Egypt, Israel & Turkey

More than 25 centuries of history, art and culture await your exploration in the Mediterranean. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and marvel at the accomplishments of Renaissance philosophers and artists. Indulge in the distinct and delicious cuisines of Greece, Italy, France and Spain. Shop for treasures in silver, gold, leather and ceramics. Bask in the warmth and beauty of the Mediterranean's coastline and countryside.

Exotic Istanbul
So rich are the sights in Istanbul that many of our itineraries feature extra-long days or overnight stays here. Among the highlights: the Blue Mosque, with its six slender minarets and stunning interiors; and hagia Sofia, the splendid church build in the sixth century. Treasures of a more modern kind await among the 4,000 shops of the Grangd Bazaar while Istanbul at night holds promise of exuberant traditional music, belly dancing and delicious Turkish cuisine.

The essence of Egypt
All in an extra-long day tour into Cairo: the astonishing Egyptian Museum of an Antiquities housing thousands of statues, jewels and twelve rooms of treasures from King Tut's tomb; the great Pyramids of Giza, rising from the desert plain; and the unblinking Sphinx, part lion, part man, marvelously mysterious.