More with Tarek Mousa

Tarek Mousa has been so kind as to share with us an insider's look at Israel and Jordan. Here he shares some of the top sights to see!

Sights Not to be Missed

"In both countries you will find great natural beauty and numerous sights of historic significance. The top places I recommend you include in your itinerary are:

• In Israel: Jerusalem Old City, Massada, Dead Sea, Caesarea, Tiberias, Golan Heights.
• In Jordan: Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Kerak and the Baptism Site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan (the site of John the Baptist's settlement where Jesus was baptized.)"

"These are some of my personal favourites:

• Favourite sites in Israel:
  The Church of the Holy Sepulcher - By far the most important place for Christians and the location of the tomb of Jesus.
  Western Wall and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem - The most sacred place for Jewish people.
  Masada - A fascinating piece of Jewish history is connected to this attraction on top of the mountain. It is also a great archeological site.
• Favourite sites in Jordan:
  Petra - The way this site is carved into the mountain and the history behind it is just incredible. Petra was selected as one of the seven wonders of the world in 2007.
  Wadi Rum - This is where Lawerence of Arabia was filmed. One of the most magical experiences you can have is spending the night in a tent under the stars."

Keep your eyes out for a bit more on Jordan and Israel this week!

Canyonlands - Part 2

See Canyonlands - Part 1



As we continued following the winding Colorado River we made our way to Page, Utah and the stunning slots of Antelope Canyon. Another amazing natural wonder formed over time by flash floods from the plains below. A few hours north of Page we came across our first glimpse of the beautiful clay hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, also known as the ‘Valley of the Standing Man’. We enjoyed some spectacular hikes here, on the rim and down into the canyon, climbing through narrow gaps between these standing men. Once again the varying colours of these wind eroded land forms was a camera buffs dream!





Zion National Park, a few hours south of Bryce, was our last stop and also our lowest point so hardly any snow! Zion is quite a contrast to the other two parks as you are actually driving into the park through desert terrain and looking up 3000 feet at towering sandstone walls, monoliths and sculpted rock. Once again the most wonderful shades of red against the deep blue skies.



There are lots of hiking options of varying degrees and a few of us challenged ourselves to attempt Angels Landing - this is not for the faint of heart! This is one of the most thrilling hikes that takes you up the stunning switchbacks known as Walters Wiggles to a rock face with a narrow trail and chains to hang on to. Its best not attempted at the time of year we were there as ice and snow make the rock face very perilous. Needless to say after going a few hundred feet along the face we decided Angels Landing was just not worth the risk. Instead we sat at Scouts Landing, still enjoying a magnificent view, as our heart rates slowly returned to normal!





And then it was back to the glitz and glam known as Las Vegas all too soon.



This was a fast paced trip with an awesome exposure to the Canyonlands of Utah and Arizona. It really left you wanting to explore more. Hotels and lodges were all moderate with a great degree of comfort and all just outside park entrances, so very convenient. Although hiking was all optional this trip is really geared towards hiking but the hikes are at your own pace and level so ideally suited for anyone who enjoys walking.



This adventure for me can be summed up in miles and miles of 'oohs and aahs'.

Insider's View With Tarek Mousa in Tel Aviv

Visiting exotic locations like Israel and Jordan can be a challenge to plan. Our On Location partners are here to help. They are local specialists who can customize arrangements to suit your needs making your vacation a seamless and enriching experience. Tarek Mousa and his team specialize in custom tours of Israel, Jordan and other countries in the region. Contact us so we can work with Tarek to arrange the ground side of your journey in Israel and Jordan, including hotels, sightseeing itineraries and transportation.

Visiting Israel and Jordan

"Israel and Jordan offer a wonderful inspirational travel experience."

"The best time to visit is the spring and fall, when the weather will be most comfortable - March through June and September through November. For the lowest hotel rates, visit in the late fall and winter months - the beginning of December and the months of January and February. It is best to avoid religious holidays as many of the sights you will want to visit will be very crowded."

"English is widely spoken which is a big help to our North American visitors. For Israel you will get a free visa on arrival. Currently Jordan charges US$30 for a visa when you arrive at the airport however this is subject to change."

" The most direct flights from North America are offered by the following carriers:

• Flights to Israel:
  From USA: Delta, Continental, US airways and El Al
  From Canada: Air Canada
• Flights to Jordan:
  From USA:Royal Jordanian, US airways and American Airlines.
  From Canada: Royal Jordanian"

"It is easy to visit Jordan on an excursion from Israel. Clients have many options to take an excursion to/from Jordan crossing via land borders or taking flights. However, unless you only want to see historic Petra in Jordan, it is best if clients fly into Aqaba, Jordan and out of Tel Aviv, Israel, or vice versa, as this reduces backtracking."

For more insider's information on Jordan and Israel, come back later this week!

Canyonlands - Part 1

A few years ago I had the opportunity to explore the amazing Canyonlands in Utah and Arizona. What could be easier than a 2.5 hour flight to Las Vegas, the jumping off point for the trip? I traveled with Explore Worldwide, one of the many small group adventure companies we work with.





After meeting my fellow hikers we hit the road, crossed Hoover Dam and drove a stretch of the famed Route 66 - very kitschy. We came upon the Grand Canyon at the south rim just in time for a spectacular sunset! It just opened up in front of us and although I knew what to expect I was still awestruck by the size of the expanse.







