Jetsettersblog

General Tours World Traveler is offering privately guided or small-group escorted sightseeing to Middle East destinations, including Egypt, Jordan and Israel.

In Egypt, the company now offers three unique Cruise & Tours. Priced from $2,099 per person, these Nile voyages range from eight to 11 days.

Luxury hotels include the Sofitel El Gezirah and the landmark Oberoi Mena House.

In addition to the newly renovated Sonesta Sun Goddess and the all-suites Star Goddess, General Tours also offers sailings aboard the luxurious Oberoi Zahra, recently featured in Architectural Digest.

With only 20 guests per departure, Ancient Pathways to Petra was designed to explore both the ancient and modern faces of Jordan.

A leisurely two-night stay just steps away from the Petra visitors’ entrance affords unhurried, intimate exploration of the legendary Lost City.

Guests also venture off the beaten path to explore rarely-visited sites of antiquity like Pella and the Biblical City of Gadara.

An off-road excursion in Wadi Rum explores the Bedouin culture of the south while an art gallery visit in Amman reveals the vibrant 21st century spirit of the country.

With privately guided sightseeing, Discover Israel & Jordan is an eight-day Affordable Luxury tour with similar immersive experiences.

The company’s signature on-tour flexibility is evident during the chauffeured private car journey from Jerusalem into Jordan when guests can specify their travel route to visit either Nazareth or the Mount of Beatitudes.

America’s growing fascination with Syria is evidenced in two recent New York Times articles in which Damascus was cited as one of “The 31 Places to Go in 2010” and an American Mideast expert was quoted saying,

“The pitch is go now, before the masses arrive.” Newly redesigned for a maximum of 10 guests, Ancient Syria & Baalbeck includes a four-night stay at the luxurious Four Seasons in Damascus and two nights in Aleppo, plenty of time to explore the city’s ancient sites and its bustling souk, described by Times writer Lionel Beehner as “the Arab world’s most impressive souk, a sprawling network of noisy corridors and cramped stalls where, for the past seven centuries, every kind of spice, sweet, soap, silk, dried fruit, carpet, metal, jewelry and water pipe imaginable has been sold.” General Tour’s Family & Friends program offers $50 to $150 per person savings when three or more guests travel together.

These savings can be combined with the company’s other offers — including World Traveler Club discounts and exclusive AARP Member Benefits. All of the company’s departures are guaranteed.

For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.GeneralTours.com