Explore the civilisations of the Mediterranean with Voyages to Antiquity

Discover the cradle of civilisation to the birthplace of democracy, embark on a cruise with Voyages to Antiquity to the places which shaped our modern-day society.

With three nights in a hotel in Cairo, two nights in Athens and 13 shore excursions included, the cruise departs on 7 November. 

During the cruise, passengers will visit the Norman Cathedral of Monreale, a short drive from Palermo in Sicily,  and explore the architectural heritage of Malta. Also on the itinerary are the ruins of Minoan Knossos, in Crete, and the ruins of Carthage, in Tunisia.

The 17-day trip starts with a 3-night hotel stay at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza hotel in Cairo. Fares from  £2,195 pp

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Nile Cruises with Bales Worldwide

Here's the second of our luxury Nile cruising under sail blogs today from us here at World of Cruising.

If you prefer something a bit more sedate and up market than the modern day Nile cruise then Bales Worldwide have four Dahabiyyas - the Amber, Musk, Nesma and Zahra - beautifully crafted 19th century style river sailboats that revive the elegant days when aristocrats and sophisticated travellers cruised the Nile. The vessels are fitted out in colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches and comprise six individually designed cabins, an elegantly furnished lounge and two sun decks to admire the fascinating scenery while relaxing to the sound of the soft billowing sails and the ice chinking in the glass.

8 days  departing November 8   £2095

More Info:  0844 488 1158   www.balesworldwide.com

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Get a Free Cairo Extension With Bales Nile Tours

For a limited time only, the specialist worldwide tours of Bales Worldwide is offering a FREE three-night Cairo extension on their superb Nostalgic Nile tour if booked by April 30. The details are as follows:

The Nostalgic Nile, from £2,095pp, with free Cairo Extension

This eight-day itinerary with Bales Worldwide includes scheduled flights with EgyptAir to Luxor, accommodation on a traditional ‘dahabiyya’ luxury sailing vessel and sightseeing encompassing Luxor, Esna, Kom Ombo, Aswan and Cairo. The trip also features English-speaking guides on board who will take care of tipping, a private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers, a sightseeing itinerary (including entrance fees) and the exclusive ‘dahabiyya’ cruise. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling on a mixed board basis. Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures on Apr 27.

Three night Cairo extension

Extend your time in Egypt with 3 nights in the vibrant capital, staying at the luxurious Oberoi Mena House in a Pyramid view room. This extension includes: Transfers, 3 nights at Mena House in a Pyramid View Room, Daily Breakfast, Half-Day Guided Tour of Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, Entrance to Solar Boat Museum at Pyramids, and a Half-Day Guided Tour of Egyptian Museum

For more info, follow this link to the Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river cruising specialists.

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Holland America’s 140th Anniversary Specials

To celebrate Holland America Line’s 140^th anniversary, the cruise line has announced the MS Rotterdam will be sailing eight brand new itineraries this autumn, including a new ex-UK trip departing from Harwich.

The 1,404 capacity ship will offer a mixture of 10, 11 and 14-night cruises through Spain, Italy, the French Riviera, Dalmatian Coast, Turkey, Greece and the Holy Land. Cruise-only prices start from just £669 per person, with fly/cruise prices starting from £1,039pp for an inside stateroom.

The new itineraries include overnight stops in a multitude of exciting cities, from Istanbul and Lisbon, to Barcelona and Venice. Whilst on board, guests will also be able to benefit from Holland America’s wealth of restaurants, cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Centre, IT classes in a Windows Digital Workshop or the blissful Greenhouse Spa & Salon.

Some of the new itineraries are:

14-night Iberian Explorer
This round-trip from Rotterdam departs on September 14 and calls at La Coruña in Spain, Leixoes (Porto) and Portimao in Portugal, Gibraltar, Malaga and Cádiz, as well as stopping overnight in Lisbon. The cruise then pays one last stop in Vigo before returning to Rotterdam. Prices start from £893 cruise only or £1,363 including return flights to Athens, transfers and 10 nights’ full board accommodation.

10-night Western Europe Adventure

Departing from Harwich on September 29, this voyage calls at La Coruña before heading to Leixoes and making an overnight stop in Lisbon. The cruise then heads to Cádiz, Gibraltar and Malaga, before docking in Barcelona. Prices start from £999 cruise only or £1,239 including a flight back to London from Barcelona, transfers and 10 nights’ full board accommodation.