We spent the next couple of days doing various hikes at our own pace along the rim or down into the Canyon, on the Bright Angel Trail. This was a bit tricky as it was still early for hiking and the trails were snowy and icy. But you could rent or buy crampons for your boots and so managed fairly well. We eventually had to leave this amazing place and as we drove out the East Gate we managed to time the sunrise just right for more jaw dropping views.







From Grand Canyon we met the ‘wild west’ as we made our way through Navajo land to the classic site of Monument Valley. As we crested a small hill, there it was, right in front of us, the scene from every Western movie I had ever seen. Mesas and buttes in various shades of red, eroded over time, silhouetted against the blue, blue skies. We enjoyed a fantastic jeep tour led by our Navajo guide who shared Navajo folklore and drummed us into a trancelike state in a beautiful natural rock amphitheatre as the sun slowly set.



I seemed to be in a constant state of exclamation during the trip as it was an endless collection of unbelievable sunrises, sunsets, vistas, colours and rock formations!

Highlights of Scandinavia and the Baltics

My family’s last trip together was quite an adventure. With nine of us altogether, including my two grand kids, it was quite hectic at times. I even ended up forgetting my bag at the airport one day! Despite the chaos, the trip was great overall. Here are some of the highlights in pictures.

Square in Riga, Latvia. On one of our days in Riga, we were walking through the city and came across this square. The pianist was absolutely amazing! We were all very impressed.


Island Fortress, Trakai, Lithuania. This is the Island Castle in Trakai. The entire fortress was a ruin until 1962, when it was rebuilt.


Stockholm, Sweden. People watching is one of my favourite things to do in any city. This square in Stockholm was just perfect for this. I grabbed a coffee, sat down on a bench and just watched people come and go.


Vasa Museum, Stockholm. This is a picture of Vasa, which sank in 1628 and was finally lifted in 1961 after 333 years. In the museum we discovered how Vasa was built, what life was like onboard a ship and how Vasa sank.


Water Closet, Talinn, Estonia. This water closet is made of black marble. Apparently it is the most expensive public toilet ever built in Estonia and was heavily criticized by citizens.


Vigelsparken Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway. This is Bruce and I in front of the bronze fountain in the Oslo Sculpture Park.

A World of Cultural Experiences

Want to really get to know the places you visit? Immerse yourself in the culture of your destination. By appreciating the art, architecture, music, dance, customs and gastronomy you'll feel closer to your temporary home.There are a variety of cultural experiences around the world. Check out these tempting options.

Israel

• Lifestyle: Stay at a Kibbutz to gain an understanding of these Israeli communities.
• Religion: Visit the many sights of the spiritual centre of Jerusalem.

South Africa

• Lifestyle: Travel with a professional ranger on a morning wildlife drive through the Kruger National Park.
• Food & Wine: Enjoy a gourmet meal in a private home.

Vietnam

• Gastronomy: Check out the Hanoi street food scene with the chairman of the Hanoi Gastronomy Club.
• Religion: Experience a traditional Buddhist prayer ceremony at a temple in Hue.

Jordan

• Lifestyle: Spend the night under the stars in the desert at a Bedouin camp.
• Lifestyle: Have tea with a Bedouin family.

Thailand

• Art: Spend time with Realist artist Chiang Rai.
• Lifestyle: Visit the hill tribes of the northern Golden Triangle.

Brazil

• Gastronomy: Visit a fun churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats cooked in true Brazilian style followed by the extravaganza of a Samba show.
• Lifestyle: In the Amazon rainforest, learn the medical secrets of the indigenous tribes and drink water from trees; just two of the many local experiences you can enjoy.

Germany

• Architecture: 17th Century Castle to the Bauhaus, Germany's a great place to explore architecture. Go behind the facades to places the general public doesn't normally see.
• Gastronomy: Discuss the evening's meal with a star chef while you sip champagne; discover the famous German Rieslings at a private wine tasting or learn the secrets of a celebrated chocolatier.

Cruising Jordan & Israel

Imagine experiencing the wondrous sights of Israel and Jordan while living aboard a cruise ship. This is possible on Eastern Mediterranean and Suez Canal/Red Sea sailings.

An excursion to a Kibbutz is often arranged by cruise lines when in Israel, giving you a unique cultural experience.

• Visit Israel on Eastern Mediterranean and Suez Canal cruises which call at the ports of Haifa and Ashdod on the Mediterranean and occasionally, Eilat on the Red Sea.
  • Visits to Jerusalem can be made from both Haifa and Ashdod, with Ashdod the closest port.
  • From Haifa, visit Jerusalem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights.
  • From Ashdod visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, Dead Sea and the sparkling city and beaches of Tel Aviv.
  • From Eilat visit Masada, Dead Sea and Sodom.
• Visit Jordan on cruises to the Suez Canal and Red Sea.
• From Aqaba, Jordan's only seaport, you have the opportunity to visit ancient Petra, stunning Wadi Rum, a Bedouin camp as well as the highlights of Aqaba.

A unique opportunity is offered by Azamara Club Cruises on November 5, 2012 when Azamara Journey sails for 10 nights, round trip from Suez, Egypt calling at Aqaba, Jordan, Eilat, Israel plus Safaga and Sharm-el -Sheikh, Egypt, with two days in each port of call.

However you choose to visit Israel and Jordan, you are in for a unique travel experience.