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  • The Treasury, Petra, Jordan The Treasury, Petra, Jordan
    The Treasury, Petra, Jordan
  • Acropolis, Athens, Greece, Europe Acropolis, Athens, Greece, Europe
    Acropolis, Athens, Greece, Europe
  • Jerusalem Jerusalem
    Jerusalem
  • Seabourn Sojourn Seabourn Sojourn
    Seabourn Sojourn

Holy Land and Ancient Empires

19-day cruise from £0 pp

Complimentary Veranda Suite Upgrades

Summary

In Brief

  • 1 Night Piraeus (Athens)
  • 1 Night Aghios Nikolaos
  • 1 Night Haifa
  • 1 Night Ashdod (Jerusalem)
  • 1 Night Aqaba (Petra)
  • 1 Night Salalah
  • 1 Night Muscat
  • 1 Night Doha
  • 1 Night Dubai

About

Recommended for:
Ocean cruise

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Piraeus has been the port for Athens since 482 BC. The busy harbor is filled with ferries and cruise ships making their way to the Greek Islands and other Mediterranean cities. The busy metropolis of Athens and its treasure trove of antiquities lie just a few miles from the port. Even as the reality of the modern city took hold, with its high-rise apartments, crowded sidewalks and bustling traffic, the beauty of the Acropolis, the outstanding museums, charming cafés, sidewalk markets and startling views come together in a cultural mosaic for all to enjoy.

Day 2
Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece

This charming village of white houses climbing up the slopes is beautifully situated on the sparkling Gulf of Mirabello. The attractive Venetian harbor is surrounded by restaurants, outdoor cafes and clusters of shops selling everything from necessities to souvenirs. The ship docks in the center of town, and you are able to wander at will and enjoy the atmosphere of Crete's foremost resort.

Day 3
At Sea

Day 4
Haifa, Israel

Situated on the slopes of Mount Carmel, along one of the most beautiful bays on the Mediterranean coast, Haifa is Israel's primary port. It also serves as an important gateway to the biblical and historical sites of this sacred land. Although the origin of Haifa is obscure, its name appears for the first time in the 3rd century A.D. in Talmudic literature. Over the years, Crusaders, Arabs, Turks and the British occupied the city. Today, this bustling city possesses the nation's largest industries, several important museums and the respected Haifa Technical Institute. It is also the world center of the Baha'i faith, symbolized by a beautiful gold-domed shrine.

Day 5
Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

The largest port in Israel, Ashdod is a gateway to Jerusalem, the 5,000-year-old walled city that is considered sacred to more than a third of the people on Earth. Numerous sites exist nearby, including the Jewish sacred Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre said to be the site of Calvary and to contain a piece of the true cross. Meander along the seaside promenade, or dip your toes in the Dead Sea waters, long known for their health benefits. Visit the Bar-Gera Museum to view a collection of art by artists who were either banned or persecuted by the Nazis and other fascist governments. The Yad Vashem Memorial Museum is dedicated to the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust.

Days 6
Enter Suez Canal at Port Said

Days 6
Transit Suez Canal

Day 6
Exit Suez Canal at Suez

Day 7
At Sea

Day 8
Aqaba (Petra), Jordan

Aqaba is a sleepy fishing village with a long and historic past. At various times, the port was a stopover on ancient caravan routes, a garrison for Roman troops and meeting place for pilgrims en route to Mecca. Recent excavations have revealed a third-century church, one of the worlds oldest. In medieval times, Aqaba was an important part of Palestine before being absorbed into the Ottoman Empire, a time when Lawrence of Arabia figured in local history. Today Aqaba is important as Jordan's only deep water port and the jumping-off point for excursions to Petra, the country's premier historical attraction.

Days 9-13
At Sea

Day 14
Salalah, Oman

Salalah, Oman's ancient incense capital is an oasis with lush vegetation resulting from seasonal monsoons. The city's roads wind through groves of coconut, papaya and banana trees, and roadside stands sell fresh fruit and coconut water. The tropical atmosphere is a striking contrast to the otherwise arid landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula. Even the Queen of Sheba fell under the spell of the area's treasure far greater than gold, and sent gifts of frankincense to impress Solomon. Today, the beautiful sand beaches, cultural history, archaeology and natural diversity draw visitors to this ancient paradise.

Day 15
At Sea

Day 16
Muscat, Oman

Oman, "The Pearl of Mystic Arabia," is one of the oldest civilizations on the Arabian Peninsula. Wedged between the Arabian Gulf and the Western Al Hajar Mountains, Muscat boasts an ancient history and rich Islamic heritage, evident in its prominent landmarks such as forts, castles, towers and mosques. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development, leading to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.

Day 17
At Sea

Day 18
Doha, Qatar

Day 19
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, and the traditional trading routes from Asia and the Far East to Europe and further afield are even more significant today than they were hundreds of years ago. Nestled at the very heart of the Islamic world, the country is unique in its embrace of the Western world. Here you can see the contrasts of the nomadic Bedouin people, and the opulence and splendor of the Sheiks, set against a backdrop of Western lifestyles.

Map

Pricing

Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

19-day cruise
from £0 pp

Complimentary Veranda Suite Upgrades

Meet our experts

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Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0615 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
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