22 days in Asia Itinerary

Known as Persia for most of its long history, Iran once represented a mighty empire that encompassed everything from modern Turkey in the west to India in the east. Today, visitors on a tour of Iran discover a country of numerous ethnic groups and a culture revealing traces of Arab, Greek, Mongol, and Turkish influences. Sightseeing in Iran allows you to follow in the ancient footsteps of a former world power, nowhere more apparent than at Persepolis, an old Persian capital established long before the birth of Christ and burned down by Alexander of Macedonia. Other highlights on an Iranian itinerary may include visits to cozy teahouses, busy open-air markets, vast deserts dotted with otherworldly oases, and rugged mountains presiding over plains, forests, and meandering rivers.

Encompassing the fertile area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers once called Mesopotamia, modern Iraq is marked by turmoil, torn between its rich historical heritage and recent instability and bloodshed. Few tourists choose to vacation in Iraq, put off by reports of violence and destruction that have shaken the country to its core. Still, the semi-autonomous province of Kurdistan remains seemingly insulated from the chaos of the rest of the country. This small region draws a growing number of foreign travelers, enticed by the area's rugged appeal and numerous lakes, archaeological sites, and impressive mountains.

For such a small country, Jordan boasts a surprising variety of natural landscapes and urban attractions. A trip to Jordan takes visitors on a journey back to biblical times, when sites like the Dead Sea and the ancient yet astonishingly well-preserved city of Petra seemed to be at the heart of world events. Although covered in rocky deserts, Jordan boasts a good network of roads, which makes sightseeing by car an easy way to discover many of the country's top highlights. Begin your tour of Jordan in Amman, the largest urban center and a major political, cultural, and economic hub of this Middle Eastern kingdom.

Surprisingly diverse for such a narrow strip of land pressed against the Mediterranean, modern Israel only dates back to 1948, though the history of this "Holy Land" spans many millennia. The big three monotheistic religions--Christianity, Judaism, and Islam--maintain extremely strong ties to this part of the world, so you can expect to see plenty of historic churches, mosques, and synagogues during your holiday in Israel. Beyond the undeniable cultural appeal, Israel also offers impressive natural features, including the Dead Sea and Makhtesh Ramon, one of the world's biggest craters. As you tour Israel, you'll find yourself following in the footsteps of figures that helped shape the world thousands of years ago.