Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids

Situated near the Dead Sea, Amman is the capital of Jordan and a cultural and historical hub in the Middle East. Explore this sprawling city, replete with historic landmarks, museums, and mosques, and you’ll soon be enraptured by its blend of metropolitan and ancient beauty. Highlights include the ruins of Amman Citadel and Umayyad Palace, the ancient Roman Amphitheater, the grand blue dome of King Abdullah I Mosque, and the immersive Jordan Museum. For a unique experience, head to the city’s Royal Automobile Museum to see an impressive collection of vintage cars, or visit the city center to sample authentic eats, including Arabic coffee, maqluba, and shawarma. Better yet, take a day trip and venture south to the iconic archaeological marvel of Petra. Amman beckons you!

Upon the banks of the mighty Nile River, the renowned city of Cairo stands tall as an iconic world capital and a well-preserved relic of antiquity. Immerse yourself in this historically significant city, replete with architectural wonders, mesmerizing artifacts, and sprawling markets humming with energy.

Of course, a trip to Cairo must include a visit to its most recognizable monuments. Head west to the Giza Necropolis, whose warm desert sands will transport you to the time of the ancient pharaohs. Gaze in awe at the Great Pyramid of Giza, a Wonder of the World, as well as its two sister pyramids and the famous Great Sphinx monolith. Hop on a camel to view the pyramids from another vantage point, or venture inside any of the three pyramids to explore the rooms in which the pharaohs were entombed.

Cairo’s city center brims with fascinating museums, striking mosques and temples, grand palaces, and excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Highlights include the expansive Egyptian Museum, painted in bright red and home to thousands of unique antiquities, as well as the enormous Salah El-Din citadel, site of the exquisite Muhammad Ali Mosque. The Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo neighborhoods exhibit the best of both Christian and Islamic influences within the city and abound with stunning art and diverse houses of worship. Experience one of the most legendary bazaars in Africa at the Khan el-Khalili souk in Islamic Cairo. Here you’ll traverse a winding outdoor market to browse spices, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs, all authentic to Egypt.

Discover the historic paradise that is Cairo and let this ancient city astound you!

Upon the banks of the mighty Nile River, the renowned city of Cairo stands tall as an iconic world capital and a well-preserved relic of antiquity. Immerse yourself in this historically significant city, replete with architectural wonders, mesmerizing artifacts, and sprawling markets humming with energy.

Of course, a trip to Cairo must include a visit to its most recognizable monuments. Head west to the Giza Necropolis, whose warm desert sands will transport you to the time of the ancient pharaohs. Gaze in awe at the Great Pyramid of Giza, a Wonder of the World, as well as its two sister pyramids and the famous Great Sphinx monolith. Hop on a camel to view the pyramids from another vantage point, or venture inside any of the three pyramids to explore the rooms in which the pharaohs were entombed.

Cairo’s city center brims with fascinating museums, striking mosques and temples, grand palaces, and excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Highlights include the expansive Egyptian Museum, painted in bright red and home to thousands of unique antiquities, as well as the enormous Salah El-Din citadel, site of the exquisite Muhammad Ali Mosque. The Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo neighborhoods exhibit the best of both Christian and Islamic influences within the city and abound with stunning art and diverse houses of worship. Experience one of the most legendary bazaars in Africa at the Khan el-Khalili souk in Islamic Cairo. Here you’ll traverse a winding outdoor market to browse spices, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs, all authentic to Egypt.

Discover the historic paradise that is Cairo and let this ancient city astound you!

Upon the banks of the mighty Nile River, the renowned city of Cairo stands tall as an iconic world capital and a well-preserved relic of antiquity. Immerse yourself in this historically significant city, replete with architectural wonders, mesmerizing artifacts, and sprawling markets humming with energy.

Of course, a trip to Cairo must include a visit to its most recognizable monuments. Head west to the Giza Necropolis, whose warm desert sands will transport you to the time of the ancient pharaohs. Gaze in awe at the Great Pyramid of Giza, a Wonder of the World, as well as its two sister pyramids and the famous Great Sphinx monolith. Hop on a camel to view the pyramids from another vantage point, or venture inside any of the three pyramids to explore the rooms in which the pharaohs were entombed.

Cairo’s city center brims with fascinating museums, striking mosques and temples, grand palaces, and excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Highlights include the expansive Egyptian Museum, painted in bright red and home to thousands of unique antiquities, as well as the enormous Salah El-Din citadel, site of the exquisite Muhammad Ali Mosque. The Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo neighborhoods exhibit the best of both Christian and Islamic influences within the city and abound with stunning art and diverse houses of worship. Experience one of the most legendary bazaars in Africa at the Khan el-Khalili souk in Islamic Cairo. Here you’ll traverse a winding outdoor market to browse spices, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs, all authentic to Egypt.

Discover the historic paradise that is Cairo and let this ancient city astound you!

Giza, Egypt, is a destination that embodies the mysteries and grandeur of ancient civilization, drawing millions of visitors every year to marvel at its iconic monuments. At the heart of Giza stands the Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Pyramids of Giza — the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. These ancient wonders, built over 4,500 years ago, are among the most significant architectural feats in human history, with the Great Pyramid being the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A visit to Giza offers the unique opportunity to stand before these colossal structures and reflect on the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians who constructed them without modern machinery.

