Cruise Itinerary for 15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean |
Destination |
Arrival |
Departure |
Athens (Piraeus) |
10/24/2009 |
10/24/2009 6:00:00 PM |
|
Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summi has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Rhodes |
10/25/2009 11:00:00 AM |
10/25/2009 7:00:00 PM |
|
Rhodes is one of Greece’s favored vacation centers and was an important cultural center with a well-known School of Rhetoric attended by such greats as Cicero and Caesar. Rhodes' most famous attractions originated with the Knights of St. John, who occupied parts of the island from 1310 to 1522 and left a medieval town, dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters and Knights' Hospital, which houses an Archaeological Museum with interesting exhibits of national archaeological finds. Rhodes has inspired many artists. The Old Town offers shopping opportunities and lively nightlife. At Mount Filerimos a church has been built on the site of an ancient temple. A popular excursion is to the charming village of Lindos. Its premier attraction, the ancient acropolis, stands atop sheer cliffs. Walls of a 13th-century Crusader castle enclose the site. Today, the winding path up to the acropolis is lined by stalls, where locals sell lace tablecloths and souvenirs. Mandraki Harbor's entrance is flanked by stone columns topped by figures of a stag and a hind, the town's heraldic animals.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
At Sea |
10/26/2009 |
10/26/2009 |
|
Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Suez Canal |
10/27/2009 |
10/27/2009 |
|
The Suez Canal links two oceans and two seas the Atlantic and Mediterranean via Gibraltar to Port Said, and the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea via Bab Al Mandab and the Gulf of Suez to the port of Suez. It is the longest Canal that has no locks, it can be widened and deepened at any time when necessary. The Suez Canal's strategic importance lies in the fact it is essential for world trade and greatly shortens the distance between East and West. The distance between Tokyo (Japan) and Rotterdam (Holland) is shortened by 23% if it goes round Africa.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Sharm El Sheikh |
10/28/2009 6:00:00 AM |
10/28/2009 6:00:00 PM |
|
The land of the Sinai is the "great and terrible wilderness" of the Bible, across which the Israelites journeyed in search of the Promised Land. Sharm-el-Sheikh serves as starting point for an excursion into the desert and to St. Catherine’s Monastery, the oldest Christian monastery in the world. St. Catherine’s Mountain is at 7,926 feet the highest summit in Sinai, followed by Mount Sinai, where God is said to have given the Ten Commandments to Moses. The most popular pastime in Sharm-el-Sheikh as well as in Na'ama Bay is exploring the underwater marine life. The reefs are easily accessible; diving and snorkeling equipment can be rented at watersports centers and dive shops. Glass bottom boat cruises are also popular to see the colorful underwater world. The main shopping areas are at the resort area of Na'ama Bay, located five miles from the port. Egyptian cotton, Pharaonic souvenirs and gold cartouches are popular. There are plenty of eateries at Na'ama Bay, and the hotels offer a variety of restaurants with everything from seafood to international cuisine and fast food.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Aqaba |
10/29/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/29/2009 6:00:00 PM |
|
Jordan's only outlet to the sea, Aqaba is a popular holiday destination - with a superb climate and beach-edged Red Sea waters that boast some of the world's finest coral reef diving. Aqaba is the only seaport of Jordan. Visit fabled Petra, perhaps the finest archaeological site in the Middle East. The great monuments of this Nabatean 'rose-red city, half as old as time' were hewn from living sandstone some 2,000 years ago, and rediscovered only in 1812. Nearer Aqaba is the spectacular scenery of Lawrence of Arabia's Wadi Rum, where rugged jebel mountains rise sheer from the desert sands.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Safaga |
10/30/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/30/2009 |
|
The port city of Safaga, located on the western flank of the Red Sea, across from Saudi Arabia, has dusty streets that are for the most part quiet. Diving enthusiasts come to Safaga to take advantage of one of the world’s best locations for underwater exploration. For those guests who feel the 150-mile drive through the desert may be too much, Safaga offers bazaars where bargaining for souvenirs and handicraft items may be fun. Nearby are a few hotels offering resort and diving facilities.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Safaga |
10/31/2009 |
10/31/2009 5:00:00 PM |
|
The port city of Safaga, located on the western flank of the Red Sea, across from Saudi Arabia, has dusty streets that are for the most part quiet. Diving enthusiasts come to Safaga to take advantage of one of the world’s best locations for underwater exploration. For those guests who feel the 150-mile drive through the desert may be too much, Safaga offers bazaars where bargaining for souvenirs and handicraft items may be fun. Nearby are a few hotels offering resort and diving facilities.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
At Sea |
11/1/2009 |
11/1/2009 |
|
Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
At Sea |
11/2/2009 |
11/2/2009 |
|
Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
At Sea |
11/3/2009 |
11/3/2009 |
|
Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
At Sea |
11/4/2009 |
11/4/2009 |
|
Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
At Sea |
11/5/2009 |
11/5/2009 |
|
Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Muscat |
11/6/2009 10:00:00 AM |
11/6/2009 6:00:00 PM |
|
Surrounded by striking mountains on one side and soft sandy shores along its coasts, Muscat is an ancient town, characterized by a unique civilization reflecting Arabian and Islamic influences. It maintains a medieval appearance with two ancient Portuguese forts guarding the rocky cove around which the town is built. In the heart of the old, walled-in city is the magnificent Sultan’s Palace and various ancient buildings, distinctive with Eastern Arabian style, Arabesque gates and beautiful engravings. The Muttrah Souq (bazaar) is without a doubt the most interesting souq in the Arab Gulf States - with a vast array of Arabian antiques, bright textiles and exquisite gold and silver jewelry. Muscat is indeed a treasure chest of places to see, where history comes alive and age-old secrets are revealed in a taste of timelessness. Muscat boasts fine museums. Distinctive with its clean silver sands, Qantab Beach is surrounded by mountains which prevent exposure to strong winds. Muscat is a photographer’s delight.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Dubai |
11/7/2009 1:00:00 PM |
11/7/2009 |
|
Dubai is a member of the United Arab Emirates, the cluster of sheikdoms along the Arabian Sea. Located at the crossroads between East and West, the emirate's long-standing trading tradition has for centuries brought visitors from throughout the Middle East and neighbouring regions. Now modernized, Dubai continues to attract many with its international facilities and its exotic, yet cosmopolitan lifestyle. Dubai has the best prices in the Arab Gulf states for gold, electronics, perfumes and is a tax-free city. It also has good beaches and excellent resort hotels. The town was the residence of the British political agent for the former Trucial States from 1954 until 1971. Known as the Venice of the Gulf, Dubai is the chief port and commercial center of the United Arab Emirates.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |
Dubai |
11/8/2009 |
11/8/2009 |
|
Dubai is a member of the United Arab Emirates, the cluster of sheikdoms along the Arabian Sea. Located at the crossroads between East and West, the emirate's long-standing trading tradition has for centuries brought visitors from throughout the Middle East and neighbouring regions. Now modernized, Dubai continues to attract many with its international facilities and its exotic, yet cosmopolitan lifestyle. Dubai has the best prices in the Arab Gulf states for gold, electronics, perfumes and is a tax-free city. It also has good beaches and excellent resort hotels. The town was the residence of the British political agent for the former Trucial States from 1954 until 1971. Known as the Venice of the Gulf, Dubai is the chief port and commercial center of the United Arab Emirates.
|
15-night Middle East Cruise Mediterranean Cheap Cruise aboard the Silversea Silver Whisper |