Niger River, Mali • Lake Victoria, Uganda •
The Sacred Ganges, India • Irrawaddy River, Burma •
Perfume River & Hue, Vietnam • Li River & Guilin,
China • Arabian Sea Backwaters in Cochin, India •
Nile River & Lake Nasser, Egypt
Great
Trade Routes 2006 Private Jet Package
The superb architecture and beautiful art along the great trade
routes, including Libya's Leptis Magna, reached incredible heights
of engineering and sophistication.
The exquisite mosaics and frescoes that adorn cathedrals, palaces
and baths — like those in Istanbul's St. Savior in Chora
— are treasured for their sacred images, beauty and artistry.
The faces of the people we meet along history's Great Trade
Routes convey warmth, curiosity and hospitality that reaches
beyond borders and across cultures.
Trade was the engine that powered the evolution of great cultural
centers along the great trade routes — from Petra and
Dubai to Kashgar and Istanbul and many points in between.
Great
Trade Routes: Accomondations
MOROCCO
Moroccan riads : A taste of true Moroccan hospitality
In Marrakech, travelers may stay in authentic riads, small,
elegant and historic hotels located off the medina in converted
sultan's palaces and private residences. In traditional Arab
fashio, riads feature guest rooms that often open onto a courtyard
with a fountain and fruit trees. They are decorated in classic
Moorish style and are distinguished by their comfort and intimacy,
as well as superb service — a true Moroccan experience.
Those who prefer may choose to stay in a riad -style hotel.
LIBYA
Corinthia Bab, Tripoli
Located on the seafront, this stylish new hotel is luxuriously
appointed. Each guest room has a panoramic view of the Mediterranean
Sea and the city. Baths feature separate walk-in showers, premium
amenities and plush robes. All modern business services are
accessible from the guest rooms.
JORDAN
Mövenpick Hotel, Petra
Located a two-minute walk from the Petra entrance gate, the
Mövenpick blends Middle Eastern craftsmanship with Western
design in one of the country's most luxurious hotels. Notable
features include an excellent gym and hammam (Arabic steam bath),
opulent restaurant, well-stocked library and spacious, contemporary
guest rooms.
UNITED
ARAB EMIRATES
Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Dubai
This luxury hotel is situated on Dubai 's world-famous Jumeirah
Beach, with a private resort beach just for guests. Each beautifully
furnished, spacious guest room faces the sea or landscaped gardens.
Superb bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas create a sense
of tasteful luxury in warm Arabian style. Two pools are set
within the resort's landscaped tropical gardens, and a third
'infinity pool' is located on the mezzanine.
INDIA
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Only 650 yards from the Taj Mahal, this serene resort abounds
with elaborate Mogul gardens, terraced lawns, fountains, reflection
pools and pavilions that complement the classical architecture
of the hotel. Each elegant guest room features hand-embroidered
headboards, inlaid wooden desks and arched windows framing a
beautiful view of the Taj.
CHINA
Bangchen Taxinan Barony Hotel, Kashgar
This newly built, modern hotel is conveniently located in downtown
Kashgar, near the commercial center. Hotel facilities include
comfortable rooms, a lounge, restaurant, business center and
gift shop. Guests can receive e-mail, money exchange is available
and all major credit cards are accepted.
TURKEY
Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
This recently renovated gem near the Dolmabahce Palace offers
many recreational facilities including an Ottoman-style pool,
tennis courts, putting green, health club, jogging trail, hammams
(Arabic steam baths), solaria, saunas and whirlpools. Guest
rooms feature rich, contemporary fabrics, spreads and carpeting.
The marble desks have leather swivel chairs, and carved wooden
chests disguise minibars.
Great
Trade Routes: Itinerary
Day
1 - Depart for London
Depart on individual commercial overnight flights to London.
Day
2 - London, England
Meet fellow travelers, lecturers and expedition staff at our
deluxe hotel for a welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Day
3 - Marrakech, Morocco
An oasis of palm and olive groves, this fabled city is the essence
of exotic. Explore its mosques, tombs and palaces — places
of living history — and soak up the fascinating sights,
sounds and colors of its lively souks, still the heart of the
city's commerce and culture.
Day
4 - Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is a bastion of Berber tradition, much of it filtering
in from the Ourika Valley. Travel outside the city, experiencing
traditional life as it's lived in small rural villages and hamlets,
and survey the beauty of the spectacular Atlas Mountains.
