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  • Pyramids in Giza, Egypt Pyramids in Giza, Egypt
    Pyramids in Giza, Egypt
  • Valletta, Malta Valletta, Malta
    Valletta, Malta
  • Rome Skyline Rome Skyline
    Rome Skyline
  • The Treasury, Petra, Jordan The Treasury, Petra, Jordan
    The Treasury, Petra, Jordan
  • Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt
    Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt
  • Camel safari, Dubai desert, UAE Camel safari, Dubai desert, UAE
    Camel safari, Dubai desert, UAE

Antiquity To Arabian Deserts

21-day cruise & stay from £6,959 pp

Exclusive tailor-made fly, cruise and stay holiday

Summary

Highlights

  • Visit the pyramids of Egypt
  • Discover Petra in Aqaba
  • Stay in a bedouin in the desert

In Brief

  • 1 Night Rome
  • 1 Night Palermo
  • 1 Night Valletta
  • 1 Night At Sea
  • 1 Night Heraklion
  • 1 Night Cairo
  • 1 Night Suez Canal
  • 2 Nights Luxor
  • 1 Night Aqaba
  • 2 Nights Red Sea
  • 1 Night Gulf of Aden
  • 1 Night Arabian Sea
  • 1 Night Salalah
  • 1 Night At Sea
  • 1 Night Muscat
  • 1 Night Dubai - United Arab Emirates
  • 1 Night Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa
  • 1 Night Dubai - United Arab Emirates

About

Recommended for:
All-inclusive | History & culture | Ocean cruise | October holidays

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK to Rome

Fly to Rome where you will be met and transferred to the port to embark Seven Seas Voyager

Whether enjoying the street performers at the Spanish Steps and people-watching over a fine glass of wine in colorful Trastevere, or taking in the historical and architectural glory that is Rome, visitors are spoiled for choice in this truly Eternal City. St. Peter’s Basilica is a full-day outing, featuring the Sistine Chapel and panoramic city vistas for those willing to climb to the top of the dome. Other landmarks not to miss include the renowned Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum, and Aventine Hill, which provides you with a grand view of the imposing remains of the Imperial Palaces and the Circus Maximus, of Ben Hur fame.

Meals: D

Day 2
Palermo

Palermo, the capital city of Sicily, was founded by the Phoenicians in the eighth century BC. Palermo remained a Phoenician city until the First Punic War, when Sicily fell under Roman rule. Palermo remains a jewel of the Mediterranean, and is Sicily’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. No visit to Sicily is ever complete without a visit to Palermo, a city that permits one not just to know this island but to begin to understand it.

Meals: B L D

Day 3
Valletta

Malta’s major port and capital, the entire city of Valletta was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The centerpiece is the impressive 19th century Mosta Dome, visible from anywhere on the island, with its inlaid marble floor and the gilded, carved stone flowers set around the interior dome. For a tranquil afternoon, stroll the San Anton Palace Gardens, artistically laid out in Three Villages - Attard, Lija and Balzan. Or, for spectacular vistas, take a day tour to Dingli Cliffs, which offer striking views of the sea and rugged coastline. Valetta is also a portal to day trips to nearby Mdina, with its landmark Baroque Cathedral of St. John; and Rabat, the provincial township that was once part of the Roman city of Melita, where you can explore several fascinating archaeological digs.

Meals: B L D

Day 4
Cruising The Mediterranean Sea

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Heraklion (Crete)

Visit the great Minoan ruins of the Palace of Knossos, famous as the home of the labyrinth where the Minotaur roamed, and the Archaeological Museum housing many superb artifacts from the complex. Explore the stunning mountain-fringed Lassithi plateau with its orchards, 7000 windmills and ancient villages. Take home fine reproduction Minoan pottery, a traditional Cretan knife, local embroidery, hand-woven rugs, gold and silver jewelry. Relax over a dish of hearty moussaka or delicious souvlaki in a taverna, washed down with local wine or beer.

Meals: B L D

Day 6
Cairo

Travel to Cairo and marvel at the Giza pyramids and Sphinx standing at the edge of the vast Sahara. Visit the fabulous Egyptian Museum and see its awesome collection of artifacts or head for Alexandria and its ancient sites and museums. Browse Cairo’s bazaar for unusual jewelry like Eye of Horus amulets, hand-painted papyrus copies of ancient tomb paintings, glass, alabaster and artifact replicas. Or find an ancient relic approved for export. Relax over a cup of sweet tea and sample delicious vegetable appetizers or some spicy lamb kebabs, a typical Middle Eastern dish.

