Jody Bear is a member of GoTravelDaily’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries she creates. To work with Jody, you can contact her directly at jodyb@beartvl.com.
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Stay: Four Seasons Nile Plaza or the new Kempinski Nile Cairo
Day 2: Giza
Spend a full day touring Giza with highlights including the Sphinx, the Great Pyramids, and the Solar Boat Museum. You can enter Khufu’s Pyramid and the step pyramid at Sakkara before enjoying a camel ride to a panoramic viewpoint.
Stay: Four Seasons Nile Plaza or the new Kempinski Nile Cairo
Day 3: Cairo
Take a full-day city tour featuring the Egyptian Museum, Mummies Room, and Sultan Hassan Mosque. Explore the streets of Islamic Old Cairo, concluding at Bab al-Futuh, the famous North Gate, in the Khan el Khalili Bazaar.
Stay: Four Seasons Nile Plaza or the new Kempinski Nile Cairo
Day 4: Aswan
Fly into Aswan. Spend the afternoon sailing on a traditional felucca to Elephantine Island, where you can visit a Nubian village and the Kitchener’s Island Botanical Gardens.
Stay: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel
Day 5: Aswan
Take a morning camel ride to St. Simeon’s Monastery followed by an afternoon tour of the Nubian Museum.
Stay: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel
Day 6: Abu Simbel and Nile Cruise
Begin with a morning air excursion to the temples at Abu Simbel before boarding the Oberoi Philae for a 4-night Nile cruise. In the evening, visit the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple.
Stay: Oberoi Philae
Day 7: Nile Cruise
Cruise to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Two Gods, then stop at Edfu for a guided tour of the Temple of Horus before continuing to Esna.
Stay: Oberoi Philae
Day 8: Nile Cruise
Cruise to Luxor in the morning for an afternoon visit to the Karnak Temple. Enjoy a sunset private dinner at Luxor Temple accompanied by a harpist.
Stay: Oberoi Philae
Day 9: Nile Cruise
Tour the Medinat Habu Temple and the Valley of the Kings, including King Tut’s tomb and the tomb of Seti I. Then, head to the Valley of the Queens to visit the tomb of King Nefertari, as well as the tomb of Ramses VI and the Colossi of Memnon.
Stay: Oberoi Philae
Day 10: Fly to Jerusalem
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Jerusalem via Tel Aviv. That afternoon, enjoy views over the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.
Stay: King David Hotel
Day 11: Jerusalem
Explore the underground tunnels and hidden springs of the City of David, visiting newly opened archaeological sites. Spend the day touring the Old City of Jerusalem, including Holy sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Zion. Conclude your day with iconic views from the Mount of Olives during a private dinner.
Stay: King David Hotel
Day 12: Jerusalem
Visit the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, with a curator-led tour. Later, explore the Mahane Yehuda market with a culinary expert, followed by a hands-on cooking workshop to learn traditional dishes.
Stay: King David Hotel
Day 13: Masada and Ein Tamar
Journey into the Judaean Desert to visit Masada (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and enjoy a private picnic lunch amidst the dramatic scenery. Additionally, visit the JoJo gallery in Ein Tamar, which showcases the unique artwork of JoJo (Yosef Ohayon).
Stay: King David Hotel
Day 14: Jerusalem, Rehovot, Jaffa, and Tel Aviv
Visit Yad Vashem before traveling to Rehovot, then continue to Tel Aviv to explore Jaffa, one of the world’s oldest ports.
Stay: The Norman
Day 15: Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, and Acre
Embark on a private helicopter flight to northern Israel; upon landing near Capernaum, tour ancient communities around the Sea of Galilee. Then, soar towards the Golan Heights and land at an award-winning winery before taking a Jeep ride through a kibbutz. In the afternoon, enjoy another private flight to the coastal town of Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stay: The Norman
Day 16: Tel Aviv
Visit Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv’s oldest neighborhood, stopping at the Carmel Market and Rothschild Boulevard. Tour the Tel Aviv Museum with an art guide before exploring representative contemporary art galleries. End your day watching a performance by the Batsheva Dance Company.
Stay: The Norman
Day 17: Negev Desert and Petra
Take a private helicopter flight from Tel Aviv to Mitzpe Ramon, enjoying scenic views along the way. Upon arrival, board a private Jeep to explore the Ramon Machtesh. After a private desert picnic, fly over the Negev Desert to Eilat and cross into Jordan to visit Petra.
Stay: Movenpick Petra
Day 18: Petra and Shaharut
Enjoy an extensive tour of the ancient site of Petra with a private guide. Following lunch, you will be assisted back across the border into Israel and then driven to Shaharut.
Stay: Six Senses Shaharut
Day 19: Shaharut
Spend the day at your leisure, soaking in the beauty of the region.
Stay: Six Senses Shaharut
Day 20: Depart from Tel Aviv
Transfer to the Tel Aviv airport via private helicopter to board your flight home.
