2 night cruise to Egypt
Including: Classic Cairo and Nile cruise with lunch (13 Hours) Summer Depart late afternoon, enjoy dinner on board, arrive Port Said at breakfast time. By air-conditioned coach to Cairo (2.5 hours), visit the Egyptian Museum with its exquisite jewellery and treasures. Next stop the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, where you may have a camel ride (small extra cost). Finally, a papyrus factory and a souvenir shop will be visited before a short Nile cruise along Cairo’s waterfront with lunch. Return to Port Said. Dinner on board your cruise ship, sail overnight back to Limassol, arriving in the morning.
On arrival in Cairo, you will drive through Heliopolis as your guide points out places of interest and introduces you to the long history and rich culture of Egypt. Your first highlights will be the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. You can admire the exquisite interiors of the Mosque and view the skyline of Old Cairo from the top of the hill.
Drive towards the Tahrir (Liberty) Square - the heart of downtown Cairo. Stop at The Egyptian Museum where you will learn more of Egypt's ancient history spanning a period of 50 centuries. The Museum houses a rich collection of Egyptian Antiquities, including the magnificent Tut Ankh Amun collection. You have the option to visit The Royal Mummies Exhibition where you can see 11 unwrapped royal mummies including Ramses II which are in an amazing state of preservation.
Following the Museum visit, a buffet lunch will be served at a deluxe 5 star hotel, before you visit the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the imposing Pyramids of Giza. A short drive down the valley takes you to the place where the guardian of this mortuary complex, the Sphinx lies. During the visit there will be time for panoramic photo opportunities of the 3 Pyramids from the Western Plateau.
As the Pyramids fade away in the distance, your drive will lead to the Papyrus Institute where the procedure of manufacturing the oldest paper in the world, will be demonstrated. Afterwards allowing a little time for souvenir shopping, before arrival at the banks of the River Nile.
Board a luxurious Nile Cruising restaurant boat for a cruise on the world's longest waterway. The city skyline at dusk is very impressive from the water. A welcome drink will be served on board, as you sit back, relax and enjoy a selection of snacks accompanied by hot beverages. A folkloric presentation and belly dancing will entertain you during the cruise.
Sharm-el-Sheik
Deep blue waters, enchanting coral gardens, sandy white beaches, water sports and busy nightlife can all be found in the Sharm el Sheikh area.
This area gave the Red Sea an international reputation as one of the world's most extraordinary diving destinations, and today diving is only part of the attraction. Visitors come from all corners of the world to enjoy sun, various water sports or to explore the magical desert landscape of the Southern Sinai.
Visit the reefs of Ras Mohammad, the Tiran and the Aqaba coast. Go to the world famous Na'ama Bay and soak up the sun's rays and gentle spray of the sea.
Jordan
See the remarkable beauty of the Greek Orthodox Church in the heart of Madaba and then feast your eyes on the panoramic view of the Jordan Valley form the top of Mount Nebo.
Then relax your body and soul floating on the waters of the Dead Sea, which has attracted visitors since the ancient times, who have all floated effortlessly on its buoyant and mineral-infused waters.
Syria
See the intricate religious history of Syria by visiting the religious monuments in Damascus such as the Umayyad Mosque and St. Ananias church.
See the temple of Bel, the colonnade, the amphitheatre and the valley of tombs, preserved all these centuries in the heat and mysticism of the desert.
Holy Land Cruises - 2 night cruise to The Holy Land
The Holy Land cruises are a derivative of the Eastern Mediterranean cruise, except that Holy Land calls often call on the ports of Haifa in Israel, and Alexandria in Egypt. A cruise vacation to the Holy Land will promise a voyage rich in history and adventure. Today's Jerusalem's ultimate fate is at the center of unrest in the Middle East, however amid all of the political maneuvering and religious fighting, you will find a destination unmatched for its combination of natural beauty, climate, history, attractions, and meaning. To visit Jerusalem is to be forever changed. The Holy Land is a destination of history and it will educate and fascinate.
Throughout history Cyprus has been thought of as the gateway to the eastern Mediterranean, and all that this fascinating part of the world has to offer. Today this is as true as ever and, without a doubt, the most relaxing and civilized way to taste the magic of The Holy Land or Egypt is on a short break by sea. The Limassol based cruise ships are comfortable, convenient and fully air-conditioned with 2, 3 and 4 berth cabins, varied entertainment, casinos, bars, games rooms, banking facilities and duty free shops.
Cast off from Limassol early evening, dinner on board, arrive Haifa early morning. After breakfast, travel by luxury coach through the Sharon Valley to the Judean Hills and Jerusalem. Then visit the knesset, Mount of Olives, Gethsemene. Walk through the old city to the Wailing Wall, through the colourful bazaar and Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha. Then a drive through the Jaffa Gate, visit the Church of the Nativity and through south Jerusalem to the ship for dinner.
Note: The above programme is subject to change, based on official permission being granted to enter Bethlehem. An alternative excursion to Nazareth and Galilee is available - subject to a minimum of 25 persons booking. Included are visits to St Gabriel’s Church, Mary’s spring, The Basilica of the Annunciation, House of Pious Joseph, Jardenit, Ancient Tiberias, Capernaum’s Ancient Synagogue, The House of St. Peter, Tabgha and the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and to the Church of the Mount of Beatitudes. Both excursions are a 10 hour duration. Sail overnight back to Cyprus.