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Past ExpeditionsNovember 6-19, 2010 Full--call for last-minute openings
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Depart your hometown independently on a commercial flight to London. Meet fellow travelers, lecturers, and expedition leaders at a welcome dinner. Please note that most travelers from the U.S. will need to take a flight departing November 5 in order to arrive in time for the welcome dinner.
The Dorchester, London
Fly by private jet to Istanbul, a city of graceful domes and soaring minarets built on seven hills. The only city in the world that straddles two continents, Istanbul has beckoned countless travelers and conquerors over the centuries and remains a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Visit the colossal Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century Byzantine masterpiece whose dome has influenced architecture around the world for 1,500 years. Enjoy cocktails on a cruise on the Bosporus Strait, offering magnificent views of this storied city. Stroll the Grand Bazaar, brimming with jewelry, pottery, carpets, and spices. Explore the Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence of the Ottoman sultans that houses splendid jewels, furnishings, and other treasures. And at the imposing 17th-century mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, known as the Blue Mosque, examine the stunning azure-colored Iznik tiles that line the interior.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Board our private jet and fly to Cairo. Transfer to Gîza and visit the Pyramids, including the 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Enjoy a private luncheon in view of the Sphinx. Then explore the Egyptian Museum—repository of countless antiquities including the famed Gold Mask of King Tutankhamun and the recently identified mummy of Queen Hatshepsut—and enjoy an exclusive dinner in one of the galleries.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, Cairo
Arrive in Luxor, site of the ancient city of Thebes, where the temples and tombs of some of history’s greatest kings and queens are found. See Luxor Museum’s stunning collection of statues, figures, bas-reliefs, and mummies. Visit the Great Hypostyle Hall and temples at Karnak, the largest ancient religious site in the world, described by the ancient Egyptians as “the most perfect of places.” Then sail the Nile River in a felucca, a traditional sailboat, crossing over to the West Bank, where we will disembark and venture into the Valley of the Kings. Visit Tutankhamun’s tomb, discovered nearly completely intact in 1923. Stop at Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple, one of the most beautiful in the area. See the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous statues and all that remains of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Visit Medinet Habu, the best-preserved temple in the area, and gaze up at its colorful reliefs detailing the triumphs of Ramses III, considered the last great pharaoh. In the evening, enjoy a gala dinner at the Luxor Temple.
Sonesta St. George, Luxor
Our expedition will provide supplies to the Awladi Orphanage, which provides a home and education through university level, for more than 300 boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 21.
We board our private jet and fly to Agra, India, site of the famous Taj Mahal. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned this astoundingly beautiful monument in the 17th century as a tribute to the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Wander this enchanting work of art, which incorporates and expands on Persian, Hindu, and Islamic styles. Admire the Taj Mahal’s lovely form among the reflecting pools and gardens that surround it, and observe up-close the intricate ornamentation and inlaid precious stones. You can also enjoy a view of this grand tribute to love without ‘visiting hours’ from our marvelous hotel, a lavish oasis only 660 yards from the site.
Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Our expedition will donate medical supplies to a health clinic in Kachhpura.
Fly by private jet to Jaipur, the “Pink City” named for the rose color of its prominent buildings that were painted for a citywide makeover to honor a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. See the unique Palace of the Winds, an oasis for women of the court to secretly observe palace activities. Visit the sumptuous City Palace and its museum to see royal artworks and artifacts, including exquisite robes, toys from the royal playroom, and antique weaponry. Explore the whimsical Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory with enormous and sculptural astronomical tools. In the evening, gather for a gala Rajasthani dinner at Dera Amer, the beautiful home of the family of Mansinghji, the legendary Maharaja of Jaipur.
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
Our expedition will donate funds to Jaipur Foot, an organization that distributes prosthetics to impoverished people throughout India and beyond.
Step back in history in the ancient city of Petra, half-built, half-carved into rose red cliffs by the mysterious Nabataean people more than 2,000 years ago. This breathtaking “lost city” was known only to local Bedouins until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer in 1812. Venture into the Siq, a narrow chasm in the bedrock, and arrive at the iconic Treasury. Explore elaborate buildings and tombs carved from sheer rock walls, and observe up close the superb blending of Eastern traditions with Hellenistic architecture.
Mövenpick Hotel, Petra
Our expedition will support the work of the Jordan River Foundation, established in 1995 by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for Jordanians through social, economic, and cultural programs, with a focus on raising awareness of child abuse—a first for the Arab world—and empowering women through job training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurialism.
Upon arrival in Marrakech, we transfer to our fine hotel. The following morning, we begin to explore this 1,000-year-old city steeped in Berber tradition. Explore the lavishly decorated rooms of the Bahia Palace, many of which open onto small pleasure gardens; enter the halls of the Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic college founded during the Merinid Dynasty; and gaze up at the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech. Catch a glimpse of the centuries-old techniques of tanners, silk dyers, brass workers, and other skilled artisans in Marrakech’s bustling souks. Wander through the Djemaa el Fna, the busiest market square in all of Africa, to see a myriad of delights including snake charmers, storytellers, and acrobats. Immerse yourself in the blue and green paradise of Jardin Majorelle, a garden estate created in 1924 by French artist Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. In the evening, celebrate our adventure at a gala farewell dinner.
La Mamounia, Marrakech
Following breakfast, our private jet flies us to London, to connect with your regularly scheduled commercial flight home. If you prefer to leave the next day, we can arrange a complimentary night at a hotel near the airport.
Limited to 78 Travelers
Cost Per Person:
$39,950 (double occupancy)
$4,875 (single supplement)
The cost per person includes all private jet flights, meals, accommodations, educational program, philanthropic contributions, and comprehensive pre- and post-departure services.
Commercial airfare to and from London is not included. Please see the Terms & Conditions for details. For your protection and peace of mind, all payments are secured in a bank escrow account that is fully insured by the U.S. Federal Government.
Featured Accommodations
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Oberoi Amarvilas, India
