full-day guided adventure through the rugged beauty and hidden depths of southern Cappadocia.

• Red Valley & Rose Valley: Hike through crimson-tinged canyons and hidden cave chapels carved into rose-coloured rock.
• Underground City of Derinkuyu: Venture into a subterranean world where early Christians once hid from invaders—some complexes stretch 60 metres below ground.
• Avanos Pottery Workshop: Meet local artisans and try your hand at ancient pottery-making traditions.

Optional Experience: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride (~$200 pp) – Drift above fairy chimneys at dawn, a truly unforgettable experience (book in advance).

Hotel: Same as Day 3

Meals: Breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant

Overnight in Istanbul

Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring the whimsical volcanic formations of:

• Pasabag (Monks Valley): Home to some of Cappadocia’s most iconic fairy chimneys—tall, mushroom-shaped spires carved by nature and time.
• Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley): A surreal landscape where the rocks resemble animals, objects, and abstract forms.

After lunch, transfer back to Kayseri Airport for your return flight to Istanbul (approx. 1.5 hrs). A private transfer will return you to your hotel for a final night in Turkey’s cultural capital.

Hotel: Same as Day 1

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Dubai

Arrive in Dubai International Airport (DXB), where a private chauffeur will greet you and escort you to your five-star hotel in the heart of the city.

After check-in, the evening is yours. You may choose to relax in your luxurious room or take a short walk to explore the glittering Dubai Marina, alive with waterside cafés, yachts, and the soft hum of luxury living. The contrast between old-world charm and futuristic flair is immediately tangible.

Optional Experience: Treat yourself to a Marina Dinner Dhow Cruise, where you’ll dine aboard a traditional wooden boat as it glides past illuminated skyscrapers (~$60 pp).

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast (if arriving early)

Overnight in Dubai

Begin your day with a guided discovery of Dubai’s iconic landmarks, a seamless blend of ancient heritage and architectural ambition.

Morning Highlights (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM):

• Burj Khalifa: Ascend to the 124th floor of the world’s tallest building for breathtaking views over city, sea, and desert (~$45 pp).
• Dubai Mall: Not just a shopping paradise, it’s a destination in itself—home to an aquarium, waterfall wall, and haute couture boutiques.
• Jumeirah Mosque: One of the few mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim visitors. Admire its Fatimid-style architecture and gain insight into Emirati culture and religion.

Return to your hotel for a brief rest—then prepare for an unforgettable evening.

Afternoon/Evening (3:00 PM – 9:00 PM):

Your private 4x4 will whisk you away from the skyscrapers into the heart of the desert. This Desert Safari experience includes:

• Dune Bashing across golden sands with an expert driver.
• Camel Rides, henna art, and falcon photo opportunities.
• Sunset View over the dunes—have your camera ready!
• Traditional Bedouin Camp Dinner under the stars, complete with aromatic shisha, belly dancing, Tanoura spinning, and a rich Emirati BBQ buffet.

Hotel: Same as Day 6

Meals: Breakfast, BBQ dinner in the desert camp

Overnight in Dubai

Today is entirely yours to enjoy Dubai your way. Whether you’re looking for thrills, retail therapy, or cultural moments, Dubai delivers.

Recommended Activities:

• Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark (~$80 pp): One of the largest and most extravagant in the world, with record-breaking slides and lazy rivers.
• Mall of the Emirates: Go skiing in the desert at Ski Dubai, or indulge in designer shopping.
• Abra Ride in Old Dubai: Cross Dubai Creek in a traditional water taxi and explore the Gold Souk and Spice Market, a window into the city’s past.

Optional Experience: End your final evening in the Emirates with a second Dhow Cruise, or a rooftop dinner overlooking the Burj Al Arab. Dubai at night is a jewel box of light and luxury.

Hotel: Same as Day 6

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Amman

Touch down in Amman, the capital of Jordan and a city where ancient civilizations rest beneath the rhythm of modern life. A warm welcome from your local Anteros Travel guide awaits, followed by a private transfer to your five-star hotel.

In the afternoon, set out on a short orientation tour to discover:

• The Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal’a) – This ancient hilltop site offers sweeping city views and holds relics of Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad rule. Visit the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace.
• Roman Theatre – Nestled into a hillside, this 6,000-seat amphitheatre from the 2nd century is still used for concerts today.
• Rainbow Street – A charming promenade lined with bohemian cafés, handicraft shops, and rooftop terraces where locals gather.

Hotel: Grand Hyatt Amman or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast (if arriving early)

Overnight in Petra

Embark on one of the most scenic and spiritually rich drives in the region—the King’s Highway, once a major trade route for ancient caravans and now a passage through biblical landscapes.

