Hi, My daughter (14) who's traveled a lot and I are going to Israel for a week on our way to Bangkok. I've been to Israel (25 years ago) and don't think I need a whole week there. We'll probably do 1 night Tel Aviv then 3 nights Jerusalem then we've got 3 nights before returning to Tel Aviv...I've also been to Cairo (did the 13-hour bus ride from Tel Aviv)/Luxor pyramids etc and Istanbul...I've never been to Alexandria or Jordan at all...What would be the best 3-day side trip (and mode of transportation) that would give us a new cultural experience?

Thanks, Christine

Cairo, for her.

Believe it will be easier to get to Jordan. It would be by road from JER to AMM, where you can spend day in AMM. Next morning with arranged vehicle/guide drive south (about 3/hrs) to Petra. Tour that afternoon, arrange to overnight at hotel to allow staying late at the sight to enjoy the sunset; return next morning for sunrise. Can continue to tour Petra... there's much to see or arrange visit to Wadi Rum. Can o/n Wadi Rum or return to Petra. Third day drive to AMM and back to JER.

Alex isn't worth a side trip if your daughter hasn't been to Cairo.

Petra is also pretty cool, but I'd take my daughter to Cairo before I'd go to Petra. I assume that you went to Cairo 25 years ago. It's lot different.

Thank you so much for your responses. I recently visited Athens two years ago after not having been there for 25 years and it was a completely different place...So I see your point about Cairo. It probably isn't the dusty city with shoe markets on every corner anymore...

I'll look into a flight this time!

Thanks, Christine

Cairo is still dusty.