DAY 1
Mumbai, India
A spicy destination of colour and chaos, the city formally known as Bombay is a deafening collision of contrasts and culture. Known as the City of Dreams, Mumbai is at once an economic centre, fashion hub and home for Bollywood’s world of glamour. This is the real India, and Mumbai is a city of unparalleled extremes and contradictions. Brutal poverty is rife in sprawling slums, while unimaginable wealth glares in the exuberances of the world’s most expensive private residence. A place of dazzling, overwhelming cultural experience – littered with UNESCO World Heritage sites – your only option is to dive in headfirst and immerse yourself in India’s extraordinary and enriching embrace.
Arrive: 23/05/2023- Depart: 23/05/2023
DAY 2
At sea
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Arrive: 24/05/2023- Depart: 25/05/2023
DAY 4
Muscat, Oman
Oman’s capital rests overlooking the coast of the Gulf of Oman, tucked away among the country’s mountains. Discover a city surrounded by neat gardens – with streets lined by palm trees and crumbling Portuguese forts providing a tangible link to the past. Explore an elegant array of domes, minarets and marbled Arabic archways, as you’re immersed in a city where a traditional conservative outlook mingles with a pragmatic modern approach. Despite a relative boom in recent years, Muscat has clung to its old-world Arabian charm. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the main mosque and an iconic landmark of Muscat.
Arrive: 26/05/2023- Depart: 26/05/2023
DAY 5
Muscat, Oman
The Mutrah area is rich with local culture. Wander among the groaning tables of the lively fish market and busy Mutrah souk. Mutrah Fort was constructed during the Portuguese occupation of the 16th century and offers views back down over the harbour. Things can get a little sticky in this humid climate, so head to the beach to enjoy a gentle breeze and unwind. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of indulgent stretches of soft sand, met by pristine water. Swim with fish and turtles or relax below the palm trees. Or take a cruise to spot spinner dolphins playing in the waters offshore.
Arrive: 27/05/2023- Depart: 27/05/2023
DAY 6
At sea
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Arrive: 28/05/2023- Depart: 31/05/2023
DAY 10
Jeddah, Saudia Arabia
The principal gateway to Mecca, Jeddah’s spiritual roots are very deep. Eve, the mother of mankind, is said to be buried in the city centre (although sceptics claim there is no actual proof), while archeological excavations in the old city suggest evidence of pre-Islam (700 BC) activity. Regrettably only scant vestiges of historical Jeddah remain, a reason why UNESCO deemed the city a World Heritage Site in 2014. An interesting by product of Jeddah’s location as major port on the Red Sea and proximity to Mecca (around 100 kms) is that Muslims from all over the world flock to the city. This has given Jeddah a very cosmopolitan feel, unlike other parts of Saudi Arabia. The 19th century Red Sea architecture is unique in its kind. Beach side, the city offers much. Jeddah’s dive sites are among the best in the world while the laid-back approach is appealing to westerners. However, while the city might well be more open than other ports in the Kingdom, it is still Saudi Arabia and when in doubt, visitors – especially women – should err on the side of modesty when it comes to beach wear. Traditionally, the city is rich. The souk in the heart of the old town is, of course, a must see during your visit, offering everything from amazing architecture to bargains galore.
Arrive: 01/06/2023- Depart: 01/06/2023
DAY 11
At sea
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Arrive: 02/06/2023- Depart: 02/06/2023
DAY 12
Safaga, Egypt
Unravel the mysteries, and marvel at the artistry and scale, of some of Ancient Egypt’s most important and impressive monuments, which rise from the fertile plains and palm groves of the River Nile. Safaga’s port sits on the Red Sea’s dazzling coastline, where gorgeous beaches and super waters for diving and snorkelling await. Unwind here, amid the colourful fish life, or lie back to soak in ever-reliable sunshine. Most will choose to head inland to the banks of one of the world’s longest and most storied rivers – where the immense treasures of Ancient Egypt loom in the desert’s haze. Modern Luxor rests beside the Nile, and is set amid an unparalleled archaeological site of swirling legend and ancient beauty. This vast, open-air museum sprawls out below the burning sun, and you’ll discover preserved ancient tombs, momentous statues like the Colossi of Memnon, and vast columned temples with rows of statues, such as the Temple of Karnak. Soak in the surroundings on boats, which meander up and down the river, or head out to tick off as many of the remarkable ruins as you can.
Arrive: 03/06/2023- Depart: 03/06/2023
DAY 13
Aqaba (Petra), Jordan
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.
Arrive: 04/06/2023- Depart: 05/06/2023
DAY 15
At sea
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Arrive: 06/06/2023- Depart: 06/06/2023
DAY 16
Suez Canal Transit, Egypt
The Suez Canal, gouged through Africa, is one of the world’s engineering marvels – linking two seas, and drastically shortening boat voyages around this huge continent. Few manmade waterways are so storied and iconic, and sailing the length of it is a bucket list item for many explorers. The construction of the canal started in 1859, and took ten years to complete, with the canal officially opening in November 1869. More than a million people worked on the project, often in unimaginable conditions. An engineering breakthrough, the canal connected the Mediterranean to the Red Sea – drastically improving global trade’s efficiency. A hugely strategic and precious bottleneck, it has inevitably led to conflicts – and been vulnerable to scuttling to block its usage.
Arrive: 07/06/2023- Depart: 07/06/2023
DAY 17
At sea
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Arrive: 08/06/2023- Depart: 08/06/2023
DAY 18
Athens, Greece
A city of legend, civilisation and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece’s capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus’ giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of the Athens’ urban area. From there it’s a simple jaunt to the centre. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon – which date back to the 5th century BC – stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens’ best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage.
Arrive: 09/06/2023- Depart: 09/06/2023
The excursions are provided as a sample of what may be offered on this voyage and are subject to change.
