MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA AND ETHIOPIA - Setur

Tabgha Church at thewaterfront, Galileemediterranean seaHIGHLIGHTSegyptRosh Hanikraakkohaifatel avivMT.carmelJerichotiberiasnazarethjerusalembethlehemdead seaisraeleilatdead sea Enjoy year round sun, breathtakinglandscapes and therapeutic treatments. TheDead Sea, at 400 metres below sea level, isthe lowest point on earth. Floating in thewaters replenishes body and soul with uniquetreatments using local salt, mud and minerals.jerusalem Few places are as emotive asJerusalem. Throughout the city you will beoverwhelmed by a sense of the accumulatedhistory, from the Via Dolorosa to the Churchof the Holy Sepulchre, from the Wailing Wall tothe Holocaust Museum.masada Masada is situated on the top of amountain with steep sides and a flat top like aparapet overlooking the desert panorama. Thethrilling story of the site reveals the courageof the defenders of Masada and their battleagainst the conquering Romans and is one ofthe most compelling places to visit in Israel.WE RECOMMENDEDCaesarea A journey along the coast toCaesarea, ancient capital of the Romanprovince, takes in the impressive archaeologicalremains of the Byzantine city that oncedominated the region. This large walled townsyriajordanonce encompassed the hippodrome andsplendid theatre.Old City A drive to the Mount of Olivesprovides a wonderful view of Jerusalem. Passingby the foot of the hill under the ancient olivetrees of the Garden of Gethsemane, you enterthe Old City through the Dung gate to visit theWailing Wall, Al-Aksa Mosque and Dome ofthe Rock in the Temple Area. It is possible to seethe full length of the wall that Herod built, ona ‘Tunnels Tour’, a fascinating journey through2,000 years of history told by the undergroundexcavations of the remains of this Herodianroad that ran alongside the Temple Mount.Sea of Galilee Ancient villages filled withtreasures line the shores of Galilee, home to theancient synagogue at Capernaum and St. Peter’shouse which was later converted into a church.Explore the mystical city of Safed with itssynagogues and Artists’ Quarter and the mosaicof the Loaves and Fishes in the Church ofPeter’s Primacy at Taagha. Enjoy a boat ride onthe Sea of Galilee, stopping at Banias Springs.Low Season 7 nights from £3,294, per personHigh Season 7 nights from £3,689 per personPrices include international flights.BEST TIME TO BE HEREIsrael’s climate is pleasantthroughout the year, althoughthe ideal times are Spring(March to May) and Autumn(September to November).The milder temperaturesin these months make it theperfect time to explore.EXTENSION SUGGESTIONA Peek at Petra Follow theancient Kings’ Highway,famed for its scenic beauty asit crosses rugged scenery toonce-flourishing Byzantinetowns. See the delightful6th century map portrayingphysical characteristics ofthe Eastern Byzantine worldincluding Jerusalem and theChurch of the Holy Sepulchre.Put on your walking shoes fora trek through the ‘Rose-RedCity’ of Petra, accessible onfoot through a spectacularnarrow fissure in themountains, with the dramaticfacade of the Treasury carvedinto the pink and red cliff-faces.Explore the tombs, templesand exquisite monuments allhewn from solid mountainrock. An exhilarating 4-wheeldrive over the dramatic lunarlandscape of Wadi Rumevokes the time of Lawrenceof Arabia. At the Citadel nextto the Temple of Herculesadmire the grand view overdowntown Amman, the 5,000seat Roman amphitheatre andtwin minarets of the HusseinMosque.call 0845 0700 619 to speak to an expert or visit www.abercrombiekent.co.ukisrael P35