11-night French Riviera and Italian Adventure

Starting with an overnight stop in Barcelona on October 9, this cruise visits Marseille (for Provence), Monte Carlo, Ajaccio in Corsica, Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), La Goulette (for Tunis and Carthage) and Valletta in Malta. Passengers are then Italy-bound, with stops in Messina and Naples, before disembarking in Civitavecchia (for Rome). Prices start from £999 cruise only or £1,499 including an outbound flight to Barcelona and return from Rome, transfers and 11 nights’ full board accommodation.

11-night Dalmatian Coast and Greek Explorer

This voyage departs Civitavecchia (Rome) on October 20 and heads straight to Dubrovnik before stopping for a leisurely overnight stay in Venice. The cruise then journeys to Ravenna (for San Marino), Split in Croatia and Kotor in Montenegro. After that, the last few days are spent in Greece, exploring Corfu, Katákolon (for Olympia) and Nafplion, before disembarking in Piraeus (Athens). Prices start from £999 cruise only or £1,591 per person including an outbound flight to Rome and return from Athens, transfers and 11 nights’ full board accommodation. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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Sanctuary Retreats Pioneer 10-Night Nile Cruises

Sanctuary Retreats is delighted to announce the successful completion of the first long cruise down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan for 15 years on board the Sanctuary Sun Boat III, which departed Cairo on August 19 and finished in Aswan ten days later.

For the past 15 years, cruise ships have been unable to sail from Cairo to Aswan. However, this  route has now been re-opened by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and, with their support alongside the Egyptian Government and the Floating River Association, Sanctuary Retreats is the first company to have completed this spectacular journey offering an unprecedented selection of Egypt’s ancient wonders over 10 nights.

Dates for 10 night cruises in 2013 are April 6 and 20 on Sanctuary Sun Boat III, May 24 and July 2 on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV and May 10 and September 10 on board Sanctuary Nile Adventurer. All Sanctuary Retreats boats offer the very best in intimate and luxurious Nile cruising.

With 18 cabins, Sun Boat III is a smaller than average 5-star boat in 1930s colonial style with unique personalised service. The boutique Sun Boat IV has 40 luxury cabins and is furnished in a contemporary style with an art deco influence, while the elegant Nile Adventurer has just 32 beautifully designed cabins offering a relaxed cruising experience.

Prices start from $3,440 per person for the 10-night cruises on a full board basis with all sightseeing, entrance fees and guidance from world class Egyptologists included. Flights and transfers not included.

Early Booking Offer

All new bookings for the 10-night cruise made before January 31 can take advantage of a complimentary private transfer on arrival, complimentary re-cruise check-in with one additional night half board on board prior to the departure and an upgrade to an upper category deck, subject to availability.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's river-cruise specialists.

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Egypt In Style - With Savings!

Bales Worldwide is offering some great late-summer savers on their Egypt and Nile River voyages, for select departures in August and September.

Their 11-day Egypt’s Summer Special itinerary, including scheduled flights and accommodation and sightseeing encompassing Giza, a full Nile cruise on board Movenpick Royal Lily or Movenpick Royal Lotus (3 nights) and Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Red Sea and El Gouna (5 nights). The trip includes an English-speaking guide during the cruise and in Cairo, private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers, a sightseeing itinerary (including entrance fees) and modern first class hotels throughout. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis, including all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change.

Or try The Nostalgic Nile from just £1,845 per person (a saving of up to £450pp). This eight-day itinerary includes scheduled flights and accommodation on a traditional ‘dahabiyya,’ with English-speaking guides on board who will also take care of tipping, private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers and sightseeing itinerary (including entrance fees). Prices are per person based on two adults travelling on a mixed board basis (including seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners), including all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change, based  on a September 8 departure.

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The Sphinx Is Calling Again For Uniworld

After a break to avoid the heat of high summer, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises resume their 2011 Egypt itineraries in September, with a new more luxurious hotel partner in Cairo – the Four Seasons Nile Plaza.

Departures for the 12-day Splendours of the Nile experience start on September 3 and will feature two nights in Cairo at both the beginning and the end of the 7-day cruise, staying at the hotel which is located on the Corniche on the banks of the Nile, affording panoramic views across the river to the island of Zamalek and beyond, or towards the 12th-century Citadel. It boasts 10 restaurants and lounges offering a variety of international cuisine and also a state-of-the-art spa, the largest of its kind in the city, with 14 treatment rooms including a couple's treatment room, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, cold plunge, a serene relaxation area and indoor swimming pool. It also has three outdoor pools.

The hotel matches the level of comfort and service that guests can expect on board the River Tosca, which is where guests will spend 7 nights of the itinerary, sailing the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Highlights of the whole itinerary include a visit to the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx as well as the Karnak and Luxor Temples in Luxor, and Temple of Hathor in Dendera, one of Egypt’s best preserved temples. No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple as well as Aswan’s gems, such as the High Dam, the Philae Temple and the Botanical Gardens. Throughout all this, you’ll be accompanied by highly skilled and knowledgeable Egyptologists, as well as a host of supporting guides.

