Jordan and Israel Discovery

On arrival in the Jordanian capital of Amman, be met at the aiport and transferred to your luxurious hotel. Soak up the amazing atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city, where modern architecture and crumbling ruins exist side by side. There'll be much anticipatory chatter about the Jordanian adventures ahead during dinner at the hotel this evening. Stay Two Nights: W Hotel Amman (D)

• Discover the flavours of Jordan with a special cooking class at a local home. Learn to make traditional recipes such as maaloubeh (stewed meat, rice and vegetables), mutabel (eggplant dip), tabbouleh and muhallebi (milk pudding), then savour your creations for dinner.

Set off early this morning on a road trip down the 5,000-year-old King's Highway towards Petra. Pause along the way to visit Mount Nebo, the place where it is believed Moses had his last view over the Holy Land. Take in spectacular views over the Jordan Valley before continuing to the Byzantine church of Saint George in Madaba, where you will see the Christian mosaics of Madaba – one of the oldest maps in the world.

Later, arrive in Petra. Stay Two Nights: Movenpick Resort Petra (B/L)

Today you'll explore the legendary Petra, with its awe-inspiring temples, tombs and caves. Walk through the Siq, winding your way through the canyon with 80-metre walls soaring either side, a location you may recognise from the movie  ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'. See The Treasury, the first historical building within the site and be given the option to walk up to The Monastery, a huge carved temple reached by 800 steps. (B/D)

• In Wadi Rum, a soul-enriching stay awaits at Sun City Camp, where you'll feast on traditional Arabic delights. As evening falls, board a Jeep and journey out into the Wadi Rum desert. The lunar-like desert landscape provides the perfect backdrop for stargazing. Learn all about the stars and be given the opportunity to view them up close with telescopes.

Your epic desert exploration continues on today, looping back towards Amman and on to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is actually an enormous inland salt lake spanning over 600 square kilometres, and is nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean. The water and mud are full of minerals, and the air is rich in oxygen. One of the world's first ever health resort areas, it has attracted visitors for thousands of years. Stay Two Nights: Dead Sea, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar (B/L)

• You might like to visit the Ma'in Hot Springs and soak in the thermal mineral waters before enjoying lunch. Alternatively, visit the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex and Museum, where you'll learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Dead Sea. The complex offers incredible views over the Jordan Rift Valley and the Dead Sea.

• Set out on a 4WD adventure through the orchards and vineyards of the Golan Plateau. Indulge in a chef-prepared lunch at the award-winning Chateau Golan winery.

Discover Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and city of the crusaders. Walk in their footsteps in the templar tunnels a visit the Hospitaller Fortress. In the exotic garden town of Haifa, an orientation tour leads you to stunning views from Mount Carmel in Bahai Gardens. After lunch, reach Nazareth and visit the Church of the Annunciation before returning to your hotel for dinner. (B/L/D)

This morning, venture out onto the fabled waters of the Sea of Galilee on a boat ride before heading south towards Jerusalem. En route visit the archaeological site of Beit Shean and explore Jericho, boarding a cable car to the Mount of Temptations. You'll also visit the old Orthodox monastery and Qumran, where the sacred Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for thousands of years.

This evening is yours to relax at leisure. Stay Three Nights: Jerusalem, Orient Hotel or similar (B/L)

Discover Jerusalem, a holy city of high importance to people of Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was first consecrated in the year AD335, is believed to have been built up around the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Then visit the holiest site in Judaism, the Western (or Wailing) Wall. Here, you'll have the opportunity to descend into the labyrinth of limestone tunnels built beneath the old city. (B/L)

Today, visit Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare manuscripts. Adjacent is the model of the Second Temple, a reconstruction of what the city looked like before its destruction by the Romans in AD66. Head out to Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center before visiting the leafy neighbourhood of Ein Karem for lunch.

This evening is yours at leisure. (B/L)

• Tonight, be welcomed into a local household as you join them for dinner and hear their stories. This unique experience offers a deeper insight into modern Israel's melting pot of cultures and cuisine.

Enjoy a morning exploration of Tel Aviv, including a wander through the Zodiac Alleys, picturesque, restored alleyways home to many art galleries.

Afterwards, travel at your own pace with the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, celebrate your adventures with fellow travellers at a farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Your epic journey comes to an end this morning with a transfer to Tel Aviv Airport. (B)