---------------------------------------------------

We’ll be greeted at the airport by our Egyptian friends and guides who will help us through customs and immigrations before we head to the remarkable Mena House Oberoi – our home during the first portion of our trip.

The Mena House, where the ancient and the historic collide, is a spectacular fantasy of Oriental opulence on the Giza Plateau. The former hunting palace of the Khedive Ismael (the last King of Egypt), the Mena House boasts 140 years of history, hosting royalty, world leaders and celebrities – including Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Chiang Kai-Chek, Omar Shariff, Cecil B. DeMille, Charles Lindberg, Henry Kissenger, William Faulkner, Randolph Hearst, the King of Morocco, several US Presidents, and many others.

But perhaps best of all will be the view from the hotel – where the Great Pyramid fills the sky like a mountain.

---------------------------------------------------

Cairo has played a pivotal role in the history of the three great western monotheisms: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. From the discovery of Moses, to sheltering the holy family during the slaughter of the innocents, to its centuries at the center of the Islamic world, Cairo has been intimately folded into the west’s spiritual heritage. Today we’ll explore these themes while visiting “Old Cairo;” including the oldest synagogue in Egypt, the famed St. Sergio Church and the beautifully peaceful Ar Rafaii Mosque.

---------------------------------------------------

 Today we venture further afield – exploring Alexandria, the “jewel of the Mediterranean.”  Long revered as a robust center of learning, culture and spirituality, Alex had a terrific influence on the early Christian Church. We’ll also visit the breathtaking new “Bibliotech Alexandria” the stunning, ultramodern rebirth of the greatest library and center of learning in the ancient world. 

---------------------------------------------------

Check into Sonesta St. George Luxor Hotel

Today we fly to Luxor, home to the greatest concentration of antiquities on the planet. Known as Thebes in the ancient world, Luxor is a friendly and fascinating mixture of the ancient and modern, the metropolitan and the rustic. 

You’re free this afternoon to rest and recharge in our five-star hotel, or to take in some of the charm of the city before we ring in the New Year in a unique and exotic setting: Luxor, Egypt!

http://www.sonesta.com/egypt_luxor/     

---------------------------------------------------

Today we take in some of the most famous mortuary monuments in Egypt: the famed Temple of Hapshetsut, the controversial 18th dynasty cross-dressing pharaoh, and the Mortuary Temple of Ramses, where we’ll hear from a researcher at Chicago House about their latest discoveries and restoration efforts.  

Then we visit the largest concentration of royal tombs in all of Egypt, and perhaps see some suprises, in the Valley of the Kings.  

And of course, our visit to the West Bank wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Colossi of Memnon.       

Today we visit two of the most powerful sites in all of Egypt: the temple of Hathor at Dendarah and the Temple of Seti I in Abydos. At these sites we will witness mysteries, conundrums, stunning religious art and powerful architectural expression. 

We’ll also see a special presentation about the work being done to save the famed “Osirion” from the encroachment of ground water caused by the high dam. And we will pass right through the "Nag Hamadi" the discovery place of the renowned "Nag Hamadi Scrolls" the rare 2nd century Gnostic texts.

---------------------------------------------------

Words cannot communicate to you the experience of Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever built by man.  It will be a highlight of the trip as we visit several temples on this important and beautiful site.

After dinner we fly to Cairo to prepare for our departure to the Sinai.

Evening flight to Cairo and overnight at airport hotel.

We leave early for the journey to one of the most sacred landscapes on the planet: the Sinai.

First we will stop at the remarkable Wadi Feiran, a beautiful natural wonder that doubles as a time machine, transporting us back to the pages of the Old Testament: Exodus 17. It is here that Moses struck a rock to bring forth a spring for his thirsty people, here that the Hebrews camped in preparation for battle, here that Moses climbed Mount Tahoun to watch the great battle unfold. And it is here that centuries of pilgrims, priests and worshipers have journeyed to move closer to their faith.

---------------------------------------------------

Like Wadi Feiran, St. Catherine’s Monastery is a welter of powerful energies, mythic occurrences, and Biblical importance. From the receiving of the law to the mystery of the burning bush, there are few sites in the Holy land more revered and important than St. Catherine’s and Mount Moses.

Enjoy an afternoon of rest, relax by the pool, or explore local Cairo.

Today we will have a marvelous presentation from the Department of Antiquities on the Sphinx restoration, and also enjoy a private visit to the Great Pyramid.  

Afterwards, we will visit the Cairo Museum, and be treated to a special presentation by famed Egyptian expert, Dr. Zahi Hawass.

In the evening, our farewell dinner will be a special experience for us all.

 

Dec 28th  – 31st               Mena House Hotel                                3 nights 

Dec 31st – Jan 03rd        Sonesta St. George Hotel                      3 nights 

Jan 03rd – 04th              Movenpick airport hotel                        1 night 

Jan 04th – 06th               St. Catherine Hotel                                2 nights

Jan 06th – 08th               Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel               2 nights