The River Tosca is an intimate all-suite ship, with a capacity for 82 guests, blending old world elegance with modern amenities. Each beautifully appointed suite has a French balcony and comes kitted with iPod docking stations, flat screen TVs and both a bathtub and shower in the private bathrooms. The public areas include a stylish lounge with full-service bar, a cosy library, elegant restaurant, sundeck with cabanas and a swimming pool, plus a fully equipped gym and massage room.

For more info, visit www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Regent's Mediterranean Discoveries

Why not take a cruise on Seven Seas Voyager with luxury line Regent Seven Seas from May 17 for seven nights? They now have balcony suites on this sailing from a bargain £2,435 per person (with alternative suite categories also available). Highlights of this voyage include Cairo (Port Said), Ashdod (overnight, for Jerusalem), Haifa, Capri (Sorrento) and Rome (Civitavecchia). They also include Regent's trademark unlimited FREE shore excursions. Take a look at this range of examples from the Voyager cruise:

Tel Aviv Orientation & Jaffa, Ashdod; originally £66, now FREE; Jerusalem Old City, Ashdod; originally £86, now FREE; Panoramic Jerusalem, Haifa; originally £86, now FREE; Nazareth & the Sea of Galilee, Haifa; originally £86, now FREE; Scenic Riviera & Taste of Sorrento; originally £66, now FREE. Total saving: £390pp (or£780 per couple!)

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Free return Economy flights & transfers on every cruise; unlimited FREE shore excursions in every port; exquisite choice of fine dining, with no extra charge for speciality restaurants; fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails and selected Champagnes; speciality tea, coffee, afternoon snacks and light refreshment at any time of the day; exceptional personal service, with all gratuities included; and 24-hour room service & in-suite dining served course-by-course.

Fares are guaranteed until March 31 (terms and conditions apply). Please see www.rssc.com or visit the luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Oceania Cruises offers up to $1000 onboard credit

By guest blogger Steve Newman

For selected departures between April and July 2011 on three of its upper premium luxury ships, Oceania Cruises is offering $1,000 of onboard credit per booking. Included among the offer sailings are:-

23rd April: Wonders of the Ancients – 14-night cruise on Insignia (above), embarking in Civitavecchia (Rome) and cruising to Sorrento, Taormina, Zakynthos, Alexandria, Cairo, Haifa, Jerusalem, Limassol, Tartous, Alanya, Ephesus and Athens. The price of £2,571 per guest is based on 2 sharing and includes all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water, as well as the $1,000 credit per stateroom (excludes flights).

27th May: Gems of Europe – this 15-night voyage on Insignia now comes with a $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom and is priced from £2,690 per guest, including all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water (excluding fights). The cruise sails from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Marseille, taking in Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Lisbon, Oporto, La Coruna, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Lorient before completing the voyage in Greenwich.

Other sailings with the enticing $1,000 onboard credit include in Alaska on Regatta and winter 2011/12 voyages on Nautica.

To find out more, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/ or check with the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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From the Nile to Damascus

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The Middle East has long been a magnet for those who wish to combine cruising with the study of ancient civilisations. Take this tradition with a combined land-and-cruise journey and you really have the chance to get under the skin of these places and their cultures, both past and present.

In March next year, discerning travellers have the chance to take a six-night cruise in the Red Sea combined with land elements to visit some of the most impressive ancient ruins on Earth for an amazing 17-day journey.

Organised in typical exemplary style by Noble Caledonia, the trip starts with three nights in Cairo with trips to the Pyramids and other famous historical sites before you board the MS Island Sky for the cruise from Suez to Aqaba. The ship underwent a complete refurbishment in May and I can thoroughly recommend her as a superb vessel for this type of cruise having sailed on her myself recently.

Calling in at Safaga, a journey through the desert brings you to Luxor for a two-day excursion that also includes the Valley of the Kings. Amazingly, the best is yet to come as, after disembarking at Aqaba, the wonder of the orange and red sands of the desert of Wadi Rum are visited in Jordan, followed by a two-night stay at Petra (above) the "Rose red city, older than time."

Floating in the Dead Sea at its marvellous resort that drips luxury and exclusiveness, walking through Amman and sitting in wonder on the steps of the theatres in the ancient Roman city of Jerash are all followed by the fascination of the Mosques and Orthodox churches of Damascus.

How's that for true Middle Eastern magnificence?

For more information, look up http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/

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