Egypt, Greek Isles & the Suez Canal: Sailing Through Antiquity

Begin the day with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum to view astonishing masterpieces from ancient Egypt. See mummies of the pharaohs, beautifully adorned sarcophagi, regal statues and many of the dazzling jewels found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Following a lunch of Egyptian specialties, travel to Giza and encounter one of the most enduring symbols of the ancient world, the Pyramids. The complex is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that remains intact. Learn how and why the Pyramids were built, then view the Sphinx, carved from a rocky outcrop, displaying the head of Pharaoh Chefren and the body of a lion.

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival enjoy a relaxing lunch at the included group hotel (Hilton Luxor Hotel or similar) before setting out to tour the Karnak Temple complex. Many of the more powerful pharaohs added their individual touches to the buildings of this massive complex during their reigns.

Return to town to visit the magnificent Luxor Temple. As with Karnak, Luxor Temple was created at the hand of the pharaohs, primarily Amenhotep III and Ramses II. This impressive site was built on the banks of the Nile River and the timing of your visit will provide the opportunity to photograph the stones, which appear to glow in the afternoon sunlight. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Following breakfast, travel to the West Bank of the Nile River to the Valley of the Kings. A sacred site for burials for nearly 500 years, the valley contains at least 63 tombs of pharaohs and powerful nobles, each decorated with elaborate mosaics and paintings depicting Egyptian mythology. Visit one of the most famous archaeological sites in the word, the tomb of Tutankhamun. The tomb had remained largely hidden until its discovery in 1922—keeping the treasure trove of antiquities safe from looters. Enjoy a special lunch on the Nile before crossing the desert to Safaga on the Red Sea, where you will embark the ship.

Enjoy Egypt’s stunning coastline, exploring the coral reefs, undersea beauty and white-sand beaches of the Red Sea. Hurghada offers spectacular opportunities to snorkel and dive in crystal waters. Alternatively, travel into the vast Sahara where you will visit a traditional Bedouin village and learn how its inhabitants have made their lives in the desert for centuries. Enjoy lunch before heading back into the city center where you will explore the bustling souk, Big Mosque and the Corniche.

Spend the day transiting the Suez Canal. Sail past small villages and massive expanses of desert sand as you learn the history of this amazing paradigm of human engineering. Opened in 1869 after more than a decade of construction, the canal connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and today it carries about 12 percent of the world’s trade. Spend time on the Bridge and observe the ship’s officers as they communicate with the vessels in your convoy to maneuver through the twists and turns of this extraordinary waterway.

Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was considered the intellectual and cultural center of ancient Mediterranean society. Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shougafa and climb the rocky hill to see Pompey’s Pillar, built in memory of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Spend time in the Bibliotheca Alexandria—the cultural complex erected to commemorate the Great Library of Alexandria, one of the most significant libraries of the ancient world. Once back on board, be out on deck as you sail past the Citadel of Qaitbay. Marking the entrance to the harbor, on the site of the Alexandria Lighthouse, the fortress protected the city against the advancing Ottomans.

Leaving North Africa behind, sail into the Dodecanese Islands, stunning gems of unique beauty tucked away in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Step back in time to explore traditional fishing villages and the unique natural beauty of the islands of Karpathos and Kasos.

Begin the day with a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to view an astonishing collection of artifacts spanning 5,500 years of Greek history. The museum houses the stunning frescos from Knossos including those depicting the historically popular sport of bull leaping.

Afterwards, choose from two options: Visit the Palace of Knossos, one of Crete’s most popular Minoan sites. Built on the grounds of an earlier palace dating to as early as 2000 BC, the present structure is a reconstruction of what the vast palace would have looked like in 1450 BC. Or explore the Greek site of Phaestos, among the greatest of the Cretan Minoan cities. Its wealth is evident in the extent and quality of its ruins, and the city offers a superb hilltop setting with fine views of the countryside. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch before returning to the ship.

Be on deck early this morning to enjoy the sunrise as you sail into the caldera of Santorini. Watch as the early light paints the surrounding hillsides and whitewashed dwellings in beautiful pink and orange hues. Take the cable car up the steep cliffs to visit the picturesque villages Thera and Oia, and walk along the edge of the caldera to take in the spectacular view. Then head inland away from the hustle to experience the culinary delicacies of the traditional villages and wineries tucked into the hillsides.

Sail into Athens this morning. Enjoy breakfast aboard before transferring to the airport for flights home.