Turkey, Greece & Middle East

Turkey

Emperors, poets, traders, warriors, religious pilgrims, explorers – over the centuries all have found themselves drawn to the diverse, fascinating land known as Turkey.  Even today, Turkey ranks among the top travel destinations in the world, thanks to such attractions as stylish Istanbul; the chic beach towns along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts; the wealth of world class historic sites and ruins, and the unforgettable landscapes of spots like Cappadocia.  Add to that the incredible cuisine, the famous bazaars and artisan trades, and the decadent hamam spa traditions and it’s clear that Turkey travel offers something for everyone.

Top 5 Experiences

1. Seeing the sunrise over Cappadocia’s landscapes on a hot air balloon ride
2. Visit Ephesus, one of the best preserved and biggest ancient cities in the world
3. White cliffs of Pamukkale
4. Battlefields of Gallipoli
5. Cruise the Turkish Coast

Greece

Greece has always been a major tourist destination thanks to its clean azure water, postcard like islands, the relics of four millennia of ancient culture and great food & wine, those who travel to Greece are certain to experience a once in a lifetime vacation.

Top 5 Experiences

1. Athens – many ancient structures still stand in the capital city with the Acropolis and the Parthenon just two of the must see UNESCO relics
2. Meteora Monasteries – once of the world’s most stunning ecclesiastical sites
3. Hiking the home of the ancient Gods, Mount Olympus
4. The islands – from the parties of Mykonos to the stunning sunsets of Santorini, hopping around the Greek Islands is an absolute must
5. Delphi – Greece’s most sacred sites

Egypt

A complicated but fascinating country with some of the most enduring historical monuments on Earth, Egypt stands as an unforgettable travel destination.  It’s hard to deal with its fair share of turmoil in recent times, but this North African nation remains proud, welcoming and accessible.  With treasures as timeless as the temples, and pyramids of the Nile to shout about, it’s not somewhere that’s going to slip from public consciousness any time soon.  A visit to fascinating Egypt still very much has the potential to thrill.

Top 5 Experiences

1. Discover the Valley of the Kings
2. Dive the Red Sea
3. Explore the Temples at Luxor
4. Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza
5. Take to the Nile and cruise between Luxor and Aswan

Jordan

Jordan is a country of mountains, beaches, castles and ancient churches, with an urbane people and a rich culture.  It is safe, comfortable and welcoming – and by far the region’s most rewarding destination.

Jordan covers a multitude of scenes, from the dramatic red sands and towering cliffs of the far south to the vast stony plains of volcanic basalt in the east.  The northern hills, rich with olive trees, teeter over the rift of the Jordan Valley, which in turn runs down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.  The centre of the country is carpeted with tranquil fields of wheat, cut through by expansive canyons and bordered by arid, craggy mountains.  At Jordan’s southernmost tip, beaches fringe the warm waters of the Red Sea, which harbours some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world.

Top 5 Experiences

1. Witness Petra by night
2. Float about in the Dead Sea
3. Take flight over Wadi Rum
4. Go canyoning in Wadi Mujib
5. Taste Knafeh in Amman

Israel

Israel offers an experience of Biblical proportions – literally. As the prime destination for religious pilgrimages, the Holy Land offers, among many sacred splendours, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock (and all of that is just inside the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City). Israel offers diverse experiences, both religious and secular, from the home of the Baha’i faith in Haifa to the glittering high rises and beaches in Tel Aviv.

Top 5 Experiences

1. Seeing the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City
2. Floating in the Dead Sea
3. The Coenaculum of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion, which is also home to King David’s Tomb
4. Strolling through Mea Shearim, Jerusalem’s Hassidic Jewish quarter
5. Admiring the 1930’s Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv