PRE MEETING TOURS

A. JORDAN TOUR Thursday, September 23 - Sunday, September 26, 1999 3 Days / 3 Nights

Thursday, September 23, 1999
All day arrival
Overnight with breakfast at the Grand Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv (superior class)

Friday, September 24, 1999
Depart from your hotel, and drive through the Jordan Valley to "Sheik Hussein" border crossing. After the border formalities, enter the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Take a short drive and visit the imposing Arab Castle of Qalaat el Rabad - better known as Ajlun Castle, where the forces of Salah Eddin launched their campaigns against the Crusaders. Proceed to the ancient city of Jerash, known as Pompeii of the east, visit the triple arched gate, the huge hippodrome, the theatre and the only Roman Forum surrounded by 63 ionic columns. Continue south to Jordan's capital, Amman.
Dinner and overnight in Amman.

Saturday, September 25, 1999
Drive south along the desert highway, passing towns and villages to the Bedouin village of Wadi Mousa. After a short horse ride, or walk, proceed into the chasm, or siq, that ripped through the rock in a prehistoric quake. The siq dramatically ends opposite Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, only the first of Petra's secrets. A number of walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, facades, tombs, baths and rock drawings. Walk through the 7000 seat theatre, the Palace Tomb and the monastery. Following the visit to the red city of the Nabateans, drive back to Amman.
Dinner and overnight in Amman.

Sunday, September 26, 1999
Begin the day with a tour of Amman. Visit the ancient Citadel, situated high above the city. Pass by the many mosques and churches of the city. Drive along the King's Highway as it winds its way south to the town of Madaba, the City of Mosaics. Enter the church of St. George, with its amazing sixth-century mosaic map depicting the entire middle east, with Jerusalem at its center. A short ride west brings us to Mount Nebo, where Moses climbed to view the Promised Land, but could not enter. From the plateau in front of the church at Mount Nebo you have a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea and on a clear day even to Jerusalem. Cross the Allenby bridge and afternoon arrival to Jerusalem.
Price (Prices are based on a minimum of 15 participants):
Price (Prices are based on a minimum of 15 participants):

Price includes: Group transfer to/from Jordan 3 days of touring in an air-conditioned bus with the services of a English speaking guide 1 overnight in a superior hotel in Tel Aviv, including breakfast 2 overnights in a deluxe hotel in Amman, including dinner and breakfast Entrance fees as per itinerary and portage Price does not include: Lunches Israeli and Jordanian border taxes Visa to Jordan

Important Note for your travel to Jordan:
A valid entry visa to Jordan should be obtained at the Jordanian embassy/consulate in your home country prior to arrival to Israel. It is your responsibility to obtain this Jordanian visa and re-entry visa to Israel if required.
To speed up border facilities a copy of your passport including your Jordanian visa is required. Please ensure that this copy is legible. If not, send us the following information by fax mail or using the on-line form : Family name and first name (as in passport), birthdate, nationality, passport number, date when passport was issued, place where passport was issued and validity of passport. Dates must be day/month/year.

B. MASADA, DEAD SEA, EIN GEDI Saturday, September 25, 1999 08:00 - 17:00 Travel to a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrast: The Judean Desert and Dead Sea Valley, ever-changing, remote desert canyons, immense and still. This unique landscape, where you can find monuments from every age of humanity is crowned by the rock fortress Massada. Built by King Herod the Great, King of Judea in the Roman period, the founder of the Herodian Dynasty, this fortress served as the last place of refuge for 965 men, women and children, survivors of the "Great Revolt". Besieged by the Romans and losing all hope, they chose death rather than surrender. Follow history onto the Oasis of Ein-Gedi, the caves to which King David fled from the wrath of aging Saul and where the last of the Bar-Kochba warriors found refuge. Enjoy the beauty of the Judean Desert and experience the unique sensation of "swimming" in the Dead Sea and Spa, the world's lowest point (390 m below sea level). Return to Jerusalem Price per person: US$ 66.00

C. JERUSALEM OLD CITY, YAD VASHEM, BETHLEHEM Sunday, September 26, 1999 08:00 - 17:00 Jerusalem is truly unique. It is certainly one of the world's great cities, evoking such intensity of feeling in so many different corners of the world. Step back into history as you travel along the beautiful stone walls built by "Suliman the Magnificent". Enter the Old City along the route traveled by generations of pilgrims. Walk through the oriental market: passing butchers, textile and jewelry merchants through to the Cardo, view the colonnaded Roman city streets and reconstructed Jewish Quarter. Follow the route taken by the upper city dwellers to the Temple, via the "Western Wall", the site of both the first and second Temples, the place where Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. Walk the route taken by Jesus as he carried the cross to Calvary, and the Holy Sepulchre. Following the road traveled by Mary and Joseph, you'll reach Bethlehem. Gaze at the amazing Church built by Emperor Constantine on the site where Mary gave birth to Jesus. You will also visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial and pass by the "Knesset" (Israel's parliament), home to Benno Elkin's famous "Menorah" sculpture. Return to hotels. Price per person: US$ 46.00