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Cruise itinerary - Egypt & the
Holy Land
Cities, sights and sensational scenery...
Rewind the clock back a few thousand years on this
cruise. First up is Alexandria, the Egyptian city that
was founded by Alexander the Great and captured by the
Romans. Next on the agenda is Cairo, a bustling city
that needs no introduction. Explore the colossal Giza
Pyramids. Marvel at the great Sphinx, the largest
single-stone statue in the world. And head to the
Egyptian Museum for dust-caked antiquities, age-old
mummies and the glorious treasures of Tutankhamun.
Leaving Egypt behind, it’s on to Israel to visit two of
the world’s holiest cities – Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Topping the must-see list in Israel’s capital is the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, thought to be built in the
place where Jesus was crucified, and the gold-domed
Mosque of Haram-al-Sharif. In Bethlehem, meanwhile,
don’t miss the Church of the Nativity. Next up is
Larnaca, a sun-drenched harbour town in Cyprus. Hit the
palm-lined beaches for a spot of sunbathing or head into
town to browse the shops. When it comes to sightseeing,
the 9th-century Agio Lazarus Church is not to be missed.
Last but not least, it’s on to Antalya. This pretty
Turkish town has a bit of a split personality – down at
the marina it’s all stylish restaurants and fancy
yachts, but make your way up the hill and you’ll come to
the charming old town, circled by weighty Roman walls.
What's included...
* Gratuities - no need to tip!
* Top class onboard activities/entertainment
* 24 hour dining
* Port taxes
Day 1 Monday, Marmaris - TURKEY
* Turkey's biggest beach resort, Marmaris has a
definite 'Riviera' feel to it. An elegant, palm-lined
promenade weaves its way around the shoreline, while the
marina plays host to a flotilla of gleaming white
yachts.
* Stretch out on the long ribbon of gleaming sand, then
scratch the surface to find traditional Turkey. Explore
the rabbit's warren of streets which hide a treasure
trove of authentic delights, including a colourful
bazaar.
* Smother yourself in therapeutic mud in celebrity haunt
Dalyan. You'll feel film star fabulous in no time.
* Set sail for Cleopatra Island. Draped in olive groves
and ringed by white sandy beaches, it's a real Turkish
delight. So much so, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony couldn't
get enough of the place.
Day 2 Tuesday, At Sea
Day 3 Wednesday, Alexandria - EGYPT 07:00 - 17:00
* A medley of mosques, churches and monuments jostle for
your attention in Alexandria. Egyptians love it here,
not least because of the sun-blessed beaches of the
Corniche which slide seductively into a brilliant azure
sea. The city was founded by Alexander the Great and
captured by the Romans after Cleopatra's death so, as
you can imagine, tales of old still echo through the
timeworn streets.
* Recall a bygone age as you stand inside Kom El Dekka
amphitheatre, the only one of its kind in Egypt.
* Click a few snaps of the Qait Bey Fort, which was
built on the original site of the Lighthouse of Pharos,
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
* Dive into the chaos of Cairo. From the ancient
pyramids to the treasures of Cairo museum, you'll wander
round, utterly awe-struck.
* El Alamein. Its very name conjures up images of tanks
lumbering across shifting desert sands. For it was here
that in 1942 one of the most important Second World War
battles took place. Under the command of General
Montgomery, the Allied Forces halted the onslaught of
the Nazi Africa Corps. For the full lowdown on the
Battle of El Alamein, visit the Military Museum. The
emotive Commonwealth Cemetery, meanwhile, adds a real
touch of poignancy.
* Love history? Then you’ll love Alexandria’s National
Museum. Jam packed with priceless relics, its ancient
treasure trove dates as far back as the 3rd century BC.
Don’t miss the famous ‘tanagra’ figurines. Like a
catwalk show from the past, they show how ladies used to
dress and style their hair during the reign of
Cleopatra.
Day 4 Thursday, Port Said (for Cairo) - EGYPT 06:00 -
20:00
* Guarding the northern entrance to the Suez Canal, Port
Said is the perfect springboard from which to discover
the sights and wonders of Cairo. The first thing that'll
strike you about Egypt's capital is the chaos -
fast-moving traffic, beeping car horns, calls to prayer,
haggling merchants. Everything's a blur, albeit an
exciting one. The other thing you'll notice is the
fusion of old with new. Traditional bazaars hung with
copper-beaten lamps rub shoulders with glitzy, neon-lit
shopping malls. There's nowhere like it.
