The highlight of our visit in turkey was a visit in the home of our guide and meeting his family (mother, wife and son) and enjoying refreshments with them.
After Turkey, Cyprus was a bit of a let down with a tour of the highlights of Limassol which included a visit to Kourion and the ruins of an ancient kingdom destroyed by a 4th century (AD) earthquake. Our tour concluded with a drive through the city and a walk through the city center for the proverbial shopping opportunities of all guided tours.
On Thursday, we arrived in Haifa, Israel where we boarded our buses for one of the many all day tours available. Our tour included Nazareth, Cana, Mt of the Beautides, the sea of Galilee, St Peter's village and a stop at the River Jordan. A long and tiring day.
Friday, we did a 10 hour leisurely trip to Jerusalem passing through Tel Aviv and by the Israeli Knesset, the Shrine of the Book and the Supreme Court. The views were incredible as we made our way up to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. Our last stop of the day was at the Western (wailing) wall before the long trip back to our ship. We viewed Bethlehem in the distance but we did not get to visit. One needs at least two weeks to do Israel justice but alas, two days was a start.
Saturday is a sea day and Sunday, we visit Greece.