En route:

• Madaba – Visit St. George’s Church, home to the oldest known map of the Holy Land in a stunning 6th-century mosaic.
• Mount Nebo – From this panoramic hilltop, the Prophet Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land before his death. On clear days, you can see across to Jericho and the Dead Sea.
• Shobak Castle – A lesser-known Crusader fortress perched on a remote hill, built by King Baldwin I in the 12th century.

Arrive in Petra, the rose-red city half as old as time, and settle into your luxury hotel just steps from the entrance to the archaeological site.

Optional Experience: Petra by Night (~$25 pp) – Walk the candle-lit Siq to the Treasury under a sky of stars, accompanied by haunting Bedouin flute music.

Hotel: Mövenpick Resort Petra or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at the hotel

Overnight in Wadi Rum Desert Camp

Spend the morning discovering Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Follow your expert guide as you:

• Enter the city through the Siq, a dramatic 1.2 km sandstone gorge.
• Emerge at the magnificent Treasury (Al-Khazneh), carved with precision into the rose-coloured cliff.
• Explore the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, and Colonnaded Street.
• For the adventurous: hike up to The Monastery (Ad-Deir) — 800 rock-cut steps lead to Petra’s most monumental façade.

In the afternoon, journey 1.5 hours south to Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. The red desert here has served as the backdrop for films like The Martian and Lawrence of Arabia.

At sunset, hop aboard a private 4x4 Jeep safari, winding through wind-sculpted sand dunes, ancient petroglyphs, and majestic rock formations.

Dinner is a traditional Zarb meal—slow-cooked meats and vegetables buried beneath hot sand and embers, shared under a canopy of stars.

Hotel: Sun City Camp (luxury Martian dome tent) or similar 5-star desert camp

Meals: Breakfast, traditional Bedouin dinner

Overnight at the Dead Sea

Enjoy a relaxed desert morning. Wake to the rising sun illuminating the sand in hues of gold and crimson. Optional camel ride for an authentic taste of Bedouin travel (~$20 pp).

Later, journey north to the Dead Sea (approx. 4 hours), passing through spectacular desert plateaus and the Rift Valley.

Upon arrival, check into your beachfront resort and prepare for one of travel’s most surreal pleasures: floating effortlessly in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Coat yourself in the mineral-rich black mud, believed to have healing properties dating back to the time of Cleopatra.

Hotel: Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast, dinner at the hotel

Overnight in Jerusalem

After breakfast, your Anteros Travel team will assist you with crossing the Allenby Bridge border into the West Bank — a symbolic and literal passage into a land that has seen millennia of prophecy, pilgrimage, and prayer.

Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your local expert guide and transferred to your elegant five-star hotel in Jerusalem, the eternal city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike.

This afternoon, explore the Old City of Jerusalem, a living museum enclosed within ancient stone walls.

Highlights include:

• The Western Wall (Kotel) – The last remaining remnant of the Second Temple, and the holiest prayer site in Judaism.
• Via Dolorosa – Walk the path believed to be the route Jesus took to his crucifixion.
• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre – A profound pilgrimage site marking both the crucifixion and the tomb of Christ.
• Time permitting, enjoy the views from the rooftops where church spires, minarets, and synagogue domes coexist in a compact maze of faith.

Hotel: Mamilla Hotel Jerusalem or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Jerusalem

Start your day atop the Mount of Olives, where sweeping views stretch across Jerusalem’s golden dome–studded skyline. From here, descend on foot or by car through:

• Chapel of the Ascension – Believed by some to be the last earthly site of Jesus.
• Pater Noster Church – Where the Lord’s Prayer is inscribed in over 100 languages.
• Garden of Gethsemane – An ancient olive grove where Jesus is said to have prayed the night before his arrest.

Continue to Bethlehem, located just south of Jerusalem in the West Bank. With your Palestinian guide, visit:

• Church of the Nativity – Built over the cave believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. Step into history as you touch the silver star that marks the holy site.
• Milk Grotto – A quiet chapel of white stone with its own Marian legends.

Return to Jerusalem in the afternoon and spend your evening exploring Mahane Yehuda Market, where you can sample local wines, artisanal chocolates, or simple falafel wrapped in warm pita.

Hotel: Same as Day 13

Meals: Breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant

Overnight in Tel Aviv

After breakfast, travel along Israel’s Mediterranean coast to discover a trio of cultural and archaeological gems.

• Caesarea Maritima – Once a glittering Roman port city built by Herod the Great, home to an amphitheatre, aqueducts, and Byzantine mosaics. The ruins sit dramatically beside the sea.
• Akko (Acre) – A beautifully preserved Crusader city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Ottoman-era architecture, secret tunnels, and buzzing souk.
• Haifa – Pause to admire the Bahá’í Gardens, a stunning series of 19 terraced gardens descending Mount Carmel, a symbol of unity and peace.

Arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel’s modern metropolis where Bauhaus architecture meets surf culture and startup innovation. Check into your chic beachfront hotel and enjoy a free evening.

Hotel: Carlton Tel Aviv or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Tel Aviv

After days of sacred journeys and historic wonders, today is yours to enjoy Tel Aviv’s dynamic and youthful spirit at your leisure.

Suggested ways to enjoy the city:

• Stroll the Promenade: Walk the beachfront “Tayelet” from the old port to the trendy district of Neve Tzedek.
• Explore Jaffa Old City: Visit the flea market, ancient clock tower, and artists’ quarters in one of the oldest ports in the world.
• Carmel Market: Taste your way through Israel’s culinary mosaic — from Persian kebabs to Moroccan pastries.
• Optional Tour: Take a Bauhaus Architecture Walk (~$30 pp) through the White City district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its minimalist modernism.

Hotel: Same as Day 15

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Cairo

Welcome to Cairo, Africa’s largest city and the eternal gateway to the ancient world. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a personal Anteros Travel representative will fast-track your airport formalities and escort you by private transfer to your five-star hotel.

This afternoon, begin your Egyptian adventure with a curated visit to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, home to over 120,000 artefacts including the gold mask of Tutankhamun and an unrivalled collection of mummies, statues, and papyri.

Later, stroll through the bustling alleys of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s oldest souk. Let the scent of spices, the glow of brass lanterns, and the music of oud players immerse you in centuries of living history.

Hotel: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar 5-star

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Cairo

Today, travel back over 4,500 years as you explore the iconic sites of ancient Egyptian civilization.

• The Pyramids of Giza – Gaze upon the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. Venture inside one of the pyramids (optional), and marvel at the enigmatic Sphinx, guardian of Khafre’s tomb.
• Saqqara – Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest large-scale cut stone structure in the world and the prototype for all subsequent pyramids.
• Memphis – Once the capital of Old Kingdom Egypt, explore its open-air museum featuring the colossal fallen statue of Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx.

Return to your hotel by evening for rest and reflection after a day steeped in ancient majesty.

Hotel: Same as Day 17

Meals: Breakfast, lunch during tour

Overnight on 5-star Nile Cruise

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your short domestic flight to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, where gods once walked and kings were buried in golden tombs.

This afternoon, explore:

• Luxor Temple – Erected by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II, this temple was once the centre of royal coronations and religious festivals.
• Karnak Temple Complex – Egypt’s largest temple site, devoted to Amun-Ra. Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall and feel dwarfed by its towering columns.

Later, board your 5-star Nile cruise and enjoy your first dinner on board as the ship prepares to sail south.

Cruise: MS Farah or similar deluxe cruiser

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight on Cruise (sailing to Edfu via Esna)

This morning, cross the Nile to the west bank to explore:

• Valley of the Kings – Enter the painted tombs of the great pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Optional: Upgrade to visit the tomb of Tutankhamun.
• Temple of Hatshepsut – A stunning terraced mortuary temple built by Egypt’s only female pharaoh, nestled beneath limestone cliffs.
• Colossi of Memnon – Two massive seated statues of Amenhotep III, standing as sentinels for over 3,000 years.

Return to the cruise and begin sailing towards Esna, passing tranquil rural villages and golden fields as you glide through history.

Cruise: Same as Day 19

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight on Cruise (sailing to Aswan)

Dock at Edfu and visit the magnificent Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved. Arrive by horse-drawn carriage and marvel at the symmetry and sanctity of this grand structure.

Continue sailing to Kom Ombo, a riverside temple uniquely dedicated to two gods: Horus the Elder and Sobek, the crocodile deity. Explore the Crocodile Mummy Museum before returning to the ship.

Sail onward to Aswan, arriving by evening.

Cruise: Same as Day 19

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight on Cruise

Optional: Early morning road trip to Abu Simbel (~$100 pp) – the awe-inspiring twin temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. These monuments are a testament to both ancient and modern engineering genius.

In the afternoon, return to Aswan and visit:

• Philae Temple – A jewel of Ptolemaic architecture dedicated to Isis, set on a picturesque island reached by boat.
• Felucca Ride on the Nile – Drift on a traditional sailboat at sunset, feeling the same breeze that once carried Cleopatra.

Cruise: Same as Day 19

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Morning flight to Cairo for onward international flight

Disembark your cruise in Aswan. Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Cairo, where you’ll connect to your international departure.