Description
Where Continents Divide
After the break-up of her first marriage Agatha Christie booked herself a berth on the Orient Express and travelled alone across Europe to the Middle East, where she developed a passion for archaeology. Our journey follows hers, in part at least, travelling from London across some of Europe's most varied landscapes to the Balkans, and onwards to the very heart of the Islamic world. We travel via some of Europe's most evocative cities (Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia) before we finally reach Istanbul.
Cappadocia - Underground Cities
Having seen the Ottoman sights of Old Istanbul we travel to Cappadocia in the centre of Turkey. This area is famous the world over for its unique geological formations and a history which stretches back to the Hittites and beyond. Entire troglodite villages and subterranean churches are hewn out of the soft volcanic rock. Here we visit the underground city at Kaymakli, before continuing south, through areas steeped in Sufi mysticism, to the Syrian border.
Crusaders & Lost Cities
Crossing into Syria we continue via Aleppo to Damascus, visiting Christian and Muslim strongholds and monastic retreats before continueing our journey to Amman in Jordan. At the extraordinary city of Petra, we marvel at one of the greatest archeological sites in the world. In Wadi Rum, an area steeped in the legend of T.E. Lawrence, we find some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the Middle East, before travelling onto the Red Sea town of Aqaba. We end our remarkable journey in Amman but not before stopping off at another highlight, or swim in the Dead Sea.
Tour itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour London St Pancras; overnight train to Venice via Paris.
Day 2:
Arrive Venice; walking tour.
Day 3:
Train to Ljubljana.
Day 4:
Train to Zagreb; free afternoon.
Day 5:
Train to Belgrade; free afternoon.
Day 6:
Train to Sofia.
Day 7:
Sofia city tour; overnight train to Istanbul.
Day 8:
Arrive Istanbul; walking tour through Grand Bazaar.
Day 9:
In Istanbul; orientation walk of the city; PM free.
Day 10:
Full day in Istanbul; overnight train to Konya.
Day 11:
Arrive Konya, transfer by bus to Goreme.
Day 12:
Sightseeing in Cappadocia; drive to Gazientep.
Day 13:
Meet bus and continue to Aleppo.
Day 14:
walk around Souks and Citadel in Aleppo.
Day 15:
In Aleppo, visit St Simeon's Monastery.
Day 16:
Early morning bus to Krak des Chevaliers, tour and continue to Damascus.
Day 17:
Walking tour of Damascus.
Day 18:
Bus to Amman, Jordan.
Day 19:
Via Mount Nebo and Madaba, drive Petra.
Day 20:
In Petra, tour of site.
Day 21:
Drive Aqaba via Wadi Rum; optional camel trek in Wadi Rum.
Day 22:
Drive to Amman via Dead Sea and Baptism site.
Day 23:
Transfer to Amman Airport; tour ends.