DAY 05 (DAY 01 Egypt Group) – St. Paul's, Catacombs and Ostia Antiqua
Egypt only group departs Atlanta for Cairo. 
Today you will explore St. Paul Outside the Walls known for it's spectacular design and the Tomb of the Apostle Paul. The Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls is 2nd in size only to St. Peter's. It's start is attributed to Constantine, who chose the area on the site of the tomb of St. Paul, but the large Basilica you see today was modified by many over the years, ending with the giant renovation after the fire of 1823.  We continue our day at the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries. This afternoon we visit the ancient port of Rome, Ostia Antiqua. The beautifully preserved ruins of Ostia lie twenty miles from Rome, in the meadows between the Tiber River and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was founded, probably in the 4th century BC, as a military colony to guard the river mouth against seaborne invasions.

DAY 06 (DAY 02 Egypt) - Flight To Cairo
Fly Rome to Cairo to continue with Egypt tour. Overnight in Cairo. Egypt only group arrives in Cairo from Atlanta and joins Rome group at the hotel.

DAY 07 (DAY 03 Egypt) - Memphis, Saqqara, Pyramids & Sphinx
Today we will visit Memphis, the capitol of ancient Egypt. Then on to the necropolis at Saqqara, which was in use from 3100BC – 540AD, where we will view the step pyramid of Zoser. This is the earliest form of the pyramid. In the Giza area we spend time at one of the seven wonders of the world- the pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today we will also see the Sphinx.  While at the pyramids, we will have time to choose one of two options: entrance to view the pyramid’s inside burial chamber ($5 per person) or entrance to the Solar Boat Museum ($12 per person) to see the spectacular burial barge of Pharaoh Khufu.  Later in the afternoon we will visit the Papyrus Institute to see how the earliest form of paper was made.

DAY 08 (DAY 04 Egypt) - Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Today we will tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen's treasures and ancient remains.  You may choose to see the amazing Mummy Room where the great pharaohs of Egypt lie in state ($20 additional fee).  Our tour today also includes the history of the Coptic Church in Cairo with stops at those of greatest interest. Those familiar with Christian life in Egypt will know of the miracle of the Cave Church and the Cairo Trash Dump craft shops.  During the past 35 years, thousands of Christians, fleeing poverty in rural Upper Egypt, have congregated into villages within Cairo's garbage dumps, collecting trash and recycling metal, plastic, paper and bones. Although the villages are disease-prone and poverty-stricken, an incredible Christian community has emerged as believers have developed schools, health clinics and churches. The incredible 'Cave Cathedral' is the largest church in the Middle East. It seats 20,000 and would do justice to the Hollywood Bowl with its modern sound system, and closed-circuit television. It is spectacular, as a huge overhanging rock covers most of the amphitheatre.

DAY 09 (DAY 05 Egypt) -  Pharaonic Village, Dahshour
At the Pharaonic Village, we will experience an incredibly accurate living recreation of ancient Egyptian life. Over a hundred actors perform all the daily activities and arts of the ancient Egyptians.  At Dahshour (near ancient Memphis), we will see the famous Bent and Red Pyramids of King Snefru (2680-2656 B.C.). The Red Pyramid was the first complete, perfect pyramid ever built. We then visit the mysterious Pyramid at Meidum, to see the earlier partially collapsed remains of the first true pyramid ever attempted.  We will then drive to Alexandria for the evening.

DAY 10 (DAY 06 Egypt) - Alexandria
Today we will visit the ancient seaport of Alexandria where we will see the Greco-Roman culture in Egypt. The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country.  We will see the World War II cemeteries of the Commonwealth as well as the Italian French and German cemeteries.  We'll also have a chance to see the Military museum and map of the World War II in Alamein.  We'll visit the Qait Bay Fort that has been built on the remnants of the Alexandria lighthouse (once a world wonder) before our overnight.

DAY 11 (DAY 07 Egypt) -  Alexandria, Cairo
Our AM tour of Alexandria takes us to the ancient Catacombs of Kom and Pompey's Pillar. We'll see the Tombs of Al-Anfushi, Pharos, Roman Theater, tombs of Kim El-Shouqafa, and city highlights including the Library.  Later this afternoon, we return to Cairo and board an overnight sleeper train to the modern city of Aswan.

DAY 12 (DAY 08 Egypt) - Aswan
Upon arrival we take time to visit the High Dam, built from 1960 - 1971 and is a major factor in Egypt’s agricultural success. We then also spend time at Philae Temple on the Isi-Island. This complex was moved from up river due to the impending destruction upon the completion of the High Dam.  We will fly to the amazing temple of Ramses the Great at Abu Simbel, also relocated above Lake Nasser, before returning to Aswan for overnight.

DAY 13 (DAY 09 Egypt) - Nile Cruise, Aswan
Transfer to embark Nile cruise before lunch, lunch on board, visit the Botanical Gardens by Felucca. Dinner on board, overnight in Aswan.

DAY 14 (DAY 10 Egypt) - Aswan, Edfu
Breakfast is served on board before traveling to visit the remains of Kom Ombo Temple, situated on the riverside. Unlike most, this temple is dedicated to two gods - the crocodile god of Sebek and the solar god of war, Horus the Great. We spend time here before continuing on to Edfu, the location of one of the best preserved Egyptian Temples. This site was initially developed 1000 years before Abraham came to Egypt!  We have dinner on board, and overnight in Edfu.

DAY 15 (DAY 11 Egypt) - Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Breakfast on board. We continue through the Esna Lock, having lunch on board, towards Luxor. We have dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 16 (DAY 12 Egypt) - Luxor, Cairo
Breakfast on board. Disembarkation after breakfast. Today we will visit the Valley of the Kings (where many ancient pharaohs were buried) and the famous Temple of Hatshepsut, the princess who perhaps pulled baby Moses out of the Nile River. This temple may have been designed by Moses.  We will then be visiting the Temple of Karnak (temple of the New Kingdom period) and the East Bank of the Nile. It was during this period that the bondage and Exodus occurred. Karnak, second to Giza’s Pyramids, is one of Egypt’s most important Pharaonic sites. We visit the famous Temple of Luxor, which was founded in the reign of Amenhotep III, grandson of the pharaoh of the Exodus. Transfer to Luxor Airport for the flight to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

DAY 17 (DAY 13 Egypt) - Depart for Home
Fly Cairo to Atlanta.