Journey through these two lands whose early histories produced some of the world’s oldest cities and whose contemporary societies reflect enlightened and stable governments. Accompanied by archaeologist and scholar, Konstantinos Politis, the trip begins in Amman, the original Philadelphia of 2,000 years ago. Enjoy a private dinner at the Dar Al Anda Art Gallery which offers spectacular views of the city including the amphitheater. A number of briefings have been arranged including Asma Khader, former Minister of Information and a prominent attorney on the question of human rights and Sa’eda Kilani, head of the Arab Archives Institute which works on media freedom.
Visit the site of Jerash which is nestled in a green and well-watered valley in the biblical land of Gilead. Wander among the original temples, theatres, plazas, baths and colonnaded streets, all enclosed within the remaining city walls. Drive south stopping at Mt. Nebo, where Moses is said to be buried. Stop at Madaba to admire the famous sixth-century map of Palestine which is in the form of a mosaic. Enter the Dana Nature Reserve and enjoy a Bedouin dinner at the Feynen Lodge surrounded by the soft glow of 250 goatskin-covered candles. At Petra walk through a narrow siq, a winding fissure between two overhanging cliffs, which suddenly opens out into a hidden valley lined with temples, treasure-houses and tombs carved from the salmon-pink rock by the Nabateans. The immense classical façade of the Treasury is striking and its Corinthian capitals, pediments and friezes shine bright and crisp.
After a night near Jordan’s Dead Sea, fly to Muscat, the capital of Oman. At one time gold, porcelain, silk and spices from Asia traded for perfumes, ivory and horses from Arabia made Oman richer in foreign merchandise than any part of the Islamic world. It was from Oman that Sinbad the sailor set out on his legendary explorations immortalized in Tales of the Arabian Nights and in Oman that the Queen of Sheba guarded a plentiful supply of frankincense for her lover, King Solomon. Explore Muscat, chiseled out of the desert’s red rock where the yellow-brown landscape breaks with flashes of white as men in pristine disdashas - Oman’s national dress – hurry on to the beach to haul in sardine nets. Wander through the Grand Mosque, a superb example of contemporary Islamic architecture.
Enjoy lunch at the private Beit al Zbair Museum where director, Sarah White, will give a lecture on Oman’s cultural heritage. Explore Oman’s interior with a stop at the ancient oasis town of Nizwa, once the medieval capital of Oman. Visit Nizwa’s fabulous souk, which specializes in the finely curved Omani tribal daggers known as khanjars that are kept in beautiful filigree sheaths. Discover the magnificent fortress of Jabrin with its brilliant architectural design of courtyards, painted ceilings and false floors. Enjoy an excursion into the Wahiba Sands; a perfect specimen of a sand-sea, representing many different stages of evolution over millions of years. Return home from Muscat.
Group size is limited to 15 travelers.
