Ancient Splendours of Greece and Egypt

Located in the Red Sea, in the eponymous gulf, Aqaba offers Jordan its only access to the sea. At the crossroads of the land and sea routes that linked Asia, Africa and Europe, the city has a rich 5,000 year history. The warm waters of the Red Sea attract holidaymakers and divers to this beach destination; the underwater sites are home to coral and fish and are among the most beautiful in the world. Aqaba is also the gateway to the beautiful Wadi Rum desert and the wonderful site of Petra.

During your day at sea, enjoy the many services and activities on board. Relax at the spa or keep fit at the fitness centre. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy the swimming pool or sunbathing. This non-stop day will also be an opportunity to take advantage of the conferences or shows offered on board, to shop in the boutique or to meet the photographers in their dedicated area. As for lovers of the open sea, they can go to the upper deck of the ship to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps have the chance to observe marine species. An enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Ain Sokhna, which means “hot spring”, is located in the Gulf of Suez, facing the Red Sea. About 50 kilometres from the entrance to the Suez Canal, and less than two hours from the Egyptian capital, it is an elegant seaside town popular with wealthy families in Cairo. Ain Sokhna is an ideal base for discovering the wonders of ancient Egypt.

Without this waterway linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, this part of the world would be a barren sand desert inhabited by a few nomads. The Suez Canal, which crosses 162 km of desert, was inaugurated in 1869 in the presence of Empress Eugenie, then nationalized by Nasser in 1956.

During your day at sea, enjoy the many services and activities on board. Relax at the spa or keep fit at the fitness centre. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy the swimming pool or sunbathing. This non-stop day will also be an opportunity to take advantage of the conferences or shows offered on board, to shop in the boutique or to meet the photographers in their dedicated area. As for lovers of the open sea, they can go to the upper deck of the ship to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps have the chance to observe marine species. An enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

With its particularly pleasant climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk along its paths and discover its immaculate villages and its sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the centre of the island, the mountains are covered with forests and on the western slopes there are vineyards and crops. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and character to the Knights of St John who ruled the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated by majestic gates. Don’t miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches and wide lanes, which perpetuate the myth of the famous Colossus, the legendary statue that is one of the seven wonders of the world.

Patmos is one of the legendary islands of the Dodecanese. It was the home of Saint John, the presumed author of the last book of the Bible. The Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St John are dedicated to him. These UNESCO World Heritage sites are located on a hilltop planted with vineyards and orchards. On the shore, the crystal-clear coves of Kambos and Lampi offer magnificent bathing spots.

The legendary island of Delos in the Cyclades is only a few kilometres southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient sacred sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. The size and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which covers more than half of the island, is exciting. From the Stoa of Antigonos to the Terrace of the Lions and the carved marble animal statues, you will make discovery after discovery, with the Aegean Sea as a backdrop. The steps of the theatre, on the hillside, are a particularly pleasant place to enjoy the extensive view.

Known as the “Little Venice”, Mykonos is famous for its district of Alefkandra where the houses are built on the water’s edge. Their colourful loggias are emblematic of this Cycladic Island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get up close and personal with the birds on the quays of the old port. On the hillside you can see the sails of the windmills turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian centre, bougainvillea adorn the immaculate facades. At the bend in the streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly beckon you to the island’s beaches, the quietest of which are on the north coast.

Famous for its white marble, the island of Páros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you will see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop off at Naoussa. This small fishing port is bordered by a beautiful cove.

The charming city of Nafplio lies on the green hills of the Argolic Gulf in the eastern Peloponnese. Don’t be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Must-sees include the ancient agora on the Akronafplia plateau, the Italian arcades of Syntagma Square and the baroque fortress of Palamidi on the hill of the same name. At the top of the hill, the views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply breathtaking. If you want to relax by the water, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful cove shaded by cedars and cypresses.

The Greek capital is located on the Saronic Gulf in the east of the country. Its plural name refers to the first villages surrounding the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided over by its UNESCO World Heritage monuments. In the lower city, you can visit some of the liveliest areas of Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, come evening, the floating aroma of moussaka and garlic shrimp will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art are also among the city’s main attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.