A trip to Giza would not be complete without a close encounter with the Great Sphinx, the world’s largest monolith statue. Carved directly from the limestone bedrock, the Sphinx combines the body of a lion with the head of a pharaoh, believed to represent Pharaoh Khafre. Standing sentinel over the desert sands, the Sphinx has sparked imaginations for centuries with its enigmatic expression and the unsolved mysteries surrounding its purpose and construction. The nearby Solar Boat Museum houses the reconstructed Khufu ship, an ancient boat buried near the Great Pyramid that likely served as a funerary vessel for Pharaoh Khufu's journey into the afterlife.

Beyond its ancient landmarks, Giza offers vibrant local culture and contemporary attractions that give travelers a deeper look into Egyptian life. A stroll through the bustling streets near the pyramids reveals a variety of souvenir shops, local eateries, and markets where you can taste traditional Egyptian cuisine, such as koshari or falafel. For a more curated experience, the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum, set to open fully soon, promises to be the world’s largest archaeological museum, housing an extensive collection of artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. This museum will provide a fascinating bridge between Egypt’s storied past and its evolving present.

Fun fact: the Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid, was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years until the construction of England’s Lincoln Cathedral in the 14th century. The alignment of the pyramid with the cardinal points of the compass is so precise that it continues to baffle architects and scientists today, who marvel at the advanced astronomical knowledge the ancient Egyptians must have possessed to achieve such accuracy. Whether you are a history buff, an adventurer, or simply a curious traveler, Giza offers a timeless journey into the depths of human achievement and cultural heritage.

Giza, Egypt, is a destination that embodies the mysteries and grandeur of ancient civilization, drawing millions of visitors every year to marvel at its iconic monuments. At the heart of Giza stands the Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Pyramids of Giza — the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. These ancient wonders, built over 4,500 years ago, are among the most significant architectural feats in human history, with the Great Pyramid being the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A visit to Giza offers the unique opportunity to stand before these colossal structures and reflect on the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians who constructed them without modern machinery.

A trip to Giza would not be complete without a close encounter with the Great Sphinx, the world’s largest monolith statue. Carved directly from the limestone bedrock, the Sphinx combines the body of a lion with the head of a pharaoh, believed to represent Pharaoh Khafre. Standing sentinel over the desert sands, the Sphinx has sparked imaginations for centuries with its enigmatic expression and the unsolved mysteries surrounding its purpose and construction. The nearby Solar Boat Museum houses the reconstructed Khufu ship, an ancient boat buried near the Great Pyramid that likely served as a funerary vessel for Pharaoh Khufu's journey into the afterlife.

Beyond its ancient landmarks, Giza offers vibrant local culture and contemporary attractions that give travelers a deeper look into Egyptian life. A stroll through the bustling streets near the pyramids reveals a variety of souvenir shops, local eateries, and markets where you can taste traditional Egyptian cuisine, such as koshari or falafel. For a more curated experience, the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum, set to open fully soon, promises to be the world’s largest archaeological museum, housing an extensive collection of artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. This museum will provide a fascinating bridge between Egypt’s storied past and its evolving present.

Fun fact: the Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid, was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years until the construction of England’s Lincoln Cathedral in the 14th century. The alignment of the pyramid with the cardinal points of the compass is so precise that it continues to baffle architects and scientists today, who marvel at the advanced astronomical knowledge the ancient Egyptians must have possessed to achieve such accuracy. Whether you are a history buff, an adventurer, or simply a curious traveler, Giza offers a timeless journey into the depths of human achievement and cultural heritage.

Upon the banks of the mighty Nile River, the renowned city of Cairo stands tall as an iconic world capital and a well-preserved relic of antiquity. Immerse yourself in this historically significant city, replete with architectural wonders, mesmerizing artifacts, and sprawling markets humming with energy.

Of course, a trip to Cairo must include a visit to its most recognizable monuments. Head west to the Giza Necropolis, whose warm desert sands will transport you to the time of the ancient pharaohs. Gaze in awe at the Great Pyramid of Giza, a Wonder of the World, as well as its two sister pyramids and the famous Great Sphinx monolith. Hop on a camel to view the pyramids from another vantage point, or venture inside any of the three pyramids to explore the rooms in which the pharaohs were entombed.

Cairo’s city center brims with fascinating museums, striking mosques and temples, grand palaces, and excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Highlights include the expansive Egyptian Museum, painted in bright red and home to thousands of unique antiquities, as well as the enormous Salah El-Din citadel, site of the exquisite Muhammad Ali Mosque. The Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo neighborhoods exhibit the best of both Christian and Islamic influences within the city and abound with stunning art and diverse houses of worship. Experience one of the most legendary bazaars in Africa at the Khan el-Khalili souk in Islamic Cairo. Here you’ll traverse a winding outdoor market to browse spices, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs, all authentic to Egypt.

Discover the historic paradise that is Cairo and let this ancient city astound you!