Athens (Piraeus) to Aqaba (Petra)

Piraeus, is a port city within the Athens urban area, in the Attica region of Greece. It is located in the Athens Riviera, 8 kilometres southwest of Athens’ city centre, along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf.

It may not be the prettiest place in Crete, but Heraklion’s patchwork of history, bustling activity and cultural intrigue makes it the perfect change of pace. This is certainly no sleepy island fishing village, and Greece’s fifth-largest city is adorned with a rich collection of quality museums, ancient ruins from antiquity, and a lively culture of its own. View less

A refreshing shift-up from the many quaint beach towns and fishing villages you’ll encounter in the Greek islands, Heraklion – also known as Iraklio – has great shopping, extraordinary history and is the ideal base for ventures to the archaeological treasures of Crete. Traded by the Arabic, Venetian and Ottoman empires over the years, Heraklion is a multi-layered place with fascinating tales to tell. The city’s impressive Venetian fortress, which waits over the gently rolling waves of the gleaming Mediterranean, welcomes you ashore. A stroll out along the seawall, alongside creaking fishing boats, will take you out to the squat fortifications that have stood since 1540. Climb to the top for views out across the water, back towards the city’s waterfront. The sun-roasted earth outside the city hides treasures from the realms of history, including the Bronze Age remnants of Europe’s oldest city, Knossos. A visit to the fantastic Archaeological Museum of Heraklion ties all of this history together and exhibits relics from the civilisations and eras of Crete’s past. Elsewhere, Daidalou’s pedestrianised paving is a charming stroll through Heraklion’s shops, with streets branching off to café-lined plazas and twinkling fountains. Stop to try local food – like fresh feta and olive sprinkled dakos mezze – all washed down with a sample of local raki brandy.

Located only seven miles from the Turkish coast, Rhodes is one of Greece’s favored vacation centers. In ancient times, the entrance to its harbor featured a celebrated landmark, the Colossus of Rhodes. The 105-foot statue rose from a 35-foot stone base and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Rhodes was an important cultural center with a well-known School of Rhetoric attended by such historical figures as Cicero and Caesar. From a school for sculptors came the famous Laocoon group, which is now in the Vatican Museum. Rhodes’ most famous attractions originated with the Knights of St. John, who occupied parts of the island from 1308 to 1522. As their legacy they left a medieval town, dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Knights’ Hospital. The Old Town is encircled by one of the best-preserved walls in Europe. In addition to buildings that showcase the legacy of the Knights of St. John, there are plenty of shops and dining opportunities throughout the Old Town.

Egypt’s main port and second largest city after Cairo was built between 332-331 BC at the order of Alexander the Great. Immortalizing his name, the city quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, political and economical metropolis, home to the famous Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies and the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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The port city of Safaga is located on the western flank of the Red Sea, across from the shores of Saudi Arabia. The dusty streets are for the most part quiet, save for the occasional truck or bus. Diving enthusiasts come to the few resort hotels located north of Safaga to enjoy one of the world’s best and relatively unspoiled locations for underwater exploration. Their number is steadily increasing. As a result, Safaga’s facilities are gradually improving.
For cruise vessels calling here, Safaga serves as the gateway to Luxor, which ranks among the most important destinations in Egypt, topping the list of must-see attractions. Guests who are not planning to take the excursion to Luxor will find very limited activities in Safaga itself, except for souvenir shopping at some tourist villages and diving and snorkeling tours at resort hotels. A half day trip to the resort of Hurghada is also an option.

The port city of Safaga is located on the western flank of the Red Sea, across from the shores of Saudi Arabia. The dusty streets are for the most part quiet, save for the occasional truck or bus. Diving enthusiasts come to the few resort hotels located north of Safaga to enjoy one of the world’s best and relatively unspoiled locations for underwater exploration. Their number is steadily increasing. As a result, Safaga’s facilities are gradually improving.
For cruise vessels calling here, Safaga serves as the gateway to Luxor, which ranks among the most important destinations in Egypt, topping the list of must-see attractions. Guests who are not planning to take the excursion to Luxor will find very limited activities in Safaga itself, except for souvenir shopping at some tourist villages and diving and snorkeling tours at resort hotels. A half day trip to the resort of Hurghada is also an option.