Day
5 - Tripoli, Sabratha & Leptis Magna, Libya
The Romans knew how to make the most of a spectacular location.
After 23 years, Libya has once again put out the welcome mat,
offering travelers a stunning look at an ancient culture that
was on the cutting edge of art, architecture and technology.
Day
6 - Tripoli, Sabratha & Leptis Magna, Libya
Explore a spectacular array of statues, arches and relics of
classical antiquity; exquisite mosaics all the more beautiful
for their Mediterranean backdrop; and a massive amphitheater
that still seems to ring with the sound of ancient voices.
Day
7 - Petra, Jordan
Experience Jordan’s unique beauty on a jeep safari to
Wadi Rum, with its dunes, Stone-Age shelters, rock bridges and
mountains, all rich with traces of ancient civilizations. A
desert dinner at sunset brings an unforgettable end to an extraordinary
day of exploration.
Day
8 - Petra, Jordan
Make your way through a narrow passageway, following in the
footsteps of traders from ancient Egypt, Arabia and Mesopotamia,
to discover the splendors of the hidden city of Petra. Its carved
tombs and temples attest to its power and beauty. An optional
excursion to Jerash is available for those who have visited
Petra before.
Day
9 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A natural harbor made Dubai a busy trade-route port of call.
Lots of oil keeps it an important market force today. Travel
deep into the desert by four-wheel-drive vehicle, celebrating
our adventure with champagne atop the dunes, a falconry show
and dinner at a desert camp.
Day
10 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai boasts a magnificent mosque and fascinating wind-tower
houses. Explore the city from many perspectives, choosing from
many options including: visiting a boatyard where traditional
dhows are built; acquiring firsthand knowledge of Arabian horses
at a Dubai race track; or meeting a family in their home.
Day
11 - Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Pictures and words don't do it justic. You must experience the
Taj Mahal to comprehend its majesty. And don't miss a visit
to the Red Fort, which served as palace and prison for Emperor
Shah Jahan, who was held captive there by his son. An alternative
excursion to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, with its beautifully
intact walls, palaces, baths and gardens, is available.
Day
12 - Kashgar, China
The western-most city in China and the last outpost on the ancient
Silk Road, Kashgar is home to an unforgettable market that is
unlike any other. Drawing travelers and traders from Central
Asia, China, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Russia, Kashgar
opens its arms to an amazing assortment of goods, services,
people, animals and visitors.
Day
13 - Udaipur, Rajasthan
Known as the “Sunrise City,” Udaipur was founded
in the 16th century as the capital city of the Mewar Rajputs,
the clan who ruled over this region of Rajasthan. Survey the
frescoes, stone and glass mosaics, ornamental doors and painted
shutters that grace the City Palace on the shore of Lake Pichola.
Day
14 - Udaipur, Rajasthan
Venture outside the city to the valley of Ranakpur to explore
the stunning white marble Jain temple complex, with its 1,444
intricately carved pillars. Lunch is served in style at the
hunting cabin of the maharaja of Jodhpur.
Day
15 - Udaipur, Rajasthan
Explore many of the city's buildings, lakes and gardens, boarding
the Royal Barge for cocktails at sunset. Enjoy a private banquet
at the City Palace with the Raj. If you have visited Udaipur,
we offer an optional excursion to Dungarpur, nestled in the
Aravali hill range with Gaibsagar Lake on one side and a private
forest reserve on the other.
Day
16 - Istanbul, Turkey
What a place to end an expedition — the city that touches
both Europe and Asia, suffused with an aura of elegance, romance
and sophistication. The grandeur of its Ottoman Empire days
is still apparent in its palaces and mosques.
Day
17 - Istanbul, Turkey
Explore the Hagia Sophia, the ancient walls of the old city
and the frescoes and mosaics of St. Savior in Chora. Then celebrate
our Great Trade Routes expedition at a special farewell dinner.
There are several alternate excursions for those who have visited
Istanbul before, including the historic sites at Gallipoli and
Troy; the old capital of Bursa and the Byzantine walls and gates
of Iznik; and the crossroads city of Edirne.
Day
18 - Return to London
Reboard our private jet for London to connect with individual
commercial flights home.
