Revelations of Suez, Sinai, and the Red Sea

Arrive in Limassol, relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced

The second-largest city in Cyprus, sunny Limassol, is located between the ancient sites of Amathous and Kourion. Just like its island home, Limassol has seen many occupations come and go, and the result is delightfully cosmopolitan. The modern waterfront buildings and sleek promenade stand in contrast to the ancient core of the Old Town. Here you can find Limassol Castle, best known as the place where Richard the Lionheart (King Richard I) married Berengaria of Navarre after his conquest of the island in 1191. Kolossi Castle is located around 14 kilometers outside the city and was a command post during the Crusades. Take a break from the city’s long and fascinating history and explore the beautiful beaches, bustling restaurants, and cafes, or perhaps enjoy the island’s natural beauty on a hike along Cape Greco’s stunning coastal trails.

Port Said was developed in 1859 around the inauguration of the Suez Canal. The Waterfront Quarter is home to many handsome buildings, such as the Suez Canal House and the Military Museum of Port Said. The port is also the perfect jumping-off point to explore Cairo, where you can tour the Egyptian Museum, which houses some 120,000 artifacts dating back to the pharaohs, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.

The 101-mile-long Suez Canal was completed in 1869 as an artificial waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas, cutting some 7,000 miles off the journey from England to India. Today guests will be treated to one of the world’s most exciting maritime experiences as it seems to glide bizarrely right through the heart of the desert at sea level. The ship sails very slowly through its transit as part of a colossal convoy of vessels, giving you plenty of time to take in the view.

Sharm El Sheikh is a bustling resort town renowned for its reliable weather, tucked between the desert of Sinai and the Red Sea. Sharm’s clear waters filled with colorful fish and coral, such as at the site at Ras Mohammed, make it the ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling. Make time to visit the 6th-century St. Catherine’s Monastery and see the Chapel of the Burning Bush, the very spot at the foot of Mount Sinai where Moses received the ten commandments from God.

Jordan’s only port city is the perfect gateway to the lost city of Petra, where you can pick your way through narrow stone passageways to discover half-built, half-carved architectural treasures. Take a camel ride around the magnificent thousand-year-old structures fashioned from salmon-pink sandstone, perhaps the best way to experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Aqaba is also renowned as a diving destination, with notable sites including the Yamanieh coral reef in the Aqaba Marine Park.

The small Red Sea port of Safaga is a popular holiday spot. Here, both diving, surfing, and kitesurfing are world-renowned. Inland visitors can try out camel riding or go on a jeep safari. The town is also well placed to head to the fascinating Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in Luxor. Dating from around 2050 BC and dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, the vast 200-acre complex of temples at Karnak contains the largest religious buildings anywhere in the world.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip, or head to the library, which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures, or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

The beautiful Red Sea port city of Yanbu is known for its pristine beaches and outstanding dive sites. Inland, visit the cradle of Islamic culture and civilization, the old city of Medina, second only to Mecca in its holiness. It was here that the Prophet Muhammad lived and taught in the 7th century. You can visit the stunning 10-minareted Prophet’s Mosque, complete with the Prophet’s tomb. Make the pilgrimage to the 3,500-foot-high Mount Uhud to see the spot where Muslim forces battled troops from Mecca in 625 AD.

Ras Al Baradi Beach is located in Yanbu. This peculiar location has the unique beauty of white sand beaches, a moderate climate throughout the year, and a deep sea full of surprises where you can experience breathtaking nature.

Jeddah is a beguiling mix of old and new, from the floating Al Rahma Mosque built directly on the azure waters to the New Jeddah Corniche, a waterfront boardwalk spanning 30 kilometers and bustling with restaurants, cafes, and sculptures. Al Balad, Jeddah’s old town, is UNESCO-listed and dates back to the 7th century. It offers beautiful buildings and an ancient souk. Admire the mighty Jeddah Tower, which will be the world’s first kilometer-high building once it’s completed.