With glorious, sun-bathed beaches, balmy seas, and the tempting shade of palm trees, Sharm El Sheik is Egypt’s laid-back leisure hotspot. This holiday city has blossomed from small fishing village roots to a global tourism centre, and it boasts exceptional dive sites, rich heritage and adrenaline-raising desert scenery among its many assets. The gorgeous waters of the Red Sea invite you to bathe, swim and dive in amongst incredible marine life, painted with every colour of the spectrum. View less

The Red Sea is famous for the world of life that thrives below its glittering surface, and you can snorkel among the swirling fish, or lounge at leisure on the soft sands of Egypt’s sun-drenched shores. Head out to find the treasured diving and snorkelling spots – swimming amid corals gently swaying in underwater currents. Angelfish, clownfish and gliding rays all inhabit the reefs here, along with a confetti of tiny red and yellow fish. Ras Mohammed National Park, which waits on a peninsular nearby, is renowned for having some of the best diving opportunities in the world. Back on land, explore lively Na’ama Bay, where humming restaurants, cafes and shisha bars are filled with holidaymakers. The bay’s golden beach is the original heart of Sharm El Sheikh’s tourism resort, and you can camp out here in a prime spot or settle into the luxury of a resort’s private sands. Encounter the massive El Mustafa Mosque with its marvellous domes and minaret rocketing up into the blue sky, impelling worshippers to pray. Wade into the market, to enjoy the challenge of securing a bargain – haggling is an essential part of the local culture here. Or, get your thrills by roaring across rolling biblical desert scenery, whipping up a wave of fine sand in your wake, as you storm the landscape in a 4X4.

The most cosmopolitan city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah (Jiddah) is the “gem” of the Red Sea, and second in size only to the capital city of Riyadh. Located mid-way along the coast of the Kingdom, Jeddah it is the busiest of all the Kingdom’s ports. In addition to being the country’s principle port, Jeddah is the main point of entry into Saudi Arabia for the hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims on their way to the Holy Cities of Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah. Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of Muhammed and contains the holiest cities of Islam. Jeddah is, surprisingly, named in honor of the biblical Eve. “Jadda” means “grandmother” in the context of Eve, who according to legend is buried near the historical old city.
The Old City of Jeddah, known as Al-Balad, with its serpentine alleys, is marked with the centuries old multi-storied buildings. The lower portions of the walls tend to be made from cut stone bricks, while the upper sections are constructed from mud bricks with latticed wooden poles. The heart of Old Jeddah is its markets. In its centre is the 700 year old flag mast and 15th century cannon, which dominate the King Abdul Aziz Historical Square.

The most cosmopolitan city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah (Jiddah) is the “gem” of the Red Sea, and second in size only to the capital city of Riyadh. Located mid-way along the coast of the Kingdom, Jeddah it is the busiest of all the Kingdom’s ports. In addition to being the country’s principle port, Jeddah is the main point of entry into Saudi Arabia for the hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims on their way to the Holy Cities of Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah. Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of Muhammed and contains the holiest cities of Islam. Jeddah is, surprisingly, named in honor of the biblical Eve. “Jadda” means “grandmother” in the context of Eve, who according to legend is buried near the historical old city.
The Old City of Jeddah, known as Al-Balad, with its serpentine alleys, is marked with the centuries old multi-storied buildings. The lower portions of the walls tend to be made from cut stone bricks, while the upper sections are constructed from mud bricks with latticed wooden poles. The heart of Old Jeddah is its markets. In its centre is the 700 year old flag mast and 15th century cannon, which dominate the King Abdul Aziz Historical Square.

Improbably carved into the rusty-red rock of the Jordanian desert, the ancient city of Petra has been mesmerising visitors since being rediscovered by Westerners in 1812. Siq Canyon provides a suitably grandiose welcome, cutting a deep track through layers of fiery sandstone, and building up the suspense, before you first set eyes on the Lost City’s majesty. An early start is best to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving you chance to beat the crowds and avoid the brunt of the heat.

The Treasury is perhaps Petra’s best-known structure, having featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as the mystical hiding place of the Holy Grail. Imprinted deep into the sheer sandstone, it’s a dramatic, spectacular achievement of human endeavour. Look closely, and you’ll see the indentations of bullet holes scarring the urn that sits atop it – fired by Bedouins fuelled by rumours of ancient treasure within. Petra developed as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, and the sophistication of the Rose Kingdom’s rock-hewn buildings is matched only by the elaborate and advanced water collection and transportation system that quenched its thirst and provided the means to thrive, despite its remote location and the intense burn of the sun. Look out for the delicate water channels that lace the city as you explore. High above the city – up a daunting 800-step climb – stands the Monastery. It’s lesser known, but larger and – whisper it quietly – perhaps even more impressive than the Treasury. The High Place of Sacrifice is an even tougher hike – with only occasional electric-blue lizards scattering from your footsteps as you rise – but the views of the remarkable city, embossed into the mighty sandstone cliffs below, will last a lifetime.