One Trip, Three Continents, Five Countries

 

As the sun rises we arrive in Port Said, your gateway to Egypt’s astounding pyramids and the modern capital of Cairo. Sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean, the city was established in 1859 during the construction of the Suez Canal. It flourished for decades but its glory is a little faded. It still has an allure but the main attraction is the Suez Canal, with a raised pedestrian boardwalk running along the waterfront. If you want to travel a little further please join us on a complimentary excursion to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, the only one of Seven Great Wonders still standing.

Depart from Port Said in luxury air-conditioned motor coaches en-route to Africa’s largest city, the teeming metropolis of Cairo. Your fi rst stop will be at Giza Plateau where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza still stand. Your coach will park at the base of Chephren’s pyramid and time will be allocated to explore the site on your own. Continue down the valley where the guardian of this mortuary complex, the mighty Sphinx lies watching the passage of time and men in eons of silence its expression an enigma yet to be unraveled.

Take time out to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch buffet at a leading 5* deluxe hotel. After lunch drive to Tahrir (Liberty) Square, the heart of down town Cairo. Visit the National Archaeological Museum and acquaint yourself with Egypt’s ancient history, spanning a period of over 50 centuries. The Museum is the repository of the world’s largest and richest collection of Egyptian Antiquities amongst them the priceless collection of King Tutankhamun. Visit a Papyrus Institute where the art of paper making from reeds discovered by the Ancient Egyptians will be demonstrated for you. Limited time for souvenir shopping will also be allocated before you commence the drive to Port Said.

Sailing east, we arrive in Ashdod, the gateway to Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Today is a fleeting visit to the Holy Land. Diverse, modern-day Ashdod covers the land of two ancient twin towns, it’s the largest port in Israel and one of the oldest cities in the world. It was inhabited by the Philistines in Biblical times and when they captured the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, they brought it here (although they had to give it back.) Ashdod is only 33 miles from historic Jerusalem so a trip to see the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa and more of the most celebrated sites and buildings anywhere, can be arranged on board.

We arrive on the scenic shores of Rhodes, one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece with its beautiful beaches and centuries-old history. You’ll have free time to relax or choose an Optional Experience exploration of the ancient Lindos Acropolis and Citadel of the Knights perched high above the coast and the quiet village of Lindos below. Or join a walking tour through the medieval heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Rhodes. Rejoin your cruise in time for dinner.

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the capital of Turkey with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with an exhibition of Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian Urartu etc … remains and the Ataturk Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Departure for Cappadocia (290 km). Along the way, visit the underground city built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. The underground city preserves the stables, common rooms, meeting room and small rooms for families. Arrival in the Cappadocia region.

After breakfast (if flight time allows) transfer to Cappadocia airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul End of our services.  Please note that you may want to add post accommodation in Istanbul or Cappadocia. Please refer to sales advisor during your booking. Also to connect your international flight please ask it during your booking.