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Transit The Suez Canal

Meals: B L D

Days 8-9
Luxor (Safaga)

Cross the Nile to the famed Valley of the Kings and the magnificent tomb of Tutankhamen and the huge mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. In the evening, witness the fabulous sound and light show at Karnak. Take a jeep safari into the desert to a Bedouin settlement for sweet tea and flatbread and enjoy the dramatic beauty of the sunset over the sands. Buy lovely hand-painted papyrus copies of tomb paintings, mother-of-pearl inlaid boxes, alabaster trinkets, jewelry, and replicas of ancient artifacts. Enjoy sizzling lamb dishes, falafel, and myriad other Middle Eastern and Egyptian specialties.

Meals: B L D

Day 10
Aqaba

Aqaba, in southwestern Jordan, is the only seaport of Jordan. It is also our gateway to Petra, which dates back to perhaps 7000 BC and was one of the earliest known farming communities in the Middle East. The town was built out of solid red rock and features intricate carvings. It was once the capital of the flourishing Nabataean civilization that stretched from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Enter the site through a half-mile long chasm and come face-to-face with the magnificent Treasury, Petra’s ancient masterpiece.

Meals: B L D

Days 11-12
Cruising The Red Sea

Meals: B L D

Day 13
Cruising The Gulf Of Aden

Meals: B L D

Day 14
Cruising The Arabian Sea

Meals: B L D

Day 15
Salalah

The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, neighboring Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In 1970, the son of Sultan Said bin Taimur overthrew his father's government and renamed the nation the Sultanate of Oman. During the Persian Gulf War, Oman served as a landing base for the allied forces. Salalah is gateway for visitors to explore the site of "Jebel Qarra," fabled to be the tomb of the biblical Job.

Meals: B L D

Day 16
Cruising The Arabian Sea

Meals: B L D

Day 17
Muscat

Muscat is the capital of Oman, a sovereign country. Muscat has been important since the 6th century BC, when Persians controlled the port. It was under Portuguese domination from 1508 to 1650, and subsequently the Iranians gained control of the city. Muscat became the capital of independent Muscat and Oman in 1741- the country’s name was changed to just Oman in 1970. Muscat offers a number of exciting excursions including dolphin watching and off-road desert adventures.

Meals: B L D

Day 18
Dubai

Located in the northeast United Arab Emirates, bustling Dubai attracts visitors with its international facilities and exotic, yet cosmopolitan lifestyle. Known as the Hong Kong of Arabia, Dubai’s modern duty-free shopping malls and traditional souks offer some of the best bargains in the world on such luxury items as gold jewelry and designer creations. For a more historic outing, visitors can explore the museum at Al Fahidi Fort or venture out into the Old Quarter of Bastakia.

Meals: B L D

Day 19
Dubai to Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa

Debark and take a private vehicle to your hotel located in the desert - the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa

The Al Maha Desert Resort and spa is a tribute to traditional life in the Arabian Desert, set within a verdant oasis among Dubai's most impressive dune and desert landscapes. This luxury resort won the much-coveted World Legacy Award (Nature Travel) from National Geographic Traveller and Conservation International.

This magical adults-only resort is located just 65 kms from Dubai, nestled within 225 km2 of alluring desert landscape within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and offers outstanding hospitality, privacy and absolute comfort in its 42 spacious and luxuriously appointed suites adding to the romance of the desert. This oasis of luxury and enchantment offers restorative wellness and beauty therapies, where you can experience the true beauty of the desert and observe indigenous wildlife in their natural surroundings.

Stay: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai (Ultra)

Meals: L D

Day 20
Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa

The Arabian Oryx & the Gazelles are the star attractions in the reserve. The indigenous Arabian wildlife can also be viewed from the temperature-controlled infinity pool or sundeck seating area of all Villas. Enjoy two different complimentary desert activities every day as part of the stay.

Stay: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai (Ultra)

Meals: B L D

Day 21
Dubai

Check out of the Al Maha and take a private transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, arriving the same day

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

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

21-day cruise & stay
from £6,959 pp

Deluxe Suite (G): £6,959
Deluxe Suite (F): £7,289
Concierge Suite (E): £7,619
Concierge Suite (D): £7,999

Exclusive tailor-made fly, cruise and stay holiday

Meet our experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0615

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?

Expert advice & support

Visit us in our London office

Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected