2021 Fall Vacation Part 2 - 18-Day Egypt and Jordan & Italy then Transatlantic

Legend

Boat
Driving
Plane
Train

Miami, United States ‐ Dec 13, 2021

Ports of Azores and Burmuda were skipped. Arrived us and went through customs on the 21th and disembarked on the morning of the 22st catching a taxi to the airport for 11:30 flight to Denver.
Lisbon, Portugal ‐ Dec 12, 2021

Explore the Heart of Lisbon on Foot & Gloria Funicular Explore the oldest, most fascinating part of Lisbon on foot and ride the Gloria Funicular - an iconic symbol of the city. After your visit to the cathedral, follow your guide down to Alfama one of the oldest sections of the city, where you walking tour begins. Discover its cobbled labyrinth of narrow alleys, honeycombed with steps and archways and the houses decorated with wrought iron balconies and panels of tiles.
Cadiz, Spain ‐ Dec 11, 2021

Old Town of Cadiz & Flamenco Show - Stroll through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter on the way to a nightclub, where you will watch a mesmerizing flamenco performance that tells a passionate story. After walking from the pier, you will continue at a leisurely pace toward the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Quarter, which the Phoenicians founded in the 12th century. Being the oldest continuously occupied city in Western Europe, Cadiz exudes history, as you will soon discover in t [...]
he Plaza of San Juan de Dios, a square that originated in medieval times. After tour visited the fortress and the Old Quarter, and the Neoclassical-style Cadiz Cathedral.
Málaga ‐ Dec 10, 2021

Granada and the Magnificent Alhambra - In the shadow of the mighty Sierra Nevada lays Granada, representing a unique blend of Arab and European culture with a wealth of extraordinary monuments. Take in the views, as you travel north over the Malaga mountains and through the picturesque countryside. Visit the Alhambra, palace of the sultans and one of the finest examples of Moorish art in Spain. Six centuries of Moorish rule left an indelible mark on Spanish culture and architecture, especially [...]
in the south in Andalusia, where this palatial complex is one of the world’s great architectural wonders. The Alhambra has been damaged and restored over the centuries.
Valencia ‐ Dec 9, 2021

Explore Valencia - Explore the city of Valencia, with sights of the City of Arts and Sciences, a panoramic drive and a stroll through the old quarter to visit some of the most important historic buildings. Discover how attractive the combination of ancient remains and modern buildings are. It’s a city with international services and avant-garde design. Stop to see The City of Arts & Science, the New Valencia. This major leisure center was designed to promote science and culture. Marvel at t [...]
he unique and spectacular design of the Hemisféric and the Museu de les Ciencies. A walk in the historical center takes you to Plaza de la Reina to visit the more significant monuments and buildings like the Cathedral, La Lonja “the Silk Exchange” declared Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO and the Central Market
Barcelona ‐ Dec 8, 2021

Palau de la Musica & Heart of Barcelona - Explore the stunning Palau de la Musica (Palace of Music), another of Barcelona’s architectural gems. Built at the beginning of the 20th century in the Art Nouveau style, this masterpiece of creativity relies on the decorative arts – mosaic, stained glass, ironwork and glazed tiles – and exploits the use of natural light. Then step back several centuries to stroll the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter along with your guide. The façade of th [...]
e Cathedral is richly decorated and adorned with gargoyles, and there are many government administrative offices that now inhabit the historic structures.
Cannes, France ‐ Dec 6, 2021

Cannes Walking Tour - Take a stroll through Cannes as you learn about its history. Accompanied by your guide, admire the old town of La Sequet and the famous Boulevard of La Croisette. You’ll begin with a walk to the old part of the city built on the site of the former Canois Castrum, a Roman town dominated by a castle, on the slopes of Mont Chevalier.
Livorno, Italy

Livorno, Italy - Wonders of Lucca & Pisa - Almost perfectly preserved Lucca still resides within high walls, though they are now topped by green parkland. Take a guided walk through the old town, with its medieval towers and nearly 100 churches. Stroll from piazza to piazza, and absorb the city’s history through its architecture. The Duomo, Lucca’s Romanesque cathedral, dates from the 12th century and features a façade with elaborate reliefs and columns.
Civitavecchia ‐ Dec 5, 2021

Arrived at the port and boarded Norwegian Getaway for 17 Night Transatlantic cruise.
Roma ‐ Dec 1, 2021

Arrived at our hotel Princeps Boutique Hotel and explored the neighborhood and had dinner. 12/2 -- On Thursdays caught the metro to visit the Vatican Museum than had lunch before walking in the rain to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo. Then we took a bus to the Metro station and back to the terminal and our hotel. 12/3 - On Friday we walked to tour the Forum and Colosseum. We than had lunch, than walked to the Pantheon, had some drinks before catching a bus back to our hotel. 12/4 - On Satur [...]
day we visited the Borghese Gallery, then walked across the park to the National Art Museum before walking to the twin churches for lunch. Then walked to Augusta's Moslem, the Spanish Steps, the Trivia Fountain and walked back to the hotel. 12/5 - On Sunday checked out of hotel and caught a train to Civitavecchia.
Roma-Fiumicino Airport

Arrived FCO-Fiumicino - Leonardo da Vinci Intl. 10 am 2h 35m flight. Cleared customs with no problems and caught train to Rome.
Istanbul, Turkey

Departs Wed, Dec 1 Istanbul, Turkey (IST) 9:55 am - Arrived FCO-Fiumicino - Leonardo da Vinci Intl. 10 am 2h 35m flight. C
Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan ‐ Nov 30, 2021

Arrive Queen Alia International Airport 11 pm and flew to Turkey at 2:35 am
Dead Sea ‐ Nov 15, 2021

Arrived at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea about noon. Took a swim in Dead Sea and spent the day around the pools. Left the resort at 10 o'clock for the Queen Alia International Airport.
Aqaba ‐ Nov 29, 2021

1 hour drive to Aqaba Movenpick Resort Spent the day at the resort. Got our PCR test
Wadi Rum Village ‐ Nov 28, 2021

We visited little Petea then had lunch before heading to Wadi Rum, dinner and Mazayen Luxury Desert Camp for the night. Took a sunset ride in the desert through the rocky outcrops.
Petra ‐ Nov 25, 2021

Visit Al-Khazneh and spend overnight in Petra Movenpick Hotel - Next day spent the day visiting Petra - walked all the way to the end of the canyon but rode donkey back half way then took a horse to the top.
Karak

A crusader fortress established to protect Jerusalem. Construction of the castle began in the 1140s, under Pagan and Fulk, King of Jerusalem. The Crusaders called it Crac des Moabites or "Karak in Moab". Taken by siege by Sa’d Al-Din, Saladin’s nephew, in 1188. Unlike the sieges before it, the Muslim army was not under the threat of crusader reinforcements.
MOSES MEMORIAL CHURCH;Mount Nebo

Supposed burial place of Moses
Amman ‐ Nov 28, 2021

Kempinski Amman Hotel over night.
Jerash ‐ Nov 24, 2021

Amman city tour of citadel and Roman theater. Then visit to Jerash which home to a old Roman city ruins.
Amman

Kempinski Amman Hotel over night.
Cairo, Egypt ‐ Nov 29, 2021

stop over
Sharm el Sheikh ‐ Nov 20, 2021

Fly to Cairo and transferred to flight to Sharm el Sheikh. Rep met us at airport and dropped us off at Coral Sea Holiday Resort & Aqua Park. Next day was just laying around the pool and relaxing. The next day got up early for a tour of to St. Catherine Monastery Visit St. Catherine Monastery Set beneath the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. Police convoy Transfer back to Sharm El Shiekh. Receive PCR TEST. Next day was just laying around the pool and relax [...]
ing. On Wednesdays fly to Cairo and transferred to flight to Amman, Jordan.
Cairo

stop over
Luxor ‐ Nov 19, 2021

We then passed through the lock to sail to Luxor. Visited the Temple of Karnak & the Temple of Luxor Day 6: Friday of Nile cruise. We got up at 3 in the morning for a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of The Kings. We drove to a local dock to catch a boat ride across the Nile and then van to the launch area, but after waiting 1.5 hours the tour was canceled due to high winds. We than visited & the Colossi of Memnon and the Necropolis of Thebes in Valley of The Kings. We went into 3 tom [...]
bs. Then visited an alabaster factory (tourist trap) before a visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut. Our tour then ended and we returned to the ship and relaxed the rest of the day. Afternoon tea. Back for lunch then visiting the day. Day 7 Saturday Got up early and disembarked the boat to get to airport for our flight
Edfu ‐ Nov 18, 2021

Day 5: Thursday of Nile Cruise – We docked next to Edfu Temple and toured it before sailing north to visit the temple shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris before sailing north to Edfu to visit The Temple of Horus in Edfu.
Kom Ombo ‐ Nov 17, 2021

Sailed during night and took a tut tut to visited Temple of Horus at Edfu in the morning
Aswān

Arrived Aswan met by a local representative. Visited the High Dam and then took a boat to the Philae temple which was moved to another island to avoid the rising waters. Transferred to the Steigenberger Royal cruise ship board before lunch. Boat was 4 stories high with a sun deck. Meals served on deck one and bar and lounge on 4th floor. Our cabin on the 3 floor was larger than most rooms on larger cruise ships. We sailed to Kom Ombo temple for a night time visit.
Cairo, Egypt ‐ Nov 13, 2021

Sheraton Cairo Hotel - 10/30 - 11/2 - Plane arrived arrived on time in Frankfurt but hour delay in leaving for Cairo. A Vacations to go representative met us and got our entry visa and assisted us through passport control formalities, luggage identification & transferred us by a private A/C car to our hotel. Next day did not wander far from hotel & lounged by pool most of day. Took a dinner cruise on the Nile complete with whirling durvisher & belly dancer. Day 2 Visited the great Pyrami [...]
ds - Cheops, Chephren and Mykerions. Cheops is the most colossal ever built. Then a close-up look at Sphinx - a huge funeral complex guarded by the legendary lion body with the face of king Chephren. Then onwards to Sakkara to see the first pyramid ever built - the step pyramid of Zosser. - Day 2 - we visited the Egyptian Antiquities Museum then proceed to visit the citadel of Saladin and Mohamed Ali Mosque and finally to the old city of Cairo to visit the Hanging church, and the Coptic church were Joseph & Mary hid from the Romans. We left Cairo on an early flight on the third day.