* Behold the magic of The Pyramids. Set at the edge of
the city, where Cairo merges into desert sands, these
colossal man-made mountains will leave you with one
question - how on earth did they build them?
* Delve into Cairo's magnificent museum and marvel at
age-old treasures like those plucked from Tutankhamun's
tomb
* Get ready to haggle as you dive into the exotic
bazaars that are shoe-horned into the city's
labyrinthine streets
Day 5 Friday, Ashdod - ISRAEL 06:00 - 19:00
* Holy sights come thick and fast in these parts. From
Ashdod, visit the awe-inspiring cities of Jerusalem and
Bethlehem and see some of the world's most impressive
shrines and monuments.
* Israel's capital is crammed with historical gems.
Enter through one of the seven city gates and point your
camera at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of
the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
* When you've had your fill of sights, wind your way
through the maze of cobbled streets that make up the
Arab souk. Then climb the Citadel of David for
jaw-dropping views.
* In Bethlehem, meanwhile, don't miss the Church of the
Nativity, built on the spot where Jesus was born.
Day 6 Saturday, Larnaca - CYPRUS 09:00 - 18:00
* With more than six millennia under its belt, Larnaca
is something of a history-fest. It’s one of the oldest
lived-in cities in the world. In fact, its palm-lined
promenade, city-standard shops and pavement cafés are
said to have been built on Biblical foundations – legend
has it the original town, Kition, was founded by Noah’s
grandson, Khittim. But these days it’s loved for its
sugary sands, swish marina and stellar line-up of
sights.
* Stroll along Phinikoudes promenade. Lined with cafés,
restaurants and bars, it’s the place for people-watching
– preferably over an iced coffee.
* Take a trip to the 17th-century fort of Kition for a
taste of days gone by. Set by the sea, this Turkish
stronghold houses Larnaca’s Medieval Museum.
* Mountain-goat your way around the Troodos Mountains
and visit Lefkara, a village famous for its lace-making.
* Ever wondered what happened to Lazarus after Jesus
raised him from the dead? Larnaca’s locals say he became
bishop here and the Byzantine Church of St Lazarusis was
built over his tomb.
Day 7 Sunday, Alanya - TURKEY 08:00 - 17:00
* Legendary hangout of Queen Cleopatra, Alanya’s
two-faced for all the right reasons. On the one hand an
ancient Seljuk city, on the other a slick beach resort,
it’s a place where old meets new and the pair get along
famously. Walk around and you’ll notice a lot of places
with Cleopatra in their names, even one of the beaches.
It’s no coincidence. In 44BC, Mark Antony presented the
town to his girlfriend as a present. And as gifts go, it
takes some beating…
* You can’t miss it – and you wouldn’t want to for that
matter. In the centre of the port is a huge headland
topped with a 13th-century Seljuk fortress. About 150
towers punctuate the walls of this splendid citadel.
Delve inside and you’ll come across old gateways,
Byzantine chapels, mosques, and a covered market.
* For an even bigger history fix, head for ancient Perge
or Aspendos and pick a path through the ruined temples,
theatres and aqueducts.
Take a trip to the Damlatas Cave, or Cave of Dripping
Stone. This eerie spot has been decorated by Mother
Nature herself with some really surreal rock formations.
* Make your way to the Manavgat Waterfalls, where the
river water crashes over low rocks. With their mountain
backdrop, these falls are certainly worth some space in
your holiday album.
Day 8 Monday, Marmaris - TURKEY
* Turkey's biggest beach resort, Marmaris has a definite
'Riviera' feel to it. An elegant, palm-lined promenade
weaves its way around the shoreline, while the marina
plays host to a flotilla of gleaming white yachts.
* Stretch out on the long ribbon of gleaming sand, then
scratch the surface to find traditional Turkey. Explore
the rabbit's warren of streets which hide a treasure
trove of authentic delights, including a colourful
bazaar.
* Smother yourself in therapeutic mud in celebrity haunt
Dalyan. You'll feel film star fabulous in no time.
* Set sail for Cleopatra Island. Draped in olive groves
and ringed by white sandy beaches, it's a real Turkish
delight. So much so, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony couldn't
get enough of the place.
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