9 Days. 3n MADINAH 4* | 3n MAKKAH 4* | 2n JERUSALEM

About the destination: Cairo, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East, is the capital of Egypt. Cairo has been a centre of great importance to many civilisations, cultures and religions. From Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Ottoman and European, and passing by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic, each of its identities has left a strong imprint on Cairo, thus making it one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The Giza Plateau, that includes the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, is the only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the country's most famous tourist attraction. The sheer mass of the pyramids is awe inspiring. Islamic Cairo, the centre of historic Cairo, is best done on foot. Located east of downtown, it is full of charming little mosques and water fountains. The most important sites to visit are the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili, the main bazaar, some historic mosques and displays of medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths or Hammams. No visit to Cairo is complete without seeing the Egyptian Museum. Exotic atmosphere, chaotic traffic, thousands of minarets, noise, charming people, Cairo is a fascinating city. Few cities in the world surpass Cairo in number of monuments or architectural styles. Cairo is not an ordinary city, Cairo is a whole world.

About the destination: Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel and it's a sacred city to the three main monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Jerusalem is situated in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Despite all the troubles surrounding the city, the city presents a harmonious whole you feel that the weight of the spiritual surroundings descends on your shoulders as soon as you enter the city. The Old City and its Walls form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city is home to holy sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and is filled with sites of massive religious significance and a bustling approach to life. The three main sights inside the Old City are the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount area which includes the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa mosque. Via Dolorosa is the most popular street inside the Old City, especially among the Christian pilgrims since this was the path that Jesus Christ walked on the way to his crucifixion. There are 14 Stations of the Cross along the way .The 14th Station of the Cross and the final and most important location in Christianity is located in the Centre of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Modern Jerusalem, where most of the hotels and restaurants are located, is built around the Old City. Jerusalem is the holiest of Holy Cities and offers so much to see and explore. The city is a fascinating blend of tradition, religion and modern life. It manages to feel totally exotic and mysterious, and yet completely familiar and welcoming.

About the destination: Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The judicial and administrative bodies of the province, plus several government departments, are located in the city. Dammam is the largest city in the Eastern Province, and the sixth largest in Saudi Arabia. (Note: The text is already in English and does not require translation. The differences between English as spoken in Ireland and other English-speaking countries are generally minor and would not significantly alter the text provided.)

About the destination: Mecca or Makkah located in western Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam. Every year millions of pilgrims flock to Mecca. As a result there has been a lot of construction to cater for the accommodation of the pilgrims, and extensions to the mosque itself. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the holy city. Mecca also has a very rich history as it is a very old city which has been considered sacred since the early Middle Ages. In Mecca’s city center there is the Sacred Mosque, considered the holiest site in Islam. The Kaaba is located at the center of the Sacred Mosque, all Muslims pray in the direction of Kaaba, believed to have been originally built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Other major sites to see in Mecca are Mina, the Hill of Arafat and Jabal Rahma, the cave Jabal Al Thur and Masjid e Taneem Mosque. Undeniably, Mecca is one of the most spiritual places on Earth.

About the destination: Medina is a city in the north of Mecca and the second holiest city of Islam. A city of peace and tranquility, where many historic and archaeological sites along with several Islamic historic battle sites are found here. Madinah is rich in culture, heritage and museums. Vast date plantations and ancient traditional markets (Souks) alongside modern shopping malls and arcades abound this city. Yanbu is home to some of the most beautiful beaches with sunlight caressing its coral reefs under the sea like a painting of unique and rarely seen landscape. It is a city of creativity that competes with other cities around the world. Madain Saleh is the UNESCO’s World Heritage pre-Islamic archaeological site located in Al Madina Province. It is also called as Al Hijir. When you enter the area, you will find yourself surrounded by interconnected mountains and separate rocky cliffs on a sprawling landscape. Madain Saleh was the capital and an important city of the Nabataeans after Petra in Jordan.

About the destination: Cairo, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East, is the capital of Egypt. Cairo has been a centre of great importance to many civilisations, cultures and religions. From Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Ottoman and European, and passing by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic, each of its identities has left a strong imprint on Cairo, thus making it one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The Giza Plateau, that includes the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, is the only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the country's most famous tourist attraction. The sheer mass of the pyramids is awe inspiring. Islamic Cairo, the centre of historic Cairo, is best done on foot. Located east of downtown, it is full of charming little mosques and water fountains. The most important sites to visit are the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili, the main bazaar, some historic mosques and displays of medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths or Hammams. No visit to Cairo is complete without seeing the Egyptian Museum. Exotic atmosphere, chaotic traffic, thousands of minarets, noise, charming people, Cairo is a fascinating city. Few cities in the world surpass Cairo in number of monuments or architectural styles. Cairo is not an ordinary city, Cairo is a whole world.

About the destination: Istanbul owes its historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural heritage to its perfect strategic location, straddling the Bosphorus straits which separate Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year-long history, the city (first known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and since 1930 as Istanbul) was a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is almost exclusively Turkish, and many of its people are recent migrants from provincial Turkey, drawn by the promise of jobs and careers in this vibrant, rapidly growing city. Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic and cultural powerhouse - a status emphasised by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples and the remains of massive medieval city walls. But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has contributed to a thriving arts and music scene, with a wealth of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.